Naruto : Saga of Tanya the Kunoichi

"Naruto-kun! Good boy. You are really tough…" The old grandma thanked the bright guy, while feeling up his muscles. Naruto saw the old grandma carrying too heavy a load so he offered his help.

"Ahaha… grandma no prob! Just glad to be helping-ttebayo!"

"Hey Naruto! Boruto! I got a new dish I just created! Why not try!" A restaurant owner shouted at him.

"Ah. My wife would cook for me later. Sorry ossan!"

Naruto walked along the streets of Konoha with Boruto, thinking to himself how a lot of things changed. His reputation got somewhat saved after he went to the Moon and defeated Toneri while saving Hinata and Hanabi at the same time. The Hyuga clan also had some effect on it. Seeing meteors falling here and there toward Konoha was definitely an apocalyptic scene back then and knowing Naruto was on there helped a little to alleviate the bad perception on him.

Hokage… I really… Naruto felt his heart beating fast. He looked around, and the dream of his had always lived inside of him, more than ever.

Looking over the Hokage Rock; Lord Third, Lord Fourth his father, Grandma Tsunade, eh I don't care about Danzo! Then Kakashi sensei…

He was hopeful, and he thought he had done his best. To be acknowledged by everyone. 

Besides, his contribution during the 5th Shinobi War against Godbito was made known. Kakashi as the 7th Hokage pardoned Naruto and declared him Hero of Konoha for his achievements years ago. Stopping Godbito and Kaguya was a huge merit. 

Among the Jonin Council, the Hyuga clan's influence as the strongest clan within the Council also skewed the voting.

The Head of Jonin Council read out the result. Kakashi already knew the result. His eyes darted to Naruto for a second.

"The 8th Hokage candidates were…" 

Kiba was holding onto Tsuyu's hand, hoping he would become Hokage! Tsuyu shook her head inwardly. While Kiba asked for her vote, oh hell nah. She personally voted for Sasuke. He is far more reliable.

"Tsuyu Uzumaki! The Iron Maiden, the Hero of Konoha. She let all of us survive through the harshest time we ever had during the 4th Shinobi War, and created lasting peace for us all. Also contributed to the end of the 5th Shinobi War. Her intelligence both in combat and politics is testified by countless!" Unsaid words were that her power and short time tyranny cemented peace as her existence itself was a deterrent. Also her short time rule was in fact inhumanly effective.

"Kaa-san… you are that awesome?" Kouga looked at her with shining eyes.

Iron Maiden… so cool! I will find mom's biography!

"I only did what I could." Tsuyu said calmly, secretly she quite liked the way Kouga looked at her.

Mika was silent, just silently observing.

Shinobi of Konoha respect the strong. And among civilians, she was a legend. As for nobles, there was a mix of fear and awe but Kotoamatsumaki were used on the most influential ones anyway so it would side with her more. She was almost a perfect candidate for many.

"Sasuke Uchiha! With the moniker Crackling Thunder, Shadow of the Uchiha, he had killed hundreds of foes during the 4th Shinobi War. Bearer of the Rinnegan, the eye of the Sage, he had saved the world along with the Iron Maiden in the 5th Shinobi War! Saving countless during the attack from the Moon attack!"

The Jonins applauded in support.

Sasuke nodded. He was thinking about it. Sakura had an excited expression hearing the news, but her eyes darted to Naruto, feeling complicated. Sarada held his Papa's hand in excitement.

"Papa! You are going to become Hokage!" Sasuke didn't reply, his eyes darted to Naruto. A part of him felt guilty somehow.

"Last one…" Everyone was in anticipation to hear the last name. 

Hinata held onto Naruto's arm. The Jonin of Hyuga clan voted for Naruto for sure, and many liked Naruto. Naruto's heart filled with anticipation.

"Shikamaru Nara! During the 4th Shinobi War and 5th Shinobi War, he had shown his brilliance in guiding our shinobi to survive through the crisis! His insight is praised by many, creating opportunities and letting many of us survive!"

"What a drag…" Shikamaru sighed. He would definitely refuse.

Tsunade was also there, hearing the voting result. She dragged her old body, already knowing the result.

Tsunade remembered the time when she gave Naruto her necklace. Perhaps, the moment Naruto took it off to defect, his fate…

"... Ah. Congrats, Tsu-chan, Sasuke, Shikamaru…" Naruto smiled slightly, congratulating the two. But the three of them could hear the tone inside of Naruto. In fact, it felt like something broke.

"Wow… everyone sounds so amazing!" Boruto looked at the three candidates with shining eyes. Especially Sasuke and Tsuyu. 

Hearing the tales of heroes amazed him. Seeing Boruto's shining eyes towards them, Naruto had his eyes dropping down. But hey, Boruto still preferred the doting dad he had. Why bother being Hokage?

Hinata held Naruto's hand firmly, as if trying to give him support.

Tsuyu shrugged. "Sasuke, Shikamaru, I will leave it to you." 

Sasuke nodded slightly, understanding Tsuyu would withdraw willingly. To begin with, Tsuyu was still controlling the shinobi world from the dark after Danzo's passing. The use of Kotoamatsukami here and there made peace possible, not only just out of fear of her but genuine peace from forcefully changed people. Of course, she hid it from Naruto. But Kakashi and Sasuke were aware ROOT had always been active and keeping peace. Perhaps, Naruto too was aware. Despite how dumb he looked he wasn't stupid enough to not know how certain things were unnatural. He can only silently bite his tongue.

Shikamaru smiled slightly and patted Sasuke's back.

"Too much of a drag for me…" 

"... Really now, Shikamaru…" 

Sasuke sighed. But he closed his eyes for a second, thinking over his life. The sacrifice Itachi and Tsuyu had made to gain the peace they had. But he secretly admired Naruto's kindness, even through the darkness.

I will take the mantle… the Uchiha clan… could also have their honor restored.

While the Konoha Council, with Koharu and Hamura still alive, it took a while to convince them as they had prejudice over the Uchiha. But the Konoha Council had 6 members now from the original 3 and the voting for Sasuke passed without much problem.

The Daimyo also agreed.

With that… Sasuke Uchiha, became the 8th Hokage, Hachidaime.

***

Naruto stood amongs the crowd mixed with shinobi and civillians, looking on top of Hokage building, where Sasuke stood waving at them.

His eyes seemed hollow, as if something broke inside him. He tried to convince himself he was happy even if he couldn't reach his dream. That he was happy with just Hinata, Boruto and Himawari.

But looking at the crowd, hearing the cheers that were not meant for him, his heart hurt.

He recalled the past. How he declared to Tsunade grandma he would become Hokage. To Ero-sennin, to Kakashi sensei…

"Naruto…" Hinata held onto Naruto's hand tight.

"Hinata…" 

Hinata bit her lips, her eyes teary seeing Naruto's eyes were teary as well. She didn't know, Naruto had clung to the dream even to this day. And for him to shed tears, she felt heartbroken.

"Naruto… it's okay. There was still the future… and… and being Hokage wasn't everything… yea?"

Hinata held Naruto's hands.

"Yeah… I got it. Hey, let's stop by Ichiraku. I am hungry-ttebayo… haha…"

"Sure…"

Naruto's expression didn't escape Sasuke's Rinnegan. But he decided to give Naruto some space.

"Dad… don't be sad…" Himawari felt sad and clung to his legs.

Boruto didn't say anything, only feeling weirded out. Sure the Hokage seemed to be praised and all but he thought it wasn't that important. They were pretty happy and well off now.

***

"Kaa-san, what's with otosan…?" Boruto noticed after Naruto just lost his smile after he came back home and directly went to sleep.

"Boruto… Himawari… your dad… it had always been his dream to become Hokage…"

Hinata had a sad expression on her face. She knew how much Naruto tried to make up for it after his defection and his apparent murder of Konoha's hero. But his genuine effort to make changes and to protect Konoha in his own way was not seen.

"Why? It's just a title and the work sounded troublesome." Boruto grumbled.

"It's… your dad had a complicated childhood growing up… give him some time, okay?"

Boruto nodded. He still felt worried about his dad.

***

Kouga on the other hand had a different understanding.

Mom turned down the Hokage position, even though she is the prime candidate…

To protect the world, you don't need to carry the mantle. Even in the shadows, you could bear the world's burden.

***

Sakura and Sarada on the other felt really happy for Sasuke. Though Sakura felt sad for Naruto. She noticed his expression. What Naruto did would never be erased among the Konoha shinobi, and even among the civilians. Even if his track record improved, the effects were long lasting.

Sarada clenched her fist.

One day, I want to become like Papa…!

***

Naruto in his bedroom, never felt lonelier than ever.

The Hokage had always been his dream. A sign of acknowledgement. But he understood Hokage was more than that after what he experienced, that what he wanted was more than just acknowledgement, but a change, that he wanted to stand among everyone. But even if he knew that… but he couldn't help but feel his heart breaking.

At this moment, he felt rejected. That his name wasn't even on the list. That he wasn't even considered.

That all his efforts were in vain.

He felt as if he returned to his childhood, rejected, scorned, hated. Ostracized.

As if he was invincible and a nobody.

He recalled the times when he defected, when he tried his best to show Tsuyu the 'better way'. That he ended up killing her. 

It's as if the suppressed trauma all came back haunting him all at once. He clutched onto his chest, staying in bed all day.

Boruto felt worried, and even a little angry. It's been days, and Naruto was still visibly sulking.

Naruto came home late after a mission. Not to mention he went to eat at Ichiraku and let the dinner go cold. Mom had been waiting for him.

He looked weary and tired, not just from the mission, but from everything. He tried to convince himself that it didn't matter. But a part of him told him it's because he didn't deserve it. That he failed. That all this time, no one acknowledged him.

"Hinata… sorry." Naruto looked at the dishes on the table that he tried to eat while his stomach already full.

"It's okay, Naruto…" Hinata just smiled. She knew it would be the hardest time for him.

But in a few days, Naruto was visibly different. Boruto could see the way Naruto looked everywhere around him as he walked along the streets of Konoha. It was as if he was looking for someone to call out to him, someone to know him. But they all only seemed to not care about his existence.

"Naruto… hey." Hinata called out. They were supposed to go to the funfair.

"Ah. Hinata, yeah let's go."

***

"Haha! Himawari, let me try to get you the plushie okay?" Naruto smiled and he tried to throw the ball, but missed.

"Ah… too bad…"

"It's okay dad!"

Naruto tried to act normal, giving smiles. But his emotional distance became apparent with his long missions. It had been weeks.

"Mom… tomorrow is your wedding anniversary… where is dad…"

"He… just needs time alone." Hinata knew it was hard for him, she really didn't mind that Naruto forgot.

Finally they had dinner together, and Boruto couldn't help but say it.

"...What is wrong with you…" Boruto looked at Naruto in dissatisfaction.

"Hey, sorry dad just felt a little down."

"Just because your friend became Hokage?"

"Hey… I am happy for him, I really do…" 

"Really. What does a Hokage mean to you otousan?" Boruto asked with a sharp tongue.

"It's… a lot… alright…"

"It's been a month already. It's just some stupid title. Why do-"

BAM!

"IT'S NOT STUPID!" Naruto raised his voice as his palm landed on the table, shaking the plates and cups.

Silence filled the room.

Himawari was spooked, moving toward Hinata. Boruto went silent, his eyes unable to look at Naruto. Even Hinata was a little scared.

Naruto had never raised his voice like this…

"... I… I am sorry…" Naruto stood up and left, going into the bedroom to be alone. He bit his lips, feeling guilty.

What is wrong with me… 

Naruto held onto his face, as if he was becoming someone else ever since his dream shattered to pieces. As if the deep seated trauma of being unseen resurfaced. That he had to face reality no one actually cared about his ideals nor existence.

"Mom…" Himawari cried, feeling scared just now.

"There… It's okay. Dad just needs time… okay. He needs us, more than anything now… got it?" 

"Okay… kaa-san…" Boruto reluctantly agrees.

I just want everything to return to normal… 

Boruto muttered in his heart.

***

Naruto recalled the time when he killed his little sister. They called her a hero, while he became a betrayer…

Naruto wasn't stupid to not know the reason he was never considered. Even though he tried to do the right thing. Killer of Hero… being hunted down by Konoha Shinobi.

It was as if he had to wake up from his dream, reality crashing onto him.

Hinata silently hugged him from behind, trying to tell him she always saw him. But, even then, her support never pierced through the sense of abandonment in his heart.