Welcome to the next chapter!
wtfstarftw1; Thanks, glad you liked it! Thanks for the harem suggestions! I don't know, but we're nearing the end of this arc, so it shouldn't take that long.
FinalFantasygamer2794; Thanks for the harem suggestions.
tizianog98; I never specified Kimimaro's gender one way or the other, so it could be possible. Thanks very much, glad you're enjoying it.
joharasbel; Thanks!
Morregen; Thanks, glad you're enjoying it! Ameyuri is yeah, seems like she's got her own stuff going on. Danzo will lend assistance in his own way. Yeah, it would be a cool fight between them, maybe we'll see that at some point. Yeah, Tsunade would be able to beat Ameyuri in a straight up fight, though Ameyuri's got some skills that could help her. Ryouta could be that for Tsunade, would be a nice thing between them. He could learn that, he's got great chakra control.
nirmtheworm14; Haven't decided yet. Thanks very much!
ShadowUzumaki55; They are yeah, Tsunade and Ryouta will have some moments together to build a close relationship. Ryouta did yeah, he's got quite the skillset and has shown even without Mangekyou he's very strong. Orochimaru does yeah, he might be losing his mind, but he can still see outcomes of different fights. The fighters shall be shown this chapter. Thanks for the harem suggestions.
Silver crow; Thanks. He did yeah. They'll be talking about several stuff on their little date. Ameyuri did yeah. No, due to Danzo's interference, but Ryouta and the others have some plans all their own to make up the difference. He could, but it would take away from the reveal of it. Orochimaru laughing was him saying they didn't have a hope. Yeah, Ryouta managed to finally have some time to speak with Tsunade. Ryouta's got a good deal of money from his family, and what he has managed to save up over the years. Yeah, Ryouta did his best to assist Naruko. Yeah, the Sound Four for the most part seem to understand. Glad you liked it. Maybe Tsunade could come to see Ryouta as that. We will see what happens. We will see what will happen with Ameyuri soon enough. Thanks for the harem suggestions. Maybe he could summon Garaga during that part.
LezarioFanficio; Yeah, they'd be cool.
Skull Flame; It seems so yeah~
Guest 1; Not decided on them yet. They would be cool. Things will be changing, and we'll soon see that as well.
Guest 2; There's so many great Japanese actors that would fit really well.
Guest 3; Yeah, eventually they would be fun stories to do.
TheGreatGodzilla; Yes, I am aware of her age. He wouldn't really ask about that clan considering he'd be busy dealing with Orochimaru coming after him. Maybe it does exist in the Naruto universe. Because he sees Ryouta's eyes like he sees Shisui's, valuable and powerful, if he got his hands on Ryouta's eyes then there would be no telling what damage he could truly do. I haven't heard of that. We'll be seeing what happens after this arc pretty soon. He'll eventually marry all of the girls in the harem.
Guest 4; Thanks very much! Yeah, Jiraiya is pretty reliable huh. Maybe there is for Sakon yeah. Orochimaru is right, they couldn't take Ryouta in a fight currently. He will eventually find out about his Mother, and what she did to Orochimaru yeah. Tsunade is a gambler, so she could see that pretty quickly. And yeah, she has made her own kind of bet with him, and now after losing, she is honouring it. Glad you liked the fight between them. I haven't decided about Tsunade yet. Jiraiya went through quite a bit huh. Thanks for the harem suggestions. Those are some pretty fun suggestions, thanks very much!
War Sage; Thanks! Yeah, she could be. Ryouta did yeah~
Hinata fan; Yeah, it is going to be pretty fun. Ameyuri is yeah. Thanks for the harem suggestions! Orochimaru did yeah, he might be going a little crazy, but he can see the difference in strength between them. Thanks for the suggestions.
Lightwave; Thanks for the suggestions. We will see more about Sakon soon enough.
Guest 5; She could be, they'd be cool choices.
With those reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!
Tsunade's date
As the evening carried on, after Ryouta had fought against Tsunade, the young man himself made it to his room, and laid Naruko on her bed.
"Good night Naruko-chan, sleep well."
She was sleeping away, something he was glad for since he wished for her to have a rest from time to time since she had been practising so hard to master the Rasengan, and with the time limit being closer and closer, Ryouta hoped that Naruko would be able to do it.
He thought that she probably would have some ideas on how to do it, but he didn't know just yet if she had anything concrete. Though his mind kept going to Orochimaru. He didn't want to do that, but that's the way it kept going as he wondered what the snake like human was up to right now.
He stretched his arms and thought "Time for bed." while beginning to get ready for said bed.
As he placed his own things down to go to sleep for the evening, he heard a noise coming from the window.
His eyes caught the sight of a hawk.
"A hawk, so Mikoto...wait, something's different...it isn't doing the sign for us to know it is one another's, it looks very similar, but something is off about this hawk...hmm, why isn't it..."
Ryouta however noticed something was off with the hawk.
He had sent a message towards Mikoto, but the hawk that returned wasn't the one that she'd usually send. Very close to it, and the details on the feathers, were near perfect. But Ryouta's Sharingan eyes could detect some very minor, but notable flaws.
Also, it wasn't doing the secret way of greeting that she and him had set up, so Ryouta felt something was wrong. Even if she had sent a different hawk, Ryouta knew that she'd have it learn the secret way of greeting as that's what they did now, having to be very careful on what information is passed on and what isn't passed on.
However, he didn't allow that to show on his face, he kept the doubt away and replaced it with a calm face, almost giving a half smile, as he simply walked to the window.
Opening it, he stared at the hawk for a few moments, before becoming cheerful.
"Aah, thanks very much."
Ryouta placed a hand on top of the hawks head.
He didn't want to appear obvious, but he was secretly using Genjutsu with his Sharingan to try and see if this hawk was anything to worry about.
If this was an enemy hawk, as his suspicions about this were growing by the moment.
In case he was being watched, he did his best to make it look as if he was simply being affectionate with the hawk.
Ryouta discovered some information that made him worry, but he didn't show it, and simply wrote a message, before allowing the hawk to take it, and disappeared through the air.
Once it was gone, Ryouta pretended everything was fine, and kept going about his evening.
"That hawk, it didn't follow any of the secret ways Mikoto-san and I have trained said hawks to act so we know that it is the same hawk, and that it isn't under Genjutsu or anything like that. Someone...probably Orochimaru, is trying to deceive us...damn snake bastard…if this is him, then it could spell trouble for us..."
Ryouta used his best tricks to appear as if everything was fine, nothing was out of the ordinary, and he went to bed normally.
However, he was able to use a transformation to turn into a small snake, and slither out of the room, undetected if anyone was watching, and he headed for Jiraiya to discuss with him a possible bad omen that could be happening.
When Tsunade returned to her hotel for the evening after having a fight with Ryouta and seeing his prowess as a Shinobi, she had to admit to being rather pleased with how the fight went. Seeing his fighting potential brought a small smile to her face.
She even was beginning to change her views on Naruko, and wondered if she'd truly be capable of using the Rasengan by the weeks end.
However, she also had secretly received word about Orochimaru, that he would be bringing the time they'd be meeting forward. It did worry her on why he suddenly was doing it, though she did have some ideas, which meant that she would have to be ready for what was to come.
Shizune also returned with her, and looked towards Tsunade with curiosity.
"Are you ready to have a good time tomorrow Tsunade-sama?"
Tsunade gave semi bemused eyes towards her apprentice.
"It's merely him and I speaking about Orochimaru. That's all it is Shizune."
Hearing her voice, made Shizune wonder where she was in her head space right now, what she was thinking about, and if she was still thinking about Orochimaru, and his threat.
Though Shizune didn't have a clue yet, the fact that Tsunade was witnessing the efforts of those like Ryouta and Naruko, made the female Sannin think more and more about the village she thought that she had left behind.
She also remembered Karin and what she and Tsunade had together as their bond.
Shizune herself looked over Tsunade, and thought about what to say next.
"...I know that, but I thought that maybe you'd want to..."
"Shizune, I'm going to bed, it has been a long day."
Tsunade turned away from Shizune, and went towards her bed.
Shizune was worried for Tsunade.
But she also had some hope, because she was seeing something's change within her.
Because of Ryouta and Naruko, it seemed to be helping Tsunade's feelings begin to be sorted.
As the night drew in, Ameyuri sat watching the stars.
She knew that soon, she'd be heading into battle.
This fight that she'd be going into...she wondered if this was going to be her last, as she felt the pain increase within her. She felt the threat of dying coming to her all the more.
"It seems this body of mine isn't going to hold out forever. Each passing day, the pain gets worse, and my body is screaming at me to stop. Hah...the boy should be there. I want to relive that feeling one more time. Just a single time before I go, the first time that I have felt alive in such a long time. Ryouta-kun...one last time, give me the best fight of my life."
As she thought about it, she saw Orochimaru in the distance.
She thought that he might try something, since he seemed to be going rather crazy as of late.
However, what she saw next, it was quite surprising.
She watched Orochimaru face her, his eyes staying on her for a few moments.
But then he stopped, and turned his eyes towards the ground, before he dropped his body down out of sight behind a bush.
"What the hell is he actually doing?"
A few seconds later, he popped his head up, then kept popping his head up out a bush and began bobbing up and down.
His face seemed to be close to exhaustion, and immense pain.
To her, it looked like he was doing some weird dance, as he shimmied left and right from time to time, going between the bushes and bit hard into some tree trunks, though he was actually training, it didn't look like that to her.
Even then, it was funny to Ameyuri who began laughing.
"Haha, what a damn idiot. Seriously, he's caused this himself..."
"Orochimaru-sama really wouldn't be happy hearing that."
Ameyuri scoffed, her eyebrows twitching as did her fingers on the twin blades that she has.
"Yeah, and I wouldn't be happy if you kept trying to spy on me, you sycophantic follower."
Kabuto came out of his hiding spot, and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spy."
"Yes you did, so what do you want?"
Kabuto felt a wave of killing intent come for him from Ameyuri, it wasn't like that of Orochimaru, but in its own way, she was very terrifying, and that in of itself was something that Kabuto didn't even want to think about right now.
"I was thinking about the fight. For Orochimaru-sama who is going through...a crisis, I have to step up and make sure it goes off without a hitch."
"So, it's all for his sake? Don't you care about yourself?"
Kabuto paused when she said that.
"Do you?"
"I don't care about you."
Ameyuri snickered out.
Kabuto tilted his glasses, furrowing his brows for a few moments before letting out a laugh.
"I meant yourself, not me."
Ameyuri's eyes briefly stare at the sky.
Seeing the stars shining out that night, she could feel something inside of her.
But she didn't want to share that with Kabuto, so she spoke about something else as well, something that she lived by.
"A Ninja is someone that fights for the likes of those that pay. That's what I'm here for, and I get to live and go the way that I want."
Kabuto scrutinizing Ameyuri's appearance, began speaking up.
"Your illness." Ameyuri scowled. "Yes, I became aware of your current illness. Your completion is pale, I have noticed that you cough one to many times for it to be a normal one. If you so desired, I could help you with that."
Ameyuri let out a laugh.
"Nah, I don't want to become a test subject for you."
Kabuto hummed.
"So you'd rather die?"
Kabuto argued.
But Ameyuri didn't really seem to care about what Kabuto was thinking and how in his way he was trying to get a good read of her, so she shut him down quickly, and effectively.
"I'd rather do what I want on my own terms. If I die, if I live, that's something that I decide for myself. You go through something's in your life, and you decided to go towards someone like Orochimaru, look at him now. The path you've set for yourself, has brought you to this."
When she said it, her voice felt like to him that she was scolding him, when that was far from the truth.
"You know nothing of my life. Do not presume anything about me."
Kabuto turned and walked off.
Ameyuri watched him for a few moments, her eyes seeing that Kabuto had tightened his hand.
"Touched a nerve, did I Kabuto?"
Ameyuri didn't gain a reply, so she turned her head away.
She glanced to Orochimaru who ducked in and out of some bushes, and let out cries of anguish.
"Idiot..."
She snickered at the sight, she thought that if she was going to die, then she would at least have a little bit of fun before that was to happen and seeing Orochimaru in pain, it did bring her some form of happiness.
But then, she saw something on the ground that surprised her.
It looked like a crystal flower.
She bent towards it, and held it between her fingers, before murmuring "Pretty." as she spun it around, her eyes noticing something within the shadows looking towards the open area they were in, something she mentally laughed at, before she turned back to Orochimaru, wondering what else he had up his sleeve.
Getting to Jiraiya wasn't the easiest of tasks. Finding him was somewhat difficult since he wasn't in his room. But eventually, Ryouta found him in a bar, something that Ryouta wasn't sure what to think about.
But he gained his attention and went back towards Jiraiya's room to converse.
Ryouta explained everything that he could do about what he believed to be true.
Thoughts that Jiraiya shared as he heard about Ryouta's thoughts.
"...So that's it then."
Ryouta nods seriously.
"I think Orochimaru's caught our actions of trying to send for help."
Jiraiya clicks his tongue.
He was afraid that this would happen.
"We have to assume that Orochimaru's plan is to try and ambush us somehow. Even if we attempt to leave, we can't allow him to have the advantage."
Ryouta inclines his head.
"He must know that it would be too much for us against him. So, he's going to have some plan to disable and kill us, though in my case he'll probably disable me so he can take me to body snatch me...I really hate him."
Ryouta did his best to bring some levity to the situation before they'd have to get serious once more.
Jiraiya snorted.
"Yeah, I can very much get that kid. But you're probably right, he wants you alive for now, he wants your eyes. So he wouldn't risk killing you, but I'm on the chopping block, he'll have something's ready for me for sure."
"I wouldn't put it past him to try something reckless. And this note, it says the day after tomorrow, help will arrive. I guess, that's when he's going to meet with Tsunade-san?"
"I guess so. And because it is...help wont arrive in time...damn."
Ryouta folded his arms, and hummed.
He thought about what was best next to do, as he spoke with Jiraiya about the incoming attacks.
Ryouta remembered that even though Orochimaru was an evil genius, he was slipping, and they could use that to their advantage.
But, without backup, and how Orochimaru was trying to make this situation go in his favour, it would be difficult.
"Jiraiya-san, I have some ideas that might help. If he wants us to walk into his trap...then maybe we can set one up all our own."
"I'm open to ideas kid, lay them on me."
Ryouta did just that, and bounced ideas between the two of them.
Though they didn't know what Orochimaru was going to do, they wished to be prepared by any means necessary.
They weren't going to bow down and lose to Orochimaru, no matter what his plans truly were.
The next day, Naruko went back to training as usual. With the deadline being rather close, she was trying her hardest. Ryouta kept his eyes on her, while Jiraiya was off doing some important stuff, at least that's what he said, though Ryouta wasn't entirely sure if that was true.
Naruko began using the Rasengan, he saw that she was forming the shell of it with her chakra.
He thought that perhaps she might have done it…
But then if disappeared before anything could happen.
"Seems like she's got a little work to do."
As he thought it, he saw that Tsunade was watching Naruko once more.
When she noticed that Ryouta was looking towards her, she glanced at him, before sitting down and quietly watching Naruko at work.
He smiled softly in her going direction, and then turned back to Naruko, who was currently in the middle of continuing to learn how to do the Rasengan.
Turning back to Naruko, he saw that she had summoned a Shadow Clone.
The Shadow Clone placed their hands towards the Rasengan, and helped the best that it could do.
"I see...hm, that's a good way to go about it Naruko-chan, if you don't have the ability to do it on your own, with immense chakra like you have, I don't see why you couldn't go through with it like this."
Ryouta was overjoyed as he watched Naruko keeping it going.
He saw that she was getting further than she ever had done beforehand.
But then she saw the chakra ball lose its outer shell and disappear.
Naruko clicked her fingers in annoyance.
"Darn it..."
"You're getting closer though Naruko-chan."
Naruko stopped, and looked towards Ryouta with bright eyes.
"You think?"
"Yeah, I think you're getting really close to it. Shadow Clones, they're very good ideas!"
Naruko gave a cheesy but sweet grin, then continued on.
Ryouta continued watching on, and was more and more intrigued to see her completing the Jutsu.
As that was going on, within Konoha, Mikoto observed Satsuki keenly.
Since the deal with Itachi, it seemed that she still was being rather quiet. Though she probably also put that up to Ryouta not being around as well, and most likely worrying about him as well, even she held some worry within her.
Hiruzen happened to come by, and cast his eyes over the young girl, who was training by herself.
"Since the ordeal with Itachi, how is she feeling?"
"I think it did probably make her feel some complex emotions. But, she's doing really well, she's holding it together."
"That's good, because I've been thinking more about the Chunin Exams."
Mikoto raised a brow.
"Ooh yes, have you come to some conclusions?"
"I have. One for Shikamaru, I have decided to promote him to Chunin. Based on what he did within the exam itself, and outside of the exam, he's shown that he has the skills of a leader, and can plan ahead very well."
Mikoto nodded a single time.
"Yes, he's an impressively smart young man."
"Indeed. However, I was then brought to the topic of your daughter. After everything that's happened, I've been thinking on the right path to go towards. Tell me, do you think that she's Chunin worthy?"
"...It would be bias to ask me as a Mother, I'd have to say yes immediately. As a Ninja...I've observed her and seen what she's capable of. She's definitely at a Chunin level of fighting, and being able to use the Chidori as well, that's something no ordinary Genin could master. However, I do believe that she probably does have what it takes to become Chunin. Do you have a different opinion?"
"Before Itachi, I would have said no. That's why after the incident, I have been observing her, and what she's capable of doing. How she's handling it. Because of that, I think that I've come to my decision. Though until we receive word about Tsunade one way or the other, there's still sometime before making any major decisions."
Mikoto nods, her eyes keeping on her child.
Seeing how Satsuki was working through the pain and anger that she had in a good healthy way, Mikoto was very pleased.
She was happy that Itachi wasn't able to have Satsuki go down a dark spiral that she might not recover from.
She quietly continued observing her daughter, her mind casting back to wondering how Ryouta was doing right now...
Ryouta eventually met up with Tsunade, and went inside. When he went inside of the restaurant that they agreed to meet up in, Ryouta saw Tsunade sat down at a table.
To his surprise, she wore a very beautiful dress.
Her dress was a purple colour, and her hair was let down instead of being in its usual style.
Ryouta had to admit that she looked rather beautiful.
So much so that his breath was taken away by such a sight.
When he walked closer, Tsunade saw him come, and adopted a slight smile on her face.
"Not your first date?"
"Why do you say that?"
"It might have been a while since I've been on a date, but I can tell signs of how well you've prepared for the date. From the suit, to the way you walked into this resistant." Tsunade moved her hand. "Come, sit down."
Ryouta did just that, and sat opposite her.
As he did, they both noticed Jiraiya coming in under a transformation, his eyes watching them while trying to hide, but was easy enough for them to spot him.
"Seriously Jiraiya..." Tsunade looked over the young man's face, and giggled, Ryouta seeing that she had a slight red tinge to her face. "In a few years, you'll be quite the handsome man."
When she said that, Jiraiya shook, thinking "The Uchiha and Tsunade, complimenting him like that..." while keeping hawk like eyes on them, seeing Ryouta's slightly nervous, but genuine smile on his face along with a tinge of red on his face.
"Ah...thank you Tsunade-san. You look very beautiful tonight."
Tsunade was taken aback by that, but ended up having a bit of redness on her cheeks, Jiraiya noticed and muttered "He made Tsunade actually blush..." Tsunade glanced at him, as did Ryouta, Jiraiya panicked, and whizzed around to try and make it less obvious that it was him.
"That's very sweet of you, thank you." Smiling that out, Tsunade placed one elbow on the table, and her head rested against her open palm. "Alright, want to speak about Orochimaru now?"
"If that's what you want, though first I thought that since this is a...date, then perhaps we could get to know one another. After we order some food."
Tsunade found it amusing, and also quite sweet that he said that, so she shrugged.
"Food huh. Alright, lets get something to eat."
Ryouta nodded, and the pair got some food.
When it came, they began eating it in relative silence, though Ryouta did speak up at some points, mostly trivial stuff. Like about the food, and the drinks that they had. Though he himself didn't have any wine like Tsunade, it seemed that she enjoyed it quite a bit.
Tsunade kept her eyes on him, she was curious as to what he was going to say.
"So, tell me about yourself Tsunade-san."
"About me huh...heh, where to start huh."
"How about, how you got the title of Sannin?"
"Hmmm...alright. It was during the Second Ninja War, and we came up against a man named Hanzo, have you heard of him?"
"Hanzo...Hanzo...he's the guy with the poison right?"
"Right, he's got the Salamanders poison inside his body. Orochimaru, Jiraiya and I fought him off, but we couldn't win. However, he didn't kill us, and gave us the title of Sannin. I guess we impressed him so much that he let us live."
Ryouta smiled strongly.
"Wow, that's quite the achievement, I heard many chose to flee on sight because of his poison and dangerous skills."
"He did, but we survived. It was a tough fight...that whole war was pretty tough."
Ryouta clapped his hands together a single time.
"That's amazing, I'd love to know more about your history."
"How come you're interested?"
"I've always been interested in what kind of incredible Shinobi lived before my time. As a Sannin, I'm sure you've come across many things in your life, and fought strong enemies. I know you've mostly retired from such a life right now, but still, the stories you have, I'd love to hear them."
Tsunade adopted a genuine smile, seeing the bright eyed curiosity within the young man, Jiraiya also noticing that Tsunade was smiling towards him.
She didn't mind delving into such topics.
She talked about various things within her past, the enemies she had encountered, and what kind of Jutsu they had.
She saw that he was truly drinking it all in, and was quite excited to hear everything that she had to say.
"...I also clashed with a woman named Chiyo, if you ever meet her, watch out for her puppets. She's renowned for it in Suna. That, and her poison as well. I had to contend with that many times during the war, it was such a pain."
She ended it with a small laugh, Ryouta was glad to hear her beginning to relax more and more.
"Suna...I see, I fought someone from Suna. A few people actually. During, what I've heard people call, the Konoha Crush. I fought Pakura-san, and Gaara-san among some other Ninja as well."
"Pakura...as in Pakura of the Scorch Release?"
Tsunade was impressed if that was true.
Ryouta continued as he finished off his meal.
"Yes, that's right."
Tsunade whistled.
"That's what I call impressive. But let me ask. Do you want to become Hokage?"
To her surprise, Ryouta shook his head.
"No, I'd become Hokage if there was a need for it and it would be an honour to become Hokage, but I'm not actively trying to become Hokage, I've got a different dream."
When the word dream came up, Tsunade thought about the dreams of those she cared for. Those that she had loved and lost.
"Dreams...So, what's your dream?"
Ryouta smiled, as he explained.
"My dream, is to teach the next generation. Become a Sensei."
Tsunade once more was left without words, not expecting to hear that of all things from him.
"Becoming a Sensei huh. That's an interesting goal, can I ask why?"
As she did, they ordered some dessert, and he continued on.
"It's been a dream of mine for a long time, since I was young, seeing how my brother, and others inspired students, I want to do that as well. I also, don't want people to fall to evil ways, like Orochimaru did. Hokage-sama talked to me about it once, and said it was one of the biggest regrets in his life, that he saw Orochimaru's ways and wasn't able to stop it. So, that's why I want to become a Sensei. To guide the next generation to a good path, so they can have fulfilling lives. Even to those that don't want to become Ninja in the traditional sense. But Tsunade-san, I heard about your dream."
After hearing his words, Tsunade was quite astounded.
She didn't think that she'd hear that from someone like Ryouta's age, and saw that he was quite mature, more than his years would suggest.
"Shizune huh?"
Ryouta explained as their dessert came.
"Shizune-san told me about your dream yes, about having each squad have at least one Medical Ninja in it. I agree with that. I think it makes total sense. Also, the prospect of learning from you, it would be an honour and privilege. I know Izumi-chan would have loved to have you as her Sensei."
In a certain way, Tsunade felt rather honoured though she didn't know Izumi, she could see that Ryouta was quite taken with her.
As he spoke, Tsunade noticed Jiraiya to the side watching on, so to have some fun, she took Ryouta's hands in her own, as they both heard "Aaaaaaaaaaah! Tsunade's making a move!" coming from Jiraiya, making Tsunade snicker.
"Heh...you know I haven't decided to become Hokage."
Ryouta nodded.
"I know, you've got your reasons for that, and I'm not going to try and tell you one way or the other what to do. It would be your decision. But at least what I'd hope for is that if you did come back, there's some people that can truly use your help, and also...your dream, I really do love it. If there were Medical Ninja's on each squad that goes out, the death rate would go way down. Good people could live, if they had a Medic Nin with them. It's one reason I learned to perform some Medical stuff."
Tsunade's lips curled upwards at that.
She liked that he was simply expressing his feelings on the matter, and allowing her to get her own thoughts together.
They continued to talk for over an hour. They stayed away from the Orochimaru topics, and kept it casual and light hearted.
Even Tsunade had to admit that she hadn't had much fun like this in a good while.
Jiraiya also kept watching them, but each time she made a move closer to Ryouta, he let out cries, something that Tsunade found funny.
When the bill came, Tsunade looked at it, and began laughing awkwardly.
However, Ryouta looked at Tsunade, then simply took the bill and paid for it.
Tsunade's lips curled upwards.
It kind of did feel like she was on a date with a real man.
She even forgot that this was about Orochimaru at times, she was able to simply have fun.
"You are a gentleman after all."
"A-Ah, thank you very much."
Tsunade let out a small laugh, and placed her hand on top of Ryouta's head, as Jiraiya watched on with saucer like eyes.
"What a kind boy you are. Come, lets go somewhere else."
"Where are we going?"
Tsunade smirked, stood up, and took his hand in her own.
When seeing that, Jiraiya cried "Tsunade!" but was stopped when she sent a hard stare.
Jiraiya thought her stare meant "Don't follow us!" which made Jiraiya tremble, wondering what they were going to do.
Ryouta on the other hand lightly blushed as she pulled him along, Tsunade murmured "Sometimes, it's nice to be surprised." so he simply followed her out.
They walked around town for a short time, taking in the sights, Ryouta and Tsunade stayed close with one another.
The young man noticed that she was becoming more relaxed as time went on, to the point that Ryouta didn't even want to bring up Orochimaru and ruin the evening, though he knew it was the elephant in the room, as when topics came close to him, they both fell into a silence, and diverted away from him.
Eventually, Tsunade brought Ryouta towards a stream, sitting down on a small grassy hill off to the right hand side.
The moonlight reflected on the surface of the water.
It almost made it look like it was sparkling.
Dazzling before their eyes, and Ryouta had to admit that it looked rather beautiful.
He also noticed Tsunade was sat rather close, and seemed content with it.
Neither spoke, and simply stayed in silence with one another.
Ryouta's eyes glanced at Tsunade, who kept her eyes out over the waters before them.
But then, she turned towards him.
"Tell me about yourself Ryouta, about your past."
Ryouta raised a brow.
"What do you want to know?"
"You're Yukine's and Kagami's boy, aren't you?" Ryouta nods. "So you know about them?"
"From what others have told me, before the invasion, yes I knew a good bit about my parents. Though when I met my Mother, it was an extremely happy, and sad experience."
"Why both?"
Tsunade was curious,
"Because, she was Orochimaru's puppet, seeing her was amazing, but it will always be tinged with that sadness that I never got to spend any real time with her. Hearing her voice, I can always remember that now, as before I didn't get to hear what she sounded like, beyond when my brother would transform into my parents to show me and let me hear, but she had a different way of speaking than my brother. Not with the words, but she had this tone, and cadence to her, that was something that I discovered as I spoke with her. It was brief, but the time that I got with her was amazing."
Tsunade leaned across towards him, becoming inches from his face.
"If you could have it done over, and her not be brought back, would you?"
Relating to her own thoughts and feelings, Ryouta quietly thought about it.
"Hearing my Mom, seeing her, and interacting with her...it was great. It was one of the best experiences of my life."
"So you would do it again?"
Ryouta shakes his head.
"No...because, someone lost their life to do that. Orochimaru killed someone to bring back my Mom. The same with the First and Second Hokage's. I'm sure they were angry when they realized what had happened."
"...My Grandfather, and Granduncle were used as well..."
Tsunade tightened her hand.
Having it confirmed for her here was something that did cause her some anger.
"Yes, they used the Hokage's, and my Mom against us. It was...a hard battle, and he is evil in the ways he used our loved ones against us." Ryouta took a small breath. "So, can I ask you a question?"
"Ask away, I've got nothing to hide."
Ryouta wondered what he should start with, so he began thinking of different scenarios.
"Well, I was curious, the title of Hokage, do you really hate it as much as you had said before?"
Shizune had told him some stuff, but he was genuinely curious about how she felt towards the position.
"It's as I said, a fools game."
"Because people die for the village, right? And most likely, would die young, right?"
Tsunade nods.
"That's how it is, a fools job for a fool."
"But, your Grandfather, and Granduncle were Hokage."
Tsunade nods, and continues on.
"Yeah, my Grandfather, and my Granduncle were both Hokage. Then my Sensei, Sarutobi-sensei. He is the only one that didn't die young. The dreams of becoming Hokage...it seems like only a fool would want that."
"I can understand why you'd think that, yes it probably does seem crazy to some when you put it like you did. But, there are benefits to having the title of Hokage."
Tsunade raised a brow.
"Is that so?"
She had a voice that sounded like she didn't believe him.
Though Ryouta understood, and kept going.
"Yes, being able to be the peace for your village. I don't have all of the answers about it myself, but the Hokage that I've known through my life, he's had some very hard decisions, he's done a lot to try and help the village. Before, and after my brother died, he was there for me personally. Naruko-chan as well. He's there for the entire village. I know you say it's a fools game, but I think that to many citizens, it's a job title that people can look to for guidance, for strength. When they aren't sure what to do, they can seek advice from him, and they can see that he's always there, protecting them. Hokage-sama showed me during our fight with Orochimaru the lengths he was willing to go to protect us all. He put his life on the line, and was going to allow himself to be sacrificed to protect us all. That's what a Hokage is to me. Hokage-sama calls it the Will of Fire, and though you might not think it, I think you do have it Tsunade-san."
Tsunade could hear the passion in his voice.
It seemed that he really did respect the title of Hokage.
"Do you honestly think that it isn't a fools game?"
"I think that the people that become Hokage, are aware that they'll be the centre of attention when it comes to people that would try to assassinate them, but they want to protect the village. Each gave their lives for the village, the people in it, to keep them safe."
Tsunade furrows her brows, and thinks about what he said.
It was a compelling speech, and she did like his words.
However, before she could comment, he continued.
"Orochimaru, he offered you a deal, right?"
"...Did someone say something?"
"No, I guessed. Shizune-san filled me in after I guessed the reason, but she didn't say beforehand."
"Shizune...that girl, she's always looking out for my best interests."
Ryouta inclines his head.
"She cares for you, Tsunade-san. It must be so tempting, to want to see who you love again. If it was my brother... He died, saving my life. I want to see him so desperately. To say all of the things I couldn't do in his life. I want to be able to hug him...to one last time...be with him, and tell him, how much I love him and miss him, how much I cherished the time we had together."
Tsunade looked at him with saucer like eyes.
What he said, was how she felt on the inside.
How she wished she had just one more day with her little brother, and her deceased lover.
To tell them how she felt.
How she loved and adored them.
But she'd never get that chance.
"Yeah...I know that feeling so well..."
As she spoke, her eyes lowered.
That was until Ryouta continued speeding where she lifted her head to meet with his own.
"So I can get why you feel like you do. But Orochimaru...he wont ever do what you hope he would. He'd use your loved ones against you, he'd make them either betray you, or try to kill you, or something that makes your memories of those you love twist, and turn until they aren't those that you love anymore, that's the man he is. Vile, and disgustingly evil."
Tsunade placed a hand over her chest.
His words resonated with her.
The feelings she already had, were being brought out by him once more.
Being able to understand his thoughts as well as her own.
"You know, between you and that girl Naruko...I think I understand more about it, and remember the reasons why I love Konoha. Despite what has happened...I know my loved ones...Dan, and Nawaki...they wouldn't want me to do this...I realized the moment that Orochimaru offered...but a small part of me...wishes that they could...come back, so I could...get to have one final goodbye."
Ryouta nods again and again, seeing Tsunade becoming emotional.
She tried to hold it together, but she found it quite difficult.
"I know how you feel...never being able to have that last goodbye. But when I think of what Orochimaru did...and does, I couldn't put them through that. I couldn't allow him to sacrifice one person for my desires to see my brother. I haven't lost a lover like you Tsunade-san...but I have lost a brother, and it...it was so hard to keep going...but I knew he'd want me to, that I'd have to keep going...honouring him by doing my best."
Tsunade placed her head back.
Images of her lover, and younger brother filled her mind.
In the end, she knew he was right, she couldn't do that to them either.
She remembered how hard Naruko worked, and her love for the title of Hokage.
Then this boy before her, who was sharing some intimate stuff, and his feelings, all so he could help her, and others as well.
Despite going through so much...she understood more why Karin did like him.
It was something that she did quite like about him.
"...You're right, I couldn't do that to them. But, Orochimaru wont let me quietly walk away. If I leave, I'm sure he'll have people watching me. And I don't know about becoming Hokage yet either. It is something that I'm on the fence about."
"Yes, I can understand all of those. As for Hokage, that's a decision I think you'll come to an answer too. It would be your choice either way, but personally, after discussing with you Tsunade-san, and learning more about you...I think you'd be a very brilliant Hokage, one I'd follow any day. But whatever way you decide to go, I'm glad that we got this time together."
Tsunade let out a small laugh.
"That's kind of you to say. So, what about Orochimaru huh? Got any ideas?"
Ryouta hummed a few times, before nodding.
"I've got some, and Jiraiya-san also said that he's got some. So, why don't we work together and put the snake man down?"
Tsunade's lips curled upwards.
She hadn't expected that speaking with him would put some things into perspective.
But, it was something that she really did like the idea of at the same time.
As they went to stand to leave, Tsunade took his chin, and laid a kiss on top of his forehead.
His cheeks turned red, while Tsunade pulled back, and smiled.
"Thank you, Ryouta Uchiha-kun."
Ryouta blushed more, shaking his head several times.
"No, no problem. Now...shall we go and deal with Orochimaru?"
Tsunade gained a confident smile, nodding a single time.
"Yes, lets do it. Lets make him regret everything he's done."
With those words, the pair walked off together, so they could discuss what they were all going to do about the Orochimaru situation.
The day for the operation began.
Tsunade who was secretly accompanied by Ryouta who did his best to stay hidden watched on as she waited for Orochimaru to appear. Standing within a field, with a few trees around as well as the grass below their feet, she waited and waited for him.
Ryouta himself was keeping his eyes ready.
For when they were going to strike.
She did hope that Jiraiya and the others would be fine.
With the stuff that they had, Ryouta thought that they would be capable of doing everything necessary to win the fight. His job was to back up Tsunade in case their first tactic failed, and fight as hard as possible, and if they couldn't finish him, keep him there until Jiraiya and the others arrived to come and back them up.
Tsunade closed her eyes for a moment, but that moment, she heard a howl.
"Tsunade!"
The female Sannin looked to see Orochimaru approaching. Kabuto was beside him, and seemed to have his eyes keenly on Tsunade in case of deception.
Tsunade also noticed how Orochimaru seemed. Even more than last time, he looked to be delving into a world where it was difficult for him to concentrate. He kept darting his eyes left and right, he bobbed his head up and down, his arms hung uselessly beside him, and his face contorted with each and every step that he took.
She knew that he was going closer towards a place that he'd break mentally.
Ryouta watched on with his Sharingan and began looking through the area to see if there was any tricks or traps that they had laid out before them.
When he saw a certain persons chakra, he quietly reflected on what he was going to do now.
"Yes...so he would have her...okay, this is it, I'll fight her again."
Ryouta mentally prepared himself, and waited for what was to come of this.
"Orochimaru, why change the time to meet?"
"Don't give me some excuse, you know why. The Uchiha, and the others being here! I didn't want to have to deal with them, so come on and heal my arms! That's what you want to do, right? To get back your loved ones!"
Tsunade steeled her will.
She didn't show it, but she was ready to do what was necessary.
"It seems that your sanity is as ever, going down hill."
"I told you last time, it's her! It's Yukine, she's doing this to me!"
Ryouta felt a small smirk on his face.
Even from beyond the grave, Yukine was still making Orochimaru's existence very difficult.
Yukine herself waved towards Orochimaru, who yelled "Don't you dare start!" at her, but Yukine laughed, which drilled into Orochimaru's mental state.
"Yes, that's...even then, you promise. If I do this, you'll bring back Dan and Nawaki for me?"
"I said so, didn't I?"
Tsunade scrunched her brow.
Cupping her hands together, she allowed chakra to flow.
Orochimaru stared on, seeing the chakra.
Excitement became more apart of him as the seconds passed on.
Seeing this...was something that he really cared for.
"That's it, come to me Tsunade!"
Tsunade did as asked.
She approached Orochimaru.
The chakra swirled within her palms.
Orochimaru wore a large grin on his face.
Kabuto on the other hand felt something was wrong.
The way that she walked, and the chakra she was releasing, it didn't seem like any healing technique that he was aware of.
More than that, Orochimaru was being lost within his mind, so perhaps he didn't sense it, Kabuto thought.
But Kabuto did feel it, and that was resounding killing intent coming from Tsunade, even if she was trying her best to hide it from her.
Orochimaru tried to lift his arms, but couldn't, so Tsunade turned to the right hand that he had, and moved her hands towards his own.
"Come on Tsunade, heal my arms. Then you've got your loved ones back."
"I know, I'm doing my best."
"Do it faster!"
Orochimaru snapped.
Ryouta could see that he had taken a turn for the worse. Before he was confident and cocky, and was calm while being his own kind of evil. However, now he was acting more crazed, and looked to be slipping more and more.
Just as she was going to touch his hand, Kabuto launched himself at Tsunade, so Ryouta did the same thing, coming out of his hiding place, and clashed blades with Kabuto, getting right up in his face.
"Ooh crap! It's him! Ryouta!"
Orochimaru yelled, to Tsunade it almost sounded like he was panicked.
"Haha, my sons here! Scared Orochimaru?!"
Yukine laughed out, with him yelling "Leave me alone Yukine!" but that only made her laugh more, to his ever growing mental anguish.
The glasses wearer held surprise in his eyes as Ryouta stared into his eyes with the Sharingan activated.
"Oh shi-"
Before Kabuto knew it, Ryouta had already drawn him into his own world.
Thick chains wrapped around Kabuto's arms, and legs. His neck, and his body was also bound by the chains. Seconds passed, and he felt them constricting his body all the more. Even his throat felt like it was struggling to breathe.
"Kabuto, you really did fall so low to join a madman like Orochimaru."
He bowed down in penitence, Kabuto looked up to see the thick chains wrapping all the way around him.
"N-No...you can't do this to me…!"
Kabuto yelled out the best that he could.
But because he was gasping for breath, it was rather difficult.
The worlds coloured shifted, and everything seemed to be only black and white. Because of that, Kabuto felt like this world was something of Ryouta's design. No longer did he have any control.
He couldn't even press his hands together to undo the Jutsu.
He was trapped within Ryouta's Sharingan Genjutsu.
"Welcome to my world Kabuto, remember back in the forest how you tried to have those I care for suffer? Now, I'll show you why that was a bad idea."
Ryouta raised his hand, and from that, the heavens opened up.
Kabuto could barely keep his head up thanks to the chains, but he saw something falling from the sky.
Something that he didn't want to see at all.
He felt his body becoming riddled with spikes that were shooting from the sky.
"Aaaaah!"
Kabuto let out a cry, feeling some spikes entering his upper right thigh, and lower left leg.
"Goodbye."
Kabuto fell into despair as more spikes rained down towards him...
Outside of the Genjutsu, Kabuto stayed still, as Ryouta pushed Kabuto's blade out of the way, and aimed his blade for him. Kabuto's conscious wasn't able to be kept, and he began falling forward, with Ryouta stabbing forward to finish off Kabuto once and for all.
"No! I wont let you, you little punk!"
"Sorry, but he's not finished yet!"
Orochimaru panicked, and tried to attack the boy, but Tsunade got in the way, and slammed her fist into his face. The force of the impact made Orochimaru cry out as he was sent flying, his body smashing against the ground several times before coming to a complete stop.
As Ryouta's blade was going to stab Kabuto, Ameyuri leaps down, and clashed blades with Ryouta.
"Hey sweetie, looks who's back!"
"Ameyuri!"
"The one and only!"
The lightning surrounding the blades causes Kabuto to be swept away, however Ameyuri notices that she didn't get there in time, and that Kabuto had suffered a stab wound to his abdomen, it didn't go deep, but did still make him bleed a good deal.
Tsunade didn't look at Kabuto as she kept her eyes on Orochimaru. If she did, she knew her fear of blood would kick in, and it would be something that could hinder them, she couldn't have that happen now, especially since there were three strong Ninja's around.
It was enough to knock him out of the Genjutsu, but said Genjutsu had affected his mind.
More than he had thought, he was paralyzed as the Genjutsu was something that made fear come to Kabuto. Recalling the events of the Genjutsu was enough to make him be paused, it seemed that Ryouta hadn't messed around at that moment in time.
"Ameyuri, so you've once more come to Orochimaru's asssitance."
"That's right sweetheart. This time, this is our final battle! So be prepared, because I wont stop until one of us is dead!"
Her words sounded genuine.
She usually had the tone that showed that she was either playful, or serious with a little playful in it.
But this, this was different.
This showed Ryouta that this time, she truly meant.
One way or the other, either Ryouta or Ameyuri would be leaving this area alive.
As that was going on, Jiraiya, Shizune and Naruko were waiting for the 'help' to arrive.
They knew it was a trap, so they also prepared their own plans for this so Ryouta and Tsunade would be safe until they dealt with this and then they wouldn't be jumped as a surprise attack later on in the fight, so they patiently waited, and even Naruko seemed to be quite on board with this, wanting to do her best for the others.
"Geez, where are they Pervy Sage?"
Naruko acted, as Jiraiya shrugged.
"They should have been here by now, I can't explain it."
Shizune clasps her hands together, and tries to think of what to do next.
However, as they did, Jiraiya noticed something happening.
Four people appeared.
The Sound Four themselves, with Sakon looking displeased due to not being able to see Ryouta and try to kill him, but together, they were able to have a barrier begin to form.
"Rasengan!"
Jiraiya tried to stop it, when several people leapt in the way.
The chakra swirling sphere smashes into a few of them, blasting them towards the barrier. Upon hitting it, the barrier engulfing those hit within in purple flames, incinerating their bodies.
"Geez, what's that barrier?!"
"It seems strong...but Jiraiya-sama, or I should have enough power to break it...however, we've got company."
Naruko freaks out naturally, while Shizune notices many people coming into the barrier.
More and more of them.
However, something seemed different, something wasn't right about them.
They looked normal from the outside, but their eyes, and how they moved, clued Shizune into something about them.
"Jiraiya-sama..."
Before she could make her concerns known, Naruko tightens her hand.
"Alright, then it's time for the Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Naruko creates several clones, and had them go forward.
Releasing fists, and kicks towards the opponents, Jiraiya saw that they were going down rather easily, more easier than they really should be going down.
"This is the trap Orochimaru set for us? No, I can't believe that this is it. He would know that this wouldn't be enough for us. This barrier is indeed strong, but the four Ninja that are making it up, I can tell that they have some skill with it, but they're not my level or Tsunade's, or even Shizune's or the Uchiha kids either, so it wouldn't be hard for any of us to break it, and these enemies, they couldn't even stand up to Naruko, let alone Tsunade or I, so why send them here?"
Shizune had similar doubts.
This didn't feel like it was all to Orochimaru's plans.
Naruko however was capable of breaking through the opponents within a matter of a few moments. Each moment that passed them by, more and more were being defeated by Naruko's clones, and while indeed she is a strong Genin, Jiraiya didn't feel like this would be the real attack.
That was until he saw something strange happen.
The clones of Naruko began to fall down to the ground, letting out cries of agony, seemingly passing out and then vanishing in puffs of smoke.
"My clones...w-what's going on?"
Naruko asked in doubt.
Jiraiya furrows his brows, as Shizune looks at the downed bodies of those Orochimaru sent.
"They're dead…but something's wrong with them..."
Shizune looked for the cause.
She saw that Naruko hadn't killed them, and they were alive beforehand.
With the force Naruko used, at worst they'd be unconscious.
But then she saw something coming from their bodies.
Barely noticeable, but she did see it, and covered her, and Naruko's mouth at the same time.
"Jiraiya-sama, those bodies…! They're producing some kind of poison!"
Jiraiya growled "This is bad." yanking Naruko back, so she wasn't affected.
But more bodies came into the barrier, and came for them.
They weren't Ninja, or if they were, weren't very strong.
But each had been filled to the brim with poison so potent that it took out the clones within seconds.
"So he's using sacrifices to take us all down. He's turned them into living poison bombs. The barrier is going to be filled with poison within a minute if we don't do something Jiraiya-sama. And from the looks of those clones, I doubt we could live in a cloud of poison for more than a minute or so, is it time for our own attack?"
Shizune asks Jiraiya while the enemies approach.
"Naruko, create more clones and keep doing what you've been doing, but you personally don't go anywhere near those enemies. Keep them away from us, alright?"
"Alright, leave it to me Pervy Sage!"
Naruko nodded, and created several clones.
Firing them off, she was able to defeat the enemies with relative ease, but the poison was dropping them one by one.
Each time they even neared the cloud of approaching smoke, it would become a dangerous situation where they'd end up being killed off within moments.
Jiraiya in the meantime creates a Rasengan, and begins to smash it against the barrier, and because of Jiraiya's power, the barrier was beginning to break rather easily.
However, as he was going to break it fully, a Ninja came flying down, and uses some strange technique to cause the chakra around Jiraiya's hand to disappear by the second, until it vanishes completely.
"Some chakra draining technique..."
Wearing a mask that didn't tell Jiraiya what village this guy was from, the enemies sword went for Jiraiya who pivots on his feet, and kicks the man's upper body, sending him skidding back into the poison fog.
But as he did, Jiraiya notices, nothing happened to him.
The poison didn't effect him.
Looking at the different Ninja around that were gathering, it was clear that it would be truly difficult on what they were going to do to survive.
"I see, so this is it, create those sacrifices, trap us in a tightly closed off area, and then send in the real Ninja threat, who are immune to the poison for enough time to finish us off..." Jiraiya's eyes go towards Shizune. "Shizune, it is time for our plan."
"Yes Jiraiya-sama."
Seeing the dangers ahead, they had to act quickly or they would be consumed by the poison.
Now, it was time for them to make their own counterattack against Orochimaru's group...
End chapter!
So this chapter focused on Ryouta and Tsunade going out together. Getting to know one another more, and learning of the others pasts. Sharing the pain of losing someone very close to them, they were able to come to an understanding with one another, and Tsunade along with Shizune working against Orochimaru.
As that was going on, both Naruko and Satsuki were going through their own deals, with Naruko nearing the mastering of the Rasengan, while Satsuki could be up for a promotion as she continues dealing with the ramifications of what Itachi did and what he could do in the future.
Ameyuri also seems to be going through quite a lot, and what she's thinking about.
Then at the end, after coming up with some plans, Tsunade confronted Orochimaru, though Ameyuri and Kabuto got in the way, Ryouta also did to help Tsunade out, and now a battle is going to commence!
Also, with Naruko, Jiraiya and Shizune, it seems Orochimaru's set some deadly traps for them, but so do Jiraiya and the others, so we'll see how they'll deal with that next time!
Well, until next time, thanks for reading!
Ryouta; Satsuki, Sakura, Naruko, Hinata, Gaara (fem), Ino, Haku (fem), Kurotsuchi, Karin, Konan, Mei, Anko, Samui, Hanabi, Mabui, Temari, Pakura,