Hey everybody, thesaiyanjedi here with my latest story idea!

This is something I have had on my mind to do for long time and I guess I never found the courage to go for it until now. Read on and learn about what eventually became the most important day of Naruto Uzumaki's life. NaruSaku forever!

Of course, Naruto does not belong to me but to Masashi Kishimoto. Also, this will be my very first M-rated fanfic and for good reason as more chapters come out later on. Reader discretion is advised.

With that said, lets get to reading!

Chapter 1: The Announcement

It was a bright and sunshiny morning in Konoha. The birds were chirping, the grass was growing, and the village itself had finally made a full recovery from Pain's attack years before. Not only that, but it was expanding. Plans were underway to help the Hidden Leaf Village grow and expand into something greater than it had ever been before, coinciding with a sudden but promising technological revolution that was picking up steam across the ninja world.

And at the heart of this era of peace was one young man. Naruto Uzumaki, Jōnin of Konaha, son of the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze and his wife Kushina Uzumaki, third and current jinchūriki of Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox, and recognized hero of the Fourth Great Shinobi War. This young man was the most respected ninja in the village, an ironic and far cry from the life he was forced to live growing up. Back then he was seen as a monster, rejected and shunned by everyone; he was dead last of his graduating class and his often-proclaimed dream of becoming the next Hokage was laughed off as a joke.

...But he worked hard, long and hard to get where he was now (and yeah, admittedly a few surprise revelations of a heritage he never knew about and scoring some very good and capable teachers helped a lot also), and now he was not only a hero, but he had secured a bunch of close friends that he would treasure for life and who would follow him through thick and thin.

Indeed, ever since being promoted to Chūnin, Naruto has been assigned to some of the most important missions of the village. Much to Naruto's pleasure, most of these involved protecting feudal lords and noble maidens from bandits and wanted criminals. When the time came for Jōnin applications to be turned in and the exam to be taken, Naruto submitted his application and was vouched for by nearly everyone. His power level by that point was so high that he faced little trouble in passing the exams, especially since his intense studyng defied everyone's expectations. Naruto's Chūnin career was one of the shortest in the village's history, only about a year, when Kakashi had predicted that it would take him at least two years to become a Jōnin. After that he quickly rose in rank along with his friends to become not only a great ninja, but a great leader. He often lead teams of shinobi, including several on his closest friends, on high-rank missions and negotiated alliances and made peace with many neighboring villages. Suffice to say, his reputation was growing quite impressive.

Among his closest friends was Sakura Haruno, Naruto's longtime crush, former teammate, chief medical ninja throughout the village and now, much to the young man's delight, his loyal girlfriend of over four years. The two of them had to overcome a lot to finally end up together, but now neither one could imagine their life without the other. Their love was the talk of the whole village, not to mention that Sakura was the envy of many of the single women throughout the village. But that did not matter, they were together and in love now and as long as they had each other they could get through anything.

Recently, the two of them had decided to take the next step in their relationship when Sakura chose to move out of her parent's apartment and move into Naruto's house, a lavish three-floor mansion which he had inherited from his parent's. It was so wonderful for them to finally be able to spend their nights together...

...There was only one rule: no sex until marriage. Sakura had made the decision a long time ago that she wanted to save herself for the right man (who she always believed would be their old friend Sasuke Uchiha) and she wanted her wedding night to be special. Unlike most other men, Naruto showed total respect for her decision and he agreed to wait for as long as she needed to until she was ready...She loved him for that.

But today was a special day, a day that no one in the village was prepared for. The Sixth Hokage, Kakashi Hatake, had called all Chūnin and Jōnin into a private meeting held in a large meeting hall in the Jōnin Standby Station. There were chairs lined up for all of the guests to sit down in as the summoned all filed in. Naruto and Sakura took seats next to each other and around them sat their closest friends—their former teammate Sai and his fiancé, Sakura's best friend Ino Yamanaka; one of the Hokage's aide's Shikamaru Nara and his girlfriend Temari, recently transferred from Sunagakure; Chōji Akimichi and his fiancé Karui, recently transferred from Kumogakure; Rock Lee and his girlfriend Tenten; Hinata Hyūga and her boyfriend Kiba Inuzuka; and Shino Aburame. Also in attendance was a high-ranking Chūnin named Konohamaru Sarutobi, one of Naruto's oldest supporters and his unofficial first student, along with his two team mates Udon and Moegi. Naruto also noticed his old teacher Iruka Umino was there, as was Sakura's old master Lady Tsunade. Captain Yamato, Kurenai Yūhi, Might Guy, and Anko Mitarashi were there as well.

He also noticed a member of the Anbu was in attendance as well, and man roughly his age named Odaku. Naruto had worked with him once or twice in the last couple of years, he seemed like an okay guy, and a very skilled ninja. The village elders, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, were also in attendance. They were sitting on the far left of a makeshift stage set up before the seated crowd. Along with them was a third person, a recently appointed elder named Uragi Rimonō, having returned four years ago from a journey of enlightenment and filling in a position once occupied by the treacherous and now deceased Danzō Shimura.

"Hey Sai," Naruto spoke up to his old friend, "do you have any idea what the heck's going on?"

"Sorry Naruto, I do not."

"Just be patient," Sakura urged her boyfriend, "I'm sure that whatever Kakashi-sensei has to tell all of us it must be important."

"I guess," Naruto replied. "I just wish whatever sensei had to say he'd get it over with so I could get back to training."

"As if somebody as strong as you has any reason to rush back for any more training," Shikamaru commented rudely, earning him an elbowing from Temari. "Ow!"

"What have I been trying to teach you about manners?" she asked sternly.

"Gomen...what a drag."

Sakura couldn't help but giggle at the couple, nor could she help taking notice of how close some of their other friends were at the moment. Ino was clearly trying to play some flirty game with her fiancé's feet that she was hoping no one else would notice. Chōji has his arm around Karui as she just sat back and smiled at him. Kiba hand his arm around Hinata as she leaned her head on her boyfriend's shoulder with her eyes closed.

She took this as a cue to take hold of Naruto's hand, catching the blonde's attention. She smiled at him and he back at her as he quickly pecked her on the forehead, knowing full well how much she loved that.

Mere seconds after giving his girlfriend that kiss, Naruto noticed Shizune, the Hokage's personal assistant, come out on stage and address the crowd. "Ladies and gentleman, thank you all for attending this meeting. I'm sure many of you are wondering what this is all about and I am here to assure you that you will all be getting those answers shortly. Please be patient as the Hokage will be here shortly. Thank you."

Naruto noticed Shizune looking directly at him and smiling for a couple of seconds before she walked offstage. He thought it was...weird.

Sakura took notice of it too. 'What the hell? Was Shizune just flirting with Naruto?!' She shook her head free of her own thoughts; there was no way that was true. Still, that look was clearly aimed at her boyfriend...something was going on.

About ten minutes later, Shizune came back out again and addressed the crowd for a second time. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much again for your patience. I now present to you Kakashi Hatake, the Sixth Hokage."

The woman took a seat on stage as the masked man with the silver hair, the son of the fabled White Fang of the Leaf, walked up to the podium on stage, wearing his full Hokage robes and hat. He received a standing ovation as he came on stage until he signaled everyone to be seated before he began speaking:

"Thank you all for coming. I promise you all that this won't take long...As you all know, I have fought and trained to defend this village my entire life. My father's reputation put quite an expectation on me and I have worked to live up to that reputation. My teacher, Minato-sensei, or the Fourth Hokage as most of you know him, trained me and my team to be the best we can be, and then to go beyond those limits to become something more. He taught me how important teamwork is and that those who turn their backs on their own team are worse than trash. I have tried to pass that lesson onto the next generation through my own students, whom I am pleased to see have now grown into a couple of very strong and independent young ninjas."

He stopped just long enough to look towards Naruto and Sakura and smiled beneath his mask as they each had a prideful blush at their sensei's praise.

Kakashi turned back to the crowd. "I have seen and been through much in my life. These last five years as the leader of this village being included. But as time moved on I have come to realize something, something I'm sure all of us have come to recognize too. Time isn't stopping for any of us. As one generation reaches the end of it's years so another must also rise to succeed it. I think we can all agree that the new generation of young men and women among us now will do well in serving and protecting this village in the very near future."

Naruto and the rest of the crowd were starting to get suspicious about where Kakashi was going with this as there was only a brief pause before he continued. "Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to announce that within a year from now...I will resign my post as Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village."

The entire room reacted in shock at what Kakashi had just said. It could not be true. He had only been in the job for four years, he had so much left to live for. Why was he announcing this now?!

Naruto and Sakura were especially shocked, each looking to the other in concern.

Kakashi raised his hand up to calm the room down as he continued to speak. "Silence! I realize that none of you were expecting to hear this. But I have been giving this decision a lot of thought for some time now. These last five years have been long for me and I'm growing tired. I need a rest. More importantly, I've never seen myself as truly being the right fit for this job anyway, more like a placeholder until someone else comes of age to take my place...Which brings to my second reason for calling all of you here today."

At that everyone there snapped to attention, Naruto especially. He was listening to everything Kakashi had to say in fascination.

The former Copy Ninja continued, "Even though I still have about a year left until I retire, I have already made my decision who I will choose to be my replacement. Really, it was not a difficult decision in the least bit. This person has overcome obstacles all his life, worked to prove himself since he was a boy, overcome persecution and grief and loss that some of us can only begin to understand. This person has risen from nothing and become something truly special, a symbol for an entire generation. He is my student, my teammate, and my friend."

The old ninja smirked to himself before he looked directly at a certain someone sitting in the front row. "It is my pleasure to announce Naruto Uzumaki as the soon to be Seventh Hokage of Konohagakure."

Time stood still for the young Jōnin. He was in a trance. There was no way that all of this was happening! He had imagined this moment his whole life and now—No! No, it had to be a dream! It had to be!

...Or so he thought until his girlfriend yelled his name in joy and literally shook him out of his shock. He regained his senses to see the love of his life with a massive smile on her face. She looked so beautiful, so happy, and she could not stop congratulating him.

His senses broadened as he took in the atmosphere around him. Everybody in the room was up in arms, cheering his name and giving him a round of applause. Some of them, like Iruka, Hinata and Lee, even had tears of happiness in their eyes.

But what he did not notice was that two people appeared far more reserved in their excitement. Odaku was applauding but much more softly, as if he really didn't mean it. He made a glance to Uragi who was sitting on stage. No words were exchanged, merely a nod in understanding...

The young man looked up to his old teacher, as if he were desperate to know that this was real and not just another dream. As if he had read his student's mind, Kakashi nodded his head to answer his unspoken question.

That was just what he needed. This wasn't another dream, it was for real! The moment he had waited and trained for his whole life had finally come!

With what might have been the biggest smile of his life, he leaped into the air with his fist held high and proclaimed "YES!" at the top of his lungs.

Naruto looked back at Sakura and without giving her any warning wrapped his arms around her and claimed her lips with his own. The young woman was initially caught off guard but she quickly returned the kiss with equal passion. She was just as excited as he was and wanted to share this moment with him. She sneaked her tongue into his mouth, wrestling with his own, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and lost herself in their moment together. They each ran their hands over each other's bodies almost daring each other to touch each other in intimate places.

They only broke up the passionate kiss when it became too difficult to breathe and it was only then that they became aware of some of the hooting and cheering that they were receiving. Ino, Kiba and Konohamaru were making perverted noises in the background and shouting thinks like "Way to go!" or "Get a room you two!" They both blushed in shyness after that.

As the noise continued in the background, Naruto looked his woman straight in her emerald eyes. "I love you Sakura."

The young pinkette nearly choked up as she looked her man straight in his sapphire eyes. "I love you too Naruto."

They leaned in for one more kiss, this one slow and romantic. It only lasted a couple of seconds, but it said everything that needed to be said as the two lovers broke apart and smiled at one another...

"Naruto!" Hinata called out as she literally ran up to her former crush and gave him a hug...a very brief hug when she realized what she had done and was quick to break apart.

"G-Gomen Naruto! Gomen Sakura! I didn't...I mean, I was just—"

Naruto shook his head, "Its okay Hinata, thank you."

Kiba looked at the scene with a twinge of jealously. Yes, he knew that she was a just a little excited that Naruto had finally achieved his dream (and yeah, that meant that his own secret dream of becoming Hokage wouldn't come to pass), but as her boyfriend he couldn't help himself despite knowing better.

So, he quickly grabbed her shoulder, spun her around, and like an animal he claimed her lips. Rather than get angry with him, Hinata quickly relaxed into the kiss.

Figuring that it was best to leave to two of them alone, Sakura dragged Naruto with her so he could receive congratulations from the rest of their friends. He shook hands with all of the guys (plus Karui) and accepted hugs from Ino, Tenten and Temari...plus another awkward and overly enthusiastic hug from Lee that he was caught off guard by.

"Congratulations Naruto! I very proud of you."

Naruto turned to the source of the voice and his face lit up. "Iruka-sensei!"

The older man stood before the young man that had been his favorite student. "I never doubted that you were meant for great things Naruto. And now look at you, the soon-to-be Seventh Hokage of this village! And as far as I'm concerned you deserve all of it."

The young man was taken in awe, "You really think so?"

"Absolutely!" He placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder, "You've worked for and waited your whole life for this moment, enjoy it and be proud of yourself Naruto. I sure am!"

The jinchūriki couldn't help the tears that fell down his face as he embraced his old teacher and the closest thing his child self ever had to a father in a tight hug. Iruka returned it with no shame.

When they broke apart, he was quickly brought into another bone crushing hug as Tsunade grabbed a hold of him, momentarily loosing control of her superhuman strength as she smothered his face into her massive cleavage.

"Baa-chan! Air!"

She let go of him as he caught his breath. "Sorry about that kid. I just...well, I'm so proud of you is all!"

Naruto smiled sweetly. "Arigato, Baa—I mean, Lady Tsunade."

The old woman smiled sweetly as a few trace tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. She placed her own hand on the blonde's shoulder. "And I know Jiraiya would be proud of you too."

He didn't say anything but smiled at that statement. His parents, Jiraiya, Neji, Sasuke...he wished they could have been here to see this.

He felt another hand on his shoulder and turned to see Sakura offering up her encouragement, able to tell just what was on her boyfriend's mind. He smiled back at her and she pointed him to the stage where Kakashi was still standing up there waving at him to come up on stage.

Getting the message, he started walking to the stage as his friends all applauded him. He got up there and was first greeted by Shizune who congratulated him with a hug, the kind that a big sister would give her little brother. He then shook hands with each of the three elders; Homura and Koharu accepted the handshake but each of them still had stern looks on their faces...Naruto got a feeling that these two might be a problem for him later in life.

Lastly, he shook Uragi's hand, who was much more supportive and seemed more genuinely pleased with the young man...although Naruto did notice that the elder was gripping his hand unusually tight. When he let go, he turned towards Kakashi, totally missing the sudden cold stare the older man was giving him and that the hand he had just shook had now clenched itself into a fist at his side.

Making it to Kakashi, Naruto enthusiastically shook hands with his old sensei...and then he couldn't resist embracing him in a hug, his masculinity be damned by this point. "Arigato sensei."

"You're welcome kid." As the two men broke the hug, Kakashi whispered something into his ear. "I know you've waited a long time for this, and I want you to enjoy this day. But starting tomorrow, unless I need to assign you to a mission, you are going to be spending time with me as I train you in special Hokage duty procedures. Trust me kid, there are a lot of forms and paperwork you'll need to memorize!"

Naruto gulped and sweat dropped upon hearing that. It definitely didn't sound like fun. But it would have to wait as all of his friends and teachers were clamoring for some sort of speech. So, with a bit of reluctance, he walked up to the podium and cleared his throat.

"Umm, ladies and gentleman, I..." He took in a deep sigh as he continued. "...I don't exactly have a speech prepared but...Look! This day, this moment...this is what I've been waiting for my whole life! And now that its here I'm still convincing myself that all of it is real and not just some crazy dream. When I was a kid everybody hated me. I was lost, alone confused...But I made a promise to myself that I would never let that get to me! I made a promise that one day I would be Hokage and earn everyone's respect. I had to work hard to get there, to get here, now, in front of you all. I made a lot of friends along the way too, and I owe all of you so much! Without all of you, I'd never be here in front of you now. Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, Baa-chan, Shikamaru, Lee, Gaara, Sai, Hinata, all of you! And of course, a big, huge thank you to my beloved Sakura." He looked in the girlfriend's direction, "I love you babe." She blew him a kiss in response.

Then the tone of Naruto's voiced changed, "...I also want to say thank you to a few people who aren't here...My dad, my mom, the Third, Pervy Sage, Neji..." He briefly chuckled to himself, "..and yeah, even you Sasuke, wherever you are right now."

He took a deep sigh, deciding to get right to the point. "I don't know if I have the words to describe how I'm feeling right now. So instead, I'll just say this: This is an honor I will not take for granted. I give my word that I will train and work hard to uphold the title of Hokage and protect this village with my very life. I..." He looked out to his audience, "...I love you all, this village...I love all so much, and when the time comes for me to take over I pledge to defend Konoha with all of my strength and to never go back on my word to make it a better place! Believe it!"

With that, everybody broke out into applause, even Uragi and Odaku, though they were clapping their hands very weakly...

Shaking hands with Kakashi one more time, Naruto walked off stage and up to his girlfriend. He spun her around in the air in his excitement and she was no less happy herself. When he put her down she claimed his lips in another kiss, which he accepted.

Breaking apart, she smiled at him as she rubbed his whiskered cheek. "I'm so proud of you."

He in turn rubbed her cheek with his bandaged hand. "Arigato Sakura...Sweetie, when we get home, I want you to take a shower, get cleaned up and put on the fanciest dress you've got!"

"What? Why?"

"Because you and I are going out to celebrate tonight!"

She smiled, "I suppose I can't blame you for wanting to treat yourself to Ichiraku's tonight, but we really don't need to dress up just for—"

"No you don't understand. Do you remember the first time I took you out for Valentine's Day?"

Sakura's eyes widened in shock; he couldn't possibly mean... "Naruto...are we...?"

"That's right sweetie, your man wants to take you out to dinner at Hashirama's tonight. What do you say?!"

Getting over her shock, Sakura put on a suggestive smirk as she trailed her finger along his jacket-covered chest. "I'd say its a date...Hokage-sama."

There you have it! The first chapter of "Naruto's Big Day."

I hope I did a god enough job of capturing all the raw emotions Naruto would have to been feeling as he receives the news he has been waiting to hear his entire life.

Some of my followers and readers of my other stories likely also noticed the presence of two characters from my other story, "Shinachiku's First Adventure." That's called universe building baby!

In speaking of my other stories, the ending of this chapter was a call back to a one shot I did called "Our First Valentine's Day." Some of you might have read that one, and if you haven't, please do me a big favor and give it a look, as well as my other works as well.

Well, I hope you enjoyed that and I hoped I've got you hooked for the lemon that is coming later. Until next time, see ya!