The Fifth Tsuchikage

"Today, I, Naruto Uzumaki, swear on my soul in the name of the Hokage! As long as Konoha's leaves still dance and the Will of Fire still burns, the bedrock of Iwagakure will never be worn away by wind and rain!"

"As long as I draw breath, I will never let any enemy harm the village Deidara gave his life to protect—or his family!"

"The children of Iwagakure will continue to grow up healthy and happy under the sun! That is my promise to him, and to all of you!"

The solemn oath echoed across the hushed square, striking every heart.

As Haimā listened, he clenched his fists. A trace of the ice in his eyes seemed to melt. Kurotsuchi held the weeping Klee close, tears once again sliding silently down her cheeks.

At last, the solemn, grief-stricken funeral came to an end.

In the center of the square, before all the villagers of Iwagakure and the other four Kage, Kurotsuchi slowly stepped forward.

The tracks of her tears had not yet dried, but her eyes had grown unwavering.

She faced the crowd and bowed deeply. Then she solemnly accepted the Iwagakure hat, symbol of duty and power, from an elder beside her.

She settled it firmly on her head and looked across at Naruto Uzumaki, Gaara, Chojuro, and Darui.

"Thank you all for coming so far to see Deidara off," Kurotsuchi said. Her voice was still a little hoarse, but it rang clear and strong. "Iwagakure has suffered a terrible calamity, but the Will of Stone will not break."

"I, Kurotsuchi, hereby succeed him as the Fifth Tsuchikage! I will carry on the will of Deidara and every Tsuchikage before him, protect our village, and work with all of you to preserve peace in the Shinobi World!"

She then