Dusk Till Dawn

8

The sun was high in the sky and the weather was beautifully warm. Naruto could only hope that this was a good omen for what was going to take place later that day. The announcement was to be held at midday yet the ANBU and many Jounin had already been informed partially of the situation. They didn't know who the Hokage was yet but the Oni had informed them - as protocol - that they would not need to take military action as a successor had been selected. The actual identity of the Rokudaime was disclosed but that didn't matter for now.

The ceremony itself was nothing like Naruto had ever imagined. He had walked through the Hokage tower to the penultimate floor and through the ceremonial halls. He had drunken the Sake that had been laid out as an offering and taken one sip of the chrysanthemum tea that had been imported especially. Itachi had informed him that this was due to the tea that was said to clear the eyes and liver, therefore clearing out the stress anger and yin deficiency that the liver was associated with.

Maybe he should get some of this tea for Itachi - to help with his eyes. Naruto was sure that the Sharingan would take effect again at some point; regardless to the amount Itachi used it.

Shaking his head, Naruto focused back on the ceremony. Instead of re-donning the white traditional robes, Naruto opted to retain his black and orange cloak. At first the Advisors had been against the motion but Naruto reminded them that they were hardly at the best time to be talking about cloaks; Konohagakure would most likely be going to war and there was no point in getting blood stains on a white coat.

The Namikaze lettering had been moved over to Naruto's heart and the kanji for 'Rokudaime' were grafted onto the back of the fabric. Apparently it had been easy; there had been sure skill when the cloak was made and this had made the whole process far easier.

Naruto moved over to the opening onto the balcony. Koharu was announcing the Rokudaime and Naruto could feel his heart beat wildly in his ears, almost as if it wanted to erupt from his chest.

"Namikaze Naruto."

Naruto stepped out, as rehearsed earlier, complete with black and orange hat. The reception he received was startling, people actually cheered. A tear slipped from the corner of Naruto's eye as he realised that this, his Konoha, was home. He was the Hokage and Konoha would be entering a secret war if everything panned out in the way it was looking. Following his predecessors, Naruto would give everything for these people.

He finally understood why his father had made the ultimate sacrifice. He understood why the Sandaime had called every citizen of Konoha his family... the village, the Hokage, the people... they were all one.

"Under the Acceptance clause, Namikaze Naruto, son of Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato, has been chosen by Godaime Hokage Tsunade as official Rokudaime."

The rest had been a blur for Naruto as he had seen the people of Konoha looking up, some in adoration. Where was the Kyuubi gaki now? Where were the hated stares, the hurtful punches... with their Rokudaime in place Konohagakure would learn a kindness that no other Hokage could demonstrate; not even the Yondaime. Naruto knew the sheer pain of suffering and he would try with all his might (and the Kyuubi's) to ease the suffering of anyone within his village.

There had been objectors - of course - that had come to the Advisors after the announcement. They had demanded that the demon was to be removed from his position yet the Oni had no choice but to defend Naruto. Tsunade had signed official documents declaring Konoha under threat of war and her choice was not to be torn up unless in valid consequence. Homura had then mentioned the Suna-Konoha alliance... and the fact that it was bound to grow stronger with Naruto in the seat of power; no one could deny that.

It wasn't until the night had grown dark that people burst into Naruto's - Naruto's - office. Kiba staggered in first with red cheeks (even behind the clan marks) and hiccoughed loudly. He pulled along Hinata and Shino who were, predictably, followed by the rest of Naruto's group of friends.