Jiraiya marched at a deliberate pace. He didn't even pay much attention to the destruction that surrounded him. Walls of stone overtaken by glacial constructs. Fires as hot as the sun danced about, never managing to truly ignite the trees they were at the base of. Even an assortment of steel weapons lay about. It was a mess. Or, more accurately, it was a war. A war of one boy against himself.
When Naruto first proposed this training method, Jiraiya thought he was merely being philosophical. How else does one understand the question, "Can you beat a better version of yourself?" He simply didn't give it any more thought until he saw his godson fighting a Sage Mode shadow clone. He lost it, lectured the boy about his careless stupidity and arrogance. Sage Mode was his trump card for a reason, even an imperfect version provided such a massive increase in abilities, awareness, stamina, and durability that what Naruto was attempting was suicidal.
"Can you beat a better version of yourself?" was his only reply and the Toad Sage wondered if the boy had been knocked around too much or completely gone around the bend. Until the Sannin really considered the conundrum. At that point, Naruto was amassing a great deal of skill and power. His body was maturing, his chakra manipulation was expanding and refining even more than they had been. Jiraiya doubted he'd find too many people that could simply outpower the Uzumaki Jinchuuriki.
But strength isn't everything. Rely too much on it and you'll be at a loss for when it fails you, when it turns out not to be enough. By fighting a categorically better version of himself, Naruto couldn't simply rely on his advantages. He had to get creative, use cunning and misdirection. He had to fight like a ninja. That level of consideration surprised Jiraiya. He knew his godson wasn't stupid, far from it but he often ignored the similarities between Hiruzen and red haired container. He'd also never voice the comparison. Improved he may have been, Naruto was still an Uzumaki and they were volatile people.
"I almost had him, Pervy Sage," Naruto said between breaths. Jiraiya rolled his eyes as he picked his godson up and put him over his shoulder.
"Yea, you did. But what happens if you actually manage to beat the clone?"
"Weep for I will have no more lands to conquer, obviously."
"Yes, quite obvious. Let's see how smart that mouth is when Shizune sees you," Jiraiya said.
"What? You're taking me home, I don't need a hospital. Don't be a dick."
"I could just take you home but it'd cost you."
"Are you blackmailing me?" Naruto asked in disbelief. Jiraiya laughed as he moved through the training grounds.
"Yes."
"Whatever leverage you have ends in like twenty minutes," Naruto pointed out. He was going to recover fast and the clone hadn't hurt him that bad. The only threat Jiraiya had was Shizune and Saito-san's reaction when Naruto walked him into the hospital. But he could endure that and then kick Jiraiya's ass later. Hell, he could just heal now but Kurama requested he not be bothered with, "petty nonsense from his idiot container."
"You're right but there is one thing you haven't considered. Everyone will think I did this to you. Almost no one knows that's laughable so they'll write it off. If I tell Shizune you did this to yourself she'll throw an absolute fit and won't let you leave for the rest of the day."
"I can freaking teleport."
"Uh-huh, and have your surrogate sister worry? Nope. That's your weakness, kiddo, and I'm exploiting it for my own gain."
"I hope it's worth the ass-kicking you're going to get for this later, 'ttebayo."
"Now, now, no need for hard words. I just told Tsunade that Orochi and you would join us for dinner is all. And of course, she couldn't pass up seeing the two love birds in the wild."
"Are you scamming a double date off me?" Naruto asked in further disbelief.
"Hehehe, by hook or by crook."
"Fine, I'll ask Orochi-chan but you better be glad you're actually not a shit godfather or sensei. If you hadn't really trained me I'd let your ass twist in the wind."
An hour later Naruto arrived at Orochimaru's, wanting to leave enough time to convince her should it be required. Two short knocks and he was greeted with the visage his girlfriend in a scarlet robe. Wordlessly she led the Uzumaki to her kitchen, where she'd been enjoying some tea and a quiet morning. Kabuto was already at the hospital, leaving her to bask in her solitude, not that she minded seeing her Maelstrom. Naruto took a seat as Orochimaru retrieved another cup.
"What brings you by so early, Naruto-kun?"
"Oh, I would love to say I was guided by nothing but the spirit of romance but I am here to request a favor."
"A favor?" Orochimaru asked, pouring tea into the cup.
"Yup. I saw favor as you may be inclined to say no but I am hoping my being in your debt will entice you to my cause."
"I am certainly intrigued," she said, leaving the cup on the counter and swaying seductively. Reaching his seat, she straddles her lover, yellow eyes looking intently. "And for this favor I can ask you anything I want in return?" His nod brings a smile to her lips and she gently starts to grind into him. She'd likely had done whatever he was going to ask but the timing was perfect. They'd been together for a little over a month now and while some may think this next step was a bit fast, it was always going to happen. That he wouldn't be in a position to refuse her made it all the better.
Naruto was lost in the sensation, briefly forgetting why he was there in the first place. He got over the short term loss of his executive function, but it almost slipped again when he felt her nibble his ear. He resolved himself to stay focus and not do what it is he really wanted to and what her kitchen table looked sturdy enough to handle.
"Jiraiya wants us to go to dinner with him tonight so Tsunade-obachan will."
"Kukuku, is that all?" she asked, increasing the pace of her grinding
"And you have to be nice."
"Hmm, so that's the real favor."
Naruto chuckled, "Yea."
Orochimaru pulled back and looked into Naruto's eyes. "Fine, I will go to dinner and be halfway decent to that miserable toad. And since I have agreed you wouldn't mind me cashing in right now would you?"
"No," Naruto said, proud he'd kept his voice from quivering. He felt her grab his hand, that had been resting on her thigh. She intertwined her hand into his, a sinister smile on her face. Naruto watched as a small white snake wrapped around his wrist. He looked into her eyes, his confusion evident. Her smile only widened.
"Manda wants to talk to you," was the last thing he heard before he felt the pull of a being summoned. Once the smoke cleared, Naruto found himself dumbfounded and half-erect being glared at by a purple people eater.
'Oh, she's getting it so hard when I get back,' was Naruto's thought determined to really test the strength of her bed frame. Realizing the large snake wasn't going to say anything Naruto concluded he had to initiate things.
"Sup?"
Kakashi stood perfectly still in front of the memorial stone. It was early yet and with his team departed on an escort mission, he had a lot of time to himself. Some assumed he came to this stone to ruminate over his past or even excoriate himself in an attempt to alleviate his survivor's guilt. For a while, that had been exactly why he spent so much time in front of the tribute to the fallen. But not anymore and not for several years. With all humility, Kakashi knew he was the premiere ninja of Konoha during the time the Sannin had left. He found it oddly fitting but not for any laudatory reasons.
Like the village, Kakashi had lost his way after Minato-sensei's death. He sank into "duty" while not fulfilling his true duty, to what remained of his sensei's legacy. By the time he pulled himself together, the Sandaime forbade him to be directly involved in Naruto's life. So he watched, doing what little he could while acting as a silent guardian.
He watched as the young boy developed and was filled with a greater sense of pride than anything before. He saw him fight through the hate and isolation, staying focused on a goal. When Kakashi summoned Pakkun in front of a seven year old Naruto he'd hoped the boy would try, he'd done the hand signs slowly while calling them out for that exact purpose. He assumed Naruto would be aligned with the toads and they'd take care of him. Not a perfect plan but it worked and Naruto got a measure of happiness because of his connection to the panthers.
As Kakashi read over the names of the fallen, he would often contemplate Konoha; as a symbol, a location, and a people. Danzo fetishized the location, he cared little for the people and did not believe in the will of fire. The Sandaime fetishized the people, overlooking their faults while basking in their praise. He had no doubts that Minato-sensei sacrificed everything for all three. Kakashi didn't know if he felt the same. He'd seen these people disregard his Sensei while having the temerity to praise him. It was galling.
"Deep in thought, Kakashi-kun?" asked an aged voice from behind.
"No more than usual, Sandaime-sama."
"Uncover any great truths?"
"I try but they seem to elude me."
"I understand, ma' boy. I understand. Change is the only constant and yet even the nature of change is in flux. Just three years ago, if I requested a ninja's audience I received it without question. Now? They feel free to ignore me or come at their leisure. It's somewhat jarring to grow accustomed to," Hiruzen moved toward Kakashi, standing right beside him as he finished.
"I have been very busy, Sandaime-sama."
"Yes, I see," the former Hokage observed, dryly. "I do not blame you for not wishing to be in my presence. I strained our relationship, or more accurately, your trust in me. I regret it, Kakashi. I regret a lot of things and I fear I will never be able to truly make amends."
"You owe me nothing, Sandaime-sama," Kakashi said. It wasn't the truth but the Hatake didn't want to be on the man's apology tour. He abused his authority and there was nothing to be said beyond that.
"At the very least, I owe you an apology. I am sorry for a great many things but keeping you away from Naruto was a mistake. I see it now more than ever."
'Ah,' Kakashi thought. It always led back to Orochimaru.
"By keeping you and others away from Naruto, by alienating him I left him vulnerable to Orochimaru's machinations. Support, acknowledgment, family, and even the chance at love. She's offered all of it to him and of course, he wouldn't turn it down."
"Maybe she's sincere," Kakashi observed.
"Doubtful. She may have a fully matured Sharingan implant, hiding it under an advanced contact lens. Who's to say she won't try to release the Kyuubi from Naruto or control him in some way?"
"There has only been one report and one legend of a single Uchiha controlling the Kyuubi."
"Yes, Madara. The man alleged to be behind Minato and Kushina's death. I have it on good authority that man is likely dead and has been for three years now. He would be who Orochimaru got the Sharingan from."
"Why are you telling me this now? And does Tsunade-sama know?"
"Because I had another plan in the works but I am considering abandoning it. It's likely she's aware of it anyway, I've been five steps behind her since well before her return. I fear for Naruto's safety and didn't think Jiraiya would allow him to enter a relationship with her."
"From my understanding, Jiraiya-sama doesn't allow Naruto to do anything."
"Unfortunate but you appear to be correct. This is why I need you, Kakashi. You aren't completely disinterested but are removed enough to have a different perspective."
"My perspective is you should leave it alone. Naruto can protect himself and if not, he has us."
"Why do you all assume that if she's planning something you'll have time to react? Or Naruto will even be whole for a rescue to be possible?" He knew his former grandson was strong, watching the young man train Tsunade was evidence enough. But Orochimaru was different and could not be underestimated.
"Have you tried forgoing the games and just speaking directly and plainly to Naruto? Sure, he might tell you to stuff it but he's not a petulant child, he won't let his feelings outweigh sound advice. If that doesn't work and you're sure she's a threat to Naruto and subsequently the village then flip a coin and kill one of them."
"That's not funny, Kakashi."
"I'm not joking. If you truly believe she's a threat, if there is nothing else motivating you then neutralize the threat. Sometimes the most heroic thing you can do will appear villainous. Remember when you told me that?"
"I do."
"Because the village came before everything. Not even my loyalty to Minato-sensei was an excuse to jeopardize it, risk conflict with Kumo or Iwa. It was for the village. Just know, wherever you land on that, I'll be on Naruto's side. I've been manipulated by you enough for a lifetime. Ja ne," Kakashi said before disappearing via a shunshin.
"So the guy says, "Lady, that's not a soap dispenser," Naruto finished and watched as Manda laughed. The two had been breaking the ice. Naruto was glad the snake wasn't as nakedly hostile as the stories made it appear. Even if Gamabunta considered him something of a savage he respected his power.
"Alright, boy, I'm sure you know why you're here."
"Seeing if I'm worthy of Orochi-chan?"
"Yes. I won't let what happened with Hiruzen happen again. He threw her away like a used whore just to save face. I need to know your intentions, Naruto."
Naruto felt flushed and embarrassed at the question. He knew his intentions, he had a plan but just confessing to her giant snake daddy felt weird. And uncool. And awkward. But he couldn't allow his reluctance to be read as dishonesty so Naruto answered.
"I care about her, Manda-sama. I don't know what the future entails but whatever it is I'd like to have her in my life. She's… precious," 'Ugh, so lame,' "to me and I only want the best for her."
"Alright, kid. Geez, didn't Bagheera teach you to keep a tighter rein on your emotions?" the Snake Boss asked. Naruto had to fight down his annoyance, wondering if he were simply being trolled. "I won't be eating you today but I will keep watch. You start to look like that old Monkey and you'll deal with me."
"I am nothing like the Old Man, believe it!"
"We shall see. But as of now, you have my blessing to court Orochi-chan properly. But if you ever have kids they have to be Snake Summoners, not Toad."
"Wha… Ok. What about the panthers? Granny Bast made it a clan contract with the Uzumaki?"
"That's fine, you just keep that cutthroat pussycat away from me," Manda ordered. Naruto nodded in agreement and felt the same little snake wrap around his wrist, transporting him back to Orochi's kitchen. She was at her counter preparing to chop something, making a late breakfast. Naruto approached her and while she knew, the Sannin never turned around nor acknowledged his return. Not even when she felt his arms around her waist.
"That wasn't very nice, 'ttebayo," he whispered.
"I have never claimed to be nice, Naruto-kun," she responded continuing her prep work, even as she felt his hands slide into her robe.
"But you can be. Sweet even. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me," Naruto responded.
"Mhmm," Orochi moaned, one of Naruto's hands traveled north and the other headed, at a teasingly slow pace, south. "Good. If these people think they don't have to fear me they may try to hold actual conversations with me." Naruto laughed but said nothing else, bantering being far from his mind. Orochi agreed, having been still turned on from previously.
As she felt her former student preparing to take her from behind, Orochimaru was internally pleased. Just a few short weeks ago he would not have done this. He was shy or uncomfortable about sex, more overly respectful. She didn't know why; maybe her history with Hiruzen or Naruto not wanting her to feel used but she had to rid him of it. One of the things she adored about him was his passion and she'd accept nothing less in that aspect of their lives. A gentleman in the sheets benefitted no one.
He learned quickly, to both their benefits. And as a small gasp escaped her lips upon being entered, she was pleased. Clearly, Manda had, to some extent, accepted Naruto so she wouldn't have to worry about that any longer. Maybe Manda would start behaving normally again. She gripped the counter tightly as Naruto increased his pace, reveling in the sensation and the sounds he was making. He might be aiming for a quickie in the kitchen but she knew better. They'd be in her bed shortly, hours having gone by in a blink of an eye.
Orochi frowned when she felt Naruto pull out. She wasn't given time to voice her displeasure as she felt herself turned around and hoisted into the air. With practiced ease, she adjusted to the position change, kissing her lover deeply as she rolled her hips.
"Maybe you should create a clone so we can finish this upstairs," she suggested and Naruto complied. She giggled at the annoyed face the clone made. The silent protest of having to cook while the original was so obvious he may as well have shouted it. Playfully she blew the clone a kiss and winked as she was carried off. She wouldn't know immediately but it was possible that another step of her plan would be completed today. If not, it wouldn't be due to lack of effort.
It was just as she said, hours seemingly passed in a blink of an eye. Now, as her head lay on his chest, raising and lowering gently with each breathe, she takes a moment to regard him. He'd changed so much over their time apart, having lost much of the roundness in his face but still retaining some softness. She also noticed that he seemed to be somewhere else mentally. His look wasn't one of worry but preoccupation. As if he could tell he was being watched, he looked down and smiled brightly at her.
"Sorry, lost in thought," he said.
"I hope I'm not boring you already, Naruto-kun."
"Never," was his response.
"Then what were you thinking about?" she asked.
Naruto squashed the impulse to lie and say 'nothing,". It felt wrong and he didn't want to hide things but he also didn't want to burden her with his concerns so he went for a change in topic.
"Have you considered starting on another subelement?" It didn't take a genius to see his dodge but she would allow it for now.
"In the abstract, yes. The magnet release isn't exactly easy but is more than battle ready, as far as how I plan to use it. Do you have some thoughts?" she inquired and Naruto nodded.
"If you're comfortable with jiton then koton might be an easier step as its something of a continuation."
"As opposed to a wholly different two element combination?" It surprised her that Naruto thought adding a third element into a manipulation would be easier but he would have the experience. "How should I start?"
Naruto chuckled as he could hear the excitement in her voice. He wouldn't blame her. Pushing his chakra to do as much as it could, the joy of a new development had been a solace to him for much of his life. And every new development just inspired him to top it, to try to do more.
"Do you have some iron sand on you?" The Uzumaki watched as a seal glowed on her left arm and a clump of iron sand emerged on her palm. "Start spinning it, slowly." The Snake Sannin did just that. Her eyes widened slightly as she witnessed Naruto's hands be engulfed in golden chakra. She channeled chakra into the contact lens covering her Sharingan eye, wanting to remember this in perfect detail. As Naruto placed his hand under hers, she felt it warm as this potent, pure filling chakra was being transferred to her. The iron sand began to solidify into one mass and change into a blob of steel.
"Now you have to think of an object. The more familiar you are with the object, the easier the manipulation," Naruto said. Orochimaru considered what she'd like and quickly came to a conclusion. Instantly, she watched as the mass above her hand started to lengthen.
In almost no time what was once sand was now a handleless Dao sword, the blade a little wider than a katana and the curve more gentle. But she also felt it, the change from jiton to koton and despite what Naruto said it was incredibly complex. But it also felt like once learned, the shape manipulation felt more natural. Almost like earth, if it wanted to be something else.
She considered the exchange, her vast intellect more focused on why Naruto would suggest koton than on how to mimic what she'd just experienced. She was cognitively diverse, or what some might call a high functioning sociopath. She didn't process emotions like everyone but she forced herself to understand them. His far off gaze, his changing of the subject and now the koton led her to one conclusion, he was worried.
"That didn't feel that straight forward, Naruto-kun."
"Yea, it isn't easy but I managed it and I'm not a genius nor the strongest of a legendary trio."
"You flatter me but I doubt I'd have enough time to get a handle on koton, certainly not enough time to learn the Impervious Armor Jutsu you're looking to teach me," she said. She paid no attention to the surprise on his face, placing the newly created sword on her dresser. Only once she returned did she speak again.
"You don't have to concern yourself with Ay. The lightning armor is formidable but all jutsu have a weakness. Though, covering myself in high conductive material would seem like a really bad idea."
"The lightning armor trades the conductive and piercing power of raiton for increased strength, speed and near perfect protection of the user's body. Unless one wielding it intentionally tries, it won't really shock nor pierce you. If that weren't the case, the lightning could be forced to divert to various conductive sources making the user lose control."
"Unless you and Ay are on much better terms than I realized, there is only one way you could know that much about the lightning armor. No wonder Tsunade's been so smug, hinting at you teaching her something special. Does your girlfriend not deserve such a magnificent jutsu, Naruto-kun?" Orochi asked, finishing with a pout.
"I thought you were my rival?"
"I happen to be naked so right now I am no such thing."
"And if you walk around like that all the time then I guess we'll never be rivals."
Orochimaru put one hand on her chest and another on her forehead in mock horry. "Think of the scandal, Naruto-kun. What about my virtue?" He didn't fight back the laugh motivated by his girlfriend's antics. Once his fit was over he did make one minor correction.
"I'm not teaching Oba-chan the lightning armor, I'm teaching her how to beat it. There is a lesser but more flexible derivative jutsu called Lightning Style: Overdrive and I did show her that."
"Hmm, well I guess that's ok," Orochi responded knowing about that jutsu herself. It would be absolutely destructive in Tsunade's hands and the Snake Sannin was looking forward to their next spar. With the grace befitting her years of experience, Orochimaru slide over Naruto and straddled him. She looked deeply into his eyes and reiterated her initial point, "You don't have to fear for my safety. I am well equipped to fight the Raikage."
"I believe you," Naruto started before pausing and collecting his thoughts. "I don't fear Ay but I also don't understand him. What does he want? Why do this now? It can't just be what Rasa sent, can it?"
"No," she reassured him, "at most you'd simply be an excuse. It also doesn't surprise me you can't understand him, I have a theory and if I'm right, it isn't a conclusion you'd reach, it just isn't like you."
"What do you mean?"
"You look at the state of the shinobi villages and you see peace. Not perfect but peace all the same and you can't see why anyone would want to upset that, sacrifice lives for a tolerable status quo. But that is the thinking of someone that believes in the Will of Fire, of the very ideas underpinning the creation of Konoha. You have to remember, Hashirama-sama and Madara created Konoha to stop the senseless deaths, of sending children to battle after battle. Every other village was created in response and out of fear of the Senju-Uchiha alliance.
Even if some find it tolerable now, they were forced to change because of Konoha's mere existence. And ever since then, any attempt to radically change that, each Shinobi war, Konoha's involvement resulted in the protection of the order it necessitated. During my time away, I started to see Konoha as this stagnate force that was keeping a lid on progress. Ay may feel the same way. Winning outright may not even be his aim. He could, simply, want to cripple the Leaf for a generation or two so Kumo has the ability to set the course for the future."
"It's not worth it," Naruto said.
"Maybe, maybe not but has understanding him changed anything?"
"Not really."
"Don't be a hero, Naruto-kun," Orochimaru said. "If war does come, don't be a fool and be merciful to your enemies. Maybe they aren't at fault, simply loyal to a cretin but that's their problem. You have responsibilities to your clan, to your friends and to me to come home in one piece. Don't let Jiraiya's silly ideology shorten your life. Kumo won't care, won't be swayed by your sacrifice. Fight with your full power. Promise me," she requested. She knew what she was doing by forcing this promise on him but she needed to know he would be selfish and prioritize his happiness. Maybe the shinobi world needed a hero but it'd have to find someone else. He was hers. Hers and no one else's.
"There are times for mercy, Orochi-chan. There are things worth sacrificing yourself for. My clan, my friends, you. I can't promise to never do that but I do promise to always do my best to come home. I won't pursue a fool's peace and if the worst happens and Kumo calls for war, I'll give them all they can handle and then some, 'ttebayo."
"That'll do, for now," she said and was awarded a face splitting grin. "I do have one more question; that golden chakra was that-,"
"The Kyuubi? Yea. We're totally buds now."
"Oh, and that's why it isn't so malicious?"
"Yup," Naruto was cut off by the sound of a distinctive knock, "And I would love to explain how but Oba-chan is here so I need to go get ready," Naruto said. As he grabbed his clothes he gave her a quick peck and teleported to his room.
"Nice ass, Uzumaki," an unwanted guest said. Naruto turned around, hands darting toward his groin.
"What the hell, Karin-chan! Why are you in my room, 'ttebayo?"
"Some guy dropped off Jiraiya-sama and your suits. I was hanging it up because I'm a wonderful cousin. I wasn't expecting a show."
"And you're still not getting one!"
"Then you're going to need to larger hands." Naruto's face started to match his hair.
"Get out, dattebayo!"
"Fine, geez." Karin exited and Naruto ran into his private bathroom, bemoaning that his father probably never had to deal with stuff like this.
The double date went well… for the most part. Keeping to her word, Orochi was nice to Jiraiya. It was the other patrons not used to seeing the Snake Sannin in something as slinky as a black cocktail dress that were causing a problem. Though, when she casually mentioned anyone looking to keep their eyes should keep them off her that changed. And Jiraiya, meeting her half way, was respectful as well. He even managed not to complete disassemble when Orochi mentioned Naruto meeting Manda.
It was a lovely evening, filled with good company, food and copious amounts of alcohol for Tsunade and Jiraiya. As the foursome vacated the Platinum Lotus, one of the finest restaurants in Konoha, Naruto chose to walk Orochi home and Jiraiya did the same for Tsunade. It had been mostly silent between the two Sannin, their walk illuminated by the starlit sky. It wasn't tense but it wasn't a companionable silence either. The two had so much unsaid between them and with more life behind them than in front they each wondered if that would ever change.
Tsunade tugged at Jiraiya's black suit jacket. The garment hanging off her shoulders to combat some of the briskness of the night air. "I know you convinced Naruto to come along so I would agree with this after you asked me."
Jiraiya grinned, "I had no doubt. Still, I think it was worth it."
"It was fun. I could certainly use more of that."
"Heavy is the head," Jiraiya said, not finishing the quote. Tsunade nodded.
"I knew it would be but Sensei couldn't continue on and you wouldn't have taken the chair so that left me. A position I never wanted, living someone else's dream."
"Sometimes that's all we can do for the dead. I wonder what Minato would say. If I'd redeemed myself over the last three years, if he'd forgive me."
"You really did love him like a son," Tsunade observed.
"I did. I never got it, how you could leave. How we all seemed to rate so much lower. Not until Minato did I really understand the hopelessness of seeing your future taken away. It wasn't that you didn't care about us, you just couldn't see a path forward and I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you."
"I am, too, Jiraiya. I knew how you felt, I should have reached out. Who knows how things could have been different." Nothing else was said for the rest of the walk, not until they reached Tsunade's doorstep.
"Tonight was fun, we should do it again sometime," Jiraiya said.
"Yea, I wouldn't mind that," Tsunade responded, handing her former teammate his suit jacket. They bid each other goodnight and Jiraiya made his way home, feeling more hopeful about certain aspects of his life than he had in some time.
Like Tsunade, Orochimaru was also sporting a suit jacket around her shoulders. Naruto's charcoal grey sharkskin jacket fitting a little better on her than Jiraiya's on Tsunade. As they neared Orochi's manor, the proximity between the two became closer. Accidental brushes of the arm or hand grew in commonality. The accidental became intentional as Naruto wrapped his arm around the Sannin's waist, stealing a kiss under the streetlight.
"You staying tonight?" she asked.
"You're not sick of me, yet?" he inquired, cheekily.
"I'm just as surprised as you," Orochi responded. Knowing he'd been one upped, he retaliated with another kiss. It was meant to be quick but transitioned into something else entirely. Not wanting to waste time, the two shunshin'd to Orochi's.
Naruto pulled her into another kiss, her back against the door. On separate he whispered, "Someone's here," she nodded having sensed a presence as well and had a better than good idea of who it might be. Wordlessly, Naruto departed and Orochi straightened herself up before she entered her home. Strutting to the location of her intruder, she saw her sensei sitting in a chair with a beaten and restrained Kabuto beside him.
"Why are you here?" she asked, forgoing any hint of game playing.
"Before I answer that, why doesn't Naruto drop the genjutsu and join us. There won't be any need for an assassin's strike under the cover of darkness." Instantly, several shimmers appeared and it was revealed that Naruto had snuck in three shadow clones along with himself. "Hmm, I counted only two shadow clones, I really must be slipping."
"You can ruminate about your monumental decline elsewhere, what do you want?"
"To put an end to this war of ours, Orochimaru. To reach some sort of ceasefire before things escalate to a point where there is only one option, you try to kill me or I try to kill you."
The Snake Sannin was shocked by this, assuming her sensei would never give up trying to entrap her. But he was right, there weren't many more places to go before they had to try to kill one another. A part of her would love to see him dead after having been brought low and thoroughly shamed. It would be a fitting conclusion to their tale.
Not for the affair. She wouldn't deny she had some affection for the man and respected him as a ninja but compared to Naruto, Hiruzen was just a cure for her boredom. She also didn't care about the abortion, having a child wasn't in her career plans at the time and she'd seen his other kids, they were hardly impressive.
No, the burning hatred she had for Hiruzen Sarutobi rested on one thing, to save his marriage he spun a tale about his seductress of a student who used her wiles to secure her selection as the next Hokage. This ensured he wouldn't, for any reason, ever allow her to replace him. He killed her dream, all to avoid the consequences of his actions. She often, bitterly, thought that was the best Hiruzen had ever fucked her. So, she harmed his precious family, spat on his Will of Fire and made him eat seeing her as his "favorite student,".
But she didn't need that anymore. She'd won. He'd departed in scandal and shame and more importantly, she had Naruto and continuing to one up her sensei could jeopardize that. And whatever upheaval may happen outside the village, she needed things to remain stable here for the immediate future. She'd won. It was a total victory. She decided to sit down and hear the defeated man out.
As Hiruzen began to share the details of why Kabuto was beaten up, neither the Sandaime nor Orochimaru were paying much attention to Naruto. He was remaining silent but they simply could not hear the most important conversation happening in the room.
"The Old Man lies. I can sense his duplicity as if it were a tenth tail, Naruto."
"Thanks, Kurama. If he endagers her, I know I'll lose Konohamaru and maybe even Kurenai-sensei but I'll erase him."
"Even now, the prospect doesn't please you?"
"I never truly wanted the Old Man dead, just to either do better or get out of the way. And, as much as I hate it, I can't completely forget about how he was when I was younger. I was so angry back then, I could have become someone you could have never respected. That has to count for something. But my gratitude has limits and he's long crossed them."
"What's the plan?" Kurama asked. He could do very little for his friend. He knew Naruto was telling the truth, wishing the aged monkey would stop with his meddling.
"I don't know. I really don't know."
