Naruto: Fourth Hokage

"You are in fact, I'm standing in front of you aren't I," Naruto shot back while rubbing his head, "I just came from kaa-chan's office and I have to deliver a few things to a new friend of mine who's new here."

"A new friend you say," Anko said as she placed her arm around and over his shoulders before pulling him close to her, "Why don't you tell me all about it as we head over to the dango shop? While we're there, I can tell you about the Chuunin exams I'll enter you in after you give me the juicy details on the ninjas you took out during your mission through the training of yours truly."

Naruto sighed again as he went with Anko to the dango shop after she retrieved her kunai from the wooden light pole.

(Later On That Afternoon; Elsewhere)

Sakura was showing Haku around the village. Thus far Sakura has been telling her about all the great places she go could to for some fun, like the clothes stores, the bathhouse and etc. While they were walking around, there was a common thought they had in mind, what was it that Naruto wanted to discuss with the Suna nins that was so confidential that he dismissed the both of them.

"Sakura-san," Haku asked.

"Hn?"

"What do you suppose Naruto-kun wanted to speak with the Suna nins in private about," Haku inquired.

"My guess is as good as yours," Sakura replied. Just then Sakura saw Hinata, Shino and Kiba, Shikamaru, Chouji and Ino coming their way.

"Hey you guys," Sakura greeted as she hurried over to them with Haku following close by.

"Hey Forehead Girl," Ino greeted, "Back from your mission I see."

"Yes Ino-pig," Sakura scowled, "And let me be the first to say that it was really an A-rank mission."

"You're lying," Ino retorted in disbelief, "We're only Genins!"

"You and your team were given an A-rank mission before any of us," Shikamaru asked lazily, "Well better you than me. Those missions are so troublesome."

"It's true that our mission turned out to be an actual A-rank mission," Sakura said with a large grin on her face, "My new friend here can testify to that."

"And speaking of new friends," Kiba said as he dashed over to Haku and stood next to her closer than he should have, "I'm Inuzuka Kiba. What's your name good-looking?"

Giggling, Haku said, "I'm Haku and I'm new here in Konoha."

"You are," Ino asked, "Are you living here with your folks?"

Haku's smile seemed to have disappeared from her face as a sad look partially appeared on her face.

"Leave it to Ino-pig to ruin the mood," Sakura said sourly.

"Don't blame her Sakura-san," Haku interjected trying to restore the happy atmosphere.

"I'm sorry if I've offended," Ino said sincerely, "I didn't mean to-"

"It's not your fault," Haku assured, "You didn't know. No, I don't have any relatives or a place to stay really. But Naruto-kun offered me the chance to live here, meet and make friends with you all."

"You met Naruto-kun," Hinata asked.

"I did," Haku said, "Back at Nami No Kuni. And judging from your eyes and features, you must be Hyuuga Hinata. And the blonde girl with the blue pupil-less eyes is clearly Yamanaka Ino."

Hinata and Ino were surprised by this. Of course, many in Konoha knew who they were, but they weren't expecting a total stranger to know who they were.

"Don't be so surprised," Haku continued, "Naruto-kun and Sakura-san told me all about you guys."

The other Genins took turns in introducing themselves to Haku. After the introductions…

"I'm happy that's out of the way," Kiba said with a toothy grin, "Tell me Haku, did Naruto fail to mention anything to you about my charming good looks and strong ninja arts?"

"I don't swing that way Kiba," said a voice from above. Everyone looked up to see Naruto crouching down on top of a light pole. Unknown to them was that he shunshin'd to them with the use of the seal marked kunai he gave Haku.

"Hey," Kiba yelled indignantly, "I didn't mean it that way and you know it!"

"I'm just saying it as I heard it," Naruto mocked as he flipped back down to the ground and went over to the others. Luckily, Naruto, before arriving, healed the little facial cut and cleaned his face of any signs of Anko's personal treatment. The last thing he needed was Kiba and Akamaru finding something to either blackmail him on or cause more trouble for.

"Naruto-kun," Hinata and Ino said simultaneously as they happily ran and embraced Naruto.

"OK, OK Hina-chan and Ino-chan," Naruto smiled before returning the embrace, "I'm happy to see you both too."

Though Sakura didn't voice it, she couldn't help but feel jealous of her best friend and Hinata. The pink-haired kunoichi often wished that Sasuke would welcome her with opened arms like how Naruto does with Hinata and Ino. Hinata and Ino soon released the blond-haired shinobi from their embrace.

"Sakura said that you, her and the rest of Team 7 went on your first A-rank mission," Ino said.

"It started out as a C-rank mission but it turned into an A-rank in the end," Naruto confirmed, "In all, the mission was a success."

"Well, we're happy that you and everyone came back safely," Hinata said, "I hope you didn't run into too much trouble."

"No trouble at all…," Naruto lied as he laughed a nervously, If you minus an Iwa Jounin kunoichi who wants to kill you for doing the Sennen Goroshi on her.

Shaking the thoughts off, Naruto went over to Haku and said, "Haku-san."

"Yes?"

"Kaa-chan managed to get you a place of your own," Naruto said, "If you'll be so kind as to accompany me, I'll escort and show you where your new home is."

Haku smiled and nodded.

"Hey," Kiba interjected, "How about I come with you guys?"

"Thanks Kiba," Naruto interjected, "But this is a D-rank mission kaa-chan specifically gave to me as I'm to escort Haku-san by myself."

"Hey Naruto," Sakura interjected, "About that conversation you had with those three Suna nins…"

"It's been taken care of Sakura," Naruto answered, "It's nothing for you or anyone else here to worry about. That's all there is to say about it. Hina-chan, Ino-chan; I'll meet up with you both later."

Naruto gestured to Haku to follow him to their next destination. She complied as she followed Naruto to her new home, leaving the other Genins behind. On the way, she gave Naruto back the kunai he asked her to hold onto earlier.

"Damn it that sucks," Kiba scowled, "For once there's a D-rank mission I'd have gladly performed and it's given to Naruto. I swear that momma's boy always get the sweet life!"

"Shut up Kiba!," Ino shouted as she smacked the boy across his head.

"Yes Kiba, stop complaining," Shikamaru said, "It's really troublesome."

"Whatever," Kiba retorted while rubbing his head. Short after, the remaining Genins disbanded and went about their own businesses.

(Later That Evening)

The three Suna nins were back at the hotel they were staying at with Baki. Temari had given their Jounin sensei a full recount of everything that transpired from their encounter with Naruto. To say he was stupefied would have been an understatement.

"Gaara," Baki spoke cautiously, "You're serious about this?"

"Need you ask," Gaara replied dryly with his arms crossed, "Temari already told you everything."

"But this will go against everything that Kazakage-sama instructed and planned with Otogakure," Baki retorted, "On all accounts, such actions will be looked at as treason!"

"I can care less for what my father wants," Gaara replied, "Tomorrow I'm going allow Naruto fix this seal of mine as he promised. If he succeeds, as payment for his services, not only will I tell him and the Hokages everything about this upcoming invasion, but he'll have me as his new ally in stopping this invasion Suna plans on doing with Oto. My foolish father can regard me as a traitor if he so wishes."

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