Timeskip: Post-Oto/Sunagakure Invasion
The council convened in a tense meeting to discuss reparations and resolutions following the invasion. After much deliberation, it was decided to show leniency toward Suna due to the external pressures they faced from the Wind Daimyo's actions. By leveraging Konoha's influence, a compromise was reached: they would receive reparations from Suna, and the Hokage promised to mediate with the Wind Daimyo to redirect missions back to Suna, alleviating their economic turmoil.
When the conversation shifted, Hiruzen officially announced his intent to retire. This sparked a flurry of nominations. Shikaku Nara, praised for his strategic genius, and Kakashi Hatake, lauded for his skill and reliability, were both nominated but quickly dismissed. Danzo proposed himself, but his ambitions were blatantly ignored. Finally, Jiraiya was nominated, only for him to refuse outright, instead suggesting Tsunade as the best candidate for Hokage.
---
By mid-afternoon, Gaara and his siblings were escorted to the village gates. Before their departure, Naruto approached Gaara with a look of genuine regret. "Sorry about almost killing you," Naruto said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
Gaara, stunned by the apology, listened intently as Naruto talked about the bonds he had formed in Konoha and how important it was to protect those you care about. For the first time, something clicked within Gaara. Turning to his siblings, he bowed his head. "I... apologize for how I've treated you both," he muttered, his voice strained but sincere.
Kankuro and Temari exchanged surprised glances but smiled, sensing a change in their brother.
---
Naruto spent the next morning in blissful relaxation. At his apartment, Anko and Hinata were with him. Anko playfully teased Naruto, holding a dumpling just out of his reach as he tried to grab it. Hinata, sitting nearby, giggled softly, enjoying the lighthearted scene.
"Come on, Anko! Just give me the damn dumpling!" Naruto complained, pouting.
"Not until you say, 'Pretty please, oh great Anko-sama!'" she replied, smirking.
Hinata shook her head fondly. "Naruto-kun, you could just ask nicely," she offered sweetly, handing him one of her own.
"Thanks, Hinata-chan," Naruto said, smiling. "At least someone around here doesn't make me beg!"
---
Around noon, a knock interrupted their peaceful moment.
"Come in!" Naruto called.
The door opened, and Jiraiya stepped in, only to freeze as he spotted Naruto buried face-first in Anko's chest, motorboating shamelessly. The legendary Sannin burst into laughter, his face flushed with perverse delight.
"Boy, I like your style!" Jiraiya cackled.
Naruto pulled back and shot Jiraiya a glare. "Who the hell are you?"
Grinning, Jiraiya struck a dramatic pose, spinning once before declaring, "Thank you for asking! I am a man who makes ladies swoon with my good looks and men tremble with fear! The Sage of Mount Myoboku! One of the legendary Sannin! I am, Jiraiya!"
Anko rolled her eyes. "More like a perverted old fart."
"Correction, young Anko," Jiraiya said with a grin. "I'm a super pervert."
Naruto chuckled at the exchange as Hinata emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray of tea and snacks.
---
Once the group settled, Jiraiya got straight to the point. "Naruto, we've got a mission: finding the next Hokage."
"Next Hokage? When do we leave?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Right now," Jiraiya replied with a smirk
---
Itachi and Kisame's Infiltration
An hour later, back in Konoha, Itachi and Kisame infiltrated unnoticed. They were swiftly confronted by Kurenai and Asuma, but the pair of Jonin were outmatched. Kurenai's genjutsu was countered instantly by Itachi, while Kisame's overwhelming strength pushed Asuma back.
Kakashi intervened, skillfully engaging Itachi, but fell victim to the Sharingan's Tsukuyomi, leaving him incapacitated. Before Kisame could finish him off, Guy arrived and forced the Akatsuki duo to retreat.
Kakashi was rushed to the hospital.
Sasuke, recovering in the hospital, overheard Aoba mentioning Itachi's intentions to capture Naruto. Rage and determination consumed him as he stormed out in search of his brother.
---
At Naruto's apartment, Sasuke confronted Anko and Hinata. "Where's Naruto?" he demanded.
"Why?" Anko asked, smirking knowingly.
"Itachi is after him," Sasuke snapped, his fists clenched.
Anko laughed. "You? Fight Itachi? You're still miles away from his level."
"Shut up and take me to him!" Sasuke barked.
Anko's smirk widened. "Fine. Follow me."
---
Tanzaku Gai
In Tanzaku Gai, Naruto explored the town while Jiraiya chased after a pretty woman. It wasn't long before Kisame and Itachi intercepted him.
"Come with us peacefully," Kisame said, hefting Samehada.
Naruto giggled. "Didn't your mom ever teach you not to talk to strangers?"
Itachi's crimson eyes bore into Naruto. "We insist."
Naruto grinned, refusing outright" Yeah, no thanks."
Kisame's grin widened. "Guess we're doing this the hard way"
He lunged, his blade wrapped in cloth, striking with wild force. Naruto jumped back, narrowly avoiding the strike, which left a crater in the street.
While still airborne, Naruto noticed a barrage of kunai speeding toward him. Naruto didn't bother dodging, letting the kunai glance off his durable skin.
Kisame smirked. "Not bad, kid."
Naruto laughed. "Thanks for the compliment, fish-face."
Kisame charged again, his strikes wild but precise. Naruto dodged each swing, weaving effortlessly. At one point, he blocked Samehada with his forearm, only to feel his chakra being drained. His eyes widened as he quickly leapt back.
Kisame smirked. "Caught on, huh?"
The streets descended into chaos as townspeople screamed and ran. Kisame formed a series of hand seals, sending a massive water shark hurtling toward Naruto. With a roar, Naruto destroyed the shark with brute force, his fists cleaving through the watery beast.
Before Naruto could react, Itachi raised a finger, and his vision distorted.
Naruto found himself in a red void, half of his body morphing grotesquely into Ban. Pain rippled through him as the transformation became more pronounced. Ban's cruel laughter echoed in his ears as psychological torment unfolded, Naruto gritted his teeth as Ban taunted him, twisting the pain further.
The agony fueled Naruto's rage, and with a growl, he shattered the genjutsu, returning to reality just in time to see Itachi closing in with a kunai.
Naruto ducked under the blade and retaliated with a powerful punch. Itachi flew backward, but his body dissolved into a murder of crows.
Kisame took the opportunity to sneak up on him, swinging Samehada in a crushing arc. Naruto dodged at the last second, their clash causing the ground beneath them to crack. Itachi rejoined the fight, and the duo's synchronized attacks forced Naruto on the defensive.
Despite their combined efforts, Naruto held his own, shocking the Akatsuki members.
"He's keeping up," Kisame noted with a hint of amusement.
Itachi's eyes narrowed. "He's stronger than he looks."
Naruto managed to land a heavy blow on Kisame, but the man dissolved into water. Itachi appeared behind Naruto, grabbing him by the collar and hurled him into a nearby wall, following up with a fireball jutsu.
As the flames closed in, Naruto clasped his hands together. "Counter Vanish."
The flames disappeared instantly.
Kisame and Itachi froze, their eyes narrowing in unison.
"What was that?" Kisame muttered.
"Interesting" Itachi muttered
The duo unleashed a barrage of fire and water techniques, their attacks devastating the street. Buildings crumbled, and debris littered the area as Naruto dodged effortlessly, still smiling.
---
Before Kisame's water sharks could hit Naruto, they were intercepted by a muscular, tall man with an air of arrogance. He stood firm, his presence commanding attention.
Naruto's grin widened. "Escanor."
Escanor's blue eyes softened as he looked at Naruto. Despite his different appearance, the man instantly recognized him.
"You're still a little shrimp, I see" Escanor teased, jabbing at Naruto's height.
Naruto crossed his arms, feigning anger.
The two laughed before catching up. Naruto shared how he'd reunited with Elizabeth and Merlin, revealing his relationship with the latter.
"I see," Escanor said, unbothered. "I'm happily married, anyway."
Their reunion was cut short as Kisame growled. "Are you two done ignoring us?"
Escanor sighed, clearly annoyed. "Scram. The captain and I are having a chat."
Kisame launched a water dragon jutsu in response. Escanor swatted it away with a single chop, dispersing it.
Naruto chuckled. "We can talk later. You take the shark guy; I'll deal with Itachi."
Escanor nodded.
Naruto glanced at Itachi, his smirk fading. "Let's take this somewhere else. I don't want the townspeople to get up caught in this mess."
With that, Naruto sprinted away, leading the group out of the ruined street. Escanor and the Akatsuki pair followed closely behind.