A/N: Remember that vote I had y'all do for Mikoto? Well, the reveal is in this chapter, I hope those of you who voted enjoy the outcome, and if you didn't get what you wanted; well, I'm sorry to hear that but, I left it everyone's hands on this one. The reveal for your favorite Bijuu between Kokuo and Son Goku is still pending, meaning votes are still being accepted for the outcome and will be accepted until I have the chapter it becomes relevant in pre-written and pending edit. So, place your votes and remember as stated beforehand no duplicate votes will be accepted! Thanks for your support guys and girls, please enjoy this chapter and I'll see you at the end with another note!
Also, before you read, please keep in mind you are 5 reviews and 80 follows away from the two milestones I have set. The week that either of those milestones is reached, there will be an extra update to come on the following Wednesday, nice midway point to my Sunday updates.
The Wolf and the Fox
Chapter 15 - The Fox and the Dog
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Sasuke smirked as Menma and Ino boisterously cheered for the Nara's simplistic, yet brilliant victory. From the very beginning of the match, Shikamaru had Kin exactly where he had wanted her, proof of just how dangerous his strategic ability could be for his opponent. The Uchiha hated to admit it, but he never could've played someone so soundly into essentially defeating themselves because of their lack of situational awareness. Completely keeping a lazy demeanor, the entire time at that, it was certainly the way of the boy's clan.
"So, troublesome," the boy sighed as he walked past the three members of Team Seven still in attendance.
Menma wasn't listening apparently though, his eyes focused on the randomizer with a burning desire. "My turn, my turn," he kept mumbling, Rock Lee doing much of the same a few feet from the crimson haired boy. Sasuke could only sigh at the antics of the two, it was just another example of someone being exactly themselves. Menma, after all, could be just as battle crazy and ready to prove his strength as he himself could be.
"HELL YEAH!"
Sasuke slammed his hands over his ears at the cry of joy from his best friend, Ino smiling at the boy as he looked down the balcony towards Inuzuka Kiba.
"Yahoo, looks like we get an easy pass, Akamaru!" the Inuzuka cheered, earning a glare from the Uzumaki-Namikaze.
He felt his side being nudged before he could respond to the claim, his eyes widening when he turned to find Sakura smiling at him; her head band missing and long hair flowing down her slightly curvy slim figure. "Ganbatte, Menma-kun," she said, earning a grin from the boy.
"Sakura-chan, shouldn't you be resting from chakra exhaustion?" he asked, the girl's smile widening because he was worried about her.
"Buntan-chan and I both just got released after I helped heal some of her bones," she gestured towards the other balcony, the Kiri kunoichi winking back at Menma as he looked over to her. "Besides, it's not like I could've missed your match, show dog breath why you're going to be Hokage someday!" she encouraged him, pumping her clenched fist slightly.
Menma grinned with the widest smile he'd worn since the matches had begun, Sakura's support of his dream meaning the world to him in this moment. "Don't worry, Sakura-chan, I'll kick his sorry ass, Dattebyo!"
With that, he quickly vaulted himself over the railing, missing the small smile that the Sandaime was shooting him; proud of the boy's will of fire shining brightly. He landed with barely a sound, his violet eyes immediately locking onto the cocky gaze of Kiba's.
"Hm, reminds me of the preliminaries in Iwa, when Hana-chan and I faced off against each other," Naruto smiled, looking between the two boy's he'd watched grow up.
"You should just forfeit now, Menma-baka, you're no match for me and Akamaru!"
Menma scoffed at the claim, his previous happiness washed from his face for a surprisingly serious look. Naruto smiled as he noted the look in his brother's eyes, feeling it as the boy unleashed a fraction of the ocean of chakra he possessed. "The match between Inuzuka Kiba and Uzumaki-Namikaze Menma, both of Konohagakure, will now begin!" He announced, this time choosing to jump up and sit on the railing near the Sandaime.
"If you're so confident, I'll give you the first strike," Menma offered challengingly, Naruto smirking as he heard the unmistakable scoff of Kurenai. Most likely mistaking Menma's confidence in his strength for cockiness. Her annoyed look only seemed to sour as her best friend, Anko, excitedly cheered for Menma to kick her student's ass. Sakura and Ino weren't far behind with their own cheering, Kakashi and Sasuke smiling at all the recognition Menma was getting at the moment.
Kiba growled at the boy's words, making a few hand seals, Menma just watching with folded arms. "Shikyaku no Jutsu," he roared before falling to the ground on all fours, gaining an overall feral look. "Don't blink!" he warned, before the Inuzuka nin charged forward in a burst of speed. When he reappeared, he was poised to send an elbow strike directly into Menma's abdomen.
But, his eyes widened when Menma didn't even try to dodge, instead just catching the strike in the palm of his hand. Violet eyes staring dauntingly into feral black slits, "If this is all you can do, this won't last long."
Kiba once more growled, ignoring the Uzumaki's cheering squad as he went for several more strikes, the crimson haired boy blocking each one. He couldn't even block or dodge as the boy struck back, sending out an open palm strike to his chest that sent him sprawling back. When he recovered, he witnessed Menma finally falling into his taijutsu stance, that serious look still in his eyes.
"So, you really have taught him the Hachidori Ken," Gai asked Naruto, seeing the stance and recognizing it easily. "And this is the second level stance no less, he truly is the perfect rival for Lee to become the strongest taijutsu master."
"The Hachidori Ken was left to both of us by our father, it's his birthright just as it is mine, the only stance still out of his reach is the fourth and final, that which uses the Hiraishin," Naruto answered, Gai widening his eyes in response. The second stance was enough to pressure a Hyuuga in a pure taijutsu contest, the third was enough to completely overwhelm them. The fourth had been deemed a forbidden technique of the style, having been a large reason Namikaze Minato had taken an entire Iwa army on by himself. "This will be the hardest challenge Kiba will face in his early career, and if he manages to win then he has truly earned it."
Kurenai frowned at the blonde's words, watching as Kiba continually tried to break the Uzumaki-Namikaze's guard only to fail time after time. She had been looking for a humbling event to hopefully level out her rowdy student, but this was something even she hadn't expected. She cringed when Menma grabbed the boy's clawed hand by the wrist to stop the swipe sent for his face, then sent a kick to Kiba's calf, quickly followed by one to the back of the boy's knee, buckling the joint. The crimson haired boy finished the combo with a spinning jump kick that connected to Kiba's chin sending him sprawling back.
Kiba panted as he glared at the still calm Uzumaki-Namikaze, having not been beaten this soundly by the boy even within their academy years. It was as if he had trained every second Kiba had, then doubled it, it honestly wouldn't surprise him; Menma was known for his stamina after all.
"Akamaru, it's time to show this prick what we can do!" Kiba growled, his white pooch yipping in response, catching the soldier pill Kiba threw to him from his jacket pocket. Menma didn't move as he watched Akamaru's coat become red and the rowdy pup seemed to grow feral as he growled uncontrollably. His violet eyes were brought from the puppy as Kiba held the tiger seal, "Jujin Bunshin," the boy called before Akamaru became a perfect clone of Kiba's current state.
The pair suddenly pulled smoke bombs from their hip pouches, throwing a total of four of the balls around the field, covering the field with purple smoke. The first thing Menma noticed was there wasn't the usual ash scent that came from the bombs, "Scentless smoke so that I can't see and he can find me with his heightened sense of smell, not bad Kiba," he thought with a smirk.
Menma was finally forced to move from his spot as he avoided the attempted high to low hit from the pair, he could hear Kiba's growl of frustration when he noticed his escape. The Uzumaki-Namikaze was using his own sense of smell to pinpoint and block or avoid the flurry of attacks sent his way, "Kagebunshin no Jutsu," he thought, making the crossed ram seal before two copies came into existence, engaging the Inuzuka duo. He had only made two to pump a bit more chakra into them, allowing them to suffer a few more blows than the normal one, a tip Naruto had given him.
Taking the opportunity, he presented himself, he jumped out of the smoke, surprising some as he ripped the sleeves from his shirt once he landed. The move was confusing for some, but Kakashi allowed his eyes to widen when he watched the crimson haired boy tie each the hilt of his kunai. "He's diverting his scent to the kunai to catch him off guard, something like that would even surprise a few of my ninken," the copy ninja mentally smiled at his youngest surrogate brother's ingenuity.
Menma then holstered one and bit down on the handle of the other, charging back into the fog, returning to the offensive. Not a few moments later, both of the Kiba's came soaring out the other end, rolling across the concrete. Kiba was about to charge in until he smelled Menma's scent coming far quicker than he had previously seen, but his eyes widened when he caught sight of what it actually was after it broke through the smoke and passed harmlessly by his head. It was a kunai wrapped in the orange fabric of Menma's sleeve, suddenly however the kunai fazed and the crimson haired boy appeared.
"Kawarimi no Justu?!" Kurenai's eyes widened at seeing it used in such a manner as this. In the next moment, she watched as the Uzumaki-Namikaze kicked directly towards Kiba's head and threw the other kunai from his holster at the beastly bunshin, in one fluent motion. After the kick had connected, and sent Kiba sprawling once more, he replaced himself with the second kunai and kicked Akamaru in the same manner.
Kiba looked up from his position, glaring heatedly at the still calm and collected form of Menma. After a moment, his eyes moved and locked with Akamaru, both nodding at each other at their next move. Quickly, faster than before, the two charged in from each side missing the smirk that came to Menma's face when they began rotating at rapid speeds. "Gatsuga!" Kiba's voice called, as the two came straight at him, the air around them creating a drill like vortex of sorts.
"Bunshin Daibakuha," Menma whispered, holding a single-handed ram seal, eyes watching widening as some recognized the jutsu. In the next moment, just as Kiba and Akamaru were within range, "Menma" exploded rocketing both back into their own personal craters within the opposing walls. "Futon: Toppa," the crimson haired boy's voice once more sounded out, a gentle wind dispersing the smoke he had used to conceal himself entirely, turning Kiba's move completely against him. His violet eyes looked between the two, softening slightly when the clone poofed and revealed the beat-up form of Akamaru.
"Your partner is down for the count, you should forfeit," His voice was soft and gentle, not even looking to watch Kiba force himself up.
"I-I won't lose to yo-you a-again, t-teme," the Inuzuka grunted, earning a sigh from his opponent.
"Thank you for trying your hardest, Kiba," he said, finally turning a set of darkened violet eyes to his panting opponent. "Please forgive me for this," he added, confusing Kiba slightly.
The confusion abruptly left, replaced with a pained look, when Menma shunshined from his position reappearing to drive his elbow directly into Kiba's gut. The attack had enough force behind it to send a tremor through the balcony above, Kiba forced deeper into the crater of the wall. Menma's face shone with regret for only a moment as he looked at the near unconscious form of Kiba, "You're a good friend Kiba, but nothing will get in my way on the road to Hokage, and this was just one of many hurdles on my way!"
"Winner, Uzumaki-Namikaze Menma!" Naruto announced, having teleported down to the boys to look over Kiba personally as his palm glowed green. "You did well, Otouto, even if you weren't going to the final round; you're definitely deserving of Chuunin," the blonde said softly, smiling at his brother as he worked. Menma only gave him that foxy grin in response, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Go on, get back up there, the field needs to be cleaned up again, so you'll have some time to chat with everyone."
His little brother nodded and was gone in a moment, leaving him with the Inuzuka until the medics came to take over. When he finally looked up to the balcony, a small smile came to his face seeing Sakura hugging the boy tightly. Ino seemed to be either complaining about the pinkette hogging him or hugging him, he couldn't really decipher their animated speech from here. Naruto could only shake his head at the antics of the three, it would be interesting to see what they developed into. Especially judging from the minute change in Menma's chakra that the blonde had sensed after Team Seven's arrival, the council may very well have a field day with this.
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Brown eyes glared around the poorly lit room, one of their Master's former hideouts within the village he planned to level. Her eyes moved around the room, passing over the three she currently shared it with, three "men," she absolutely hated with every fiber of her being. They could be specifically blamed for her vulgarity and her lack of faith in anyone's strength but her own. Well, there was one other person's strength she believed in, she had seen him throw it around after all. The day he had seemingly stumbled across the Northern base she was in command of, had been the day she had nearly lost her life, she had been the only one to survive his destruction. His mercy of course came at a cost, but even giving her the ultimatum to work for him, he had shown her more kindness than anyone else ever had.
At first it had pissed her off, him completely thrashing her and her forces, only to heal her back to health and allow her escape. But, after returning to the central base, returning to the snake's side and being interrogated over what had happened. She quickly realized all that man had done for her, even going so far as to use that strange eye of his to forge an incorrect memory of the events to throw off any who could look into her mind. So, not only had he spared her, but he had saved her as well. It was why she felt no reluctance to pay the piper when she was summoned, the seal on her lower spine not only being the mark for his space-time ninjutsu but, having the function for him to send messages to her in coded chakra pulses and her to drop her chakra in ways he could decipher.
By no means, could she send detailed messages, but just like with the scrolls she would give him; there was a coded language of sort between them. Exactly how she had told him, and by extension his summon that recovered it, the coordinates where she would be leaving the scroll.
Even through the kindness he had given her, she knew she was indebted to him and what his expectation of her were. But, what confused her the most really was the genuine care he held for her wellbeing. Not because he didn't want Orochimaru to catch her and reveal him, because he didn't want any harm to come to her, in any shape or form. It was why, even if she wouldn't admit it aloud, she cared deeply for the blonde haired man that had given her a different perspective of this dark world. Even with just a glance of that light, she was willing to die for him and even for his idealistic cause, if just for the slim chance the crazy bastard could pull it off.
That's the reason it had hurt her when Orochimaru debriefed them of his true intentions during the attack, their duties and what they would see. She would even be forced to kill a girl she had been considering a comrade lately, Kin. A sacrifice for the forbidden technique he wished to use to harm her one and only precious person.
Her Naruto-sama had given her direct orders to stay put and do as the snake told her, but she wanted nothing more than to release the man's own creation upon him. However, the blonde had assured her that not only would the Snake's plan not come to fruition more than he allowed. But, when Orochimaru's desire and needs for a new body finally began to force his hand and he slipped, Tayuya would finally be free. Part of her still worried if she could make it that long surrounded by these three, technically four, idiots; long enough for Naruto to enact his true plan. It would completely cripple the snake and she couldn't have been more proud of her role to play in the downfall of the man that had orchestrated her life for so long.
"Oi, Tayuya, what's your problem," the tone was cold, not an ounce of worry or care within it, not that there had been any such emotion between any of them.
"I don't have one, unless you've got something to fucking say you six-armed side show," she glared harshly, the strange man glaring at her response; namely how she verbally assaulted him so freely. She may be the second strongest of the four of them, but he could give her a run for that if she continued on this way. "Keep looking at me like you want a damn fight and you're going to find yourself magically short four Kami damned limbs," she growled, his eyes watching as the lines of her seal began to unleash with her anger.
"Kidomaru, leave her alone, if we're going to be stuck like this until Orochimaru-sama returns; I'd rather not have to alert anyone above us of our presence by going full out to put you two in your place," Another of the men spoke, his blue hair keeping his eyes hidden in this lighting.
The two calmed themselves, Tayuya forcing the seal to recede back into its place; there was no doubt that her true master had felt her surge of chakra through his seal. The stray thought of him actually flashing to her and eliminating her so-called team passed her mind for a moment, forcing a wistful sigh from her nostrils. If only that could really be the case, it would make her days more enjoyable at the very least.
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Naruto's eyes turned from the work being done to repair the testing grounds, looking in the direction of the village as he sensed the spike of chakra from one of his seals. It wasn't either of the ones on Mei nor Mikoto-sensei, he could tell the difference in each of his seals easily, as if he was standing right next to the person. He knew it was his foul mouthed little informant, what escaped him was their presence remaining within Konohagakure, and not just Hokumon no Tayuya; he could sense the other gates near her as well.
Turning his gaze towards the sound shinobi, or rather the one Gennin and his so-called sensei still within the room. A wolfish smirk spread across his face when his mismatched eyes found a pair of golden slit-like eyes. If the fool really thought he could hide in plain sight like this, he was not only underestimating the Senso no Okami, but the Shinobi no Kami next to him as well. Two very dangerous follies to make, especially with the snake's trump card still fresh in the blonde's mind. But, he wouldn't be who he was if he didn't make direct eye contact with the man.
He nearly drew attention to them as he actually winked at the snake, his black orb being hidden by his eye-lid before opening to reveal the eternal Mangekyo he had achieved after replacing Izumi's eye with Shishui's. Orochimaru was completely unprepared, having been glaring back at the daring wolf for his haughty action, when the world around him disappeared.
"Not only are you foolish enough to be present amongst us, but to stare directly into the wielder of a technique such as mine," The blonde laughed, the snarls of a wolf and caws of a raven filled Orochimaru's ears.
The snake, despite his apprehension of this young man, chuckled in his usual manner. "Do you truly wish to have our confrontation here and now Naruto-kun, so many liabilities around us, so many cute little Gennin for me to slaughter," he said it, even as he felt the roots from the ground reaching up to ensnare him in an all too familiar technique for the man. It was the same technique Fugaku had used on him when he had confronted the man, after all, wanting his sharingan for himself. He tried not to grunt when he felt the roots rip through his abdomen, the blonde's face remaining eerily calm.
"I'm going to show you very soon just how insignificant you are, Orochimaru, but you're correct we will be doing it on your terms," His Mangekyo suddenly pulsed as the snake was completely ripped apart before the scene seemed to reset itself. "Next time, don't look into my eyes, or I won't give you the chance to see my true power and rip your mind to nothing more than shreds," he warned before forcefully breaking the genjutsu.
In the real world, Naruto watched in satisfaction seeing the snake's posture falter, his hand idly coming to wipe away the small trail of blood that had followed the show of force. "Tempting my old student's hand, you must be getting anxious for your own chance to battle, Naruto-kun," Hiruzen said in a voice too low for any near them to hear, not even worried about the ones across from them being able to read his lips.
"Hm, you say something Kodai Saru (Ancient Monkey)?" Naruto muttered, earning a small scoff from the man hailed as the professor.
"One day I will break your legs, one day," It was the blonde's turn to scoff, actually laughing at the Kage.
"What was it you used to say to me about being a hundred years too early, ever heard the one about being a hundred years too late?"
Hiruzen was fuming, and the blonde was relishing in it, the overgrown sprout knew exactly what buttons to push and exactly how hard. "It seems the field is finished; don't you have a job to do?"
Naruto chuckled at his dismissal, "Just another point for me, Kodai-Saru," he said, shunshining down to the field a moment later, all eyes immediately finding him. "Looks like you brats are getting better at paying attention, only took you seven matches," he muttered mostly to himself with an eye roll, ignoring any complaint as he turned his eyes to the randomizer. When it finished he once more turned to face front, "Akimichi Choji of Konohagakure and Kinuta Dosu of Otogakure, please make your way down to the field, your match begins next!"
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Mikoto released a small sigh as she took a seat on the couch within Tsunade's private study, which in all honesty was essentially just a room for the female Sannin to drink privately in. However, Mikoto's charcoal eyes could still pick out some theoretical medicinal chakra scribblings in various places, namely on a hanging scroll and then on several papers scattered across her desk. "Working on something new, Tsunade-sensei?"
The busty Sannin rose a trimmed brow at the question, a small smile coming to her face as she pulled a very pricey bottle of Sake from her stash and walked over to sit next to her former student. "Hm, before I answer that question, why don't you tell me what exactly it is that's been on your mind, or rather whom," she posed the question, a knowing look in her eyes as she began to pour each of them a drink.
Mikoto blanched for only a fraction of a moment, quickly wiping any expression or reaction from her face in the blink of an eye. "I have no clue what it is you're referring to Tsunade-sensei," she answered carefully.
The blonde didn't buy it for a moment, openly scoffing at her former student, "Please, I practically raised you and Kushina aside from what little your father did for you," Mikoto did not miss the disdain that leaked into her teacher's voice at the mention of her father. The Uchiha matriarch, despite having her problems with the man, had loved her father. Tsunade on the other hand, especially having to deal with the man on a professional level, had no qualms admitting her dislike or even hate for the crude man he had been. At one point even bringing her from the clan compound to the Senju compound to live, daring the man to challenge her decision. Just thinking of those times brought back sour memories for her, one's she absolutely refused to drown herself back in. It's why Tsunade said nothing more as Mikoto quickly grabbed the expensive Sake and chugged half of it, the Senju/Uzumaki hybrid looking at her with unhidden worry.
Mikoto stopped drinking and gently placed the bottle down, releasing a shaky breath, "I'm sorry, I know you still struggle with all of what happened then," Tsunade frowned, but Mikoto shook her head to wave it off.
"I hadn't struggled with it for a while, not until everything with my ex-husband brought back some memories a little too close, especially where he and Naruto-kun fought," She sighed with tired eyes, bringing the actual drink poured for her to her lips to sip it.
"It is rather interesting how so many of the conflicts of our families have climaxed in that particular valley," Tsunade admitted, smiling fondly as a stray thought of her boisterous grandfather entered her mind. "However, I'm still curious as to what your plans with my grandson are, exactly," the smirk was Cheshire in nature, and the blush on Mikoto's face spelled the beginning of the end. However, confusion covered the beautiful woman's face when Tsunade produced a pad with scribbling all over it. "Read it, my significant other went into quite the detail with his," her eyes rolled, and fingers moved to make quotes, "research."
Mikoto, for her part, did as the older woman told her; her face being burned scarlet and by the end of it crimson, almost sanguine in shade. She had never been so embarrassed in her entire life, certainly never blushed like this, least of all over sexual acts. "If I hadn't beaten the truth out of him, I wouldn't have believed it was you, never pegged you to be into so many kinky things; especially not with that stick in the mud ex-husband of yours," Tsunade laughed heartily at that, making the blushing Mikoto look at her confused.
"Wait, you're not mad?"
"If Naruto was younger, sure maybe I'd be mad, but he's a grown man with very hefty responsibilities on his shoulders," She shrugged taking a leisurely sip from her drink. "I was mad with Jiraiya for watching and intending to put you two into one of his books, but I know his depravity knows no bounds, stupid loveable pervert," she huffed, before releasing a sigh to calm herself, no need to get mad and go break his legs to match his arms. "You two have both been through a lot in your lives, and I have no problem in either of two of my most precious people finding comfort in one another. Besides, after you being forced to marry and have children with that poor excuse for human waste; I think you should take the chances for happiness presented to you. Not many who have married without love get the chance to actually ever find it," she smiled, before raising a brow at the woman now raising a brow at her. It was so hard not to laugh at the blush still raging across the younger woman's face.
"You want me to go further with him, what about him being my eldest's best friend and Kushina's son!?"
Tsunade shrugged, finishing her sake and laughing slightly, "Well, knowing how accepting of things Kushi-chan could be, I don't think she would have been upset with you for more than a month or two at most," intentionally leaving out all the pranks she would've had to endure during that time. "For the Itachi part I don't really know, but I'm thinking that's more Naruto's problem than your own," she laughed heartily this time, imagining Naruto having to explain that one. "Besides, for your age you're still drop dead gorgeous and who gives a damn if someone has a problem with you being a cougar, according to that," she pointed to the pad and smirked when the lessening blush darkened, "Naruto absolutely loves it, which in all honestly was incredibly hard to read. Even if I have the suspicion that Jiraiya's last three books have been about Naruto," She said gaining a thoughtful look, ignoring the complete shock across Mikoto's face.
Sure, what she and Naruto had done had been incredibly hot, kinky and exactly what she needed in her life, just reading about it made her want to pounce him again. But, she had never once fathomed that her old sensei would be unopposed to this, certainly never imagined her encouraging it. Though, she had to admit, thinking back to that entire afternoon in the forest, Naruto had loved it and so had she. There had never been someone so dominant and loving in her life, being with him had been like being with a god amongst men. She just didn't know if a wild romp fest could grow into something as complex as love, especially given their age gap and the others in their life.
Her eyes trailed down to the note pad, and she felt herself moisten slightly as one line quite literally played through her mind. That massive hot length of his resting across her face before he picked it up and smacked her several times with the behemoth, she would've moaned at the thought of him ramming that thing down her throat a moment later if not for her current company. Tsunade had been looking at her for a moment, going completely unnoticed as she watched her student clearly recalling particular memories.
The blonde Sannin sighed slightly, it had been mortifying to not only find this within Jiraiya's notes but make the connection so quickly. But, as much as she initially was not happy with her student, she had taken time to think it over. In the end, she knew Mikoto deserved this second chance for what she truly deserved in a partner, and who better than her troublesome grandson that was in need of wives? Mei could quite possibly have some issue with the idea, but she also had her sneaking suspicions the busty Mizukage would be all for it. Naruto had certainly pegged his first love directly on the nose when he called her a troublesome minx, and the Mizukage had unabashedly said, "And, you love it." Jiraiya was certainly proud of that choice for his grandson, and she knew all too well that the stunt leading towards Naruto and Mikoto's actions in the forest had to be a scheme of his, a gamble even. It really annoyed her that her lover could be such a damn good gambler and yet she was known as the legendary sucker; and not because Jiraiya's second, third and fourth book had been about their own exploits.
"And, you're sure you are okay with this?" Mikoto finally questioned after seemingly snapping herself from those lewd thoughts.
"Under one circumstance," the blonde Sannin held up a single dainty digit. "You hurt him in any kind of way, and they'll never find your body."
Mikoto gulped slightly, "Good thing he's the dominant one then I guess?" Tsunade deadpanned at the poorly timed joke, the Uchiha woman laughing nervously. She was saved a berating as a loud crash came from outside, "I thought those two finished their little battle?"
"My backyard was destroyed, it was not a little battle and I believe Mei-chan is being a rather troublesome minx, which is normal if you ask Naruto," Tsunade sighed and rolled her eyes, pouring herself another round.
"I suppose that means I won't have to do much more pushing on that front then, though plans will have to be altered slightly to include myself," she said thoughtfully, now being much more free with her thoughts, knowing Tsunade wasn't against it helped.
"Naruto tries to hide it, but he's just as much of a pervert as Jiraiya, so do like I did with the original pervert," Tsunade said, taking a sip of the sake calmly.
"What did you do?"
"You'll have to alter it slightly because of the whole Itachi deal, but I called him over and dropped my Kimono after answering the door; he's been my headache ever since," the small fond smile on her face betraying the derogatory way she described her pervert.
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"Winner, Kinuta Dosu of Otogakure," Naruto announced, beyond thankful these two hadn't managed to destroy the field or liter it with weapons like others. Honestly, he was wondering why Chouji had only used one variation of his clan's expansion techniques; if he had not he could've easily overpowered the little walking mummy. Noticing the two making their way back to the balcony, he brushed the thoughts aside and turned his eyes back to the randomizer. He was not surprised by what he saw, "The next match will be between Hyuuga Hinata and Neji of Konohagakure, contestants please join me on the field."
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A/N: Well, that's all for today, I hope you guys enjoyed and got what you wanted! For those of you wondering when the action, action is going to take a break and the "lemony goodness" as it was described in my Dms, is going to return; you're going to love the break between the prelims and the finals, just saying. Gotta build that hype, right? But, yeah, NaruMiko is now in the story and my past disclaimer about them not being a thing is a lie…...thanks for making me a liar guys -_- lol! See ya'll soon!