It All Started With A Smell

Worthy

Even after so many years, the sight before him was somewhat hard to believe. When he was in the academy, he would never have thought it possible. And yet, Shikamaru sat at a table with the future Sixth Hokage and current Head of the Foundation as she good naturedly teased the Fourth Kazekage as his advisors, who were also his siblings, laughed. Peace between the five countries had always believed to be impossible. They had been taught in the academy that any temporary peace held was enforced by a handful of powerful ninjas. The Fourth Hokage had been singlehandedly holding off the other armies until his death. Without fear of the strongest ninjas, the different villages would be at each other's throats.

Naruto could have been the one to hold off the rest of the world. Instead, she helped to do the impossible. Admittedly, she wasn't the only one, but she was the first. She reached out a hand to Gaara, the Sand's 'threat', offering him understanding and acceptance. The Sand had made a treaty with the Leaf after their failed invasion out of fear, but once Gaara was in charge it had turned into one held by respect. And from there, it had built.

Shikamaru certainly hadn't expected to call one of the Sand's most terrifying ninjas amongst his closest friends but there was no denying that Temari had earned the term. As had Kankuro, as annoying as he was at times.

"So how is your training with Sasuke going?" Gaara asked abruptly.

Naruto sniggered at the clear change in topic but kindly didn't fight it. "Good. We have another one in three months if you want to join."

"Surprised you didn't plan one around your birthday," Kankuro said. At the frown of confusion, the blonde gave him he elaborated. "Temari mentioned you aren't a big fan of parties and I'm sure your friends will want to celebrate your twenty-first with you. I heard they threw you one last year."

Naruto shrugged. "It wasn't a big party, more like we all hang out and had dinner. I didn't even open my presents at dinner. They were very considerate about it all. I don't have to worry about them trying to spring a party on me so I don't see the point of being out of the village for it when I can instead spend it with those I'm close too."

"I'm more surprised you planned your last one during the Chunin exams." Temari downed the rest of her drink. "I thought you would have wanted to be promoted out of Genin."

"Don't you think it would be a little unfair for me to fight a bunch of twelve-year-olds when I have the abilities I have?"

"So, you're happy to just stay a Genin?"

Naruto shrugged. "I much prefer it over fighting ninjas much weaker than me just for a title."

"Didn't you say that it didn't matter if you were stuck a Genin, you'd still become Hokage?" Shikamaru asked, draping his arm over the back of Naruto's chair.

She laughed again. "I forgot about that. Guess I'm a woman of my word."

"Perhaps we other Kage can talk to Lord Kakashi about bending the rules for you, just this once."

"Nah, it's all good, Gaara. Chunin or not, doesn't change anything. Besides, there's no rule against a Genin becoming Hokage so that's the only thing that would affect my choice."

"You sure you can be Hokage whilst a Genin?" Kankuro asked.

"Yep. Looked into it to make sure. Otherwise, I would have taken the exams when I was seventeen."

Shikamaru couldn't help but laugh at the foresight of his girlfriend.

"I'm surprised that you weren't offered the position of Hokage when Lady Tsuandai retired."

The Nara noticed how Naruto tensed slightly at Gaara's statement before she slowly relaxed. He tried not to frown, not wanting the Sand Siblings to notice Naruto's behaviour if she didn't want to address it.