" I must say Tsunade, you surprised me. There is very little that can catch me off guard. Hearing that you had a son is mind blowing. Who's his father ? "
I'd been waiting for this question. Hatorama says Sarutobi Sensei hasn't asked him. It's my story to tell though and it seems that now is the time for revelations.
I sigh and look at the two men for a moment, then I nod slightly. " Sensei, activate the privacy seals please. " He arches an eyebrow, but does as I ask.
Jiraiya comes closer to us then and takes a seat. " This all began during the Second Great Ninja War actually. An idea I had. "
" As you know, my clan has all but disappeared now. The reason for that is because of the fact that they all served on the frontlines of all of our conflicts. "
" My grandfather and grand-uncle were not only Hokage, they were the Clan Head as well. They felt that meant they shouldn't show favouritism towards our clan. "
" Not just that, they felt that they had to set an example to those that followed after them. That being Hokage is to be beyond looking out just for your own family. "
" In a sense, the entirety of the Hidden Leaf is now your clan. So the members of my clan were always in the meat grinder. It didn't help that they were targeted above their fellow Leaf shinobi, because of who they were related to. "
" I saw all of this as a child, but there was nothing I could do. Not yet. That was one of the major reasons for my initial interest in medicine. "
" Things took a different turn as I got older though and a different idea presented itself to me after a conversation I had with Orochimaru. "
I smiled wryly at their grimaces. " Yes, quite. I made a breakthrough while I was with Dan. He was the only one that I told about it. He was after all the only one that fully supported my ideas. "
I said that last bit in a pointed tone and they both turned away for a moment. I sigh again, and swallow the pain that thinking about Dan brings.
" Dan died a month later. Before he died however, he gave me a gift. Something to safeguard against that eventuality. His sperm, which I preserved in a container using sealing. "
They both look slightly disgusted for a moment. I roll my eyes. Such children. After a moment though, comprehension slowly dawns.
" Yes, Dan is Hatorama's father. I'm not going to relive the past, but you know how his death broke me. The latest in a long line of losses. "
" I left and allowed my grief to consume me. If it wasn't for Shizune, I fear for what might have happened. By the time the Third Great Ninja War had ended however, many years later, I had largely come to terms with everything. "
" Shizune helped me perform the procedure and my son came nine months after. I've trained him to the best of my abilities. Given him a normal and more importantly, a safe upbringing. Something he wouldn't have had here. "
" Throughout my time of self imposed exile however, I have tried to keep an eye out on the Leaf and it's goings on. A slug makes for a pretty good spy. "
Here I shot a smirk at Jiraiya, who rolled his eyes. I became serious again as I focused on Sensei.
" There are so many suspicious things going on here and many unanswered questions Sensei. Things it seems you've been content to ignore, even if it's just for your peace of mind. "
" Things that are pretty hard to excuse. I'll cut you some slack though, because you shouldn't have had to carry the burden of being Hokage for so long. "
" We, as your students are to blame for that. All disappointments in our own ways. I decided when my son was born, that I was going to stop running. "
" Stop running from my problems and my responsibilities. You've served long enough Sensei. It's time to pass the honour and burden of being Hokage on. Pass it on to me. "
Both men gape at me. I let them. It is pretty out of character for me. Or rather, the me they used to know.
Sensei rallies first. The openly hopeful expression on his face makes my heart clench. " Tsunade...I don't...are you certain ? Being Hokage is... "
I gently cut him off. " I'm sure Sarutobi Sensei. You've more than earned your retirement. I will take on the mantle of Fifth Hokage. "
Jiraiya bursts into laughter then, slapping his thigh. " Today is indeed a day for surprises Princess. You as Hokage ! The gods do indeed have a sense of humour ! "
A vein throbs at my temple. Typical Jiraiya. Always ruining the moment. Sensei's snort stops me from punching him.
He has a fond expression on his face as he looks at us. His posture has relaxed as well, all the tension in his frame gone. He just looks so relieved.
" Very well then Tsunade, you don't need to convince me any further, let us go over the details. " The three of us then got down to business. It was for the best that everything was sorted before anyone tried to interfere.
A few days later / Normal / Hatorama POV
When the Second Stage concluded, my team left the tower accompanied by our Sensei.
As it turned out, all three of us would be receiving independent training, but Sensei would still be available to help us if we wished.
When we exited the forest, we all split up, with me heading directly home. My mother would likely be there waiting for me.
I wasn't wrong. As I entered the house, she was sitting on a sofa. She wasn't alone though. There was a man sitting there as well.
A pretty distinctive one. My mother's other teammate. Jiraiya, the Toad Sannin, who just so happens to be leering at my mother.
Without taking a moment to think about it, I use a jutsu I reverse-engineered after reading about once.
It doesn't do what it's supposed to though, which is fine, because it's not like I want to actually injure or kill him.
Water Style Gunshot. With the thumb and index finger of my left hand pointing at him, I lower my thumb.
A long stream of water jets out from my finger and drenches Jiraiya. He leaps up with a curse and my mother bursts into laughter.
" Be lucky that's all I did you pervert. " He turns towards me and gapes. My mother meanwhile has stopped laughing, but there's still a smirk on her face as she gets up and hugs me.
Jiraiya points his finger at me while doing a ridiculous pose. " You brat ! How dare you ! Do you know who I am ? I'm the dream of every woman, the envy of every man, the Mighty Sage of Mt Myōboku ! "
I just roll my eyes at the delusional old pervert. " You certainly have your mother's lame attitude kid. No appreciation for setting the mood. "
I look at my mother then. " Why's this old pervert in our house ? " She snorts. " He was here both to speak of the old days and to try his luck, but enough about that. "
" I take it congratulations are in order, you've progressed ? " I nod my head. " Good, that's my brat. I never had any doubts. We need to discuss your training regimen for the Finals though. "
" I'll be busy with Sarutobi Sensei for most of the month, but don't think that means you will be slacking. Katsuyu will take you to the Shikkotsu Forest, where Shizune will be waiting for you. There the three of you will train for most of the time you've been given. "
" You will return three days before the Finals. Both to rest but also to spend some time with me. Now go change, we're going out to eat. Also, make sure to get Hanoka out of her room and drag her with us if you must. " I wave a hand and then head towards my room.
Jiraiya's voice catches me before I'm out of sight. " Your mother tells me that you have some skill in sealing brat. I'll be the judge of that. When you guys return, have some of your work ready for me to see. "
I give him a two fingered salute and with my back turned from his sputtering, I smile. I quickly take a shower and then change into a nice grey yukata, with the Senju crest on the back.
I then head down the hallway to Hanoka's room. After knocking, I wait and receive no reply. I roll my eyes and open the door. As I expect, she's buried under scrolls filled with sealing experiments.
I'm tempted to use the jutsu I used on Jiraiya on her as well. I wince slightly as I imagine her likely revenge.
Plus, she's pretty when she gets all flustered. I make a single handsign and expel wind chakra through my mouth.
It's not a jutsu though. All it does is send all the scrolls flying with a light breeze. She curses and leaps up towards the window, only to realise that it's locked.
It's then that she turns and notices me for the first time. A light blush coats her cheeks as she looks at me.
" Hanoka, we're heading out to go eat. You can't say no and there's no time to shower or change, not that you need too. You're always beau... " I cough and cut myself off.
Her entire face is red now, but she gets up and walks towards me. I was telling the truth. She's perfect. Ugh, hormones.
My mother is alone when we come out and she nods in approval at my choice in clothes. She puts her arm around our shoulders after we put our sandals on.
" Come on you two, let's go. I have a craving for some BBQ so let's head on over to one of the Akimichi restaurants. "
As we walk through the Leaf, many stop any stare as we walk past. The elderly especially. Many call out well wishes as we walk past them.
Before we get to restaurant however, we come across Naruto who's muttering angrily as he stalks through the road. Many shoot glares at him.
My mother looks at me with an arched brow and I nod minutely. I look again and call out. " Hey Naruto, come here ! "
He wildly looks around until he spots us. He looks hesitant for a second, but then he comes towards us.
" Oh it's you Hatorama and Hatorama's mom. What do you want ? " He hasn't noticed Hanoka yet. My mother snorts. He jerks his head to look at her. Before he says something that gets him flattened, I speak.
" We were heading out to get dinner. Come with us. " I make sure that it doesn't sound like a question.
He looks hesitant, looking at the three of us nervously. He's finally noticed Hanoka and is looking at her hair in awe.
" Come brats, I'm hungry. " Without waiting for a reply, she walks on. Hanoka and I follow. After a moment, I hear footfalls behind us.
The Akimichi server doesn't question us as we enter. I'd noticed that many of the shopkeepers and such don't like Naruto.
My mother's presence however shuts everyone up. We take our seats and my mother orders the all you can eat option.
Naruto has overcome his nervousness by now and asks our resident redhead what he's been dying to. " Who are you ?! I've never seen you around the Leaf before. "
She looks like a rabbit staring down a hungry fox for a second. When Naruto takes a sip of his water though, she answers.
The moment he asks I remember that I've been so busy, that I haven't introduced them yet. Also, seeing Naruto take a drink of water after he asked that question, I knew where this was going.
I bring my hand up in a single sign as soon as she says " I'm Hanoka. Hanoka Uzumaki. Pleased to meet you. "
True to form, Naruto spits all his water out and would have drenched her if it didn't stop in mid-air. " Whaaaaat !? "