Chapter 39

Anko and Iruka dove out of the way as the two snakes tried to eat them Iruka tossed several kunai that embedded themselves to one snake. He activated the explosive note. The serpent was not amused and rushed him. Iruka used a Bunshin/Kawarimi jutsu to escape. He tossed more kunai with explosive notes. The serpent hissed as Iruka took out an eye. Hissing in rage, he charged at Iruka. He was cut off by another serpent that was ridden by Anko.

The woman jumped off and landed next to Iruka. The two watched as the four serpents were battling it out. Iruka looked at Anko.

"Go, I'll back up your friends!" Iruka shouted. Anko nodded and rushed into the temple. She saw the scroll and made her way to it. She tripped a few traps but she was able to avoid them. Anko made it and placed her hand on the scroll. She closed her eyes as a blinding light. When she opened her eyes, she found herself restrained by a pearl while snake. The amber eyes of the giant serpent bore into her.

"You have that taint of Orochimaru on you! Why have you come here?!" she demanded.

"I have come to sign your contract, to bring honor back to the Hebi clan." Anko said. She groaned when the serpent tighten her grip.

"Why should I believe you? Prove to me why I should believe you?" she asked

"Look into my eyes and you will see the truth." Anko said. The serpent did just that. The two looked at each other for a while. The grip loosen and Anko got released. Suddenly, a serpent appeared and bit Anko. She winced and tried to get the serpent off when she noticed a tattoo appear. The snake released his grip and vanished.

Don not take this as acceptance. You will have to prove yourself. I will be watching." Tsuki said.

"Nothing new for me." Anko said with a grin. "Now, let's get started with our new arrangement." Outside the temple, Iruka stood with Anko's snakes. That's when the temple was destroyed and from out of the rubble, the great white snake appeared. The two guards were scared when they saw Tsuki. She hissed at the two.

"Leave!" she commanded. The two snakes slithered away, knowing that they could not fight her. She turned her attention to two snakes that were cowering under her gaze. That's when Anko got her attention.

"Tsuki-sama, please spare these two. They have put their lives on the line to tell me about you. They are also my trusted friends." Anko said. Tsuki looked at the two and let out a huff.

"Very well." Tsuki said before vanishing. Anko landed on the ground and gave Iruka a grin. The chunin was happy for her. Anko told her two friends to stay here while the two shinobi began their trip back to the village.

XXX

At the same time, Naruto was preparing to deal with Tsunade. He was annoyed with the lush who arrogantly told him that she would only use one finger to beat him. Granted, he knew that he was outmatched against her but he wasn't going to let her got away with the actions. While he might lose, he was going to make her humble.

"Well brat, having second thoughts?" Tsunade mocked.

"Nah, just getting ready. I hope you are ready to lose." Naruto said. Tsunade scoffed at him as Naruto launched himself at Tsunade. He summoned some clones, surprising Tsunade a little. Using the walls and roofs, the clones attacked her from different angles. She avoided each attack and countered with a finger flick to each of the clones, dispelling them.

"Was that it?" Tsunade asked mockingly. Naruto just grinned at her before several snakes popped out of the ground. Tsunade was very stunned, which got her bit. Naruto launched himself forward and threw a kick. Tsunade quickly countered, freeing herself and knocked his kick away. Naruto was able to recover and did hand seals as he hit the ground.

"Doton: Doryƫ Taiga! (Earth Release: Earth Flow River)" Tsunade was swept away by the muddy water. She stopped herself with chakra before slamming her fist on the ground, destroying the river and causing some destruction. She looked up only to get kicked in the face. With a growl, Tsunade punched Naruto very hard. Naruto was sent flying in the air. Realizing what just happened, Jiraiya caught his apprentice in mid-flight. He quickly check him over. Naruto was out cold and had a bruise forming on his jaw. He looked at Tsunade and hit her with a very harsh glare.

The woman flinched at that glare and was actually scarred. Tsunade relaxed herself and nodded. The fight was over.

XXX

Tsunade's glowing hand was over Naruto's face. The bruise was going away and the swelling was going down. She counted the boy lucky that he has Uzumaki genes in him. She predicted that he would be up and about by the afternoon. She stood up and left him to rest. When she exited his room, she was face to face with Jiraiya.

"The brat is okay. He should be up by the afternoon." Tsunade said. Jiraiya stern look never left his face. Tsunade felt like she was a child under that stare and did not like it. 'Don't give me that look. The brat should have known better."

"You could have caved in his face. You never knew restraint when you were angry, drunk or both." The man explained.

"Hey, the little brat shouldn't have ran his mouth!" Tsunade exclaimed.

"Why because he told you the truth?" Jiraiya asked. Tsunade looked at him with surprise. "Unlike the kid, I do understand why you left. Still, he's right. You blame the position for their lives. It's the truth, deal with it."

"You got some balls saying that." She growled.

"Really? Then why don't you prove it and tell me about your meeting with Orochimaru?" Jiraiya demanded. Tsunade tensed up at that but said nothing. She scoffed and made her exit. As she opened the door, Jiraiya spoke once more. "Tsunade, if you betray Konoha, I will not hesitate to kill you. I will not make the same mistake with Orochimaru. I will end the Senju line." Tsunade stayed there for a while before walking out. Jiraiya just sighed and entered the room to check on Naruto.

XXX

Tsunade was walking around the city. She was going in and out of gambling halls, breaking even. Despite that, she was not in a good mood. Three things bothered her since yesterday. The first was Orochimaru. She didn't trust that snake. He was a silver tongue traitor who was only out for himself. Did she believe that he could bring back her loved ones? Maybe be the cost was something she could not deal with. Or could she?

The second was Jiraiya. She didn't know who that guy was but it wasn't the Jiraiya she knew. The Jiraiya she knew was a fool who was optimistic about the world and always smiling. He also showed her sympathy to her issues. Despite his perversions, she could always count on him. This guy, he was not the idiot she thought. How dare he tell her that she was wrong? How dare he tell her to get over it? If she saw him again, she would launch him out of the city.

Lastly, the boy. Just thinking about him sent her into a rage. She knew why Jiraiya brought him but he was not her brother, Nawaki. Nawaki knew when to be respectful. She was just trying to help him and he threw it in her face. Then he thought he could have fought her and he paid the price. She was not sorry, not even a little bit. If the brat wanted to die, then she would let him.

She made her way around when she caught sight of the brat. From what she saw, it looked like he was training. That's when she saw him create a clone. She watched as he and the clone began to form something in his hand. Her eyes widen when she saw what it was. She then watched Naruto charge forward and slam his jutsu into the tree. It grinded deep into the tree before it was over. The kid looked pleased with himself.

"Heh that was a good idea. Well, Anko-oneesan always said, 'If you can't do it right, cheat'." Naruto said to his clone.

"What kind of advice is that?" Tsunade asked, startling the blondes. When they saw who it was, they both frowned. The clone dispelled, leaving the two blondes alone.

"What the hell do you want? You come to finish the job?" Naruto asked rudely. Tsunade bristled a little but didn't act on her annoyance.

"You still got a mouth on you brat? I thought me knocking you senseless would have taught you some respect." Tsunade said.

"Really? Well, I only respect real shinobi and the Hokage. Since you're neither, why don't you get lost? Don't you have more of you families' wealth you have to give to the casinos?" Naruto asked mockingly.

"Look brat, I don't care what you think about me. All I see is a loud mouth brat who's all talk and no action. You haven't done anything to gain my respect. You can't even do that jutsu properly." Tsunade said condescendingly.

"Guess we can agree on something because I feel the same way. I don't care what you think either. So what if I use a clone to do this jutsu. Does it do the same damage as the Yondaime? Like Jiraiya? Yes it does, so in your face hag." Naruto said sarcastically. Tsunade clenched her fists. Why did this brat get so under her skin? That's when Naruto continued. "Oh, and let's not forget, I just won our little battle last night. One finger my ass." That was it. She had enough of it.

"Why don't you put your money where your mouth is brat!?" Tsunade exclaimed. Naruto just looked at her. "You think that you're so great? Then prove it by learning a technique I'm about to show you. You get this within the week and I'll admit that I was wrong. You don't, you get on your knees and apologize to me. I'll even sweeten the deal. I'll give you this necklace. It belongs to my grandfather and is very valuable."

"Che, fine. I'll take your bet. I'll take that necklace and show it the proper respect it deserves. No need for it to be sold off for some booze." Naruto stated. Tsunade growled and counted backwards from smearing his body across the area. She calm down and smirked. This was one jutsu that he would not get.

"Fine, watch my hands." Tsunade said and began to show Naruto the jutsu.

XXX

It took three days for Anko and Iruka to return. They went to the council to report their success. Anko informed them that Tsuki would speak with them tomorrow. After saying good-bye to Iruka, Anko entered the Forrest of Death to summon Tsuki once again. The large serpent looked down at her.

"Twice you have summoned me. This must be important." Tsuki hissed.

"I only have three things to ask you. The first is do you require sacrifices like Manda?" Anko asked. That seem to upset her.

"Absolutely not! Manda is a glutton and an immoral piece of garbage! He does not deserve to be leader of my clan! All one needs to summon me is to be honorable and strong of heart." Tsuki informed.

"That's good to know. The second is how many do you have under your leadership?"

"Out of the many, two hundred were banished alongside me. Our numbers did grow while we were sealed so it has doubled in size." Tsuki said.

"That's a lot. Does that include my two?" Anko asked.

"Kaijin and Nagai have sworn their loyalty to me. They are protected from Manda's rage."

"Okay, thank you for that. The final question I have may have to do with the Gama clan. I know that there is bad blood,"

"It is more than bad blood. Our clans have been at war for years. I have killed my share of toads."

"I get that but do you think that you can put it aside. You will be comrade if the council doesn't screw everything u. Besides, this boy that is like family to me kind of wants to sign your contract. He is also the summoner of the Gama clan." Tsuki looked at Anko before snorting.

"I make no promises to you Anko. I will have to see this boy you care about first. Also, it would have to be an agreement on both sides and I do not see that happening. However, I will keep an open mind."

"Thank you. I will summon you tomorrow." With that said, Tsuki vanished in a puff of smoke. Anko decided that she was tired and went home to get some shut eye.

XXX

Jiraiya looked at Naruto as he attempted the jutsu Tsunade showed him.

"You know that you were suckered in this right?" Jiraiya asked.

"Just shut up Ero-Sennin." Naruto growled. He did the hand seals and tried to focus his chakra through his hands. It wasn't like Tsunade's example. He growled and stopped using the jutsu. Jiraiya sighed at his pupil.

"You're never going to get this down. Medical jutsu requires perfect control of ones' chakra. You won't be able to complete it." Jiraiya explained.

"I'm not giving up! I'll get this jutsu and I'll show that hag!" Naruto exclaimed and went back to the jutsu. Jiraiya sighed again but he had a small smirk on his face. He liked Naruto's determination. He just left the boy to the jutsu and wished him luck.

XXXXX

Authors' Notes

Well, here is a new chapter. I decided to change the bet because, this Naruto would have figured out a cheat to complete the Rasengan earlier. he did both parts quickly, so why wouldn't he do this part. Either way, I came up with this for the bet. I hope you enjoy it. Any way, enjoy the chapter.