Chapter 38: This time around

Onoki stopped mid hand sign for his Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique, as he lowered his hands he turned to his son Kitsuchi who came along to Konoha as his escort. "So close to avenging all those that fell at the hands of that bastard Minato, yet I hesitate… why? Maybe it's because I know that while he is the son of the Yondaime… he is not his father, or maybe it's because I know that the consequences I would face would be dire if I killed the boy here."

Kitsuchi raised an eyebrow at Onoki and added, "I'm pretty sure it's because of Kurotsuchi… the reports she sends back clearly indicates her mission was successful."

Onoki growled at his son, "Like I care what that brat wants, how the Yondaime's son fell for her stupidity I will never know!"

Shrugging his shoulder Kitsuchi turned away from his father as he said, "Then kill him, and blow him away right now…" Onoki raised his hands up to finish his hand seals but was interrupted when Kitsuchi continued saying, "But just so you know she will certainly hate you for the rest of her life if she finds out what you did and probably lead an uprising against you the moment she gets steps back into Iwa…"

Slightly skeptical Onoki said, "She wouldn't dare! The Shinobi of Iwa wouldn't dare!"

Tilting his head slightly Kitsuchi stated, "Maybe, maybe not… but you would definitely provide her with another reason to usurp your rule…"

"Then I would put her down like the devil child she is!" Onoki barked, which Kitsuchi openly laughed "You always say you will punish her every time she insults you or does something against your orders, yet I've noticed those are all empty threats. Not once have you actually punished her for her insolence."

Onoki grumbled under his breath something about dam brats and their know it all fathers… , which Kitsuchi smiled too and asked, "What did you say Otou-san?"

This struck a nerve with Onoki as he wiped around to face his son and yelled out to him, "THAT'S TSUCHIKAGE-SAMA TO YOU BOY!" Kitsuchi just shook his head and shrugged again, while Onoki wished to further scold his son for his cheekiness he couldn't due to the fact that 4 Shinobi suddenly surrounded them in a square shape.

Kitsuchi was quick to assume a defensive formation with his father, but soon found it to be unnecessary as the ones who surrounded them were Hyuga's and not Oto or Suna-nin.

One of the Hyuga's stepped forward and introduced himself as Ko than after a short bow to the wizened Tsuchikage he stated, "Tsuchikage-sama you have our gratitude for watching over Naruto-sama in his weakened state, we will take him here, since we were asked to find him and bring him back to the Hyuga compound in case he needed treatment."

Onoki watched as two Hyuga's carefully maneuvered the injured boy onto the back of a 3rd Hyuga than leave toward what Onoki guessed to be the Hyuga compound, Onoki questioned himself why he was even concerned for the boy… maybe Kitsuchi was right, perhaps he did have too much of a soft spot for his granddaughter so in extension he showed compassion to the boy that Kurotsuchi loved so much. Sigh… he would have to sit down and think about this.

One day later

Naruto groaned as his eyes flickered open, thankfully this time he was in a soft bed and not falling from the air. Sitting up Naruto felting wet fall onto his lap, looking down he noticed it was a damp cloth it was than he was alerted to Kurotsuchi's voice, "Naruto-kun you're awake!"

Turning his head to the side he realized that they were inside what used to be Hinata's room in the Hyuga compound. Kurotsuchi picked the towel up from his lap and gently wiped his face, "We were all so worried about you… especially the princess, hmm if she didn't have a meeting with her father mostly likely she would be here right now…"

Gripping his forehead Naruto took a moment to recall everything that happened, his fight with Neji during the preliminary than Gaara during the semi-finals. Rescuing the Daimyo asking him to marry Hinata and him, than there was fighting Orochimaru and the undead version of Hashirama. And finally his last memory was of himself plummeting into the ground.

Kurotsuchi seeing Naruto stuck in a stupor, shifted onto the bed and straddled him, cupping his cheeks with her hands she tilted his head up and slyly mushed her lips against his, this broke him out of his daze as he sighed into the kiss. Kurotsuchi pulled away and crossed her arms in front of her with a pout, "You're thinking about her aren't you!"

"Hmm?" Naruto asked as he wrapped his arms around Kurotsuchi's waist and pulled her into his body so he could nuzzle into the crook of her neck, Kurotsuchi put up a feeble struggle as to try to get her point across but ultimately failed because she wanted Naruto this close to her. "You always do this to me…" Kurotsuchi said without any of her cheerful demeanor

Nipping her a few times in the neck Naruto asked, "Do what?"

Kurotsuchi grabbed onto the hair on the back of his head to hold Naruto in place so he wouldn't see the tears that could possibly flow out. "It hurts you know… knowing that every hug and kiss that we share… all you think about during those times is that dammed pampered princess!"

"Hey…" Naruto responded, "You know it hurt my feelings when you forced yourself upon me in the forest of death…"

"Well… I said sorry didn't I?" Kurotsuchi said with a hint of embarrassment while playing with Naruto's hair. "You know… I really like you…"

Kurotsuchi felt Naruto smirk into her neck, "Well even if you really like somebody you don't do that to them…"

Kurotsuchi let go of Naruto's hair which allowed him to lift his face off her neck, Kurotsuchi blushed and looked down onto Naruto's lap, "Well you know… neither my grandfather or my dad you know… sort of never taught me how a female would… express their emotions to somebody of the opposite gender… and when I saw you I… kind of… you know… acted on primal instinct…"

This time Naruto cupped Kurotsuchi's cheeks and asked with an amused smile, "And does that include leaving me in the forest, with my chakra sealed up almost getting mauled to death by tigers and bears?"

Giving Naruto a cute pout Kurotsuchi just replied, "You can't blame me I was still on my orgasmic high! No female could think properly after you ate them out like that!"

Naruto went to reply but Kurotsuchi placed her index finger over his lips and maneuvered her face all the way up against Naruto's so basically they were sharing oxygen and exchanging carbon dioxide. "Shh… you enjoyed it remember…" Naruto attempted to shake his head, however Kurotsuchi kept her finger pressed tightly against his lips preventing too much movement, "You enjoyed it remember?… remember?

No response from Naruto, "I said you enjoyed it remember!" Kurotsuchi said with a little more force behind it this time. But instead of waiting for Naruto to reply, Kurotsuchi hooked her finger into his mouth and helped… yes she helped Naruto with him nodding his head. Poor Naruto Kurotsuchi thought he must have gotten so injured that he couldn't even nod his head properly.

Lightly nipping her index finger with his front teeth, Naruto asked with her finger still in her mouth. "Weren't you just really sad like 30 seconds ago…"

Kurotsuchi shrugged and ignored Naruto's question instead sticking her thumb also into Naruto's mouth and fished out his tongue, dragging it out of his mouth she ran her index finger across the top of his tongue. "I miss this… and I wish to get very well reacquainted with it… every groove, every contour and every bump…"

Slaughtering what remained of the distance between them, Kurotsuchi stuck her tongue out and licked the length of Naruto's with the tip of hers. "Tell me Naruto, what did I taste like?"

Naruto pulling back just slightly much to Kurotsuchi displeasure, said as he lightly removed his tongue from Kurotsuchi's grasp. "Kuro-chan? You really temperamental you know…"

Reclosing the distance between each other to the point where their noses and foreheads were pressed snuggly against each other, "Tell me you love me even with my flaws please." Kurotsuchi asked in an almost desperate sounding voice.

Naruto raised an eyebrow at this, "What flaws? Aren't you supposed to be my perfect Iwa gemstone?"

"REALLY!" Kurotsuchi said as she pulled her face away and grabbed her slightly tinted cheeks in glee and delight, "Do you really believe I'm your perfect gemstone?" finishing she batted her eyelash a couple of times in quick succession.

Naruto chuckled slightly and grasp the side of her head ever so gently in a way that was usually only reserved for Hinata. He leaned over and kissed each of Kurotsuchi's eye lids, than as he moved to leave a lingering kiss on the middle of her forehead.

Naruto thought in-depth about Kurotsuchi and what she meant to him… it was rather ridiculous wasn't it, this girl had all but forced herself upon him just a little over a month ago but yet here he was sitting on his wives former bed making out with her, with Hinata permission that was…

But slowly Naruto was actually beginning to understand her, and the reasoning behind her actions. For underneath that rocky exterior she was a girl lost in a man's world… more specifically a Iwa man's world. Naruto had learned that Kurotsuchi's mother had died when she was very young leaving her in the care of her Grandfather the Tsuchikage and her father who was deemed as being the second strongest Shinobi in Iwa only second to the Tsuchikage.

Forced to live under the shadows of these two men and being constantly glorified to one day develop into the same category of Shinobi as her grandfather and father, had in a way stunted the development of Kurotsuchi's more feminine traits.

So when she encountered Naruto in the forest of death she adopted the standard process a male Iwa Shinobi took, when they wanted their way and that was straight brute force. And while Kurotsuchi did involve such trickery that was able to even deceive somebody like Naruto, she was hardly subtle when it came to her actions.

But regardless of this, deep inside of Kurotsuchi she still had certain cute girly aspect of her that was banging on the stonewalls which her father and grandfather had unintentionally built within her, pleading to be let out into the world.

Maybe that was the reason that Naruto was so intrigued with her… and he guessed the fact that she was strong in her own right, connected politically and incredibly beautiful was just a plus.

2 days later

Council Chambers

The council chambers were already filled with the voices of the civilian council debating and quarrelling the moment they sat down onto their seats. Somehow they believed their issues took precedent over vital rescue missions and the safety of the village, and while the clan head's had their own issues too they were used to dealing with them internally as most clan's rather not have their dirty laundry spread out in front of the gossip loving civilian council.

However silence fell over the room when the doors swung open and in walked the Daimyo, Hinata, Onoki and Naruto.

There were two things that stood out to the people in the room, one was the fact that the Daimyo had the Hokage's hat in hand and the other was the fact that the Tsuchikage was let in on this meeting.

This random turn of events quickly angered one of the members of the civilian council who yelled out, "Clearly children weren't invited to this meeting." Being extremely careful of his words, not wanting to insult the Tsuchikage.

The Daimyo sat down at the seat usually reserved for the Hokage while placing the hat down on the table in front of him and said, "I must sadly inform you that the Sandaime Hokage is not fit for duty and in the care of his doctor's at the hospital, and while it is not life threatening he still needs time off to recover. So in his place I asked Tsuchikage-sama to come aid me in this trying time much like Hiruzen, Tsuchikage-sama has the same experience from ruling his own city for such a lengthy period, I'm sure we won't be discussing any village secrets here today as there are other matters at hand, as for Naruto-kun my guards were all slain on the day of the invasion so I asked him to be my temporary bodyguard, until replacements could arrival from the capital. And Hinata-chan she as the new Senju clan head surely has every right to be at this meeting.

"NEW SENJU CLAN HEAD!" the combination of the Shinobi and Civilian council yelled out,

"SHE'S TO YOUNG"

"HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?"

"I VETO THAT DECISION!"

"WHAT ABOUT TSUNADE!"

Those were just some of the screams of protest that could be heard throughout the hall most coming from the civilian side, they were all silenced again when the Daimyo banged his gravel on the podium, "If you would all calm down I will answer your questions… however one at a time!

One merchant stood up and said, "I'm sure the foremost question we all wish to ask, is why is this girl the new Senju clan head it makes absolutely no sense at all."

A few murmurs ran through the civilian council but overall they just nodded, fanning himself lightly the daimyo paused for a moment than replied, "She was chosen by her husband to represent the clan in his place."

"HER HUSBAND!" nearly the entire room chorused again. With no change in his expression the daimyo said, "Yes her husband… Naruto Uzumaki-Senju, he doesn't carry the last name of Senju for nothing…"

Sakiri glared at Hinata who had taken a seat among the row of clan heads. It profoundly annoyed her, it should have been her or Sakura in her spot not this white eyed tramp. I mean she was already rich and influential why did she get her own clan head status too. Deciding to voice her displeasure she yelled out, "She is far too young, she has no experience in politics and she is a mere genin. No offense Daimyo-sama but I must say this appointment of rank is extremely questionable and I'm sure my colleagues would agree with me!"

And while Sakiri had directed her statement toward the Daimyo it was Hinata who responded, "Seemingly Councilor you should brush up on your rules and protocols of the government of Konoha because while you are correct that I am only a genin, but because I was married by an official of the state I bypass that parameter completely… and yes while my age can be put into question it will not be appraised by your colleagues, but among my peers the Hokage or the Daimyo. Than you wish to question my experience when it seems like I'm the one educating you in how our regime works, maybe it's because you forget up until I married into the Senju clan. I was the Hyuga Heiress; I was trained all my life too one day surpass my father to become the Hyuga clan head, so to doubt my experience would be equivalent to insulting the very teachings of the Hyuga clan itself, and I highly doubt you would think so low of the Hyuga clan… am I correct?…"

Sakiri gave no response which left an absurdly awkward silence hanging in the air, which was only broken when another member of the civilian commented, "Regardless of what you say girl, who do you think you are to replace Tsunade-sama! Do you think you make a better clan head than her little girl… surely 'you' do not believe yourself smarter or stronger than one of Konoha's legendary Sannin!" the councilor finished looking to call the 'wannabe' clan head out.

Hinata turned her families patented Hyuga glare on the man who flinched slightly at the intensity, "You're right… I do not dare believe myself stronger or smarter than Tsuande-sama, however call me arrogant but I do believe myself a better clan head than her!" Gasps resonated around the room as Hinata continued, "and you know why because at least I'm here doing my duty! What has it been twenty-plus years since she has last set foot inside this city, and if my memory serves me than after 5 years of being inactive than a clan head's position can be claimed by another member of the clan… since my husband is the only Senju left to lay claim to the Senju line than I have every right to be here!"

Hiashi watching his daughter felt a great sense of jealousy toward Naruto, at this moment Hiashi saw that Hinata would have made a great and fierce clan head for the Hyuga clan, but sadly she no longer a Hyuga regardless he felt an immense sense of pride toward his eldest daughter and hoped that Hanabi would become like her sister when she grew up.

"Hinata-chan is right…" the Daimyo added on while smiling and casually fanning himself, "And while it is fascinating to see some young blood assert themselves in this council, I believe we have more important things to discuss?"

"Yes… cough, cough… we actually do." Homura said as he fixed the stack of papers he had been looking over. "For example how to distribute the village's maintenance funding…"

Inochi asked with a confused look, "But doesn't that decision ultimately fall to the Hokage and his advisors after we submit our claims?"

Shikaku adding a bit of his own perspective said, "Inoichi is correct, excuse my insolence while you could make the decision in the Hokage's place Daimyo-sama, but it is my belief that you do not have the same in-depth understanding of Konoha as somebody like the Hokage."

Sakiri hoping to get on the Daimyo's good side shrieked out at the Nara clan head, "How dare you question the Daimyo and his infinite wisdom, surely he could…"

She was silenced when the Daimyo put a hand up, "He is correct councilor… it is true I do not know the inner workings of this city as somebody as the Hokage, I would even go as far as to say that, I probably know less than most people in this room… do you agree with me Tsuchikage-sama?"

Onoki stroked his beard slightly and responded, "Hmm while I do not know how exactly the administrative system of Konoha works, however I do know that there is a chance that the Daimyo does not always know all the happenings of his Shinobi village especially the finer points, seeing as his eyes must be cast upon the wider perspective of his whole country.

The Daimyo nodded in agreement to what Onoki had said, "Yes, yes you see Tsuchikage-sama here agrees with me, however I am more shocked that nobody has questioned on why I have the Hokage's hat with me…"

The members of the councils began talking silently among each other again, but Shikaku was the first to understand what the Daimyo was implying, "Your planning to choose a new Hokage aren't you Daimyo-sama. At least that's what it seems like you are hinting.

This caused the whole room to burst into a uproar of discussion, which led to the Daimyo once again having to bang with his gravel to reestablish peace.

This time it was Choza who was the first to comment, "We don't understand Daimyo-sama, surely Hokage-sama was not injured to the point where he is forced to step down!"

The Daimyo let out an unexpected sigh, "That is somewhat similar to what I had said to Hiruzen, however the battle with the traitor Orochimaru was apparently a big wakeup call for him. I long tried to convince him otherwise but he states that he can no longer deny the fact that he is far too old to cling to the belief that he can still defend Konoha from her enemies, no offense to you Tsuchikage-sama… and while Hiruzen has given me a recommendation… I wish to hear both councils opinion on who they believe should be nominated?"

Koharu was the first to make a nomination, "I would normally endorsed Danzo to be Hokage… however he is the same age as Sarutobi so choosing him would be rather counterproductive no?"

Danzo hearing this tightened his grip on his cane slightly in annoyance, however made no comment to voice his displeasure. As Koharu's statement had completely thrown a wrench into his plans, he would have to go back to the drawing board now and devise his next strategy to achieve the seat of Hokage.

Koharu continued and said, "My second choice would have to be Jiraiya than…"

While there was agreement spread throughout the room, Naruto however let out somewhat of a combination of a cough, snort and laughter, upon hearing them recommending Jiraiya. The Daimyo turned and asked Naruto who was standing behind him, "Do you disagree with Jiraiya being Hokage Naruto-kun?"

"It is not my place to voice my opinion Daimyo-sama," Naruto answered as he bowed his head apologetically. The Daimyo chuckled and then said, "Well what if I wish to hear you're insight,"

Naruto bowed his head again and then said, "No offense to the honorable advisors but… Jiraiya-sama is not fit to be Hokage… he would slack on his Hokage duties to partake in his perverse actions… and honestly as Hokage I can honestly see him decreeing some sort of disgraceful dress code for all of our Kunoichi to wear.

The Daimyo blushed heavily at that thought but was able to hide it behind his fan, "Yes Naruto-kun makes some excellent points, we will definitely put that into consideration. Is there anybody else the council would like to nominate?"

Tsume scratched her cheek slightly as she said, "Well I guess that would rule out Kakashi as well wouldn't it… heh heh. However what about Ibiki then? He is experienced and has been a valued member of our community for years; he would make a great Hokage… if he wasn't so creepy and scary…"

"Hmm" Choza hummed thoughtfully, "If we want a respectful and knowledgeable member than why not Hiashi…"

But before Choza could even finish Hiashi said with a wave of his hand, "I humbly decline… I have enough on my plate with regards to the Hyuga clan."

Choza shrugged than proceeded to suggest, "Shikaku?" Who chuckled, "No way… to be chained to a desk all my life, honestly I would rather stay home… with my wife than become Hokage"

Inoichi sighed and said, "Well we seemed to have run out of candidates… at least those that come first to mind." Turning to the Daimyo Inoichi asked, "Daimyo-sama you said the Sandaime Hokage had a recommendation, might we inquire on who it is?"

And wasn't it a bit of a shocker when the Daimyo turned his head to where Naruto was standing behind him and pointed his fan at him, "The Sandaime Hokage recommends, Uzumaki-Senju, Naruto as his 2nd successor…"

And while the Daimyo expected the room to burst into chaos, everybody was surprising quiet as they allowed this turn of events to settle in. As Koharu broke the silence, "That actually wouldn't be a bad idea… it's no secret anymore that Naruto is the Kyubi Jinchuriki by crowning him Hokage it would allow us to keep him inside the village under 24 hour surveillance, with his secret out to the whole world now he is in even more danger as there are those that would most likely seek to capture him and mold him into their weapon…"

Tsume nearly jumped out of her seat while saying, "And let's not forget that Naruto-kun is the strongest of his generation, it might be a waste to keep him chained to a desk but he will make a powerful Hokage!"

"Plus he has none of the perverted tendencies that Kakashi and Jiraiya possess, and his young age makes him an ideal longtime candidate for that spot." Choza joyfully added on to Tsume's statement as she nodded in agreement.

"Surely you have something to say, Hinata-chan… I mean this is your big strong husband that we are talking about," Tsume commented while nudging Hinata's arm lightly with her elbow a few times.

Though slightly tentative she averted her eyes from the rest of the Shinobi council and said, "Yes… Naruto-kun spent most of his life learning politics and regulations beside me… he would make a great Hokage…"

The Daimyo picked up on Hinata's reluctance and questioned, "What is the matter Hinata-chan? Surely you would be happy about this possibility that your husband would become Hokage…"

Hinata let out a soft sigh of disappointment and replied, "It's because we are so young,"

"Psh… young is an understatement… I for one refuse to acknowledge this brat as Hokage… Especially after what he has done to the city and it's people, he deserves to be banished from Konoha forever!" said Sakiri feeling the need to say something. This led to some of the other members of the civilian council to gain some more confidence,

"Yeah, this brat would bring us to ruin within the first week."

"I will not follow that demon as a leader!"

"That thing is a beast I tell you, a beast!"

"He deserves chains and a shackle not the Hokage's hat he will just corrupt it!"

"BANISH HIM!"

"Silence!" the Daimyo yelled. "Naruto-kun come forward…"

Moving from his position behind the Daimyo Naruto walked so he was now standing in front of the Daimyo's desk, "Daimyo-sama you can't be serious!" Sakiri yelled out again. "This council nor the civilians we represent will accept this selection!"

The Daimyo closed his eyes for a moment than said, "Fine, I will take into account the recommendation of both councils. Naruto-kun… before you I lay two options." Pointing his hand toward the Hokage's hat he said, "The first choice I offer to you is take on the mantle and serve Konoha as the Godaime Hokage… or…"

Then he pointed toward an empty spot on the table next to the Hokage's hat, "Or you can hand in your Hitai-ate…"

Hearing this it was Hinata who was quick to state, "Wait Daimyo-sama! What if my husband wishes to stay as a normal Shinobi?"

The Daimyo shrugged and said, "Sometimes this is life of a Shinobi village, where a Shinobi has to make sacrifices in order answer his call too duty…"

Hinata gripped her kimono's sleeves tightly, but said nothing further. Naruto closed his eyes in thought for a moment than reached his hand forward and placed it onto the Hokage's hat right over the fire symbol drawn on the hat. However just as he was about to pick up the hat he heard a whisper from a random member of the council, "Why did they let that demon brat ever become a Shinobi in the first place, and can you believe they let that spawn's whore onto the council as well, this place is going to hell I tell you."

Naruto slowly shifted his hand off the hat and clutched his fist violently in anger, "How dare they insult his wife!" Naruto thought as his patience with the civilian council was nearly depleted by now, often he wouldn't care how much they talked behind his back. However when it came to Hinata or any of the other girls it for some reason really affected him."

Gritting his teeth he said with anger in his voice, "Daimyo-sama… do you see and hear… they openly insult me and the ones I love just because I did the job that I was forced to do!"

Silence overtook the room as all of their attention was now turned to Naruto

"I was never given the choice or option to be a Jinchuriki, this burden was forced upon me within hours of my birth! And I did my duty as the Jincurhiki did I not… Instead of going around and corrupting and killing people, I used my powers to protect the very people I love and those who loath me so much. So tell me do the ones I love deserve such contempt!" Naruto asked as he whipped around to face the civilian council.

"Moments ago I stood in front of the Hokage's revered hat second's away from becoming the Godaime Hokage, however I realized at that moment that it is pointless for me to lead those who do not wish to follow. The Sandaime told me that I would eventually learn to love this city and its inhabitants, however I quickly discovered that was impossible when I found out how deep your hatred for me stems. So why should I subject the rest of my life to such torture?"

Turning back toward the Daimyo Naruto said as he slowly untied his Hitai-ate, "I have to apologize Daimyo-sama I'm sorry you had such high hopes in me and I'm sorry I failed to live up to them. But I have made my choice…"

Putting his folded Hitai-ate onto the table Naruto gave the saddened Daimyo a deep bow, "Fools…" The Daimyo thought to himself, "All fools, to detest and banish somebody with so much potential. This will surely come back to bite them in the ass, still I have to figure out how to explain to Sarutobi that I played a role in the banishment of his latest student… Well the very least I could do is…"

He reached over and picked up what used to be Naruto's Hitai-ate, "Very well Naruto-kun… yet let me offer you payment for all the arrogance and pain you have suffered at the hands of these fools…

As the Daimyo of fire country I hereby grant you Uzumaki-Senju, Naruto a honorable discharge not a banishment from the Shinobi ranks of Konoha… you are pardoned of all your crimes and any offenses that some might wish to place upon you… and while it pains me to say this but you are now free to seek employment wherever you wish… in a world like this Shinobi like you will not have any issue finding a job…

A few of the civilian council grumbled at this turn of events, they had wanted to pin damages they suffered during the invasion on Naruto and make him pay for it, however for whatever reason the fire Daimyo was protecting the demon brat. Yet even the civilian council knew that it was surely foolish to go against the Daimyo's orders.

Hinata on the other hand was angry for an entirely different reason, surely her husband whom she had just recently wed was most likely going to leave Konoha now, and without her in tow. If she had knew this she would have never accepted the position of clan head of the Senju clan. But what deeply worried Hinata was where would Naruto go now, however she wouldn't have to wait long to find out as the Tsuchikage started laughing, "So boy… now that you are no longer part of Konoha, I am rather uncertain about allowing you to continue to court my granddaughter… however I would have no issue with the relationship and I will even give you my blessings if you were to join Iwagakure's Shinobi forces…"

Pulling an Iwagakure headband from seemingly nowhere, Onoki reached over and offered it to Naruto… who took a few steps toward Onoki while staring at the red head band, "Wouldn't this be rather ironic?" Naruto asked.

"It would wouldn't it…" Onoki asked back rather rhetorically. "Regardless a Shinobi without a village is a harsh life to live, with enemies constantly breathing down your neck. Furthermore I'm positive the people of Iwa will be extremely accepting… Kurotsuchi has methods of getting her way especially when it comes to her future husband… "

Turning his head for a moment toward Hinata, he gave her the slightest of nods. Than directed his attention back towards the Tsuchikage taking the headband from his hand Naruto said, "I am yours to command Tsuchikage-sama…"