Author's Note
A promise is a promise!
I said I'd release an extra chapter for every 60 Power Stones, and you all met the goal. So, here is the bonus chapter.
Just a reminder: For every 60 Power Stones we hit, I will release another extra chapter.
Thanks for the support!
******
Naruto woke up with a jolt.
He was happy, curled up in his bed, ready to sleep until noon. Sunlight streamed in through his window. He stretched, feeling... incredible. Full of energy.
An insistent knock sounded on his door.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!"
He jumped out of bed, wearing only his pajama pants, and opened the door. Shizune was there, with a nervous smile and a bento in her hand.
"Naruto kun, good morning."
"Shizune chan! Come in, come in! Is that food? I'm starving!"
"Lady Tsunade asked me to give you this," she said, handing him the bento. "I'm glad to see you have an appetite. How do you feel? Are you really okay? Yesterday you were..."
"Better than ever! I feel great!" Naruto opened the bento immediately and started devouring the rice with his hand. "Wow, this is delicious! Thank grandma for me! I'm ready to train!"
"About that..." Shizune's smile grew tighter. "Lady Tsunade is waiting for you."
"Training? I knew it! I'm ready! I feel I could run a thousand laps around the village!"
"Not exactly, Naruto kun."
"No? Then what? More medical treatment? Nothing hurts anymore!"
"No, it's not in her office. She's waiting for you in the lobby of the general hospital. And then... You'll go to the office."
Naruto stopped, his mouth full of rice. "Office? The Hokage's office? Paperwork? No! I just woke up! Shizune chan, tell her I'm sick!"
"I can't!" Shizune waved her hands, alarmed. "She said to get dressed. Immediately. And to hurry. She mentioned something about... 'shared responsibilities'."
"Shared responsibilities? What does that mean? It sounds boring."
"I don't know, Naruto kun, but she didn't sound... happy." Shizune shivered a little. "In fact, she had the tone of voice she uses when she loses a big bet."
"Bah! So what? She'll hit me, I'm used to it." Naruto shrugged and took another bite.
"She said," Shizune continued, lowering her voice, "that if you weren't at the hospital in ten minutes, she would come drag you out of bed herself."
"Let her come. I need to talk to her about tomorrow's breakfast..."
"Through the window," Shizune interrupted. "Without opening it first."
Naruto swallowed. The rice suddenly felt very dry. He looked at the wall of his apartment, which still had some cracks from the invasion.
"Okay. Got it." He put down the bento. "Ten minutes. I'll be there in five!"
"I suggest you do! And put on something clean!"
He got dressed at full speed.
He ran to the hospital lobby, sliding on the freshly polished floor and almost crashing into a supply cart.
"I'm here! I'm here!" he yelled, out of breath. "Seven fifty nine! One minute early!"
Tsunade was there. She didn't look at him.
She wore a simple combat kimono, dark blue, that fit her figure perfectly. Her young appearance was still shocking. The lobby, full of medical ninjas and recovering patients, was quieter than normal.
"You're late, brat." Her voice was sharp.
"What?! I got here early! Shizune said eight o'clock!"
"Eight o'clock means seven fifty five. Arriving 'on time' is being late. A ninja arrives early. Shut up and walk. We have an important meeting."
She started walking, her steps fast and purposeful. Naruto had to jog to keep up.
An older medical ninja passed them and stopped short.
"Lady Tsunade! Good morning! The nightly supply reports are..."
"On my desk, I assume," she cut him off, not slowing down.
"Yes! And... the patients in wing three..."
"Have Shizune check them. I'm busy."
The doctor nodded, intimidated.
They went out into the streets of Konoha. The reconstruction was in full swing. The sound of hammers and saws was deafening. Civilians and low rank ninjas worked side by side, clearing rubble and putting up new structures.
As soon as Tsunade appeared, the work slowed down. Heads turned. Whispers began.
"Hey... look..." a civilian whispered to another as they carried wood.
"What?"
"That woman... Is... is it her? Lady Tsunade?"
"It can't be. She's too young. She looks younger than my daughter."
"But look at the Senju symbol on her back. And that... that look. It's her. I'm telling you."
"Hey, it's Naruto!" shouted a genin who was helping clear rubble. "Who's the woman? His new Jōnin girlfriend?"
"I don't know," his partner replied. "But... she's scary."
Tsunade clenched her jaw. "I hate this," she told Naruto in a low voice, without stopping. "I feel their stares. I feel exhibited."
Naruto smiled. "They're marveling! You're the center of attention! They're thinking 'Wow, what a young and pretty Hokage'!"
"They're thinking 'Why is that kid giving us orders?' or 'She must be weaker now'."
"No one thinks that! They're thinking 'Wow, we're so lucky'! You're the Legendary Sannin!"
"And don't call me 'grandma' in public, idiot."
"I didn't!"
"But you were thinking it. My head hurts."
"Hey, look!" Naruto's eyes suddenly lit up, forgetting the tension. "Ichiraku is open!"
He diverted towards the ramen stand, which was being repaired but had a small temporary counter out front.
"Naruto..." Tsunade warned.
"Just one quick bowl! To celebrate that I'm alive and you're Hokage! One miso! Please!"
"No."
"Come on! You can't rule on an empty stomach! A good leader eats with the people!"
"I have a meeting with the Third. And after that," her voice faded for a second, "I have a huge pile of reports to review. No. We are not eating ramen."
"But...!"
Tsunade grabbed him by the collar of his jacket without stopping and continued dragging him down the street.
"Agh! Okay, okay! No ramen! So grumpy! And here I thought being young would put you in a good mood!"
"Paperwork puts me in a bad mood," she said, releasing him abruptly when they reached the temporary Hokage tower. It was a reinforced building that had survived, though barely.
"But you haven't even started!"
"Just knowing it exists puts me in a bad mood." She pointed a finger at him. "And you remind me that I'm going to have to read it."
"Why me?! I hate paperwork!"
"Because you're loud. And paperwork gives me a headache. Now get in."
The ANBU guards at the door didn't even blink when she passed, but Naruto noticed their postures were stiffer than usual.
They entered the temporary office. It was in order, but it smelled of new plaster. Hiruzen was sitting in a comfortable chair near the window. He wore civilian robes, not the Kage attire. He was smoking his pipe, but he looked frail.
"Ah, Tsunade. Naruto. I'm glad to see you." Hiruzen exhaled smoke, smiling. "Especially you, Naruto. You look much better."
"Of course! Grandma is the best doctor in the world!" Naruto said. "Although she threatened to break my arm if I moved from the bed!"
Hiruzen chuckled softly. "Yes, that's my student."
His expression turned serious. "Tsunade. You are assuming provisional command with admirable energy. The reconstruction reports... I've never seen such fast progress. And the Jōnin morale..."
"It's... fine," Tsunade said. She crossed her arms, standing in front of him. "They needed someone to give them clear orders, sensei. You let them..." She stopped, but the reproach hung in the air. "They're ready to work. Someone has to clean up this mess. We can't afford to look weak. Not even for a second."
"I agree." Hiruzen took another puff from his pipe. "Don't apologize for being direct, Tsunade. That's why we needed you. I was too soft. Now, I assume this meeting isn't just to see an old man."
"No. It's my first official act as Hokage."
Tsunade turned sharply towards Naruto. The movement was sudden, catching him by surprise.
"Naruto. Your report."
Naruto blinked. "My... report?"
"Your 'interrogation mission' report, brat," she said impatiently. "The Suna prisoner. Temari. I want your assessment."
Naruto froze. He looked at Hiruzen, who was watching him with gentle curiosity. He looked at Tsunade, who was staring at him with an intensity that allowed for no failure.
He understood. It was a test.
Naruto took a step forward. His posture changed. The slouching kid disappeared. The "Secret Advisor" appeared.
"My assessment is... positive, Lady Hokage."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, impressed by the change in tone.
"Positive?" Tsunade crossed her arms. Her voice was pure skepticism. "Suna invaded us. They allied with Orochimaru. And your assessment is 'positive'?"
"She didn't invade us," Naruto said, his voice clear and firm. "She followed orders. And now... she's furious with Orochimaru. More furious than we are. He killed her father and used his face as a disguise. He betrayed her entire village."
"Rage is an emotion," Tsunade replied. "It's not a strategy. Rage makes her unpredictable. She may hate Orochimaru, but that doesn't make her our friend. Is she a threat?"
"No. She's not a threat." Naruto shook his head. "She's scared for her village. They're alone. They don't have a Kage. And they don't have their best weapon."
"Gaara?" Hiruzen interjected softly.
"Yes. I talked to her about him. She's worried about him."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "The Jinchūriki. The one who almost destroyed the village. The one who left you half dead. What about him?"
Naruto hesitated for only a second. "He... is no longer a problem."
"'Not a problem'?" Tsunade repeated, incredulous. "He destroyed half the stadium and released the Shukaku. What exactly did you do?"
"That's a very bold claim, Naruto," Hiruzen said, his voice calm but serious. "You defeated him, but his hatred..."
"I didn't defeat Gaara," Naruto said. "I mean, yeah, I hit him. A lot. And he hit me. Really hard. But... in the end, I talked to him."
Tsunade snorted. "You talked to him? A friendly chat stopped the Bijuu?"
"Yes! Well, no." Naruto scratched his cheek. "We had to beat him until he woke up. But in the end... yeah. We talked. He... he and I are similar."
Hiruzen leaned forward. "Similar to you, Naruto?"
"He was alone. Everyone hated him. Everyone treated him like a monster." Naruto unconsciously touched his stomach, over the seal. "I know what that's like. But I had Iruka sensei. And Kakashi sensei. And you, old man. And Sakura chan. He had no one. Orochimaru lied to him. His own father tried to kill him over and over. He just..."
Naruto clenched his fists. "He just needed someone to see him. For someone to tell him he wasn't a weapon. He's not a monster anymore. He's just Gaara. And his sister is worried about him."
A dense silence filled the room. Hiruzen looked at Naruto, amazed by the maturity of his analysis.
Tsunade stared at him, searching for any sign of doubt.
"A traumatized kid with a Bijuu inside," Tsunade said, breaking the silence. "That's more dangerous than a weapon, not less. Do you trust him? Do you trust he won't come back here to finish the job?"
"I trust that Gaara will find his own path," Naruto said firmly.
"And if his path brings him back here?"
"He won't."
"You can't know that, brat."
"Yes, I can! Because I'm the same. And I wouldn't do it."
Tsunade studied him for a long moment. She saw the conviction in his eyes.
"Suna is broken," Naruto added. "They don't have a Kage. They don't have Gaara in any condition to fight. They aren't a threat. They're... victims. We are too."
Finally, she nodded. Just once.
"Then we'll trust your judgment." She turned to Hiruzen. "Sensei. Any objections?"
Hiruzen smiled genuinely. "None at all. In fact... I think you've found the perfect advisor, Tsunade."
Tsunade snorted, but Naruto saw a hint of pride in her eyes. "He's a loud idiot. But he's my loud idiot."
She turned to the door and yelled. "Shizune!"
Shizune entered immediately, carrying a stack of scrolls. "Yes, Tsunade sama?"
"Prepare the documents for the release of the other Suna prisoners," Tsunade ordered. "We're sending them back. We'll use them to negotiate the new alliance."
"Yes, Tsunade sama!" Shizune bowed and ran out.
"Sensei," Tsunade said, turning back to Hiruzen. "Go home. Rest. We'll take it from here."
Hiruzen stood up slowly, leaning on his cane. He put a hand on Naruto's shoulder as he passed.
"Good advice, Naruto. Very mature. Your father would be proud."
Naruto gasped.
Hiruzen left, leaving Tsunade and Naruto alone in the office.
The moment the door closed, Tsunade slumped into the Hokage's chair with a sigh that seemed to come from deep in her soul. She stared at the huge pile of papers on the desk with pure hatred.
"I hate paperwork. I hate it. I hate it more than Orochimaru. At least I can punch him."
Naruto, still glowing from the Third's words, pulled himself together. "Don't worry! Your Secret Advisor is here! I'll take care of it!"
Tsunade looked at him suspiciously. "You? Handle this? Do you know how to read Jōnin level kanji for weapons supplies?"
"Sure! Well... sort of. But I have a plan!"
Naruto made a hand seal. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
POOF!
Fifty Narutos appeared in the small office. It was an instant chaos of orange uniforms.
"I call the weapons reports!" yelled Clone 1.
"No, me! You handle the civilian complaints!" replied Clone 2.
"What is this?! 'Funding request for the dango stand reconstruction'?! Denied! Dango is not tactically important!" yelled Clone 3.
"Hey!" yelled Clone 4. "Dango is vital for civilian morale! Approved!"
"This plaster report is insane!" yelled Clone 5, holding the same scroll Tsunade had been looking at. "Who needs this much plaster?! They're inflating the prices! It's a ripoff!"
"Hey! This scroll says we have to pay the Hyūga for 'emotional damages' to their complex!"
"What?! The fight was miles from there!"
"It says the noise 'disturbed the harmony' of their dojo!"
"Denied! Let them suck it up!"
"Naruto! Control your...!" Tsunade started.
But it was too late. The clones started to "work". They tried to stamp documents, but ended up fighting over the official Hokage stamp.
"It's my turn to use the stamp!"
"No, mine! You put it on upside down on the last request!"
"Not true!"
Papers flew. An inkwell spilled, creating a black stain on a vital report about the outer wall reconstruction.
Shizune entered in the middle of the chaos, holding a tea tray. She froze.
She saw fifty Narutos playing "ninjas and robbers" with important scrolls, the original Naruto trying to separate them: "Hey, guys, wait, that's the defense budget!", and Tsunade, sitting in her chair, the vein on her forehead visibly throbbing.
"...Lady Tsunade..." Shizune said, in a very low voice. "Do you need... help?"
"Naruto."
Tsunade's voice was strangely calm.
The original Naruto froze. "Yeah...?"
"Dispel... the clones. Now."
"But... the work! We're making progress! Clone 7 is about to uncover the plaster fraud!"
"They are rejecting the Hyūga's requests and approving the dango budget! NOW!"
Poof. Poof. Poof.
All the clones disappeared, leaving the room in a sudden silence, now covered in ink stains, boot prints, and ruined papers.
Tsunade took a deep breath. And then another.
"Fine. Plan B."
"Plan B?" Naruto asked, covered in ink and smiling nervously.
"Shizune."
"Yes, Tsunade sama?"
"The sake. The good stuff. The one I keep for emergencies."
"But, Tsunade sama, it's noon!"
"BRING THE SAKE!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Shizune fled.
Naruto stood there, scratching the back of his neck. "Uhm... so my efficiency plan didn't work?"
Tsunade looked at him. "No. Your plan was a disaster."
Shizune returned, left a large bottle and a cup on the desk, and fled again. Tsunade poured herself a full glass.
She drank it in one gulp.
"Ahhh. Much better." She put the glass down. "But," she said, "the intention was good. Almost."
Naruto smiled, relieved.
"Sit." Tsunade pointed to the floor in front of the desk. "And don't make any more clones."
Naruto sat on the floor in front of the desk, cross legged. "So, let's do it the old fashioned way. You read, I listen."
Tsunade looked at him. The brat was infuriating. And, surprisingly, reliable.
She sighed. She picked up an ink stained scroll.
"Fine. 'Hospital Supply Report, section A 3'. Listen up, brat, and learn something."
They spent the next few hours like that. She read the reports aloud, complaining, cursing, and Naruto listened.
"Here it is," she said, an hour later, frowning. "The plaster report your clone found. The Builders Guild is requesting an emergency payment. They say the plaster is three times more expensive because of the 'war shortage'."
"Shortage? The quarries are right next to the village!" Naruto said.
"Exactly." Tsunade tapped the paper. "They're trying to rip us off, taking advantage of the chaos. If I don't pay, they stop the hospital reconstruction. If I pay, all the other suppliers will raise their prices tomorrow. What do we do, Advisor?"
She was testing him again.
Naruto thought for a moment. "Easy. Send Ibiki to 'negotiate' the price."
Tsunade blinked. "Ibiki..."
"Yeah. Tell him you want him to personally 'verify' their account books. And to 'ask them nicely' why the plaster is so expensive. I bet the price goes back to normal before he finishes his first cup of tea."
Tsunade stared at him. Then, a slow, dangerous smile appeared on her face. "Shizune."
Shizune peeked her head around the door. "Yes!"
"Get Ibiki Morino. Tell him I have a 'contract negotiation' job for him. With the Builders Guild."
"Understood, Tsunade sama." Shizune smiled.
Tsunade took another drink. "Not bad, brat. Next."
"...and the elder council," Tsunade said, hours later, pouring another glass, "wants to divert funds from the academy to repair the West Wall. Stupid. We need more ninjas, not a prettier wall. What do you think, Advisor?"
Naruto, who was half asleep, jolted. "Ah! Yeah! Walls! I agree! Bad idea!"
"Why?"
"Because pretty walls don't throw kunai! People do! And the academy needs more funding, not less! We need to train more people after this!"
Tsunade laughed. A genuine, short laugh. "You're right about that. But where do we get the money for both? The wall does need to be repaired."
Naruto really thought. "Easy."
"Easy?"
"We charge Suna for the damages. You said it yourself. They provide the materials and workers for the wall, and we use our money for the academy."
Shizune, who had returned to pick up the tea tray, gaped.
Tsunade looked at Naruto. A slow smile spread across her face. She raised her sake glass to him.
"Shizune."
"Yes, Tsunade sama?"
"Draft that. A new clause for the Suna treaty. 'Infrastructure Reconstruction Costs'. Include 'damages from uncontrolled Jinchūriki' and 'exam interruption fee'."
"Yes, Tsunade sama!" Shizune said, smiling.
"Not bad... brat," Tsunade said, taking a sip of her drink.
"I'm a political genius! I should be Hokage right now!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself." Tsunade sighed, but the irritation was gone.
"Well, Advisor, I think you've earned your pay for today."
"Great! Are you gonna pay me?"
"No. Your payment is the privilege of helping me."
"What a ripoff!"
"Now, hand me that bottle." She kicked a small scroll at the bottom of the pile. "And then, read me that report about the farmer's chickens. My 'Secret Advisor' has to do the dirty work."
Naruto slumped. "The chickens again?! What a drag!"
He grabbed the scroll and started to read. Tsunade put her feet up on the desk and drank more sake while she listened.
****
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