Tsunade watched impassively as Naruto and Mitzy emerged from the forest. Naruto shoved Mitzy, and she shoved right back. Naruto had pulled her hair and was running away when they disappeared around the corner. Tsunade pursed her lips, thinking.
She leaned back in her chair, sighing heavily. She propped her feet up on her authentic redwood desk, and stroked her cheek with perfectly manicured nails.
"Hmm…" she murmured reflectively. So Naruto had returned. She had suspected as much. However, she had not anticipated his companion, Mitzy.
Where had she come from, I wonder?
Tsunade relaxed deeper into her leather seat, breathing in the scent, extending her mind to all possibilities. The girl could be a missing-nin. That would explain the headband. But why would she be waltzing around in a Hidden Village? That would be stupid; just bordering the line of suicidal. And why would she have hooked up with Naruto?
Mitzy could be a long-lost relative. Tsunade immediately discarded that idea. It wasn't likely. Besides, it seemed to Tsunade that there was a little bit more than a relative relationship going on there.
Perhaps Mitzy had saved his life, or Naruto had saved hers. That seemed probable. But that still didn't explain the forehead protector…
Tsunade swiveled, and faced the window overlooking Konoha. The sun was on the balance between day and night, resting just on the western horizon. It set everything ablaze, until the Village seemed to be bathed in a molten light. Purple streaks dyed the sky to the east, like a giant cat had raked the heavens with its claws…
Or a fox, Tsunade thought, thinking of Naruto. I wonder how his chakra control has evolved over the years. Or how much he had extended his knowledge of the jutsu's. And how the seal for the Fox is holding up…
Tsunade was reminded uneasily of Orochimaru. What was he up to? He had been quiet since the second attack on the Village had failed. Perhaps his alliance with the Wind country had splintered. But surely he wouldn't give up…
Tsunade sat up suddenly. A thought was tugging at her mind, a feeling warning her of danger…
No, she thought dismissively. Surely he would not attack a third time…after all the ninja they lost last time…the risk would be too great. They wouldn't dare.
But still the feeling remained. It was like a red flag being waved in front of her mind's eyes. But Tsunade shook off the thought. She was probably just going senile in her old age.
Oh, well, she sighed. I'll keep an eye and ear out, just to be safe. We are at war here, after all.