Chapter 14:
A Funeral and a New Life
Two days had passed since Orochimaru's attack to Konoha and his attempt of assassinating the Hokage. His plan had failed in everything. Well, almost everything.
The attack to the village itself had been an epic failure, since the Sound ninja were pretty much cannon fodder, and the Sand nin gave up on fighting when they found out the Kazekage was dead.
Gaara's attack was obviously a failure as well, since Naruto managed to repel it so effectively and later sealed the Sunagakure jinchuuriki, letting him sleep for the first time in his life. But one thing had gone well. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who Naruto had the pleasure to call friend and teacher, had died.
The village organized a funeral, which pretty much everyone attended. Every single person wore black and brought flowers for the old man. It was raining on that day, and the villagers later included in their stories that the gods themselves cried.
It was a solemn cerimony. Kakashi didn't even arrive late then, out of respect. Most of the people stuck to laying their flower and bowing their heads in respect, but some of the closest ones had speeches prepared. Sarutobi Asuma, Sarutobi Konohamaru, Jiraiya, Kakashi and some of the Jounin. The last of them was Naruto.
"Sarutobi no gii-san was one of the few people who didn't resent me for having the Kyuubi inside my body. He took care of me ever since I was a child, and acted like a grandfather. He tried to teach me jutsu, bought me ramen, gave me my own living place and many other things. But the best he gave me was love. He gave me love when no one else did. He had patience when I acted like a brat, and never for one moment did he stop believing in me. All in all, he was a great man who deserved better than to die at the hands of his rogue student in some stadium. I hope my words can honour him, but I'm pretty sure that his qualities can't be described using only words."- the Uzumaki spoke, making all of his emotions felt using just a few words. His speech drew tears out of every single person in the ceremony. He turned to the Hokage's memorial and ashes and approached before bowing.- "Thank you for everything, and I swear I will avenge you."
Many speeches were just like his, but none as touching. Hiruzen used to say that Naruto had a charisma like no other. The people thought of Naruto as a person with feelings that day, and not just some animal that threatened their confortable existence.
Of course, they didn't stop being so shallow. Not even two days after the Hokage's funeral, the people were already talking about who was going to be the new Hokage, who could be powerful enough to become the next?
Naruto didn't care about the Hokage position. Not at the moment, since it brought so much pain to his heart.
And that was why he had accepted to go with Jiraiya and train for a month while they searched for some woman. Apparently, she had been missing, and needed to be found. The Sannin didn't reveal much to Naruto, but the latter was going to learn a new technique, so he didn't really bother with the extra information.
They were supposed to head to Tanzaku Town, but knowing his teacher, Naruto readied himself for a couple of stops in hot springs and brothels before they reached said town. They quickly headed out and set off.
The trip wasn't boring at all, since Jiraiya was a joker and kept playing pranks. He taught the young Genin, or better, Chuunin as he was nominated a day before, a bunch of new ways to use the Hiraishin, and a freakishly effective chakra control which allowed him to walk on almost anything.
He also promised to teach Naruto a whole new technique that would surpass Chidori and even his sensei's Raikiri.
This was more than enough to get him excited, and he quickly forgot all of the "research" time that his mentor took.
They stopped at a cheap hotel halfway through their journey. Apparently, Tsunade, the lady they were after, had gone through that little town, and Jiraiya needed to visit the bars and restaurants to gather information, making the occasional hooker stop. Occasional being at least four times a day.
And that was the story of how Naruto was forced to spend a day inside that old, boring hotel. He tried to make it fun by practicing the technique Jiraiya was trying to teach him, but it was pretty hard to practice something unfinished. You're supposed to create the technique yourself. His words resounded in Naruto's head. The Sannin wanted the jinchuuriki to instigate his Raiton element in the technique, something his own father wasn't able to do. Needless to say that it was the hardest thing Naruto had ever done, but it was coming along nicely. According to his mentor, he was halfway through it.
He was simply walking through one of the hotel's corridors when he felt something strange in the air. The air was heavy with chakra. Large quantities of it. No, large quantities was a stupid thing to say. They were abnormally large.
He looked back to see two tall people, wearing black cloaks with red clouds on them walking up to him. Both had straw hats with small bells on them, but their characteristics weren't hidden.
One, the tallest, had a fish like head and blue skin, accompanied with blue spiky hair and a Kirigakure scratched forehead protector. In addition to this, he had a big bandaged sword on his back. The sword itself had large ammounts of chakra.
The second one was a little shorter, but still tall in comparison to most people. He had dark hair in a ponytail and an X-like scar on his face. He seemed familiar for some reason, and Naruto couldn't quite place it until he opened his eyes. He had a three-tomoed sharingan. Uchiha.
"You're Uchiha Itachi, aren't you? And you, with Samehada, you're Kisame Hoshigaki, right?"- Naruto had read a whole lot on missing-nin ever since Jiraiya became his mentor. It's every shinobi's duty to kill or capture missing-nin. He said. So he eventually became familiar with the faces of the Seven Legendary Swordsmen of Kirigakure, and the former ANBU captain and prodigy, Uchiha Itachi who slaughtered his own clan.
"This is a bright one. The last jinchuuriki we fought was a bloody idiot."- the shark-like missing nin commented. His partner didn't answer.
"Naruto-kun, you're coming with us."- Itachi said, as if Naruto didn't have a choice at all. He was about to attack when a sparkle was heard behind them. The two kidnappers turned to see Sasuke ready with his Chidori.- "Sasuke, long time no see."
"Itachi...you told me that if I wanted to kill you, I had to despise you, hate you and live in an unsightly way. You told me to run and cling to life, and when I had the same eyes you did, to come before you. Well, I say FUCK THAT! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!"- Sasuke shouted, the Chidori becoming more powerful.- "NARUTO, LET'S DO IT!"
"Hehe, thought you'd never ask."- the Rasengan started to form, and both of the Genin disappeared. They appeared again, Naruto in front and Sasuke behind Itachi, both clashed Rasengan and Chidori against the S-rank ninja.
"MANMOSU RENDAN! (Mammoth Barrage)"- they both shouted at the same time. The corridor exploded with the force of their combined jutsu.
Next thing they knew, they were outside. Naruto and Sasuke's right arms were steaming and smoke came from them. Kisame was unscathed but worried. Itachi-san is stronger than myself, but such a technique would have harmed me lethally. He thought to himself.
Itachi was in the middle of a crater, smoke coming out of his torso and back. He wasn't going to die, but he was heavily injured. He had managed to deflect both of their attacks, but they were still too strong.
"What in the hell is going on here?"- Jiraiya asked, appearing out of nowhere to see the Uchiha on the floor and Kisame grabbing his Samehada.
"Itachi, you know I'm always up for a fight, but he's a Sannin and you're injured. We should get going."- the swordsmen suggested, receiving a nod from Itachi.
I'm pretty sure I could take one of them down, but I'd die anyway, and then Naruto and Sasuke would be in danger. Best to let them go. Jiraiya thought to himself. Kisame placed one of Itachi's arms around the back of his neck and smiled.
"Don't think this is the last time you'll see us, Kyuubi. The Akatsuki will gather all of the Bijuu."- and they disappeared in a puddle of water.
"Come on boys, we should get going. Sasuke-"- the Sannin turned to face Sasuke, but he was on the ground, passed out.- "Crap, Naruto, take a hold of him. Let's get him to the hospital before heading out."
A day later, they were heading out again. Sasuke, according to Jiraiya, had been caught in some sort of genjutsu from Itachi, and his mind had been disturbed. The Sannin also said that the quicker they found the woman they were after, the quicker Sasuke would be ok. She's the best medical ninja in existence. He said. This only motivated Naruto to search faster.
And that is how they found Tsunade, Jiraiya said she was called, a mere day after. They were stepping into the twentieth bar that day, when they saw a blonde woman with two ponytails accompanied by a woman with short dark hair carrying a small pig.
Tsunade, aside from her two blonde ponytails, was light-skinned and fairly tall. She had a violet rhombus mark on her forehead, something Naruto wanted to ask about, but that knew wasn't polite to do so. She looked about twenty five years old even though Jiraiya said she was in her fifties. She had a rather large bust. According to Jiraiya, it was 106 centimetres in circumference. She was rather pretty, and Jiraiya told Naruto that she was considered the most beautiful kunoichi in the world. She wore a grass-green haori with the kanji for gamble written in black on the back, inside a red circle. Underneath, she wore a grey, kimono-style blouse with no sleeves, held closed by a broad, dark bluish-grey obi that matched her pants. Her blouse was closed very low, revealing even more her sizeable cleavage. She wore open-toaded sandals with high heels, and perhaps the most noticeable piece in her garments, she wore a green crystal necklace, that Naruto wanted for some reason.
Shizune, Jiraiya said she was called, was a fair-skinned woman of average height and slender build with black eyes and hair. Her hair was straight and shoulder-length with bangs that covered her ears and framed her face. She was wearing a long bluish-black kimono with white trimmings, held closed by a white obi, and open-toed sandals with low heels.
"Tsunade, long time no see. You're still as pretty as ever. And as hot as ever. And...well, you get the picture."- Jiraiya greeted. Tsunade bowed her head with her back turned to them and took a deep breath, as if deciding wether to run or run. She took option C and turned around with a smile on her face.
"Oh hi Jiraiya. Still as pervy as ever, I see. Oh look, you've got some derp to mentor. How are you derp?"- she replied. Cold disguised as warm. Good to send people away, but we're not mere people. Naruto smiled and quickly shook her hand.
"Hello! It is so nice to meet old Tsunade in person! In your fifties and still walking, huh? Poor you, would you like to sit down?"- Shizune's eyes widened at Naruto's response, and she was trembling as if awaiting a grave danger to strike them down. The atmosphere around Tsunade changed, and even Jiraiya took a few steps back.
"What the hell do you two want? Say it before I lose my patience and kill you both!"- she roared, making everyone in the bar shut up. The owner was trembling himself, trying to decide wether to shut up or to shut up.
"Well-"- Jiraiya started, but was quickly interrupted by Naruto.
"Ero-Sennin here was too lazy to accept the job as Hokage, and so he wants you to become Hokage instead."- he explained before turning to his mentor again.- "Yeah, I knew. I'm the son of the Yondaime, I'm not that stupid, you know?"
"Pscchhhtt-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YOU...HAHA...YOU REALLY...HIHI...THINK THAT I'LL... HAHAHAHAHA...TAKE THE HOKAGE PLACE?"- Tsunade managed to say between laughs.- "ONLY IDIOTS TAKE THAT JOB!"
"Tsunade, be reasonable. I'm the weakest out of the Three Sannin, and Orochimaru tried to destroy the village, so I think he won't be available."- as he spoke, Jiraiya felt Naruto poke his arm plenty of times as if calling for attention.- "What?"
"Actually, Orochimaru is no longer the strongest. He is now the weakest. Sandaime Hokage no gii-san didn't go down without a fight. The elders asked me to analyze his body since I'm the best with seals in the village. He used my father's Shiki Fujin, or Dead Demon Consuming Seal to take the reanimated First and Second Hokage's souls, plus Orochimaru's arms' souls. He can't use any ninjutsu now."- he explained, surprising the two Sannin and Shizune as well.- "Before you ask, it was easy to decipher all that because of the seal on his stomach."
"Oh well, whatever! I'm not taking the Hokage seat! Forget about it! Only idiots would!"- Tsunade replied again, stubbornly. Naruto bowed his head and the atmosphere around him changed, something that didn't go unnoticed by the female Sannin.- "What is it, kid? Did I hit a soft spot? Huh?"
"Don't talk about the Hokage like that you old hag!"- he said. Shizune was currently digging a hole through the ground to hide in, and it didn't take long for Jiraiya to join her and help.- "You have the kanji for "gamble" on your back, right? Well, let's make a bet! I fight you outside, if I win, I get that awesome necklace and you have to become Hokage."
"And what if I win?"- she replied.
"You get every single penny that's inside Gama-chan!"- Naruto took out his frog coinholder, which was full and almost bursting.
"Fine! Let's start right now!"- she dragged him outside and showed him her right index finger.- "I'll beat you using only this!"
"Don't underestimate me!"- he scattered special kunai all around the deserted street and performed the confrontation handseal before disappearing and appearing all over the place.
"What?"- Tsunade muttered. Impossible! That's the Second and the Fourth's Hiraishin jutsu! How did this kid master it? she thought to herself. But she didn't have much time to think as Naruto teleported close to her and engaged her on a taijutsu match. His hits were heavy, she had to admit, but one hit from her and he would go flying away. She managed to block his fifth blow and flicked his forehead with said index finger. He went flying and tumbling backwards.
"Crap!"- he bit his thumb and crossed his right palm with the blood before speeding through handseals. Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram. He pointed his palm behind him and a contract seal appeared in the air.- "Kuchiyose no jutsu!"
"Just a kid and he already knows the Kuchiyose?"- Shizune asked, dumbfounded. Jiraiya couldn't be more proud as a slightly larger Gamakichi and another toad about his size were spawned and stopped Naruto's tumbling.
"Hey, Naruto nii-san! Meet my bro, Gamatatsu!"- the red toad greeted, excited as always. His brother was of a dim yellow and looked a little larger, but a little more Happy-Go-Lucky than Gamakichi.
"Hello!"- Gamatatsu greeted as well.
"Hi Gamatatsu, welcome to the gang. Listen, can you and your bro keep that lady busy?"- he asked. The two toads gestured with their hands as if answering an army captain before Gamakichi spat fireballs and Gamatatsu spat a stream of water.
Tsunade had a bit of trouble avoiding both of their attacks at the same time. Wherever she looked, there was either a stream of water so concentrated that it cut through most things, or a ball of fire that threatened to burn the pretty out of her face.
What she didn't notice was the blonde kid right behind her who had his right palm preparing and concentrating chakra into a sphere. Gamatatsu and Gamakichi stopped their assault and smiled, something that alerted Tsunade immediately. She turned around, but it was too late. Naruto was already there, mashing the Rasengan into her stomach.
"RASENGAN!"- he shouted, drilling it into her torso. For some reason, he felt a whole lot of resistance, something he hadn't felt with Neji.
"IMPOSSIBLE!"- Tsunade shouted at him, struggling to not get blown away by such jutsu. The Yondaime's jutsu, it can't be! She grunted before being blasted away. The Rasengan expanded and became raw power, enveloping her and carrying her at high speeds against a tree.
"Yes! I win the necklace! You become the Hokage! I defeated a Sannin!"- Naruto yelled in victory, happy with himself. But his hope faded away when Tsunade stood up, a bit of blood coming out of her mouth.
"I'll admit it kid, you're really something. A loser-looking guy like you was not expected to use the Rasengan at all. But that's not enough to take down one of the Three Sannin. I gathered my chakra in the exact spot you hit, so I only took a third of its power."- she explained with a smirk on her face.- "I guess that was your ace in the hole. You have no more weapons, do you?"
"Heh. I have to admit something as well. You Sannin are crazy powerful. But that's not all an Uzumaki, and the son of the Yondaime can do. Gamakichi, Gamatatsu, you're dismissed."- he said. The two toads nodded and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. He extended his arm and opened his fist, concentrating a massive ammount of chakra on his palm and creating the Rasengan again. He then proceed to add his chakra nature to it. Electricity began to crackle around it, and Tsunade grew wary. One hit from that thing and I'm dead, no question.
"NARUTO! STOP!"- Jiraiya ordered, but it was too late. Naruto was already running at Tsunade with amazing speed. If he stopped, it would blow up and he'd be seriously injured. He was just about to mash it into Tsunade again when it crackled again and disappeared.
"Damn it!"- the jinchuuriki complained, trying to force it out. Tsunade was more than impressed, and decided to make a gamble of her own.
"Listen kid, let's call this match a draw and make a new bet. If you get that jutsu completed in a week, you get my necklace and I become Hokage. But if you lose, I'll dry you of every penny."- she suggested. He thought for a moment before shaking her hand.
"You've just signed your contract to become Hokage. Believe it!"