"So, we're no different?" Sakura asked.
"No difference." Naruto was in a good mood, continuing the conversation, "I have to go on a mission tomorrow. It's a shame you can't join, otherwise, it would be more reassuring."
Naruto was referring to the mission at the Fire Temple. Now that it was the early morning, he planned to leverage his status as a higher-up to force his way into the mission after sunrise.
"If we were partners, wouldn't it be more thrilling?" Sakura tilted her head and asked, "Secretly, behind everyone's backs…"
"No." Naruto cut off Sakura's morally ambiguous suggestion.
"Eh? Are you really not going to consider it again?" Sakura asked nonchalantly, her tone revealing no emotion, "During that time, she'd wake up too… it'd be quite thrilling, wouldn't it?"
Hearing this, Naruto glanced at her without any visible reaction. By now, he was entirely accustomed to Sakura's sudden outrageous remarks, and was already semi-immune to them.
However, he didn't mind these conversations with Dark Sakura once he understood her intentions. Dark Sakura would say anything to him, giving him a sense of freedom.
There was no need to worry about words or consequences, he could just be himself.
They continued their conversation, drifting from one topic to another, until the first light of dawn broke. Naruto, looking exhausted, got up, splashed some water on his face at the sink, yawned, and prepared to leave.
Sakura was curled up under the blanket, staring at Naruto. They had spent the entire night alone together, and even though it was just talking, it was actually quite enjoyable.
The two had never talked so much before, and in two or three hours, it felt like they had covered every topic imaginable. It was not until Sakura got tired that the ward gradually quieted down.
It had only been eight or nine days since they last saw each other, but it felt like a reunion after a lifetime apart.
Naruto was equally exhausted. After all, staying up all night talking was mentally draining.
Summer is hot, but it was full of vitality.
The cool morning breeze blew through, stirring ten thousand dreams. Konoha Hospital was slowly waking up, and the hallways were filled with noisy footsteps. Despite the noise, Naruto was in a great mood.
'After waiting for so long, there was finally a good result.' Naruto felt a wave of relief wash over him, though fatigue crept into his heart.
Just as he was about to leave, in the split second when he closed the door to the hospital room, he and Sakura locked eyes. Raising his voice, he said, "Welcome back."
Click!
The door shut, and Sakura burrowed deeper into her blanket, burying her head deeply.
Yes, everything was back to normal.
After returning home, Naruto fell into a deep sleep. When he woke up, it was already afternoon. Kurama, reeking of alcohol, was dozing on the sofa, but Naruto didn't bother with him.
After washing up, he grabbed a quick bite.
Dragging his sluggish feet, he made his way to the Hokage's Office. As soon as he stepped into the building, the sunlight abruptly disappeared. All eyes turned toward him, some filled with suspicion, others with shock.
Yesterday, Tsunade had spread the news that Uzumaki Naruto would join the Konoha's leadership as the Clan Head of the Uzumaki Clan, becoming one of the youngest higher-ups.
Naruto was dressed casually, wearing the same slippers he always wore in summer. After noticing the odd looks casted on him, he glanced around but didn't give it much thought.
Under everyone's gaze, he slowly made his way up the stairs.
"Is Hokage-sama joking? Why is that kid becoming one of Konoha's higher-ups?" Someone asked in a low voice, "He's still just a Genin, right? And claiming he's the Clan Head of the Uzumaki Clan is nonsense! Sure, Konoha has always been on good terms with the Uzumaki Clan, but they've been gone for years. You can't just call anyone their member, can you..."
"Who knows? You'd have to ask Hokage-sama. But considering he's a Jinchuriki, it could be a part of the higher-ups' plan. Anyway, that's a slippery slope you don't want to touch." An older veteran at the Hokage Tower warned sternly.
"Alright, everyone, disperse! If you want to chat, you can do it in secret after get off work!" Perhaps realizing the gravity of the situation, they dispersed before the rumor mill was even built.
Naruto originally planned to intervene in a mission, but he ended up getting roped into something else by Tsunade.
"Got it. Just let Shizune handle that." She said, "Anyway, there's a high-level meeting happening now, so join me."
"Eh, Tsunade-sama, I..." Naruto wasn't too keen on going at first, but after being given a death stare by Tsunade, he became obedient.
"Stop with the nonsense. I swear, there must be something wrong with you." Tsunade dragged his hand forward and said in an exasperated tone, "After being away for so long because of their meddling, it's time you showed up. How can I give up this opportunity to dampen their spirits? It's giving me a headache."
"Okay." Naruto said helplessly.
The higher-ups are also helpless as it was the first time they had to attend a meeting alongside a kid.
With a loud bang, Tsunade pushed open the heavy wooden doors single-handedly and took her seat at the Hokage's seat with a big, enthusiastic grin. Naruto stumbled in and found a spot to sit down.
He was there in name only, without any real authority, but he did have voting rights.
The Konoha's higher-ups gradually filed in, each casting different looks at Naruto. Some were all smiles, some wore long faces, and others seemed mildly amused by the situation.
Naruto sat there quietly, occasionally glancing in Tsunade's direction.
The meeting began, and Danzo and the two old Advisors wore displeased expressions. The two old Advisors glanced at Naruto with a slightly dissatisfied look, feeling that the Godaime Hokage's behavior was far too unorthodox and completely misaligned with the Sandaime Hokage's philosophy.
After discussing some minor, inconsequential matters, the meeting moved on to more serious topics.
Danzo was the first to voice his discontent, "Godaime, the Jinchuriki is just a figurehead, there is no need for him to attend the routine meetings."
Tsunade wasn't fazed. She tapped her fingers on the table and said, "Since he's part of the higher-ups, he can attend if he wants to. Being a figurehead is just a title. If you hadn't clung so stubbornly to the past, we could have let him take on some actual responsibilities."
As she said this, she smirked and said, "I think the Root would be a good fit."
"Godaime!" Utatane Koharu interrupted Tsunade. She also understood that the conflict between Tsunade and Danzo had deepened further due to Naruto's entry into the higher-ups' rank.
But as one of the Advisors, in order to avoid the meeting from stalling, Koharu felt it was her duty to mediate the tension between her old friend and Tsunade.
"We've already made the biggest concessions. Please stop talking about things that are not negotiable." Koharu said in a hoarse voice.
Tsunade didn't say anything. She knew pushing for that would be extremely difficult. After all, it had already taken her considerable effort just to get Naruto the empty title of Uzumaki Clan's Clan Head.
"As for the Jinchuriki," Danzo continued in a dismissive tone.
"What Jinchuriki are you talking about?" Naruto suddenly interjected, cutting off Danzo's words, "Anyway, I'm not one."