Woop Woop, new chapter!

Disclaimer: This story has multiple mentions of trauma, death, and blood. So if it's not your cup of tea, please use discretion. 

As a clarification, I do not own Naruto in any shape or form. However, I do own the plot so :D

'Thoughts...'

"A physical speech..."

"Kurama talking..."

"Past memory..."

Enjoy!

Edited 11/ 6/ 2020

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Kinuki waved at the jonin, forming a small seal with his hands that instantly took him to his apartment in a flash of red.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Naruto.."

"Sakura, where are you going? It's not safe out there."

"I'm sorry Naruto."

"Sakura, No! Don't leave me. Please, I need you here with me."

The pink-haired teen walked forward, looking over her shoulder with a smile. She stood at the edge of a cliff charging all her chakra into her fist for one last attack. It resonated with power, shaking the earth at its existence. 

"Naruto," Sakura urged. "Become Hokage, don't let my sacrifice be in vain! And remember," Her fist became bright green, her entire body a lightning rod of light.

"I love you!" Sakura jumped off the cliff head first, her chakra filled fist positioned in front of her. The current blond dragged himself to the edge, disabled by his broken arm and leg. He watched briefly as his teammate struck the ground in between an entire Platoon of white Zetsu's, killing them all instantly as the ground cave in on itself. And all Naruto could do is watch from afar as his best friend got crushed by a massive boulder.

"Sakura!" Kinuki woke with a start, panting and dripping in sweat. He swore he must have sat there for an hour, whimpering and apologizing to a nonexistent Sakura.

"It was nothing more than a dream, kit." Kurama reassured him from his mindscape, yawning slightly.

' Are you sure?' Kurama sighed at the man in front of him, acting more like a child than a war-trained shinobi. And as much as the great beast wanted to shake his head, he was grateful that a part of the boy's immature nature remained. 

"Yes, kit. I'm sure."

"But Kurama, you don't understand." The redhead cried slightly. "I could've done something. ANYTH-"

"Now I'm going to stop you right there. You couldn't have done anything. She willing sacrificed herself for the sake of the village and most importantly, you." The fox growled at the teen, baring his teeth. "Now stop being a baby and wake up."

When Kinuki finally regained composure, he took a deep breath before stepping out of his sweat-soaked bed and onto the cold, wood floors. The sun had just barely risen and he knew that he still had a few hours before he had to speak to the Hokage once again.

The whiskered teen sighed, taking out one of the four pairs of pants and briefs he bought over the course of the last few days. Dressing in what little he had, Kinuki strolled towards the kitchen, cracking an egg over a pan and popping a slice of bread onto a paper plate.

The last week he had been in Konoha had proven to be somewhat uneventful and the former Kage was just itching for something to do. The majority of the week consisted of avoiding team Minato in their attempt at 'wooing' him and major 'talks' with the old man. But that, of course, sounded so much better than it actually was.

Sitting down on his cramp-inducing couch, the teen took a bit of his toast and released the yoke from its yellow bubble. Kuniki chuckled lightly. The spilling yoke could easily represent his mind, slowly releasing its knowledge from its encloser and into the world. And yet, all this mindless thinking took him away from the truth of the situation. He had roughly 3 years before everything went to hell; a slow and shockingly painful hell. He pushed his hair back with a groan, why'd he have to grow to be so wise and boring?

The former Naruto Uzumaki stood up once again, placing his finish plate onto the pile of dirty dishes before exiting the apartment to the lovely,-mind the lovely- lovely office of the Hokage.

He walked as slowly as humanly possible. Wanting to stay as far away from the building as he could.

"Kinuki." The Hokage greeted at the sound of the other groaning. "How nice of you to join me."

"A pleasure as always." The redhead muttered through his teeth, sitting at the small chair at the foot of the desk.

"You know Kinuki, I don't think I've ever heard Kakashi talk for more than two minutes since the boy's father died and yet, he spoke about you for a solid fifteen." The man let out a chuckle. "Sure, it might have been all rants but it was talking nonetheless."

"Are they really still looking for me? I thought they would've given up by now."

"Well, Kinuki, you have to face your past one day, you do know that."

"I know, old man." The redhead glared at the elder. " I just wanted to avoid it as long as possible. I thought being in ANBU would help that."

"Well, it wasn't Minato's fault you fought for three hours." Sarutobi took a waft of his pipe, ignoring the others bickering. He heard a small sigh in defeat."I want to hear your thoughts on the conclusion of the third Shinobi war."

"I mean, what are you currently proposing?"

"I would like to establish a policy that would increase our relations with Iwagakure in any way possible but contain the peace we have with the Tsuchikage at the same time. The council proposed that we offer a simple policy of reconciliation. We wouldn't ask of any reparations from Iwa and Kusa would release their grasp on Iwa. Your thoughts?"

"Yea, fuck that. That's going to show that Konoha is weak. Old man, what were you thinking?" Kinuki stood silent for a minute, messaging at his temple. "Listen, the end of the war is ultimately in our hands now. How we play the deck is going to show the world how we solve our problems in the grand scheme of things. Now, considering how Onoki is one of the most stubborn old men I've ever meet, we got to reach a coda that fits both of our countries' standards."

Naruto walked to look out the window. "I'm thinking a three-way oligarchy in Kusa."

"An oligarchy, you say? Do you think that Onoki would truly agree to that?"

"Well, that all depends. Listen, old man. Kusa is no way shape to provide for its citizens. What I'm hoping that means is that the current Kusa leader is willing to do anything for reconciliation. But, we on our own can't provide that because our country's economy is absolute shit right now. On top of that, that would be like agreeing that the war was our fault."

"And so you offer?"

"If we, alongside with Iwa, send a delegate from each of our countries, we could each gain land and negotiate a better term of peace. During the fourth shinobi war, Kusa was completely destroyed; along with all our rations of food. We could prevent that and gain income from the country by sending our unemployed farmers to Kusa. Which would not only strengthen our relations but boost our economy and supply food." The redhead smirked. "Onoki really just wants land, so why don't we give him some. "

The elder released a breath of smoke, deep in thought at the strategic genius he was just given. "How would we began such negotiations?"

"Well, first we would have to write up a formal letter proposing the terms to Iwa. I think rather than sending another leader to Kusa, we could both send personal advisors to the capital and negotiate privately. It would be safer than sending two Kages into the depths of war, obviously, and finally, it would offer a conclusion both our council and citizens would be satisfied with. Anything drastic would need the involvement of a Kage but overall it would be run by the three officials."

Sarutobi smiled. "Well, are you up to it?"

Kinuki turned towards the man, the hand at his chin dropping as he raised an eyebrow. "Eh?"

"The proposition of course. You are in ANBU, are you not?"

"Yes, but a person who knows the antics of not only you but all the Kages would be preferable. Onoki would rather speak with a face he knows. Not a no name."

"And who do you suppose worked with all the Kages at one point, Kinuki? Who, other than you, is better at negotiating the tactics of war that you came up with?" The old man smiled. Of course, that wasn't true in the slightest. He could always send Shikaku, the brightest man in the village but, the wise man knew that if the future redhead Kage didn't do something, he would implode. He watched the redhead's small smile become a full-on grin.

"You mean a mission?" The whiskered teen brightened. "A real mission?"

"Yes, now stop being a child." The old man chuckled. "If I didn't know any better, I would've believed you to be a genin."

The younger flung himself at the wrinkled man, hugging him tightly. He rubbed his cheek against a sagging one, repeating a 'thank you' as though he was a broken recorder.

"There is a catch." Kinuki instantly let go, his face falling drastically. "You will be going with ANBU team 005, with the exception of an extra Inoichi."

The redhead dropped to the ground, holding his knees as he rocked back and forth.

"It can't be that bad, Kinuki. You have to interact with other people than myself. I know I am very admirable but you need friends your age."

"Shove a sock in it, old man." The younger turned away, muttering softly. "Whatever, everyone around me dies, anyway."

"You know that not to be true, Kinuki." The old man frowned sadly at the boy, comforting him warmly in the best way he knew how. "I am very much alive, thank you. Now, not only will this be a mission, but also a test of your diplomatic and physical skill. You know, the ambassadors of Kusa-"

"- are very skilled in diplomacy. I am aware." Kiniki smirked. "When will this mission be?"

"Test, Kinuki. It is moreover a test. But I am willing to send you as soon as dawn tomorrow. I would have to talk to team 005 but they are more than likely to agree."

"Well, see ya, old man. I'll catch you later."

"Kinuki." The teen addressed turned away from his route towards the door, giving the elder his full attention. "You better impress me. Stay out of trouble, boy."

"Well, duh old man." The redhead grinned at the old man.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

To say Minato was mad would be an understatement. Minato was furious. That stupid redhead vanished in an exact replica of his own jutsu the other day and all but disappeared off the surface of the earth. He was told days ago by the Kage himself that Kinuki was sent on yet another mission and yet, something about that didn't sit right with the blond.

They wouldn't send such a young boy mission after mission, would they?

Well, at least he wasn't the only one. Currently, he and his team sat at the same bridge the redhead was sitting on the other day. And while he was slightly winded, his entire team sat on the ground, gasping for air.

"Where," Obito coughed. "The hell is that Kangaroo dude!"

"I don't think calling him kangaroo dude is a good idea." Kakashi shrugged at the raven. "He looked more like a fox to me."

"He literally introduced himself," Rin gaped. "Why don't you just call him Kinuki."

"Cause that's such a weird name!" Obito ran towards the clearing and jumped onto the wooden logs that stood in the middle, pointing a finger into the air. "Kinuki Totsuka! Where are you!"

Ever since their encounter with Kinuki, the team thought of the teen as some kind of God. All because of some warm, golden chakra that he didn't even see. Minato scoffed at the team. What was so good about some gold kangaroo chakra? Even if the chakra was able to heal Kakashi's eye, it surely didn't restore his vision. The silver-headed teen still fell off balance most of the time and rehabilitation could last months. But to give Kinuki some credit, knowing the young silver-headed teen, he could be up and running by the end of the week. The rest of the team was as energetic and determined as ever.

All because of a small experience with a small fry spy.

"Sensei, let's do a C-rank!" Obito shouted once again, his eyes filled with determination. The blond sigh once more.

"Obito, we were put off duty for the next 2 weeks. We aren't allowed to do anything but train. Most of the genin and chunnin were put on lockdown because finally, we could settle an alliance with Kusa and Iwa. The council was talking about it most of the week." The young Uchiha still held Minato's gaze angrily, trying to calm his bite.

"If you really want a mission, I think we could do another round with the Demon Cat. Don't you think?"

The Uchiha immediately sprinted towards the exit., horrified that he even suggested such a mission. He was able to get 4 feet away before tripping over his feet. His tired legs refusing to carry him any longer.

"Minato-sensei, I don't think that's necessary. I'm going to go home and read a book." The Uchiha smiled politely, raising his hands in surrender. Rin laughed, covering it with her mouth when she saw the. youngers anger.

"You? Read a book?" Kakashi mocked. "Is the world ending tomorrow?"

"You know what, screw you Kakabaka, I could read a book. And I could prove it too!"

Thee two began to bicker, leaving the rest of the team to watch in dread. It would be a boring two weeks, indeed.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Miles away, Kinuki cringed ferociously. Getting a feeling that going to Kusa was a terrible idea.

A week ago, the Hokage sent him and a group of ANBU back towards Kannabu bridge, to settle and negotiate with the new leader of Kusagakure after the Iwa finally released its binds on the country. They were set to meet at the Tenchi bridge; the same bridge where they met Kabuto during Team sevens time with Yamato as well as the absolute last bridge that was left in Kusa after the war.

Of course, this wasn't just a mission, as much as he wanted it to be. It was also a test. Which is why the only other person to know his true identity also joined them today, staring at the boy intensely as they continued on their path out of sight.

Kinuki hoisted his tanto into his arm, feeling minuscule chakra signatures close by.

"Captain, visitors incoming at 30 degrees," The whiskered teen announced to the group silently. "Prepare to engage at 1423 minutes."

"How many?" The frog masked ANBU turned towards Kinuki, unsheathing his sword. The others followed his example, taking out any weapons they saw fit. The sensor closed his eyes, envisioning the group incoming.

"I'd like to say 5 or 6 Kusa soldiers and Kami, their chakra is mad!"

"Good work, Aka." Kinuki grumbled at his nickname. It was so lame.

'I mean come on red? Can they get any more creative?' 'Aka' fake laughed mentally. 'Wow, his hair is red so let's call him red. Wow! What an ingenious idea!'

"Kit, during wartime the only thing they were taught was how to fight. If you knew a color you were practically hailed a genius."

'Whoop de doo.'

"Intersecting in 30 seconds." He announced once again, counting down before quickly placing a barrier seal around the group as explosions hit from all directions. The barrier of safety quickly broke and as the smoke cleared, the squad of Iwa soldiers quickly attacked the ANBU from beyond the smoke.

Two soldiers went straight for the prize and attacked their captain with everything they had. Kinuki quickly parried a sprinting soldier with his arm guard, ducking under his fist and swiftly hitting a point along his neck. The male crumbled to the ground and the redhead moved to help his fellow teammates.

The men were easily dealt with and none of the team was hurt even a bit. They were most likely amateurs or even more likely, starved and malnourished. Even the Kusa-nin's captain crumbled in under a minute.

"Sir, what should we do with the men?"

The man with the frog mask turned towards the now tied up ambushers. "Well, we definitely can't kill them. That would probably cancel negotiations completely. We'll just have to carry them."

'Aka' summoned a shadow clone quickly, allowing the clone to throw him a shinobi along with hoisting a man over its own shoulder. He could feel Sloth glaring into has back in envy. Once all evidence of their existence was cleared, the men moved out once again.

The trip continued for hours in silence and Kinuki could officially say that it was the worst mission yet. Not only was he being watched by a Yamanaka, but now Sloth decided to join the fun as well.

Eventually, with many pit stops in between, the team was able to make it to the border and strangely, no one was stationed at the entrance. The clones left the Kusa-nin's lying against the entry, pushing Kinuki's gaze back up once he felt the chakra from the clones quickly return to him.

"Frog, do you think something is wrong?"

Frog glanced at mouse. "Its war, mouse, anyone who is able to work is working inland. Not hours away from civilization. On top of that, there isn't enough food to supply soldiers miles away from the capital. Did you really think just anyone would agree to a 3-way government without being in a desperate situation?"

"No, sir."

The redhead ANBU took pity on mouse. "Aw mouse, don't worry. It was a good question, really."

Mouse laughed at the blank-faced mask. "You sure are weird, Aka. Never heard of an ANBU reassuring an ANBU on something so daft."

"Well, it's true so don't be discouraged!" The male grinned, radiating joy at the other even though their masks. The two continued to converse as they trotted further along the route, much to the teen's pleasure.

"Aka, you know, I've never actually seen you before. And I try my best to at least become acquaintances with all the ANBU and Jonin."

"Well, how long have you been in ANBU?"

"I've been ANBU for the last year and a half; Jonin for 4 years."

"That explains it. I've been in ANBU ever since academy 6 years ago. I've been on objectively every long term mission ever." The whiskered teen explained.

"Just how good are you? You must be awesome if the Hokage specifically choose you to be a representative." Mouse questioned. In truth, the girl was severely doubting the young male's skills. Despite his muscular build, the boy looked like a scrawny chicken.

"I'm pretty damn amazing if I do say so myself." Kinuki smiled.

Sloth groaned. "Shut up already." The group fell silent.

"You can talk?" The Redhead gapped at the male.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hours later, ANBU team 005 finally entered the small capital. The shinobi stationed at the front gathered the ambushers and took the team to their leader's office, where they discussed the formalities of the agreement. As Kinuki thought, the man was desperate.

No matter how many times the redhead proposed the unthinkable, the man still agreed, begged even. And then Iwa waltzed in, ranting to the older man with false dignity and grace. And so, even though the leaf team was tired and weary, they were forced to debate against one of the largest men Kinuki had ever seen. And he'd was a frontline for 3 years, he's seen damn giants pale in compression. 

Eventually, the leader released them, claiming that the formal discussion lay upon the eyes of the gods on the glorious Tenchi bridge. And so, the team now walked toward their inn, masks eyeing all those around them in an attempt to stay on guard.

"Kiniuki!" The redhead swung around, immediately spotting the black-haired child ramming towards him. The teen paled slightly, backing up towards the other members who were slowly leaving him behind. Behind the child walked a murderous other, his cerulean blue eyes dripping with killer's intent.

"Kinuki!" Obito shouted once again, grabbing onto the man's leg. On the other leg, a young purple striped girl hugged the leg tightly, restricting all movement from the redhead. As the blond jonin inched towards the trio, however, the redhead started to move his feet with much vigor.

"Oh, what a surprise, it's team Minato." The blank-faced mask replied with mock enthusiasm. Inside, however, he was sweating his pants off. By now, team 005 had left the scene, patting the male on the back as they turned down the street back toward their inn and perhaps a bar. Lord knows they need a drink after that meeting. And Kinuki couldn't help but yearn for a sharp drink himself.

"We finally found you, you insolent kangaroo!" Rin nodded at Obito's words.

"And now we're never letting go!"

The Redhead sweatdropped, listening to his resident's inner laughter as he tried to gather his thoughts. He was a kangaroo apparently and team Minato managed to find him while he was in Kusa, Kusa.

Kinuki felt himself getting lifted off the ground by his collar. Furious blond hair took over all his vision, scaring him shitless. His eyes glittered apologetically as he forced a small smile.

" Kinuki, where have you been? We've been looking for you." Minato said deadly calm, smiling ever so politely. "Doesn't matter, you can tell us all the details while we eat dinner. How does Ramen sound?"

"Sounds good!" He managed to whimper out, wiggling his feet that just barely touched to the ground at this point. The man truly sounded like a scolding mother.

The team clapped in success, cheering and hugging each other as they pulled the whiskered redhead to the nearest stand by his calloused hand. The said teen allowed the children to pull him along, unable to grasp his situation. In truth, he thought he had more time. He knew now that he would never be able to escape the chunnin's tormenting grasps.

Right now, the teen wanted nothing more than to be alone. He knew the war had changed him, it was undeniable. He wasn't the hyperactive child with abnormal amounts of stamina and the attention span of a butterfly. He was the war-torn veteran, a man who watched the world crumble. A man who struggled to sleep for hours because he felt unsafe even in the security of his own home. His instincts crawled in every situation, itching for a sense of action because, at this point, he knew nothing more than how to fight.

He wasn't Naruto anymore. No, he was Kinuki. And although he wasn't really sure what that meant yet, he knew that time travel led him to the journey of self-reinvention; he was being born anew.

Kinuki chuckled to himself. Without a doubt, he knew that this team that led him now would be the key to that. They would somehow piece every puzzle together. Maybe it would take months or even years. But, slowly, the redhead would become Kinuki, something more than the mere holder of the name; he would be more of the welder of the unknown sword.

"Kinuki! Kinuki!" He could hear Obito jump enthusiastically from the seat across from his. "What's your favorite Ramen? Do you like pork in yours? Do you have a special jutsu that makes food more delicious or something? Why are you here anyway? Were here on a C rank mission, which is sooo lame but-"

Rin hit the boy in the crown, effectively silencing him. Rin smiled at the teen. "Where have you been, Kinuki-san? We know sensei offered you dinner a while ago so why have you avoided us all this time?"

"Miso ramen, no, no I wish, I can't tell you. And of course not Rin." He quickly blurted out as the table waited patiently for his answer. "It's just, uh. I've honestly been trying to rest most of the time, being out in the war for nearly a year really does hurt. It's weird being surrounded by people that aren't trying to kill or torcher you inch by inch."

Minato's eyes darkened. "Aint that the truth. Once a veteran, always a veteran. It's hard to live life again after living in only danger for so long."

The table fell silent. The only sounds being the placement of bowls under their noses. Immediately, Obito lifted the bowl to his mouth, slurping the Ramen's contents in seconds. Kinuki laughed, letting his chopsticks drop into the bowl.

"You know, Obito, you are exactly the same time of kid I was when I was your age. Granted, I never had to fight in the war like you guys do but I was a hyperactive maniac nonetheless."

"Are you calling me hyperactive-" Kinuki slurped noodles loudly, silencing the boys "death" glare.

"Man, the best Ramen really only exists in Konoha." The redhead smiles. "But this is a solid number 2 on my list."

"With that, I have to agree." Minato joined Obito's rage. "But, we have so much to talk about and it's unbelievable how you managed to disappear off the surface of the earth for so long. I genuinely thought that you had died since I last saw you."

Minato continued to rant to the redhead for long minutes, leaving the rest of the team to eat and listen to his rage. Kinuki looked like he was going to shit his pants most of the time and across the table, Kakashi continuously gulped his words down. For once in his life, he had no idea what to say to the man. In the past week, he adapted the man as his hero. Sure, he was still blind in one eye, but the nurses claimed he was lucky to even be alive. The slash had punctured a part of his nerve that would have started a chain reaction till he was nothing but a husk of a being. Luckily, Kinuki was able to heal the wound, or he would've been dead on the spot without even knowing it.

On top of that, Kinuki saved his best friend and rival and he knew Obito feels the same way as he does. Never did he feel as connected to his team as he did now. After so much trauma, he needed someone to cling to. And somehow, that someone quickly became Kinuki; even after only speaking to him twice in his entire life.

"And so-"

"Kinuki, I want you to train me." Kakashi cut his sensei off. The table was left gapping at the silver boy but the teen still held to others calculating gaze.

"What? Why?" The whiskered teen was actually confused. In the past two weeks he had spoken to the young jonin, every word indicated that he absolutely hated him. The younger fiddled with his thumbs, looking down at his now empty bowl of ramen.

"I don't know. I just feel like you are so powerful and it's so cool." Kakashi felt himself rambling. " And on top of that, if you had shown up even a second later, my entire team would've been dead. Without you, I would've been dead, Rin would've been dead and Obito would've become a pancake and I feel like I'm in debt to you somehow."

"But, Kakashi, Minato-san is already your sensei. I couldn't possibly replace him. Besides that, I'm an ANBU and newly appointed personal advisor for the Kage. I don't know how I could balance all that at once." The teen's face fell instantly. "But, when the time comes around eventually, I could come to teach something new to the team once and a while; if that's ok with your sensei of course. Although I must warn you, I am absolutely terrible with kids and teaching in general."

Minato gave Kinuki the thumbs up. "Technically, he is a fellow jonin, I have no authority against him. So I'm not his sensei. But, it'd be lovely to see your face ever so often. Maybe this way we'll know whether or not you're alive."

"I'll be sure to do that then. " The future 8th Hokage laughed, standing out of seat slowly and placing some coins on the table. "But, I have to get going. My team may actually kill me if I don't show up before midnight."

The shinobi waved at the departing teen, finishing their own bowls and standing before glancing at Kinuki's filled to the brim bowl. The once ravenous and ramen loving young man hadn't even had 2 bites of the soups glorious flavor.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A few dozens of days pass and finally, the three advisors had reached a compromise befitting of the two gigantic countries. Kusa and Iwa had listened to everything Kinuki had proposed, agreeing that his terms were reasonable and beneficial. And so, the final day came, leaving sprinting to meet the suddenly raging Iwa advisor. They could hear the man's vulgar voice from miles away.

The room went quiet as the ANBU walked in, taking their masks off as the elder leader insisted.

"The third Raikage has died." The stone advisor got straight to the point. "He was killed slowly over the course of three days by hundreds of Kusa shinobi in attempt to help his comrades escape. His son was elected to fill his position and has demanded this alliance disbanded immediately. Our Tsukage has agreed, as you know we are also under alliance."

"Now, hold on!" Kinuki stifled, "There is no need to be so rash. I'm sure we could settle this peacefully somehow. Kusa-sama, what is the meaning of this?"

The leader fell silent, leaving the tension to rise quickly and swiftly. "Aka-san, as I'm sure you know, there are several Kusa and Iwa shinobi who are dissatisfied with the end of the war. They want to destroy Konoha and take revenge. They are rebels who camp just beyond the fire's border. It is likely that they are the ones behind the death of your Kage. I have nothing to do with that."

"Can we try extracting information from the shinobi we had captured?" The redhead questioned. "Maybe they would be willing to give us some behind the scenes?"

"All of the chunnin you captured had committed suicide by cyanide before we could get a word out of them."

"Well, darn it all." He cursed. Was there any way to convince them not to cancel? There was absolutely no way that he could speak face to face with the new Raik-

"The Raikage has said that he would personally come to talk to you over the course of the next two days." The advisor continued loudly despite the other protests. "So we suggest you stay for a while longer, Konoha-nin."

"Your Kage does understand that we could end pointless battles with this treaty, right? Now, I get that his furious his father is dead but wouldn't it benefit us all to stop the continuous deaths?"

"The third Raikage was like a father to all its citizens. There are no doubt countless of citizens vouching for Iwa's head!"

"No shit, but would you rather the death of one man or the death of thousands!" Kinuki stopped himself from rambling further. Clearly, the man in front of him had too much pride to be persuaded by a word. He didn't doubt that the newly appointed Raikage was any different.

And so the man stepped out of the room as quickly as he came in. Burying his rage deep within himself. During the war, the teen had thought of A as a stubborn older uncle, all he needed was a grumpy wife and he would fit the title wholeheartedly. He had spoken to A briefly about his father and predecessor and he knew that the young man within the Raikage felt deeply affected by his father's death. At first, A was furious with his father, sure he had killed hundreds and saved thousands, but at what cost? But at the same time, he was definitely proud of his father; in a way, he was like Kakashi. The man cherished the shinobi rules and only after becoming Kage did he soften for his comrades and understand his father's sacrifice.

Right now, the Kage was in the furious stage of his mourning. And when he was mad, he was mad.

The teen groaned, noting his team following behind him. He was going to end up being here for months

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Hey hey, disaster has struck once again. I don't have much to stay today but I would still like to thank everyone for their continued support. Today, however, I pose a simple question. 

Should this be a Minanaru fanfiction? If not, what should it be? Should this book focus on romance at all? 

Multiple people on fanfiction.net (Go check out pixistix for faster updates) have voted no, so please comment your opinion on the matter. I do want to make everyone happy but if I have to, I will pick the majority. But anyway, you guys are amazing! I have never thought of writing as something so rewarding as it is. So, 

ƭɦαɳҡร ƒσ૨ ૨εα∂เɳɠ! ԋαʋҽ α ɳιƈҽ ԃαყ,

            Aɳԃ ԃσɳƚ ϝσɾɠҽƚ ƚσ ʋσƚҽ αɳԃ ƈσɱɱҽɳƚ!