Hokage: Reborn as Hokage, Starting with Saving Jiraiya

The subterranean chamber of Root headquarters was a cavern of shadow, its stone walls slick with dampness and lit only by the flicker of a single torch. Danzo stood at its heart, his gnarled hand gripping his cane, the rhythmic thump-thump-thump echoing as he paced in a tight circle. His lone visible eye gleamed with a predatory glint, narrowing as a masked Root operative delivered his report in a clipped, deferential tone.

"So, Jiraiya intervened before the Nine Tails could erupt?" Danzo rasped, his voice a low growl.

"Yes, Lord Danzo," the operative replied, bowing slightly.

Danzo's cane struck the floor harder, the sound reverberating like a drumbeat of frustration. "Leave me," he ordered. With a series of faint whooshes, the Root members vanished into the darkness, leaving him alone with his schemes.

His mind churned. Jiraiya's broken arm had crippled his strength, stripping Tsunade of her most formidable ally. Kakashi? A minor obstacle—Danzo's genjutsu could bend him if needed. But legitimacy eluded him, a throne just out of reach. He'd hoped for chaos—a Nine Tails rampage to exhaust Tsunade and Jiraiya, giving him the opening to strike. Kill Naruto, seize the beast, topple Tsunade with accusations of incompetence. The Sharingan sealed in his arm pulsed with promise—Uchiha blood had paved his path before, and it would again. The strongest Hokage, he mused, a smirk curling his lips. Then the ninja world itself. Yet, unbeknownst to him, fate was already shifting against his designs.

Dawn broke over Konoha, the first rays of sunlight piercing the mist that clung to the village. Naruto stood in his modest home, the scent of toast lingering from a hasty breakfast. He moved with purpose—locking the door, arranging Flying Thunder God seals around the room, leaving a shadow clone perched on the bed to absorb natural energy. His preparations complete, he leapt to the rooftop water tower, pausing to glance back at the house. A sigh escaped him, heavy with resolve, before he vaulted into the morning air, streaking toward the Hyuga compound.

At the clan's ornate gate, Hinata burst into view, her dark hair catching the light as she spotted him. "Naruto-kun!" she called, her smile radiant. "I heard you were looking for me?"

Naruto's own grin mirrored hers, softening the weight in his chest. "Yeah, Hinata."

She reached for his hand, tugging gently. "Come inside! It's fine—Father and Hanabi are out, and Neji's on a mission with Gai-sensei. I'm in charge today!" She puffed out her chest, a playful spark in her pale eyes.

Naruto chuckled, brushing her nose with a finger. "Look at you, running the show." Her blush deepened, and she swatted at him, flustered.

"Don't tease me like that!" she squeaked, her shyness overtaking her bravado. Then, with a sudden burst of courage, she pulled him into a narrow alley beside the gate and threw herself into his arms.

Surprised, Naruto caught her, his hands settling around her waist as he bent to inhale the familiar scent of her hair—lavender and warmth, a balm etched into his soul from a life already lived. The chaos of his rebirth—the fear, the uncertainty—melted away in that embrace. "Too many people at the Hokage building last time," she murmured, nuzzling closer. "Couldn't hug you then. Making up for it now."

Naruto's heart swelled, his fingers threading through her hair. "Hinata," he said softly, his tone shifting to something heavier. "I need to tell you something—get ahead of it."

She pulled back slightly, her smile fading as worry crept into her gaze. "What's wrong, Naruto-kun? Did something happen?"

He cupped her shoulders, his blue eyes locking onto hers with solemn intensity. "Listen, no matter what goes down, remember three things. First: I'll protect Konoha and aim for Hokage—that won't change, no matter where I stand. Second: everything I do, it's for the ninja world, my original intent. And third—the most important—" He took a deep breath, voice trembling with conviction. "No matter what I become, I, Uzumaki Naruto, will only ever love you, Hyuga Hinata, in this life."

Hinata's eyes widened, tears brimming as his words sank in. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "Naruto-kun! Thank you… for loving me like that. I, Hyuga Hinata, will only ever love you too!" Her voice softened, pleading. "But please—if you face trouble, don't do it alone. Take me with you. Let me stand by your side."

Naruto's hand stilled in her hair, his gaze lifting to the sky as tears pricked his own eyes. This path… it's too dangerous, he thought, the weight of his past life crashing over him. He'd held her dying form once, felt her warmth fade in his arms as war claimed her. He couldn't—wouldn't—let that happen again. Forgive me, Hinata.

He pulled back gently, cradling her face, pressing his forehead to hers. "Just hold onto that, okay? I've gotta head to Tsunade now." Before she could protest, he rolled up her sleeve, his fingers glowing as he etched a Flying Thunder God seal onto her arm.

Hinata blinked, confused. "What's this?"

"A lifeline," he said, voice low. "With this, I can jump to you anytime, anywhere—to protect you."

Her face lit up, a shy smile breaking through. "Really?"

"Yeah. But it's our secret—don't tell anyone I marked you." He tapped her nose again. "And if you're in danger, push chakra into it. I'll feel it and come running."

Hinata's jaw dropped, awe shining in her eyes. "Naruto-kun, you're amazing."

He ruffled her hair, warmth flooding him. She was his anchor—gentle, steadfast, worth every sacrifice. He'd refined his father's technique for her, adding a sensory link to the seal. If she needed him, he'd know. "Gotta go," he said, stepping back. "See you later."

"Naruto-kun!" she called as he turned. She cupped her hands around her mouth, shouting, "After you're done with Hokage-sama, let's hit Ichiraku tonight—six o'clock!"

Her goofy grin tugged at his resolve, but he nodded despite the ache in his chest. "Deal. See you then."

She waved enthusiastically. "Bye!"

Naruto waved back, then leapt skyward, his form cutting through the morning mist. In mid-air, the wind stung his face, and two tears slipped free, glinting as they fell. Forgive me, Hinata. He couldn't promise that dinner—not when the shadows of Danzo, Kurama, and a fractured future loomed so close. His love for her was unshakable, but the road ahead might demand he walk it alone.

Back at Root, Danzo's plotting churned on, oblivious to the storm Naruto was quietly gathering. The old man dreamed of power, of bending Konoha to his will with stolen eyes and ruthless ambition. But Naruto—reborn, resolute—carried a vision of his own. Hinata's faith anchored him, even as he braced for the battles he couldn't yet share with her. The village bustled below, unaware of the forces circling its heart, and Naruto vanished into its streets, a protector poised on the edge of sacrifice.

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