Chapter 46

The New Hokage

After spending the day, Ryusei accompanied Naruto to his apartment. While getting an apartment, Naruto offered to stay with him, which he accepted.

But when he arrived, he saw that everything was in disarray.

"Well, what do you think?" Naruto asked with a smile.

"Uh… you should tidy up more," Ryusei said with a bead of sweat.

The next day

It was already morning. Naruto and Ryusei walked through the streets of Konoha. Naruto ran, overtaking Ryusei as he put on his jacket.

"Wait for me!" Ryusei exclaimed, running after Naruto.

"Okay, I'll work hard!" Naruto shouted. He ran through some houses and as he turned left, ran head-on into Rock Lee, who looked somewhat saddened. "Bushy Eyebrows."

"Good morning, Naruto," Rock Lee said.

Ryusei walked towards them.

Rock Lee looked at Ryusei with intrigue. "Hey, you're the one who was with Naruto in the hospital," he said.

"Oh yeah," Ryusei said, "My name is Ryusei."

"I'm Rock Lee."

Ryusei nodded.

He looks rather depressed, something normal considering the severity of his injuries, he thought.

"Ryusei is the apprentice of Grandma Tsunade!" Naruto exclaimed. "Speaking of her, did she look at your injuries?" he asked Rock Lee.

"Konoha village is in a bad spot, so we all must work hard, right?" Naruto said.

"Yes," Rock Lee replied without much encouragement.

Ryusei wondered if Naruto's cheerful energy didn't let him see how depressed Rock Lee was.

"Recover from your injuries and let's do missions, Bushy Brows…" Naruto said when he was interrupted by two voices calling out to him, being a boy and a girl.

The boy had brown hair and black eyes. He had a sleepy expression and a droplet of snot hung from his nose. He wore a navy blue jacket with long sleeves, beige pants and blue sandals. He also wore large round glasses. He wore green aviator goggles on his forehead.

He was Udon Ise.

The girl had black eyes and orange hair tied in two pigtails with red elastics. She also has a perpetual blush. She wore a wine-colored tank top over a pink blouse. The back of the T-shirt was long. She had beige pants and blue sandals. On her forehead she wore green aviator goggles.

She was Moegi Kazamatsuri.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked the children.

"Konohamaru…" Moegi said.

"Konohamaru?" Naruto asked confused.

"He locked himself in," Udon said.

"Huh? Locked himself in?"

Udon and Moegi explained that Konohamaru had locked himself in the Hokage's office and wouldn't let anyone in.

Naruto and the children ran to the Hokage's office. Ryusei was about to follow them.

"Wait," Rock Lee said, making Ryusei stop.

"What's wrong?" Ryusei asked quizzically.

Rock Lee was silent for a while and then spoke, "You have learned from Lady Tsunade, haven't you?"

Ryusei was confused by this question. "Yes," he replied.

"Then you have seen how far her healing abilities go?"

"Yes…"

"Do you think she can heal me?"

Ryusei already saw where this was going. He thought about his answer for a few seconds.

"I don't know the extent of your injuries, but things can be complex," Ryusei said. "I can't guarantee anything, but I can tell you that she will find a way to help you."

Rock Lee smiled sadly and nodded. Then he walked away.

Ryusei sighed, unable to help but feel a little sorry for Rock Lee, even though he knew that Tsunade would heal him.

The red-haired boy rushed off toward the Hokage's office. When he arrived, he saw Naruto together with the kids trying to get Konohamaru to open the office door, offering him to go eat Ramen.

"Shut up, you fool!" Konohamaru replied from the other side of the door.

"Did you call me a fool?" Naruto asked angrily.

"Yes," Naruto said. "Konohamaru, open up at once or I'll open the door downstairs!" he exclaimed.

"Try if you can," Konohamaru said.

"You'll see!" Naruto exclaimed in annoyance. He rushed to the door but to no avail. Subsequently, several pots fell on him.

"Naruto," Udon and Moegi said.

"It looks like he trapped the door," Ryusei said.

Naruto removed the pots and stood up.

"Konohamaru, come out of there. At least tell me why you're doing this."

"Konohamaru," Moegi muttered.

"You've everyone worried. If you don't explain yourself, I will drag you out." Naruto made hand seals. "Sexy Jutsu."

Naruto was covered in smoke and as it dissipated, it relieved a blonde, blue-eyed girl with whiskers on her cheeks; she was completely naked, with clouds covering her private parts.

"Konohamaru, come out of there," the girl said in a flirtatious tone.

Udon and Moegi blushed and were surprised to witness that.

"Naruto, how are you going to use that with children present?!" Ryusei asked in annoyance, shielding his eyes from Udon and Moegi.

"Come on, Konohamaru," Naruto said with a wink, but there was no response. "You could say something! Shame on you!" Naruto returned to his normal form.

Ryusei removed his hands from the children's eyes.

"I've had enough!" Naruto exclaimed. "Shadow Clone Jutsu." Naruto created several clones. "That's enough, Konohamaru!" Naruto and his clones exclaimed. "One, two, and…"

They tried to break down the door but only succeeded in getting smoke bombs dropped on them. The clones dissipated.

"What the hell…?" Naruto asked on the ground.

"Are you okay, Naruto?" Moegi asked.

"Yes," Naruto replied.

Ryusei sighed and stood in front of the door. He looked at it carefully.

It has several traps, Ryusei thought. Maybe I can take it down from a distance.

Naruto stood up in annoyance. "Damn it! If those we have, I'll get serious too!" he said as he rolled up his sleeves.

"This room is grandfather's! I won't let anyone else use it!" Konohamaru exclaimed.

"Your grandfather's?" Naruto asked.

"I'm his grandson and I'll protect him!"

"Now is not the time, you fool. Konoha is going through hard times," Naruto said.

"So what, it's none of my business!" Konohamaru exclaimed.

"Of course it's your business," Ryusei said. "You think you're doing yourself a favor by putting on this show?"

"Shut up, I'm not going to let them use this room!" Konohamaru shouted.

"Look, Konohamaru, you're not achieving anything by doing this. You're just wasting our time."

"Then keep wasting it!"

"Now I'm angry, I'm warning you that with my new jutsu, this door won't be able―" Naruto prepared to use the Rasengan, but was interrupted by the arrival of Tsunade, who walked past him, bumping into him.

"Naruto!" Udon and Moegi exclaimed in concern.

"Grandma Tsunade," Naruto said.

Tsunade approached the door, Naruto warned her to be careful, but she without any trouble pushed aside the falling pots and subsequently opened the door. Inside, the door was tied with wires and blocked with books and furniture.

Tsunade cut the wires and pushed the books and furniture aside.

"This is amazing," Naruto said in amazement.

Tsunade dodged a kunai and smashed a rock that fell from above her with one blow.

Konohamaru was startled. Tsunade approached him and held out her hand.

Naruto, Udon, and Moegi were worried. Ryusei watched with interest.

Konohamaru closed his eyes but Tsunade just took a book from the shelf. Then she walked away while leafing through the book.

"That's how easy it was," Ryusei said.

The next day

There was a large crowd in front of the Hokage Residence. At the top was Tsunade, wearing the Hokage's hat, and behind her were Jiraiya and two elders, the latter two being the advisors of Konoha.

The first was a gray-haired, bearded man. He had a scowl on his face and wore green glasses.

He was Homura Mitokado.

The second was an old woman with narrowed eyes and gray hair tied in a double bun with a headband.

She was Koharu Utatane.

Tsunade took off her hat and said, "From now on, I am the leader of Konoha Village. I am the Fifth Hokage!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

The next day

Ryusei went to the Hokage's office. An ANBU had told him that Tsunade wanted to see him.

He arrived at the tower and met Shizune.

"Ryusei, Lady Tsunade is waiting for you," Shizune said.

Ryusei nodded and entered the office, meeting Tsunade.

"I am here, Lady Hokage," Ryusei said.

"Good, Ryusei." Tsunade pulled out a folder. "I've been going through possible genin to put together a team for you."

"And how did that go?" Ryusei asked.

"I found two who might be useful." Tsunade looked at the documents in the folder. "Also, after talking to several jōnin, I found someone to be their sensei."

"Really?" Ryusei asked.

Tsunade nodded.

"So, will I be able to become a shinobi of Konoha?" Ryusei asked.

"Yes," Tsunade said with a smile, which then faded. "But you will have to pass your sensei's test."

Ryusei nodded.

"I don't doubt your abilities, but you're going to be working as a team for that."

"I know."

Tsunade took something out of her desk: a black ninja sash. She then tossed it to Ryusei, who caught it.

"Welcome to Konoha," Tsunade said. "Don't let me down."

Ryusei smiled. "I won't." Then he tied the sash on his forehead.

Tsunade with a smile said, "Report to the Third Training Ground. That's where your new teammates will be and then their sensei will arrive."

"Understood." Ryusei left the place.

After a moment, he arrived at the Third Training Ground. There were three logs inside.

Waiting there was a boy and a girl.

The boy had short brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a gray short-sleeved T-shirt, black shorts, and blue sandals. He had a bag around his waist and a ninja band on his forehead.

The girl had long, black, shoulder-length hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a light blue short-sleeved T-shirt, white shorts and blue sandals. She had a bag around her waist and a ninja band on her forehead.

"You are the third member?" the boy asked Ryusei upon seeing him arrive.

"Yes," Ryusei replied.

The girl watched him closely. "You're the boy they're talking about? The one who came with Lady Tsunade?" she asked.

"Yes," Ryusei said.

"Is it true that Lady Tsunade has trained you?"

Ryusei nodded.

"How did you get her to train you?" the boy asked.

"She saw potential in me," Ryusei said. "My name is Ryusei Uzumaki."

"Norisane Kagae," the boy said.

"Sugi Kasuyama," the girl said.

"Well, our sensei is supposed to be here any minute," Ryusei said.

"We've been waiting for a few minutes," Norisane said.

At that moment, a man appeared in a swirl of leaves. He had straight brown hair that hung down over his face. He wore a forehead protector along with a scarf. He was wearing the jōnin uniform of Konoha. He had a senbon in his mouth.

"Hello, genin," the jōnin said. "I am Genma Shiranui and I will be your jōnin-sensei in charge."

Ah, him… Ryusei thought. He remembered Genma, though not too much.

"Alright, introduce yourself and say why you're here," Genma requested, pointing at Norisane.

"Ah, my name is Norisane Kagae. I'm a civilian who entered the academy to become a ninja, I always wanted to be one and I managed to graduate," Norisane said with a smile.

"But your team failed," Genma said.

Norisane's smile disappeared. "Yes," he muttered and his smile returned. "But now I have a chance to prove that I do have what it takes to be a ninja!"

"At least you have spirit," Genma said. Then he rested his gaze on Sugi. "And you?"

"I am Sugi Kasuyama. I entered the academy to learn and to have a way to stand on my own," Sugi said.

Genma nodded and looked at Ryusei.

"My name is Ryusei Uzumaki. I was a simple wandering boy until I met Lady Tsunade. She saw potential in me and I've been learning from her ever since. Now, I have the opportunity to serve her village and test what she taught me," Ryusei said.

Genma said, "You must know that although you have many aspirations, you will not be able to be a full-fledged shinobi team without approval."

The trio nodded.

"Good, then we will proceed," Genma said. "Your test will be a sparring match."

"A sparring match?" Norisane asked confused.

"Yes. You three against me, I will evaluate your skills and decide if you can be a team."

Ryusei, Norisane, and Sugi looked at each other.

Okay, I don't know what Norisane and Sugi are capable of. So I'll have to find out, Ryusei thought.

"But will we have to defeat you?" Sugi asked.

"No. You'll just have to surprise me," Genma replied.

Norisane was nervous, Sugi let out a sigh and Ryusei was serious.

"Are they ready?" Genma asked.

"Yes," Ryusei said.

"Y-yes," Norisane said.

Sugi nodded.

"Good. The test starts… now!" Genma declared.

Norisane drew a kunai and threw it at him. Genma dodged it easily and quickly kicked Norisane, knocking him down.

Genma smiled. "Aren't you coming?" he asked Ryusei and Sugi.

Ryusei narrowed his eyes and went with great speed towards Genma, the jōnin's eyes widened in surprise at the boy's speedy pace.

How fast, Genma thought.

He dodged Ryusei's punch and took distance.

Sugi snapped out of his momentary surprise at Ryusei's speed and ran to join Ryusei. She jumped and tried to kick Genma which was dodged.

Ryusei threw several punches at Genma, who blocked and dodged them with even more effort.

Norisane, now recovered, ran towards them with a yell and threw a punch at Genma. Genma caught a punch from Ryusei and kicked Sugi away. Then he caught Norisane's fist.

"Come on, make it more entertaining," Genma taunted.

"You'll see!" Norisane shouted angrily.

Ryusei jumped up and threw a kick at Genma's head, Genma dodged it; releasing Norisane who tried to strike him but the jōnin disappeared.

"Ah? Where did he go?" Norisane asked, looking around.

Sugi held up a kunai, being alert.

Ryusei sensed Genma's presence behind him, so he turned and delivered a blow to the aforementioned, who appeared but managed to block the blow, though he was slightly pushed back.

Ryusei is strong. His skills are beyond those of a genin, Genma thought.

Norisane ran and tried to hit Genma, but Genma dodged and knocked him back with a punch to the stomach. Sugi attacked him with his kunai but Genma kicked it away.

Ryusei made hand seals. "Fire Style: Flame Bullet." He shot a fireball at Genma.

Genma was surprised. Elemental jutsu? he mentally wondered. He quickly stepped aside and dodged the fireball.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu." Ryusei created a shadow clone that went all the way to Norisane.

A shadow clone? Genma thought, his surprise even greater now. Does he have that much chakra?

Ryusei charged at Genma, forcing him to move.

Ryusei's clone reached Norisane and helped him up.

Sugi looked at the clone, impressed. "Is it a solid clone? How?" she asked. The clones they taught at the academy were illusory, they couldn't interact like that.

"It's another kind of jutsu," Ryusei's clone replied. "Now we must concentrate on Genma."

"You seem to be able to do something more than us," Sugi said in bewilderment.

"I guess that's the advantage of having a Sannin as a teacher," Norisane said with annoyance.

"Maybe, but this is between all of us," the clone said.

The real Ryusei dodged a punch and then a kick from Genma.

"So what are we supposed to do?" Norisane asked.

Ryusei's clone thought for a moment. "We have to distract him long enough so that we can attack him directly."

"Okay. And how do we do that?" Sugi asked.

The clone thought for a few seconds. "I have an idea…"

Meanwhile, Ryusei threw a kick that Genma blocked with his arm. Then he stepped back.

At that moment, a pair of kunai flew towards Genma, who dodged them. Ryusei's clone jumped toward him, Genma kicked it and destroyed it.

Ryusei received the clone's memories, now he knew what to do.

"Earth Style: Mud Wall." Ryusei raised an earth wall in front of him.

Earth jutsu too? Genma asked in his mind.

Sugi and Norisane went with Ryusei behind the wall.

"Are you sure it will work?" Sugi asked in a whisper.

"There's only one way to find out," Ryusei replied.

"It better work," Norisane commented.

Ryusei jumped over the wall and ran towards Genma, ready to strike. Norisane and Sugi came from the side.

What are they up to? Genma wondered.

Ryusei while running made hand seals and activated the Chakra Scalpel.

Genma's eyes widened as he recognized the jutsu. Chakra Scalpel? I guess it was to be expected having been trained by Lady Tsunade, he thought.

Ryusei stopped and let Norisane step forward, throwing a blow at Genma, who dodged it. Sugi went forward and aimed a blow at him which was blocked. Ryusei took advantage of this and quickly went to Genma, and touched his legs with the Scalpel Chakra.

Genma was surprised to feel a pain in his legs.

I'm cutting my leg muscles, he thought.

"Now!" Ryusei shouted.

Norisane and Sugi ran over to Genma and punched him in the face, knocking him down.

"Yes! Take that!" Norisane exclaimed with a grin.

Ryusei vanished his Chakra Scalpel.

Genma brought a hand to his face in slight surprise.

"I must admit, I didn't expect that. How did they do that?" he asked, still sitting on the ground.

"Ryusei gave us the idea," Sugi replied with a smile. "He would incapacitate you and give us a chance to attack."

"And boy, did it work!" Norisane exclaimed.

Genma chuckled lightly. "I see it did. You guys sure can work. They pass."

"Yes!" Norisane exclaimed, clenching her fist. "We're ninja!"

Sugi gave a slight nod.

"You know, kid. I didn't expect all that from you, Lady Tsunade trained you well," Genma said to Ryusei.

Ryusei smiled.

"I look forward to seeing how this turns out, Team 11," Genma said with a smile.

Norisane laughed heartily and Sugi looked pleased.

"By the way, Ryusei, do you know medical ninjutsu or do I have to crawl to the hospital?" Genma asked in a joking tone.

"Oh, right." Ryusei approached Genma to heal his legs.

Tsunade is officially appointed Fifth Hokage and Ryusei is now part of Konoha's shinobi forces.