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!!