## Konoha - Hokage Tower ##
Tsunade lazily leaned on the table, propping her cheek up with one hand as she looked at Naruto and Jiraiya.
"You took the long way around, but you still pulled it off. We've formed an alliance with Sunagakure and Kumogakure."
"Three of the Five Great Ninja Villages are now allied with us," said Jiraiya, patting Naruto's head. "Anything you want to say to the kid now?"
"Oh." Tsunade pulled out a stack of documents from the desk drawer and handed Naruto a pen. "Just need you to sign a few things for identification."
Naruto shrugged, grabbed the pen, and signed where instructed.
Once he was done, he asked:
"What's this? I've never had to sign anything like this before."
Tsunade didn't answer. Instead, she grabbed a seal and stamped it onto the papers with a thud, then looked up at Naruto and smiled.
"Oh, just some paperwork for your Jonin promotion. Congrats, brat."
Naruto blinked in shock.
"You're serious? You actually promoted me?"
Tsunade sighed.
"I could've done it sooner, but it needed approval from several high-ups in the village."
Jiraiya ruffled Naruto's hair.
"Nice job. So, are we heading straight to the next village after this?"
Tsunade shook her head.
"Not yet. Naruto still has to go through the Jonin probation period. He needs to complete three more missions before they finalize his promotion to full Jonin."
Naruto raised his eyebrows.
"Probation period? We even have those?"
"Chunin and above, yeah," Jiraiya explained. "Konoha's got too many ninja. Gotta make sure we pick the top ones."
"You'll be fine," Tsunade said, gathering up the papers.
Naruto reached into his pocket and pulled out a marked scroll.
"How valuable is this?"
He unrolled the scroll—smoke burst out, and Hidan's headless body roared into existence on Tsunade's desk.
"F***in' bastard—you finally dragged me out!"
Naruto scowled and shoved the sealing scroll into Hidan's mouth.
Tsunade stared at the severed head on her desk and shot Naruto a furious glare.
"You… didn't kill him?"
Naruto helplessly explained,
"I couldn't kill him. Keeping him alive might actually help us."
Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Shizune!" she barked.
Naruto pointed at Hidan's gagged head.
"Can I keep him?"
Jiraiya stared blankly at Naruto.
"What for?"
Naruto shrugged.
"Tamako can keep him as a pet. I'll rip his teeth out so he can't bite anyone. And we can squeeze intel out of him about the Akatsuki."
At that moment, Shizune entered the room.
"Shizune, get this over to ANBU HQ."
Shizune approached the table, and upon seeing the gagged head, her face paled in horror—and then she collapsed.
Two Days Later, Hokage Tower
Jiraiya sat opposite Tsunade's desk, both sipping sake after a long day of work.
Jiraiya placed his cup down:
"I've got a lead I want to check out. It shouldn't take too long."
"When?" Tsunade asked, pouring herself another cup. "You two still need to head to Kiri."
Jiraiya shrugged.
"In a few days. By the way, I'm taking Naruto with me."
******
Naruto sat under a tree near Konoha's main gate, waiting for the rest of his team.
This was his first mission as a Jonin.
"Right on time, Sai," Naruto said, almost to thin air.
In a swirl of ink, Sai appeared using the Shifting Body Technique, his trademark eerie smile in place:
"Senior Naruto, I'll now serve permanently on your team."
Naruto patted Sai on the shoulder, and the two walked toward the gates together.
******
"Hey, Tenten," Sakura Haruno greeted as she approached the gate, spotting her friend.
As Naruto and Sai drew closer, he said,
"Hey there, Sakura, Tenten-chan. This is Sai. Are you guys ready?"
Sakura waved cheerfully.
"Hello, Naruto. Congratulations on your promotion." She gave him a quick once-over. "So you're the team leader this time? You look way too young for the job."
Naruto shrugged.
"Alright then, let's move out. We're heading for the coastline. Where's Lord Santa, the man who hired us?"
"We can't leave yet!" A nervous man came running over, grabbing Naruto's vest. "Our client, Kazahana Koyuki, has gone missing!"
Naruto already had a decent idea who she was—she was a very famous movie star.
Naruto glanced at him and gently pushed him aside.
"Well, off to a great start."
With a sigh, he gathered his team.
"Sai, Sakura, you two will search for Lady Koyuki. I'll send a Shadow Clone with you."
Everyone nodded and began moving.
## A Few Minutes Later ##
Naruto kicked open the door of a dimly lit little bar with an annoyed expression.
He spotted Kazahana Koyuki seated at the bar, nursing a drink. The bar was otherwise deserted, save for her and the bartender.
Koyuki's cheeks were flushed—clearly drunk.
When she saw Naruto, she spoke coldly,
"It's you again. What do you want this time?"
Naruto stepped in seriously.
"That's my job. I'm assigned to escort you to Snow Country."
She glared at him, then relaxed.
"What could someone your age possibly understand?"
Naruto softly chuckled.
"Let's go."
Koyuki gave a bitter laugh.
"Actors are the most artificial people in the world, kid. This business is rotten…"
Suddenly, Naruto's Shadow Clone appeared behind her, landing a quick blow that knocked her out cold on the counter.
Naruto downed his drink, grimaced, and tossed some money onto the counter.
******
With a grunt, Naruto hoisted Koyuki onto his back and stepped outside.
Santa nearly fainted when he saw the unconscious Koyuki.
Naruto placed Koyuki inside the carriage, and they headed toward the coastline.
They reached the harbor faster than expected, where their ship was waiting. Naruto carried Koyuki gently into her cabin and laid her on the bed.
He shook his head as he looked at her—there was no doubt; she was incredibly beautiful. As he turned to leave, something around her neck caught his attention.
He stepped closer for a better look and stumbled back in shock:
"You've got to be kidding… I haven't seen this in ten years…"
He stared at the unconscious woman, trying to place her face.
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