Summary: Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan are finally Shinobi of the Leaf. However, Jiraiya-sensei already has a team to look after, so the Third Hokage places them under the tutelage of his teammate, Tsunade Senju. The three Orphans from Rain try and keep an open mind, but Tsunade is one hundred percent against teaching a team of 'brats'. How will the three of them cope under such a sensei?
Yahiko groaned for the umpteenth time that week. Never did he think that a Leaf-nin could be so frustrating! Jiraiya-sensei and the Third Hokage were kind, helpful, and hospitable, but their latest 'Sensei' was incorrigible! Even Konan was beginning to lose her patience with the esteemed Medic-nin, and she was the most open-minded of the three of them!
… But maybe we're getting a little ahead of ourselves. Why was Yahiko so fed up with Tsunade Senju of all people? Well, it all began when they passed the Leaf's Genin Exam…
"I am proud to announce that you have all passed with flying colors," Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, had said while radiating pride. The orphans from Rain had shown much promise, and now it was up to the Leaf to mold them into worthy Shinobi. Hiruzen glanced at each excited orphan before continuing on. "I feel that I must warn you now, however, that training will be much harsher from now on. No longer will you be fighting to save just your own life, you will be expected, as loyal Shinobi of the Leaf, to put your life on the line for your comrades and village. Can I count on you three to make that commitment?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage," the three orphans chorused, bowing as one.
Hiruzen nodded sagely and unclasped his entwined fingers. Picking up a sheet of paper, he glanced at the three newly christened Shinobi out of the corner of his eye.
"Now, regrettably, I cannot assign you to Jiraiya, who has taught you up until this point…" Hiruzen began, and watched their reactions expectantly. He was pleasantly surprised when they only seemed a little put out at that, and that they were being responsible and accepting their fate, at least, on the surface. "… But I can assign you to his teammate, Tsunade Senju. She is currently without a Genin Team, and you have met her at least once, correct?"
Hiruzen had witnessed each Genin tense when he had mentioned Jiraiya's teammate, but had relaxed when he elaborated that it was Tsunade they were being assigned to. That meant they had somewhat of a distaste for Jiraiya's other teammate, Orochimaru. Hiruzen sighed internally, knowing full well that they would have to work on that. Orochimaru wasn't the most pleasant individual, but he was a comrade, and if they ever worked alongside the Snake Sannin one day, then they would have to be ready to back him up without hesitation.
But they would work on that later. For now, they would focus on honing their Shinobi skills and teamwork.
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Yahiko spoke up. "Lady Tsunade was with Jiraiya-sensei and Orochimaru when we first met them."
Ah, Hiruzen realized at last. So Orochimaru had done or said something at that time for them to be wary of him. Hiruzen put that line of thought to the side for now, though, and continued with their debriefing.
"Very good. You will get to know Tsunade better as you train under her for the next couple of years, and she will get to know you. Train diligently and do the Land of Fire proud!"
And just before the debriefing was wrapped up, the office door slammed open forcefully, and a blonde-haired woman wearing dark blue pants, and a green haori with a gray, kimono-like blouse underneath held closed by an obi that matched the color of her pants stormed into the office with an absolutely livid expression on her face.
"Sarutobi-sensei, you can't be serious! I'm in no condition to become a Jonin Sensei!"
Hiruzen frowned at his student's sudden intrusion, and clasped his hands back together while leaning on them.
"Tsunade, becoming a Jonin Sensei will be good for you. I have let you grieve for months now, and all you have done is drown yourself in sake and gamble all your money away. You do not even take Missions anymore."
Tsunade spluttered indignantly.
"I've done my part for this hellhole! Why would I need to do anything else?!"
Hiruzen heaved a deep sigh and inclined his head to the Genin between them. Tsunade looked at the Genin as if for the first time and raised an eyebrow.
"Wait a sec. You want me to teach THESE brats? Jiraiya actually brought them back with him?"
Yahiko got a tick mark on his forehead and corrected the Slug Sannin.
"Actually, we followed him home! And don't call us brats, you hag!"
Konan was appalled at Yahiko insulting Tsunade like that, but didn't have time to chastise him. Tsunade just ignored the boy's insult.
"Whatever. I refuse the position, Sarutobi-sensei. They'll have to find some other teacher."
As Tsunade turned to leave, Hiruzen fixed her with a serious stare.
"I am afraid that this is not a request, Tsunade. This is an order. As of now, the four of you are Team Tsunade, and I will give you a week to acclimatize and get used to your team dynamic. One week from now, I will give Team Tsunade its first D-Rank Mission."
Tsunade balled up her fists angrily and stood rigid, back to Hiruzen.
"FINE, Lord Hokage. Just know that the SECOND these three have been promoted to Chunin, I am OUT OF HERE. And that is not a threat, that's a PROMISE." Tsunade paused, and sighed exasperatedly. "Come on, brats. I guess we'll go have our first team meeting."
And with that, Tsunade stormed out of the Hokage's office, Genin hesitantly following her out the door. Hiruzen rubbed his temples and sighed wearily.
I hope the three of you can convince her to stay… Nagato, Yahiko, Konan… I really do…
Though they were underage, Tsunade took the orphans from Rain to the bar that she frequented and ordered more sake than she usually did.
"Alright, brats. I'm not Jiraiya, and I have no attachment to you whatsoever, so let's just get this over with. I'm Tsunade Senju, and my likes are none of your business. I dislike snot-nosed, disrespectful brats, and super perverts. Hobbies? I guess drinking and gambling. Doesn't matter. Dreams for the future? I don't give a crap. I'm just gonna leave this place and gamble for the rest of my friggin' days and drink 'til I drop.
She said this as she looked away from them. Turning to them, Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"I don't friggin' care who goes next. Just go."
Yahiko stared at Tsunade defiantly, clenching his fists on top of the table.
"I'm Yahiko. I like Konan, Nagato, and Jiraiya-sensei, and I hope to like living here in the Leaf. I dislike old hags that are full of themselves and Hanzo the Salamander." Yahiko smirked triumphantly when he got a snort out of the Slug Sannin. "I guess my hobby's training, though I like messing with Jiraiya-sensei by mimicking him in every way. And as for dreams of the future… Well, my biggest dream is to unite the world and make it a peaceful place! … But I'm also interested in learning Kenjutsu, and want to make new friends here in the Leaf. And become a kick-butt Shinobi second only to Jiraiya-sensei!"
Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"Next." She barked.
Konan poked her pointer fingers together, looking down shyly.
"I'm Konan. I like Nagato, Yahiko, Jiraiya-sensei, and origami… Um… I don't like cruel people, like Hanzo the Salamander… My hobbies are making origami creations and training… And I hope to adjust to life here in the village and become a strong kunoichi… and see Yahiko and Nagato's peaceful world come about…"
Tsunade said nothing and turned to the redhead finally. Nagato calmly spoke up.
"I'm Nagato. I like Konan, Yahiko, Jiraiya-sensei, and peace. I… I guess I don't like cruel people either; people that crave war, too… I like to read, train, and learn more about my Rinnegan…"
Here Tsunade stopped him.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa… Back up, chief. You have the RINNEGAN? Gimme a break. That's just a superstition."
Nagato lifted up his bangs to show off his ringed eyes to his new Sensei. Tsunade still didn't buy it, but motioned for him to continue.
"… And… like Yahiko… I, too, want nothing more than to see everlasting peace. I believe Yahiko will bring peace to the world, and I want to help him achieve that dream…"
Yahiko whirled to face Nagato, who was on the other side of Konan.
"Aw, Nagato! I keep telling you that it's your Rinnegan that's gonna bring about that peaceful world! But don't get complacent, or I'll catch up to ya!" he added wily.
Tsunade's beverage arrived, and she gleefully reached for it, now that introductions were out of the way.
"Alright, that concludes today's meeting! I'll meet you all tomorrow at Training Ground 44. Now get out of here!"
The orphans couldn't have left the bar quicker. They were about as happy with their new Sensei as she was of them. Of course, Nagato and Konan wanted to give her a chance, but even they admitted she wasn't the most pleasant person to get to know.
Their first training session didn't go much better. Tsunade arrived with a massive hangover, and only taught them the bare minimum. And eventually, that became a routine. Tsunade would down bottle after bottle of sake the night before, and arrive irritably to each training session, just daring one of the 'brats' to try anything funny. Yahiko learned that the hard way after attempting to 'teach her a lesson' with a prank for the first few training sessions where she showed up half an hour late each time. He witnessed her brute strength knock down trees… TREES! He learned his lesson after the third time, though he nearly got crushed painfully every time. It was how he got his jollies out of this unfavorable situation, but she got more violent each successive time, so he stopped pressing his luck.
After the twentieth training session where Tsunade showed up with a hangover, Yahiko approached Jiraiya-sensei about Tsunade's 'habits', but Jiraiya told him to just put up with it.
"I'll try and talk to Tsunade, but don't expect anything to come from it. Tsunade can be stubborn as a mule, and she loves drinking and gambling more than anything in the world. Asking her to stop drinking is risky, but for you guys, I'll do it."
And true to his word, Jiraiya did have a talk with Tsunade. He wasn't seen again for several weeks. The orphans didn't experience results at first, but after a while, Tsunade came to training sessions just a little less irritable. She wasn't drinking as frequently. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
From that point on, the orphans did their best to get in Tsunade's good graces. It took a long, long time, but she finally started warming up. Unfortunately, the orphans weren't enough to keep Tsunade within the village walls once they were promoted to Chunin, but they were among her few precious people left alive. Even though she'd never admit it even if her life was on the line.
And in this, Yahiko took immense satisfaction in. Though he, too, would never admit that he warmed up to her as well. Both Tsunade and Yahiko were too proud, but that was just fine with Konan and Nagato. Team Tsunade had bonded, in the end.