If you wanna read ahead of my stories, you can check out the advanced chapters on my subcribestar, at the same username - 0Jordinio0
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"Did that really just happen?"
Leaning over the railing of the alcove where their team usually used as a meeting point, Tenten couldn't help but stare up at the absurd flying island in the air above the village.
"That is the third time you've asked that Tenten," Neji commented from where he sat on the crescent shaped couch moulded to the alcove shape, arms crossed and eyes closed, "And yes, unbelievable as it is. Hokage-sama did indeed summon that massive island and fly into the sky atop it."
"Hokage-sama…huh?" Tenten looked over her shoulder at him, giving him a teasing grin, "You sure changed your tune quick."
"Hmph," Neji didn't even bother opening his eyes a he replied, "Yes…well, I suppose I was in the wrong. I was blinded by my own hubris and past, ironic as it is to say about one with the Byakugan. I have since been enlightened both by Hokage-sama himself, and Hiashi-sama…" as he finished, almost unconsciously, he uncrossed his arms and one hand went up to touch the headband directly over his forehead, and a smile quirked at his lips.
Neji, had been in an oddly good mood since yesterday. It was a notable fact she'd noticed, considering the sheer craziness and rampant energy of the village since everything happened and Daiki fought Orochimaru.
But, it was just so odd.
And he'd gone from dismissive of Daiki, to respective. It was a hell of a turn. But then, she supposed that was expected when Daiki full on freed him from the seal that had trapped him all of his life, and then proved his boasting was not a lie, but truth.
And that he was the next Hokage.
Hell, he was the Hokage now.
Which she was still trying to wrap her head around. She'd almost questioned why he never said anything of the sort to her…
But then realised he had.
It was full of jokes and banter, as was typical of him. And she'd completely brushed it off as big talk, he did that a lot. But well, apparently not.
Her eyes drifting up to that floating island in the sky, where her kind of maybe boyfriend currently resided.
And she wondered what he was doing right now.
"Students, we have arrived!"
A sudden shout broke her from her thoughts, and she looked up, gaze turning dry as she noticed her sensei flipping through the air towards them. Overly enthusiastically as was typical of him.
While Lee dangled from his arm, crutch and all.
Gai-sensei landed in the middle of the alcove, thumb up and teeth gleaming, "Tenten, Neji, punctual as ever I see!" he beamed.
"We literally just walked from the Hokage Tower to here, while you ran off for one of your asinine training things, and dragged Lee with you," Tenten pointed out, turning around and leaning against the rail, "Which is bad for him mind you." she added.
"It is fine Tenten!" Lee flashed her a thumbs up as their sensei lowered him to the ground, "I made sure to only exert minimal effort to keep myself in shape!"
"That's the best I'll get with you I suppose." Tenten sighed, rolling her eyes.
"Haha!" Gai-sensei just laughed, "Compromise is youth!"
'Not really a compromise, I've just given up reigning you in.' Tenten just smiled. Gai-sensei was like the wind that way.
Chaotic and always moving to his own beat.
It was admirable, and something she respected in her sensei a great deal.
In small doses.
"Gai-sensei," Neji spoke up, "Putting your antics aside. You called us for a meeting. Why? Is it not to soon to return to active duty? Lee is still recovering, and will be for who knows how long, and the chunin exams just ended yesterday."
"That is exactly why!" Gai nodded quickly, "I wish to speak to you about that. Because of the nature of Lee's condition, I cannot be certain just when he will be able to return to life as a ninja! quite frankly, before, we were told it was impossible. But Hokage-sama, had a talk with Lee a few weeks ago, and assured him he would make sure he could return to life as a shinobi. However, he must be incredibly busy and I do not know when-"
"I mean, if you really want to go on a mission that badly, you can always go tomorrow." was stated from beside her.
Tenten nodded, "Yeah, we can just go tomorrow…." she trailed off, and blinked.
Wait that didn't make sense.
Slowly, mechanically she turned to look at her side. So too, did Gai-sensei, Lee and Neji.
To look at Daiki nonchalantly leaning against the railing beside her.
….Eh?
"EHHHHh?!" Tenten leaped away on instinct just from the sheer surprise at someone managing to get within her personal space, so close without her even noticing.
She wasn't the only one either. It was subtle and unnoticed, her entire team fell into combat stances on sheer instinct.
Daiki, arms crossed, raised an eyebrow and gave them an amused smile, "Well that's a lovely hello." he snorted.
Tenten's heart hammered in her chest, adrenaline pumping in her veins, "How did you…." she started, before taking a deep breath, and releasing, "I mean, Hokage-sama, I didn't notice you appear…"
Seriously, what the hell?
When he said to Orochimaru, he couldn't sense him unless he allowed it, she hadn't thought he meant it so literally.
"None of that," Daiki waved her off with a grin, pushing off the rail and walking over, and pecking her on the lips, right in front of her team, making her face burn, "You guys can just call me Daiki outside of the official crap."
"Are we even allowed to do that?" she goggled at him. Unsure how to react. Before, he was just Daiki. Cute, dumb, stupidly arrogant, but generous. And a complete riot.
Now he was Daiki, Godaime Hokage. Speech giver extraordinaire. Claiming himself as the strongest ninja ever. And considering what she saw of his fight with Orochimaru, alongside everybody else, well he at least had some claim to it.
It was just so surreal.