All In

FYI, Since I had a delay in updating, I had actually combined Chapters 28 and 29. So here is the epilogue...All In is now complete.

EPILOGUE

“Tsunade-same has announced that she wishes to retire and has recommended that Uzumaki Naruto replace her as Hokage.”

Sasuke and Naruto just stood calmly before the council. Tsunade sat off to the side on the couch, her legs crossed, one swinging lazily over the other.

“It has come to our attention, however, that there is a second sage in Konoha and we want to explore all of our options.”

“I don’t want the job,” Sasuke interrupted, cutting right to the heart of things.

“Don’t be silly. Everyone wants the job.”

“Silly? An Uchiha?” The tomoes in Sasuke’s eyes spun lazily.

“Oh, yes, well…” the councilor stumbled. “Our apologies, Uchiha-san. We just wonder if you fully understand…” At Sasuke’s raised eyebrow he faltered. Then he gathered himself and continued.

“You are as aware as anyone of the burden Uzumaki Naruto carries…”

“I carry a larger burden,” Sasuke interrupted again.

At their blank looks he continued. “My burden is that I don’t care about you or this village.

The two councilors looked completely affronted and their mouths opened and closed. He continued.

“Naruto would die to protect this village. I will only protect him and anything we build together.”

“Uchiha-san…”

“Honestly, councilor,” Sasuke interrupted once more. “I wouldn’t piss on you if you were on fire.”

There was a suspicious cough from the couch, but Sasuke wasn’t finished.

“In any event, I’ll be too busy for such a job. I plan to spend most of my time raising his child.” He thumbed in Naruto’s direction.

Sasuke relished the silence as he watched the red-faced councilors try to compute something that, for them, didn’t compute.

“H…his child?”

Sasuke nodded his head in acknowledgement. “Due in…Tsunade-sama?”

“About ten weeks.” She was inspecting her nails, the picture of unconcern.

Sasuke was enjoying this more and more, wondering if he would actually get to see their heads explode.

“Tsunade! Naruto’s child? But the demon…

“Is as much a part of his DNA as those tattoos on his arm.” She leaned forward. “This child will be Yondaime’s heir.”

“Minato?” The woman asked reverently, tears forming. “Our dear Minato? And his beloved, beautiful Kushina?”

Tsunade nodded with feeling.

There were several minutes of silence as all parties digested and regrouped. The male councilor obviously decided one last stab was in order.

‘Uzumaki! You have nothing to say about any of this?”

“Oh, well, not yet. I thought it would be good practice. When Uchiha-san is captain of my personal guard, I plan to have him handle all my light work.”

The council looked apoplectic once again.

“I would, however, like to ask that you consider what type of retirement you would like,” Naruto said. “Here in Konoha, or perhaps abroad?”

“Young man, you have absolutely no authority to replace us.”

“I am aware of that,” Naruto responded. “And you are welcome to stay. But,” his chakra filled the room until they were tugging on their collars, “I promise,” he paused to make sure he had their attention, “you will HATE being my councilors.”

Ten minutes later the meeting was over. Sasuke and Naruto leaned against the door jamb and listened as the councilors walked down the hall.

“You have to give the boy credit; when he’s right, he’s right. I already hate being his councilor and he hasn’t even taken office yet.”

The other sighed. “My daughter’s been bugging me to plant this new variety of rutabaga she’s developed.”

“I hate rutabaga.”

“Me, too, but I don’t have the heart to tell her.”

“So,” the other sighed. “Rutabagas?”

“Yes, I suppose,” one final sigh.

Tsunade put her arm around Naruto’s shoulder and pointed at Sasuke. “I love that boy.” She ruffled two heads of hair and followed the councilors down the hall.

Naruto looked at Sasuke. “Me, too.” He stepped closer. “You are so fucking hot when you’re crushing old people’s dreams and ambitions under your heel.”

“Hot enough to let me bend you over the Hokage’s desk and…”

“That’s still my office…” The two laughed as they heard Tsunade yell from the other end of the hall. “And my desk.”