Chapter 5: Chatting with friends, leaders, legends and gods
"You idiots! What do you think that you accomplished by abandoning the chunin exam?" Sarutobi growled.
"Midori was… is hurt," Naruto shrugged, then continued: "She would be forced to compete in the next chunin exam with some other team."
"And it's not like we didn't put any thoughts into it. If the next exams weren't in Konoha, we would probably… No scratch that, we would continue for sure, because our relations with Kumo and Iwa are… shaky at best," Saburo added.
"That is all nice, but aren't you little bit too much optimistic?" Sarutobi sighed and massaged his forehead. "The chances that Midori will be… healed, are close to none and in that case her wound would be for nothing. And you," Sarutobi hissed at Hayate, "Why did you allow them to withdraw?"
"I did not. But unfortunately everything they did during chunin exam was out of my hands. It was their decision according to exam rules," Hayate shrugged. It wasn't exactly like that, but Sarutobi didn't need to know that.
"That is true, but… It does not matter. What you did was totally idiotic and what is more, it throws away Midori's sacrifice. And for that you will be punished. Half of your pay from the next five missions will be confiscated and you can be very glad, that this won't be recorded in your personal shinobi files."
"Yes Hokage-sama!" Naruto along with Saburo nodded.
"And you Hayate will train them for the exam here in Konoha and let me tell you, if you do something similarly idiotic you will not like the consequences! You are dismissed!"
"Yes Hokage-sama!"
…
"Excuse me, in which room can we find Midori? She was admitted about two hours ago?" Naruto asked.
"Third floor, room number three hundred and two. But it is possible that you will have to wait if she is still undergoing treatment," the receptionist answered.
"Thanks."
"Do you think she will be alright?" Saburo asked, when they climbed the stairs.
"If she doesn't get her foot back, then not."
"You don't know that," Hayate objected weakly.
"It doesn't matter. We will know the verdict in a moment," Naruto sighed and knocked on the door of Midori's room.
Shuffling of feet could be heard and then elderly women wearing a white coat entered the hallway.
"You are Midori's teammates I presume?" she asked and measured them with her gaze. However when her eyes settled on Naruto her expression turned into the one of revulsion.
"Yes," Hayate nodded. "How is she doing?"
"She will live," the medic snapped then added: "but her leg is lost case, her shinobi career is over. You will have to wait before visiting her." Then she turned to leave, but Naruto have had enough. His hand shot out and grasped her robe under her neck and with growl he pushed her against the hallway wall while rising his hand to placate his sensei, then growled: "Listen bitch, I understand that you hate me for what happened thirteen years ago. Even though it wasn't me, still I am willing to ignore your hostility. But I will not tolerate your childish revenge to affect my teammates. So you will start again, from the start and tell us everything even the most improbable way how to save her leg. Especially the reason why her severed feet, which we handed to you in sealing scroll, cannot be used. Is it clear?"
"Yes!" the woman gasped.
"Good!" Naruto released her, then added: "Now speak!"
"Um… it's like this," The medic started hesitantly. "You saved her life when you severed the feet, there is no doubt about that. So we cleaned and disinfected rest of her leg and took care of her blood loos. Then we unsealed her feet which was around ten minutes ago, but unfortunately the decomposition of the poison already entered the second stage in which its extraction is practically impossible," she explained.
"I don't understand, we sealed the feet immediately after the amputation and that was like five minutes after the poison entered her system at most. It decomposes so quickly?" Saburo frowned.
"No," the medic shook her head. "What you need to realize is that the sealing scroll you used wasn't designed to store organs for medical purposes. In the subspace of this sealing scroll time still passes - severely slowed but still moving. I would hazard to guess that from the moment you sealed the feet passed in reality about three to four hours, which is in the case of used poison enough to make its extraction impossible. You would need to use special sealing scroll used for organ storage to prevent this."
"Fuck it!" Naruto growled. "Before you said that it is almost impossible to extract, so is it just really hard or really impossible?"
"Look, it is possible. I even saw it done once, but the problem is that, that probably the only person who can do it is Tsunade of the Sannin, which does not anymore work as medic."
"Isn't possible to use feet from someone else?" Saburo asked.
"No. That is possible only with patients with underdeveloped chakra network. You would need to find someone who besides standard criteria meets even her elemental nature combination. And because her combination is very rare…"
"We understand. So basically only option is to find Tsunade," Naruto asked.
"Yes but…"
"Then seal Midori's feet into proper sealing scroll."
"You don't understand, Tsunade will not help you, even if you find her," the medic argued.
"Maybe, but let us worry about that. You seal that feet, if it is matter of cost, I will pay for that scroll," Naruto waved his hand.
"It's not that," the woman said, then sighed. "Ok, I will do it."
"Good. Can we visit her?"
"Later, she is sleeping right now."
…
"That was little bit too harsh, don't you think?" Hayate scolded Naruto, when they left hospital building.
Naruto looked at Hayate for a moment, then sighed. "I know, but if it means to save Midori's feet…" he shrugged.
"What was that all about?" Saburo asked in confusion.
Naruto paused and looked at Hayate, who shrugged slightly.
Naruto took a deep breath and asked Saburo: "Do you know what jinchuriki is?"
"Yeah sure, it was briefly explained in academy. It is someone who has demon sealed inside them, right?"
"Yes. Do you know what demons are sealed inside them?" Naruto continued.
"You mean the tailed beasts?" Saburo frowned slightly.
"Right again. So everything will be clear to you if I say, that I am the jinchuriki of the Kyubi."
Saburo stared. Then paled. "But that is not possible! Yondaime Hokage killed it!"
"That is just what the youngest generation thinks. But it quite common knowledge that tailed beasts cannot be killed. If you kill them, then they just resurface somewhere else. So only permanent way how to deal with them is to seal them."
"But… but…" Saburo tried to find some excuse.
"It doesn't really matter Saburo, I accepted it. The question is if you can accept it?"
"What do you mean?" Saburo frowned.
"Almost whole village hates me because of it…" Naruto shrugged.
"So that's the reason? Bun why would they? It wasn't you who attacked the village."
"I am glad that you see it the same way as I," Naruto smiled and internally let out huge breath of relief.
"So she – I mean that medic – was so snappy because of what you contain?"
"Yes. And by her age I would guess that there is good chance that thirteen years ago she lost someone - husband, sibling or her child. So I kind of understand her… bitterness… But it is still irritating." Naruto explained.
"That's pretty stupid," Saburo murmured.
"Yeah, tell me about it."
"Ok you two. What do you want to do regarding Midori?"
"Find Tsunade?" Saburo offered smartly.
"And you think that Hokage will allow you to search for her? And don't you dare think about running from the village! That would get you into real deep shit hole!" Hayate hissed.
"There isn't much to decide then," Naruto shrugged. Let's visit Sarutobi again and ask him for permission."
"Let's wait till tomorrow, it's not like we really need to hurry. And Sarutobi will hopefully be in better mood by that time," Hayate halted them. "So let's meet tomorrow around ten before Hokage tower."
"Ok."
…
Naruto ascended the staircase towards his apartment and with sigh discovered that it was thrashed. He carefully pushed the door inside and entered. The few pieces of furniture he had, were broken. Plates and glasses too. Bedroom was in similar state of mess. His bed and mattress were in particularly bad shapes. Both utterly unusable. Naruto opened his dresser and gathered everything still usable. It was fortunate that he packed almost all his equipment with himself during chunin exams.
When Naruto was done, he crouched and lifted the free board. He pulled out a few scrolls and some notebooks and packed everything. After that he checked the whole apartment once more, then left. Trying to fix it was out of question, if there was a chance that they would leave in few days to search for Tsunade.
He had two options. The first was to ask Shikamaru and by extension the Nara clan for place to stay during the night. But he didn't really like that idea. Firstly he would owe a favor to a prominent clan of Konoha, which in itself was troublesome. Secondly, he would have to explain his situation and that meant practically to go and ask Hokage for help, which left Naruto with strong distaste. So he headed towards the option number two.
…
Naruto entered Anko's apartment through window. He already knew that Anko wasn't home thanks to his ability. And what is more, her shift should end in about an hour or so. Naruto dropped his things and little bit of a grocery on the table and started to prepare a dinner as apology for intruding without invitation. He was just finishing when he sensed familiar chakra approaching.
"What are you doing here Foxy?" Anko asked when she entered.
"Um... Hi. Sorry for entering without permission. I prepared some dinner if you haven't eaten already," Naruto offered.
"I had a little bit of dango on the way home, but I will take some. Thanks," Anko nodded and dropped her coat, then added: "So, will you tell me what the opportunity is?"
"Sure," Naruto placed two servings on the table and sat down, then proceeded to explain the situation with chunin exam and his apartment.
"Similar thing happened to me too, though it is already some time," Anko nodded when he finished.
"How did you stopped it from happening?"
"I beat them, but I would not recommend you to do so just yet. You are little bit too young for that. I would wait until you are chunin. Shinobi council will take you more seriously if someone would choose to press charges."
"I see," Naruto sighed.
"If you haven't withdrawn from chunin exams, you wouldn't have had this problem right now," Anko shrugged.
"You too think, that it was stupid thing to do, don't you?" Naruto muttered in annoyance.
"Yes. Not because revenge is bad or something like that, I couldn't care less about that. However if you plan to take revenge on everyone who wronged you or your friends, you won't be doing anything else for the rest of your life."
"You are speaking like you experienced it yourself," Naruto raised his eyebrows.
"Yes. What do you think I would like to do to Orochimaru?" Anko snorted sarcastically. "I will take my revenge if opportunity presents itself, but otherwise I let it go. Because I could probably hunt him for two decades and not find him. Or I would and he would utterly destroy me."
"I understand," Naruto nodded.
"Don't beat yourself too much about what happened. You are still learning and what is more you saved Midori's leg. You yourself said that they would not reseal it without your urging," Anko noted.
"That's true but we still have to find Tsunade. And the medic was very sceptic for her to help us even if we found her. I didn't really understand her," Naruto frowned.
"I might know, what the problem is," Anko said slowly. "I am not sure it is true, but there are circulating rumors that she suffers from hemophobia."
"You mean the fear of blood?" Naruto asked incredulously.
"Yes. But again, take it with reserve."
"Ok, thanks. If Hokage don't allow us to search for Tsunade, I will start to look for some new accommodation. I think that the location of my current one is little bit too much well known."
"If I were you, I would try some building dedicated only to shinobi. There is several of them in Konoha. But be careful, shinobi unlike the civilians could attack you even now. That too would be a lesser problem if you would be chunin already," Anko smirked.
"I get it, jeez," Naruto rolled his eyes and finished his dinner.
Anko's smirk only got bigger. She got up, put her plate into the sink and then pulled Naruto onto his feet.
"What's up?" Naruto asked.
"I need a shower and massage and you are going to help me, so stop sulking," Anko ordered and dragged him into the bathroom."
"Ok," Naruto smiled.
…
"So, let me get it straight. You want me to allow you to go looking for Tsunade so she can heal your teammate?" Sarutobi asked with frown. It was interesting proposition. He tried already countless times to get Tsunade back to Konoha. The problem was, that to the only person who seemed able to find her – Jiraya – Tsunade was practically allergic. So this was good opportunity to try once again. On the other hand he shouldn't be too enthusiastic about it.
"Yes," Naruto confirmed.
"Why should I do that?" Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, hands clasped under his chin.
"To help your subordinate?" Saburo tried.
"There are always wounded shinobi. Why should I favor Midori?" Sarutobi waved his hand impatiently.
"There were similar cases before?" Saburo frowned.
"Yes. In reality every year there is at least few cases in which Tsunade's help could save a career of one of our shinobi. Unfortunately Tsunade is no longer my subordinate, she left shinobi corps so I cannot order her to return."
"If I may Hokage-sama," Hayate started. "I can vouch for Midori in terms of skill. She is the best genin kunoichi I saw in last six, seven years and what is more she has already skill well worth the chunin vest. What happened in Suna was just freaking accident. I think that it just confirms her worth if she survived it..."
"I am well aware of what happened and how improbable that was. But that is shinobi life," Sarutobi interrupted.
"What about her elemental affinities?" Naruto offered.
"What about them?" Sarutobi frowned.
"She has fire-water combination, Hokage-sama. There is chance that she has a bloodline," Hayate answered.
"Why wasn't I informed about this?"
"I recommended her to finish her training with fire and water, before asking you to let her search steam ninjutsu in archives."
"I see..." Sarutobi frowned. "Ok, I will allow you this trip of yours. However, I will send someone with you. I don't think that you would be able to find her on your own. Go train, when the person arrives, I will send someone for you. It could take few days. You are dismissed."
"Yes Hokage-sama."
…
"Hi Teuchi," Naruto greeted.
"Hello Naruto. I heard you went to Suna for chunin exam?" Teuchi smiled.
"Yeah. But it didn't go too well. I will have two pork ramens," Naruto shrugged.
"Right away! And don't be too upset, I am sure that next time it will go better," Teuchi disappeared in the kitchen. In the next moment Ayame appeared with two servings of pork ramen.
"Here you go Naruto," she smiled.
"Thanks Ayame," Naruto nodded with snap of chopsticks, then proceeded to devour the food.
"You know, eating this fast isn't healthy." Naruto heard familiar voice behind him.
"Hi Shika. So my clone found you?"
"Yeah. You could come to my home, you know. The walk here is troublesome," Skikamaru muttered and sat onto the stool next to Naruto, who just rolled his eyes.
"I heard what happened to your teammate. Nasty business that," Shikamaru murmured, then turned towards Ayame and ordered miso ramen.
"Yeah," Naruto shrugged, it was becoming kind of annoying to tell the truth.
"Asuma, my team sensei said that he will consider entering us into chunin exams..."
Naruto choked. When he managed to calm down, he asked incredulously: "Already?"
"Right. I think that it is too soon too." Shikamaru agreed while poking his ramen.
"And what about your teammates? Are they at least good?"
"Chouji is good and by that I mean average. He isn't bad neither too good. Unfortunately Ino is simply bad. She puts more effort into her makeup then training. Only thing she can do is her family possession jutsu, which is woefully easy to dodge. And what is worse she wants to enter the exams. She really thinks that she is really good kunoichi," Shika explained, frustration lacing his voice.
"You don't have to enter you know. Asuma needs your agreement," Naruto offered.
"I know that, but I figured that if I agree and we get crushed, Ino could come to her senses. But that would require us to pass into second stage, because first is knowledge test. And could be dangerous, when killing is allowed."
"It is always the same test?" Naruto asked in surprise.
"Yeah. When Asuma told us about it, I went to library and also asked several older clan members. First part is always some kind of knowledge-intelligence-cunning test. Second is fight between all teams, the only thing which changes is the area, where it is conducted. Then finals and before that there can be preliminaries if too much teams advances," Shikamaru explained.
"Suna had the same thing," Naruto nodded, then added: "You still have half a year to prepare. And it would be good thing to find out where will be the second portion held so we could scout it ahead of time."
Shikamaru nodded, while slurping on his noodles.
"I would help you, but we are leaving on another mission. Probably tomorrow, but it could be even today or the day after tomorrow," Naruto apologized.
"Doesn't matter. It's still too far away. Preparation didn't even start. I would bet that it wasn't even decided yet," Shikamaru shook his head.
"That's true..."
…
"So what are you going to train during this half year?" asked Hayate, his team or more precisely two thirds of his team.
"Taijutsu and some advanced earth ninjutsu, maybe some chakra control," shrugged Saburo.
"Swordsmanship, chakra control, few earth ninjutsu – like that stone skin thing and most importantly wind affinity. I think three months should be enough, so I should have plenty of time to master it before next chunin exams," Naruto added.
"Good, then let's start," Hayate ordered sharply.
…
"Again Naruto! That last parry was sloppy!" yelled Hayate.
Without a word Naruto repeated the motion.
"That's better. I want you to do it at least twenty times. Count aloud! Every time you fuck it up you will start from start! I will be watching you!" Hayate ordered.
"Yes sensei!"
"I don't hear the counting!"
"One, two, three..."
"Do not shorten the movement. Again from the start!"
Naruto clenched his jaw and did as ordered. Sometimes he really wanted to kick Hayate's ass. It was in that moment he sensed someone approaching.
"Someone is coming," he informed Hayate. Moment later an ANBU appeared.
"What do you need Kame?" Hayate asked.
"You and your team except Midori are summoned before Hokage," the ANBU said.
"Understood, we will be there shortly..."
…
"Hi," Naruto greeted Midori. She looked much better already. He told her.
"Hello Naruto and thanks," she smiled.
"I brought some food. I would bet that the things you get here even a dog wouldn't eat," he smirked.
Midori rolled her eyes, but accepted the package without protests.
"Thanks again."
"I came also to tell that we are going on mission, so we won't be able to visit you," Naruto said carefully.
"Already?" Midori asked in surprise, but when she met Naruto's eyes, she looked away. So he hastily explained the situation: "It's not really a mission. We will be trying to find Tsunade of the Sannin so she could fix your leg. We already have Hokage's permission and are scheduled to leave in two hours."
Midori looked at him with surprise and hope in her eyes.
"Yes it is true Midori, but there is still chance that we won't find her or that she refuses to help you. So…" he shrugged with apologetic expression.
"I understand," Midori sighed.
"And there is one more thing you should know," Naruto started hesitantly.
"What is it?"
"The reason no one likes me."
"Oh, so you already know the reason?" she raised her right eyebrow.
"Yeah... You know what jinchuriki is?"
"Hmm... I believe so, yes," Midori nodded.
"I am jinchuriki of the Kyubi." Midori stared. Naruto stared in return.
"You serious?" Midori whispered.
"Yes."
Midori was silent for a moment, then abruptly asked: "You should have a seal somewhere then, right?"
"Yeah," Naruto nodded slowly.
"Show me!"
"Ok." Naruto lifted his shirt and channeled chakra into his belly, which made the ridiculously complex seal visible.
"That's pretty big seal," Midori commented.
"Yeah."
"…"
Naruto sighed. "I should probably go..."
"Don't be stupid," Midori snapped with roll of her eyes. "You need to peel these two oranges you brought me! I am patient! I need a service here!"
Naruto smiled. "Of course my princess!"
"Do you want me to beat ya?" Midori hissed.
…
"Where are you going?" Izumo asked Naruto, when he neared the Konoha's gate.
"Mission. We have a meeting here in about... fifteen minutes," he shrugged.
"So you are the early arriver type, huh," Kotetsu smirked at him.
Naruto snorted. "Maybe."
"So what is the mission about?" Kotetsu inquired, then added: "And is that your teammate?" he pointed behind Naruto's back.
"Yeah, that's Saburo and we have to find someone. Nothing extraordinary."
"Hello guys," nodded Saburo, then asked: "Sensei isn't here yet? And what about that other person who should accompany us?"
"No, they didn't arri... Oh scratch that, look there, I think that that is sensei and someone is accompanying him," Naruto alerted them.
"Holy fuck! That's Jiraya of the Sannin!" Kotetsu exclaimed. "How come genins like you are going on mission with him?" Naruto froze. Yeah, Kotetsu was right. That was the man he saw in his stolen memories. And the enormous chakra he felt was another unmistakable pointer towards the man's identity. However Naruto still had more of it, but unlike the Sannin he actively and quite significantly suppressed it. It was just another method of training his chakra control. He supposed that Jiraya could do the same thing, but Naruto for some reason doubted, that he would bother to do it continuously.
"So, those are your brats Hayate?" Jiraya measured them with unreadable expression.
"Yes, Jiraya-sama."
"I hope they will not slow us down," the white haired man smirked at them, then added: "Let's go. We have lot of work ahead of us!"
…
Naruto for once didn't lead. Actually, he closed their little group and was currently trying to burn a hole in Jiraya's back with his gaze. For very specific reason he didn't want to have that man behind him. Naruto sighed, then forcefully brought his concentration back to his wind chakra training. He channeled his wind chakra and tried to split the piece of paper in his hand. There was quite rustle. He managed to split little bit more than half of it.
"So brats," Jiraya said then. "Finding Tsunade isn't easy, so it could take us some time, by which I mean a few months," he warned.
"That's ok as long as we return few weeks before chunin exam," Naruto responded.
"Good to know, I suppose," Jiraya nodded. "But what I wanted to say is that you should regard this as training trip so you don't waste time."
"You don't have to worry about that," snorted Hayate. "My little students train very… systematically and if by some chance they will think that they can laze around I will kick their asses."
"Hoho! That's a morale!" Jiraya laughed, then smirked at them: "If you impress me I will even show you few advanced techniques for your affinities."
"Where are we going?" asked Saburo stoically.
"Just following Tsunade's last trail. If we are lucky then I suppose we could find her in few week and if not..."
"Few months," finished Naruto with another rustle.
"Right," Jiraya smirked with look at Naruto. "What are you doing?"
"Elemental affinity training," shrugged Naruto.
"Huh, already," he turned towards Hayate.
"It was standard during my time as a genin," Hayate reacted. "Last several batches of genins were completely pathetic you know. I wanted many times to just go and yell at the academy and the jonins responsible for the teams for fucking it up, but then I thought that I should try it myself first. So I took on a team and trained them the same way I was thought."
"Impressive," Jiraya nodded.
"Not really. I just didn't regard my position of team leader as personal holidays."
…
Naruto shot up from his bed and reflexively pressed himself against the wall. Kunai clenched in hand so tightly that his knuckles whitened. Muscles tense. Heart beating as if it wanted to tore itself from his chest. Breath held. When for several long minutes nothing moved. He took a carful breath, slipped from his shirt and wiped with it the rivulets of sweat from his upper body.
It was already third time that he woke up from the nightmare since the start of their search mission, which was quite more often than before. Naruto assumed that it was due to fact that he had to spent time in Jiraya's proximity. Which pissed him off, because he thought, that he was getting slowly better with the whole situation. As it turned out, he was not.
Naruto sighed and took deep breath, then returned to his bed. Hopefully he would manage to fall asleep again.
…
It didn't took long and all members of their little group took on a very simple schedule. During the travels they would train mainly chakra control, then they would camp few hours before dusk and for the rest of the day focused on more demanding types of skills. Jiraya during those times usually disappeared somewhere. This pattern would be disrupted only when the day stopped at some village or city to gather information and resupply.
And it was during such stop where Naruto with incredulity discovered that Jiraya would most of the time disappeared to visit hot springs or baths to peek on naked women, which very quickly became an inside joke between Naruto and Saburo, when they started calling Jiraya – to his immense displeasure – Tom.
…
"You know, if you used your free time for tracking Tsunade, instead of peeping, we could be already back in Konoha. It has been already three weeks," Naruto said to Jiraya's back. "And it seems that you are out of luck. I don't see any hole you can use," he smirked.
"Firstly, if I focused all my time on work I would go very soon mad and secondly," Jiraya smirked evilly. "I create my own luck," he said and proceeded to create on tip of his index finger small rotating sphere of compressed chakra and drill small hole into the wooden fence.
Naruto stared. His inner chakra-control-hungry-half demanded to own that technique.
"What was that technique?" he asked.
"Rasengan," Jiraya answered absentmindedly. Naruto frowned, he heard that name somewhere, but couldn't recall where. He shrugged.
"I would like to see it once more," he asked.
Jiraya snorted. "You are like one hundred years too soon to learn this thing."
"I didn't said I wanted to learn it. I have enough to do. I just wants to see it once more," Naruto shrugged.
"Hmm, I suppose I can show you, but you will leave me to my research afterwards," Jiraya said impatiently.
"Yes, but do the creation part slowly," Naruto agreed.
"Yeah, yeah," muttered Jiraya and stood up from his crouching position, then added: "Watch closely." Then proceeded to repeat the technique, only difference was that he used his whole palm.
"See, just like that," Jiraya said when he was finished. "I would show you how powerful it is, but that would do lot of commotion, so…" he trailed off and let the technique disperse, then added: "Now go train or something."
On the outside Naruto only rolled his eyes, but in reality he was already planning to learn that technique. His fingers moving absentmindedly. "I will give you one hundred years early," he muttered darkly, when he was few hundred meters away.
…
It took Naruto three days to successfully crate and most importantly maintain his first rasengan. It was a weak one for sure, but that didn't decrease Naruto's satisfaction one bit. He put into chakra control so much more effort than into other skills that it wasn't even funny. And besides his detection technique, this was for him the first real reward which he could actually hold in his own hands.
"Fuck you Jiraya!" Naruto whispered and added little bit more speed into said technique, which resulted into quite whistling sound in the bottom of a noise spectrum. Naruto very quickly realized that if you wanted more powerful rasengan you had to increase the speed of the rotation. However that led to the increase of rasengan's sphere, which required to apply chakra control into compression. So all in all one had to maintain shape, rotation and compression at the same tame.
Naruto frowned and with concentration forced the rasengan's size little bit down. In turn it started to wobble as the excess energy wanted to escape, but after a moment of struggle, Naruto managed to stabilize it. He maintained it for a few minutes, then let it slowly and carefully disperse.
Normally he would start again from the start, but he sensed that Jiraya would enter their temporary hotel room in a moment so he pretended to sleep. In the next moment Jiraya entered and wobbled his way towards his futon while dropping his backpack, jacket and sandals. Five minutes after that he was snoring.
Naruto sighed and decided that it would be probably better to visit his bed too, but in that moment he got an idea. He turned and picked up Jiraya's backpack. Naruto wasn't blind, so he noticed that Jiraya besides peeping was also gathering information and not only about Tsunade.
He opened the backpack and pulled out half-full folder and opened it. At the top were some information on elemental nations and their prominent figures and their families. Then there was some leads on several A and S ranked missing-nins to which Naruto didn't paid much attention. After that there was several papers on political situation, which Naruto again skipped.
"Finally," Naruto muttered when he saw file with Tsunades' name. Actually it was several files, but there wasn't really lot to read. Naruto found Tsunade's full name, her parents and grandparents. He found out her elemental affinity, which was lightning. Next followed very brief summary of Tsunade's skills from which besides the confirmation that she was a top notch medic also mentioned specialization in taijutsu, which was supported by her strength increasing technique. Last information was about some amulet she wore with priceless value. There was also note which stated: "Sentimental value." There wasn't anything about hemophobia, but who would write something like that on paper. Especially about their own teammate. The rest of the information was compared to that – if it was confirmed – harmless. The rest was just a list of locations she visited in last few years.
Naruto checked Jiraya and put Tsunade's files back in order and picked up the last few files. It was information on several other figures. Naruto only recognized few of them: Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane. And that was only because everyone in Konoha knew members of the shinobi council, then there was list of suspected jinchurikis belonging to other nations. There wasn't really that much. Only confirmed one was some shinobi nicknamed Killer-B from Kumo. It seemed that their identities were very carefully protected secrets.
Naruto was about to drop the last file about some group called Akatsuki, when something caught his attention. He looked at it more carefully and there it was, the word jinchuriki written down in the middle of the page. And being one himself, Naruto naturally wanted to know more. So he read:
Subject: Akatsuki.
Description: Group of S-ranked missing-nins. The number of members – unknown.
Leader: Unknown.
Their purpose: Unknown possibility - capture of all tailed beasts?
Member uniform: Black cloak with read clouds.
Possible (suspected) members: Kisame Hoshigaki, S-rank, Kiri missing-nin
Deidara, S-rank, Iwa missing-nin
Itachi Uchiha, S-rank, Konoha missing-nin
Orochimaru, S-rank, Konoha missing-nin
Possibly captured jinchurikis: none
Encounters: Indications that Iwa's jinchurikis were attacked but managed to escape.
"What the hell?" Naruto thought. Some organization filled with the most badass shinobi in all elemental nations was after him? And why the hell wasn't he informed about it. "Fucking…" Naruto paused, grabbed the folder and sneaked outside. He needed to calm down and that was hard to do if he had to be quite.
…
"Why aren't you outside and training?" Jiraya asked Naruto, when he finally got up, then with yawn dropped onto a chair next to a table with some breakfast.
"Waiting for you," Naruto looked at him with unreadable expression.
Jiraya raised his eyes for a moment and met his gaze, then without reaction poured into one of the cups generous dose of coffee. Only when he swallowed first bit of the black liquid he asked: "Why is that? And what is with that expression?"
"We need to talk about this," Naruto said and dropped on the table the Akatsuki file. Jiraya looked at it at sprayed his third gulp all over it.
"Where did you f..."
"Your backpack," Naruto interrupted him. "When you returned drunk yesterday, I figured that I could look for some information on Tsunade. Nothing more. But you can imagine my surprise when I found this," Naruto snapped sarcastically.
Jiraya winced. "How did you even know, that I had something like this?" he asked.
"I am not blind you know. I noticed what you are occasionally – between your peeping – doing. And stop trying to change topic. Why wasn't I informed?" Naruto pressed.
Jiraya sighed but answered: "Mainly because until recently you didn't know what you contain. And we planned to tell you, most probably after the chunin exams in Konoha. We didn't and still do not think that Akatsuki would dare to try something against the most powerful elemental nation."
Naruto snorted. "The most powerful?" he repeated skeptically. "That was true maybe when we had Uchiha clan and Namikaze Minato."
"Oh?" Jiraya raised his eyebrows. "And who is according to you most powerful?" he asked.
"Kumo. They have two jinchurikis and according to your files they can utilize the demon's powers. Also their Raikage is pretty scary."
"That's true I suppose," Jiraya nodded with unreadable expression. There was something that seemed weird. Something that just barely was escaping him. Oh well, he would figure it later.
"You should go training now," Jiraya reminded him. "Or is there anything else?"
"Not really, but when we are already talking, is there something I should know? Be it about what I contain or other things, which I should know?" Naruto asked, his eyes measuring Jiraya.
Jiraya looked at him sharply, then turned to side, guilt twisting his face in frown.
"There is isn't there?" Naruto leaned forward. "What is it?" he pressed.
"I cannot tell you. The decision to tell you belongs to Hokage," Jiraya squirmed uncomfortably.
"So tell me at least what is it about?" Naruto tried again, feeling that he could get something.
Jiraya looked at him again in concentration, when suddenly his face relaxed a bit, then he said: "We know who your parents were." Naruto blinked. Then again. He certainly did not expect that, so he voiced his confusion.
"But I don't understand why should my parentage be such a secret?" he frowned.
"I cannot tell you," Jiraya refused to tell anything more. Which only increased Naruto's suspicion. The only reason to make it this important information was that his parents or at least one of them was someone important. That meant... that meant that he could be relative of some important clan. Or Hokage? Hell, it could be anyone really, there was too much possibilities. Naruto sighed. It didn't really matter, they were dead anyhow. Or...
"Are they dead?" Naruto asked.
Jiraya raised his head momentarily, but then nodded. "Sorry, but yes. They died during the Kyubi's attack," he confirmed.
Naruto nodded. "Ok, see you later," he stood up and left the hotel room.
…
They traveled already almost two months when Jiraya finally informed them that he had solid lead on Tsunade's whereabouts. So they packed their camp and quickly continued on their way. By the time the day turned into dusk, they arrived in midsized city called Kitakata. Instead of searching for lodgings as usual, Jiraya headed directly into the casino district, occasionally stopping in suspiciously looking establishments.
"I hope we find Tsunade quickly," Saburo grumbled. "My legs are killing me. We had to cross this town from one side to the other at least three times already."
"Agreed, but if Tsunade actually is in this city, it can't took much longer." Naruto added.
"You whine too much. I think that as next thing we will be working on yours stamina," Hayate smirked at them.
"Nice try sensei, but we know you already. You want to sit just as much as we," Naruto chuckled with roll of his eyes.
"You became insolent way too fast. I really miss the times you shivered whenever I looked at one of you," Hayate sighed.
"Don't know what you are talking about sensei. Aren't you mistaking as with your last team?" Saburo asked in played confusion.
"You are my first team brats," Hayate reacted.
"That makes it even worse," Naruto added and shared with Saburo worried look. And just barely managed to dodge the incoming smack aimed at his head.
"Don't push it you two," Hayate massaged his temples with growl. Naruto snickered, but did not say anything. And just then Jiraya emerged from the building.
"Any luck?" Saburo asked impatiently.
"Yes I thing that the next stop could be final," Jiraya smirked triumphantly.
"It's about time. But still, it's impressive that Tsunade can be so sneaky," Naruto commented.
Jiraya chuckled to that and said: "No it's not. In Tsunade's case it is simple requirement. She owes so much money to Yakuza that she has to hide. She is probably the worst poker player in all elemental nations."
"That's just simply..."
"Pathetic," finished Naruto for Saburo.
"Yeah but do not tell that to me," Jiraya shrugged then added: "We are here."
"It looks like some tavern," Saburo stated the obvious.
"Yes, follow me," instructed Jiraya and entered. There wasn't too much light but Jiraya didn't seem to care and headed for one of the tables. "Hello Tsunade," Jiraya smirked at the blonde woman winningly.
"This is Tsunade? Isn't she little bit too young? I thought that she was your teammate?" Naruto commented.
"She is and she is as old as me, but has some real advanced genjutsu on herself," Jiraya smirked.
Said woman raised her head and with annoyed glance muttered: "What do you want Jiraya. I thought that you finally decided to stop bothering me?"
"I did, but it is not me who has business with you, but the team here with me. I just helped them to find you," Jiraya grinned and sat on one of the chairs. "By the way hello Shizune," he greeted the small woman next Tsunade.
"Hello Jiraya-sama," she nodded.
Tsunade then turned her gaze on the rest of newcomers and asked: "Huh? And what do they want?"
"Just to heal our teammate. She has been severely wounded and needs medic of your skill to fix her up," Naruto explained while he took another chair. But it appeared that he shouldn't said that, because Tsunade's face turned ugly.
"Not a chance. I will not help you. Now you have your answer and can go fuck of to where you came from," she hissed.
"Why not? You are the only person who can do it," Saburo asked stubbornly, when he managed to close his mouth. He didn't expect Tsunade to be like this.
"If they cannot help her in Konoha, what in the seventh hell gave you the idea that I could?" Tsunade sneered and took a swig from her sake bottle.
"We were told so by Inushua," Hayate entered the conversation for the first time.
"Oh? So the old hag is still alive?" chuckled Tsunade, but paradoxically it seemed to lift her mood a little, because she asked: "So what happened to your teammate?"
"Poisoned with deadly and incurable poison. We managed to save her by severing her left feet, which we sealed. Unfortunately we had just an ordinary sealing scroll so the poison managed to enter the second stage of decomposition. And that is according to Inushua really hard to fix. So after some pressure she pointed us in your direction," Hayate answered.
"I see. Do you know what poison was it?" Tsunade continued.
"I believe that the name was Kiss of the crimson lotus," Hayate added with frown. Tsunade whistled.
"What idiot would use something like that?" she asked incredulously.
"Some Kusa genin in chunin exam," Saburo said sourly.
Tsunade snorted and shook her head, but didn't said anything.
"So, will you heal her?" asked Naruto.
"No," she met his eyes. "I don't work as medic anymore..."
"But just this once..."
"If I helped everyone who need help just this once, I wouldn't do anything else," Tsunade snapped at Saburo.
"Is this your final decision?" asked Naruto, his face blank.
"Yes," answered Tsunade, then after a moment added: "Sorry."
"Ok," Naruto said.
"Huh? Just like this?" Saburo growled. "We need to convince her to help Midori!"
"Yes, but we can do that tomorrow," shrugged Naruto. "I am dead tired right now. Let's go find some hotel."
"Good idea," nodded Hayate, stood and towards Tsunade and Jiraya added: "We will see you two tomorrow, I suppose you have some things to discuss. Good night."
…
Naruto did not go to sleep. He wasn't really that much tired thanks to Kyubi and even thought he would not object to sleep, he did not need it as much as his companions. Instead he thought about ways how to force Tsunade to help Midori. Yes, force her, because he actually did not believe that she could be convinced by mere words. Unfortunately even after several hours he didn't come up with much. Primarily because she was freaking Sannin and could probably make bloody paste from him if she wanted. So physical force was out of a question. That left means like blackmail, which was impracticable, because he didn't know anything about her except the bare basics.
Naruto sighed and looked out of the window at the streets. It was dawn already and he didn't have anything besides the unconfirmed hemophobia. Naruto looked at the first sun rays appearing above the horizon, when he heard some commotion. From the left side of the street was coming three figures and by the noise they made, they were pretty drunk. It didn't took long before Naruto massaged his temples. It was Jiraya and Tsunade, which was supported by Shizune's small frame. Naruto sighed again and went downstairs to take care of Jiraya. He most probably didn't have a clue in what hotel they stayed.
Separating Jiraya from the two women took only few moments, thanks to fortunately sober Shizune. After that Naruto let Jiraya use his futon and was about to go get something for breakfast when he got a crazy idea. No, scratch that. It was completely and totally insane idea, but who cares about such details. He would need Jiraya's help to make sure it worked and that meant, that he had to wait for him to become sober. Yeah, he could get something to fill his stomach, get few hours of sleep and then bring his plan into fruition.
…
The next day was slow. It wasn't until around noon when their whole group gathered in the dining room of their hotel accommodation.
"So, how do we convince Tsunade?" asked Saburo, while chewing on his omelet.
"Don't want to bring your hopes down, but I don't think that you have a chance to succeed," Jiraya noted.
"Actually, I have got an idea, but I will need your help Jiraya," said Naruto.
"Oh? And what that would be?" the white haired man raised his eyebrows.
"Firstly, is it truth that you are master in fuinjutsu?"
"Sure, what about it?" Jiraya wondered while pouring himself coffee.
"Patience," Naruto halted him with raised hand, then asked: "And is it true what you said about Tsunade? You know, that genjutsu she wears to make herself look younger?"
"Of course. It isn't like she is immortal or anything," smirked Jiraya.
"Ok. So, how long would it take for you to create seal that if put on Tsunade would disable said genjutsu," Naruto's eyes twinkled evilly. Jiraya stared.
"Kid, you know that she would kill you for that?" he pointed out.
"Nah, she won't I will make precautions," Naruto placated Jiraya. "So how long? And also, it must work so she could not remove it."
"Ok, but I warned you. If you want to die so much, I will not stop you," Jiraya muttered, but then frowned. "That technique she uses is really advanced so it will be hard, but I think, that in five hours I could be done. Also, if you want it done in such a way, which would prevent her from removing it, I will have to make it blood seal. That way it will react only to specified person. But you can be sure as hell, that that person won't be me."
"Sure, make it to work only for me," Naruto shrugged lazily. "I suppose you will need my blood?"
"Yeah, but later, I will call you then," Jiraya nodded.
"Ok, that would be one thing. Second thing I will need from you is to make sure, that Tsunade will be drunken by the end of the day. Same as last night, really. Can you do that and at the same time stay sober?" Naruto asked.
"Ah, I see what you are planning. Sure, that shouldn't be problem. Hell, I think she would get drunken by herself anyway."
"Good, then call me when you will need my blood and you," Naruto addressed rest of his team. "Make sure that you are rested and prepared to start in the morning for Konoha. So no alcohol," he warned.
"Shouldn't I be saying that?" muttered Hayate dramatically.
…
Naruto was waiting. It was already thirty minutes after Tsunade and Sizune retired that day and by the silence coming from their rooms, they already fell asleep. Naruto waited another ten minutes, then very slowly climbed the wall under the window of their hotel room, which was half open to let fresh air inside. It was wonder that they didn't get themselves killed yet, Naruto mused for a short moment. He entered the room and moved away from the window deep inside the shadows of the room and waited another minute or two. When nothing happened, he slowly crossed the room towards the bed, the tenketsu on his feet spreading his weight. It wasn't easy to see in the darkness of the room Tsunade's or Shizune's silhouettes. So he spread his are of awareness just little bit more. And here they were. On the bed's left size Tsunade, her large chakra reserves obscuring the ones belonging to Shizune. Naruto moved to the right side of the bed and raised his eyebrow in surprise. Shizune was snuggled to Tsunade's left side, her head resting on Tsunade's chest. In that moment Naruto felt slight wave of guilt for intruding, but shook it off. He pulled out one standard seal tag designed to paralyze and without any delays put it on Shizune, causing her eyes shot wide open. She obviously tried to move, but could not. Her eyes frantically searching for the attacker. Naruto look worriedly at Tsunade, but she seemed to sleep as deeply as before. Naruto lowered his head and whispered to Shizune: "It's me Naruto. Calm down. I am not here to hurt anybody." Shizune's eyes fixed on him, her expression accusing.
"I just came to make sure Tsunade will help my teammate. Don't worry," he added. Then he pulled out the seal Jiraya created and with short pulse of chakra he placed it on Tsunade's exposed shoulder. He half expected Tsunade to immediately wake up, but she didn't. Naruto released relieved breath and turned his attention back to Shizune who was now struggling with renew fervor. Her eyes watching Tsunade with real worry.
"The seal I put on her removed her body genjutsu," he whispered to her. "Only I can remove it, so she will have to follow me to Konoha if she wants to look young again." By that Shizune's expression was downright furious. "Sorry, I didn't know you two were together. I understand that you do not like that," Naruto lowered his gaze. But surprisingly Shizune calmed down, and looked suddenly afraid and looked at Naruto with pleading expression.
"You want to speak?" he whispered. Her eyes moved up and down. "Ok but I will have to make precautions. Naruto stood up. Carefully separated Shizune from Tsunade and pick her up. Then put her down on chair and tied her.
"I will remove the tag now. If you start screaming or anything, I will put it immediately back, understood?" Shizune nodded. Naruto removed the tag slowly, carefully watching her.
"So what do you want to say?"
Shizune wiggled uncomfortably then whispered: "Tsunade doesn't know."
"What she doesn't know?" Naruto asked in confusion.
"That… that I…"
"That you like her?" Naruto tried.
Shizune nodded, completely mortified. Naruto snorted and massaged his temples.
"So what about it," he asked.
"Don't tell her. Please?" Shizune pleaded.
"Why should I tell her? It's not my business," Naruto shrugged and put a gag on Shizune, who again adopted an angry expression.
Naruto then went to Tsunade and very carefully removed the amulet from her neck, which he saw the day before. Then he put on bedside table short message. And returned to Shizune.
"I know that Tsunade will be angry as hell, so I took some reinsurance to make sure I will not end as bloody paste," he showed her the pendant. She looked at him and if look could kill, he would dropped dead and then vaporized in white hellish fire.
"By Shizune, it was nice meeting you," Naruto smirked and ably left the room. Then quickly made his way to the city entrance.
"You done brat?" asked Jiraya.
"Yeah. We need to move to Konoha as fast as possible. Tsunade will be angry as hell," Naruto said and moved ahead.
"I warned you that she will kill you," Jiraya reminded him uncaringly.
"And I made some precautions. I took this," Naruto showed him his prize. Jiraya paled.
"You are mad kid. Simply insane," he muttered, then added: "We need to hurry up!"
…
When Tsunade groggily woke up the next day, something was weird. Guessing by the sun rays, it was already after noon. Shizune would normally woke her up by now. She sat up and sighted tied up Shizune. Immediately she jumped up and hastily freed her. "Who did this? Are you hurt?" she asked worriedly.
"No, I am not Tsunade. Calm down. I was just tied up nothing more," she reassured her teacher.
"So what happened?" Tsunade frowned, still not completely convinced.
"Naruto came during the night. He paralyzed me. Then… He left you a message on the bedside table," Shizune said in worried voice. Tsunade looked around, then stood up and picked up the message. In next moment her hand flew to her chest, when she took notice of her missing jewel, then she disappeared in bathroom. Next moment there could be heard the sound of crushed glass. Shizune cringed.
"That son of a bitch! That little spawn of hell... is dead. Oh god, he is so fucking dead!" Tsunade emerged from bathroom, her face lit with fury.
"You look good Tsunade, there isn't any reason to be mad because of the genjutsu," reassured her Shizune. And she meant it. Yes, Tsunade looked older now. Her face was sporting few wrinkles, hairs were little bit grayer and she was also little bit thinner. Her breast were smaller by size or two, but to Shizune that meant nothing. Nothing.
"Sure it is unusual and knew, but it suits you, you know? Strict and powerful Sannin," Shizune smiled.
Tsunade looked at her, her fury slowly subsiding, then rolled her eyes. "You would say so," she sighed and sat on the bed.
"I mean it Tsunade! You look great!" she insisted.
"Yeah, yeah," Tsunade waved her hand. "Pack up, we are going to Konoha. I have one little brat to kill," she growled, her fists clenched, eyes mad. Shizune gulped.
…
"Did you write your testament?" Jiraya asked, evilly smiling. He and Naruto were currently relaxing on top of Hokage tower after their frantic stampede to Konoha.
"You are really enjoying this, aren't you?" Naruto muttered.
"I am. It's not that often that Tsunade's wrath is aimed at someone else than me."
"Why is that I wonder, right Tom?" Naruto smirked back.
"Stop calling me that brat!" Jiraya growled.
"Yes, Tom." Jiraya sighed in defeat, muttering something incoherent.
"You really think that she will kill me?" Naruto asked after a moment of silence. Not that he was afraid or anything, but she was walking legend, right? S-class kunoichi and…
"Hmm… not, not really. However, could she break every bone in your body? Certainly. She can fix you after all," the pervert smirked.
"Bastard," Naruto growled. Jiraya laughed, then there was silence for few minutes.
"How long do you think, before she arrives?"
"Not long," Jiraya looked at the sun, then looked down at the street. "Actually I think that every minute…" he paused because, there was commotion. It seemed that villagers were speaking excitedly between themselves and were unconsciously creating small crowd. "Oho kid, I think you should run. Tsunade is here," Jiraya warned.
"To where?" Naruto asked sarcastically.
"Some training ground. You wouldn't want her to destroy Hokage tower, right?"
"Ugh… I will be at training ground twenty seven. Send her after me," Naruto stood and disappeared.
"Will do," said Jiraya to empty air.
…
"Where is he Jiraya?" growled Tsunade immediately after she found him.
"Who?" Jiraya smirked.
"Jiraya..." she growled warningly.
"Ok, ok, jeez. He is at training ground twenty seven," he placated her. When she turned to leave, he added: "Don't kill him."
"That's not my problem. He started it," she snapped and left.
Jiraya sighed. He liked Tsunade better, when she had bigger chest.
…
"Return me my pendant and remove the seal and I will kill you quickly," Tsunade flexed her fingers.
"Sorry, but no. That will happen only after Midori will have her feet fixed," Naruto refused and in next moment dodged punch to his face. His shunshin saving him.
"I am warning you!" Tsunade growled.
"Oh, scary!" Naruto smirked and ran. Next moment the place he stood on shattered.
"Holly hell!" gasped Naruto, but had to dodge again. This was turning out really bad, really fast! Naruto decided that he will have to really start fighting back if he wanted to survive. He swapped places with nearby boulder and with a flick of wrists send four shurikens at Tsunade's back. She however did lighting quick turn and in one fluid motion brought her wrist together, her palms vertical to the ground, only tip of fingers pointed at Naruto. The air distorted and all shurikens with dull thud hit some invisible wall, then drop on the ground.
"How dare you…"
"This is insane, what the hell was that shit?" Naruto thought, but tried to look calm. "Who do you think you are?" Naruto snapped at her. "You are trying to kill me! Of course I will fight back, you bitch!"
"You are dead!" Tsunade uttered, her right hand showing Naruto where she would chop his neck.
"Just heal Midori. This fight is completely unnecessary," Naruto shrugged, but pulled out his sword. It was shame that he needed another month for his wind affinity to be able to use it efficiently. He already planned several possible usages, but still had insufficient control over wind for that. Oh well, he would have to make do, with what he learned till now.
"I am giving you your last..."
"You really like to listen to yourself," Naruto stated in bored manner. That shut Tsunade. In next moment Naruto was already behind Tsunade, swinging his sword in wide arc, which Tsunade somehow elegantly sidestepped and retaliate with lighting fast sidekick, only to hit swarm of leaves. In next moment she grunted when several kunais flew from it and tore into her side. But she didn't have time to think because the sword came at her from other side. So she did the usual thing, she crushed the ground, destabilizing the ground under Naruto and trapping his legs in rubble. Naruto grunted in pain and disappeared in puff of smoke.
Tsunade blinked, but was forced to move when she heard whistling sound behind her. She winced in pain when one of the kunais in her side scrapped one of her ribs.
"You are not genin," Tsunade said when she turned towards Naruto.
"I am, at least by rank, but thanks. We should have became chunins last exams already, but shit happened, so we withdrew," Naruto shrugged, then added: "And don't try to pull those kunais out, I will not let you do that. I certainly don't plan to fight you for next three days."
"So you think that you can defeat me?" Tsunade snorted.
"No," shook Naruto his head. "I still have plenty to learn. But still, you will have to work for opportunity to heal yourself." Tsunade frowned.
"Clever," she said but together with that her side started to glow. Naruto growled and disappeared. Then for once appearing right in front of Tsunade, his sword seeking her left thigh in bottom-up arc. But Tsunade retaliated, his head as her target. He replaced himself, this time appearing above her and continuing the movement of his sword. Short cry could be heard as he tore Tsunade's left shoulder, then swapped placed with another boulder. Their generous amount was the reason he choose this place. When he landed on his feet, he gasped for breath. Swapping himself with air was pretty chakra intensive thing. He was lucky that he had significantly more chakra than Tsunade.
"How the hell did you do that?" Tsunade growled in pain. "It's not possible to replace yourself with air!"
"You don't expect me to tell you that, right? Besides I could say the same about your self-healing or whatever it is. I am pretty sure normally one can only do that while using hands," he argued.
Tsunade glowered at him, but then sighed, she was really out of form. Normally she would be able to dodge or parry that.
"Ok, ok, I will heal that teammate of yours," she growled and started healing herself. Her side again glowing and kunais one after another dropping to the ground. Then she healed her shoulder.
"Ok, so let's go," Naruto said.
"Sorry, I changed my mind," Tsunade smirked. Naruto face faulted. He didn't really know whether to laugh or cry.
"I was right. You really are bitch," he muttered. "Shame you don't have that hemophobia."
"Oh? How did you know about that? That bastard Jiraya told you?" Tsunade raised her eyes.
Naruto frowned in confusion.
"I had hemophobia, but overcame it like… eight years ago?" Tsunade shrugged.
"I see. And no, Jiraya didn't told me," he shook his head.
"So, where did you learned about it?"
"Just a rumor I heard and was warned that it could be bullshit." Tsunade nodded. "So what now?" Naruto asked.
"Why do you try so much to force me to fix your teammate?" Tsunade asked. "You love her or something?"
Naruto snorted, then looked at her. "No. She is just teammate and friend. And you can fix her like in two hours. Does it seem so weird for me to try to help her?"
Tsunade shook her head.
"Look Tsunade, I know that I was just lucky to hit you so far. You probably didn't train for years in your ignorance of the world. You need to land one solid hit and I am done..."
"I am not ignorant about the world!" Tsunade reacted automatically.
"And what would you call it?" Naruto asked sarcastically.
"The fact that I stopped caring about what village tries to end another and that I refuse to help in that process doesn't mean that I ignore world," she growled.
"Ok. So let's make a bet. I will prove to you that you are ignorant and if I win, you will have to heal Midori. If I lose, I will return the pendant and lift that seal."
"And how do you want to do that?" Tsunade asked sarcastically.
"Easy I will prove to you that there is something that you don't know about Shizune. You see her every day. You spend with her practically every day, right? And there is still fundamental thing you don't know about her."
"Impossible," Tsunade waved her hand.
"Maybe, but do we have a deal?" Naruto smirked. Tsunade growled.
"We have, but if it is some bullshit…"
"Yeah, yeah. So the thing you don't know about Shizune is that she is in love with you."
Tsunade stared. Then she bend over and started to laugh. "Oh, that was good! Oh... Oh! That was good kid. But let's get serious."
"I am serious," Naruto said calmly and when Tsunade was about to react he added: "I can prove it. Go to some pub and pretend to get drunk. Then let Shizune to support you on the way to hotel room. Pretend that you are asleep. Then you will have your evidence," Naruto explained and was about to leave, when he added: "And don't be too hard on Shizune, I think you two would look great together," he smirked.
…
"Oh, so you survived?" Jiraya asked in surprise.
"Yeah. Not a hit on me," Naruto smirked.
Jiraya frowned. "How would you do that? And what about Midori?"
"Fought shortly, then talked. Then we made bet and if I win, she will heal Midori," Naruto summed up.
"You. Made. A bet?" Jiraya asked incredulously. "About what?"
"That's private. She will have to tell you," Naruto smirked. "I am going to visit some friends, Tommy," Naruto said while cackling.
…
"Hi Midori. What are you doing?" Naruto asked, when he found her on one of the training grounds.
"Training my water affinity. Thanks to my wound it is practically only thing – along with chakra control – that I can train. Though I am not sure I should bother with it... Saburo was here few hours ago and said that Tsunade is coming here. He explained me that she wants to beat you," Midori smirked.
"Nah, old information. I think that she will help you, but of course anything could happen," Naruto shrugged.
"That's good. I really appreciate the effort," Midori said.
"It's nothing really and besides, if we trained the normal way, we would exert more energy," Naruto shrugged.
"Yeah? So tell me, which cities did you visit? And were you even out of the Land of Fire?"
…
Naruto tried to get up, but before he managed to do so a hand grabbed him around the waist and pulled him back under the covers.
"Not so fast Foxy," Anko crooned behind him teasingly.
"Ankooo," groaned Naruto. He didn't got to sleep very much during the night.
"You have been away for two months Foxy, therefore I think that I have a privilege for some fun," Anko smirked.
"And I don't mind that, but I thought that I would start looking for new accommodation," Naruto explained, but simultaneously pressed himself against Anko and sighed.
"I thought about that you know?" Anko said slowly.
"Yeah?" Naruto turned towards her.
"You could stay here. Of course only under the condition that you will pay half of the rent and cook occasionally and such things," she said while watching him with her half closed eyes.
Naruto stared at Anko. This he certainly did not expect.
"I thought that you don't do relationships?" he asked slowly.
"And that's still true. I am not offering you exclusivity or something, just place where to live. And we both would save some money that way. Also I think that it would be practical to make a deal that if one of us would want to have a sex with someone else, we would not bring that person here. That way no awkward situations can happen," Anko explained.
"Hmm, that sounds good," Naruto mused aloud, then smirked. "In that case I suppose that I can spare some time for you," he sighed dramatically.
"I will give you spare same time," Anko growled and with one fluid motion discarded the covers and straddled Naruto. Naruto's smile widened.
…
"So? Did you get your evidence?" Naruto asked when he met Tsunade that day.
Tsunade glowered at him, but did not said anything.
"You did, didn't you?" smirked Naruto. "Did Shizune snuggled you the same way as she did the night I placed that seal on you?" he pressed mercilessly. Tsunade reddened, dropped on the chair next to him and buried her face in her hands.
"What has you so upset?" Naruto asked in confusion.
"I cannot believe that I didn't notice it before," Tsunade muttered.
"You know, I think that you would be very cute couple," Naruto snickered and dodged a punch to his head. Then added: "Of course if you are not attracted to women whatsoever that would be a problem."
"Even if I was, this is insane. She is my student and is like half my age," Tsunade said in frustration.
Naruto snorted. "It's really funny that you say that. In last… two decades you didn't do anything else then drank, played hazard games and made debts probably bigger then Konoha's yearlong budged and you did not care one bit. Besides I myself have lover twice my age," Naruto smirked.
Tsunade looked at him with raised eyebrows. "And I should believe you that?" she snorted.
"I don't care what you believe. Also why should I lie? I don't really care how you resolve this, though I would appreciate if you would be careful with Shizune, she did asked me to not to tell you. But enough of this. Will you heal Midori finally?"
Tsunade sighed. "Yes, I will. Let's go. Let's get this over with," she stood up.
…
Tsunade unsealed Midori's feet and with glowing hands examined it.
"Ah, I see. It's no wonder you couldn't extract it. The chemical composition of this poison is hard to handle even before its decomposition," Tsunade said to no one particular.
"Will you be able to fix it Tsunade?" asked Inushua.
"Yes, I believe so. Shizune come here and watch closely what I will be doing, you will be learning this procedure in future," she ordered.
"Yes Tsunade!" she nodded. Tsunade's hands lit up in weird purple color, then she moved them above the feet for about five minutes.
"Here, done. Shizune, I detected some damage caused by lack of oxygen. You should be able to fix it." Shizune nodded. After few minutes she was done.
"Ok so now the troublesome part," Tsunade said and turned towards Midori, who was impatiently waiting on nearby bed.
"Inushua, please put Midori to sleep," Tsunade asked. When that was done, she severed the healed stump of a Midoris'd limb with one cut of chakra scalpel.
"Shizune, bring the feet here and hold it here. Yes, just like that. Good." Then Tsunade's hands glowed dark green. She placed one on the severed feet, other on the limb and in next moment the two pieces stared to grow back until they met and became one. Everything, veins, arteries, muscles and bones searching for their natural counterpart. That lasted until even Midori's skin appeared, leaving the leg looking as if nothing ever really happened to it.
Tsunade let out a breath. "There, all done."
"That was marvelous Tsunade!" Inushua praised.
Tsunade snorted. "You trying to get into my good graces you old hag?"
"I see, that you are as impudent as ever," sighed the older woman, but didn't look upset.
Tsunade rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to Midori. "Ok, wake her up. I want her to use that leg."
Midori opened her eyes, which shot immediately towards her leg. She tried to move it around carefully and when her fingers obeyed her, she started to cry. Midori scrambled to her knees as carefully as she could and then without any ado launched herself at Tsunade.
"Whoa, whoa," Tsunade caught her.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you …" Tsunade rolled her eyes.
…
"So, is it done?" asked Naruto, who was with the rest of their team waiting outside the room.
"Yes. She is as good as new. Now, lift that seal," ordered Tsunade.
"Ok, show me the shoulder." Tsunade dis as asked.
"Ok here you go… Oh, nothing changed," frowned Naruto.
"It seem that the seal completely strapped the genjutsu down. I will have to reapply it," sighed Tsunade.
"I see, though it will be shame. You look better without it," smirked Naruto and handed her her pendant. Tsunade took it and placed it around her neck.
"Ok, that would be done," nodded Tsunade, then added: "But there is one more thing to do."
"What do you mean?" asked Naruto, but instead of answer obtained right hook into his jaw so powerful that it raised him from the ground and slammed him into the ceiling. His world turned black.
"That was for daring to take my thing and placing seal on me," Tsunade smirked. The rest of Naruto's team cringed.
…
Naruto opened his eyes slowly. He was standing. That alone was weird. He should be lying. Naruto looked around. He was in some dimly lit dungeon. He could feel dampness in the air and when he crouched and touched the cold stone floor, his fingers were covered in thin layer of water.
On the walls was occasionally lit a torch, illuminating the corridor further into the dungeon. Naruto looked behind himself, but saw only darkness. He shrugged and started forward slowly.
It took him about five minutes to enter large room, which ceiling ended as cavern and contained enormous iron gate. In center of it was a seal. Same seal as on his stomach.
"Yesss… you are correct… human," the voice resonated through the place. So powerful that the walls shook.
Naruto froze, shiver captivating his body.
"Yesss… fear, such a delightful emotion," the voice rang again, causing Naruto to stumble. He did not like this one bit.
"Come closer… humanm, so I can look at you." Naruto heard. He took few steps forward, but then stopped. He gathered his courage and asked: "Where is this place?"
"So it can speak… wonderful… but back to your question. I don't need to answer that, do I? You know where this place is," the voice came again.
"Is this the seal?" asked Naruto.
"Yesss… that is true too… or you could call it your mind… human," the voice answered.
"Why am I here?"
"I brought you here… when you fell unconscious," the cavern shook. "So I could finally look at my… prison."
Naruto paused. This confirmed his suspicion. "Are you the Kyubi?"
"Yesss… very good," the rumble returned.
"Could you show yourself?" Naruto tried.
"If you come closer…"
Naruto sighed and took few steps forward. And then there was whiteness. He jumped back, with thumping heart. It took him a moment to realize that it was just an eye. An eye which occupied almost whole gate. Holly shit.
"Yesss… delicious, simply delicious," Kyubi bared its teeth. "And you humans wonder why I like so much to crush you under my paws."
"So what now?" Naruto wondered aloud.
"Soo impatient you humans are. Always in hurry. Always ignoring the baser pleasures," Kyubi commented.
"Like what?" Naruto asked.
"Killing, crushing, destroying… for what else is this world good?" Kyubi sneered cruelly.
"And you wonder, why would someone try to seal you," Naruto muttered.
"Kneel!" roared Kyubi sending killing intent so oppressive that Naruto was pressed to the floor, while the cavern was violently shaking. "I am Kurama, the God of destruction and terror and you will respect me!" Naruto gasped for breath.
"Now go human and the next time tread more carefully with your words!" Kyubi snapped and slowly closed its eye.
A/N:
1) So, did you like it? ;)
2) Till now this is the longest chapter – 12k+ words ;)
3) Also, a few fundamental changes already happened compared to a canon, did you noticed them?
4) Thanks for the reviews!
5) English isn't mi first language so there will be mistakes.