Chapter 3:

"Outta my way!" Naruto shouted rudely as he bowled over yet another vendor, knocking over his cart and breaking countless pieces of expensive porcelain. "Oops, sorry about that. By the way, the name's Hyuuga Neji. Just send the bill over to my place on Hyuuga Lane." He grinned. Later, he would have to explain to Neji as to why Neji suddenly owed 2 billion yen to various street vendors. "Oh well." He thought. "The Hyuugas are rich, they can foot the bill." Pausing to take a short breath, he finally saw the looming façade of Konoha Ninja Headquarters through the dissipating fog. The morning sun rose and rays of sunlight peeked through the mist, casting a sublime effect on the three ninjas.

"We're finally here." Sakura gasped, panting for air. They had sprinted the whole 4 miles from the bathhouse, and they arrived at last. The three walked up to the gate, guarded by two Leaf-nins.

"Show some identification." One of the guards barked, and then seeing the three, quickly changed his attitude. "Oh, Jiraiya-sama, Sakura-sama, Naruto-sensei. My apologies. The fog makes it hard to see."

"Konohamaru-san!" Naruto greeted his student happily. "So you got stuck with guarding that old hag this week, huh?" Naruto and Jiraiya were probably the only two people in Konoha who were daring, or stupid, enough to refer to the 5th Hokage that way. "So, how's your morning, Konohamaru?" Naruto was especially fond of the young Chuunin. Even though they were 8 years apart, they had remained good friends ever since Naruto became his unofficial sensei. It was only 4 years ago when Konohamaru graduated from ninja school as a Genin, and by a stroke of luck, he had been assigned to Naruto's team. Now, he had already proved his mettle by quickly rising to become one of the top Chuunins in the village. He was truly the 3rd Hokage's grandson. "How's Hanabi doing?" Naruto winked. It was only recently when Konohamaru confided to Naruto about his love for Hanabi, Hinata's younger sister.

"Huh, what?" Konohamaru blushed bright red to the tips of his ears. "Oh um, we're fine. Can we talk about this some other time?" He asked nervously, as Sakura's and Jiraiya's ears suddenly perked up.

"Yeah sure, no problem." Naruto said, and asked. "Is Tsunade up yet?"

"No, and if I were you, I wouldn't go wake her up. You know how the 5th likes to sleep in." Konohamaru warned, yawning and closing his eyes. "She'd use some of her crazy medicinal jutsu to give you a month of diarrhea if you woke her up now." When he opened his eyes, however, he found that he was speaking to empty air. "Oh well." He said, going back to his post. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Knock, knock.

"Come on, come on, gimme a 6." Tsunade thought anxiously as she rolled the die. Her notorious losing streak had left her owning a total of 10 billion ryu, and she was counting on this last gamble to earn her money back.

Knock, knock, knock.

What was that distracting noise? She gave the wooden cup a few more shakes and let it fall, trapping the die inside. Fellow gamblers and spectators crowded around to see the outcome of the roll. Was Tsunade, known as the Legendary Sucker, finally going to get lucky this time? She slowly removed the cup, and, lo behold, a six appeared!

Knock, knock, knock, knock.

She finally did it; she had finally broke even with this last gamble. "YES!" She yelled triumphantly, as she contemplated on how to re-spend her regained money. "DAYOOOO!"

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

"Open up, you old hag!" Came an all-too familiar voice from outside.

"...Huh?" Tsunade's eyes slowly opened from her dream, and she thought happily. "YES! I did it! I got my money back." Then, reality hit her, as the intensity of that incessant knocking noise increased.

"Open up already, old hag!" Naruto shouted from outside the door. "Man, what's taking her so long?" He thought.

"ARGH!" She thought angrily. "Curse that loud-mouthed Naruto." She grumbled. "I was having such a nice dream too..." She opened the door grumpily. "You three better have a good excuse to wake me this early." She warned sleepily.

"Um? Excuse me? Is this Tsunade's room?" Naruto and Sakura asked. The woman in front of them looked at least as old as Jiraiya. Jiraiya stifled a snicker as the two younger Jounins stared at Tsunade's true form in astonishment. She hadn't had time to transform in her younger form yet.

"Wow, she's gotten kinda pruney over these years." Jiraiya thought. After all those the years, even he had forgotten what Tsunade really looked like.

"Of course I'm Tsunade. What are you two, blind?" She stuck her head into Naruto's face, as he reeled back, disgusted. Tsunade then realized that she hadn't changed into her younger form yet. "Gimme me a minute." She said, and slammed the door in the younger ninjas' horrified faces. "Kage Henge No- Jutsu!" In a flash, she transformed into a busty, voluptuous blonde again. "Alright, is this better?" She appeared to look twenty again, to the relief of Sakura and Naruto.

"Tsunade-sama." Naruto addressed the medicinal expert with more respect. "I have an important matter that I need to consult you about. Hurry up and get dressed, and we'll meet you down for breakfast." He bade her goodbye, and the three left for the dining hall on the lower floor, leaving a still drowsy and bewildered Hokage behind. Tsunade went back into her room and changed into a more formal dress. She was the Hokage after all, and even if she didn't act like one, she thought with a giggle, she at least had to dress like one.

"So what exactly does Naruto want to talk to me about?" She mused, pondering the subject. "Might as well find out over breakfast. Hmm... I wonder how Saku's training is coming along. The Chuunin exam will begin in a week. I look forward to promoting him." Tsunade was extremely fond of the young Genin, widely regarded to be the most powerful rookie in Konoha. Only Hyroto, the 6-year-old daughter of Hyuuga Neji and Hinata, had enough skill to be considered an equal. She decided to drop by Naruto's house after breakfast to check on Saku. The little blonde-haired rascal was exactly like a younger version of the 4th, in looks and demeanor. "Boy, was he a handful." Tsunade chuckled, recalling memories of Yondaime as she slipped into her robe. She blinked back a suppressed tear, as she hurried downstairs to join everybody else.

Downstairs, Naruto, Sakura, and Jiraiya were already settled for breakfast. Naruto happily dug into his bowl of ramen, utterly lost in his temporary world of bliss. "Alright, gimme another bowl." He exclaimed, patting his bulging stomach. If there was one thing good about being Hokage, he decided, it would have to be the free food. Jiraiya and Sakura just stared at him as he started on his third bowl of ramen. Their plates of food were barely touched.

"Geez, how can he still manage to eat so much?" Sakura thought in astonishment. "Just half an hour ago, he was worrying about facing Sasuke, but now..." Naruto continued to wolf down ramen, as if he was eating his last meal. The sound of rapidly descending footsteps was heard, as Tsunade joined the group.

"So, what's important enough to wake me up this early?" She questioned Naruto. She was getting curious about what had fazed Naruto enough to make him want to seek her help. He looked up through a mouthful of ramen, as he began his tale. Naruto started by telling her about his recurring dreams, and then of Sasuke. At the mention of the jutsus contained in Sharingan, however, Tsunade grew alarmed.

"What?! He unlocked the secret of the Sharingan by himself..." She mused. "Hmm... his power has grown a lot since he... became a missing-Nin." A missing- Nin referred to any Ninja who abandoned their village to go out on their own. Missing-Nins were like the Sennin, with the exception that the Sennin still retained their communal ties. "At only the age of 14 too..." She thought regrettable. "Dammit Tsunade. If only you took action sooner... you were a fool to ever consider Orochimaru's proposition." Years ago, Orochimaru had asked Tsunade to cure his arms, and in return, he would revive the 1st the 4th Hokages. "God, if only I had hurried back to Konoha and became Hokage... I could have convinced Sasuke to forgo his thoughts of revenge." Although she had never met Sasuke personally, she had heard from many ninjas that he was an exceptionally strong Shinobi. She cleared her throat, and said to Naruto. "The secret jutsus of the Sharingan exist undoubtedly, but... I still don't know for sure whether your dreams are prophetic or not. But rest assured, I will not let Konoha fall to any Shinobi, be he Sasuke or not. Jiraiya, Naruto, Sakura, spread the word that there will be a mandatory meeting tonight, at headquarters. As for now, you three are dismissed." She stood up and started the walk up to her room. Just then, a fuzzy silver head popped up from behind the door, followed by a flash of mountain green.

"Wow, for once, he was early." Naruto thought. In his 8 years of knowing Kakashi, there was never a time where Kakashi was early, and this time, he had even managed to bring a friend.

"Konoha need not fear." Gai boasted arrogantly. "For the spirit of Konoha, the prideful green beast, Maito Gai, is here!" He flashed a smile, revealing his straight row of pearly white teeth.

"Huh?" Kakashi pretended to snap out of his reverie. "Did you say something?" He asked Gai, puzzled.

Tears streamed down Gai's face, as he clutched his hair. He breathed fire, as he thought furiously, "Why Kakashi! How is it that you're always so COOL?" He sniffled enviously. "You are worthy of being my rival. What I wouldn't give to have just HALF of your coolness! Kakashi! I challenge you to..."

"Yes..." Kakashi smiled, in anticipation of the ensuing battle. So far the score between them was 201-202, with Gai in the lead. Now was a chance for him to even up with Gai.

"A battle of..." Gai said.

"Skill..." Kakashi continued for him.

"...and luck..."

"As they say, with luck comes power." Kakashi smiled.

"JANKEN!" The two Jounins chanted in unison, as the spectators dropped their jaws in disbelief. Here were two of the strongest Jounins in Konoha, competing over a game of... rock, paper, scissors?! The two ninjas competed over anything, from fighting to poetry, and apparently even janken. None of the ninjas understood the rivalry between Kakashi and Gai. It lacked the mutual hatred that usual rivals held for each other; in fact, the two Shinobi seemed to enjoy the competition between them.

"Ready, Kakashi?" Gai grinned wolfishly.

"Whenever you are, Gai." Kakashi said, showing no emotion on his face.

"First... my self-imposed rule." Gai started, as Kakashi groaned. Gai had to have a rule whenever he losed, usually in some form of physical exertion. "If I lose... I will..." He stated fiercely. "... I will... eh, Kakashi, I've seem to run out of rules for myself." He smiled sheepishly.

"You can always run 500 laps around Konoha on your hands again." Kakashi said and added hopefully. "Or you can even add a twist to it. Run 500 laps around Konoha on your hands, with me on your feet."

"No free ride for you..." Gai said, as he thought of a rule for himself. "Climb Fuzuki Mountain with only pinkie fingers? Done that. 10000 one armed pushups? Boring." He yawned. "Hey Naruto!" He said to the younger Jounin. "Gimme some kind of punishment for me to do, in the unlikely chance that I should lose to Kakashi."

"Hmm..." Naruto thought. He had to make up a good one. "What one thing tires me out the most?" The answer came to him immediately, as he giggled inside evilly. "Okay Gai... if you lose... you have to... teach Saku for an entire day." Only Naruto and Sakura knew how exhausting teaching Saku could be, especially when the little guy used Kage Bunshin no-Jutsu. Then, it was impossible to keep track of him.

"Done! Hatake Kakashi!" Gai yelled. "If I, Maito Gai, should lose or even tie to you in Janken, then I will teach Uzumaki Saku for one day for each game that I lose or tie. That is my self-imposed rule!"

"Alright now... let's start." Kakashi pulled up his Shinobi forehead protector, revealing his sole Sharingan. "Hehehe..." He snickered. "The first ten games will be fun... " Gai was an amazingly blunt person. It had never occurred to him that out of all the games of Janken with Kakashi... he had lost every single one.

"...ROCK!..."

"...PAPER!.." Kakashi focused his Sharingan on Gai's hands, mimicking his exact movements. He wasn't called known as the Copy Ninja for nothing.

"...SCISSORS!..." The two opponents revealed their weapons of choice in this heated game of chance.

"WHAT! The same exact choice as me!" Gai marveled as both he and Kakashi showed scissors. "Again!" He exclaimed. The two Jounins started a brand new game.

"Heh..." Gai thought. "This time, I'll use my reverse psychology on Kakashi. Since I chose scissors, he'll think that I'm trying to trick him by choosing scissors again, so he'll choose rock, but he knows that I know that he'll choose rock, while I choose paper, so he's going to choose scissors, and I will choose rock and defeat him once and for all." His eyes burned with a fiery passion. "Prepare yourself, Kakashi!"

"...ROCK!..."

"...PAPER!.."

"...SCISSORS!..."

"I've got you this time, Kakashi." Gai thought triumphantly as he revealed a clenched fist, indicating rock. "WHAT? A-A-AGAIN?" He stuttered speechlessly as Kakashi also revealed a closed fist. "It's as if he can read my mind or something..." He muttered to himself, as he challenged Kakashi once again. "Alright, one more!"

"Wow, isn't Gai-sensei nice?" Sakura asked Naruto. "At this rate, Saku will finally be off our hands, and we can finally get to spend some time together.... alone." She winked slyly. Ever since Saku was born, Naruto and Sakura had been forced to juggle precious time around. The couple was either training their teams of three Shinobi, or taking care of Saku. Even though Saku was a powerful ninja already, he was still just a little kid, and needed a lot of time with his parents.

"WHAT?! AGAIN?" Sakura's daydreams were interrupted by Gai's cry of agony. Unsurprising, the two had tied again. "Impossible. My luck must be going against me today." He shook his head.

"Three days, Gai." Kakashi smirked. "Ready for another game?"

"I will not rest until I have defeated you, Kakashi." Gai stated fiercely. "You are my eternal rival." He flashed another confident, bright grin. The two continued the game of "chance"; frequent screams of disgust could be heard of the green-clad Jounin as he tied game after game. After the fourteenth game, however, Kakashi decided to take pity on him.

"Two weeks with Saku will shorten his life by ten years." Kakashi thought dryly, as he proceeded with the fifteenth game. He wanted to make Gai suffer a bit, but fourteen days with Saku... he thought... hell, he'd rather be locked up with a PMS-y Anko for a month--- not that he wouldn't mind, of course. "Alright Gai, I have a feeling you'll win this one." He sighed resignedly, as he purposely lost to Gai.

"DAYO!" Gai shouted triumphantly. "I have finally defeated my great rival, Kakashi." He grinned, receiving blank stares from the people gathered around the spectacle.

"Um... yeah, think whatever you want, but don't forget about the 14 days with Saku." Naruto added quickly. This was probably the first time that Kakashi had ever done something correctly, and Naruto was going to enjoy this. This break would give him time to contemplate about what to do with Sasuke, and how he was going to improve his training.

"Alright, show's over, guys. Kakashi, Gai, if you didn't know yet, there's a meeting here tonight. Spread the word to Asuma and the other Jounins. Gai, tell Shikamaru and Ibiki to assemble six extra ANBU squads and have them patrol around Konoha's perimeter. We can't risk another Akastsuki attack and we have to be careful about Sasuke." Tsunade ordered. "Naruto, Sakura, you two take the day off. Jiraiya, you're staying with me."

"Wait, Sasuke?" Kakashi asked quizzically. "What about him?" Even though Sasuke was deemed a S class criminal, Kakashi still believed that there was still some good in Sasuke. He had trained the Shinobi as his surrogate son and had even taught him the Chidori, one of Kakashi's most powerful techniques.

"You'll find out later tonight." Tsunade said. "Now, you all are dismissed... except for you Jiraiya. We still have matters to discuss."

"Alright then, I guess we'll see you tonight." Naruto bade the two Sennin farewell, as he and Sakura headed home, dragging a crestfallen Gai along with them. Kakashi chuckled at the sight as the Jounin futilely tried to resist Naruto's and Sakura's combined efforts. He slipped off quietly under the watchful eye of the 5th Hokage. After all Kakashi had left, Tsunade turned to Jiraiya with a quick nod and wink and indicated him to follow her. Jiraiya grunted knowingly, and followed her as the two chased after the younger Jounin.