Narukos new life as Lady Maria Uzumaki

Part 12 Preparing for war

The sun shined down on the dirt road the group of shinobi walked down, the Konoha gates slowly came into view and the Genin sighed in relief. This mission was an experience for Sasuke and especially Sakura, she had taken to her training using all the emotions she had felt during this mission. Everything Maria set out for her to learn and master she tackled it with vicious focus, it took her a while to move on from what she had experienced and even now sleep didn't come easy but she never let her emotions drown her and slowly she was moving on.

The two Chunin on gate guard stood up in respect for the tall woman as she approached. She turned to them as she stood past the gates, "Maria Uzumaki and team 7 returning from a c-rank turned a-rank mission." The two Chunin saluted, "It's good to see you all home, please report to the Hokage immediately I'm sure he will want to know what happened." Maria and Kakashi nodded to them and lead the Genin back into the village.

Kakashi stopped and turned to the young Genin, "Maria and I will report to the Hokage, you go and get some rest we will meet again tomorrow from training." Maria leaving Kakashi stepped over to Sakura, tomorrow morning 6am meet me at training ground 40 to continue your training." Sakura nods, "I will thank you Lady Maria." Maria reached out and grabbed her chin almost harshly, "You have the proper dietary plans I have given you if you start starving yourself again my investment in you ends, am I clear?" Sakura nods rapidly not wanting to say something to annoy the giant woman. "Good, get some rest and I'll see you tomorrow."

Kakashi and Maria said their goodbyes and made their way to the Hokages office. Hiruzen was having a rather good day, his clones were doing the paper work and he didn't have anything to work on regarding the Chunin exams after Maria had accepted that role. He even got to spend the morning with his grandson, his life was slowly getting better and as soon as Maria took this job from him the better. *Knock knock*, "Come in."

Hiruzen watched as Maria and Kakashi walked into the office, he still had a small chuckle at the size difference between the two. "It's good to see you both back, I hope the rest of team 7 has returned safely." Kakashi nodded, "It's good to be home Lord Hokage, we sent the rest of team 7 home to rest." Maria and Kakashi walked over and sat down in front of his desk, "We have quite a lot to report Hokage." He nodded and got comfy on his chair, he pulled his pipe out and lit it ready to listen. Kakashi and Maria went over their mission, team 7's encounter with the demon brothers, Maria's battle with Zabuza and his accomplice, Roots mission to kill the bandits and receive Gato, team 7's training, Waves condition and future rebuild. Maria also spoke about the trade agreement between Konoha and Wave, she also explained how she promised to send artisan's to help with Waves rebuild, she explained Sakura's apprenticeship under Maria and her future training. 

Hiruzen sat there listening quietly, he was glad he sent Maria after team 7. While Kakashi was one of his strongest Jonin Hiruzen knew he had been slipping on his training for a while now and he could've struggled against someone like Zabuza, something he would need to address if Maria hadn't done so already. At first Hiruzen disagreed in continuing root but now he could see under Maria's command root has begun to flourish in the purpose that the second Hokage created them in the first place. He was impressed with the direction she was pushing the branch of Anbu and now root could truly become the shadow protectors of Konoha.

"Well that was certainly unexpected, makes me even more glad to see everyone return safely. It's good to hear Wave is rebuilding and I can put together a talented team of craftsmen to help them, I'll even send one of the other Genin teams as protection it'll be good experience for them." Maria nodded, "that sounds good, team 7 has had their chance, now they need to focus on their training as they have a lot to catch up on." She said while giving Kakashi the side eye, Kakashi just lowered his head sheepishly. Hiruzen looked at the small interaction and slightly smiled. Yeah he wouldn't need to speak to Kakashi, he had already gotten an earful from his practically adopted sister.