As they walked through the grand entrance of the Iron Country summit hall, the heavy wooden doors groaned open to reveal a vast, open chamber lit by high lanterns and the pale winter light filtering through tall windows.
The floor was polished dark stone, etched with subtle samurai crests; the air carried the crisp scent of cedar incense and snow drifting in from outside.
Naruto's eyes scanned the room—Kage banners hanging from the rafters, long tables set for the meeting, samurai guards standing motionless along the walls in full armor, katana hilts gleaming.
Then he caught a glimpse of a familiar face up ahead.
Temari stood near the Sand delegation's banner, arms crossed, fan strapped to her back. She raised her head at the sound of footsteps—her teal eyes locking onto his.
A faint blush crept across her cheeks almost instantly. She quickly looked down, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, then forced herself to meet his gaze again.
Naruto's grin spread wide. He broke away from Tsunade's group and walked straight over.
"Hey, Temari," he said, voice warm and easy.
"Hi, Naruto!" She straightened, smiling despite the color still lingering on her face. "Wow… you've gotten taller somehow."
It had been a few months since he last saw her—back during a the Gaara mission. Now he stood noticeably taller, shoulders broader, presence steadier.
"You think?" Naruto scratched the back of his head, laughing. "I never noticed."
Tsunade, Kakashi, and Yamato hung back a few steps. Tsunade's eyes narrowed into slits, practically shooting lasers into Naruto's back. Kakashi tilted his head slightly, amused; Yamato just sighed like he'd seen this coming.
Naruto ignored the glare completely.
"So… the fan?" he teased, nodding at the weapon on her back.
Temari rolled her eyes, but the smile stayed. "Some of us like to be prepared. Unlike certain people who just punch everything."
He laughed—loud, genuine—and the sound made her shoulders relax. Within thirty seconds he had her giggling, one hand covering her mouth as he recounted a ridiculous story about accidentally setting off a trap during training and ending up covered in mud.
Tsunade's glare intensified.
Then—footsteps.
Gaara and Kankuro approached from the side. The moment Gaara saw Naruto, the Kazekage's usually stoic expression softened. A small, real smile curved his lips.
"Naruto," Gaara said quietly. "It's been a while, my friend."
Naruto turned, grin widening. He extended his hand immediately.
"Yes it has, bro. How've you been?"
Gaara clasped his hand firmly. "I've been fine. Just… Kage work piling up more than ever."
Naruto chuckled. "Eyy, save some for me when I become Hokage."
Gaara's smile grew—just a fraction, but it was there.
Temari watched the exchange, warmth blooming in her chest.
'He really is different when he's with Naruto,' she thought. 'Like a whole other person.'
Naruto glanced back at his group.
"Oh—sorry." He stepped aside, gesturing grandly. "This is our beautiful Hokage, Tsunade Senju."
Tsunade stepped forward, arms crossed but expression smoothing into professionalism. Gaara met her halfway and extended his hand.
"I never got to thank you properly for the help in saving me," he said, voice steady. "I would like to thank you officially after this—with a dinner, if you'll allow it."
Tsunade blinked once, then smiled—genuine, warm. She shook his hand.
"I would like that."
Kakashi and Yamato drifted over to Kankuro, who was already gesturing animatedly about some new puppet design.
The two jōnin nodded politely, Kakashi slipping in a dry comment that made Kankuro laugh.
Naruto turned back to Temari and Gaara.
"So," he said, lowering his voice a little. "You guys ready for whatever drama's about to happen in there?"
Temari smirked. "Always. Question is—are *you*?"
Naruto's grin turned sharp.
"Born ready."
The group began moving toward the main hall doors—samurai guards nodding respectfully as the Kage delegations filed in.
The summit was about to begin.
When Naruto stepped into the summit hall, a wide smile bloomed across his face.
The chamber was massive—high vaulted ceilings supported by dark iron beams, long rectangular tables arranged in a loose pentagon at the center, each section marked by a nation's banner. Samurai in full armor stood motionless along the walls, hands resting on katana hilts. Lanterns hung from chains overhead, casting warm golden pools across the polished stone floor.
Temari noticed the grin. She tilted her head toward him.
"You see yourself here in a few years?" she asked, voice low.
"Of course," Naruto replied, eyes glinting. "Maybe with a hot assistant by my side. Someone like you."
He nudged her shoulder lightly with his own.
Temari's cheeks flushed pink instantly. She looked away, lips pressing together to hide a smile, fan shifting slightly on her back.
Naruto chuckled—soft, teasing.
He walked over to the Leaf delegation's section and—without hesitation—dropped into Tsunade's seat at the head table.
Tsunade's eye twitched. She stared down at him for a full second.
Then she stepped forward, placed both hands on his shoulders, and sat directly on his lap.
Naruto blinked once.
"Who knew you made a good cushion," she said sweetly, crossing her legs. "Remind me to give you that mission when we get home."
Naruto leaned back slightly, arms resting casually on the chair arms—around her waist now, whether intentional or not.
"You're really gonna abuse your power as Hokage over *that*?" he asked. "I was thinking of leaving all my work to Shizune or something…"
"I have my priorities," Tsunade replied, voice smooth.
Naruto just smirked and didn't move her.
They stayed like that—Tsunade perched on his lap like it was the most natural thing—while the hall slowly filled.
Naruto stood eventually (after Tsunade slid off with a pointed glare), moving to the upper balcony level reserved for escorts and guards. From here they had a clear view of the entire floor below and could drop down in seconds if anything went wrong.
Kakashi and Yamato flanked him, silent for now.
The other Kage arrived one by one.
First came the Tsuchikage—Ōnoki—floating in on a small platform of rock, cane tapping the air. Behind him walked a large, broad-shouldered man with a thick beard and a black-haired girl in a high-collared cloak, her eyes sharp and curious.
'I gotta ask them how they fly,' Naruto thought, leaning on the railing.
The black-haired girl—Kurotsuchi—glanced up as she passed below. Her gaze landed on Naruto.
She nudged her companion. "That's the guy who beat Deidara?"
"Wasn't that the Uchiha named Sasuke?" the big man Akatsuchi asked.
"Yes, but *he* also did," Kurotsuchi said.
Naruto overheard—Sage senses picking up every word. He glanced down.
Their eyes met.
Kurotsuchi's cheeks tinted pink, but she held contact—chin lifting slightly in challenge.
Naruto winked.
Her face went full red. She whipped her head away, ponytail snapping, muttering something under her breath.
Naruto smiled to himself.
'I need some kind of sealing jutsu on my looks. It's getting too lethal.'
Next came the Mizukage—Mei Terumī.
She glided in like liquid silk—long auburn hair flowing, green eyes scanning the room. Her attendants trailed behind, but her gaze locked onto Naruto almost immediately.
A slow, appreciative smile curved her lips.
'Wow… a blonde hottie. That's quite rare. If I'd known there was such a hunk in the Leaf, I would have visited long ago.'
She blew him a kiss—playful, deliberate, lips pursed and fingers wiggling.
Tsunade's glare could have melted steel.
"Still looking for a marriage, I see," she muttered.
Mei laughed—rich, melodic. "You're one to talk, Tsuna."
Naruto glanced sideways at Kakashi.
His sensei was… reading Icha Icha. Right there. Openly. Page turned with a casual flick.
Naruto shook his head.
He looked the other way.
Yamato was… digging for gold in his nose. Deep. Focused. Zero shame.
'I look to my right: Kakashi. I look to my left: Yamato. These partners stink of poo,' Naruto thought.
He sighed, leaned back against the railing, and crossed his arms.
The hall continued to fill—samurai taking positions, aides whispering, banners rustling in the draft. The summit was about to start.
TO BE CONTINUED