So this is something that's always been on my mind ever since I finished Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 which was actually my experience through Shippuden the first time before i started watching the anime. Anyway the point I'm making here is when I got to the ending of the pain arc I always felt that there was alot of potential for the story to move in a lot directions. The idea that really fascinated me is if a Timeskip occurred after The Pain Arc like imagine the revival of all the characters that died never occurred. Kakashi, Shizune. Choza. Tsunade actually did die. Really think about the kind of impact that would've been there for Shippuden (Part II) especially for some of the characters. Kakashi not only for Naruto, but also Sakura. Tsunade and Shizune again for both Naruto and Sakura. Then you've got Choza which the impact that could've left for Choji. The ending itself is still the same in it's own way except instead of Kakashi say it was like Yamato or even better Iruka Sensei. Everyone in the village greets himself and acknowledges him the same way. Sakura hugs Naruto saying thank you. Iruka in the background saying to himself, Lord Fourth there is a hero standing before the village. I'd say for more closure Naruto visit the grave he builds for Jiraiya especially with the novel Tales of a Gutsy Ninja with him thinking "I'm sure come a long way Pervy-Sage." maybe have Sakura visiting him saying, "You must miss him so much." and Naruto says, "Not a day's gone by since I haven't, and now with Kakashi sensei, and grandma Tsunade.." Sakura then puts his hand on his shoulder, "I know Naruto, I just hope things can get better from here." have Naruto exchange a look at her and say, "Yeah..." while thinking about what Minato said about the night of his birth, and the image of Tobi (Madara) flashes to his head, "Could Defeating him can lead us to that hope?" Something like that.. those who get the reference to the last line .
So based off that I'd like to think a two year time skip occurs, and alot of things have taken place mainly with Naruto making a name for himself with the accomplishments that after he defeats Pain. I'd even say, by this point Naruto is the Sixth Hokage. Let's also a Five Kage Summit Arc takes place consider this the situation is hella different from the canon verse.. So what do you guys would occur in this version? and Let's also say that a Fourth Great Ninja War Arc also occurs to0, but it's not really through the same situation The war itself occurs between the 5 nations in terms of power. I'd like to know your guys thoughts on how events would occur? Where would the characters be? How would Taka/Akatsuki play a role into this verse? Ofcourse there is also the handling of the pairings? well Narusaku obviously, but how do guys the scenario playing out for those two also? with the proposed idea I came up with above?
I'd really like to know what some of your ideas would be on this little direction the series could've taken.
Agree with everything but the "Naruto is the Hokage" and "Fourth Great Ninja War" parts. Please. No wars. Even under your scenario, it's still going to lead to the same bloated and hamfisted storytelling we got in the original. This manga just isn't properly geared for a "war arc", much less one between five countries. A lot of chapters explaining stuff that should have been developed a long long time ago. Instead, I'd propose leaving the other countries alone and addressing them in a sequel manga, should there be one. Instead, the final arc should be about dealing with Sasuke once and for all. As to the hokage part, we need to see Naruto become hokage on screen and we also need to deal with the Danzo subplot.
With that out of the way, here is my idea as to how events play out under your scenario (minus the war and Hokage part). Right before the timeskip, the kage summit is held and Danzo stands in as the leaf village's representative seeing as how there is no current leaf village hokage. Eacch kage is in full agreement that Sasuke and the Akatsuki are too dangerous to be left their own devices any further and that they are all now public enemy number one. Sasuke especially, given that he is the only member that can be identified both by name and face. Henceforth, wanted posters of Sasuke will be issued through all five villages and Sasuke himself now has an insurmountable bounty attached to his head.
Seeing news of the attention Sasuke has attracted, Tobi urges Sasuke to proceed with his plans for the leaf village with caution and Sasuke ultimately agrees, acknowledging that he won't let his plans for revenge be spoiled by mere impatience. On the other hand, Naruto is besides himself about this news, realizing that it's going to be that much harder to save his friend and keep his promise to Sakura. Sakura puts on a brave front, but is tearful about Sasuke's predicament.
Two years pass and Konoha is still recovering (none of that deus ex machina wood jutsu BS from Yamato). Danzo is the Hokage and is basically ruling Konoha like a police state and assigning ninjas to a great deal of missions that are morally suspect (i.e. real ninja work, not this happy go lucky stuff you see throughout most of the series). Many ninja, particularly the genin 9 (er 7, since Sasuke is gone and Hinata is dead) do not approve of Danzo's methods, but don't feel like they have any choice in the matter.
Things aren't completely grim in Konoha, however. Naruto is now a hero and an active source of inspiration. People are really loving him. Danzo himself recognizes this and is thus willing to overlook any antics he engages in, knowing full well that any action taken against the knuckle head leaf ninja could very well spark a revolt amongst the villagers. Naruto himself has grown much stronger over the past two years. Promising to himself to never allow what happened during Pain's invasion, he trains religiously each and every day and has enhanced his skills to a new level entirely (portable and kamikaze shadow clone tactics are finally a thing . . . which they should have been a long long long time ago).
Sasuke, on the other hand, has come to be recognized as source of inspiration amongst the smaller villages Pain told Naruto about. To these villages' abundant ignorance, Sasuke and Akatsuki represent a voice against the oppressive shinobi system. Using Sasuke as a figurehead, Tobi manipulates this newfound support to his advantage, openly welcoming the funds and support these villages are willing to provide the Akatsuki.
Now based on what we have here, there are numerous ways to spearhead the plot forward, but the main plot threads I'd implement would be:
- Naruto having to come to terms on what it really means to be the Hokage. Here, much of the leaf village was destroyed during the Pain invasion and Naruto does not want that to ever happen again. In fact, he's practically become fanatical with insuring that it doesn't happen. On the other hand, he hasn't forgotten his promise to Sakura and refuses to relent upon it. He's prepared to let Sasuke make his own choices (which is what should have happened in canon the minute Sasuke was free of Orichimaru's influence), but he's not prepared to go back on his word. This is good because it puts out title character in a position of constant conflict and where there's no easy answer.
- Sakura having to come to terms on what Naruto really means to her and the depths she's willing to go to protect him. Even after two years, she still hasn't found her answer, but as she sees him follow this obsessive and destructive path, she cannot help but worry. Much like Naruto, she's also spent the last two years training her butt off and has improved dramatically (byakugou, chakra scalpel techniques, poisons and lethal virus dosages added to her arsenal).
- Sasuke is following Orochimaru's path. He's reaching a point where he's losing sight of his original goals. Just where will pure hatred lead a man?
Gotta have those three bar none! Everything else is cake.