Clearing above the Town

Daichi and Naruto stood across from Jiraiya.

Naruto happily exclaimed, "It's time we got down to business!"

Jiraiya grabbed two water balloons and tossed them to the boys. "Have a water balloon."

"What's this for?" Naruto asked confused.

"Just think about it." Jiraiya replied. "You saw the Jutsu I performed before, so how would you describe it?"

Daichi replied, "It was a sphere of condensed Chakra that was constantly rotating. "

Jiraiya nodded. "Good, now I want you two to watch closely." The sage got out his own water balloon which began to bulge in several places before popping. "This is the first step in learning the Rasengan. It combines what you've learned from previous Chakra Control Exercises.

The basics of this are to gather the Chakra in your hand using what you learned from Tree Climbing. Then, release it in a steady stream using what you learned from Water Walking. Finally, use that Chakra to turn and push the water in the balloon.

Both boys got it.

"Oh, so the aim is to turn the water in the balloon until it eventually pops." Naruto stated.

Daichi smiled. "This should be easy. I got years of Chakra training under my belt and Naruto's Ultra Instinct is pretty much a combat Chakra Control Exercise."

"Let's see if you boys can do it then." Jiraiya crossed his arms. "When you're ready."

Both held the balloons out in their left hand and began moving the water within. Daichi's immediately popped while Naruto had difficulty.

"Wow, you achieved that in seconds kid." Jiraiya stated. "Your mother must have really stressed Chakra control."

"She did." Daichi nodded. "After finding out about Kenshi, I can understand why."

Naruto began trying to work on his water balloon harder, but nothing happened.

"Hm, the kid was right." Jiraiya looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "They shouldn't have much trouble with this first exercise. It's the following steps they'll find trouble with." He walked up to the Uzumaki. "Naruto, I need to check something."

Jiraiya put his hand on top of his student's head. "What's going on Pervy Sage?"

"Hold on a second." Jiraiya looked at the top of his head. "I see. Daichi, do you know your Chakra rotation? If so, mind explaining to Naruto what it is?"

Daichi nodded. "A person's Chakra can naturally rotate left or right. It depends on the individual. You can tell by the way your hair grows what rotation you are." Daichi ran his hand through his hair. "Mine grows to the left, so my Chakra naturally rotates the same way."

"Exactly." Jiraiya looked at Naruto. "Alright, try again; however, put the balloon in your right hand and rotate the Chakra to the right."

Naruto nodded and switched the balloon to his other hand before focusing on it. He began to sweat as the Chakra bulged in the balloon until it broke.

Naruto smiled and jumped into the air. "I did it!"

"It took some effort, but you did accomplish it." Jiraiya chuckled. "I assume you two want to immediately move onto the second step, right?"

"You bet." The Genin nodded excitedly. "Let's get a move on!"

On the outside, Jiraiya was his usual self, but on this inside he was impressed the two had managed to complete the 1st step. He had been expecting it but seeing it in action was a different story. Apparently, neither of them was slouches which it came to Chakra Control.

"Keep in mind that the next two steps aren't going to be easy. Nowhere near." Jiraiya threw each of them a rubber ball. "Here ya go."

Naruto was frustrated. "You must be kidding, right?"

Daichi added, "It just doesn't seem like much."

"Trust me, this is a lot harder than the first step." Jiraiya declared.

He immediately popped it causing both Naruto and Daichi to gulp. The Genin attempted to repeat what they did for the water balloon, but the rubber ball barely bulged.

"The first element is rotation while the second element is force. This object has no water, so it's harder to exert your chakra over it." Jiraiya turned. "I have to go now. There are still people to question on the whereabouts of Tsunade."

Jiraiya walked off.

Some Time Later…

The sun was setting and neither Genin were any closer to completing the second exercise. True to Jiraiya's word, it was proving much harder than the 1st step had been. Both were tired from exerting their Chakra all day.

Naruto turned to his friend. "Have you found anything out?"

Daichi shook his head. "I'm drawing a blank." He sighed. "We can't expect to learn a Jutsu that powerful instantly." He smiled. "Maybe sleeping on it will give us the answers."

Naruto looked at the ball before nodding with a sigh. "You're right." He stretched. "I'm feeling tired anyways."

The two friends walked back into town and towards the inn.

Inn, Later that night…

Naruto soon went to bed, but Daichi found he couldn't sleep. As a result, he got up, climbed out the window, and walked up the wall to the roof.

Roof of the Inn

Daichi was now laying on his back staring at the star filled sky as his thoughts turned to Kisame, Itachi, and Kenshi. "I was more powerful than I've ever been in my life, yet it didn't last long. Is that because I can't control it. What if… it always leaves me feeling weak?

I could die in combat, and that's not even the worst possible outcome. My friends could die because of this." The Fusion member shook his head vigorously. "I can't think like that. I must control whatever Kenshi is, and until I do, it will not be the death of me or my friends."

Hallway, Next Morning…

Naruto walked out of the bathroom and saw a cat playing with his rubber ball. "Hey, leave that alone. It's not a toy." He stopped and noticed how the cat was playing with it. "Wait a minute. That might be it!"

Clearing

Daichi stood across from Naruto with his arms crossed. "Alright, you said you had an idea Naruto."

Naruto smiled. "Yeah, check this out."

He held the rubber ball in his right hand getting the Chakra flowing. Naruto's free hand then began to glow with Chakra, and he began quickly pawing at various points on the ball. It bulged greatly before a tiny hole opened letting out air.

"Ah, Damn it." Naruto hung his head. "I thought I was onto something."

Daichi was impressed as he immediately tried the same thing and got the same result. "Naruto, you're a genius!"

"I am?" Naruto asked.

You are." Daichi nodded. "We just need to work on perfecting this. More Chakra and faster movements. Together, that should achieve the result we're looking for."

Naruto smiled. "Let's get to work."

Days Later…

The two of them had worked on the second step diligently as they went through rubber ball after rubber ball. Eventually, the number of holes began to slowly increase as they continued working on the Jutsu. Both were panting after another hard day of work.

"Okay, I say we just pump as much Chakra into the ball as possible, you with me?" Daichi asked.

Naruto nodded. "Let's do it."

Both their free hands glowed brilliantly with Chakra as they got the Chakra from their other hands spinning in the ball. Together they pawed at the rubbed ball as fast as possible. Suddenly, both balloons exploded sending the Genin flying into trees.

Naruto weekly smiled. "We did it."

Daichi put an arm up. "Yay!"

Jiraiya walked into the clearing surprising both boys. "I must say that I'm impressed boy. It's only been 1 week since you began training, yet you got both steps down. That leaves one step left before you've mastered the Jutsu."

Both Boys smiled before passing out.

Konoha: Hospital

Hinata opened the door to Kakashi's room. No change. She opened the door to Sasuke's room. No change.

"It's too late to join Naruto and Daichi." The Hyuga was not going to succumb to her past emotions. "Until they get back with Lady Tsunade, I will continue to check on Sensei and Sasuke. In the meantime, I'll help rebuild the village for them all and train hard."

Village Hidden in the Cave

Shun entered the room he placed Neji in and saw that he was unconscious. "Good, the pain has passed." He felt for a heartbeat. "He lived as well. Perfect." Shun wove some hand signs before walking towards the door. "Neji should be fine while I check on a client."

He walked down a hallway until he vanished ending up in a forest.

Hidden Sound Village

Orochimaru was sitting in bed. "Kabuto, where is Shun Uzumaki! I sent for him yesterday!"

Kabuto opened the door. "He's here Lord Orochimaru."

"Orochimaru." Shun entered with a smile. "It is always a pleasure meeting with one of my biggest clients. How may I help you today?"

Orochimaru glared. "I believe it is obvious how you can help me. Fix my arms."

"I have exceptional skills in all things medical, but I'm nowhere near gifted enough to do that." Shun chuckled. "Sorry if I gave off that impression." He held out his arms. "I'm just not good enough."

Orochimaru looked at Kabuto. "Have you found Tsunade?"

"Yes." Kabuto stated. "The trail led to a place called Tanzaku Quarters."

Orochimaru chuckled. "I see."

"If you have no need for my other services, I'll take my leave." Shun walked to the door. "A treat as always Orochimaru; however, next time do have a job for me."

Kabuto waited until the Uzumaki left. "You should be careful trusting that man." He pushed his glasses up. "He's in with many you consider enemies."

"I'm aware." Orochimaru stated. "Even so, I do not believe we must worry about him greatly. A man like that wears his motives on his sleeve. We may not be able to trust him, but we can trust what he will do."

Clearing, Next Day…

Jiraiya took the boys up to the clearing while holding a different brown bag.

"Let's get down to business!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Alright, settle down. I got to demonstrate what you'll be working on next before you get to it, and I leave you to continue the search." Jiraiya blew up a balloon. "The first step was rotation. The second was power. The third and final step is this."

Jiraiya held the balloon out and both Genin watched closely only for nothing to happen.

"What do you mean by this?" Naruto asked.

Jiraiya held out his free palm and created a fully formed Rasengan. "This is what's happening in the balloon as we speak."

Daichi got it. "This exercise is to teach us containment. The balloon is intended to give us the shape the Rasengan is supposed to have. In that case, it'd be important for the balloon not to pop."

Jiraiya nodded. "You have the theory but putting it into practice is a whole other issue. This step is the hardest as you must contain both rotation and power at once."

"What's so important about the final step?" Naruto asked. "I'm not getting it."

"Here, I'll demonstrate why it's important." Jiraiya approached a tree. "After mastering the first two steps, you get an attack like this." The sage produced a larger, wilder ball of chakra that he slammed into the tree creating a spiral design.

"Once you've mastered the final step, you get a move like this." Jiraiya formed a complete Rasengan and slammed it into the tree again only this time it borrowed into the trunk leaving a nice sized hole.

"If the typhoon of energy is kept the size of your palm, it'll spin faster and faster, and it's power will become more and more compressed." He formed the complete Rasengan again. "As a result, its destructive power will reach its max."

Daichi and Naruto were amazed. Jiraiya threw them the bag of balloons and the two immediately got to work on the third step. They pawed at the balloon before holding their hands in place with extreme concentration. They lasted a good minute before it popped.

"This takes an insane amount of Chakra control!" Daichi commented.

Jiraiya started walking away. "There's no cutting corners with this step. You must get your power and rotation to a 100% and maintain them." He waved back at them. "Good luck boys. Master this final step, and you'll have an S rank Jutsu."

The two boys looked at one another before nodding and getting to work.

Tanzaku Quarters, 2 Week's Later…

A fair-skinned woman with brown eyes, violet diamond on her forehead, and straight blonde hair in a high ponytail was walking along the street with her apprentice. Her attire consists of a grass-green haori over a grey, kimono-style blouse with no sleeves

Her apprentice, Shizune, was a fair-skinned woman of average height and slender build with onyx eyes and jet-black hair. Her attire consists of a long, bluish-black kimono, with white trim, held closed by a white obi, and open-toed sandals with low heels. She held a pig.

Orochimaru destroyed a nearby building getting Tsunade's attention as he showed up, with Kabuto, atop a large, brown snake. The two Sound Shinobi jumped off the snake as it dispelled and came to stand across from them.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it Orochimaru?" The older woman asked.

"Indeed." Orochimaru stated. "I've been looking for you everywhere Tsunade."

"What happened to those arms of yours?" Tsunade inquired.

Orochimaru calmly replied, "Nothing really. I attempted to kill the Third Hokage and Fifth Mizukage." Tsunade and her companion were shocked. "I failed but left Sensei with quite the nasty stab wound. Knowing the old fool, he'll live.

That's more than we can say for certain people. How did they die again? Oh, that's right. You watched two of them march to their deaths while one lost his life protecting you. Such a pity that promising Shinobi had to die. I mean you barley knew one of them."

Shizune got angry and launched poison senbon at Orochimaru. Kabuto came in and blocked them all. He almost took one to face before managing to catch it. Shizune charged in with a scalpel getting it to Kabuto's neck who did the same with a kunai.

They stared each other down for a few moments until Tsunade got her apprentice to back off. Tsunade then displayed her strength by punching a wall near her causing it to crumble. A way of reminding Orochimaru she is not a woman to trifle with.

Kabuto begs Tsunade to listen saying they came to negotiate. Tsunade doesn't want to listen and begins counting down from 5. Both women were ready for an all-out fight. Tsunade charged in as she reached 1.

Orochimaru smiled. "I can bring your dear little brother and beloved back to life." Tsunade stopped. "I'll even throw in the Samurai turned Ninja that protected you. Before you ask, I have a Jutsu that will allow them to live again." Tsunade and Shizune weren't moving. "I notice you haven't chased us off yet old friend. Is it safe to assume we have a deal?"

Tsunade looked down as she thought of Nawaki, Dan, and Hiashi. She asked Orochimaru about his plans once his arms were restored. He revealed that it's to grind the Hidden Leaf into dust. Kabuto asks what she will do while Shizune tries to dissuade her from trusting Orochimaru.

Tsunade yells for her to shut up. Kabuto says they'll expect her answer by the end of the week. If she agrees, she must get them two human sacrifices. Shizune wants to fight but doesn't when she notices Tsunade is deep in thought. Orochimaru and Kabuto take off leaving the women.

Clearing

Jiraiya walked into the clearing and found the boys focusing hard on their balloons which weren't popping. "Hey, you two seem like you got it." He approached them and noticed they were panting. "How long have you two been at this?"

"Since morning." Daichi replied.

Jiraiya laughed. "Seems like you two are more than ready to make a proper Rasengan. Let's see it. Pick a tree."

The Genin put their balloons down and walked up to a tree before holding out their palms and doing the familiar movements with their free hand. Together, they slammed their respective Rasengan into the tree before them.

"Rasengan!" The Genin declared.

Like Jiraiya's had done before, their Rasengans bored into the tree creating holes.

Jiraiya smiled. "You know, the fourth Hokage invented this Jutsu after 3 years of work so learning it in 3 weeks is impressive." The fiends smiled proudly. "The next thing you two should work on is getting it down to one hand, but that can be done on the road."

"Does this mean you've found out where Tsunade is?" Naruto questioned.

Jiraiya nodded. "I have a lead, but if she's there, we got no guarantee she'll remain. So, as much as I'd like for you guys to recover your strength, we don't have time. You can rest once we've found her."

"Forget resting Toad Sage." Daichi declared. "Naruto and I are fit for travel."

Naruto nodded. "The Third Hokage entrusted us with this mission, so let's get going already."

Tanzaku Quarters, Late Evening…

The Konoha Shinobi arrived in town.

"Man, I'm hungry." Naruto stated. "Pervy Sage, can we stop for a bit to eat?"

"I'm in agreement with Naruto." Daichi stated.

Jiraiya looked around and spotted a tavern. "Well, it is getting late and a good meal may just be what we need to start the search right."

"Come on, this is a tavern!" Naruto angrily shouted. "If we're going to eat somewhere, then couldn't we at least eat at a ramen stand?"

Jiraiya and Daichi walked into the tavern leaving Naruto no choice but to follow. The Toad Sage suddenly stopped causing both Genin to follow his gaze to a table with Tsunade and Shizune.

Jiraiya pointed at his fellow Yonnin. "Tsunade!"

Tsunade stood up and slammed her hands on the table surprised. "Jiraiya! What are you doing here!?"

She looked at Naruto before her gaze lingered on Daichi. In her drunken haze, she thought he was Hisashi come back from the grave. She soon noticed several differences between Daichi and his grandfather.

Jiraiya and Daichi walked over to her table. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

Naruto thought, "I should have known Pervy Sage."

Minutes Later…

Jiraiya and Naruto sat on the empty side of the booth while Daichi pulled up a chair to the table and sat down. Naruto and Daichi's food came, and they wolfed it down. Daichi had noticed Tsunade glance at him from time to time, but he was too hungry to care.

Tsunade drank some sake and leaned over the table. "It's like a reunion. two old faces coming to visit me at the same time. Reminders of the past sitting at this table."

Jiraiya took a drink of sake as well. "I'm guessing you don't mean Kazamae. So, mind telling me what happened between you and Orochimaru."

Shizune gasped in surprise prompting Tsunade to glance at her "Nothing much. He said hello. That's about it." The Senju then pulled out a deck of cards and shuffled them. "Now then, why have you been searching for me?"

Tsunade placed the deck on the table and Jiraiya took it to shuffle some more. "I'll cut right to the chase." He placed the deck back on the table. "Tsunade, the old man can no longer continue his duties as the Third Hokage. In his wisdom, he has named you the 5th Hokage."

Tsunade had been reaching to draw, but she stopped at the mention of her becoming the 5th Hokage. This news was also shocking to Shizune, and Naruto who began choking on a fish he'd just eaten. Daichi patted his back a few times. Tsunade recovered and began to deal cards.

Naruto soon got his fish down and looked at Tsunade. "5th Hokage!? Where did this come from? What the heck's going on?"

Jiraiya said, "That's not all we need you for. There are two Shinobi who need you to heal them if they're ever expected to get better."

"It's true Lady Tsunade." Daichi added. "The shinobi in question are Naruto and I's teammate and Sensei."

Tsunade threw down her cards as she was done playing before they even began. "I decline the position of 5th Hokage, and I won't return to the village."

"Isn't that funny?" Jiraiya chuckled. "I remember you saying something similar when I first asked you out on a date."

Naruto gripped his head in frustration. "Will someone please tell me what in the world's going on?!" He pointed at Jiraiya. "You told me we were going to bring her back to the village to cure Sasuke and Kakashi Sensei." He pointed at Tsunade. "Then you pull…"

Naruto would have continued if Daichi hadn't put his hand on his friend's shoulder forcing him to calm down. "With all due respect, Lady Tsunade, I can't see why you left the village in the first place."

Tsunade and Shizune looked at Daichi. "You may have lost loved ones, but you're not the only one. It is the territory that comes with being a ninja." He closed his eyes. "In addition, your family isn't nonexistent."

Tsunade angrily looked at the Fusion member. "The Senju Clan is long gone. I haven't made peace with that fact, but I've accepted it. If this is your attempt at bringing me back to the village, you got another thing coming."

"I'm not lying, but even so, you were presented a unique opportunity that practically no other clan has. The Senju were known for their long lives and reserves of Chakra; however, that isn't the end all be all.

The Senju became known for their vast potential in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu. All you needed to do was open your heart to those in the village without family, and you'd have created a new Senju Clan."

Tsunade gripped the table so hard that it cracked. "You still haven't answered about my Clan not being wiped out."

"I was getting to that Lady Tsunade." Daichi replied. "It seems a Senju, no idea who, got a little frisky. They had a one-night stand with a civilian and gave birth. That child then woman gave birth to a son who, in turn, had a daughter. That daughter has Wood Style."

"You're lying." Tsunade glared at him. "The only Senju to have the Wood Style was my grandfather."

"Make no mistake as I would never link the first or second Hokage to this. They don't strike me as the type." Daichi stated firmly. "While your grandfather may have once been the only one with it, there is still the possibility that it was in other Senju's DNA."

"He's not lying Tsunade." Jiraiya stated getting her attention. "Daichi here fought Sakura Haruno in the final exam of the Chunin Exams. While he ultimately won, Ms. Haruno shot a pillar of wood at him from the palm of her hand."

Shizune was shocked.

Tsunade who looked at the table. "I'll just have to return and take my family away from that village because they'll eventually die like every other Senju."

Daichi glared at her. "That sounds like you're not going to give them a choice."

Tsunade glared right back. "Why would I? Konoha will just see them dead eventually. It'll be safer and less hazardous for them with me."

"I won't let that happen." Daichi firmly stated. "I don't care if you are a Yonnin. Try to take Sakura and/or Kai Haruno out of that village, and I will stand in your way. Their life and friends are there. I'll be damned if being a Senju affects them living how they wish.

If you want to be part of their lives, I won't stop you from trying. Should you want to be a more permanent fixture, you'd need to come back to Konoha. Whether or not you become Hokage is your choice. Either way, we need you."

Tsunade faced forward and closed her eyes. "Everyone of Kazamae's students turn out to be a real pain. Being the son of Hagane doesn't help in that regard." She turned to Daichi. "Listen kid, Hokage risk their lives every day. Almost all die prematurely. Taking this job is a sucker bet."

Naruto suddenly grew angry and stood slamming his hands on the table. "The Hokage risks their lives for the village because they want to protect what's important to them! I will not sit back and let you talk bad about any of them! It is my dream to be Hokage, and I will defend that dream!"

Tsunade froze as this brought back memories of Nawaki and Dan proclaiming the same dream. "Take my advice kid. Find a new dream because only a fool wants to become Hokage."

Naruto gritted his teeth because he was utterly furious. This woman was mocking everything the Hokage stood for. He would have lept onto the table and given her a piece of his mind if it weren't for Daichi placing a hand on his shoulder.

Daichi was just as angry, but you didn't train to be a young clan head without gaining the ability to keep cool under pressure. "Honestly, talking to you is getting us nowhere." He stood up. "Naruto, let's leave. We still have to complete our Rasengan training."

Naruto got up to join his friend a little confused but deciding to go with it.

The two of them were just about to leave until Tsunade stopped them "Hold on, did you say you two were learning the Rasengan?"

Naruto was still angry and frustrated with her. "We are."

"Kids like you shouldn't be attempting the Rasengan. It's impossible for mere Genin to learn." Tsunade stated.

"We'll show you old lady! We will master the Rasengan!" Naruto declared

Daichi turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "You seem certain we can't, so how about we make a bet?"

Tsunade was interested. "I'm listening."

"Daichi's got her playing right into his hands." Jiraiya thought while mentally smiling.

"You give us one week to master the Rasengan. If Naruto does it, you must give him the First Hokage's necklace." Daichi pointed to it. "Right there around your neck."

Tsunade and Shizune were shocked. Shizune because he somehow knew what the necklace was and Tsunade because she'd never bet it before. Naruto, now knowing that necklace was the First Hokage's, wanted it.

Daichi crossed his arms. "If I master it, you must give me a reward befitting the achievement. If we both master it, not only will you have to give us our prizes, but you'll also have to become the 5th Hokage. Should we fail at any point, I'll give you every Ryo of the Fusion Clan's money."

Shizune had heard that the Fusion Clan had as much money as the Hyuga or the Uchiha. It would be enough to pay off many of Tsunade's debts. Tsunade, on the other hand, was thinking about how much sake she could buy or how much she could gamble.

Tsunade didn't hesitate in the slightest. "You have a deal kid."

"This kid played Tsunade like a fiddle." Jiraiya thought amused.

Daichi turned to his friend. "I believe you were going to challenge her to a fight before I interrupted, right?"

Naruto suddenly got what Daichi was doing, and he wanted to shove a Rasengan right into her stomach for insulting the seat of Hokage. "That's right." He pointed at Tsunade. "I wanted to take you on right here and now."

Daichi placed his hand on the hilt of his right blade. "I'll be joining in." He smiled. "I want to make things fair."

Tsunade stood. "Fine, let's go outside children."