1,123Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Yu Yu Hakusho.
"Talk" Character talking.
'Think' Character thinking.
"Talk" Jagan talking.
'Think' Jagan thinking.
"Talk" Tailed Beast talking.
"Think" Tailed Beast thinking.
Operation: Konoha Crush brought massive damage to many of the structures that helped make it famous as multiple explosions, metal clanging and dying wails echoed throughout. Dust flew everywhere as four shinobi jumped into the air to fight and blood soon fell onto the ground as the body of a Sand kunoichi hit the ground with her body covered in cuts. Another body wearing the Sound uniform laid with a kunai in his neck while a wounded Leaf shinobi stood holding his side. He coughed up blood as he tried to see what he could do but could only see chaos around him as he braved back into the battle.
He stopped when a sudden explosion of dust covered the street as he moved to cover himself. A horrifying shriek was heard all around him as he saw yet another explosion of dust but this time from a different location. He looked up to see multitudes of his comrades charging towards that single location as one of them jumped down to assist.
"Are you okay Iwashi?" The shinobi asked as he placed his comrades' arm over his shoulder as they went towards one of the temporary medical areas.
"I'm fine Daikoku, but why is everyone running that way?" Iwashi shakingly gestured a bloody hand towards the eastern end of the village.
"Ibiki-dono requested reinforcements on the east wing, there was a breach from a giant summon and it consumed a few of us." Daikoku said as another shriek was heard but further away as the two neared the medical tent. As they neared the final stretch another explosion occurred as the Konoha shinobi grouped together as they fought the two villages that dared to invade their home with the largest heading towards the location of the explosion.
"Shit." Ibiki cursed as a building fell over with yet another loud shriek behind it as the giant three headed snake creature before him created massive devastation. While it was not impossible to attack, there was no damage to it beyond small wounds.
Nothing worked on this thing in terms of what they were capable of, but they had to figure out something or else this thing would finish what the Kyuubi started all those years ago.
"Where are the reinforcements?" Ibiki snarled as he pulled out kunai with an explosive tag and threw it at one of the snake heads that tried to attack them suddenly. The kunai landed in the snake's mouth and exploded to make the creature back off, though once again small damage was done as it knocked into another building.
"They are almost here but we can't hurt this thing." Tenzo said as the beast used its tail to knock down a side wall with ease. "If this keeps up I'm going to have to break out my big attacks."
"Keep them in reserve. We know your bigger attacks will do more harm than good within the village." Ibiki ordered his subordinate.
"That's the least of your worries." Ibiki turned to see that there was a small group of Sound and Sand shinobi from the battles nearby that had gathered.
One man stepped forward completely covered from head to toe with the Sound symbol on his forehead. He issued a low chuckle as he spread his arms apart with arrogance, "It looks like you guys are completely surrounded and the only thing you can expect is a painful death. So, I will give you a choice; either take your chances with us or them!" He said with the two Leaf shinobi's looking for any options but found none
"This is out of our hands at this point." Ibiki moved his hand into his trench coat to pull out the Rajin no Ken. "Tenzo…go ahead and use the Moukton to do what you need to do."
"Yes sir." Tenzo brought up his hands to form them into seals, the summoned snake rearing its three heads to attack but a voice would cut the tension.
"Ninja Art: Summoning: Food Cart Destroyer!" The voice cried out while catching the attention of Ibiki and Tenzo. A huge toad with two giant katanas on his back appeared over one of the heads and completely squashed the creature to an instant death as it coughed up blood. The other two heads looked shocked as the toad made quick work of them by grasping his swords and decapitating them from their body.
"Damn it!" The lead Sound shinobi said as he watched their best weapon get taken out so easily.
"Unbelievable." Ibiki said as a familiar, long white-haired man dressed as a hermit appeared before him.
"Long time no see, Ibiki." The tall man said with a big cheerful smile. "Man, oh man what have they been feeding you around here? The last time I saw you, you were such a little squirt with silver hair!"
"Jiraiya-sama." Ibiki said in complete befuddlement.
"Jiraiya? The Toad Sannin?" Tenzo's mask may have covered his face, but it couldn't hide his shocked voice.
"And just who the hell might you be?" The lead Sound shinobi demanded.
"Peep your eyes and don't miss it little baby chicks." Jiraiya said as he did his signature pose, the sound of kabuki music coming out of nowhere filled their ears, much to their confusion. "The fantastic legendary ninja and world's greatest author Jiraiya the Mountain Sage has arrived! Evil beware now that I am here!"
"A Sannin, eh? Sannin or no Sannin this village is going down in flames today!" The lead Sound shinobi said with his team roaring in agreement, "And we will start with you!" He finished pointing at Jiraiya which made the men stop cheering
"Wait!" One of his comrades said. "If we kill Jiraiya that would mean the end of Icha Icha Paradise."
"The last chapter ended on a cliffhanger; I must know what Tsuko did to Mina." Another one protested.
"Stop that nonsense right now! You knew what we signed up for and he is just a target to me. We're carrying out this mission, now move!" The lead shinobi pointed his finger towards the Sannin.
Instead of hearing the sounds of yelling, or ninjutsu's being called off, there was the sound of the wind blowing through the village.
"Oi, what are you doing?" He yelled at them
"Kick his ass Jiraiya-sama!" One of the Sand shinobi yelled.
"Yeah, kick his ass!"
"You lousy-" The lead shinobi felt a presence behind him, he slowly turned around to look at the smirking face of Jiraiya.
"You have to give the people what they want." He said as he slugged the shinobi right in the face. He went down like a sack of rocks and foamed at the mouth through his mask.
A series of cheers followed soon after.
"You rock Jiraiya-sama!"
"I hated Orochimaru anyway!"
"Yeah! Fuck this invasion!"
"That's it my boys. Now discard your weapons and turn yourselves over to Ibiki." Jiraiya held up a single finger towards them. "And if you're good I might pull some strings to have you all help me out."
"We love you Jiraiya-sama!"
"Icha Icha will save the world!"
"That did not just happen…" Tenzo looked at his commander with befuddlement.
"It did. War is a terrible, brutal, messy business. But we'll take this as a win." The scarred interrogator slipped the Rajin no Ken back into his coat for safekeeping. There was absolutely no way he was going to let it out of his sight until everything calmed down.
Unfortunately for him those words would be absent in the upcoming weeks when an Anbu member appeared next to him. His hand covered a bleeding cut on his shoulder. "Ibiki…we have a situation."
"Speak."
"The Sandaime is dead."
A cold pit formed in Jiraiya's stomach. He didn't hide his look of shock, he couldn't. "What?" He asked in a shaky voice.
Barely fifteen minutes later the Toad Sannin stood by the prone body of the Sandaime Hokage. He looked upon the older man's smile, and the torn fabric around his stomach was a seal that he was familiar with. It meant the worst had happened, and it caused tears to fall from his eyes.
"I managed to catch the last bit of the fight." A bloodied and battered Zo said. There were several other shinobi surrounding what remained of Kage, and the headless body of Tori. His loyal men who died fighting with their leader.
"Did he die well?" Jiraiya asked.
"He took the reanimated bodies of the Shodaime and Nidaime Hokage's with him." Captain Zo looked at two bodies he didn't recognize covered in ash; they looked like Sand shinobi from their clothing. "He also took his arms. I don't exactly understand it but from what little I saw, they began to…rot."
"I see." Jiraiya looked down at his former teacher. He wiped away the tears from his eyes feeling pride and sadness. He watched as the shinobi slowly picked the Sandaime up with great reverence and carefully began to move his body.
He looked to see the shinobi helping with the dead Anbu members, just two of many that died on this day. Jiraiya closed his eyes and looked up into the darkening sky.
"What are we going to do now, sensei?"
(The Hokage monument - Later that day)
Sitting on the head of the Sandaime Hokage, Naruto had a somber expression plastered on his face. The invasion was finished, they had won, but the entire village learned about the death of the old man. It hurt, it hurt so much that he could barely think straight.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was a parental figure to many people in the village but for him the man truly was his grandfather. He sighed as he tried to understand what he would do now that he no longer had the old man's guidance. It was true that there was some friction between them after his revival, the interrogation that happened, but at the end of it all Naruto forgave the old man, they bridged the gap between them before the end.
It still hurt. It was going to hurt for a long time.
A presence alerted the blonde behind him, he turned around and saw the form of Sasuke. He was dirty, bruised and covered in bandages, most notably his right arm was covered in thick bandages like some sort of cast.
"You look pretty beat up." The Uchiha said tiredly.
It was true. Naruto's normally spiky blonde hair was drooping from the lack of energy, his clothes were torn and bloody. Even with his regeneration properties he saw that some of his wounds still haven't closed completely. And his mood, Sasuke had never seen his teammate so depressed.
"I can say the same." Naruto looked his teammate over. "Are you going to be okay?"
"My arm has some serious lacerations; it's fully cracked along with some of my other bones. I'll live." The raven-haired Genin replied.
"And the others?"
"Sakura's right arm is broken and has a minor case of chakra exhaustion. Lee's body has a lot of muscle tears, chakra exhaustion from opening his gates and his left leg is broken along with his entire skeleton having hairline fractures. Shikamaru broke his left wrist and has chakra exhaustion. They'll live." Sasuke replied after giving the sitrep of their comrades. "How are Hinata and Tenten?"
"They got some scratches and bruises. But Hiroshi has them safe under his roof." Naruto looked off to the side. "Hinata killed her first person today. She's…not taking it the best, but Hiroshi, Tomoko and Tenten are helping her through it."
"And you're not?" Sasuke quirked an eyebrow.
"I'm not in the right mindset. I'm not...and…well, you know." Naruto didn't deny that he was not being a good boyfriend, or whatever he was to Hinata at the moment. She needed those three more than him. Right now he would probably do more harm than good and that was not what the former heiress needed.
Sasuke walked over to the blonde and sat next to him. He felt his body protesting against his actions, but he endured it. He needed to endure it.
"Dobe about your eyes…" He paused. For the past few hours the last Uchiha thought he was just that, the last Uchiha within Kohona. He found it hard to process that someone related to him was still alive. "Are they real, or transplanted like Kakashi-sensei's?"
"I can tell you right now they aren't transplanted." Naruto replied. "Everything I told you during the Chunin Exams was real, but there is a final secret I haven't shared yet. Do you want the long story or the short one?"
"The short version."
"Rip the band-aid off, all right. Well, when I was revived the Shinigami found a seal on me, I don't know when it was placed on me or where it was located, but it was some sort of suppression seal." Naruto explained. "Once broken everything that was…well, me came in one fell swoop. My growth, my Kekkei Genkai, my real potential…everything. And the Jagan mutated it into what I'm calling the Kurashagan, with the exception of a few things it's basically like your Sharingan with inverted colors."
This wouldn't be the last time Sasuke was glad he matured ever since becoming a Genin. A lot of his arrogance and complexes were beaten out of him thanks to the missions he had been on, Gai and Lee beating it out of him, Kakashi also beating it out of him, Hiroshi scaring the wits out of him, Naruto for being with him every step of the way in the path to become stronger, and even Sakura who had been stepping up ever since the exams began.
He really hated to think of his old self. If anything, he could picture him yelling at the blonde, accusing him of having something he shouldn't have; even though he was born with it through no fault of his own, and even dictating his superiority just because of his last name and privileged treatment.
"Honestly, if it wasn't for all that has happened, I would have a terrible time believing you." Sasuke said with a prolonged sigh escaping from his mouth. "But in the end I feel…relieved that I'm not alone anymore."
For the first time that day Naruto smiled. He looked over the village seeing the smoke still rising from several buildings, damaged walls, and everything else that was destroyed. It wasn't much, but it was a start. "I feel the same way."
"So who did you get it from?" The raven-haired Genin asked. "I know you came from the orphanage, but was it your mom or dad who possessed the Sharingan?"
"It wasn't my dad that's for sure." The blonde said. "From what I was told and pieced together; it came from my mom. But she was no Uchiha, she must have had some ancestor who did the deed before or shortly after the village was founded…I think."
"You know who your dad is?" Sasuke snapped his head towards his teammate in surprise.
"Of course, he's just on the left of us."
Sasuke turned his head towards the head of the Yondaime Hokage. The Rookie of the Year's eyes widened when he put two and two together. The Kyuubi attack twelve years ago, the Yondaime dying on that same day, Naruto being born that same day and becoming the Kyuubi's container. Then there was the fact that in every picture it showed the former Hokage having blue eyes and blonde hair that his teammate shared, not to mention besides the Yamanaka Clan there weren't many blondes in the village.
All of it boiled to one conclusion.
"I hate you and your complicated existence so much."
Naruto only laughed.
(One week later)
Operation: Konoha Crush officially ended in failure. Orochimaru's ambitious plans to burn Konohagakure to the ground and stamp it from existence didn't exactly go as he wanted, instead it ended in him losing both his arms, and sixty-four percent of his invading force were dead or captured.
Sunagakure would wind up losing their Yondaime Kazekage and his body would not be found until a week later buried in the unforgiving desert sands along with his bodyguards. His children would wind up captured, Jiraiya himself took it upon himself to put a proper seal on Gaara to prevent Shukaku from re-emerging and screwing with his jinchuriki once again while also sealing his chakra to prevent him from using any sand.
It was no one's surprise that Gaara put up no resistance. He was extremely docile when he was brought in as a prisoner of war, he put up absolutely no fight as Shukaku was properly sealed away, and he slept like a baby for the first twenty-four hours and slept on and off during his stay in his nice cozy cell with his siblings.
For their forces, they suffered heavy losses. Sixty percent of their shinobi were either dead or captured, several prominent ones among the dead were members of the Puppet Brigade, and Baki who was considered one of the most powerful wind ninjutsu users since Reto the Shodaime Kazekage.
There were even two unexpected groups that were captured. The Rain Genin under the tutelage of Aoi Rokusho were held in isolation thanks to the chaos of the invasion. And two Cloud shinobi who tried to kidnap Hinata were surprisingly defeated by Neji Hyuuga and were captured. Ibiki was gleefully putting the screws to them.
But Konohagakure didn't come out unscathed either. They still lost thirty-seven percent of their shinobi forces and another thirty percent were down due to injuries, some were even career ending. The civilian population also took casualties with the evacuation shelters being hit, or those who were caught unaware or in the crossfire, the number of dead involving them after the bodies were counted showed the village lost at least ten percent of their civilian population while another five percent were wounded.
The damage to the village was also extensive. At least forty percent of the village suffered damage, a great many homes were destroyed, businesses were wiped out, the academy also needed to be repaired from the damage done to it, and that went double with the stadium used for the Chunin Exams. Then there were the government buildings and the police station. It came to light that there was a fierce battle by them and a lot of evidence was destroyed.
But all of that paled in comparison to the loss of the Sandaime Hokage. Even a full week later the entire village was reeling in shock at the loss of such a prominent figure that had an impact on all their lives.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Hokage for multiple generations, many grew up under his tenure as the village leader and viewed him as some sort of immortal figure. Even the current generation which consisted of the Rookie Nine grew up with the man taking them by the hand and leading them into a bright future.
To hear that he was dead, even after seeing so much death, some even taking their first lives that day found themselves numb.
Which was exactly what Naruto was feeling at that moment. Dressed in black with both Hinata and Tenten by his side on the couch in Sasuke's apartment, he blankly stared at the wall.
Not a word was said. All three of them had more or less recovered from the invasion as the week dragged on, but something in them changed or died that day. The sound of a door opening caused the three of them to watch as Sasuke exited his bedroom, also dressed in black and bandaged.
"It's time." He simply said.
Accompanied by Jiraiya who was also dressed in black funeral garb, the four Genin walked through the village to the cemetery. In order to move forward the council, both the shinobi and, unfortunately, the old civilian council agreed to hold a mass funeral ceremony to honor and mourn the dead. Any who had strong earth nature chakra were put to work creating the plots for their dead to rest in, the caretaker of the Memorial Stone had to erect another one to add the names of those who fell on that day.
The mood was somber and depressing, the sky was black with clouds and rain splashed the mourners. Naruto watched with half-lidded eyes as the pallbearers, consisting of Kakashi, Gai, Asuma, and two masked Anbu members carried the coffin containing their village leader to the grave that would forever hold him.
Stepping towards the podium to give their speeches, the last surviving students of Tobirama Senju, both dressed in black began to honor their former teammate.
"It is not easy saying goodbye to someone, especially to everyone we lost during the invasion." Homura said, his tone somber. "We all lost someone that day. Brothers, sisters, siblings…friends. I still cannot believe it."
Koharu stepped up beside her old teammate. "We've known Hiruzen ever since we were kids when the Nidaime Hokage created the academy. I will be the first to admit compared to him both Homura and I were not remarkably as skilled as him, it was through him and luck alone that we lived this long."
"But despite not being as skilled Hiruzen wanted us as his advisors. During his reign we butted heads on how to handle village matters, but in the end we all did what we could. It won't be the same without him." Homura continued as he moved to lay his hand on the coffin. "Until my dying day I will never forget you Hiruzen. You were the best of us…never again will there be another like you."
The reaction of the crowd of mourners varied, a lot thought their speech was heartwarming, if sad. A few others narrowed their eyes at them in suspicion, especially for those who knew that they were now the highest authority in the village until a new Hokage was elected.
The rain continued to fall as various shinobi came up to the podium and spoke about the Sandaime. Multiple generations listened to Asuma talk about how he regretted not talking to the man more, about the bitterness he felt being his son and being compared to him, and how regretful he was now that he was gone. They listened to Ibiki talking about how much he enjoyed serving under the man. They listened to Anko tell them that the Sandaime believed in second chances, and if it wasn't for him she would not have been there with them.
Finally after all those who had something to say at the funeral finished, the Sandaime Hokage was lowered into the ground and buried by Tenzo who used earth manipulation to tightly compact the dirt around his coffin.
One by one the mourners left the graveyard. Many had tears running down their faces hidden by the rain, all of them were soaked to the bone and wanted to dry off in order to feel something again.
But many still stayed behind, many to mourn those who were lost during the invasion, or to comfort those who needed it most.
Eventually those people also left leaving behind five individuals. Jiraiya looked down at the four Genin with a sad frown on his face and placed his hands on both Naruto and Sasuke's shoulders.
"I think it's time for us to go. I'll guide Hinata and Tenten home to her father's, I'll meet you guys at Sasuke's place later." The Toad Sannin said.
"I think I'm going to stay here for a little bit longer." Naruto quietly said. "Please let me do this. I need to say my proper goodbyes."
"All right. But don't stay too long or you'll catch a cold." Jiraiya said to his budding apprentice.
"The dobe is too stupid and stubborn to catch a cold." Sasuke said with a small smirk. He patted the blonde on the shoulder. "I'll meet you at home."
Tenten gave Naruto a hug from behind. "Don't be a stranger now, Hinata and I will be here if you ever need to talk."
Not to be out done, Hinata hugged Naruto from the front. "We mean it. Don't you dare isolate yourself."
"I promise I won't. Thank you." Naruto gave the two of them a quick, but grateful hug in the rain. Jiraiya didn't make a lewd smile or comment, and Sasuke only nodded, they were too drained to act regarding the moment those three were having.
The four soon left, leaving the blonde by himself looking at the gravestone of Hiruzen Sarutobi. The rain began to fall harder than ever, and if he wasn't already soaked to the bone he would have been in that instant.
"I hope the Shinigami gave you safe passage into the afterlife." Naruto said to the grave.
"I'm afraid it's not that simple Naruto-kun." A ghostly voice that sounded very familiar hit Naruto's ears. It caused him to quickly turn to see Hiruzen standing behind him in an astral form.
"But how-"
"The Shinigami used his power to summon my soul from within his stomach in order for me to talk to you. I fear this will be brief, not even he can keep me here for long due to the Reaper Death Seal I used."
"But this will be the last time that I get to see you." Naruto said, tears fell from his eyes once more. "I have so much I want to say."
"I know, but remember I had a duty to protect not only you but everyone that carries the Will of Fire within them." He said as he smiled at the blonde young man, "I would gladly give my life if it protected you, Naruto."
"Old man…I'm sorry I couldn't help you. I wasn't strong enough when it counted."
"Naruto, you're still young. I watched you grow from a cocky brat to the fine young man standing before me. You're strong, and I believe you will become the Hokage like you always boasted." Hiruzen playfully chuckled. "Besides, you beat Rasa's youngest and beat the biju within him. Not many can exactly boast of doing that."
"Thanks…is there anything else? A last request maybe?" Naruto asked.
"No. I am ready to face my existence within the Shinigami's stomach." The deceased Hokage said as his body began to fade. "Farewell Naruto; represent what the Will of Fire means to everyone here and I know you will earn your dreams." He finished before finally fading from Naruto's vision.
Just then the rain finally came to a stop, the clouds parted, and the sun finally shone from out of the darkness and lit up the village. Apparently whatever God was in charge of the weather decided to let the sun out to finally lift the mood of the village.
Naruto looked up to the sky and sadly smiled. "Goodbye Old man."
(Council chambers - Two days later)
Jiraiya hated the council chambers. The very few times he had been within it had always been a negative experience; the first time he could remember attending a meeting was when The Second Great Shinobi War started, and it devolved into a lot of bickering, finger pointing, and other nonsense that steered him away from politics.
So why was he here? It was because he didn't trust anyone in that room. As Konoha's spymaster he learned to trust no one, after all his job was to gather information, give false information, start false flag operations, blackmail and many other things. But at that very moment the Sandaime was dead, the village was leaderless and anyone and everyone could use his absence to further their own agendas.
And right now there were several key figures who could cause the most damage during these precarious days.
"Thank you all for coming, especially with all that has happened." Koharu was at the podium, sensei's podium. Jiraiya clenched his right fist. "I think you all know why we're. This village is leaderless, the Fire Daimyo entrusted us to pick the best candidate to become the Godaime Hokage."
"It's about time." The reinstated Gendo Hikari smirked.
"Indeed. The loss of the Sandaime has been tragic, but we must move on." Hibari Haruno seconded, hiding her mouth behind her hand to cover her smirk.
"So, who are the candidates?" Rufi Sanohana questioned, the pudgy councilman licked his lips to once again taste the sweet air of freedom.
Jiraiya gritted his teeth looking at several people who were a pain in his sensei's side. All of them were freed thanks to the invasion destroying all the evidence against them. And who would have dared to speak against them also died that day. The Toad Sannin never believed in consequences, he knew something was happening in the background, and if he were a betting man he knew exactly who was behind this conspiracy.
"The first candidate is obviously Jiraiya." Homura gestured towards his old teammate's student.
"I refuse." Jiraiya flatly said. "I'm not Hokage material, I don't want the title, nor do I pursue it. I have my own role in the village to play and that is what I'm going to do."
"Troublesome Toad Sage." Shikaku sighed.
"That's Jiraiya though!" Choza laughed.
"We knew you would say that." Koharu sighed. "The second candidate would be Kakashi Hatake."
"Kakashi, huh?" Tsume said with a raised brow. "I can't exactly say I saw that one coming."
"Logically it makes sense." Shibi replied with the typical Aburame tone. "Despite his aloof nature, Kakashi is one of our most skilled shinobi with years of experience and the thousand jutsu he copied with his Sharingan eye. Let us not forget he is a hero of The Third Great Shinobi War, was a student of the Yondaime and his father was the White Fang."
"Hold on!" Inoichi stood from his seat. "I fully admit Kakashi is a good candidate, but I don't think he is ready. From his psychological profile he still has deep seeded survivor's guilt, post-traumatic stress disorder, and…would any of you trust him to show up to any meeting on time?"
The entire room formed a collective sweat-drop.
Homura cleared his throat. "Your observations are well founded. Perhaps one day he could be ready, but given how young he is, and the personal issues I think it's best to pass him up this time."
"I agree." Jiraiya agreed with the advisor, it was probably the only time he would agree with him.
Hiashi opened his eyes and finally spoke for the first time since the meeting started. "Perhaps we should consider what the people want. During the rebuilding process many of my clansmen have heard praises about Danzo Shimura."
"Oh right! He had shinobi protect the civilians in the shelters after they were breached!" Hibari said, her smirk still hidden.
"Danzo? Hold on, I heard that name." Choza said in surprise.
"Absolutely not!" Jiraiya stopped everyone dead in their tracks. "Danzo is the least desirable candidate. Him and sensei had been at odds for years."
"Does that even matter at the moment?" Koharu said. "Hiruzen is gone, and we need a new leader."
"Anyone but Danzo." Jiraiya protested. "Listen, I don't care if he has more experience than everyone in this room combined. He's just as old as sensei was, not to mention he's missing an eye and an arm. That doesn't exactly scream strength after what we have gone through."
"But he-"
"I have to agree with Jiraiya-sama." Shibi pushed up his glasses. "I had met Danzo-san once when his Root program was still operational. I…no, one of my clansmen volunteered to participate in the program due to his special insects. He was still a one-eyed and one-armed man using a cane for support."
"I have to support Shibi's claims. One of my own clansmen, an orphan, was selected for his Root program and he is exactly as described." Inoichi seconded. "His experience cannot be denied, but we need someone younger to be the next Hokage."
"And preferably someone more well known. Danzo has been in the background for decades, and I know just who we can bring to the table." Jiraiya smirked, with everyone stunned at the admission he hit the iron while it was hot. "Everyone, I plan on heading out tomorrow to retrieve our very own Slug Princess."
(The Forest of Death - Meanwhile)
"Again." Sasuke dully said.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Naruto roared after going through the six hand seals and doing his best to expel a giant orb of fire or a stream of flames. Instead, he only made a thin trail of flames followed by a pitiful trail of smoke.
After that it was followed by lots of coughing.
"Naruto-kun." Hinata said in worry.
"He really is struggling, isn't he?" Tenten said.
Sasuke turned to regard both girls. They were sitting on a log taking a break from their own light training and decided to watch their object of affection train.
Ever since the invasion came to an end the both of them had stuck to Naruto -and to an extent, him- like glue. He didn't mind, if anything he liked the two of them better than most people. Most of his fellow Genin were either too injured or helping with rebuilding the village.
Sasuke looked at his own bandaged arm, it was slowly healing, but until he was given the all clear by the doctors, he was forbidden from doing any missions or any hard training. So here he was doing some light workouts and helping his newly discovered relative try to learn the Fireball Jutsu. And so far he was absolutely sucking at it.
"What the hell am I doing wrong!?" Naruto growled out. Rubbing his throat, he felt Kyuubi healing the minor burns on his lips, and the rawness in his throat. "I'm focusing my chakra into my stomach, and I'm slowly moving it through my lungs…and yet this is the best I can do?"
"The Uchiha Clan is known for having fire affinities, which does help when we learn fire ninjutsu. Your earth, water, and wind affinities clash with what you're trying to learn, especially water." Sasuke explained, "But it's not impossible, you're going to have to put in a lot of extra effort to learn it."
"Damn it." Naruto cursed in irritation.
"Just keep on practicing. After all, it will be worth it for when you pass the Uchiha Rite of Passage, then you can carry the fan on your clothing."
"I still don't know how to feel about that." The blonde rubbed the back of his head. "I've been a Uzumaki all my life, and after I go through my rite of passage, I'll be Naruto Uzumaki-Uchiha?"
"One name for each of us, eh peepers?" Tenten said with a teasing grin. The fact Hinata flushed scarlet didn't go unnoticed.
"Truthfully I would keep the Uzumaki surname." Sasuke said with a small smile forming on his face. "But we won't reveal your relation to me or your kekkei genkai until we get a new Hokage. And only if that person can be trustworthy."
An uncomfortable silence filled the area. It went unsaid that the four of them were worrying over their respective futures. They were under the protection of the Sandaime until his death, he staved off the wolves. With Hinata she still had to worry about the Hyuuga council and her father, Tenten had to worry about their retribution, and both Naruto and Sasuke had to worry about the CRA acts regarding the both of them. Then there was the issue with Zabuza, Gozu, Meizu, Haku, Karin, and of course Kimimaro and those Sound Genin.
At the moment they were with the Anbu, Ibiki gleefully took them under his wing, the Genin were in the hospital ward under heavy guard with Kimimaro and Haku looking over them all, while Zabuza and the others were doing some…questionable things, things that were better left unsaid.
"Hey now what's with the long faces?" Jiraiya's familiar voice caused their heads to snap in his direction. The older man smirked and waved at them. "Your detection skills new more work kiddos. If I were an enemy I'd have taken you all out in a blink of an eye."
"What do you want, Ero-sennin?" Naruto demanded.
"Gah! Damn it you brat, here I was trying to give you some insightful lessons and you call me such a thing in front of everyone!" The Toad Sannin yelled in irritation.
"What's going on Jiraiya-sama?" Unlike his teammate Sasuke was more respectful towards the older shinobi.
"Ahh finally some respect!" Jiraiya laughed, much to Naruto's chagrin. Hinata and Tenten could only look on in befuddlement. "Well, since you asked, I finally finished with the council meeting. And while the civilians have been a huge pain in the ass…" Understatement of the year, everyone had been on edge ever since they were released from prison. "We finally managed to find a new candidate for the Godaime Hokage."
"The new Godaime?" Hinata jumped to her feet in alarm.
"Who is it?" Tenten seconded.
"Hehehe…be prepared young ones, for I the great and gallant Jiraiya have been tasked with the duty of bringing back the next Hokage! Naruto my boy, we're going on a mission to bring back my old teammate Tsunade Senju!"
"EEEEEEEEEEE!"
A sudden fangirl scream pierced through the forest. Both Naruto and Sasuke looked at Tenten in absolute horror as she jumped in joy, her eyes sparkling, they even swore she began to start glowing.
"Tsunade-sama is going to be the next Hokage!? This is the best thing I have ever heard since the invasion! Jiraiya-sama, when are you going to go and get her?" In a blink of an eye Tenten was in Jiraiya's personal space, vibrating like a kid who had far too much sugar.
"Easy there young lady." Jiraiya placed his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her away. "Naruto and I are going to head out tomorrow. If I know my old teammate, we'll find her sooner rather than later."
"Tomorrow!? Hold on, I didn't agree to that!" Naruto yelled at his teacher.
"Too bad! This is a perfect time to get you out of the village for some experience!"
"But what about Hinata and Tenten!? I can't exactly leave them here, you're literally one of the few people that can keep the Hyuuga at bay!" Naruto gnashed his teeth. "They nearly got them during the invasion…"
Both Sasuke and Jiraiya winced. When Tenen and Hinata revealed what happened things would have turned ugly for the Hyuuga Clan. Unfortunately, there was plausible deniability from the clan itself. Kiroheto Hyuuga was found dead with his brains turned scrambled and his eyes literally exploded and became useless. Inoichi couldn't get any information, Hiashi denied everything, and he was given a hero's burial in honor of defending the village. The fact Hinata and Tenten's testimony was buried was a bitter pill to swallow for all of them.
"Why not just take them with you?" Sasuke said like it was the simplest thing in the world. "I can't go thanks to my injuries. The Sarutobi Clan can't do anything at the moment, and frankly we don't know who to trust at the moment until things settle down. So why not make this a group trip."
"Haaa…way to ruin my plans, Sasuke." Jiraiya rubbed the back of his head. "Of course I was going to take them with us. After all…this little lady gets to meet her idol."
"Ah! Shut up!" Tenten yelled in embarrassment.
Sasuke looked over at Naruto and nodded his head. "Come back soon. I need all the help I can get. The Uchiha District won't be rebuilt by itself, you know."
The blonde only smirked in reply. "We'll be back before you know it."
Armageddon: Well here is my next chapter. It's a touch short but what can I say the next arc is starting, this was more of a conclusion to wrap up loose ends the best I can. Stay tuned faithful viewers!