Konoha Hospital, Room 207.
Sasuke Uchiha lay quietly on the hospital bed, a small blanket draped over him. He was still recovering from the effects of Tsukuyomi.
Sakura Haruno and Karin visited him daily, but they had never seen any sign of him waking up. Only today, when they mentioned Danzo Shimura's burial, did Sasuke's finger twitch, a faint flicker of consciousness.
After Tsunade arrived and performed a simple treatment, Sasuke fully regained his awareness. He ignored Sakura's joyful hug, his first words focused on one thing.
"Is it true? Is that guy Danzo really dead?"
It was something he'd overheard while unconscious, a whisper about Danzo's burial. In the haze of his nightmares, Sasuke vaguely remembered seeing Danzo's body on the ground just before Itachi defeated him again.
"Yeah." Kakashi Hatake stood by the bed and ruffled Sasuke's hair. "I personally cremated his body with a Fire Style jutsu."
Danzo Shimura was, without a doubt, Team 7's greatest enemy. Now, hearing that this enemy was completely gone, even Kakashi let out a huge sigh of relief. At least he wouldn't have to worry about threats from within Konoha anymore.
Sasuke lowered his head. "That's good."
"Alright, we need to talk," Kakashi said, leaning against the table by the bed. "Naruto is going to become the Fifth Hokage. He'll be leaving Team 7."
On the way to the hospital, Kakashi had already thought it through. Naruto Uzumaki's succession as the Fifth Hokage was a done deal. He certainly couldn't go out on missions with them anymore.
"Huh?" Sakura looked at the blond boy standing next to Tsunade, her face full of disbelief. "How can Naruto become the Fifth Hokage?"
"Ha?" For a moment, Sasuke couldn't tell if he was awake or still trapped in a nightmare. Could someone please explain how his friend, who had just participated in the Chunin Exams with him, was suddenly the leader of Konoha?
Kakashi scratched his head. "The news will be announced in a few days, but the higher-ups have already confirmed it. What are your thoughts?"
Sakura was still in disbelief. "But..."
"No buts," Kakashi sighed. "Sakura, Sasuke, you two need to think carefully. Do you want to stay in Team 7 and continue carrying out missions, or do you want to find a path more suitable for yourselves?"
Team 7's future had only two directions:
Add another ninja so the team could continue to take missions.
Disband completely. Sakura would continue her medical ninjutsu training, and Sasuke would find another path.
The hospital room fell silent. Both Naruto becoming Hokage and Team 7 facing disbandment were shocks that left them at a loss. Not long ago, they had all been together, striving to pass the Chunin Exams. They never expected to face separation so soon.
Sakura glanced at the boy on the hospital bed and said softly, "I don't want to be separated from Sasuke-kun... Can't we all stay together?"
"People have to learn to grow up, Sakura," Kakashi said gently, comforting the girl who was silently starting to cry.
Sasuke Uchiha clenched his fist. He looked at Naruto, then back at his teacher. "Kakashi-sensei, if Team 7 disbands, where will I go?"
"I'll recommend you to the ANBU," Kakashi replied. He had already planned this out. He hoped Sasuke could join the ANBU, which seemed like the most suitable place for his growth. The current Sasuke was too naive to be stuck doing low-level missions like a regular genin. The ANBU was his only real choice.
Of course, putting Sasuke in the ANBU would also help secure Naruto's position as Hokage. Kakashi was well aware of this. The new Fifth Hokage wouldn't be very familiar with the ANBU, a department that answered directly to him. Placing Sasuke—Naruto's peer and teammate—inside would give Naruto a trustworthy person on the inside.
"ANBU?"
"All the members are elite ninjas," Kakashi explained. "It's a department of trusted aides directly under the Hokage. The lowest-level missions they carry out are B-rank, and A-rank or S-rank missions are common."
"That sounds dangerous," Sasuke said with a small chuckle. He was clearly satisfied with the idea. Only constant fighting would make him grow faster.
Kakashi looked up at the hospital ceiling. If everything went according to plan, he would also rejoin the ANBU as a squadron leader, managing the other ninjas. A promotion. It was like that old saying: "When one person ascends to heaven, even their chickens and dogs go with them."
He remembered when his own teacher became Hokage, he was placed in the ANBU to protect the pregnant Kushina Uzumaki. Now, thirteen or fourteen years later, the child in Kushina's belly was about to become the Fifth Hokage. Time really flew.
"I've decided. I'll join the ANBU," Sasuke said, his tone serious. He then looked at Naruto with a smirk. "Ha, Naruto, as your future direct subordinate, I'll be in your care, Lord Fifth Hokage."
"You're overthinking it, Sasuke," Naruto said, spreading his hands with a helpless look. "Even if you get into the ANBU, you'll just be a rookie. There are a lot of ranks between an ordinary ANBU and the Hokage, right?"
Sasuke was speechless. This guy was about to become Hokage, and he was still so annoying. He couldn't imagine Naruto handling the responsibilities. Wouldn't the villagers run him out of office?
In fact, being Hokage was already proving to be troublesome.
Although the Konoha leadership and Naruto had to wait for the news to settle with the villagers before the succession ceremony, there were many preparations to be made. Things like making the ceremonial robe, understanding the status of Konoha's various departments, and moving.
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"Why are we moving? Did you earn some money?" Kushina Uzumaki asked, holding a spoon. She was reluctant to leave their small house. It was where her son grew up, and she'd spent every day diligently cleaning it.
Naruto rubbed his brow. "There was a little accident... I'm going to be the Fifth Hokage. We have to move to a residence closer to the Hokage's office so the ANBU won't disturb the neighbors when they're protecting us."
"ANBU protection is a big hassle. It always feels like someone is secretly on the roof... Wait, what did you say? Fifth Hokage?" Kushina stared at her son, suddenly remembering when Hiruzen Sarutobi had proposed Minato Namikaze take over as the Fourth Hokage. That man had stood right where Naruto was now, calmly telling her he was going to be Hokage. Now, his son had grown up and was about to take over his former position.
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Bonus:
Kushina Uzumaki: Sigh. Honestly, I can't even believe it...
Minato Namikaze: (⊙_⊙)?
Kushina Uzumaki: Your son is going to be Hokage!
Minato Namikaze: What happened?
Kushina Uzumaki: I don't know! Just like you back then, he's becoming the Fifth out of nowhere...
Minato Namikaze: ...