Year 61 of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Tsunade, the granddaughter of the First Hokage and the Princess of the Land of Fire, officially succeeded the title of Fifth Hokage.
"From today onward, I am the Fifth Hokage who will lead the Leaf!"
Standing proudly atop the Hokage Tower, Tsunade's declaration echoed across the village square. Below, Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, and the other shinobi of Konoha all of whom had returned from Mount Myoboku for the occasion burst into applause.
Representatives from other hidden villages, however, watched the scene with solemn expressions.
After all, one of the Legendary Sannin now stood as the Leaf's new Hokage. Tsunade's name carried weight throughout the shinobi world. With her at the helm, no one could yet guess what stance Konoha would take in the future.
On the platform behind her, the Third Hokage smiled faintly, relief softening the wrinkles on his face. Finally, there was someone who could take up the mantle. At last, he could retire in peace.
"Jiraiya, you did well," the old man said quietly.
"Hahaha, I can't take all the credit," Jiraiya replied with a grin. "If it weren't for Naruto and Sasuke, I'd never have convinced Tsunade."
Hiruzen's eyes flickered thoughtfully. Sasuke… There was a certain heaviness behind that name, and the old man seemed to have made up his mind about something.
"Jiraiya, after the ceremony, call Naruto and Sasuke to the Hokage's office," the Third said in a low voice. "There are things I need to tell them. And a few things Tsunade should hear as well."
Jiraiya blinked in surprise but nodded.
After the ceremony concluded, Naruto and his friends didn't rush back to Mount Myoboku to train. Instead, they decided to have a reunion with their old classmates a rare chance, since becoming full-fledged shinobi meant they were constantly sent on missions.
Because of Guy's influence, his entire team Lee, Neji, and Tenten joined in as well.
"Hey, Shikamaru, what happened to those defeated Sand shinobi?" Naruto asked between bites of grilled meat.
"Hmm? Oh, my dad said the Sand Village paid Konoha a huge sum in reparations, then we sent their people home," Shikamaru replied lazily, chewing as he spoke.
"I see." Naruto scratched his head. "Guess Gaara's already back in the Sand Village then. I was planning to help him reinforce the One-Tail's seal… figures he'd just leave without saying anything."
He puffed out his cheeks in mild annoyance. Trying to help, and this is what I get?
Shikamaru chuckled. "At least you got the Tailed Beast Bomb out of the village in time. Otherwise, things would've gone south real fast."
"Yeah, I couldn't just stand there and watch Konoha get wiped out." Naruto grinned, his tone casual, though the pride in his eyes was unmistakable.
Their conversation was interrupted by raised voices on the other side of the table. Sasuke's corner was a battlefield of its own Lily, Sakura, and Ino were locked in a heated argument, glaring at each other like rival kunoichi before a duel.
Shikamaru sighed. "Women… such a drag."
Naruto laughed. "Well, not all of them are like that. Hinata's fine. She's just… quietly eating."
Across the table, Choji was indeed in a fierce eating contest with Hinata.
Naruto covered his face in disbelief. "Seriously? Out of everyone, Choji had to challenge her in an eating contest?"
Even he couldn't out-eat Hinata when she got serious. It was one of her hidden talents.
"Wait, Hinata can eat more than Choji?" Shikamaru asked, dumbfounded.
Naruto nodded solemnly.
Shikamaru gave him a sympathetic look. "Then you'd better start saving up. You'll need a big wallet to feed that appetite someday."
Naruto twitched. "Can you eat your meat quietly, for once?"
Shikamaru just smirked, unbothered.
After a while, Naruto leaned over and whispered, "Hey, Shikamaru."
"Yeah?"
"I've got a plan something big. I'll need your help in the future."
Shikamaru didn't even look up. "Got it."
"…Huh? You didn't even ask what it is!" Naruto said, incredulous.
Shikamaru chuckled. "Doesn't matter. If it's you, I'll help."
Warmth filled Naruto's chest. Shikamaru and Choji had been with him since childhood not bound by destiny like Sasuke, but by the quiet loyalty of real friendship.
Even Choji, who'd give up his last potato chip for him, was a brother in every sense.
Of course, Shikamaru didn't know that his "sure, I'll help" today would someday cost him a lot of hair and a lot more headaches.
Leading a village, after all, was far harder than saving one.
In a nearby private room, the older jonin gathered together Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai, and Guy.
"Hearing all that noise out there reminds me of when we were their age," Asuma said with a sigh, reaching for his cigarette. "Time really flies, doesn't it?"
"Asuma, not here," Kurenai scolded gently.
"Ah right, right." He quickly set the cigarette aside.
Kakashi's single visible eye curved into a lazy smile. "Not even married yet, and you're already whipped, Asuma."
"Wha—no, it's not like that!" Kurenai's cheeks flushed red.
Kakashi chuckled. "Come on, no need to be shy. You two aren't fooling anyone. You're at the age where marriage makes sense."
Asuma shrugged. "I'm ready whenever she is."
"We'll talk about that once our students can stand on their own," Kurenai said, smiling softly.
They'd already admitted their feelings long ago, but duty came first. Neither could walk away from their responsibilities just yet.
"This year's Chunin Exams got wrecked, so no promotions this time," Asuma said, swirling his drink. "But give it another year or two these kids will all make chunin easily."
He glanced toward Kakashi. "You've got it the easiest. With Naruto and Sasuke around, you don't even need to worry."
Kakashi scratched his head sheepishly. "They've earned it through their own effort, really."
"And Guy," Asuma continued, "your students did great in the prelims. Neji, Lee, and Tenten all solid chunin material."
Guy, his mouth full of grilled meat, nodded vigorously.
"I can't say the same," Asuma sighed. "Sometimes I think worrying about them will give me gray hair."
Kakashi smiled under his mask. "Don't worry. They'll all grow stronger in time."
The evening went by in a blur of laughter and clinking plates. Choji finally slumped back, clutching his stomach, eyes wide in disbelief.
"I lost… I actually lost in an eating contest…" he muttered weakly.
Shikamaru patted his shoulder. "Told you not to challenge her."
One by one, everyone began heading home. Just as Naruto and Sasuke were preparing to return to Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya appeared.
"Hey, Naruto, Sasuke. The Third's looking for you come to the Hokage's office."
The two exchanged puzzled glances. What could the old man want now?
"Hinata, you go ahead and keep training," Naruto said. "We'll catch up soon."
Hinata nodded, rubbing her eyes again. "Okay. My eyes are just a little itchy lately, that's all."
And with that, the night in Konoha deepened its peace carrying quiet ripples of change yet to come.
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