TysonG: I used to follow an update schedule. I uploaded at 2:35 a.m(IST) Everyday before, but since my college has started, I am struggling with the updates. Thanks for the review!
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The Hidden Sand was in shambles. They had signed a deal with the devil, and they were now paying for it. With the death of the fourth Kazekage, Rasa, and the only one who was considered strong enough to succeed him, Gaara, being dead, the Hidden Sand was on the verge of ruins. Baki, the fourths' right hand man, was given the title of the fifth Kazekage. This was the first time that someone not the direct descendant of the first Kazekage was awarded this position. This only goes on to show how fragile they were as things were. Sand was already the weakest of the five. And, Baki the weakest of the five kage.
The first thing Baki had done after becoming the Kazekage, was demanding the head of the one who killed Gaara as compensation. The third had bent down to the will of the Raikage, so he did not see any loss in trying. But, to his misfortune, the letter had been received by the fifth Hokage, Tsunade Senju and their reply was not pleasant. The fifth Hokage had drilled them in every aspect, telling them how it was the Sand who had attacked them and how it will only take one more outrageous demand from the Sand which will lead them to the next war. The only reason why she was willing to work with sand again was their history as allies and the fact that Orochimaru, a traitor from the Hidden Leaf, had been pulling the strings all along.
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"Reporting back from the mission hoka-. Eh?" Naruto questioned, not seeing the familiar face on the chair of the Hokage.
"Tsunade?" He questioned again.
A smirk came to her face. "Now it is surely Tsunade-sama to you, brat." She said.
Realizing that Tsunade must have become the hokage while he was away, he straightened up. "Of course, Hokage-sama. Uzumaki Naruto reporting from the escort mission." He said.
"How was the mission?" She questioned.
"We came across a missing nin from the hidden mist. And well, I ended up breaking one of the seven swords." He replied.
"Go on, explain in detail." She said, and he did.
Somewhere in between of the conversation, Shizune had entered into the room, and of course, Tonton had jumped off of her arms into Naruto's.
"Raiga? he wielded the Kiba blades of what I know." Tsunade said.
"Yeah, he mentioned that once." Naruto said.
At this point, Naruto, Tsunade and Shizune had settled on the couch while a clone of Tsunade was signing the papers and grumbling.
"So, why are you making your clone sign those papers? Aren't those like, important?" Naruto questioned, curious.
"Those are Shadow Clones, they pass their information onto the creator once they are dispelled." Tsunade replied, feeding his curiosity.
"That is pretty neat, you think you can teach it to me?" Naruto questioned.
"That is a forbidden technique, it eats up a lot of chak-." Tsunade trailed of, realizing how stupid it would sound, saying that to a jinchuriki.
"Well, it is still a jutsu from the forbidden scroll." She said, recovering her lost dignity.
"Ah, understandable." Naruto said.
"I never denied teaching it to you." Tsunade said.
"You cannot go around passing techniques to a chunin now, can you?" Naruto mock questioned.
Before the conversation could go any further, an ANBU flickered in front of them.
"Lady Hokage, the Kazekage is here for the meeting." The ANBU said.
"I see." She said to the ANBU. Turning to Naruto again, " Well, that's that for now. You wanna meet at the same time?" She questioned.
Naruto's eyebrow rose. "You are the Hokage now." He said. "You can't go around drinking any more." Naruto and Shizune chorused. A chuckle escaped from their mouths when they realized what had happened.
"On the contrary, I am the hokage now. So, I can do whatever I like." She said. "Same time, same place." She concluded and disappeared in a flicker.
"I will go now too, I always have to keep an eye on her." Shizune said.
"Sure, see ya around." he said, and flickered away too.
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"What do you mean he ran away?" Naruto questioned.
Naruto, Shikamaru and Ino were currently at Shikamaru's place. Shikamaru had a plaster around his left arm.
"He ran off to Orochimaru." Ino said.
"Tsunade-sama didn't tell me of that." Naruto said.
"Well, maybe she did not remember, she has other things to take care of too, you know." Ino replied.
"Yeah sure." Naruto murmured. "Well, anyways, tell me about the mission." He questioned.
"Since all the high ranking jonins were taking the pending mission's from the time of the invasion, Ino and I were the only chunin available for the mission. So, we formed a team consisting of Neji, Lee, Kiba, Chouji and the two of us." Shikamaru said.
"Sasuke had a back up of a team of four from from the sound village and an additional back up who appeared later. Chouji had to use a forbidden Jutsu to survive. Shika and I were able to run back and forth to help others, though. Lee fought Sasuke, and is in a critical condition. But, all of us returned back alive and, all except for Lee, survived with minimal injuries. The five that Orochimaru sent are dead though, but Sasuke managed to run away." Ino explained.
"And, why did he run away? Wasn't he handed everything he wanted here?" Naruto questioned.
"Well, who knows. But, the fact remains that he is a traitor now." Ino said. "Sakura is heart broken though." She continued.
"Who is Sakura?" Naruto questioned.
A sigh left Ino. "She was our classmate, Naruto."
"Hmm." Naruto hummed.
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"Yeah, he now wants to form an alliance." Tsunade said, slurring towards the end.
Naruto and Tsunade were currently at the decided bar. Tsunade, drunk as always. Naruto,sober as always.
"I am pretty sure that information is supposed to be classified, Tsunade." Naruto said. Yes, she had allowed him to call her Tsunade when they were not in the Hokage office.
"Eh, notihn' too secretive." She said, downing another bottle.
"Whatever you say. Just, don't get me behind the bars for knowing 'Sensitive information' later on." Naruto sighed out.
"Say, Naruto. Do you want to become my student?" Tsunade questioned, sounding sober all of a sudden.
"Huh? Where is this coming from?" Naruto questioned.
"You know of the Akatsuki, yes?" Tsunade questioned.
"I know what Jiraiya told me of them." Naruto replied.
"Yagura, the Mizukage, was the host of the three tailed beast. He was slaughtered this week. It is speculated that the Three tailed beast will take about three years to reincarnate. And, we are expecting that to be the same time around which the Akatsuki will start operating." Tsunade explained.
"And, what does that have to do with you training me?" Naruto questioned.
"I want you to become a proper S-rank before you have to face any of the Akatsuki, which you inevitably will have to." She said, concerned.
"I am not looking forward to become a medic, though." Naruto said.
"I have plenty other things to teach, if you want to learn, Of course." She replied.
"Well, it will be my honor then." He said, accepting the offer.
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AN: that's it for the chapter, this was just a transition chapter. Do tell me if I should jump to the time skip or write the glimpses of the years in between. Do drop your reviews and suggestions. Until next time!