Konohamoru: Keyote doesn't own Naruto
Moegi: Masashi Kishimoto does
Udon: Hey guys, where's Keyote anyways?
Ebisu: I think he's still running from Tenten for some reason. I wonder what happened between them?
A/N: OK, first I'd like to ask for a minute of silent prayer for Hinata and hope she lives to fight another day. And to have a future with Naruto now that he knows she loves him. And they better end up together at the end or I'm gonna feel really cheated by this series. Well, either that or Kishimoto has some post Naruto series planned that's all about them and them alone as a gift for NaruHina fans.
Also, I can't wait till they get to this point in the anime (in about 18 months from the way the anime is currently progressing with all these damn filler's they keep throwing in. Though if they do NaruHina centered filler's, I'll be fine with that).
Now, moving on to this series. Next chapter will see the end of the Tsunade arc in the story. Then we'll have one chapter about the return and all that's happened and will happen (such as the diagnosis for Hinata and the others and the new room mate). Then we'll begin the final arc for Precious Bonds and it will start with the results of the Chunin Exam. Also, the current poll will end at midnight tonight and the new poll will be put up at the same time as the next chapter's release. I will talk more on it next chapter. Finally, both that poll and the one after will be the last for this series.
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Chpt.21: One Week's Time
Two women and a pig walked thru the streets of Tanzaku town, hastily moving to leave as soon as possible. The younger of the two women, Shizune, was wondering what was up with her mentor. Tsunade Senju was making a killing at the gambling house, something that was almost never happened to her, and now she was freaking out a had told both Shizune and their traveling piggy Tonton that they needed to leave quickly. "Lady Tusnade, I don't understand. Why do we need to leave so quickly? I mean you were making a killing in there. At the rate you were winning, we would've had enough to pay off your debts and had enough left over to live easy for a good while."
"Isn't obvious Shizune? When have I ever been that lucky when gambling? The fact that I was doing so well is because something is wrong, terrible wrong. And the sooner I leave here, the better we'll all be." Shizune excepted her teacher's logic on that. It was true that bad luck came to them when ever Tsunade was striking it rich, but surely even Tsunade could get lucky every so often with out it being the end of the world, right?
As they moved quickly down a small path way, Tsunade came to a sudden stop and looked in the direction of the towns cultural land mark, an ancient castle. Shizune and Tonton came to a halt beside her and Shizune asked "What is it, what's wrong?" Before an answer can be given, the castle explodes. From the smoke, a giant snake emerges and two figures can be seen atop the creatures head. "What, a snake? Is it, is that......" Shizune said as Tsunade looked on, her eyes glaring dangerously. She nodded and said "It is, it's.....Orochimaru."
The snake sanin smiled down at his old teammate as he said "It's been a long time since we last saw each other, Tsunade. How have you been?" Both Orochimaru and Kabuto jumped from the snake and landed just a few feet away. Kabuto looked at the blond haired woman before him and thought 'So, this is the famous medical ninja and slug sanin. I better be careful when around her, I can tell she's not one to mess with.' Tsunade looked at Orochimaru and gave him a fake smile as she said "It has been a long time and I thought you were smarter than this. You should know better than to appear before me again, after what you did all those years ago."
Shizune looked at Tsunade and wondered 'Huh? What did he do all those years ago? Ysunade has never spoken about this before.' Orochimaru smiles and says "That was a long time ago, I would hope both you and Jiraiya could move beyond that for old times sake." Tsuande gives him a fake laugh before slamming her fist into a nearby wall, causing a massive hole to appear as she says "You think that time could undo the pain you caused us both? You lucky Jiriaya's not here or we'd both deal with you once and for all. Now tell me why your hear."
Kabuto stepps forward and speaks. "Lady Tsuande, recently Lord Orochimaru was injured by the third Hokage in battle and we would like you to use your powerful healing jutsu to undo what was done to him." It was then that Tsunade noticed that Orochimaru's hands were bandaged. She didn't need to examine them to know what the problem was. She laughs again and says "So, you went toe to toe with Sarutobi-sensei and lost the use of your arms now. That seems so appropreit for you. Maybe I should just kill you now and save a lot of people some future pain."
"I suppose you could do that, considering the third died in order to do this to me. But I think the offer I'm willing to make you will more than justify your helping me out." says Orochimaru. Tsunade looks at him seriously and says "So, you killed the old man, huh? I wish I could be shocked by that, but I'm not for some strange reason. So tell me, what could you give me that would make me want to help you?" Orochimaru looked at her and said "Simple, I recently discovered a jutsu that allows me to revive the dead as real living flesh and blood. Help me with this small problem, and I'll revive your little brother, your lover, your son and his wife, and your adopted sister. Hows that for payment?"
Tsunade stood there stunned. Was it possible? Could he really bring them back, back to her? Shizune was more shocked by this and said "Lady Tusande, you can't be seriously be thinking of helping him, can you? He just admitted to causing the third to die. That can only mean he was responsible for what we heard happened back in the Leaf village recently. We should just kill him now and be done with..." Tsunade suddenly turns to her and says "That's enough Shizune. I don't need you to remind me of that." She turns back to Orochimaru and thinks on what to do.
Kabuto speaks up and says "There's no need to give an answer now. We can wait one week for you to come to an answer. Meet us here at that time and let us know. We'll be expecting a favorable response." And with that, Kabuto and Orichimaru vanish in a puff of smoke. Tsunade remains there for just a moment before saying "I need a drink." And with that, she takes off to find a good place to get a good drink. Shizune watches her walk away and thinks 'Tsunade, please don't help him. Even if it would revive uncle Dan and my mom, It's just not worth what he will eventually do with his arms healed again.'
(elsewhere)
Naruto and Jiraiya approach Tanzaku town, moving quickly. Jiraiya looks back at Naruto and smiles at seeing the boy trying his best to keep the balloon from bursting on him. "So, how's it going there Naruto?" he asked. Naruto sighed as he reached into his pocket and pulled another balloon out to replace the one he just lost. "It's still not good. I can maintain the balloon for about five seconds before I lose control and the balloon breaks. But, I am getting better." Jiraiya nods and says "You'll get it, just be patient. We're almost at our destination, so be on the look out for a woman with blond hair that's tied into pig tails along the back." Naruto nods as they enter Tanzaku town.
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It was later that night as Naruto and Jiraiya walk thru the town while looking for a place to eat. After arriving, they had looked around for about an hour or so after getting a hotel room to stay in. They had made their way to the destroyed castle and had found evidence that Tsunade had been there, based on the damage incurred to the nearby wall. However, Jiraiya was begging to think that she had already left, so he decided that they should get some food and then turn in for the night before setting out in the morning to continue the search.
"Naruto, lets stop in here for a bit. The place has a good feel about it." says Jiraiya. Naruto looks at the sign and says "OK, but this isn't my usual type of place. I mean, I doubt they serve ramn here." Jiraiya laughs and says "True, but you need to eat foods besides ramen or you'll never grow any bigger or become strong enough to protect your girl from the evils of the world." Naruto nodded and said "I know, I know. It's just hard to stop eat what you like, even if you know you need to for the greater good."
They enter the establishment and look for a table to sit at. The place was pretty pack, meaning it's got to be popular around here. It was then that Jiraiya noticed to women in the back of the room. One was a dark haired woman with a worried look on her face, the other was a blond who was obviously very drunk. 'Is that? No way, it can't be. Even I'm not that lucky, right?' thought Jiraiya. Still, he had to ask. "Hey, is that you Tsunade?" he asked aloud. The blond haired woman's head shot up and looked at him for a moment. "Jiraiya?" she asked in a confused voice.
Naruto looked at Jiraiya and Shizune looked at Tsunade for just a moment before the woman shot up as Jiraiya rushed over to her and they both shouted at once "IT IS YOU!" After a few moments, Tsunade sat back down as Jiraiya and Naruto also took a seat opposite them. "Well Jiraiya, I wasn't expecting you here today. Then again, I wasn't expecting to see our old friend Orochimaru here today either." Jiraiya looks at her and says "So, that snake also showed up to see you. I can only guess what he was wanting from you." Shizune wanted to speak out, but the look Tsuande flashed her was enough for her to know when to keep quiet.
"So, what happened between you two anyways?" asked Jiraiya. Tsuande took another shot from her glass before saying "Nothing I'm really interested in" she lied, "I just told him to take a hike. So, is it true that he attacked the village with the aid of the Sand and killed Sarutobi-sensei?" Jiraiya nods and says "Yes, it's true. The Sand village was tricked into helping him as Orochimaru killed the Kazekage and had them join the Sound for the invasion. But, I'm not here to talk about that." Tsunade looked at him with some amusement on her face and asked "Then why ARE you here, ya old perv."
Jiraiya's face became serious as he said "Two reasons. first is to ask you to return and us your healing talents for the village again. And the other is that a decision was made for you, Tsunade Senju, to become the 5th Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village." Tsunade's eyes shot open in surprise at hearing this. Shizune and Tonton were also open jawed at hearing this. But it was Naruto's sudden chocking on his food that really got things going. "Hold on a second Pervy Sage, what's this about her becoming the 5th?" yelled Naruto after he managed to finish choking on his food.
For the first time since they had sat down, Tsunade took a good look at Naruto. Shizune herself was trying to figure this mystery out as she knew this boy was some how familiar to her. Tsuande's mind was already at work when she said "And who's the brat, Jiraiya? I didn't think you were training brats again." This was the point Jiraiya was afraid of. His answer could either be very good or very bad, depending on how Tsuande was mentally right now. "Why, this is Naruto Uzumaki of course. I figured having such a comical person as him would come in handy on this mission. Plus, he's a good laugh for me, too."
Tsuande's eyes lowered dangerously for just a second before saying "I see. Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you Jiraiya, but my answer is no. Who would want to have that job to begin with. Only a fool who was wanting an early death in life would be stupid enough to want that job." Naruto, at hearing this, felt his anger rise as he said in a low, threatening voice. "Say that again. I dare you to say that again you heartless woman. Don't you ever put those four guys down for being Hokage. They were honorable ninja who sacrificed everything for the village they loved and the people who lived there. If it wasn't for the fact we need you in the village, I need you in the village, I'd put you in your place."
Tsunade looks at him and smiles "So, you think you have what it takes to do that, little boy?" Naruto's only response was to say "Lets take this outside." And with that, Naruto and Tsunade head towards the entrance leaving Jiraiya, Shizune, and Tonton to sigh in exasperation before they to followed. Naruto and Tsuande took up positions in the middle of the street as Tsunade said "Don't worry brat, I won't hurt you to bad now. In fact. I'll only need to use this one finger to bring yiou down." Naruto grins and says "What ever you say, lady. I'll make you regret looking down on me."
Naruto charges forward bringing his fist before him, ready to strike. Tsunade smirks as she goes to flick his head as he gets close enough. But just as she goes to move, Naruto back flips which catches her by surprise. Naruto uses his landing for momentum and launches forward with incredible speed. 'Heh, no way will I miss now' he thinks as his punch is sent right to her stomach. Tsunade regains herself just in time to spin around and grabs him by the collar as he sails past. She sends him flying back while simultaneously flicking hid forehead protector with her finger and sending it into the air.
Naruto picks himself up and dust himself off while looking at her. "OK, your definitely good. But I will beat you and get you to come back to the village, even if you don't deserve to be Hokage in my eyes." Tsunade looks at him and ask "Why are you so touchy about the title of Hokage? Why would anyone really want that death job?" Naruto's serious look at her takes everyone by surprise. "The title of Hokage is an honor in my opinion. And why I'm so touchy about it is simple, to become the Hokage is my dream. I will make that dream a reality and I'll protect every person in the village with everything I have."
Tsuande stands there stunned as memories play thru her mind of the others who have spoken those words. Her brother, her lover, and her son each spoke with such passion about Hokage, and now she was hearing it again from Naruto. Naruto, seeing her distracted, decides to give his new weapon a try. The sphere of chakra appears in his hand as he rushes forward Tsunade once again. Tsunade is brought from her thoughts as she sees this and realizes what he is using. She jumps out of the way just in time while grabbing Naruto's outstretched arm and forces it to hit the ground, causing a deep spiral cut to be created where she had just stood.
After letting Naruto go, Tsunade looks at Jiraiya and says "So, I'm guessing you were the one who taught him the Rasengan, Jiraiya?" Naruto looks at her and thinks 'Rasengan? Is that the name of this attack?' Jiraiya nods as he says "That's right. I felt it would be fitting all things considered." Tsuande takes a moment tho think before she says "OK Naruto, I'll make a deal with you. Since it's obvious you haven't mastered it yet, I'll give you one week to master that jutsu. If you can do it by mid-night on this day next week, I'll admit that I'm wrong about being Hokage and I'll return to help out. I'll even throw in my one of a kind necklace as a bonus. But if you can't you'll give your dream of being Hokage up forever."
Naruto thinks for a minute before saying "Deal."
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Shizune had decided to turn in for the night as the days event's had taken her by surprise. Getting to meet both Jiraiya and Orochimaru on the same day alone had been unexpected, but seeing Naruto had also been unexpected. After all, she hadn't seen him since he had been born and she herself was just barely into her teens. But the biggest surprises had come with hear that Tsunade was to be Hokage and she was willing to bet her grandfather's necklace on a bet. She had never done that before, but this wasn't like any other bet she had ever taken before, either.
As she drifted off to sleep, she thought about asking Jiraiya if he had known her mother and father as Tsunade had once told her that she was friends with them. She had been told all about her mother, Hikari, who was one of Dan's two sisters (the one who didn't die as a child) but she next to nothing about her father except that he was a brave and strong man. "I wish I could have met them at least once. But I know they'll live on with in me as long as I myself ilve." she says to herself as she slowly falls asleep.
Naruto had found a nice rocky area with plenty of targets for him to practice on. He had sworn that he would succeed in this. Both Hinata and the whole village was counting on him and he will not fail. Powering up his Rasengan, he began his training to master the move.
In a bar with in the town, Tsuande was having a drink by herself when Jiraiya appeared to join her. "That was a very dangerous gamble you took, Jiraiya. How did you know I wouldn't kill you for bringing him with you?" she asked. Jiraiya smiles and says "Just a hunch. I could tell that you were surprised to see him, especially with the Rasengan in his hands after all. So, why'd you make that bet with him anyways?" Tsunade sighs and says "To save him, of course. Even if he managed to learn the first two steps quickly, he's going to need more than just a week to master the final step. I've already lost so much to that village, I don't plan on losing anymore. I'll win the bet and then I'll make him come with me."
"Well, he might have been better off with us from the beginning anyways." Tsunade looks at him and ask "What do you mean?" Jiraiya gets a sad look in his eyes and says "Sarutobi-sensei wasn't able to fully keep his promise to us. Naruto's first few years of life was filled with abuse, beatings, rejections,and being made to feel like an outcast." Tsunade clenches her fist before saying "Damn old man, I should have figured that would happen. It's a good thing he's dead or I'd go back just to do the job myself."
"Easy there, Tsunade, we can't change the past but we will change the future." says Jiraiya. Tsunade nods at that before asking "I remember him saying he had a personal need for me there. What is this personal need anyways?" Jiraiya reaches into his sage garb and pulls out a picture and hands it to Tsunade. She looks at it and smiles at what she sees. Naruto is sitting in a chair dressed in a Santa Claus outfit, a young girl who was obviously a Hyuga by birth was sitting on his lap smiling and wearing a female version of the Santa outfit. There were two other boys, one dressed as a reindeer and the other an elf.
"This was taken at Christmas time several years ago. The girl sitting on Naruto's lap is Hinata Uzumaki. She's the reason he wants you to return." Tsunade looks at him and ask "Hinata Uzumaki? Shouldn't it be Hyuga, instead? Don't tell me he's married already?" Jiraiya laughs and says "I'm sure that they would be married now if marriage laws would allow it. No, she's the daughter of Hiashi and Hitomi who, for her own safety, was cast from the clan and was taken in by Naruto when he was eight. She had her lat name changed and they now live together and even sleep in the same bed, though he's assured me that they haven't gone that far yet. They're saving that special moment for when they're older."
"So, why does he need me to come for her?" asked Tsunade who was worried about what it might be. "During the Chunin Exam, she was injured by a boy named Sasuke Uchiha. His attack paralyzed her from the waist down and he's hoping you might be able to do what the doctor's in the village can't do." says Jiraya. Tsunade looks again at the picture and smiles. 'This girl must have made his life a great deal better.' she thought. "OK, I will return and help do some medical work for the village. But my staying in the village and becoming Hokage will depend on Naruto's ability to master the Rasengan. And if he fails, both he and the girl will leave with me when I'm done with the village."
Tsunade goes to leave, but stops as she hears Jiraiya speak. "I see Shizune is doing well. I knew I made the right call with asking you to raise her. Thank you, Tsunade." She looks back at him and smiles "She looks so much like her mother as well as has her mentality too. Though I have seen bits and pieces of her father there as well. So, will you ever tell her since I swore I wouldn't unless you died before hand?" Jiraiya nods and says "Once Orochimaru is dead, then I will tell her. I just hope she can forgive me for not being there for her. But I needed to be out there to track Orochimaru so I could one day make him pay for taking Hikari away from us, away from me."
One week has passed since that night and only twelve hours remain until the big moment.
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next chapter: Sanin Showdown
A/N2: Well, as I'm sure you can guess, Shizune is the daughter of Jiraiya and Hikari in this story. Who is Hikari and what is her connection to everything? That will be revealed in time. I will say that the idea came from another story I will be writing here eventually called Jiraiya's Hinata. I originally stated in another story that Jiraiya's other half was named Fuumani, but I have since changed her name to Hikari (meaning light) since it made better since and helped to connect her to Hinata's (sunny place) name better. Hikari was to Jiraiya what Hinata is to Naruto, though I'm sure you probably may have already guessed I was thinking that.
And yes, I decided to say the reason why she isn't alive is because Orochimaru killed her to get to Jiraiya. My reasoning is this: I belief Jiraiya was in the same mindset about Orochimaru as Naruto currently is about Sasuke in the manga. He believed he could get Maru to return to being good again. Then Maru did that to the Perv's wife as a way to make him realize that he wasn't going back and that he needs to give that thought up, which the Perv obviously did. Lets just hope that Naruto doesn't have to learn that same lesson himself in the manga if Sasuke really is going to be evil and stay that way or if it does, he won't lose Hinata to make him realize that fact.
And yes, I believe Hinata is still alive since killing her off for good would be a very bad move for Kishimoto to make. Plus, can you imagine how many people would either stop ready the manga or say or do things against him. I mean, killing Shizune and possibly Kakashi in the manga is one thing, killing Hinata on the other hand would be seen as being far worse in many people's eyes.