The New Beginning
*After the Hidden Leaf was destroyed by Pain.*
It was a quiet day in the newly destroyed Konoha. The Fifth Hokage was still unconscious. The Third and the elders have been discussing their options for a sixth Hokage, fearful of the fifth not waking up, leaving the village leaderless. However, Ayame was far away from the negotiations, recovering from the attack. She had spent most of her free time beside her mother, leaving only when Shizune or Hiruzen told her to eat and rest.
In recent years, She and Tsunade had tried to make up for the time they had been apart. In the last two years, the mother and daughter had grown closer, but Grandpa Hiru would always be her favorite family member, and her little brother, Konohamaru, was a close second. The loss of her father still lingered and now she almost lost her mother too. She hoped that she would heal and awake soon.
Ayame was also waiting for the results of who would take her mother's place. She has heard that Danzo had been all too happy to nominate himself as a candidate. She also knew that her grandpa was considering nominating Kakashi. Ayame soon grew restless. Ayame understood that she could not sit around and wait for her mother to wake up anymore, not when the village needed help to rebuild and heal from the attack. She decided early on that if needed she would help.
The sun was just beginning to rise over the Hidden Leaf Village, casting a warm, golden glow over the rooftops and the bustling streets below. Ayame stood at the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen, a beloved restaurant in the village, and watched as the village slowly came to life. The air was filled with the sounds of hammers, saws, and the determined voices of villagers working together to rebuild their homes. Ayame’s eyes were drawn to a familiar group of friends in the distance. Naruto Uzumaki, with his black and orange jumpsuit and boundless energy, was at the center of it all. He laughed and joked with his friends, but his hands never stopped moving as he helped lift heavy beams and carry supplies. Beside him, Sakura and Sai worked with equal determination, their faces set with a mixture of concentration and camaraderie. As Ayame watched from the entrance, she couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. Naruto had always been a special customer at Ichiraku Ramen. She remembered the countless bowls of ramen he had devoured, the way his face would light up with pure joy at the sight of his favorite dish. But now, seeing him here, working tirelessly to rebuild the village, she saw a different side of him. He was no longer just the mischievous boy who loved ramen; he was a hero and a symbol of hope for everyone around him.
Teuchi, the owner, came up beside her, wiping his hands on his apron.
“They’re doing a great job, aren’t they?” he said, his voice filled with admiration. Ayame nodded.
“Yes, they are. Naruto and his friends… they’ve come so far.” Teuchi smiled.
“It’s because of people like them that our village will be stronger than ever. And it’s up to us to support them in any way we can.” With a determined nod, Ayame turned back to the restaurant.
“You’re right, Teuchi. Let’s make sure we have plenty of ramen ready for them when they take a break. They’ll need all the energy they can get.” As the day went on, Teuchi and his daughter worked tirelessly in the kitchen, preparing bowl after bowl of steaming hot ramen.
When Naruto and his friends finally took a break, they were greeted with the familiar, comforting aroma of their favorite meal. Ayame had finished her tasks and walked in behind them. Naruto’s eyes lit up as he saw the bowls of ramen waiting for them.
“Teuchi! You guys are the best!” he exclaimed, grabbing a pair of chopsticks and digging in with gusto. Ayame watched with a smile as Naruto and his friends enjoyed their meal, their laughter, and chatter filling the air. In that moment, she knew that no matter how challenging the road ahead might be, the Hidden Leaf Village would always have a bright future, thanks to the unwavering spirit of its people. Ayame paid for their meal and left after seeing them off, returning to her room to rest for the night.
The next day in the afternoon, while working in the medical tent, the results came back. Danzo would take over and the ceremony was to take place after the five Kage meetings. Ayame was unsure about their decision. She had liked the man in the past. He used to be like an uncle to her but in recent years, after Itachi left, She had grown quite wary of his actions and boldness in affairs concerning the village. Later that evening, she left the medical tent and made her way over to her room, in the Sarutobi compound. She wanted nothing more than to go to sleep, tired after a hard day of helping to rebuild the village and helping others using her healing abilities.
Lately, Shizune watched over Tsunade and gave her updates. She returned to her mother's side after a good night's sleep and sat beside her bed. As Ayame sat by her side, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. The village was in turmoil, and the uncertainty of Tsunade’s condition weighed heavily on her heart. She knew that Danzo was preparing to leave soon, but she couldn’t bring herself to think about it. Her mother was her priority. One evening, as the sun set over the ruins of Konoha, Ayame decided to take a walk to clear her mind.
The once bustling streets were now eerily quiet, and the sight of the destruction brought tears to her eyes. She wandered aimlessly until she found herself at the training grounds where she and her friends used to spar. Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice calling her name.
Turning around, she saw Konohamaru running towards her, his face filled with determination.
“Aya Nee-chan, you need to come with me,” he said, grabbing her hand.
“Grandpa Hiruzen wants to see you.” Confused but trusting her brother, Ayame followed him to a small, secluded garden behind the Hokage’s office.
There, she found Hiruzen waiting with a warm smile and a picnic spread laid out on a blanket.
“Surprise!” Hiruzen said, his eyes twinkling.
“I thought we could all use a break from the chaos.” Ayame felt a wave of relief wash over her. She hadn’t realized how much she needed this moment of normalcy. They sat down together, and for a while, the worries of the world seemed to fade away. They shared stories, laughed, and enjoyed the simple pleasure of each other’s company. As the evening wore on, the conversation turned to the future of Konoha. Hiruzen spoke with a calm wisdom that reassured Ayame and Konohamaru. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but emphasized the strength and resilience of their village.
“Danzo may be the new Hokage,” Hiruzen said, “but it’s up to all of us to ensure that Konoha remains a place of hope and unity. We must support each other and work together to rebuild.” Ayame nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.
“We’ll do our best, Grandpa.” Konohamaru grinned. “We’ll make sure Konoha comes back stronger than ever!” As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Ayame felt a sense of peace. No matter what challenges lay ahead, she knew they would face them together, as a family.
The day after the picnic was quiet and work was slow, barely anything changing. Her group was informed to take the rest of the day off. Thankfully, a mistake in the plans was discovered before they started, leaving her free to wander around the village. She walked along the edge of the village to avoid the crowds. Ayame hoped that her mother would soon awake. She feared what Danzo would do with his new power. She heard that the meeting between the village’s kage would take place in the land of iron. Soon she stood by the gate in the shadow of the trees nearby, watching Danzo and his two guards walk out of the village. She then returned to watch over her mother and continued to wait for her.
A few days later after Danzo left, she got the news that Kakashi and his team had found him killed by Sasuke. After settling down from the long journey, Kakashi was summoned. She had then been informed that the council had tried to choose a new Hokage, but right before they had named Kakashi the next Hokage, a shinobi ran into the meeting announcing that her mother, Tsunade, had awoken from her coma.
*Time skip to after the 4th shinobi war because I am lazy.*