Naruto: Reborn with the Template System

Author Note:

Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!

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Inside the Hokage's Office.

Sitting casually on the couch, Guts asked Tsunade as she reviewed the Mist Shinobi Alliance Agreement:

"By the way, after those three old tumors finally kicked the bucket, how did the old man...the Third Hokage, take it?"

Tsunade glanced up at him, then returned her eyes to the document as she replied flatly:

"He's... completely broken. All he does now is sit in silence and grieve. You know how Asuma turned out."

Guts snorted.

"Yeah, I get it. Still, if the old geezer hadn't been so soft when it came to those three, none of this would've happened. Maybe he should've cleaned up his own mess."

Minato, standing by the desk, awkwardly scratched the back of his head. Guts was never one to sugarcoat things, that's for sure.

Then Tsunade looked up again and said seriously:

"I actually called both of you here for something important."

That got both Guts and Minato's attention.

Tsunade took a deep breath and placed the agreement on the table.

"With this alliance signed, I've decided... I'm stepping down as Hokage."

The room went silent.

Tsunade ignored the stunned expressions and turned to Minato.

"You're up next. The mantle of Fifth Hokage goes to you, Minato."

Minato was shocked.

"Hokage-sama, you've just secured a massive diplomatic victory for Konoha. You're still at your peak—there's no reason to step down!"

When the Third Hokage abdicated early, it was because of countless tactical blunders during the Third Great Ninja War.

But Tsunade wasn't like that. She was still in her prime and had only made contributions to Konoha since taking office.

There was no logical reason for her to quit.

Tsunade sighed tiredly and massaged her temples.

"After the Uchiha incident, I felt like I was getting a headache every other day. I miss the old days...drinking, gambling... no paperwork."

"It's not like you weren't already sneaking out to do that even while you were Hokage."

Guts smirked.

Shizune had plenty of complaints about how Tsunade vanished every time she turned her back, leaving her to deal with the piles of paperwork.

Tsunade shot him a sharp glare.

"Regardless, I'm done. I never wanted this job in the first place. Minato's more suited to it anyway."

Even if she had no special attachment to the Uchiha clan, she couldn't ignore the fact that Senju was extinct and Uchiha was gone.

The two clans that once built Konoha, now both erased from the future.

It made the role of Hokage feel heavier than ever.

Guts, seeing the exhaustion behind her eyes, walked over and gently pulled her into his chest.

Minato, seeing the sudden embrace, coughed awkwardly and turned to face the window, pretending not to notice.

"But still," Minato said, composing himself, "I think Guts deserves more credit. Honestly, he'd make a better Hokage than me."

"Oh please," Tsunade rolled her eyes. "If we made him Hokage, Konoha would either become the strongest village on earth, or burn to the ground by next week."

She reached up and pinched Guts' nose.

"Isn't that your dream, anyway? Minato-chan, go for it." Guts laughed and slapped Minato on the back.

"Come on, you've got the hair for it already!"

Minato smiled, about to thank him.

But then Guts leaned in and grinned with all his teeth.

"Just remember...if you ever start acting like Danzo, Koharu, or Homura... I'll clean you up just like I did them."

Minato's words caught in his throat.

He swallowed hard.

Yeah… maybe being Hokage wasn't going to be so easy after all.

Two weeks later.

Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei arrived in Konoha with Chojuro, Ao, and a team of Mist Shinobi guards.

Amid cheers from Konoha's villagers and shinobi, the alliance ceremony was held on the rooftop of the Hokage Building.

Two beautiful women, Tsunade and Terumi Mei, stood side by side under the setting sun.

As the alliance agreement was signed before hundreds of witnesses, Guts stood silently by, smiling faintly.

Big in every way, huh?

He couldn't help but compare the two Mizukage, elegance, power, and... other measurements.

That night, Terumi Mei personally visited Guts' home.

Despite the obvious tension between Tsunade, Anko, and Kurenai, all of whom gave her narrow-eyed stares, Terumi Mei didn't care in the slightest. She just walked in like she owned the place.

Hinata wasn't present.

She usually stayed with Guts on school days, but returned to the Hyuga household during weekends. It was good for her to spend time with her family too.

What caught the whole village off guard, though, was what happened next.

Less than two weeks after Tsunade signed the alliance treaty...

She stepped down.

And officially handed over the Hokage title to Namikaze Minato.

The announcement sent shockwaves through Konoha.

Tsunade had just secured an unprecedented alliance. She was beloved, respected, and in her prime.

Why step down now?

But Minato was one of the most admired shinobi in the village. Him becoming hokage had raised the moral again.

And now with him as the Fifth Hokage, the transition went more smoothly than expected.

What the public didn't know, though, was that Tsunade had simply wanted to go back to her "retirement arc", drinking, gambling, and living freely.

If the aspiring Hokage candidates ever found out that was the reason… they'd probably pass out on the spot.

Meanwhile…

When Naruto learned that his father was now Hokage, he lost it.

He jumped and shouted for joy, sprinting straight to the lake.

His goal?

Show off to Sasuke, of course.

"My dad's the Hokage now!"

"Tch. And that's supposed to impress me?"

"Admit it! You're jealous!"

SPLASH!

Sasuke grabbed Naruto by the collar and tossed him straight into the lake.

Still soaking wet, Naruto climbed out and grinned.

They bickered, they shouted, and eventually, it turned into a full-on scuffle. Legs and fists flying everywhere.

Watching them, Guts stood by the tree line.

He watched in silence as Naruto and Sasuke traded blows under the warm colors of the sunset.

A soft smile crossed his face.

He'd seen scenes like this in anime back in his old world… but now, seeing it in real life, it hit differently.

Time really does fly.

He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the sounds of laughter and splashing water fill the air as he looked out over the distant horizon.

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