CHAPTER 2: Repercussions of Gaara
"Yeah, Naruto's really something isn't he!" stated Sakura to her blonde friend. Naruto's victory over Neji didn't seem as surprising to Sakura as the rest of the crowd, observed Ino.
"Hey Sakura"
"Yeah"
"Did you actually think that Naruto was going to win?"
"Well…Yeah. I mean Naruto said he was going to win, and Naruto never goes back on his word. That is his Nindo."
"So you never doubted."
"Of course not."
Thoughts of this conversation filled Ino's mind as Sasuke made his grand entrance against Gaara. 'Could Naruto be a good shinobi? I guess he isn't just the annoying brat he was in the academy.' After this, she focuses on the fight in the arena.
—-
"Just as Sasuke starts to do some real damage to Gaara, Gaara begins to shake. His shield has been broken.
'This blood….is my blood?!' stuttered the Jinchuriki.
Suddenly Gaara's siblings reveal themselves in the crowd and begin to shout something about Gaara surrendering."
"Then what happened?" asked a Council Member
"The boy resigned from the tournament.".
"Yes, Yes. we know that part, but why did he resign?"
"He had never been hurt before. His sand shield had always protected him. He didn't know what to do when he got hurt and the Sunagakure was worried about what would happen if he lost control."
"Ok, then how did he end up in the middle of the forest?"
"When the Sand Village was planning their attack they planned on unleashing their Jinchuriki, but they were so worried about him being released early they sent him home early."
"Well… Thank you, Jiraiya for defeating the evil boy."
"Thank you, but that was Naruto."
"No, we're going to say you did it. We can't have our Jinchuriki front and center. Not to mention no one will believe it to begin with. YOU. BEAT. GAARA. Please remember that."
—-
"Hey Naruto"
"Oh hey, Pervy Sage"
After the death of the third Hokage, the village was in shambles. With one of the village's greatest symbols of strength gone, morale was at an all-time low.
"They've offered for me to be the Hokage," said Jiraiya bluntly. "What you?! Pervy Sage; no offense, but you are far from Hokage material!"
"Relax brat, I'm not going to accept."
"What!? You can't do that! Being Hokage is my dream, you can't just refuse it!"
"That is actually what I came here for, you are going to go with me to get the next Hokage."
"The next Hokage, He isn't in the village?"
"No kid, we're going on a road trip."
—-
At the village gates, Sakura waited for Naruto. Being teammates, she wanted to see him off. In her head, she was missing time with her Sasuke, but she would have the next few weeks alone to try for him. 'Naruto would only be here for a few more minutes, so I guess this is ok. I will have plenty of time for Sasuke later' thought Sakura.
On his way to the village gates, Naruto ran into Ino. The Uzumaki girl was completely oblivious to the Yamanaka's existence. "Hey Naruto" she blurted out as Naruto continued running past the 'pretty blond girl' as he thought of her while he ran past. Naruto kept moving until he reached the gates, and Ino started behind him. She could not stand being completely ignored by a man, even if it was just Naruto. "Wait up!" she shouted, heading after the other blond. However it was too late, Naruto already had a massive lead.
Naruto's occupation at the gate was short-lived. As Jiraiya dragged Naruto away on their trip, Sakura had to yell her goodbyes.
As Ino arrived at the gate, she was disheartened. Naruto was already long gone, she couldn't berate him. "That bastard. Can't believe he just ignored me like that" she muttered. "Who ignored you Ino-pig?" asked the far-off Sakura who was now closing in on the blond.
"Naruto did"
"He did what"
"Naruto just completely ignored me while running by me."
"Probably just thought you were ugly."
"Did not."
"Did too, and why do you care what Naruto thinks about you anyway?" Sakura teased. These words made Ino blush, though she would deny it was because of Naruto. They would keep bickering all the way back through the village.
HIASHI'S STRUGGLE
Ever since Hiashi had his first daughter, he had the goal of marrying her to a great man to enhance the clan. First, he planned on marrying Hinata to a Uchiha to get their doujutsu, but since they were all but extinct, he had to set his sights on other prospects. The other clans weren't helpful either. The Yamanaka head had no sons, and none of the other clans were willing to marry their children to the Hyuga. With this in mind, Hiashi had to focus on different prospects. Being a clan head he knew that Naruto was the son of the fourth and a Jinchuriki. Naruto also had no positive adult influences that he knew of. This made Naruto the perfect target. With this in mind, he began his plan to bring Hinata and Naruto closer together. He wouldn't dream of interfering normally, but it was for the clan. He would have to put his feelings aside.
Closing words:
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