Chapter 41

Naruto spat out some blood and glared at Orochimaru. He was holding his blade, trying to keep it from going any deeper. Lucky for him, he was able to redirect the attack from his heart. The Sannin was grinning at him.

"Very quick reflexes boy but it will not help you." Orochimaru said and pulled out his sword. It cut his hands and Naruto threw up more blood. He was on all fours as Orochimaru prepared to behead him. Orochimaru was stopped by a fist. He was sent bouncing across the group but was quick to recover. He looked up to see Tsunade breathing heavy and protecting Naruto.

"What do you think you are doing Tsunade?" Orochimaru asked. She ignored him and gave Naruto a quick look.

"Shizune! Get over here and take care of him! Jiraiya! Get off your ass and help me deal with this snake!" Tsunade barked out. She bit into her thumb and smeared blood on her palm. Orochimaru quickly made his way to Kabuto. The man was able to get some blood on the tattoo. Jiraiya did the same as Tsunade. All of them put their hands on the ground.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu! (Summoning Jutsu)" they all said. The smoke cleared and three colossus summons appeared. Naruto looked to see them before passing out. Shizune was furiously working to save his life.

XXX

Naruto groaned and slowly opened his eyes. It took some time for his sight to adjust. When they did, he realized that he was in bed. His hands and chest were heavily bandaged. He let out another groan and it alerted the person in the room.

"Well, you're finally up." Naruto looked to see Tsunade. She walked over and put a green glowing hand over his wounds. He felt a little discomfort but the pain was quickly going away. After a while, she stopped. "Well, you're doing alright. Another day and you can move around without Jiraiya carrying you."

"Carry? Where are we? What happened?" he asked groggy.

"We are at a hot spring resort along the road to Konoha. Jiraiya and I managed to beat back Orochimaru but he escaped. We left as soon as the battle was over and after Shizune healed you enough to be moved." Tsunade explained.

"Well, I heal pretty fast so I won't be a burden." Naruto said. Tsunade scoffed in humor before falling into a silence.

"You know, no one has ever spoken to me like you have. Anyone who has usually ends up in the hospital. But, your actions woke something up within me. Maybe I did need a slap in the face." She said with a chuckle.

"Anytime you need one, you can call on me." The blond said with a grin.

"Don't get cute with me brat. That will never happen again. Anyway," Tsunade took off the necklace off the neck. "You won the bet so this belongs to you." She put the necklace around his neck. She then kissed his forehead, making him blush. "You better not disappoint me Naruto. I'm putting all my faith in you." With that, Tsunade stood and made her way out. Naruto smiled and looked at his new necklace.

XXX

It took two days for the group to return to the village. Naruto was healed enough to walk on his own. They entered through the gates and Tsunade took in everything. She thought that she would hate being in the village but she was actually glad to be back. That's when their attention was diverted

"Naruto?" Two female voices called out. Everyone turned to the sound. Naruto was surprised to see who it was.

"Sakura, Lee, Hinata-chan?" Naruto said with surprise.

"Hinata-chan?" asked an amused Tsunade. Naruto gave her a dirty look before the three walked up to them. Sakura was helping Lee who looked better. Tsunade also noticed Lee's injuries. She was curious about them.

"What are you guys doing here? Lee, are you really okay to be out and about like this?" Naruto asked.

"Never better my friend. It is thanks to Sakura-chan that I am doing well. Most of my injuries are healing up nicely. However, I am not out of the woods yet." Lee said.

"Is that so?" Tsunade said, gaining their attention. She looked at Sakura. "Care to explain to me why?" Tsunade asked. Sakura was a little put off by the attention but she looked at Tsunade with confidence.

"Well, while his muscles and bones are healing, there are fragments of his bone in the spine. I found them when I doing his physical therapy." Sakura explained.

"What type of therapy?" Naruto asked.

"None of your business!" Sakura exclaimed. Hinata giggled at her as Sakura recomposed herself. "Anyway, to do a surgery on the spinal column is fatal. It can only be done by someone with some incredible skill. The only one I can think of is Tsunade-sama."

"That's not bad. I'm especially impressed with how you found out. I have an idea of the therapy that you used." Tsunade said. Sakura and Lee was blushing while Hinata giggled. That's when they were interrupted by two ninja who just appeared.

"Welcome back Tsunade-sama. The elders are waiting for you." One of them said.

"Well, that didn't take long." She said. She turned back to the genin, three of them surprised. "Anyway brat, you're dismissed. Remember to take it easy. I'll see you around." With that, the adults walked away. Naruto turned to look at everyone who was looking at him with shock on their faces. He just sighed and began his tale.

XXX

It would be nightfall when Naruto entered his apartment. He was going to get some well needed sleep. That's when he was tackled from behind. He tussled with his assailant before making a signal. Twenty clones came out of nowhere and dog piled the two. After a few minutes and a few clones lost, Naruto's attacker was hog tied. The group cheered for their success. That's when Naruto dispelled them and faced his attacker. He grinned while she glared at him from her position.

"You do know that my next attack will not be pleasant?" Anko asked.

"Yeah but I'm the victor this time." Naruto said. He cut the wires and Anko was freed. Rubbing her wrists, she made her way to get her stash of sake. After pouring a cup, Anko looked at Naruto.

"So, I heard that you had some adventure? Did you get along with the pervert?" Anko asked.

"We had issues but we got the job done. I ignored him for most of the trip. I did the same with the old lady but I've warmed up to her somewhat. Shizune is the best out of all of them. Ran into your sensei, he tried to kill me but got his ass kicked. That's pretty much the life of Naruto. What about you?" Naruto asked.

"Well, took Iruka out on the mission. He kept playing hard to get. Arrived to the temple, had to fight two large snakes. Met Tsuki, she nearly crushed me but she accepted me and saved my two personal summons. Brought her to the village, introduced to the higher ups and now, the village has the snake contract. That's pretty much the life of Anko." Anko answered.

"So, we kicked ass?" Naruto asked.

"Oh, we kicked ass." Anko answered with a grin. The two fist bumped before falling into a comfortable conversation.

XXX

At the same time in Ryuchido (Dragon Ground Cave). A long roar was vibrating throughout the cave. Two serpents were sent slamming into the wall. The two cowered before the gaze of Manda.

"You fools! How could you allow her to escape?!" Manda roared.

"W-We're sorry Manda-dono." One of them said. Manda was about to crush them when Orochimaru voice caught his attention.

"I do not like being summoned here Manda." The snake boss turned and glared hard at the man.

"It is because of you that we are in this situation! I should have killed that girl when I had the chance!" Manda shouted. Orochimaru looked confused, only enraging him more. "You're student has freed Tsuki!"

"Tsuki? I don't believe we have had the pleasure of meeting." Orochimaru said smoothly.

"Then she would have killed you! She hates you more than I! She wanted, demanded, that I cut ties with you! I should have listened! Now, your village has a strong ally!"

"Are you actually afraid Manda? The Saikyo no Uwahebi (Strongest Colossal Serpent) is actually afraid?" the man mocked.

"DO NOT MOCK ME! Should Tsuki find her worthy, she can teach her senjutsu!" Manda roared. Orochimaru lost his smile. This amused the serpent. "Yes, Tsuki can give her the power to kill you! How does it make you feel? Know that this is your fault! Now leave!" Orochimaru ignored the attitude and left. He needed to get some information.

XXX

Back in Konoha, as the two conversed, Naruto remembered the reason that Anko went for the contract.

"Hey, what did your boss say about me signing the contract?" Naruto asked.

"Tsuki is willing but she stresses that the snakes and toads are enemies. It's all on you now. If you can convince your boss into a meeting, then maybe it is possible." Anko said.

"Okay, I try and talk to Gamabunta. Say, can't you just give Iruka-sensei a break? He's kind of jumpy." Naruto said.

"You know, the way he acts, I'm going to start thinking that he doesn't like me." Anko pouted.

"You broke into his place and used his shower. Then you refused to cover yourself when he found you." Naruto explained.

"Please, he loved it. The little man in his pants did." Anko said with a grin. Naruto just groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose.

XXX

Weeks passed and Tsunade settled into her role as Hokage. The jonin easily chose her and she went right to work. She dealt with some people at the hospital, including Kakashi and Sasuke. She read reports and files them by importance. She also dealt with the Suna situation and the alliance was still there. In all, Tsunade was doing a good job.

Today, she was in her office, facing two genin. Their sensei were there to see the ceremony.

"Due to watching the video, the recommendations of the judges and reports from several other shinobi, I am proud to announce that Nara Shikamaru and Uzumaki Naruto have been promoted to chunin. Congratulations, you two." Shikamaru groaned but was elbowed forward by Naruto. The two were presented with their vest. Tsunade was amused by Naruto's antics. She continued to talk.

"With this position, I will be expecting much more from you two. Wear those vests with pride. You are all dismissed with the exception of you, Kakashi. There are some things that we need to talk about." Tsunade said. Everyone filed out, Naruto shouting 'yahoo' along the way. Now alone, Tsunade's amusement vanished. She gave Kakashi a serious look. She then pulled out a folder.

"About a week ago, I was looking into your student, Haruno Sakura. I was very interested in her treatment of Rock Lee. The girl has some skill with what little she has learned and it is very hard to impress me. I was very surprised to see that she was removed due to mental anguish because it did not look that way to me. I spoke to Mitsune and she explained everything to me. She also gave me her folder." Tsunade said, putting her hands on the folder. "I am happy that she has recovered but I am disturbed by what Mitsune wrote down."

"What exactly did she write?" Kakashi asked curiously.

"She is recommending that I remove her from your leadership. In fact, she recommends that I disband your whole team and truthfully, I am considering it." Tsunade said.

"Are you seriously considering that? Is it just because I did not speak to Sakura after her first kill?" Kakashi demanded.

"It's more than just that. Mitsune believes that Sakura will not grow under your command. Mitsune credits Naruto for her growth of skill, not you. She even thinks that the hospital staff are better teachers than you. Besides the Tree Climbing exercise, you have not taught the girl anything." Tsunade commented.

"Ma'am, I was just trying to deal with Sasuke. Unlike the other two, he has to most reason to leave the village." Kakashi explained.

"So you gave the Uchiha everything just to soothe his ego?" Tsunade asked.

"To keep him loyal." Kakashi countered.

"That is the stupidest reason I have ever heard. If Sasuke has a loyalty problem, then he will face the same consequences as any un-loyal ninja. All I hear from you are excuses for your favoritism. At least my sensei had the stones to admit his mistakes when it came to his team." Tsunade said harshly. The comment made Kakashi angry but Tsunade didn't care. She put the folder away before looking at Kakashi.

"From now on, your team is disbanded. Sasuke is being suspended due to him leaving the village without permission. It will only be for two months. Sakura, I am assigning her to shadow Shizune for a while. Naruto is going to be placed in the main forces for a while. Those two can use the experience. Should I reform your team, I will do it under someone else as you have proven unreliable for the job. That's my ruling. You're dismissed." Kakashi quickly left the office, leaving Tsunade to her work.

She really didn't care that Kakashi was angry or if his feeling were hurt. He needed to see that he was a failure as a teacher and move forward. She ignored it for now and turned back to her work. She was searching for a way to increase a young genin's chances of survival.

XXXXX

Authors' Notes – Kakashi got owned by Tsunade. Anyway, I hope you like the chapter.