Naruto: Fourth Hokage

There was a moment of silence between the four of them as a wind blew by them. A moment later…

"Temari…Kankuro…," Gaara said lowly, "Let's return…back to Baki-sensei…Tomorrow we'll be heading over to the Hokage Tower…where my friend Naruto can repair my seal…as promised…"

The two sand nins looked at each other in shocked when they heard the word "friend" come from out of his mouth and addressed to Naruto. Temari looked back at Naruto and asked, "Can you really repair his seal?"

"I gave him my word," Naruto said, "And I never go back on my word. That's my nindo (way of the shinobi)."

Temari and Kankuro didn't know what to think. Here it was that Naruto is from the very village that Sunagakure and Otogakure were supposed to invade and attack. And Naruto, who's completely oblivious to this truth, took it upon himself to help the very person who's been hated and feared all his life, their little brother.

"Take Gaara back," Naruto said, "He's in need of your attention as you both can see."

The older ninjas nodded before they carried Gaara off. As they headed out, Naruto said, "And one more thing…"

Temari and Kankuro stopped in their tracks as they turned to Naruto.

"Do not participate in that foolish invasion your village is planning with Otogakure," Naruto warned with a serious tone with no trace of humor in it. The older nins' eyes widened in shock and fright. Naruto knew of the invasion.

Did Gaara tell him already, they wondered with fear.

"B…But…how did you…," Temari stuttered. Naruto answered, "When I was in the mindscape with Gaara, the planned invasion was one of the things I saw. I know everything about it and when it's to happen."

Kankuro and Temari were more afraid now than before. They knew that Naruto was dangerous, but they never expected that he was this dangerous. He could kill them right now if he wanted; this they both knew.

"Yet you're letting us go," Kankuro asked, "Why?"

"Like I said," Naruto retorted, "Gaara needs you. In spite of Gaara's history, it's clear you both still care for him more so than anyone else although you two are terrified of him. It's not much, but it's a start in Gaara's redemption."

Naruto turned and walked off away from the three Suna siblings. A moment later…

"Who are you really, Naruto," Temari asked. Naruto stopped and turned halfway to look at the kunoichi. In response, Naruto answered with a smile, "An Elite Genin in training. That's all really."

Saying nothing else, Naruto turned and continued on his way, leaving them to their thoughts as they watched his retreating form.

"…Temari…Kankuro," Gaara muttered, "…I'm sorry."

Hearing Gaara apologize shocked and surprised the two older siblings.

"It's alright Gaara," Kankuro said, "C'mon, let's go back."

Temari and Kankuro turned and carried Gaara off back to their hotel.

(Later Back At The Hokage Tower)

Tsunade and Sarutobi made their way to the study office. Upon arriving, they found the door opened and Naruto sitting down by the desk with both the forbidden scroll and his new scroll on the desk though neither of the scrolls was opened. They were about to say something when they noticed Naruto dirtied and partially ragged clothes.

"Naruto," Tsunade called out worried as she and Sandaime went over to him, "Are you all right? Did something happen?"

"I'm fine really," Naruto assured, "I just have a lot on my mind, that's all."

"Does it have to do with those seals you've been studying," Sandaime inquired. Naruto looked at the two Hokages and said, "In truth, this situation is far deeper than either of you know."

"What do you mean," Tsunade asked with a puzzled expression. Naruto took the opportunity to explain in clear details everything that happened after he left the study office. It was quite a while before he was done. It went without say that Sandaime and Godaime were utterly shocked by all of the revelations Naruto gave them, but they maintained a calm and composed demeanor.

"Knowing that Sunagakure is planning on invading us changes everything," Sandaime spoke, "Tsunade and I have heard some things about Otogakure, but there really isn't much we know about them or even where they're located."

"Still," Tsunade spoke up, "We now know about SunaOto invasion that's to occur in nearly two month's time during the final part of the Chuunin exams. This should give us some time to prepare for a counterattack and evacuation procedures."

"But we can't alert either Suna or Oto that we're now aware of their plan," Naruto said, "We must go about this as though we're completely unaware their plan. They'll be attacking us from within our gates during the last part of the Chuunin exams."

Tsunade noted, "During that time hundreds of ninjas from the other foreign villages will be allowed access within our walls. Our invaders will practically be promised a free ticket inside our village."

Sandaime added, "It's customary that during the Chuunin exams, all villages let go of any aggression they carry towards any other village. It's meant to be a time of peace, where the villages are allowed to gather collectively without feeling threatened, or having fear of a surprise attack. It's a clever yet dirty plan of attack while using tradition and the Chuunin exams as cover. We don't want to cause any suspicion by refusing the Suna and Oto nins access into our village. If we do, then they'll definitely realize that their plans have been compromised, and something worst might happen."

"Hmm…," Naruto contemplated.

"By letting them in," Sandaime continued, "It makes it easier for us to monitor their activities. Also, it gives us more control over the situation."

.

.

.

.

🎉The novel is available in PDF with more than 400 chapters, visit us in our Ko-Fi store🎉

🎉ko-fi.com/horizon2075🎉