Beating The Odds
Chapter 14: Return, Restore, Reveal
By: MikeJV37
-
----July 22, 8:49 AM, 1 mile from Konoha----
Two Naruto clones grumbled as they walked along the road, one in front, the other in back of an improvised stretcher, on that stretcher, moaning in pain was a heaviy bandaged Jiraiya. You could see his right eye, left arm, and most of his left leg, the rest was wrapped in bandages to keep him immobile. "I'm going to get you for this Jiraiya.... I had to carry your ass all the way. Come on Baa-chan, couldn't you just heal him a...."
"Forget it brat, I don't care how much pain he's in, he'll live.... besides, he'll still be a shinobi when he heals.... I didn't hurt him that bad." Tsunade said with a happy smirk.
"Didn't hurt him that bad?!" The real Naruto said from in front of her, turned around and walked backwards. "You broke his jaw, the left side of his face his right arm in four places, seven ribs are broken, three are fractured, and his leg is broken in two places, not to mention the internal damage and that if I hadn't stepped in you would of castarated him!!" Naruto said exasperated.
Tsunade smiled happily. "Oh come on, I wasn't going to castrate him.... well, not completely, he'd of been fine with just one."
Jiraiya whimpered loudly.
"He's had worse." Tsunade said casually.
"And you probaby did it." Naruto said as he turned around.
'I know I'm gonna pay for that, but anything Naruto-kun does to me will be worth it, no matter how painful or humiliating.' Tsunade thought.
----Konoha Main Gate----
The two Chuunin Guards were staring at Jiraiya in shock as they greeted Anko and checked her papers. "What happened to Jiraiya-sama?" One asked.
"Accident." Naruto said.
"Tsunade-sama.... welcome to Konoha." The other Guard said nervous but excited at meeting the legendary Med nin.
"Yeah." Tsunade said emotionlessly.
The first Guard could tell Tsunade didn't want to be there, but he wasn't going to say anything, he just unlocked the Gate and let them in.
They entered and immediately headed for the Hospital, except for Anko who went to the Tower to inform the Hokage.
----Hospital, 12 minutes later----
The instant they entered the Hospital Naruto saw awe on the face of every nurse and doctor, Tsunade had gone right to the front desk and asked what room Sakura Haruno was in, but she'd done it in a voice that would of made Gaara shit his pants in fear. He knew she didn't want to be there, but he also knew that she also respected Sakura for her skills as a med nin as would do everything in her power to be sure Sakura continued that very promising career. That was one thing Tsunade never joked about. He knew she had a lot of fualts, but when it came to being a med nin, and talented people like Sakura, she didn't mess around, it was one of the few things she took very seriously. They finally reached Sakura's room, and when they walked in Sakura turned to them, smiled, saw Tsunade and her eyes got as big as saucers.
"Let's see what wrong with you that these so called medics couldn't handle." Tsunade said seriously, flashed through several hand signs and activated a powerful diagnostic jutsu. She slowly ran her hands, now glowing green, down Sakura's body starting at her head. When she reached Sakura's chest she paused a moment and frowned. She did it again at her lower stomach. When she finished she cracked her neck and sighed. "You're a tough little bitch, Ill give you credit on that.... no wonder they called me in, you're lucky to be alive Sakura. Don't worry, I'll have you on your feet and training for the finals in a week." Tsunade said seriously, but with a smile.
"Thank you Tsunade-sama." Sakura said, stars in her eyes at meeting the legendary med nin.
"The rest of what you did we'll discuss later." Tsunade said seriously, without the smile, turned and left the room.
They heard Tsunade yelling for nurses from the hallway.
"You're going to be fine Sakura-chan, I promise." Naruto said warmly and took her hand, she squeezed his. "We'll be back later, it's been a long trip and we need to clean up." Naruto said with a big grin, leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"You do stink a little." Sakura said playfully.
Hinata giggled, took Naruto's hand and lead them out of the room.
----12:18 PM, Hokage's office----
Tsunade walked into his office, almost slamming the door behind her and sat in the right chair in front of his desk. "You want to see me old man?"
Sarutobi almost smiled, but held it in. "Hai. You've examined Sakura Haruno?"
"Hai, she has some bone fragments near the base of her spinal column and close to her heart, she's lucky to even be alive." Tsunade said seriously.
"Can you help her?" Sarutobi asked calmly.
"I can.... this place can use all the good med nin it can get, I won't let what happened before happen again. At least you're still following my advice about teams, and I saw some of my ideas at the Hospital too. You did something right at least." Tsunade said, and saw Sarutobi's face show the very faintest signs of dissappointment about what she'd said. She sighed. "Look, I came back just to help Sakura...." Tsuade said then a small smile appeared on her face. "That brat you sent after me is one talented little shit, I've never met anyone that can do what he does.... tell me about him."
Sarutobi smiled, he could see her feelings for him in her eyes and on her face. 'Have her tits gotten bigger since she left, or am I getting senile?' Sarutobi thought, hoping it was the first.
----July 23, 7:05 AM, Hospital Operating Room----
Shizune checked Sakura's vitals and nodded. "She's out Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade nodded to Shizune and the other med nin in the room, she'd personally selected them. "We'll start with the fragments near her heart, and if anyone slips up and this girl dies or gets crippled.... you'll be next." Tsunade said in an absolutely dead voice.
Even Shizune shuddered, she'd only seen Tsunade like this once before and knew that was no idle threat, she'd kill them.
Tsunade focused and created a chakra scalpel sharper than any metal blade could hope to be with her right hand and very carefully, but masterfully cut open Sakura's chest with it while Shizune and the Sakura's blood flow and kept her alive.
----3 hours, 12 minutes later----
Tsunade walked out of the operating room into the hallway as Sakura was taken to Recovery. She pulled down her mask, wiped her forehead and smiled tiredly. "We did it Shizune."
Shizune smiled happily as she pulled her mask down. "I've never seen such delicate work Tsunade-chan, you were incredible." Shizune said, then glanced around to be sure no one was listening. "Naruto-kun will be proud of you."
"I did it for Sakura, but thanks Shizune-chan. I know he's still upset about Jiraiya, but this should get me some mercy." Tsunade said quietly so only Shizune heard her. "Care to buy your Sensei some lunch and a bottle of sake?" Tsunade asked.
Shizune sighed and shrugged. "Hai, this once I'll buy, I'll even celebrate with you.... but only one bottle, you still have to heal Jiraiya later."
Tsunade smiled. "Let's get out of these gowns, Anko mentioned a resturant where we can get a good breakfast and some sake."
Shizune nodded.
----July 30, 8:00 AM, Konoha Hospital----
Sakura stood fron her wheelchair and took a deep breath of the fresh morning air, happy to finally be out of the Hospital as a patient. She nodded to the nurse behind her who took the wheelchair back inside. All her friends were standing there smiling, with Anko and her new Sensei Tsunade "Are you gonna hug me or do I have to hurt you?" Sakura said with a big smile, then her friends swarmd her.
Tsunade let it go on a few minutes then broke it up. "Now that you're healed, we have some things to talk about Sakura.... like how you can open the Chakra Gates so easily."
Everyone'c face got serious, the memory was still fresh in their minds.
"Naruto, Hinata, you two can stay, everyone will have to leave. You can see her later." Tsunade said, returned their group nod then watched them leave.
"We can talk at my house." Naruto said, then smiled when Tsunade nodded.
"Lead the way brat." Tsunade said calmly. As she followed them she still couldn't believe what Sarutobi had told her about Naruto.
----FLASHBACK----
"Anko told me you came back because you lost a bet to Naruto, she didn't have any details of what it was, just that you agreed to return to Konoha to heal Sakura, but also that'd you agreed to become the Fifth Hokage." Sarutobi said calmly.
Tsunade frowned and grumbled. "Hai, I don't know how he did it, but there's just something about that brat I can't figure out."
"I'll tell you, but this is an S-Rank secret, only a handful of people know this. Do you agree to keep what I'm about to tell you a secret?' Sarutobi asked, then smiled when she nodded. "Naruto had the Kyuubi sealed in him when he was born by Minato.... it was the only way to stop it."
Tsunade gasped in shock.
Sarutobi opened his desk drawer and took out a very thick manilla folder and put it on the desk in front of Tsunade. "There's alot more. This is Naruto's private file, Hokage eyes only. Read it."
Tsunade took the folder, unsealed it and opened it. Unlike most people, his file started even before he was born. Tsunade almost fell out of her chair when she saw who his parents were. She had to look in his eyes. "He's really...."
"Hai, but he doesn't know. I'm going to tell him when he turns fifteen and can claim his rightfull inheiritance." Sarutobi said.
Tsunde went back to reading. As she read about the first five years of his life the frown on her face turned into an increasingly intense snarl of rage at how he'd been trated, she couldn't believe the list of injuries he'd suffered, most experienced Jounin were never hurt this much, even during the War. She was amazed he was even alive, then remembered his guest and knew why. Just as she got to the incident in the alley when he was five, she slammed te folder on the desk and stood, almost in a full rage. "I'LL KILL'EM! HE SHOULD OF BEEN THE FUCKING HERO OF THIS SHITHOLE AND THEY TREATED HIM LIKE LESS THAN GARBAGE WHEN THEY SHOULD OF BEEN KISSING HIS ASS!!!" Tsunade roared in rage.
The secretary rushed in, and froze when Tsunade gave her the coldest glare she'd ever seen in her life. She paled in terror, immediately turned and ran out, shutting the door behind her.
Sarutobi sighed and quickly put a sound seal on the room. "Please calm down Tsunade and sit."
Tsunade took several deep breaths to calm down, sat, picked the folder up and continued reading. As she read, she quickly realized why Naruto beat her so easily, and that if he wanted to he could of actually killed her. She knew she never really stood a chance against him, not beause of Kyuubi's power, but because of what it said had happened when he was five. As a gambler she believed in Lady Luck, but to find out that not only was she a real deity, but had actually blessed Naruto and given him this incredible power. That he actually talked to her on a regular basis simply astounded her. 'All that power and he acts like a normal kid. Maybe I can get him to introduce her to me.' She was in there, how he'd saved Hinata, what was said, his training by every clan, his nightly trips out, chasing the Daiymo's cat, his special relationship with Anko Mitarashi, the incident with the Uchiha, everything up to and including his battle with Orochimaru and the Chuunin Exams. What put the biggest smile on her face was that Orochmaru was dead, she actually burst out laughing hard when she read that. She read the list of jutsu he knew, there were only a handfull of people in Konoha that knew more. It simply amazed her that overall, he was almost on par with Sarutobi, but not quite, he was definitely stronger than her though, there was no doubt about that. Even if he had to use Kyuubi and Her power to reach that level, it was still incredible, on his own he could match a mid level Jounin in skill and power, with Her power and the six tails of Kyuui's chakra he could access he could almost match Sarutobi's full power. No wonder he'd caught Orochmaru off guard, even after the first encounter he underestimated Naruto and it cost m his life, not that she cared, she never liked that snake bastard anyway. He'd always creeped her out, even as kids.
Sarutobi watched her finish, close the folder and hand it back to him.
Tsunade slumped in her chair, closed her eyes and thought for several minutes before she opened them, straightened up and sighed. "I owe you an apology Sensei...."
Sarutobi's eyebrows went up, she hadn't called him that since she was a kid.
"I'm amazed you haven't killed half the people in Konoha for what they've done to him.... you handled this better than I would of. From what the file said most of them have changed their mind about him, they even like him. They would of been outraged at how he was treated, Minato gave his life for this place and they treated his final request like garbage. Kushina would of beheaded most of Konoha by now, civilians and shinobi. This place has changed since I left.... I guess it's not too bad a place to live." Tsunade said then sighed again. "I guess I could learn to care about this place as much as you as long as Naruto is here and they treat him well. But I'll tell you this old man.... after I'm Hokage, I'll personally kill anyone that mistreats Naruto.... this isn't negotiable. I'll be Hokage, but I'll do it on my terms, and I won't bow to that fucking council either, any of those dried up bastards insult him and they're history. I'm going to clean up the rest of this shithole and run it like it should be." Tsunade said coldly.
Sarutobi sighed inwardly, he knew she was serious and wasn't going to back down, even for him. "Done, once you've healed Sakura I'll arrange a meeting with the Council and announce you as my replacement and fifth Hokage. I'll support any decisions you make." He would of done more, but he had too much history with the current members, but Tsunade wouldn't have that problem. He knew at least three members that wouldn't be there for much longer.
Tsunade smiled. "Thanks.... Sarutobi-sensei." Tsunade said as she stood, then leaned over the desk, kissed his nose and left.
As soon as she shut the door he blushed bright red and face planted on his desk.
----END FLASHBACK----
----Naruto's House----
Tsunade sat on the couch, Naruto and Hinata were in the chair to her left and right, between them stood Sakura. "Okay Sakura, I want to know everything you can do, specifically about the Gates and that black stuff that appeared briefly when Naruto confronted you."
"I think I have a split personality. I usually see her when I get really emotional. She looks like me, but is like a negative. She's all black with a white outline, and on my, her.... forehead is the kanji for Inner Sakura. She's me, but not me, she...." Sakura said.
"Wait." Tsunade interrupted and seemed to be thinking a moment. "This other you, Inner Sakura, she's more agressive than you, and usually angry right?" Tsunade asked, then smirked when Sakura nodded. "I thought so, you have a Bloodline-Limit Sakura, that's what she is. She's a living representation of all your repressed emotions, like your true feeling brought to life. She's what lets you open the Gates, am I right?"
Saura was stunned, she'd never really given her other self that much thought, but now.... everything suddenly made sense. She felt really stupid for not thinking of this herself, she normally surpressed her other self. "Hai, Tsunade-sama."
"Tsunade-sama.... but the Haruno aren't even a clan.... how could she have a Bloodline-Limit like me if her parents didn't?" Hinata asked.
"I don't know, but I intend to find out. With Sakura's permission I'll take some blood samples from her and her parents and have them examined." Tsunade said.
"You can't do that...." Sakura said nervously. "My father died when I was little." Sakura said sadly.
Tsunade winced, she hadn't known that. "I'm sorry Sakura, I never thought to ask, and only met your mother Sakari a couple times when she visited you after the operation." Tsunade thought for a moment. "Sakura, I want to do a test and I need you to trust us."
"I trust Naruto-kun with my life." Sakura said immediately and confidently.
Tsunade glanced at Naruto. 'His friends have total trust in him, and I don't doubt they'd die for him without hesitation.' Tsunade thought and smiled. "As I understand what happened, after the match, your inner self wanted out.... I want you to let her out." Tsunade said then saw Sakura get nervous. "Trust me Sakura, she may be more agressive than you, but I think she likes Naruto as much as you do and would listen to him."
Sakura nodded, she was nervous but she trusted Naruto wilh her life. She relaxed, closed her eyes and went into her mindscape where she found Inner Sakura just floating there.
Naruto watched Sakura, then saw it, the thick black liquid from the arena, it slowly seeped out through Sakura's skin, turning it, her hair and her clothes absolutely black. She looked like a photo negatives he'd seen. He stood and moved by Tsunade as it completely covered Sakura, then she opened her eyes, which were also black. "Sakura-chan?"
"Call me Inkura Naruto-kun." She said in an almost twin voice.."Mmmm, you're even better looking in person.... if I thought I had a chance of taking you from Hinata I'd fuck you right here.." Inkura said with a devious smile.
Hinata was a little shocked, but not totally surprised, she knew Sakura liked Naruto, but then most of the females in say the same thing. She wasn't worried though, she knew Naruto would never betray her.
"Cool it. You know why you're here.... Inkura, so you can cooperate or we can send you back into her mind." Tsunade said very sternly.
"Fine, fine.... just having a little fun, this is my first time out. So what do you want me to do?" Inkura asked.
"Just testing a theory.... just make a couple bushins." Tsunade said casually.
Inkura laughed. "That's it? I thought this was going to be fun." Inkura said and flashed through the hand signs. "BUSHIN." Inkura said almost bored.... but nothing happened. "WHAT THE FUCK?!" Inkura exclaimed.
"I thought so... what ever that is that lets you take her over, is impervious to chakra. Hinata, scan her wih a diagnostic jutsu." Tsunade said.
Hinata nodded, stood, went to the anxious Inkura, did the hand signs and when her hands glowed green she held them to Inkura, going up and down her body several times. "I can't detect anything, it's like she not there."
"You mean if I come out we can't use jutsu?" Inkura asked, half angry, half depressed.
"That's right.... but I think that can be used to our advantage on a mission." Tsunade said, suddenly pulled a kunai from Naruto's weapon pouch and threw it at Inkura, who crossed her arms over her face out of reflex.
It bounced off and clanked on the floor.
"Hey watch it you could of...." Inkura said angrily, then saw it on the floor at her feet, and checked herself for injuries. "I'm not hurt.... it didn't penetrate.... COOL!" Inkura said, the last word very excitedly and punched the air.
"A little warning next time Tsunade, okay?" Naruto said.
Tsunade smiled. "Hai."
-
End Chapter 14
