"Naruto-sama, do you have all your weapons ready?"
"I do, I do."
Naruto glanced at Tamako:
"Will you be okay while I'm gone?"
Tamako smiled gently and shook her head.
"I was fine when you were gone for six months before, Naruto-sama. But this time, you'll miss my birthday."
"I'll bring you a gift. Sasori's bounty is pretty big."
Naruto walked over and pulled her into a warm hug.
When Tsunade and Shizune arrived, Tamako bowed to them.
"Good morning, Lady Hokage, Shizune."
Tsunade gave a knowing smile.
"Hello, Tamako. Has this idiot been treating you well?"
Tamako chuckled.
"He's been wonderful. Naruto-sama is a kind young man."
Tamako turned to Naruto.
"Please be safe on your mission, Naruto-sama!"
With that, Naruto said goodbye to her and left with Tsunade and Shizune toward Sunagakure.
## Three Days Later – The Gates of Sunagakure ##
Two Sunagure ninja guards stood at attention, their faces stern.
One of the guards stepped forward promptly.
"Welcome to Sunagakure, Lady Hokage. Lord Kazekage requests the honor of your presence in his office."
Tsunade nodded.
"Of course. My security detail must remain with me."
"That's acceptable, Lady Hokage. Please follow me."
The guard led them into the village.
******
The guards led them directly to an ornate door.
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"Well… I guess it makes sense someone took over after the Kazekage died two years ago."
As the guards opened the door, he followed Tsunade inside the office.
As soon as he recognized who was sitting behind the desk, Naruto froze.
"No way..."
Seeing Naruto's reaction, Tsunade's eyes sparkled with amusement, and even Shizune let out a quiet chuckle.
"Say hello to Lord Kazekage," Tsunade said.
"It's good to see you again, Lady Hokage," a monotone voice said. "And you as well, Naruto."
The red-haired teenager clad in Kazekage robes could be no one other than Gaara.
Naruto glanced between the robed figures of Tsunade and Gaara, blinking several times in disbelief.
"May I speak, Lady Hokage? Lord Kazekage?"
"You may," both leaders replied in unison.
"Thanks," Naruto said, nodding and taking a deep breath. "Damn it, Gaara? Couldn't you have just sent me a letter?"
Tsunade smiled gently.
"He was appointed Kazekage while you were occupied attacking Orochimaru's base. We couldn't find you—how were we supposed to contact you?"
Gaara continued.
"Besides, Lady Hokage thought it would be more amusing to tell you in person when you came to collect the bounty. And speaking of which, there are two people who want to discuss that matter with you."
Naruto stared at him, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that Gaara had become Kazekage.
"Fine, as long as they're not planning to kill me."
"Enough," Tsunade cut in. "The Kazekage called us here on official business."
Gaara nodded.
"Yes, I invited you here to witness the final rounds of the Chunin Exams. Four shinobi from Konoha have made it this far. I've also extended an invitation to Iwagakure to attend."
At the mention of "Iwagakure," Naruto's expression tensed, as did Tsunade's. Gaara caught the reaction.
"Is something wrong? I understand there's always been hostility between your two villages—but can't we put that behind us?"
"Well, I am Minato Namikaze's son, Gaara. Once the Tsuchikage learns my identity, do you really think he'll just sit back and do nothing?"
Tsunade sighed and sat down beside Gaara's desk.
"If it were that old man from my childhood, he'd have recognized you instantly. And now that everyone knows you're a Jinchuriki, this will only make things worse."
"In that case," Gaara said, "should I station some guards near Naruto?"
Naruto sighed:
"Now *that* sounds like proper hospitality from a host."
Gaara placed his hands together on the table.
"I'd like to speak with Lady Hokage alone."
Naruto glanced at Tsunade, who nodded before leaving with Shizune.
******
##Two Hours Later##
Naruto and Shizune sat on a bench in the hallway leading to the office.
They turned as an elderly woman approached.
"You're Naruto Uzumaki—the one who defeated Red Sand no Sasori, right?"
Naruto and Shizune exchanged glances before Naruto answered:
"That's me. And you are?"
The old woman stared intently at Naruto for a moment before finally speaking.
"I'm Chiyo. I'm the grandmother of the man you killed in battle."
Both blanched instantly.
But then Chiyo bowed deeply toward them.
"I wish to apologize for everything Sasori put you through. Now that your identity is known, Naruto. If you ended up fighting him, it must have been because he attacked first. Regardless, he was a Rogue Ninja."
"So…" Naruto asked cautiously, "do I still get the bounty?"
"You idiot!" Naruto shouted as Kankuro pulled him into a tight hug. "I can't believe you actually beat Sasori and retrieved his body! With Granny Chiyo's permission, I'm turning Sasori into a new puppet!"
Naruto nodded.
"So… Gaara became Kazekage and you got promoted?"
Kankuro grinned even wider.
"I'm a Jonin now—same as Temari."
Naruto twitched his eye slightly.
"After this mission, I'm seriously thinking about applying for a promotion."
"Speaking of Temari…" Kankuro paused, "she wants to have a proper chat with you."
After saying that, Kankuro started walking away.
"Later, Naruto."
Chiyo also turned and followed him.
******
##The Next Day##
Naruto, Shizune, and Tsunade sat in a café located within Sunagakure.
"Hello, Naruto."
A fan slapped against the back of Naruto's head, and he turned to find Temari standing behind him.
Temari now wore the black forehead protector of Sunagakure along with a black combat uniform and a red sash tied around her waist.
"It's been a while," Naruto said, scratching the back of his head.
"Yeah, I found something out during my last visit to Konoha."
"How long has that girl been staying with you?"
Naruto answered casually,
"She's been staying there for six months, but since I haven't been back to Konoha in almost six months either, technically, she only stayed with me for about a week before I left again."
******
##Back in Konoha##
Tamako visited Iruka Umino and became a teaching assistant at the school.
The kids liked her because she was kind and easy to talk to.
Right now, Tamako was helping Iruka grade exams while the kids had lunch outside.
She suddenly looked up, a confused look on her face.
"Tamako, is something wrong?" Iruka asked.
Tamako frowned slightly,
"I'm not sure, Mr. Iruka… but I really feel like punching Naruto-sama right now."
******
##Sunagakure##
"Anyway," Temari said firmly, "I haven't seen you in forever! How are you gonna make it up to me?"
Naruto pulled out his wallet,
"Once I get paid my bounty, I'll have enough cash to spare. We can go out and party!"
Temari's eyes lit up. She grabbed Naruto's arm and yanked him out of the café.
"Then let's go!"
Naruto tried grabbing the doorframe, but failed,
"Wait! I've got work to do! I'm supposed to be guarding Granny! Temari, let go of me!"
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