Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its affiliates. Anything that you recognize is property of its respective owners. Any relations to persons living or dead are purely coincidental.

Base/s: Naruto

Titile: Diplomatic Relations

Summary: The Yondaime Hokage is invited to watch the Tri-Wizard Tournament. He would have politely declined, if an old friend hadn't called in a favour. The piles of paperwork it got him out of didn't exactly hurt either.

AN: Look to bottom

"Come in."

Sarutobi sighed and rose from his seat, his knees protesting as he did so. He pushed open the door leading into what had once been his office and took in the sight before him. Paperwork. Moutains and skyscrapers of paperwork. He smiled. Poor Minato.

His eyes were drawn to the figure sitting at the desk, head bowed and diligently working on something. The blonde glanced up and a smile graced his face.

"Sarutobi!" he greeted, standing and offering his hand, which the older shinobi took. "It's nice to see you again. Come to relieve me of my paperwork?"

Sarutobi chuckled and sank into a chair and the Hokages sign.

"I'm afraid not. I have to admit, I have ulterior motives." He admitted.

Minto sighed but the smile didn't leave his face.

"Who doesn't? I have council members in every five minutes complaining about something. I am this close to using the for target practice." He said, holding up a thumb and forefinger to illustrate his point.

"And that my boy , is why I stepped down and let you take over." Sarutobi said with a small grin.

"You have my eternal gratitude for that by the way."

Sarutobi snorted.

"I'm sure. Now, I have reason to believe that you recently were asked if you wished to attend something called the 'Tri-Wizard Tournamnet'?"

Minato frowned.

"I remember that. Something about diplomatic relations. I was half tempted to go, I don't like being chained to my desk."

Sarutobi nodded. He took a deep breath.

"I'm calling in a favour."

Minato looked at him in interest.

"Oh?"

"If you'll permit me, I will explain."

Minato waved a lazy hand and the older man began.

When I was younger, I was sent on a highly classified mission to the Outside."

The Outside meant just that. The world outside the Hidden Countries, which were, oddly enough, hidden.

The two were separated and almost completely cut off from one another, save for a rare few who managed to either break through, or were sent through. It wasn't common knowledge and those who did know were sworn to secrecy. The secret went beyond simple classifications, S-Class just wasn't enough.

Minato raised an eyebrow.

"Go on."

"My assignment was to make contact with a group of energy users who called themselves wizards. I'm sure you know the basics."

Minato did. He'd had no idea the amount of dirty little secrets he had inherited, wizards being one of the slightly more strange.

Sautobi sighed.

"They were in the middle of a war. Suffice to say, it wasn't the quiet diplomatic mission I had expected. Eventually, I met up with the leader of the forces opposing the so called 'Dark Lord' who was ravaging the land. We became good friends over time. I tried not to interfere as much as I could, but Albus always needed pulling out of some tough spot or another." The former Hokage lauged quietly and shook his head. "He defeated the Dark Lord, Grindelwald I remember his name was, and suddenly it was time to say our goodbyes. We tried not to fall out of contact but it was very hard with all the restriction on communication to the Outside. It got easier when I became Hokage and we kept up correspondence. I sent a special seal, to contact me if there was ever any reason he would be in danger." Sarutobi looked guilty. "I know it was against regulations, but…"

"You were young and he was your friend." Minato completed gently.

The Third chuckled.

"I was older than you."

"True."

There was a pause.

"The seal activated this morning." Sarutobi admitted. "There was an incident with the new Dark Lord's followers. Albus is… he's afraid. He is old Minato, as am I. He wishes for an alliance between Konoha and the wizarding world."

Minato was surprised.

"And why does this 'Albus' think we will help?"

Sarutobi chuckled again.

"Albus is a wily one, I'll tell you that. He told me he would make it so that we would both benefit and I'm inclined to believe him. Shinobi can't use magic. At all. I researched it."

Minato held in a snort. Of course he had. Sarutobi followed on simple rule. When in doubt, do some research.

"But, they have healing techniques that would limit the use of med-nin in the field. Basically, by mixing various ingredients together in a very specific way, they can create potions with various affects. Most are for healing but they have some very nasty poisons. And one thing I think you'll find very interesting." Sarutobi paused for effect, a little smile on his old face. "The ultimate truth serum."

Minato did find that very interesting.

"Albus sent me a little information on it. They call it Veritaserum and three drops will have a fairly strong willed man spilling his deepest secrets, should we ask. It's colorless and tasteless but devilishly tricky to brew and heavily regulated by their government." A mischievous look came over the old shinobi's face. "Luckily, Albus holds a very prominent position in said government."

Minato allowed himself a small grin. He thought he might like this 'Albus'.

The offer was very tempting.

"I don't suppose you have the files you've no doubt complied with you?" he asked.

Sarutobi reached down and produced a case that was, when he opened it, filled with neatly stacked paper.

Minato smiled.

"I'll get back to you with my decision."

Sarutobi nodded.

"Please, make you decision fast."

Minato sighed as he flopped onto the couch. His hands kneaded his temples and he relaxed his muscles.

"Minato?"

He looked up and a smile blossomed on his face when he saw his wife.

"Bad day?" she asked sympathetically.

Her husband grunted.

"If I see another form I'm going to Rasengan it."

Kushina laughed and walked behind her husband.

"I'll distract you secretary."

Minato let out a tired chuckle.

"Sarutobi came to see me today." He said as Kushina settle herself beside him.

"Oh?"

"Hmm, he wants me to do some diplomatic relations with some people he met when he was younger. I'll admit, I'm tempted. The details are classified but if we help, I think we'll get the better deal.

Kushina looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

"So," she said, drawing out the word. "What's the catch?"

"I have to go personally."

She made a face.

"How long?

He sighed.

"Technically, a year. But I won't have to be there all the time. I'll divide my time equally." He explained.

Kushina looked mollified.

"As long as you don't forget about me."

"I highly doubt that will happen." He said dryly, indicating he didn't mean it as a compliment.

She smacked him on the arm.

"Whatever, Flasher."

"Please don't call me that." He said, looking at the smirking woman.

"Poor Minato, can't even stand up to his wife."

"And here I thought girls were supposed to be nice and gentle and feminine. I wonder what ent wrong with you?" he snarked.

Her smirk widened.

"You're girly enough for both of use.

A faint look of outrage settled itself on his face.

I do not look like a girl!"

"Yes, you really do." She confirmed but her smirk faltered when one of his own met her eyes.

"Alright, maybe I do." She was so surprised he admitted it, she almost didn't notice he'd moved closer. Much closer. "But if you didn't like it, you wouldn't have married me."

She looked at him. He was leaning forward, his eyes half lidded and a crooked smirk on his lips.

She shrugged, conceding the point.

"True."

Sarutobi wrung his hands, Minato looked at him for a long moment before speaking.

"I'm going."

The former Hokage's sigh of relief was audible.

"Thank you." He said sincerely.

Minato waved it off.

"I think we'll get a good deal. I'll be taking Kakashi and Rin with me."

Sarutobi frowned.

"Shouldn't you take a protection detail? You are the Hokage and heading into a war zone."

Minato gave him a look.

"I think I can handle myself. If not, Kakashi is no slouch and Rin just passed her jonin exam.

Sarutobi conceded the point.

"So," Minato said in a businesslike voice. "When is this 'Albus' expecting us?"

Sarutobi raised an eyebrow.

"Us?"

"Of course. You didn't think I'd keep you from seeing your friend did you? If you're not adverse, I'll appoint you my temporary replacement for when I'm Outside. When I come back, you'll swap places with me. Is that agreeable to you?"

Sarutobi was surprised. He gave a happy smile.

"It certainly is."

"Good." The Hokage said, shuffling some papers. He handed a small stack to the older man. "These will make everything official. I'll hang onto these, they are your diplomatic papers and this one is an ID that will pass the wizard's scans."

Sarutobi looked vaguely impressed.

"You managed to get all this in one day?"

Minato eyed him.

"I have a very efficient secretary."

"Which one's this one?"

"The seventh."

"Ahh, keeping him then?"

"As long as he learns to only put important papers on my desk, I just might."

"Here's to hoping."

Minato chuckled.

"Be ready. We leave in three weeks."

Albus Dumbledore stood, gazing out over the hundreds of faces that filled the Great Hall. It warmed his heart to see the young people gathered in his institution, innocent and ready to learn. Well, usually ready to learn.

"This year," he began, his magically enhanced voice booming out across the vastness of the room they were in. "Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary even." He looked out at them over his spectacles and a minute smile played across his lips. "The Tri-Wizard Tournament."

Awed whispering fluttered around the student body and excitement hung in the air.

"Now, for those of you who do not know, the Tri-Wizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school, a single student is selected to compete." His gaze turned stern as he surveyed them and his words became serious. "Let me be clear. If chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say, that these contests will not be for the faint hearted." The twinkle returned to his eye and the tenseness evaporated from the air. "But more of that later. I would also like to announce that we have another very special event happening at our school."

The students broke out into muttering again. The smile got wider on the headmasters face as he spoke.

"We will be receiving, for the duration of the Tournament, some very important people. We will be entertaining the Yondaime Hokage of Konoha and his two apprentices."

Dumbledore explained in a way that his students could understand, and left out any information he wasn't sure if was allowed to share.

The whispers increased as the students speculated on who exactly they should be expecting.

"If you will allow me take up just a little more of your time," Dumbledore placated, knowing they must be getting rather hungry by now. "I'm sure you are unaware of what a great honor it is to have the Hokage himself coming to our school. Simply put, the Yondaime Hokage is the leader of an entire country and is here to open up diplomatic relations between our two peoples. I trust you will all be on your best behavior while they stay with us." He said, eyeing them beadily. He spotted Hermione Granger practically vibrating in her seat and knew, without a doubt, she would be in the library researching these mysterious people. He wished her luck, he had scoured the library himself for any mention of anything of the Hidden Countries and secreted it away under lock and key.

"And now, last, but certainly not least, I welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Moody!"

Hermione, just as Dumbledore predicted, went straight to the library. This would have been perfectly fine, had she not dragged her two best friends with her.

"But Hermione," Ron said, exasperated, "I really don't see why we should care."

Hermione huffed.

"Because I know nothing about them and I would rather not learn about them in the daily Prophet."

Harry, privately, agreed with Hermione. The Daily Prophet was not the most accurate source of facts.

So, three hours , six games of chess (all of which Harry lost) and twelve rounds of exploding snap, Hermione finally gave up.

"It's like they don't exist!" she muttered, impatiently brushing hair out of her eyes.

"Well they obviously do, since they're coming here." Harry said and received a nasty look from his friend.

"I know that. But there aer books missing. I asked Madame Pince and she said Professor Dumbledore removed some books. I'm willing to bet that he took all the books about our guests." She said, a shrewd look in here eye.

Ron raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"That's just it." The witch said, defeated. "I don't know."

Ron adopted a look of shock and awe.

"Listen up, Hermione granger just admitted she didn't know something! You heard it here first!" he nodded to an invisible audience and waved. "Thank you, I'll be here all night."

Harry laughed at the deadpan look on his redheaded friend's face. Hermione tried to look disapproving but giggles overtook her.

Harry sighed contentedly, his ribs aching. He loved this.

Hello people. First note so that nobody complains. This story is ADOPTED by MercuryPilgrim. First chapter is the same.

Next chapter will begin with my and my writing style, which is different that this. But, I am continuing this story since the original was basically discontinued.

Next chapter should be up sometime next week.

Reviews will help inspire me~