Beating The Odds

Chapter 24: The Namikaze Estate

By: MikeJV37

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----Oct 11, 8:48 AM, Hospital, Maternity Wing----

"You can get dressed now Sakura.... I still feel like hanging you by your nipples for doing something so stupid.... I don't mean the fact that you fucked him, Lee is a good person and I'm glad you found someone to pop your cherry that wasn't some one night stand.... but you're not only the best med nin to come along since I graduated, but you're my apprentice. I don't have the best record as a role model, but you didn't even plan for this Sakura." Tsunade said, then sighed and wiped her brow. "Listen, I'm not mad, but as a kunoichi this will seriously affect your future.... I assume you intend to have the baby?"

"Hai Tsunade-sama." Sakura said immediately and fiercely.

"At least you're smart enough to pick good Godparents, money won't be a problem when you and Lee move to your new home." Tsunade said.

"Move into our own place? We aren't even married yet, I thought I'd have at least six months living at home with mom." Sakura said nervously.

"How much do you have saved up?" Tsunade asked.

"A little over two hundred and fifty thousand, most of it from the C-rank missions we've had lately, and the last mission that became a B-Rank." Sakura said.

"I talked to Guy last night after the party.... Lee has saved over four hundred eighty thousand, you've seen his place, it's not much better than a shed and he only uses it to sleep, Guy pays for most of his meals and all his training equipment. I assme you know Lee is saving up to start his own Taijutsu School with his own fighting style?" Tsunade said casually.

Sakura's eyes opened wider in shock. "I knew he wanted his own Dojo someday, but his own school and style? He never told me he had that much saved.... doesn't he buy anything?"

"As little as possible. Like you he's not from a Clan, but he doesn't even have a family history. He's either earned or been given everything he has by Guy or friends, you know how he is." Tsunade said.

Sakura nodded, as a team mate and friend his loyalty and devotion was beyond question, he'd die to protect a friend without a moment of hesitation. "I know, but he doesn't like to talk about himself in that way, his whole life is devoted to being the best shinobi he can be without chakra.... you've seen his hands and feet beneath those bandages, how many times he's broken them training. He's annoying sometimes, but I love him.... I can't ask him to spend his life savings to buy a home.... I know he would." Sakura said, hanging her head during the last part.

Tsunade laughed, which got her an odd look from Sakura. "You need to listen better.... did you forget already what I said a few minutes ago? Money won't be a problem for you because Naruto and Hinata are your baby's Godparents, do you really think either of them would let a friend struggle during something like this? If I know Naruto he'll personally buy you and Lee your own Estate as a wedding present, and you know how Hinata is about family.".

Sakura closed her eyes a moment and then laughed both to and at herself. "You're right Tsunade-sama.... I just got a little flustered and forgot."

"Now that we settled that, as far as you and the baby, you're both healthy, you shouldn't have any problems carrying it, during birth or breast feeding. How about we get Sakari in here, we do have some things to discuss concerning the next year of your life, both as a mother-to-be and kunoichi. Oh, and from now on call me Tsunade-chan unless the situation requires you call me sama, you're family as far as I'm concerned." Tsunade said and smiled.

Sakura nodded.

----9:45 AM, Hokage Tower----

"Now that you're all here, it's time you saw your family home Naruto. With our abilities it should be easy to have it cleaned and ready by Hinata's birthday. I know what you're thinking, why do we need two months to clean it, trust me Naruto, I've been there.... it'll take us three or four weeks to get it clean, then we'll beed the rest of the time for new furniture and the personal touches that'll tell everyone this is your place.. Oh, did you make those special arrangments Shizune?" Tsunade said with a smirk.

"Hai, Tsunade-sama, everything will be in place December First, as requested." Shizune said with a happy smile.

"Good, and don't bother asking Naruto, we aren't telling you anything, and if you even try that face on me, I swear to Kami I'll knock you through the wall. You will not spoil my surprise, and that's final." Tsunade said sternly.

Naruto huffed and pouted. "Fine.... Tsunade-chan." Naruto said, then smiled and relaxed when Hinata gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Okay, Shizune's replacement will handle things, and they'll notify me if there's an emergency, so let's move out." Tsunade said and sent her clean up squad toward the door, she followed close behind with Shizune.

----5 Minutes Later, 2 Blocks Away----

Standing outside the Main Gate, bug-eyed, Naruto had to ask the only question on his mind. "You mean this whole block is walled in because.... THIS is the Namikaze Estate?"

Tsunade smiled as she turned to Naruto and the others with him, 2 of the other 3 adults there with her were smiling, the other was as awed as the kids. "That's right, some of the best land in Konoha.... oh and I almost forgot Naruto, I only mentioned the Estate, this is only your home, not the only land you own in Konoha." Tsunade said with a big smile. "It isn't developed yet and is all just woods and fields, so you can do anything you want with it. I'll show you where it is on the map later." Tsunade said, reached into her pocket and took out a large, odd looking key. "I think this is yours Naruto, if you'd like to do the honors."

Naruto smiled, nodded and took the key from her hand. "This is kinda big for a.... are these seals?"

"You got it, he designed the key and seals himself. That's the Master Key, it unlocks every door in the Estate, so keep it on you at all times. There are certain doors that key will only open in your hand, that's what the seals are for, they're linked specifically to your chakra and blood. At the moment, that includes the front gate, he locked down the Estate before...." Jiraiya said and trailed off at the end, some sadness showed on his face at the memory of his former apprentice.

Tsunade knew exactly how Jiraiya felt, she nudged him with her elbow and gave him a small smile. "Enough mushy stuff, Naruto if you'll open the doors we'll give you a tour then divide up and get you kids to work." Tsunade said with a devious smile.

The kids groaned.

Naruto glared at her. "I'll think of it as training.... and not the unpaid D-Rank mission it really is.... ow!" Naruto said then rubbed his head where Tsunade bopped him. He went to the Gate, put the key in the lock, both glowed blue for a moment, then there was a whoosh and popping sound, Naruto turned the key, the lock released and it popped open inward a few inches. Naruto removed the key and pocketed it. He took a deep breath, let it out slowly and gave the huge gates a hard shove. The split gate opened wide, and Naruto's jaw dropped. He didn't notice when he was walked inside and didn't hear the gates shut behind him.

Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya and the others with a smile on her face. She knew Jiraiya and Shizune had been there before, tho Shizune was about the kids age so she was a little awed as the memories came back, but she loved the blank-faced awe on Anko's face that the kids had. Anko didn't impress easily, but this blew he mind and she LOVED it. She wished all of Naruto's friends were here, but she could wait for the big party for that, which is why she chose his closest friends to help, Hinata, Tenten, Sakura and Ino. All great cleaners and could keep a secret. Of course the bulk of it would be Naruto's Shadow Clones, he could make as many as she needed.... well, almost.

"This is the front grounds?" Naruto asked, still awed.

"Yes.... oh come on, its only half a mile to the trees, another hundred or so feet through them, and another thousand to the front door. He liled his space. We can there in twenty seconds, easy." Tsunade said, smirking. "The grass needs to be cut and weeded, and those trees are bigger, but it still looks great. Well don't stand there all day, come on.... the house won't clean itself." Tsunade said

"I don't care how long it takes, I'm gonna make a jutsu to keep this place nice. There's no way I'm cutting all this grass everyday." Naruto said.

"Maybe Tsuna.... oof!" Jiraiya said then folded in half when Tsunade backfisted him in the stomach.... hard.

"What did you hit him for Baa-chan?" Naruto asked.

Shizume started to open her mouth to tell him when Tsunade leveled a glare at her that almost froze her blood in her veins, she instantly fully remembered what Tsunade had told her about that years ago, she'd forgotten it had been so long.

Naruto noticed something was going on with Tsunade, but he knew that glare too, he wasn't going to ask her what she was hiding. He glanced at the others and saw that they were thinking what he was.

"Now, does anyone else have something to say.... or can we get started?" Tsunade said calmly, at 'to say' she clenched her fists hard enough to crack her knuckles.

"Last one to the house buys lunch for everyone." Naruto said then took off running for the trees that divided the grounds between the gate to front door like a natural barrier.

The other kids and Anko took off after him.

Jiraiya stood, coughing a little. "So you aren't going to tell him?"

"No." Tsunade said coldly.

"Tsunade-chan, I don't mean to overstep my bounds....but I don't think he'd mind if you broke that promise. I know that's one of your most precious memories of him, but...." Shizune said cautiously, she knew even for her this was a very dangerous subject to bring up. "Naruto can never replace him, but he's like family to you, and families don't keep secrets from each other.".

Jiraiya's eyes opened wider as he realized who this was about. "Nawaki."

Tsunade tensed up and in an instant spun toward Jiraiya and leveled a glare at him that made him flinch in fear. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Yes, this is about him. He was the last person I did it for, I promised him it was our little secret because I hadn't told anyone yet. If you two will keep this quiet and not ride my ass about telling him.... I'll seriously think about it, is that good enough to keep you two quiet?"

Shizune smiled and nodded. "I promise Tsunade-sama."

"Deal." Jiraiya said.

"Come on, we're here to clean this place up... so let's get to it before I change my mind and hurt somebody." Tsunade said then took off running.

"You say one word Shizune, and I'll put you in my next book." Jiraiya said then took off.

Shizune smiled, she was happy to see her friend finally dealing with her pain instead of it, despite how it started, she was proud of Tsunade, and with a little subtle pushing, and some help, she could get her to finally let the past go and move on. She got Tsunade closire for her own Uncle Dan, but getting Tsunade to let go of the pain and regret from her little brother Nawaki was going to take Kage level effort and more luck than even Naruto might have, but he was her key to healing Tsunade's heart and releasing her true power.

----23 Secondss Later, Just Past The Trees----

Naruto tuned to Tsunade, Shizune and Jiraiya as the they came through the trees. "So where's the mansion?" Naruto yelled and threw his arms up.

"Righ...." Tsunade said as she pointed and looked, only to freeze in stunned shock. She pushed to the front on the small group and looked out at the empty 5 acre field surrounded by more trees. 'That's impossible!" Tsunade said, then spiked he chakra to a frightning level and made a hand sign. "RELEASE!"

Nothing happened.

Tsunade spun back to Jiraiya. "You were with him last, where's the mansion? Did he tell you anything?"

Jiraiya just shrugged, he was a surprised as the rest of them, then he froze a moment and a devious smile slowly crept across his face. "He did it, I don't believe he really did it." Jiraiya said and started laughing.

"What did he do you damn pervert.... tell us!" Tsunade almost roared angrily.

"Calm down Tsunade.... you always were impatient. I'll tell you, but we have to find his other place first. It'd be easier if we had help." Jiraiya said with a smirk as he looked at Naruto.

Most of the group turned to Naruto.

"Naruto, did you do something behind my back?" Tsunade asked as she glared at him and crossed her arms over her chest.

Naruto smiled and rubbed the back ofhis head. "Oops. I figured that since Anko-sensei and I do, it only seemed fair to get Hinata-chan and Tenten Summoning Contracts.... Gamabunta helped me. They've been practicing in secret."

Tsunade half smiled, half glared at him. "Okay you two, spill it, what Clans are the Contracts with? I'll deal with you later Anko."

"He made me promise not to tell you, I can't say no to him Tsunade, you know that." Anko said, almost whining.

"Nevermind Anko, go ahead girls." Tsunade said and smiled.

"Wolves." Tenten said.

"Rabbits." Hinata said.

"Owls/Boars." Sakura/Ino said in unison, then looked at each other. They smiled, then both started laughing.

Tsunade closed her eyes and began rubbing her temples. "I need some sake.... I'm getting too old for this shit."

Jiraiya chuckled. "Tell me about it."

"We're all going to havea long talk later.... as for you Naruto, I should knock you to the far side of Konoha you sneaky little shit, I'll let you off the hook this time but you're going to owe me one....big time.I assume you're all good enough that you have a personal summon.... like Naruto and Gamakichi, Kakashi and Pakkun?" Tsunade said.

The 4 girls .

"Lemme be sure I have this straight.... Tenten you have the Wolf Contract, Hinata has the Rabbit Contract, Sakura has te Owl Contract and Ino you have the Boar Contract." Tsunade said, each girl nodded as she was named. "Well that's going to be usefull, I should of been told right away though. I'll talk to Kurenai later. Okay, you four join me out here, you'll need room to summon them " Tsunade said.

"But Tsunade, wouldn't it be faster if I just have an owl look from the air?" Sakura asked.

"I wish it was that easy.... but the Namikaze Estate is the largest in Konoha, five square miles, over half is dense woods full of hidden fields, lakes and streams. Minato didn't want to be spied on, even from the air. He was a private person." Tsunade said then smiled at the memories.

Jiraiya nodded. "She's right, he liked his privacy to be alone with his friends and family."

Tsunade lead the 4 girls out into the clearing, moved them about 12' apart. Left to right it was Hinata, Tenten, Ino, Sakura. Tsunade had them summon.

"SUMMON!" Hinata said as she slapped the ground. There was a large puff of smoke that cleared to reveal a bull-size, white rabbit.

"SUMMON!" Tenten said as she slapped the ground. There was a large puff of smoke that cleared to reveal a horse-size, silvery-black wolf.

"SUMMON!" Ino said as she slapped the ground. There was a large puff of smoke that cleared to reveal a horse-size black boar, with a white mane down the center of its back and curved, foot long tusks.

"SUMMON!" Sakura said as she slapped the ground. There was a large puff of smoke that cleared to reveal a 4' tall, Great Horned Owl.

Starting with Tenten, each girl had to calm her summon down as they met the other summons.

"SILENCE!" Tsunade roared powerfully. "You'll behave or you'll be sent back!" Tsunade commanded and stomped her foot, shaking the ground.

"Tsunade Senju, Granddaughter of The First Hokage of Konoha, an honor to meet you." The Owl said in a strong female voice.

The other Summons looked at Tsunade a moment then nodded respectfully.

Tsunade smiles slightly. "Hai, I am Tsunade, Fifth Hokage of Konoha. You were summoned to help us, but if you can't you're usless to me and you'll be sent back, probably never to be summoned again. this is the Namikaze Estate, somewhere on these grounds is a house, we need to find it. Will you act like the respected Sumons you're suppossed to be and help us look, or do you get sent back in disgrace?"

All 4 summons bowed.

Tsunade smiled. "Good, I knew I could count on you. Names?"

"Amai." Hinata said.

"Kurookami." Tenten said.

"Arai." Ino said.

"Kashikoi," Sakura said.

"Since I just found out about you, I might as well see what you can do. You'll be working as teams and learnng a new skill I hope, so Hinata, no Byakuugan, use your mind and other senses. I don't want you using a lot of chakra to find it, and it may not even be in your area. You and Amai will search the northern region. (AN: to be clear, the main gate in on the Westside, center wall, facing the Hokage Tower), Tenten and Kurookami, will search the Eastern region, Ino and Arai the Southern. Sakura and Kashikoi....I'm assuming that you can change size Kashikoi?" Tsunade said.

"Hai, at full size I can carry four adults and five or six hundred pounds of supplies in my talons." Kashikoi said.

Tsunade nodded, making a mental note of her limit, calculationg approximate maximum size and her strength. "Ok, Sakura, you and Kashikoi wil stay here for now, who ever finds the house throw a kunai with an exploding tag on it above the trees and detonate it, the rest of us will join you as soon as we can.... and no one goes inside, just find it and alert us. Go." Tsunade said.

Hinata, Tenten and Ino mounted their summon and headed for their assigned area at blinding speed. Within seconds they vanished into the trees.

"Impressive.... Naruto we'll discuss this later, but for now I have a few questions." Tsunade said.

"I kinda figured you would." Naruto said.

"When did you do this, give them Summon Contracts?" Tsunade asked.

"It was September Second, between the party and when Kurenai's team left for that B-Rank Mission to Earth Country." Naruto said,

"That's why we didn't use our Summons, we weren't very good yet and didn't want to use them unless we had no other options. After we got back and.... unwound, I spent every free minute I could get practicing in private. I didn't know Ino had a Summon, but she thought the same thing I did and probably did the same." Sakura said..

Tsunade nodded, she'd been in that situation herself, trying to use a new jutsu in battle that you only have limited practice with could be a waste of chakra and get you killed. "Understood, and that was the right choice Sakura, especially when Summoning, you need to be able to summon who you want for the job you need done."

----10:29 AM ----

She turned when she saw the explosion in the distance."There it is Kashikoi, take me back down to Tsunade." Sakura said as the wind whipped through her pink hair, she held on to Kashikoi with her chakra as she dove down toward the main gate where Tsunade and the rest were waiting.

Tsunade saw Kashiloi dive toward them, then pivot and almost silently land 15' away where Sakura jumped off her now12' summon and run over with a big smile on her face "Someone found it I assume." Tsunade said with a smirk.

"Hai, Tsunade-sama! We'll take everyone there, you can sit behind me Naruto-kun! Kashikoi, full size!" Sakura said.

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End Chapter 24