The exam was over, the battle with Gaara was over and even the funeral of the third hokage. Yet one change was still going as Naruto had gone on his morning run like had started while training with Guy.
Naruto returned from his morning run and found a note at his door. The note was a summons to meet with the council of elders, who had been in charge of the village on a temporary basis ever since the death of Hiruzen. They needed something from him. Although Naruto hoped the news was about making him Hokage, he knew this wasn't true. They weren't going to make some random genin Hokage, especially one who was still a teenager. Still, he was more than a bit curious about what was going to happen. Grabbing his things, he headed out to find the council and discover what they wanted.
In the Jounin waiting area, Guy and Kakashi were sitting at the same table that morning. Guy had a question he wanted to ask Kakashi, something important but uncertain about how to approach.
"Good morning, my youthful rival! How are you this morning?" Guy greeted Kakashi, giving him his energetic smile. "Have you heard the good news about Naruto-kun? His youthful spirit really must have made a statement for what is happening today to happen."
Kakashi looked up from his book, his visible eye curving into a smile. "Good morning, Guy-san. Yes, I heard the news. Naruto-san's promotion to Chunin is well-deserved. He's come a long way."
Guy nodded enthusiastically. "Indeed, Kakashi! His hard work and determination have paid off. I always knew he had it in him!"
Kakashi closed his book, leaning back in his chair. "Naruto-san has matured a lot and he grew a lot under your guidance Guy. I have to say that I was impressed to hear about the fight against Neji and the fight against Gaara. He is becoming more and more impressive as a ninja by the day. I am rather proud of him."
Guy gave a thumbs-up. "Absolutely! His youthful energy and never-give-up attitude are truly inspiring. This is just the beginning for Naruto!"
Guy paused as he was going to get off topic at this moment, "Now, I have a favor to ask of you, my youthful rival. Naruto-kun, I wish to borrow him and use him on my team for a couple of missions and continue my teaching of the boy. Is this acceptable to you, Kakashi-san?
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, pondering Guy's request. "You want to borrow Naruto for your team, huh? I suppose it makes sense, considering how much he's learned from you already. But why the sudden interest in continuing his training with your team, Guy?"
Guy leaned forward; his expression serious. "Naruto-kun has shown exceptional growth, and I believe a few more missions with my team will help refine his skills even further. He has the potential to become even stronger, and I want to do my part in nurturing that potential."
Kakashi considered this for a moment before nodding. "Alright, Guy. If you think it will help Naruto, I trust your judgment. Just make sure to bring him back in one piece. He's still got a lot to learn from everyone, and we all play a part in his growth."
Guy beamed, giving Kakashi a thumbs-up. "Thank you, Kakashi! I promise, Naruto will come back even more youthful and strong!"
"Well, hmm, it should be interesting if nothing else," Kakashi said as he half wished he could see how Naruto would work on a real mission with Guy's team, but at the same time, he had a feeling it would help him grow and improve in his teamwork.
"I have one more favor, Kakashi, my youthful friend. I want to find a way to convince Jiraiya-sama to take up the title once held by your former teacher. I think he is the only choice for the next Hokage," Guy declared as he looked at Kakashi making the bold statement.
Kakashi's visible eye widened slightly in surprise. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "Jiraiya-sama, huh? I suppose it makes sense. He's one of the Legendary Sannin and has a wealth of experience and power. But convincing him… that won't be easy. Jiraiya-sama has always been more interested in his travels and research than in leading the village."
Guy nodded; his expression serious. "I know, Kakashi. But the village needs a strong leader, especially now. We are in a dangerous world Kakashi, we need someone who is as skilled, wise and filled with the power of youth that Jiraiya-sama is. He is the perfect person to lead our village now."
Kakashi sighed, thinking about the challenge ahead. "Alright, Guy. We'll give it a shot. But don't be surprised if he runs away at the mere mention of responsibility. We'll need a solid plan to persuade him."
"My youthful rival, I think the way we can convince him is to include Naruto in the youthful pitch," Guy reasoned with Kakashi. Telling him his idea. "I believe Naruto-kun should done with the getting his promotion rather soon."
Kakashi considered Guy's suggestion, his expression thoughtful. "You might be onto something, Guy. Jiraiya-sama does have a soft spot for Naruto. If Naruto asks him, it might just tip the scales in our favor."
Guy nodded energetically. "Exactly! Naruto's determination and spirit could be the key to convincing Jiraiya-sama. Plus, Naruto and Jiraiya-sama have already worked together, and I know that Jiraiya cares a lot about Naruto as you observed, my youthful rival."
Thinking about it for a moment, Kakashi could see the reasoning from Guy. "We'll talk to Naruto after his meeting with the council. If anyone can get through to Jiraiya-sama, it's Naruto."
Guy grinned, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. "Then it's settled! Together, with Naruto's youthful spirit and our guidance, we can convince Jiraiya-sama to take up the mantle of Hokage!"
"Alright, let's go find Naruto, he should be getting done with his meeting with the council. I am sure, right now, he will be rather excited about the promotion."
Naruto came out of the meeting with a huge smile on his lips, feeling incredibly happy. He was a Chunin, promoted because of his determination and his impressive fights against Neji and Gaara. Shikamaru, who had also been promoted for his tactical abilities and his brave stand against the attackers, joined him.
"Can you believe it, Shikamaru-san? We're both Chunin!" Naruto exclaimed, grinning widely as he patted Shikamaru on the back. He was on cloud nine, knowing he was one step closer to becoming Hokage.
Shikamaru nodded his head, "Yeah it is nice, but it is really troublesome too," he commented as he knew that this would come with more troublesome work with it. Yet ultimately it was a good thing ultimately. "I guess we can't avoid this."
"Naruto-san, Guy and I would like to talk to you for a moment. There's something we need to discuss with you, and we need to ask you a favor," Kakashi said, approaching Naruto with a calm but serious expression.
Naruto turned to Kakashi, his eyes wide with curiosity and excitement. "Sure, Kakashi-sensei! What's up? Is it a mission? Something important?" His enthusiasm was evident, as he was still riding high from the news of his promotion.
"Yes, we need your youthful energy to help recruit Jiraiya-sama to take over as the next Hokage. I think that you are the best person to ask him to do this," Guy declared while showing Naruto a thumbs up.
Naruto's eyes widened at the task. "Recruit Jiraiya-sama to be Hokage?" He scratched his head, a bit taken aback. "Ero-sensei, wow, yeah, he is so smart and talented, I am sure he would be great as Hokage, plus he is really wise too. I will do my best to help out, believe it."
As such the three of them headed over to where Jiraiya was staying, his own place that Kakashi knew about. They luckily found the door open as they walked into the house, they found Jiraiya working on his Icha Icha manuscripts, his ink and brushes on the table around the paper that he was using at that moment. Hearing the arrival of the three, he looked up to see the three and turned his attention to them right away.
Guy, always with his signature enthusiasm, burst into the room with his trademark energetic smile. "Jiraiya-sama! There is something very important that we need to talk. This is extremely important," he announced his tone filled with his normal energeticness.
Jiraiya was curious what Guy wanted, was it more training with Naruto or something else. He wasn't sure, but he figured if both Guy and Kakashi were there it was something important. However, he didn't want to show that he was curious at that moment."What is it now, Guy? Can't you see I'm busy?"
Kakashi followed behind, his face hidden behind his mask as usual, but his tone was serious. "Jiraiya-sensei, we need to talk. It's about the Hokage position."
Naruto, standing beside Guy, took a deep breath before speaking up, his usual confidence shining through. "Jiraiya-sama, we really need you to consider becoming the next Hokage. We believe you're the best choice for the job, and we need your help to lead the village."
Jiraiya looked up from his manuscript, a bit surprised by the sudden directness. He studied Naruto's earnest face and Guy's unwavering energy. Jiraiya blinked as he was surprised, they asked him, "Are you kidding me, me Hokage, I don't have what it takes to be Hokage, you got the wrong guy. Is this a joke or something?"
Guy stepped forward; his enthusiasm undeterred. "No, Jiraiya-sama! We're serious! Naruto-kun has proven himself to be a capable and determined shinobi, and with your leadership, the village will be in great hands."
Jiraiya leaned back in his chair, considering their words. "You really think I'm the right choice?" he asked, his tone more contemplative.
Naruto nodded eagerly. "Absolutely! You've got the experience, and you care about the village. We believe you can do it."
Jiraiya sighed; he could see that telling them no wasn't going to work at all. He knew that his choice was important, and that other people believed in him. Working with Guy and Jiraiya in the village the last month had shown him how much the village meant. He also wanted to honor his former teacher as well by doing this. He let out a sigh, "Fine, fine, I will take the job, but only on a temporary basis, I will handle it and see how well I can do the job. If it works out, I will continue with the job and if not then I will help find someone who is better for the job."
Kakashi smiled slightly, appreciating Jiraiya's openness. "Good, then you can find out firsthand if you are the right person or not for the job. If it is too much we can move on and find someone else. However, knowing you, and how you work, you will do great, and you will take to it naturally."
Guy grinned widely. "Thank you, Jiraiya-sama! We knew you would understand!"
Jiraiya waved them off with a hint of a smile. "Okay, okay.I will go and talk to the council later about taking the job on a temporary measure later let me finish this chapter first."
Naruto smiled as he watched. He could see how well Kakashi and Guy had been able to handle the situation, and he felt somehow, he was able to learn from them both even in this. He knew that Ero-sensei would be a great Hokage, and that he would be a great benefit to the village as a whole.
The three of them soon took their leave and were heading out to get some ramen, as a treat for Naruto's promotion. When Guy would announce the other thing, he wanted to borrow Naruto for.
Guy, with his characteristic enthusiasm, turned to Kakashi and Naruto. "Now, Naruto-kun, Kakashi-san, let me borrow you for an important mission," he declared, his face alight with determination. "We need to find a medic-nin who has the ability to heal Lee. I'm talking about Tsunade."
Naruto's eyes widened with interest. "Tsunade? You mean the legendary Sannin?" he asked, clearly intrigued.
Guy nodded vigorously. "Yes, that's right! She's the best medic-nin in the world, and she's our only hope to heal Lee. I must believe we can do so and help her give Lee a second chance at reaching his youthful ambitions and fulfilling his dreams."
Kakashi had been listening and nodded his head, "That makes sense, but you know that recruiting her and getting her to come back to the village won't be easy, there is a lot of bad blood there still."
Guy's face remained resolute. "I know, but it's our duty to do everything we can for Lee. Naruto-kun, you've shown great perseverance and determination, qualities that might help us in persuading Tsunade."
Naruto nodded, his expression turning serious. "I understand. If it means helping Lee, I'm in. Where do we start?"
"First, we need to find my other youthful students, Neji and Tenten. We'll all go together, and then we'll head to where she was last reported. Kakashi, my youthful rival, do you want to join us on this mission?" Guy asked, turning his attention to Kakashi.
Kakashi, giving Guy a thoughtful look, replied, "Sure, I'll join you.I think you might need it, as I am sure you would just rush in and try your normal ways to convince her. I think you might need my ideas to give you a chance to convince her," Kakashi reasoned as he looked at the pair. "Plus, I wouldn't mind helping out Naruto, I think it might be time to teach him a move that I once learned from my own teacher."
"Really you're going to teach me a new ninjutsu," Naruto asked surprised. He didn't think that this was going to be something that Kakashi would do.
"Yes, I am going to help you and I think if we all work together, then we can perhaps pull this off and talk Tsunade-sama into coming back to the village at least long enough to help Lee-san," Kakashi commented with a shrug of his shoulder, his one eyes looking at Naruto.
Guy gave Kakashi a strong pat on the back. "Absolutely! With our combined youthful energy and strategies, I'm confident we'll succeed. Let's get moving and make sure we're prepared for the task ahead!"
Naruto, feeling pumped up by the plan, nodded eagerly. "Alright, let's do this! For Lee!"
A/N- to the commentor, yes, Naruto will start his interactions with Tenten in the next chapter.
