Hokage: Reborn as Hokage, Starting with Saving Jiraiya

The forest clearing trembled under the shadow of Nagato's summoned bird, its massive wings stirring the air into a gust that bent the surrounding pines. Naruto stood at its base, his black-and-red cloak—emblazoned with Heaven's new purpose—flapping in the wind, the captured Mitarashi Anko a silent testament to his mission's success. The chameleon loomed beside him, its scales shimmering as it spat Anko onto the damp earth, her unconscious form slick with saliva, her breathing shallow. Gakido Pain dismounted her, his hands withdrawing the last threads of her chakra, leaving just enough to sustain her life.

Naruto's gaze softened briefly—Anko was a means to an end, not a casualty he relished. He turned to Konan, voice low. "Senior Sister, take her. Keep her safe."

Konan nodded, her amber eyes steady as she summoned a swarm of paper, the sheets folding around Anko like a cocoon, lifting her gently into the air. The rustle of leaves behind them sharpened Naruto's senses—Yamato and Sai, relentless, closing in through the undergrowth. Nagato's frail form shifted atop the launcher, his Rinnegan narrowing. "They pursue."

Naruto raised a hand, his tone resolute. "I'll handle it. They'll know soon enough." He stepped forward, Sage Mode's orange glow fading as he braced for the inevitable reunion.

The forest erupted with motion—Sai's ink lions roared from the shadows, their claws slashing, while Yamato's Wood Style tendrils snaked through the earth, aiming to ensnare. Naruto's hands flashed through seals. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Two duplicates burst into existence, each charging a Rasengan. The spinning orbs met the onslaught—wood splintered into shards, ink dissolved into smears—blasting debris across Yamato's shocked face and Sai's disbelieving stare.

"Naruto?!" Yamato's voice cracked, disbelief warring with recognition.

"Why's he here?" Sai muttered, brush trembling in his grip.

The clones dissipated as Naruto landed opposite them, the clearing falling silent save for the wind's mournful howl. Yamato's eyes locked onto the cloak, its red clouds a stark betrayal of Konoha's orange. "Naruto," he said, voice trembling as he confirmed the chakra signature, "you've joined Akatsuki?"

Naruto shook his head, firm but weary. "No, Captain. Not Akatsuki. I founded the Heaven Organization—Ten. Get it right."

Yamato's shoulders sagged, a flicker of relief snuffed out by the weight of those words. Sai stepped closer, his usually blank face creasing with confusion. "You wanted to be Hokage, Naruto-kun. Why turn traitor?"

Naruto spread his hands, frustration etching his tone. "When did I ever say I betrayed Konoha? You're jumping to conclusions."

Sai's frown deepened. "That cloak, your actions—capturing Anko—it screams Akatsuki."

"It's Heaven," Naruto snapped, voice rising. "I'm reiterating—it's the Heavenly Organization, not Akatsuki!"

Yamato's desperation broke through, his shout cutting the air. "Naruto, are you under genjutsu? Tell me the truth!" He'd seen Naruto's fire, his unyielding dream—betrayal didn't fit. Genjutsu was the only explanation his mind could grasp, a lifeline to salvage the boy he'd mentored.

Naruto shook his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "No genjutsu, Captain. I'm clear-headed. I didn't join Akatsuki—I took them. Pain, Konan—they're mine now, part of Heaven. Stop calling them Akatsuki when you report this."

Sai's gaze sharpened, curiosity overriding shock. "What is this 'Heaven'?"

Naruto met his eyes—Sai, his old teammate, a root of trust now strained—and softened his tone. "It's a shield for the ninja world's future. We're fighting something bigger than villages, Sai. Join me if you want—the door's open."

"Sai!" Yamato barked, his voice a whip-crack of warning.

Sai dipped his head, voice flat. "Sorry, Captain. Just asking."

Yamato's fists clenched, his patience fraying. "I don't care what you call it, Naruto—release Anko now, or Konoha will hunt you down."

Naruto's smile returned, calm but edged with steel. "Relax, Captain. I'll send Anko-senpai back myself when I'm done. I just need her help for a bit—nothing permanent. You'll see her again."

The bird's wings beat overhead, a low rumble signaling departure. Naruto glanced at Konan, her paper cocoon cradling Anko securely, and nodded. "Time's up. We'll catch up properly someday—when this is settled." He turned to the pair, voice softening. "See you later, Sai, Captain Yamato."

With a buzz of chakra, he teleported atop the bird, its massive form lifting into the gray sky. Sai's hand hovered over his scroll. "Should I track them with a beast painting?"

Yamato's jaw tightened, teeth grinding as he watched the bird shrink into the distance. "No. They spared us—Naruto's call. With Six Paths Pain, they could've wiped us out. They wanted Anko, not us." His voice dropped, heavy with realization. "This is beyond us now. We report to Tsunade—everything."

The forest swallowed their retreat, Yamato's mind churning. Six Paths—a tailed-beast-hunting force—had struck with surgical precision, yet held back. Naruto's presence, his cloak, his words—it was a puzzle too vast, too dark. Anko's capture gnawed at him, but Naruto's promise lingered, a thread of hope amid the betrayal.

High above, Naruto perched on the bird's head, wind tearing at his cloak as Konan secured Anko beside Nagato's launcher. The forest blurred below, a green sea hiding Konoha's reach. Anko was the key—her curse mark, her history with Orochimaru, would lead him to the serpent. In his past life, he'd tamed Orochimaru, chaining his genius to Konoha's labs under strict watch. Now, he needed that undying mind unshackled, a weapon for Heaven against the Ōtsutsuki storm.

He glanced back at Nagato, frail but loyal under Shisui's genjutsu, and Konan, her paper a silent vow of trust. Heaven was no Akatsuki—it was his creation, a bulwark against gods. Anko's capture marked its first triumph, but the cost weighed heavy—Yamato's disbelief, Sai's confusion, Konoha's inevitable wrath. He'd face it all, bearing the traitor's brand if it meant saving them from a fate he'd already endured.

The bird banked westward, toward Orochimaru's shadowed lairs. Naruto's resolve hardened, the cloak a mantle of purpose. "Heaven moves," he murmured, the words lost to the wind, as the ninja world braced for the storm he'd unleashed.

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