Hey, so this is chapter 24. About the romance tag, when I started the story, having romance was the idea, but erm, when I started writing, it didn't seemed to come up, so I might have missed those parts. Sorry about that, I'll work on those, just wanted to say that.

So depending how it goes, I'll probably either work on putting those scenes, or just remove that tag and put in another suitable tag.

So yeah, here's the next chapter.

XXX

The next day, Hikari and Jiraiya were on the road. They had left the village in the morning, since Jiraiya didn't want to waste any more time.

As they walked, the Kyuubi spoke to Hikari, "Hikari, those people yesterday, they were strong."

The girl nodded, 'I know, you don't have to tell me.'

The Kyuubi nodded, "Yes, but as you are now, you will never defeat them. Your body has gotten used to three tails, I suppose its time to go further."

Hikari's eyes widened in surprise, 'You serious?'

The Kyuubi chuckled, "Of course, but you still have ways to go before we can use my real form. For now, we'll try four tails when we have the time."

Hikari nodded, 'Thank you, Kyuubi.'

The bijuu grinned, "Don't thank me yet, thank me when you become Hokage."

Hikari just giggled as the Kyuubi spoke again, "Okay, quiet, I wanna sleep."

Hikari just nodded as they kept walking, Jiraiya raising an eyebrow at her and just decided that she was talking to the Kyuubi.

Meanwhile, in Tanzaku Gai, a busty blonde woman with a green flak jacket that had the kanji for 'gamble' and a black haired woman in dark blue carrying a small pig were in a casino.

The blonde woman pulled the slot machine and waited for the results. To her surprise, she hit the jackpot, and the woman beside her cheered, "Tsunade-sama, you won!"

The Slug Sannin stared at the machine a while before she turned, "Shizune, take the money and pack up, we're leaving."

The woman blinked, "Eh, why? I mean you won..."

She trailed off and realized it. Tsunade nodded, "I never win, or at least, I never hit the jackpot."

The woman nodded and quickly collected the money before they quickly headed out.

As they walked through the streets, the two kunoichi were on edge as the streets were suddenly silent and void of people, or at least the part of the street they were in, which was unnatural.

Shizune narrowed her eyes as two figures appeared before them, while Tsunade was indifferent. Tsunade asked in an annoyed tone, "Orochimaru, what do you want?"

The snake sannin smirked, "You wouldn't believe me if I said I came here to catch up on old times, right?"

Tsunade just narrowed her eyes at him, "You and I remember 'old times' very differently."

Orochimaru chuckled, "Maybe, I won't bullshit you, I want you to join me."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, "Join you? Why? You've left us alone for a decade, why now?"

Orochimaru grinned, "That's why you're the only one teammate I still keep in contact with. I attacked Konoha, you know? I used Sunagakure like chess pieces and I almost succeeded. But alas, my pieces were too weak, you don't like Konoha, right?"

Tsunade didn't reply as Orochimaru continued, "They took your lover, your brother, Minato and Kushina. They even took away your goddaughter. So, how about it, we can destroy that cursed village together."

The Slug Sannin just glared at him as Shizune spoke, "Tsunade-sama, you can't be serious?! We can take them here!"

The woman spoke silently, "Shizune, shut it."

The sannin's apprentice stopped talking as Tsunade looked at her former teammate, "Why now? You may have sent me projects here and then, but never about joining you. You just left us alone, what happened?"

Kabuto kept silent as his master spoke, "I told you, we attacked Konoha and I almost killed Sarutobi-sensei, all we need is to gather our forces once more and we can finish it."

Tsunade blinked, "You attacked the village? You almost killed sensei?"

Orochimaru smirked and nodded, "I won't lie and say no. If you are to join me, I will share everything I know, we used to be teammates after all."

Tsunade kept silent as Shizune spoke, "Tsunade-sama, you're not seriously considering, are you? They attacked the village, they almost killed Hokage-sama."

Seeing his former teammate considering her options, Orochimaru spoke again, "You don't need to answer now, I'll come back in a week, I hope you will have an answer then. Don't leave the village, I'll know if you do."

Before either women could say anything, Orochimaru and Kabuto vanished via Shunshin. Shizune stared at her master, "Tsunade-sama..."

The Sannin sighed, "I knew that jackpot wasn't a good sign. I need a drink."

Shizune just kept silent as she followed her master towards a nearby bar.

Meanwhile, Hikari and Jiraiya were at the entrance of Tanzaku Gai. Jiraiya grinned, "Its been a while since I last came here. Come on."

Hikari nodded as she followed her godfather into the village, noticing the amount of bars and casinos around her. Jiraiya had told her about Tsunade's love for sake and gambling, so she could see why she would be here.

As they walked, Jiraiya spoke, "Hikari, we'll split up, search the casinos and bars, that's where Tsunade will mostly be, also if I remember correctly, there will be a black haired woman with a small pig with her."

Hikari nodded as the Toad Sage walked in another direction. The Uzumaki sighed as she could see Jiraiya walking into a brothel right away. The girl decided that it was better for her health to just leave the pervert alone and continue searching.

As the girl walked along the streets, she looked around. Then, Hikari decided to try her luck in one of the casinos.

The Uzumaki approached one of the men and asked, "Excuse me, have you seen Tsunade?"

The man raised an eyebrow at her, he knew she was a Konoha ninja from her headband. He asked, "Why are you looking for her?"

Hikari replied, "A mission, so, do you know anything?"

The man chuckled, "Well, you'll have to find out, this is a casino after all."

He gestured to one of the gambling tables. Hikari sighed and nodded as she followed him to the table. The man grinned, "We'll start with a simple game of poker, if you win, I'll tell you about Tsunade, if I win, you'll give me all the money you have. Deal?"

Hikari sighed and nodded, "Fine."

The man nodded to the card dealer and he started the game. After the first game, which Hikari won, the man refused to tell her, instead paying her money and started another game.

The Uzumaki just played along since it was one game, but this continued for a while until the man had no more money. Hikari asked, very annoyed, "Now, will you tell me?"

The girl glared at him and the man started sweating under her glare. But before they could continue, Jiraiya's voice came, "Hikari, what are you doing?"

The girl turned to see Jiraiya with a very amused face. The sannin chuckled, "I found Tsunade, come on, he doesn't have anymore money, right?"

Hikari glanced at the stack of money with her and nodded, "Fine."

The two left the casino and headed towards a bar. Jiraiya laughed, "Girl, I'm impressed. That guy was a scam."

The girl looked at her godfather in confusion as he explained, "Its not rare to have men like him tricking people into games. He didn't have anything about Tsunade, he was actually hoping you would continue losing in those games."

Hikari blinked before she growled, "That son of a bitch..."

Jiraiya just laughed, "But his plan backfired, he's broke now. Seriously, how good are you?"

Hikari blinked, "Actually, I don't know much about gambling. I mean I've played some card games before, but I didn't really play much of poker."

Jiraiya stared at the girl before he roared with laughter, "My god, its official, I'm bringing you to the casino next time."

Hikari didn't know how to reply as they just continued walking. Soon, they reached a humble looking bar. Jiraiya spoke, "Let me handle the talking, got it?"

Hikari just nodded as they entered the bar. The first thing Hikari noticed was the two women sitting at a corner. They basically leaked chakra compared to the others in the shop, plus it wasn't hard to notice the one blonde, apart from herself, in the bar.

Hikari was about to ask Jiraiya if they were the ones they were looking for before the pervert walked towards that table.

The Toad Sage grinned, "Yo, its been a long time, Tsunade-hime."

The woman glanced at the white haired man with a sake cup in her hand, "Jiraiya, what do you want?"

The man chuckled, "What? I can't visit my long lost teammate?"

Tsunade narrowed her eyes at him, "I've already met Orochimaru, so you what do you want? And who is this girl anyway? Some gold digger?"

Hikari glared at her, "Who would follow this pervert willingly? I'm better than that, besides, I already have a boyfriend."

Jiraiya just sweatdropped and spoke, "This is Hikari, Tsunade. Erm, can we sit down, this is gonna take a while."

Tsunade gestured to the two empty seats in front of her and Shizune, "Go ahead, I'm not done drinking anyways, but you're paying."

Jiraiya nodded and they sat down. The man spoke, "Remember how we told you that Minato and Kushina's daughter died?"

Tsunade narrowed her eyes at him, "What? You're not telling me she's alive and this is her?"

Jiraiya nodded and Tsunade stared at the girl, "Wait, Hikari, that blonde hair and whisker marks..."

The Slug Sannin glared at her former teammate, "Explain."

Jiraiya chuckled nervously, "Ermm, you see, sensei thought since you lost Nawaki and Dan, and then Kushina and Minato died that night, you would be too mentally unstable to look after a child."

Tsunade continued glaring at him, "Go on."

The Toad Sage nodded, "So we thought we would let you take some time off before we told you the truth, but time passed and we kinda...forgot?"

Tsunade glared at him, "I should just kill you, take her and go hide in some secluded place with Shizune."

Hikari spoke up, "Its not his fault really, I mean all he ever did was ignore me for sixteen years of my life before magically appearing as my teacher for the Chunnin Exams."

Jiraiya gaped at her as Tsunade smiled sweetly, "So, not only did you lie to me about my goddaughter, you also neglected her for a whole sixteen years?"

Jiraiya spoke again, "Erm, actually there's something else we came here for."

Tsunade just glared at him, "Oh? So, what is so important than punishing you for lying to me about my goddaughter and neglecting her?"

Hikari kept silent, she did agree to have Jiraiya do the talking, besides, she wanted to see who and what kind of person her godmother is.

Jiraiya replied, "You should know Orochimaru attacked Konoha, he launched an invasion."

Tsunade nodded, "I know, then?"

Jiraiya let out a breath, his face turning serious, "Because of him, Sarutobi-sensei is in coma now, we need you to save him and be the Godaime Hokage."

Tsunade blinked, "Hold up, heal Sarutobi-sensei, I get that, but what's this about being the Fifth Hokage?"

The man sighed, "Sarutobi-sensei can only take the position for so long. Frankly I'm surprised he held on for so long. We need someone to take that hat, I believe that's you."

Tsunade's tone turned cold, "No, that seat is for fools. Go find yourself another Hokage. If I go back, it will only to heal sensei, then I'm leaving, and I'm bringing Hikari along."

Jiraiya sighed, but Hikari was curious by her reaction. The Uzumaki asked, "What did you mean, about the Hokage?"

Tsunade glanced at her, "Everyone who took or aimed for that seat are fools, Minato, Kushina, my grandfather, all of them died for nothing. The village will never see the truth of their efforts, just enjoying their life with big smiles."

Hikari narrowed her eyes at her godmother, "So you mean my parents, the Shodaime, Niidaime, and those who strived to be Hokage, we are all fools?"

Tsunade, despite having drunk quite some amount of sake, didn't fail to notice she say 'we'. The Sannin just stared at her, "Yes, and Sarutobi-sensei is also one of them, he is merely lucky."

Killing intent filled the area, causing almost everyone to feel shivers down their spine, and those were the stronger ones like Shizune. Jiraiya and Tsunade, while they didn't say it, were impressed at the killing intent pouring out of the 'last known' Uzumaki.

Hikari spoke calmly, "Jiraiya-sensei, let's go home, this is a waste of time."

Jiraiya blinked, "Eh?"

Hikari stood up, "We came here to bring Senju Tsunade of the Sannin back to Konoha, to heal Hokage-sama and be the Godaime Hokage. But it seems she is nothing but a shell, an old hag who bears the same name of the Slug Sannin."

Shizune was shocked to hear the young girl's words and Jiraiya was flabbergasted that his goddaughter actually had spoke those words.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, "What did you just say?"

Hikari stared back with equal intensity, surprising the two other shinobi at the table, "I did not stutter, did I, you old hag?"

Tsunade glared at the younger blonde, "You wanna take this outside?"

Shizune started to say, "Tsunade-sama... "

Hikari cut her off, "Why not?"

Jiraiya just sighed and shook his head as the two blondes headed out to the streets. Since it was the evening, the street was relatively empty for their bout.

Tsunade stood opposite of Hikari, she held up one finger. Hikari was a bit confused, "What? One minute?"

The Sannin spoke, "One finger, that's all I need to beat you."

Hikari felt annoyed. The woman knew nothing of her and underestimated her, that could work.

Jiraiya spoke up, seeing that spark in Hikari's eyes, "Tsunade-hime, I don't think you should underestimate her."

The woman hmph'd, "She may be Kushina and Minato's daughter. But at her age, she's what, a Gennin?"

She wasn't wrong, since because of the invasion, Hikari never got to be promoted. But with Hikari, using rank to measure her strength was a big mistake.

Hikari immediately charged forward with a speed that surprised Tsunade. The Sannin quickly shook off the shock and jumped away to dodge a punch from Hikari. But the Sannin was forced to cross her arms to block the wave of chains that shot out off Hikari's back as the girl fell forward due to the momentum of her missed punch.

Tsunade was sent skidding away on her feet by the impact of the strike, and she was very impressed by the force behind that attack. To be honest she felt like she couldn't win with only one finger, with that one attack, Hikari had to be at least low Jounin. But Tsunade's pride demanded she win with one finger, she herself had said it after all.

As Tsunade stabled herself from the attack, Hikari spoke, "I thought you were going to win with only one finger?"

Tsunade growled silently and swung her arm, striking the ground with her finger. The simple action caused the ground to split apart and Hikari jumped up to avoid the chasm.

The Uzumaki ignited a Chidori in her right arm and blurred forward. Then she thrust her arm forward. Tsunade's eyes widened at the attack and she decided Hikari was far more dangerous than she thought.

The Sannin grabbed Hikari's wrist to stop the attack. But Hikari wasn't done, making a Rasengan in her left arm, she thrust it forward, Tsunade was surprised at that second attack, but she wasn't a Sannin for nothing.

The woman grabbed Hikari's other wrist with her other arm, holding the girl's arms in place with her superior strength. Tsunade was about to knock Hikari out with a headbutt when she saw her goddaughter smirk.

Before she knew it, Hikari detonated the Rasengan in her hand, causing the sphere of compressed rotating chakra to expand and push Tsunade halfway through the street.

Shizune yelled in worry, "Tsunade-sama!"

The woman rushed towards her master as the Rasengan died out, revealing a battered Tsunade. The woman, while having took on the attack, was just a little winded. It took a lot to wear the woman down and a normal sized Rasengan was obviously not enough.

Tsunade raised her hand, "I'm fine, Shizune."

The woman stared at her goddaughter, "I'm impressed, you caught me off guard there. You're not bad. But, why do you want to be Hokage?"

Hikari stared back, "I've always wanted recognition, the Hokage had that, but more importantly, I want to protect my family, I want to protect Kirito-kun, Sinon-chan, Asuna-chan and Suguha-chan."

Tsunade stared at the girl, and to her surprise, all she could see was determination to achieve her goal. The woman chuckled, "I see, you really are their daughter. You're a perfect mixture of Minato and Kushina."

The woman nodded, "Okay, I'll follow you back. But before that, Jiraiya, we need to talk."

A while later, in Jiraiya's room in a nearby inn, Jiraiya and Tsunade were discussing. Jiraiya sighed, "So, Orochimaru wanted you to join him?"

The woman nodded, "Yeah. He wanted to gather some forces and fully destroy Konoha. But, now with Hikari here, I won't join him."

Jiraiya nodded, "I see. Then what are you gonna do?"

Tsunade smirked, "He told me to give him an answer in a week. So Jiraiya, will you help me skin a snake?"

Jiraiya's smirk was all the answer she needed.

Meanwhile, in Hikari's room, one of Hikari's dragon puppy summons was chasing Tonton around the room, breathing embers of fire at the pig, to the amusement of Shizune and Hikari.

Shizune asked, "So, Hikari-san, I know you're Yondaime-sama and Kushina-sama's daughter, so I'm curious, how is life in Konoha?"

Hikari looked away from the dragon puppy and the pig to Shizune. The girl slumped onto the bed, "Well, no one knew who my parents were, but they knew of my status as the Jinchurikii of the Kyuubi, so all my life I was hated."

Shizune was shocked at that, "You're the Jinchurikii of the Kyuubi?"

Hikari nodded, "Yeah, somehow someone leaked it out even though Hokage-sama deemed it an S-ranked secret. But then I met the four of them, I met my family. Then everything gradually improved, its because of them I'm where I am now."

Shizune smiled at her, "I see. Then what about Jiraiya-sama, he really didn't show up until recently?"

Hikari huffed, "That pervert didn't bother visiting us for sixteen years. I know he's my godfather, but I don't feel it, or at least not now."

Shizune nodded, "About Tsunade-sama, I hope you don't hate her."

Hikari glanced at the elder woman, "Why would I hate her? I mean she didn't even know I was there, I blame Hokage-sama and Jiraiya-sensei more."

Shizune looked at the girl, "So, does that mean you'll give her a chance?"

Hikari giggled, "I'm here, am I not?"

Shizune nodded and then the two engaged in small talk until Tsunade came in for Shizune.

The next day, in a secluded fielf near the village, Tsunade was teaching Hikari her super strength technique. The woman wanted to teach her medical ninjutsu, but decided she would do that once they returned to Konoha. Besides, once she became Hokage, she sure as hell was going to establish that medical nin class.

Now, Tsunade stood in front of her goddaughter, "My strength technique is actually very simple, first, build up chakra in whatever parts of your body, your fists, your legs and so on."

The Uzumaki nodded as the woman demonstrated, allowing her arms to take on a faint blue glow, which faded shortly. Tsunade walked to a boulder, "Then, when you attack, release all that pent up chakra in one go, like how you do with the Rasengan."

She punched, but not touching the boulder as a huge shockwave shattered it to pieces. Hikari 'oh'd in awe as the pieces of the boulder flew away.

Hikari nodded and walked to a tree, trying it for herself, she charged chakra into her fist and punched the tree lightly, releasing all the chakra in her fist.

But instead of blowing the tree to pieces like Tsunade did with the boulder, all Hikari did was exactly like what happened when you put too much chakra in tree walking, except at a much larger scale.

Hikari just stared at the burned bark with a deadpanned expression. Tsunade chuckled, "You got the concept right, just keep trying until you get the proportion of the chakra right. Besides, it helps with chakra control."

Hikari sighed and started to try again and again with the technique, gradually getting closer to what Tsunade was doing every single day.

After trying for what seemed like the hundredth time, Hikari sighed as they headed to have lunch. Jiraiya was somewhere in the village, most probably the hotsprings, while Shizune had took Tonton to browse the area.

Now, Tsunade sat opposite of Hikari. The sannin asked her goddaughter, "So, after sixteen years, how was your life in Konoha? I mean you're the holder of a certain big red furry chakra being."

Hikari giggled slightly at the description of the Kyuubi and the sound of said bijuu grumbling in the back of her mind, "Well, it wasn't bad. I mean the villagers did ignore me and all that, but I had a good family."

Tsunade smiled, she knew that face, she saw it in Kushina whenever Minato was mentioned. The sannin asked, "So, who's this guy?"

Hikari blinked, "Eh?"

Tsunade continued, "I've lived decades more than you have, I know that look. I know I am a shitty excuse of a godmother, but I want to know."

Hikari smiled, "At least you didn't know I was even alive, that makes you better than Jiraiya-sensei a whole lot."

Tsunade chuckled, "Better than Jiraiya huh, that doesn't really say much though."

Hikari laughed in response before Tsunade asked, "So?"

The Uzumaki nodded, "His name is Kirito. He's been by my side ever since we met at the orphanage, along with three girls who are basically my sisters."

The elder blonde nodded, "I see. Is he strong?"

Hikari nodded, "I guess. I mean he's not a ninja, but he can fight."

Tsunade nodded before she asked teasingly, "I see. So, how far are you now?"

Hikari immediately turned red and glared at her godmother lightly, "It's none of your business! Besides, the others and I haven't discussed about it yet, plus we're always training and he's always working..."

Tsunade didn't miss the fact that she mentioned 'others', but she ignored it and said, "Yeah about that, I'm just saying, but since he's not a ninja and you're constantly on the field, anything can happen."

Hikari nodded before she glared at her godmother lightly, "But what's with the topic? I thought that was Jiraiya-sensei's turf."

Tsunade just laughed as the the pair of godmother and godchild bonded, slowly but surely making up for the lost time.

Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Kirito was reading through the Uzumaki sealing scrolls. He found them surprisingly easy and he found several seals he could use.

The swordsman was halfway through the third volume by now, and there was one particular seal that interested him. One that could store chakra and act as pseudo chakra reserves and chakra coils.

As he studied the seal, Kirito subconsciously scratched at his cursed mark as it pulsed, unknown to any of the people in the compound.

At the same time, in the Uchiha compound, where Sasuke was sleeping, he groaned as he turned over in his bed, revealing the glowing cursed mark.

XXX

Done. So yeah, that's the chapter. The next one will be the Sannin fight. So here's a question, should Hiruzen live? And please vote for whether Kirito gets UBW, there are only 11 votes. Given the amount of favs and follows this story has, I had hoped there would at least be 20 votes by now.

So yeah, please review, please click onto my profile to vote. Until the next chapter.