Kakashi passes the chunnin exams with flying colors and Sakumo couldn't be any prouder. The match Kakashi performed in was by far the best and most intense of all the trials, leaving villagers either speechless or gushing in amazement. That day, the way Sakumo looked at his son couldn't have made Kakashi any happier. After the trials the whispers and gossip about Sakumo finally started to die down, but it would be discourteous not to mention the appearance of the Uchihas at the Hatakes' side may have also played a hand in that.
Uchiha Kagami, being a member of one of Konoha's noble clans made quite the statement that day by choosing to sit along side the villainized Sakumo. After making his acquaintance, Kagami discovered a greater man than he initially perceived, and from that day forward made more of an effort to squash the rumors surrounding Sakumo. When Jiraiya realized the ordinance he set was no more than an empty threat to the villagers, he too strove to speak well on Sakumo's behalf and promote his ethics. The influence of the Uchiha clan along with the good faith of the Fourth Hokage began the idealism of a comrade's worth over the success of the mission, thus setting a new archetype for ninja generations to come.
Konoha's growth not only comes with changes in beliefs, but also in raising exemplary youth. Having barely turned five years old, little Tenzo has already become quite competent with both earth and water releases thanks to Kosuke's training. While Tenzo certainly has a ways to go before he becomes a master, he has become proficient at being a nuisance to his brother. Their little spats usually begin when one of them spies an opportune moment to attack the other; it used to be Kakashi would start by zapping Tenzo with a little bit of lightning but now as Tenzo's advanced, more often than not he'll initiate by squirting his older brother with a jet of water or jutting up a bit of earth to trip Kakashi as he's walking. As their fights progress usually Sayonakidori will chase them with dancing blue flames until they both submit but today Uzura decides to join in the fun by sneaking in a bit of the taijutsu Sakumo began teaching her after her second birthday.
Initially the boys don't realize she's joined into their brawl, and they just assume the kicks to the faces and pokes to the eyes are just dirty moves being done by each other. Watching his daughter get the better of his sons Sakumo laughs, alerting both boys that something is up. So they both stop and look just in time to see Uzura standing there as she quickly pulls fingers out of her mouth and jabs both of her brothers in the ears.
"EW! UGGGHH! GROSS!"
"GAH! THAT IS SO NASTY!"
They both exclaim while furiously rubbing their violated hearing orifices. Uzura then takes advantage of the distraction and decks them both square in their abdomens before giggling and running off behind her father's legs. Sakumo laughs even harder then ruffles his daughter's unruly purple hair. Both of his sons look absolutely evil as they speak in unison
"WE'RE GOING TO GET YOU FOR THAT!"
"Not if I have anything to say about it!"
Their mother's voice speaks from behind them. She's down in a squat with her hands separated, each of them making a sign similar to the tiger seal. Both boys recognize the vicious glint in her eyes but don't have enough time to react
"ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF DEATH!"
Both boys land solidly forward with their faces in the ground and their rears in the air. Sakumo is roaring with laughter now and wipes a tear from his eye. Remaining in that position, Kakashi turns only his face so he can make a smart aleck remark
"Big deal, that didn't hurt at all!"
The sudden silence of his father's laughter perturbs Kakashi, but then a bead of sweat forms on his brow when he realizes his father is now directly behind him
"Didn't hurt, huh? I can fix that! ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF DEATH!"
This time Kakashi is propelled through the air, spinning head over feet until he crash lands face first, holding his rear and groaning. Now the rest of the family is laughing, as Tenzo gets back to his feet and Sakumo puts an arm around his wife then kisses her cheek
"That my dear is how the secret finger jutsu is done!"
She chuckles and replies
"I'll make sure to leave it to the professional from now on"
"Watch me Daddy!"
Uzura chirps as she has already snuck up behind Tenzo and pokes him in the butt. Tenzo responds by leaping straight up into the air then turning and squirting her face with water. She laughs then punches him in the nose and runs behind their parents. Sakumo can't help but smile when looking at his family. Turning his gaze he admires his wife Sayonakidori, and he hates to think how is life would be right now without her. Feeling eyes on her she cocks her head to look at him
"What is it?"
"I love you"
"I love you too"
She smiles and kisses him. Sakumo squeezes her closer and thanks the heavens for his wonderful family and loving wife; he'd probably be dead without them.
::::
Just a few weeks after Tenzo's fifth birthday he's finally ready to begin at the academy. At his first day of school he enjoys meeting his instructor and the other children but he's really looking forward to the surprise his parents promised him after class. He follows behind his mother quietly as they leave the academy and walk towards the training grounds. When they arrive, his father is already in attendance with the Fourth Hokage. Tenzo has seen the Fourth Hokage many times before in passing but he's never been invited to come talk with the man before. The great man kneels down to be more on Tenzo's level, then extends a hand. Tenzo firmly places his own in the Hokage's palm and suddenly feels incredibly small as the man's grip encompasses all of Tenzo's hand and wrist
"It is nice to meet you Hatake Tenzo! My name is Jiraiya and I hear you are a very talented young man"
"Yes sir, thank you"
"Would you treat me by showing me some of what you can do?"
"Right now sir?"
"Yes, please."
Tenzo demonstrates the basic water and earth releases he knows while Jiraiya nods his head and rubs his chin thoughtfully
"Not bad! Not bad at all! Now, I have a pretty good feeling that with all the talent you have, you can probably mix both of those elements together at the same time and make something new?"
"What do you mean sir?"
"First of all you don't have to be so formal, Jiraiya-sensei will do just fine. Secondly, watch this!"
For added flair, Jiraiya strikes one of his signature dramatic poses before summoning a toad. Tenzo is thoroughly impressed by the bored-looking creature that just appeared out of thin air
"COOL! Are you going to teach me how to do that?"
"Sorry, not today... Let's get back to the matter at hand, Do you understand that when you use water or earth, you're using a different chakra for each of those?"
Tenzo huffs out a sigh of disappointment then dryly answers
"Kosuke-sensei would say that, but all I really understand is earth comes out of one hand and water comes out of the other"
"Okay, so think of chakra as energy. Earth energy comes out of one hand and water energy comes out the other. Now would you say those are two different types of energies?"
"Well, yes"
"And do you also believe different people have different energies?"
"Yes sensei"
"What about between me & my amphibian friend here?"
"Yes... what's your point?"
Tenzo asks his last question with a raised brow and a lack of patience. Jiraiya has seen this kind of attitude before; apparently Kakashi's smugness has rubbed off. Jiraiya sighs
"Okay, just watch this then. I'm going to use my fire element while my summon here uses his water element"
Jiraiya then works in cohesion with the toad to create the Toad Oil Flame Bullet and incinerate a small grove of trees. Tenzo raises his eyebrows in amazement again but remains silent, so Jiraiya continues
"Now, I could have easily used either my fire style or asked this toad to use his water but by combing them together I created something entirely new and powerful. Tenzo, I believe you can use both of your elements together to create something new too.
"Really sensei? How do I do that?"
"Yes really! Now, when you feel your element releases leave your hand, can you feel their rhythm?"
"What does that mean?"
"Uh, how do I explain this... When you use your earth hand does it feel fast or slow? smooth or rough?"
"Um. Slow. Smooth too I guess"
"And water?"
"Fast, but rough"
"Now, try to use them together, but make them match; speed up the earth and slow down the water until they meet somewhere in the middle"
"Okay..."
Tenzo's first attempts are messy; either gravel comes rocketing out or a syrup seeps from his hands but nothing consistent. Jiraiya walks carefully around the boy while crossing his arms and rubbing his chin, as Sakumo and Sayonakidori watch Tenzo as only concerned parents can. After almost an hour of trying, Tenzo's chakra is nearly depleted and he's only unintentionally made mud so far. Jiraiya can see how tired and frustrated the boy has become, so he moves forward and kneels to the boy's side.
"You've done well Tenzo, why don't you go home and rest for today and we'll try again tomorrow after you're done at class?"
Tenzo is so weary he has tears forming in his eyes, but a fierce determination is burning there as well
"Not yet sensei! Please let me try one more time!"
Tenzo conjures everything he has left in his little body and expels it from his hands as he drops to the ground panting. He can barely hold himself as Sakumo moves to pick his son up. However, when Tenzo's palms leave the earth, a small seedling is revealed to have sprouted up through all the mud and he smiles before he succumbs to sleep from exhausting his chakra.
"That's my boy"
Sakumo says as he carries the boy and Sayonakidori brushes Tenzo's hair from his face. Jiraiya addresses them
"I am genuinely surprised he was able to produce anything today, then again perhaps I shouldn't be. I see now being a Hatake is more than just bloodline, it's mindset and character as well"
"Thank you Jiraiya-sama"
Sayonakidori bows her head respectfully and Jiraiya just smiles
"There you go being too formal again, I clearly see where your children get it... anyways, please let me know how he is doing when you come in tomorrow morning"
"Yes sir, of course"
"Have a good evening"
Sakumo nods as he holds Tenzo in one arm and Sayonakidori takes his other. Jiraiya sighs as he watches the family depart, he wonders if he and Tsunade will ever be that way
:::::
Tsunade's world is currently lost in a haze. Everything appears blurry and sounds are muffled as she lays sprawled out across her usual table at Shushuya, surrounded by empty bottles of sake. She has no idea of how long she's been there, she barely remembers leaving work before losing half her money at a gambling house then drinking away the other half here.
If she wasn't too drunk to drink more, she would. Tsunade's method of numbing the pain has become addictive. Her heart breaks daily because she still doesn't have a child, she's married to a man that she loves but is not in love with, so she can't bring herself to break his heart and leave, and she watches herself age everyday and feels guilt over everyone she has known who won't get the same luxury...
Tsunade tries to focus on other things. The time. What time is it? How much time has she spent here? She thinks it's dark outside, but from her slumped over position, she really can't tell. A fuzzy figure stands before her, but she can't even lift her head. Hands. Big strong hands are lifting her up. She's being carried against someone's chest. She recognizes the cologne.
"...Jiraiya..."
"Yes dear?"
"Are we going home?"
"Yes. Just close your eyes. When you wake up, you'll be snug in your bed"
Tsunade's eyes shimmer at her husband. Sometimes she wonders if it's shameful for the Fourth Hokage to bring his wife home from the bar... but after drinking this much, she doesn't care. Carrying Tsunade, Jiraiya is a bit disappointed because sadly now he's become fluent in understanding her slurs. Approaching their home, he enters then proceeds up the stairs. Usually by this point she is snoring softly, but tonight he notices the quiet. Glancing down at her, she looks almost lucid staring back up at him.
"Jiraiya... I love you... I'm sorry I'm not a very good wife"
"I love you too, and don't apologize. You're the best wife for me"
"No I'm not, don't lie to me. I could be so much better than this"
"Then why don't you?"
"I just... I hurt... I can't explain it"
"Can't or won't?"
Tsunade falls silent and looks away leaving Jiraiya stung. Laying her down in the bed she is unexpectedly still awake, she wraps her arms around his neck and he can smell the sake on her breath. Tsunade starts to kiss him and move in familiar patterns that alerts him to her intentions. Jiraiya dislikes when she does this, because he's never sure if he's taking advantage of her or if what she's doing is even what she genuinely wants. He gently holds her arms to stop her
"Please Tsunade, don't..."
She's moves her hands to grab him, his physiology giving him away, and she gives him a lewd stare
"But you want it..."
Tsunade presses her lips against his again and pulls him down on top of her body. He gives in but can't help wondering if she's just trying to distract him from what she wouldn't say before.
Afterwards, Tsunade lays there awake wrapped in Jiraiya's arms as he slumbers peacefully, her face is stern as she makes a hard decision. Freeing herself from his grasp, she quietly dresses then writes a letter for Jiraiya. Packing a few belongings and some money, she slips away quietly into the night.
Leaving the village, Tsunade continues walking late into the night before choosing a place to camp out. She knows she's been followed but she can't tell by whom, at the very least she knows it's not Jiraiya because she's intimately familiar with his chakra and she doesn't recognize the pattern of whomever is stalking her. Pretending to settle down, she waits for her pursuer to close in before Tsunade suddenly leaps up punches whoever it is squarely on the head.
A dark haired girl of about ten years of age tumbles backwards feet over head before landing in a seated position and rubbing the knot forming from Tsunade's successful hit.
"WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME LITTLE GIRL?"
"Tsunade-sama, I just had to make sure you are all right"
This girl knows her. Or at least knows of her anyways. Tsunade gets down to her knees and lifts the girl's chin to get a better look of her face. A small lump rises in Tsunade's throat, she remembers this girl but hasn't seen her in a long while; the girl is her late fiance Dan's niece.
"What is your name?"
"Shizune"
"Shizune, I'm only going to ask you nicely once. Why are you following me?"
"I already told you milady, I was making sure you are okay. It's unusual for anyone not on a mission to leave at such a late hour"
"And how do you know I'm not on a mission?"
"Because you're a head of the hospital and the fourth hokage's wife, you're too important to leave the village"
Tsunade scoffs
"And what would you know of my importance?"
"A lot! All the kids in the village talk about the "Legendary Sannin" and how they are the Leaf's greatest shinobi. And you are an amazing role model for all the girls in the village, stronger than any man and smarter than one too! You're my hero Tsunade-sama!"
Tsunade flinches at the word hero
"Tell me Shizune, what do you know about heroes?"
"Heroes fight with honor and protect the people they love. Heroes are the people children look up to. And someday if we're lucky, when we grow up, we become even greater than our heroes. And that's what keeps a village strong."
Tsunade softens at Shizune's passion. The girl's words strike a cord deep within Tsunade's chest and she has to look away so Shizune won't see the faint glimmer of tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry you picked such a poor person to aspire to."
"What are you talking about Tsunade-sama?"
"I'm leaving the village Shizune"
"What? Why?"
"You're just a girl still. You couldn't possibly begin to understand"
"Well then, if you're going, then I'm going with you!"
"What! You can't do that!"
"I can and I will! I've already graduated from the academy and I'm a deployable genin now!"
"But what about your family?"
"If they're okay with me going into the world and performing ninja duties, then they will understand it is my greatest duty to become the best kunoichi I can and I can only do that if I apprentice under the greatest kunoichi alive!"
Tsunade sighs. She figures she can't take the girl back because that means she herself will have to return and if she just tries to ignore the girl, Shizune will simply keep on following her and possibly get hurt without guidance
"Fine then, we'll see how long you last... The next village we go into, you have to send a message to your parents"
"Yes! Of course milady!"
Settling back down again, Tsunade looks over at Shizune. Tsunade has some deep reservations about letting this girl follow along, but perhaps getting to know her will help Tsunade cope with her guilt over Dan's death...
:::::
"Uncle Kagami! I'm sorry I'm late!"
"Obito, you're always late. It is very unbecoming of a shinobi"
"I know Uncle, I'm so sorry, It's just that I was-"
"Helping an old lady fetch her cat? Or perhaps this time it was carrying something heavy for an elderly man?"
"Well you see this time it was-"
"Obito, it doesn't really matter what it was this time or anytime. You were busy doing a good deed and that's what counts"
Obito beams up at his elder clansman. After his own father perished in the Second Shinobi World War, Kagami really stepped up into a paternal position in his life. Even after Kagami's own son Shisui was born, Kagami never abandoned Obito which made the young man admire the older Uchiha even more.
"So tell me Obito, how was meeting your new jonin sensei and teammates today?"
"It went well! Minato-sensei is really awesome, and I think I'm going to work well with Nohara Rin and Hatake Kakashi... Although Kakashi does seem a little stuck up"
"He can't be that bad since he is the son of Hatake Sakumo after all"
"And what's so great about him?"
"Sakumo is a very righteous and honorable man! He believes in the value of his comrades and was willing to bear the scrutiny of failing his mission for saving the lives of others. You are strong when you have others in support of you but you are strongest when you stand by your comrades. A shinobi who fights for their friends is quite virtuous indeed whereas one who would abandon a friend... well, I'm sure you understand where I'm going with this"
"Yes Uncle, of course!"
"Obito, as long as you maintain the ideals of a ninja of great integrity I will always be proud of you and you will become a great shinobi that others will look up to"
:::::