Chapter 489: An Outrageous Decision!

By: Takanome

(Cover: Tsunade in Hokage robes, holding the hat.)

Text: The hidden villages begin to prepare…!

(Inside Tsunade’s tent. Shizune, the medic nin, Kakashi, and the reporting ninja stand around Tsunade.)

Tsunade: So that’s everything that’s happened since I’ve been unconscious, right?

Shizune: A lot has happened, but at least you’re back!

Other Ninja: (leans towards Kakashi) We need to get back to the Lord and the others. They won’t appreciate being made to wait like this.

Kakashi: Yes, but this is important. They can handle a few more minutes.

Tsunade: Kakashi, you look… relieved. Wasn’t the Fire Lord just about to swear you into my position?

Kakashi: (smiles) Ah, but it looks like I’ve dodged the responsibility, haven’t I?

Tsunade: (grins at Kakashi) Is that so? Then you weren’t forward to being Hokage? Well, that’s just too bad for you…

Kakashi: ?

Tsunade: Those politicians are waiting for me, right? Well, I’ve got my recommendation already. Shizune! Help me up!

Shizune: Eh?

(Inside Ichiraku Ramen, which is still getting worked on outside, Naruto is downing a bowl of ramen. Sakura comes in.)

Sakura: Naruto.

Naruto: (looks up from the bowl, noodles hanging from his mouth) Hmm? Sakura-chan?

Sakura: (sits by Naruto) So you really did come here.

Naruto: (slurps noodles up and chews, smiling) Of course I did. It feels like I haven’t had any ramen in ages.

Sakura: …

(Naruto keeps eating.)

Sakura: Naruto, I…

Naruto: You don’t have to apologize to me, Sakura.

Sakura: !!

Naruto: (pulling up more noodles with chopsticks) I understand why did what you did. And I understand mistakes better than anyone. You don’t have to worry on my account about it.

Sakura: … (looks down at her knees) …But, still… I haven’t been very useful lately. Even though I’ve learned so much from Tsunade-sama, and I’ve trained so hard… it still feels like I’m leagues behind you…

Naruto: (looks at Sakura with eyes wide) Sakura-chan…

Sakura: Therefore!

Naruto: ?

Sakura: (smiles at Naruto) Therefore… I want us to train together from now on!

Naruto: Together?

Sakura: (nods) That’s right. If we’re going to be a team together, we have to train together. If a war… really is coming up, then we can’t afford to run around alone like we’ve been trying to, right?

Naruto: Sakura-chan…

Sakura: And… I’m not going to pretend I know what you meant when you said you and Sasuke would both die when you fight, but I do understand when you’re serious. So, when the time comes… I’ll be there supporting you. All right?

(Naruto remains silent, but nods.)

(A scene change, this time to Takigakure, the Village Hidden in Waterfalls. There seems to be a council of jounin in progress.)

Taki-nin #1: With the meeting of the five kage at the summit, we make have to act quickly on this matter.

Taki-nin #2: The direction should be obvious. Konoha and Suna are both allies to us and our country.

Taki-nin #3: You’re underestimating how much our country’s officials have used the Akatsuki and depended on using them rather than our village. They’ve seen us as weaklings for years… they might take this opportunity to get rid of us.

Taki-nin #1: Impossible!

Taki-nin #4: If that’s the case, then we’ll have to choose how we should act for our own self-preservation, regardless of the government.

Taki-nin #5: Moving differently from our government could cause strife. We should wait.

Taki-nin# 2: No! Like he said, we have to act immediately! If we don’t side with the five great nations, we could be snagged up in the struggle and used as an excuse!

(A masked Taki-nin appears in a puff of smoke.)

Masked-nin: I have news!

Taki-nin #1: What is it?

Masked-nin: There has been an attack on the eastern front of the country. The base has been wiped out, and message has been sent while they were being attacked. The message details a man in a cloak.

Taki-nin #3: … Then we do indeed need to make our decision and act now.

(Back to the room with the officials and council members in Konoha. Tsunade stands before them, looking defiant but leaning on Shizune’s shoulder for support. Kakashi stands at her other side. The Fire Lord looks upon them.)

Fire Lord: (smiling) It is good to see you awake again, Tsunade. Looks like you woke up just in time… I was about to give your position to Hatake Kakashi.

Tsunade: (smiles back, but is sweating) Then it’s very good that I came to. Even though Kakashi is a good choice, he’d hate the position, and it’d be a shame to keep him here in Konoha when he needs to be out there on the battlefield.

Kakashi: (looks over at Tsunade) …

Fire Lord: Then you have no problem with the alliance we have against this threat, Tsunade?

Tsunade: I do have a problem, actually. It’ll take me a while before I can do anything strenuous still, and a lot has happened while I was unconscious. It would be foolish of me to take charge of Konoha at a start of a war when it needs someone who can give it their full attention. But Kakashi has been on top of things since the battle with Pain, and has already forged trust with our allies with the issue of the war. He has fought in the previous war, and has gained more than enough respect from our ranks.

Koharu: But you just said…

Tsunade: I’m not finished!

(Room is shocked. Exclamation points for everyone!)

Tsunade: Konohagakure is still in shambles and in the process of being rebuilt from Pain’s invasion. Many of our ninja still need to be prepared for the upcoming battle, even while the ones that are already ready go up to the front. These troubles are enough for one Hokage to worry about! Therefore… I recommend that Kakashi also be made Hokage!

Official #1: What?!

Official #2: What are you saying? Two Hokages! That’s…!

Kakashi: (looks shocked and troubled) Tsunade-sama, you…

Tsunade: (glances over at Kakashi and grins) This way is for the best, isn’t it? (looks back to the others) Having two military leaders isn’t so unusual in trying times, even in Konoha’s history, and these sure as hell qualify as trying times! I will stay here in Konoha and protect it, help rebuild it, and get its ninja ready, while Kakashi goes out as our general to the fight. He will be the one to lead our ninja at the front.

Kakashi: !!

Fire Lord: Hooh… this is an interesting development.

Official #1: My Lord!

Fire Lord: (smiling) To have two Hokages for the sake of this war doesn’t sound so bad. The one we had chosen not long ago has perished, right? And this should give a good message to the other countries… Do you agree to this, Hatake?

Kakashi: (continues to look surprised, but closes his eye a moment, then nods) Yes. I agree to this. I am prepared for such a position.

Fire Lord: Well then…

(Last frame centers on Tsunade and Kakashi standing before them.)

Fire Lord: Hatake Kakashi, I officially appoint you as the Fuku-Hokage.

End Text: Konoha now has two hokages!!

Chapter 489: An Outrageous Decision!

Source: http://scholarization.wordpress.com

-Tsunade’s Recovery
By: TheSpecialOne

(The scene starts off in Konoha… Naruto and Iruka are enjoying bowls of Ramen at Ichiraku.)
Iruka: As always, as of late, we haven’t had much time to talk to together (Iruka smiles).
Naruto: Oh, uh, sorry, it’s just I’ve been really busy…
Iruka: That’s fine. (Iruka puts his hand on Naruto’s shoulder.) I’m proud of you. Saving the village from the likes of Pain, if Jiraiya was here, I’m certain he’d feel the same way that I, as well as the villagers feel… (Naruto shrugs off.) Is something wrong Naruto?
Naruto: Well, that’s not how Shikamaru, Kiba, Neji, and the others feel.
Iruka: Hmm?

Naruto: I mean about Sasuke… I know in my heart that what I’m doing is right, but-(Naruto gets cut off).
Iruka: You’ll pull through, you always do…
Naruto: Iruka sensei…
Naruto (in thought): It’s more than just wanting to stop Sasuke from harming the village and be able to know that I did… I need the power to do so, but at this moment, I’m just not-(Iruka starts talking.)
Iruka: Your ramen will get cold if you don’t eat up…
Naruto: Oh, uh, yeah… Thanks… (Naruto starts to chow down. Immediately, Sakura appears behind Iruka and Naruto, and is ready to tell them of something important.)
Sakura: Iruka sensei! Naruto! HURRY, YOU GUYS HAVE TO COME WITH ME! (Naruto turns his head to face Sakura.)
Naruto: What is it? Can’t it wait? I’ll get to it when I’m done eating… (While Sakura grunts, Naruto turns around and stuffs his face with more ramen, immediately Sakura knocks Naruto upside the head, which causes him to start to choke on his food…) AWWK! AWWK!
Iruka: *Sigh.*

Sakura: It’s Tsunade Sama, I’ve heard that she’s awaken… (Naruto and Iruka turn around to face Sakura… They both have an amazed and shocked look on their faces. The scene switches over to a forested area. The unnamed Konoha shinobi that went to break up Kakashi’s appointment, the two unnamed Anbu, Kakashi, Homura, and Koharu are rushing from the Fire Capital to Konoha.)
Koharu: Hatake, was it really necessary for you to leave the Capital?
Kakashi: Is asking such a question even necessary? This is Tsunade we’re talking about.
Homura: Kohura and I, as advisors, will be enough to inform the lady of her terms. All you need to do is await appointment…
Unnamed shinobi (in thought): Those elders don’t in the least bit sound happy about the Lady’s recovery.

Homura (in thought): So, the Slug Queen awakens… This will put our political climate in quite the predicament. Hopefully, Koharu has my back on this one. (Homura glances over at Koharu, she nods her head as to suggest that an agreement between them is valid.)
Kakashi (in thought): I see, so that’s how things are. Those two, what could they be planning?
(The scene switches back over to Konoha. The scene is outside Tsunade’s cabin. There is a huge crowd gathered outside. Naruto, Sakura, and Iruka make it to the location.)
Sakura: SEE! I told you Naruto! Because of you we have to push our way through!
Naruto: SORRY! I was on a full stomach! (Naruto and Sakura are walking forward, however, the two of them are taken off guard when they picked up on that Iruka is just standing behind them.)
Hey! Aren’t you coming to see granny too!
Iruka: Nahh, I’ll pass… Don’t worry, I’d be kinda off not to see her, but I’ll wait until the crowd dies down. Don’t let me slow you two down.
Naruto: Uh, ok! (Sakrua pulls Naruto by his hand and drags him through the crowd.)
Sakura: Naruto let’s go!

Naruto: Ok, ok, ok! Just don’t grip my hand so tightly!
(Through the crowd, people are glad to see Naruto.)
Some kid: Hey mama, it’s Naruto!
Some man: Naruto, how ya doin man?
Some woman: Hey, over here! You’ve come to see Lady Tsunade too!
(While continuously being dragged through the crowd, Naruto still tries to wave back.)
Naruto: Oh umm… Hi ALL! (Sakura squeezes his arm tighter.) OUCH!
Sakura: There’s no time for this Naruto! (While being pulled through the crowd by Sakura, the rookies can be seen among the crowd standing with their clansmen with the exception of Shikamaru. Both Naruto and Sakrua notices that Kotetsu and Izumo [they don’t notice Naruto and Sakura arriving though] are there standing guard in front of the door… )
Izumo: I think my vocals are going to give out… Can you handle this one?
Kotetsu: Fine… LISTEN UP EVERYONE! LADY TSUNADE NEEDS HER REST! WILL YOU ALL QUIET DOWN!

(As Naruto and Sakura reaches the door, she let’s Naruto go, and Naruto falls to the ground…)
Naruto: Sakrua, jeesh!
Sakura: C’mon, you have to let us see Tsuande Sama…
Kotetsu: Ahh, if it isn’t Naruto?
Izumo: Actually, the Lady has been waiting for you two.
(Sakrua tears up.)
Sakrua: Really? LET’s GO NARUTO! (She grabs Naruto’s arm again.)
Naruto (in thought): Not again… (Dragging Naruto, Sakura bursts into the door. Shizune, Shikamaru, and the unnamed medical ninja are present.)
Shikamaru: Gosh you’re late… Don’t bother running her ears off, I already told her everything that’s going on.
(Sakura starts to cry, she starts wiping her face.)
Sakura: Master, I, I…
Naruto: Granny… (Slight tear up.)
Tsunade: Going by your faces, you two make it seem like I’m still in a coma. (Sakura looks really pathetic, snot running from her nose, tears flowing like a river, and she’s biting her lip to stop herself from moaning.)
Sakrua: *Sob.*
(Shizune has a rest assured face on… Shikamaru looks annoyed yet looks somewhat joyful…)

Next Time: How will the Hokageship go down?

Naruto 489 Prediction(s)

Source: http://scholarization.wordpress.com

Author: Jeanericuser

489: Difficult decisions
Naruto is eating at Ichiruku Ramen while the cook watches with pride. Naruto notices and stops to look at him. The cook sees next to Naruto the image of Naruto as a small boy sitting on the stool having ramen. The cook then smiles as the image vanishes.

Cook: “I was just thinking back to when you were a small boy first coming here to have ramen for the first time.”
Naruto: “Yeah those were good times.”Shikimaru then walks over and pulls up a seat next to Naruto.
Shikimaru: “The others are still shocked by what you said about Sasuke. Do you really think that he is that unbeatable.”The cook smiles and brings over some food for Shikimaru. Naruto looks down but then puts his food asside and turns to face Shikimaru.
Naruto: “Have you ever truly had to kill a friend or partner Shikimaru?”
Shikimaru: “Sasuke is no longer your friend or partner Naruto.”Naruto: “You dodged the question. Have you ever truly had to kill a friend or partner?”
Shikimaru thinking: “Where is he going with this?”
Naruto: “You haven’t because like it or not you never have had to make that decision. Sakura was put to that same test as was Kakashi but in both cases they could not do it.”
Shikimaru: “So you are saying that if it came down to killing Sasuke I would not be able to do it?”

Naruto: “You would hesitate like everyone else because like it or not you still are not able to put asside your respect for everyone else. Thus if you had to kill anyone else here you would hesitate just like Sakura did.”
Shikimaru: “And when I hesitate Sasuke would kill me. I get what you are saying now. If any of us try to fight him we will only stop ourselves and try to take him alive. That is why Sasuke would have an advantage over us.”Naruto nods his head, takes a drink, and then looks at Shikimaru.
Shikimaru: “But what makes you so sure that you can do what we can not?”
Naruto: “Sasuke and I have always been rivals. Always on a competeing level to see who is better. I get strong and Sasuke gets stronger. When we fight we fight until there is almost nothing left to hold us back. We are both equal and in many ways the same so odds are that if and when we do fight again we will fight until neither of us is able to fight back which means either one of has killed the other or probably both of us are dead.”
Shikimaru’s eyes widen as he realizes what Naruto is implying.
Shikimaru: “I understand now. I wish I did not understand now but now I see the burden you carry. I will try to stop the others. If what you suggest is true than we would only be a burden to you when that time comes.”Naruto starts to eat Ramen again while Shikimaru looks at Naruto.
Shikimaru thinking: “Damn now I feel stupid. This is such a drag.”
Kakashi is visiting Tsunade as she lays on her bed in her room. Tsunade looks up at Kakashi as he enters. Tsunade sits up while kakashi leans against the wall.Tsunade: “Hokage?”

Kakashi: “I wouldn’t have expected it to happen myself but it seems that is what everyone is leaning towards. The others villages agree on it. The other jonin think it is for the best. Even the elders are convinced. Whether I like it or not I am the next hokage.”
Tsunade: “But do you think you can handle it?”
Kakashi: “There are larger problems for me to be concerned about than mere titles.”
Tsunade: “Its Naruto isn’t it? What happened?”Kakashi sits down next to Tsunade and looks her straight in the face.
Kakashi: “It seems that history is repeating iself with the Sanin.”
Tsunade: “So Sasuke has sunk that low huh?”
Kakashi: “There is no bringing him back any more. The only solution I can see as an end to this conflict is for Sasuke to die.”
Tsunade: “And with Naruto being similar to Jiraiya, he is determined to face Sasuke to the end just as Jiraiya was willing to only that final conflict never happened.”

Kakashi: “I just don’t know if I can think of any way to stop it.”Tsunade flashes back to Jiraiya as a young boy as they were getting a picture taken altogether.
Tsunade: “Im sure you will think of something Hokage-sama. Now if you do not mind I need to get some rest. Im still recovering from the fight with pain.” Kakashi slowly leaves while Tsunade lays back down in her bed. As Tsunade falls assleep one last thought goes through her head as she flashes back to Jiraiya as she last saw him.
Tsunade thinking: “Oh if only you were here Jiraiya. You would know what to do.”
Naruto is wandering through Konoha at night when he suddenly sees a distant looming shadow seem to reach out at him from a distance away. Suddenly snakes move all around him and restraining him as he sees Kabuto moving towards him from the distance. Naruto struggles to reach for his kunai. Kabuto waves his finger at him.
Kabuto: “Relax Naruto. I am not here to kill you. I come to you now as an ally seeking to offer you a deal in exchange for a favor.”

Naruto: “What will this favor cost me exactly?”Kabuto: “Removal of the bounty placed on my head by Konoha.Naruto: “And in return what do I get?”
Kabuto: “The one weapon Orochimaru was gonna use if the power of the Uchiha was too great to eliminate by physical means.”Kabuto reveals a vial containing a purple fluid. Kabuto stands face to face with Naruto only an inch or two away from his face.
Kabuto: “A specificly designed genetic virus to do one thing and one thing only, rob the uchiha of the greatest weapon, their eyes.”Naruto reaches his kunai but suddenly he finds himself all alone on the street with no one in sight.
Kabuto: “That is my offer. I will await your decision.”
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490: Changing of the Guard
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