Chapter 12: The Godaime Hokage

The air in Kumogakure was thick with tension as Raikage A sat behind his imposing desk, the morning sun casting long golden beams through the tall windows of his office. The ever-stoic Mabui, relaxed Darui, and boisterous B stood gathered before him. Despite the clear skies outside, the mood was stormy. Mabui unrolled a scroll, her voice measured as she read aloud.

"Raikage-sama, the full debrief is as follows: In just three days, Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, acting as Konoha's Interim Hokage, decimated the coalition of four villages. Orochimaru and his inner circle executed, Iwagakure forced to submit, and surrender secured from all enemy factions."

A's jaw tensed. The only sound was the subtle creaking of his chair as he leaned forward. "This boy... this Crimson Storm..." He shot a glance toward B. "Your thoughts, brother?"

B grinned, arms crossed, and broke into rhyme, "Yo, A, he's more than his old man's shade, a Crimson Storm that's self-made. Tactical, fierce, a hurricane spin—he's got the will to always win."

Darui exhaled heavily. "Kirigakure's already sent feelers for trade. Mizukage Terumi Mei herself is requesting an audience."

A scoffed, bitter. "Kiri... siding with the Leaf? After all our history? What kind of man forces Iwa to its knees and draws Kiri's favor like that?"

"A dangerous one," B nodded, his grin fading to something somber. "But maybe... the kind who might change the game."

Far across the waters, inside Kirigakure's gleaming Mizukage tower, Terumi Mei lounged in her seat, swirling tea slowly. Across from her stood Zabuza and Haku, the room awash in oceanic light.

"Zabuza... what's your read on this Naruto?" Mei's voice was velvety, laced with curiosity.

Zabuza snorted. "He's a tactician. Ruthless. But there's... something soft under it. Some naive idea of peace."

Haku smiled fondly. "Naive? Or hopeful? He gave us our lives back."

"Yeah, and you remind me daily," Zabuza grumbled.

"I do." Haku's eyes sparkled with a teasing glint. "Because you were scared, remember? You held your sword so tight your knuckles turned white. You kept glaring at him like it would change anything." Haku chuckled softly, nudging Zabuza. "It was the first time I ever saw you doubt yourself. Admit it—you thought he'd cut you down right there."

Zabuza turned red, gritting his teeth. "I wasn't scared..."

Mei chuckled, but her gaze grew distant, lingering on the horizon as if picturing the crimson-haired boy. "He fascinates me. A boy who walks into Iwagakure's den mid-war and walks out alive... I wonder what kind of face he hides under that name." For a moment, her lips pressed into a thin line, the weight of political games and past betrayals heavy in her chest. Would he be another self-righteous fool... or someone who truly understands the cost of peace? The thought stirred something dangerous curiosity.

Zabuza shrugged. "He's the real deal."

In Iwagakure's cavernous council chamber, the air was electric with rage and fear. Elders bellowed over one another, their voices bouncing wildly off the stone walls.

"Minato's spawn waltzed into our village and made us fold!" one councilor roared. "A child shamed us all!"

Another spat, "And you let him leave! What happened to the pride of the Stone?"

"He's not even a man yet!"

Kurotsuchi stood beside her grandfather, fists clenched so tight her nails bit into her palms. But even as she fought down her rising anger, images flashed—Naruto, calm, smiling, his terrifying jutsu obliterating a mountain as if it were paper. Her throat tightened. I wanted to fight him... but how do you fight someone like that?

Her thoughts tangled, a gnawing truth rising: Naruto wasn't just a rival. He was leagues ahead—in skill, in mind, in the weight he carried. And damn it, that infuriated her. Somewhere deep, an ugly twist of envy coiled in her gut.

Why him? Why does he get to be the one everyone fears... respects?

She bristled at the memory of her grandfather's words: "You don't understand the burden of leadership, Kurotsuchi. Not yet."

And maybe he's right, she thought bitterly, watching the faces of the council pale at the memory of Naruto's power. But I will. I'll catch up. And one day... I'll make that crimson-haired bastard see me.

The argument roared until Onoki's cane slammed down, the crack echoing like a gunshot through the chamber. His voice exploded, thunderous and shaking the very stone walls. "Enough! Three days. That brat—no, that Hokage—tore through four nations. Orochimaru—dead. Two thousand shinobi—erased like they were nothing. And you fools stand here and think we'd do better? You think we wouldn't be ash under his heel?" His eyes blazed with fury. "He walked into our fortress, demanded our surrender, and we gave it. Not because we are cowards—but because if we hadn't, we'd be dead. That boy could've crushed us. He spared us. Don't you see how insane that is?"

The chamber stilled. Onoki's eyes swept across the room, burning with fury. "I saw it with my own eyes. That boy… no, that Hokage could have leveled this village. He showed mercy."

An elder sneered. "You've gone soft, old man."

Before Onoki could respond, a deep voice cut through the thick silence—low, resonant, and commanding. Han stepped forward from the shadows where he'd leaned, his towering frame clad in the dark reinforced armor of the steam-wielding jinchuriki. Rarely seen, and even less so heard, his presence sucked the air from the room. The councilors stilled; eyes wide. Han was known for his power, his distance, and the trail of fear he left behind.

"The old man's right," Han rumbled, crimson eyes narrowing beneath his armored helm. "That boy... he's not bluffing. If we fight... we die. I say we live."

The weight of his words settled over the chamber like a suffocating blanket. Even the most belligerent councilors dared not speak. For if Han, the ghost of Iwa's battlefields, chose survival—then who were they to argue?

Onoki exhaled slowly, his chest heavy with the weight of generations. His voice, low but edged with iron resolve, carried through the room. "If there's one thing I do before I die... it's end this cycle of war. No more children buried under the stones of pride. No more blood soaking this land for our grudges. I'll be damned if my last act is dragging us into another grave."

Han's eyes narrowed. "How?"

Onoki's gaze darkened. "I have an idea. Risky. But maybe..."

Kurotsuchi swallowed hard, respect stirring beneath her frustration. Maybe... I still have so much to learn.

The great gates of Konoha loomed before Naruto, their familiar emblem etched into weathered wood standing tall and strong, welcoming them home. Sunlight spilled through parted clouds, bathing the village in a warm golden glow as Naruto led his weary but triumphant team through the gates, the sound of their steps echoing against cobbled streets.

As he moved through the familiar streets toward the Hokage Tower, Naruto felt an unfamiliar sensation—eyes, hundreds of eyes, fixed upon him. The villagers gathered along the pathways, murmuring softly at first. Their whispers grew louder, breaking into scattered applause, slow and uncertain. Naruto glanced around, his heartbeat quickening, unsure how to interpret this response.

Then, like a spark catching fire, the hesitant applause surged into a roaring wave. The street erupted in joyous cries, claps, and cheers. Faces he had seen a thousand times, yet never truly acknowledged him, now held expressions of admiration and respect.

"Godaime! Godaime!" the villagers chanted, their voices rising like thunder.

Naruto hesitated, his steps slowing. He glanced back briefly at Jiraiya, who offered only a knowing smirk and a reassuring nod. Swallowing his nerves, Naruto raised his hand, tentatively waving back to the crowd. The thunderous chant continued, washing over him like a powerful tide.

Waiting at the entrance of the Hokage Tower, Shikaku Nara stood with a calm, approving expression. "Well done, Hokage-sama," he greeted Naruto with a small, respectful bow. Before Naruto could react, Shikaku leaned closer, his voice softer, "Sandaime has awakened. He's waiting for you at the hospital."

Naruto exchanged a quick glance with Jiraiya, urgency returning to his features. "Let's go."

At the hospital, Naruto and Jiraiya found the revered Sandaime Hokage seated upright in bed, bandaged but alert. Beside him, the Daimyo sat thoughtfully, while the injured ANBU commander leaned quietly in a corner, accepting the unfolding destiny.

"Ah, Naruto, Jiraiya," Hiruzen greeted warmly, a tired but genuine smile touching his lips. "It seems my little joke about making you Hokage after Kiri wasn't so far-fetched after all."

Naruto opened his mouth to protest but hesitated, the words dissolving at the Daimyo's approving nod. "The Hat has chosen you, Naruto," the Daimyo affirmed firmly. "Age holds no bearing when deeds speak louder than years."

The ANBU commander gave a silent nod, sharing an understanding look with Jiraiya. The room was filled with quiet certainty, pushing Naruto to finally accept this reality. Naruto's shoulders relaxed, absorbing their words deeply. The uncertainty in his eyes gradually shifted into resolve.

Nightfall…

Later that evening, Naruto found himself in civilian clothes, stepping into the warm glow of his favorite local bar. The unmistakable bass of Arctic Monkeys' "Do I Wanna Know" filled the room, rhythmic and hauntingly fitting as he moved through the crowd.

At a lively corner table sat Kakashi, Asuma, Gai, Anko, and Kurenai, immersed in celebration and laughter. Kakashi caught Naruto's eye first, raising his glass in invitation. "Hey, look who's finally joining the party!"

Naruto smiled softly, sliding into an empty seat. "Good to be home," he breathed, feeling comforted by the warmth of friends who saw him as nothing more than their comrade.

"You did well, Naruto," Kakashi said sincerely, causing the table to fall momentarily silent.

Anko smirked, nudging Kakashi playfully. "Hey, we all helped, remember? Alpha and Beta teams weren't exactly twiddling thumbs."

Asuma chuckled but turned serious. "True, but Naruto here was the one who strolled straight into Iwa territory, alone."

Kurenai leaned curiously, "So what exactly did you say to the fence-sitter to make him back off?"

Naruto hesitated; eyes fixed on his glass. "I told him the truth," he finally said quietly. The table quieted as they sensed the gravity in his voice. "I promised him that I'd forge a peace lasting enough that no child would be forced into a life of violence or sacrificed to monsters like myself."

The weight of his words settled heavily upon the group, realization dawning fully in their expressions.

"But" Naruto continued earnestly, looking around at each of them, "I can't achieve this alone. I'll need all of you with me."

Kakashi smiled knowingly. "So, you've decided, then?"

Naruto nodded firmly, his eyes brightening. "Hiruzen woke up earlier today," the casual reference to their respected elder leader startled them slightly, signaling the shift in Naruto's standing. "Asuma, your brother should be informed in the morning but he will be ready to see you guys by the afternoon."

"Thanks for letting me know, how is he?" Asuma asked, knowing full well he must have seen him.

"He's stepping down officially. It will be announced soon: I have accepted the position of Godaime."

Shock registered briefly across their faces before giving way to pride and joy. Their eyes were wide, truly considering the gravity of the news. Naruto is a few years their Junior yet he has secured his position as the person on the top. Kakashi for his benefit was quick to recover from this shock, knowing full well that Naruto was deserving of the role more than anyone else in the village.

Asuma on the other hand couldn't help but think back to the moment he saw Naruto decimate the enemy shinobis in the Grasslands. There was no doubt in his mind that Naruto held the power, and now he will hold the position his father has held for so long.

Kurenai was shocked too, here she thought that maybe things would go back to normal but normal might be days of the past. She glanced at her best friend well aware that this will have an effect on her for sure, after all Naruto was the only one who had the privilege of being a repeating fling of hers.

Anko definitely was confused by this news. She couldn't help but think that what she had anticipated for the future may not be exactly it. After all, there was just something about the young prodigy that had always attracted her, he was the first in many ways. First to treat her like an equal, first to believe in her, even first in bed. But after all this time, he had always been present for her, taking her away from the spotlight that had been shone on her ever since she had been apprenticed and betrayed by her cunt of a sensei.

Then she decided that this would not be a problem for tonight. After all she was celebrating, the death of the one who tortured her, and the promotion of the one who helped her with justice. Tonight, she will be happy.

Gai lifted his glass, breaking the silence with heartfelt respect. He wasn't his rowdy self, no, this moment here and now. He would be the friend that Naruto deserved. "To the Godaime Hokage!"

The toast was echoed around the table. Amid laughter and cheers, Kakashi leaned close, whispering gently in Naruto's ear, "Sensei would be proud of you, Naruto. And so would your mother."

Naruto's smile broadened, warmth spreading through his chest.

"You too Kakashi, you've come a long way. I, uh, can honestly say I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you"

"Nonsense, you would have found your way" he replied keeping their conversation on a quieter end as to keep it more private between them.

"You guys should get your rest!" Naruto announced, "I have big plans going into the office next week. We're going to have a lot of work ahead of us. I intend to build my vision from the ground up. Brick by Brick. I have plans for all of you. Especially you Kakashi, no more lounging around, so I'd finish whatever Icha-Icha novel you're on, because I assure you are not going to have the time for them"

The group laughed at that, but Kakashi knew that Naruto was being serious. It seems that his lazing around might actually be in jeopardy.

As Naruto leaned back into his seat, eyes gleaming with a quiet yet fierce determination, something fundamentally shifted in him. Gone was the hesitant soldier burdened by internal struggle; now, there was only purpose and clarity. Naruto Uzumaki was ready—ready to lead, ready to inspire, and most importantly, ready to change the world.

He finished his drink and put a few bills down to cover the tab for the table. After which he bid them good night and aimed to head out, but not before subtly sending a look towards Anko. She stared back with a smile, knowing full well what his intentions were, she gave him a faint hint of a nod before smirking away herself.

Tonight, might not be as restful as she might have hoped, but it would definitely be fun.