Chapter 32: The New Hokage

After our deal, I could see someone talking to Gaara's team captain. He seemed mad, but had no choice but to accept it. soon enough, the sand trio were standing with solemn faces. I'm guessing it was because their plans got cancelled but oh well. They would get over it eventually. The matches passed one by one with everything going according to plan. That is until it was finally time for sasuke's match. They fought and fought. Gaara got hurt and started screaming bloody murder and before I knew it, Shukaku's tail was flailing around from the little hole in the sand dome. I walked out quickly as the hokage, and released the jutsu. there's no way I'm letting Sasuke fight him when he's like that.

I walked into the arena just when Sasuke was about to jump back into action. I stood quite a bit of distance away from them. the crowd's eyes were zooming from me, to Sasuke, to Shukaku's tail. "Sasuke, that's enough." I said in a definitive tone. He didn't even glance at me in the beginning. "Elle, this is my match. I'm going to finish what I started." I walked over and stood in front of him, my back to him. He isn't going to stop, is he? Think. Think…I whispered in a tone that only he would hear. "Leave this match and I'll tell you where he is." His eyes widened before they continued to glare at my back. Thankfully, that was enough to make him stand down. "Gaara, this match is over." I said in a louder tone this time. His tail lashed out, hitting right next to me but I didn't budge. He missed on purpose. He could've easily hit me. "Elle, GET OUT OF THERE! ARE YOU CRAZY?!" I heard Naruto scream from the participants' stand. I walked forward with confident steps until I reached the sand dome. I could feel the immense chakra within. I ignored the shivers running up my spine and I put my hand on the dome. Shukaku's tail was flailing around me but not hitting me. I infused my chakra into Gaara's sand and made a little opening. My heart instantly shattered at the sight. Gaara looked so scared and in pain. I smiled reassuringly at him and cupped his cheeks with my hands. "I've got you." I said as I spread medical ninjutsu around him. His wound slowly started closing and Shukaku's tail stopped jerking violently. Now, it was simply curving around the dome. "I want to talk to him." I said to Gaara who was just staring at me. not glaring just staring. Not seeing a reaction I closed my eyes and entered his mind.

It was just like Naruto's. There was a thin layer of water on the ground and a huge cage. Gaara stood in front of the cage while I stood a little more to the back. "I thought it would look like that." I could hear a devilish snicker from behind the huge cage. "You're the brat that suppressed my chakra earlier! I will kill you!" his screams sounded from the darkness in the cage. Gaara turned around slowly his eyes widening. "you? How are you here?" I smiled slightly at his surprise. "I came to make sure everything is ok in here." I walked over to him cheerfully. "no! get out! he'll hurt you! I can't protect you here!" he shouted at me mad. I giggled slightly. "Don't worry about him hurting me. I don't think he's as bad as he pretends to be." I heard the demon snicker again. "I mean he could've easily rejected my chakra. He could've not let me in the sand dome." Gaara looked thoughtfully at me. "I think he just needs a bit of love, just like anyone." Shukaku laughed this time. His laugh echoed around us, making it even more scary sounding. I turned around to Shukaku's direction. He stepped forward, showing his huge form. "oh hey, I get to finally see the great one tailed biju, Shukaku." He grinned a sinister grin. "what do you want brat?" he asked intrigued. "I didn't want to suppress your chakra cause that's just rude, so I came to ask you to back down." He laughed again. "you're funny brat. What makes you think I'll listen to you?" I shrugged slightly. "I don't really know. Honestly, you have no reason to." he laughed again. "hey! Quit laughing at me!" I screamed at him with an irk mark but that just made him laugh harder. "Shukakuuu! I'm serious." He stopped his laughing slightly to take a breath. "I like you brat! You're entertaining! Fine, I'll back away this time." With that he hid back into his cave. "thanks! I'll visit again!" I said as I waved in his direction and released the mind invasion.

Once my eyes were open, I was met with Gaara's teal eyes. He was staring at me dumbfounded as Shukaku's chakra retreated. We were surrounded by chakra like we were that day before the preliminaries. I smiled brightly at him and moved his sand back into his gourd. The crowd was silent, waiting to see what happens. I looked around at them, standing next Gaara. I grabbed his hand and headed to the other finalists, grabbing Sasuke and pulling him along on my way. We climbed the stairs in silence as Gaara went in and stood next to his siblings. I was about to go in too but Sasuke stopped yanking my arm back. I looked back and glared at him. "oh just pull it off, why don't you?" I snatched my hand from him and walked to an isolated area in the tower. "I need to go end the exams, so hurry and spill it." he glared at me, completely ignoring what I said. "Where is he?" he growled with so much hate. Poor revenge oriented duckbutt. I sighed slowly. "Follow Naruto and Jiraya when they leave the village. You'll find him there. I wouldn't advice it though." I shrugged and left him there, glaring at nothing.

I walked in to where the rest of the genin were. They all turned and stared at me, not knowing where to even start. I smiled at everyone. "hi guys!" I said awkwardly as I waved. They all sweat dropped at me. Naruto was the first to approach me. "Elle! I can't believe you're going to be hokage! When did that even happen?!" he didn't look sad or happy, just surprised and confused. Shika walked up to us. "He has a point. You disappeared for a month and came back as hokage. What a drag…" I smiled slightly at the familiar phrase. "I missed you guys too." I said with an eyeroll. "Anyways, I'm here to announce something." I stepped back and cleared my throat, gaining the attention of the rest of the genin. "I have decided to stop the exam early. All of you clearly demonstrated your skills. I saw what I needed to see to make my decision." The genin nodded slowly and I jumped down into the arena. I stood in the middle boosting my voice again. "thank you all for joining us through these chunin exams. All the genin have displayed great skill during their fights. that will be the end of this year's finals. Please be careful as you exit and enjoy the rest of your day!" with that, I left the arena to go see the hokage, Kakashi immediately jumping by my side.

On our way to the hiding spot, I caught him up on what I was doing during that month. It mostly consisted of me apologizing every three seconds and him nodding silently to everything I say. He also praised my work during the exams, which made me very very happy. We finally reached there after a long time of walking and got in. The hokage was sitting there, a file in hand, doing some paperwork. He looked up at us with a serious look. "Welcome back child. Was your plan successful?" he looked hopeful but anxious at the same time. I nodded happily. "yes! It worked perfectly. Now we just have to take the final steps." He nodded at me, urging me to go on. "well, there is an announcement to make and a sanin to contact." Kakashi shook his head at me. "Elle, it has been a very long and stressful day. can you stop speaking in riddles?" I smirked and headed for the door. "NEVER! Also lord hokage, you are free to come out of hiding. Just keep your guard up for now." Leaving them behind I headed to the hokage building.

When you stand at the top of the hokage building, you can see all the village. it was the perfect place to make my announcement from. I sat crisscross on the roof, focusing on sensing everyone's chakra. "secret technique: mind invasion jutsu!" countless chakra string sprung from my body connecting me to everyone in the village. I took a deep breath before I started. "citizens of Konoha, this is Elle Candel. I understand your concern at my appointment as hokage. I would like to ease your worries by telling you this. I am only temporary hokage. I will only be leading you till we get into contact with the suitable person to actually become hokage permanently. While I am in this position, I will do my best to carry on what lord third started. I'm honored to serve you. please, stay safe and enjoy the rest of your day." I stood up, a bit dizzy at the sudden loss of chakra. No, I'm still going to have to face the council. I have to pull through. I walked down and into the Hokage's office.

Just as expected, three old people were standing in the room. I looked at the first two smiling. My smile quickly dropped when it came to the third one though. Danzo… I took a deep breath and bowed slightly. "The village elders, what can I help you with?" Danzo spoke up instantly glaring down at me. "What is this foolishness?! You cannot appoint yourself as hokage without the council's approval. I will NOT stand for this. The leaf will not be led by a foolish 12-year-old brat!" I glared at him, letting my KI fill the room. "Council man Danzo, with all due respect, I will not stand for any disrespect. Lord third, as hokage, has the full power and right to choose his successor. I WILL lead this village until I, and ONLY I, see fit. Your council is not needed. You are dismissed." I hissed at him as he stood still refusing to leave the room. I motioned with my hand, sending Anbu surrounding him. with a final huff, he raised his head arrogantly and left the room. The Anbu jumped back into hiding as quickly as they came. I let out a breath in hopes to release my anger, not that it actually helped. I looked over to the other two with a small kind smile on my face. "I'm sorry you had to witness that. I will be counting on your counsel during my temporary term here, so please lend it to me." I bowed again respectfully. The old lady sighed and nodded. "I don't know what was going through that old fool's mind, but you are right. If this is his decision then we have to respect it." The old man nodded slightly. "we will support you as long as you are hokage." I smiled brightly at them, happy that I actually got them to acknowledge me. "I am grateful. If you will excuse me though, I have urgent business to attend to." They nodded slightly and left the room.

I walked over to the chair and sat down with a huff. Damn, I'm so tired. I sighed and called over one of the Anbu. "Summon Jiraya please." The masked ninja nodded and poofed away. I rested my head on the desk sluggishly. Just as I was about to doze off, a knock came at the door. "come in!" I stiffened as I shouted from my seat. The door opened and Kakashi and lord third walked in. I relaxed back down and slammed my head into the desk. "thank god it's you guys. I don't know what I would've done if I had to act all formal again." Kakashi walked over and patted my head. "there, there. it's going to be fine." The old man sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk. "Did the council meet with you yet?" I nodded slightly, pulling my head up. "Danzo was bitching so I kicked him out, but the other two said they were fine with it." He nodded slowly at me, looking impressed. "We got your little message earlier. I'm sure that eased some of the people's worries. You did a good job today." I smiled at him tiredly. "thank you."

Another knock came at the door. I straightened up and said another come in. Jiraya walked in looking confused. "you summoned me lord third." The old man shook his head. I cleared my throat. "that was actually me." His eyes widened slightly before he smirked. "you're that Elle brat, aren't you?" I laughed slightly. "Yeah, that would be me." I quickly regained my composure and continued on. "well, Jiraya, I called you here for a mission." He raised his eyebrow slightly looking over to Kakashi who just shrugged in return. "I need you to find Lady Tsunade and bring her back so that I can hand over the title of hokage to her." He looked over to the old man this time, trying to see if I was actually serious. The hokage also shrugged. I cleared my throat and looked at him annoyed. "you know, it is my call now right? Anyways, get this done as soon as soon as possible and report back to me. Also, take Naruto with you. it's safer for him." his eyes widened slightly, gaining a serious look on his face. "you know about them? How?" I face palmed. Will he question everything I say to him or what? Seeing that I won't answer, Kakashi stepped in. "It's best if you don't question it. She is very… well-informed." That just made Jiraya confused. "Can we not talk about me like I'm not right here? Jiraya, give Naruto a week of rest before you leave. And please be careful. Dismissed." He nodded at me and left. Yay, finally done with the plan! Now I can go home and rest. "well, I am drained of chakra and wiped, so I'm going to head home. See you!"

Leaving behind the two ninja, I went out into the streets towards my apartment. Wherever I walked, the streets were filled with whispers. People would stop and stare like I was some zoo animal. At some point, I was even swarmed by little academy kids that happened to be there during the finals. They were actually really nice, everyone was. whenever I looked at anyone, they'd smile a bright smile and wave happily. If I wasn't dead tired, I would actually enjoy this. After many people stopping me and greeting me, I was able to reach my apartment. It did take way longer than usual, like way longer, like it was dark, but I got there in one piece. Without a second thought, once my head hit the pillow, I was fast asleep.