Hello readers. The following chapter was just going to be the opening to a much larger chapter, but I decided that this little scene stood on its own enough to make its own chapter, even though it is kind of short. Plus, I thought it nice that I was able to give you all something this weekend. The chapter is a transitory one, and serves to both explain Tsunade's actions as well as give Sakura motivation for what happens next. I hope it makes the next chapter, and the story as a whole more believable. Anyway, here it is without further ado . . .

UPDATE: This chapter got smoothed out a lot. I hope its less confusing now about how Tusnade plans to deal with Danzo, by beating him to the punch. She just sort of hopes its nt exactly what Danzo wants. Also, I made it consistent with the last chapter that this is really all about Naruto, not removing Tsunade from power. Enjoy.

Tsunade sat at her desk in the office of the Hokage, pretending to study some documents in front of her. No one was with her, so she knew she was not trying to fool anyone but herself, but it was hard to concentrate on mission requests and training results at the moment. She sighed and opened a cabinet on the lower left portion of her desk.

Tsunade frowned. What she was looking for wasn't there. She opened a drawer. It was full of lottery tickets, quills, some scroll sealing wax, and a stamp with the Konoha seal on it. What she sought wasn't there either. Tsunade grumbled low in her throat. She really had to stop destroying desks. Every time she got a new one, she had no idea where anything was.

She methodically searched every drawer, finally finding what she was looking for on the bottom right. Tsunade pulled the cork and poured herself a tall glass of sake. It had been a long day. It had also been a close call.

With Yamato struggling against the Kyuubi's chakra, Tsunade had sent the elder frog Naruto had summoned to request backup from members of the Nara clan. Shikamaru had been the first to arrive, followed by his father. Tsunade was glad it turned out they hadn't needed their shadow-binding skills. She wasn't sure if even they would be able to hold Naruto once he reached his four-tailed state. Sakura had managed to save the day in the end.

"Sakura." Tsunade said the name out loud, thoughtfully.

The Fifth downed her glass in one gulp, and then poured herself another. The young kunoichi from team Kakashi had single handedly done what no one else could. Tsunade smiled with pride for her young apprentice. She really did love Naruto, that was easy to see. Tsunade wanted to be happy for Sakura, but she also understood her student was walking a thin line. First, there were rules against fraternization between members of the same team. Tsunade knew first hand how unhealthy that could be. Especially if . . .

Her memories drifted back to that horrible day. Dan lay on that forest floor covered in blood. His standard Konoha forest green and black ninja uniform and vest were soaked in it. His long white hair was wet from the rain but was somehow unstained. No matter what she tried, there was nothing she could do. Nothing but watch him die.

And now Jiraiya was also . . .

Tsunade felt the tears welling in her eyes, and downed another glass of the rice-brewed beverage. She welcomed the warm sensation it brought. It welled up from inside her chest and made her cheeks flush. She didn't want to see Sakura have to go through that. Plus, there was that other matter. She'd been avoiding it up until now, but sooner or later this had to be done.

Tsunade took out a scroll, spread it on her desk, and began writing. The Konoha government was a crude one. The Hokage was elected by a council of elders. Once elected, the Hokage would retain complete control over all ninja activities, while the council spoke for the people of the village and were also the liaisons between the village and the Fire nation itself. Danzo wasn't even on the council, but he wielded extraordinary influence. Tsunade knew she had to move cautiously.

Baby sitting Naruto with his own people and keeping him tucked away somewhere didn't seem to fit his interests. It was almost too . . . conservative. Just what was the old fool playing at?

Tsunade had been suspicious of Danzo even before he had taken it upon himself to make sure Sasuke Uchiha was assassinated. Though that act had not been traitorous, it was extremely insubordinate. It had been just like Danzo to try and find away to take the aggressive action, and just eliminate the threat. He did so knowing full well Tsunade still considered the Uchiha boy a leaf ninja and had ordered Yamato to bring him back alive at any cost. Tsunade had not been able to do anything but issue an official reprimand, which amounted to nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Just the thought of the injustice made Tsunade want to break another desk, but she refrained.

Furthermore, it wasn't likely the bastard had ever really wanted an alliance with Ochimaru, and Danzo had no desire to be Hokage. Of these things at least, Tsunade was sure. However, the man had his own agenda. That much was obvious, and dangerous.

Why did he warn the council of the still classified information of Jiraiya's demise? She could only think of a few reasons. One would be to divide and weaken Konoha's leadership by spreading doubt in the Hokage. The other to manipulate the council into acting aggressively to solve Konoha's problems. Tsunade surmised that it all came back to the boy, Naruto. Lately, it seemed everything always did.

Right now the council was meeting to discuss what should be done about the boy, and Tsunade did worry a little about what it would mean if Danzo was given charge over the boy. Danzo would not be welcome at that meeting, which gave Tsunade time to act. The trick was not to act just as Danzo wanted. Tsunade finished writing on the scroll, signed it, and stamped it with her official seal. She looked at the glass of Sake, shrugged, and after downing it drained the rest of the bottle before putting it away. Her head began to swim with that pleasant, warm feeling that her favorite drink always brought.

"Shizzimo, shizoneeho . . ." Tsunade slurred loudly. "Ah hell. Hey, pig-carrying assistant! Com'ere!"

Shizune opened the door and walked purposefully in. Her wiry frame kept a perfect posture that didn't even ruffle her black Kimono as she walked. She took one look at her Hokage and put a cross look on her face.

"Don" Tsunade hiccuped. "Don you look at me lii thaa."

"Tsunade-sama." Shizune scolded. "Now's not the time to be getting drunk. You should be on your best behavior after . . ."

"I'm not wa-worried bout tha, Shizpony." Tsunade said with a smile. "Jus' take this to the council. Tell- tell'em its a "compromise."

Shizone looked worried. "Tsunade-sama. You're not going to . . ."

"Don't be, woah," Tsunade balanced her head in her hands as the world spun for her. "Don't be silly, Shizuuune. I'm not handing Naruto over to Danzo." Tsunade began to laugh as if what she had said was funny, and when Shizune looked even more horrified, it made her laugh even harder. Shaking her head, Shizune took the scroll and left the room. Watching her leave, Tsunade lay her head down on her desk and passed out.

Tsunade was awakened a few hours later by a knock on the office doors. The room was getting dark as dusk was setting in over Konoha, and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust. The knock on the door came again. The knocking sounded like it was coming from inside her head. Tsunade rubbed her temples, trying to massage her headache away.

"Come in!" Tsunade groaned.

The door opened, and a shadowed silhouette entered the room. Female, young, with a scarlet Kimono and distinctive pink hair.

"Oh, its you, Sakura." Tsunade said softly as she continued to rub her temples. This might not go well. Did she know already the compromise she had decided to make? "What can I do for you?"

"Master." Sakura bowed deeply, giving the appropriate greeting. "I have questions, Master. Please, if you have time . . . I know its late."

"You want to know about Naruto, right?"

Sakura nodded. The girl looked so serious. She was angry. Tsunade had gotten fairly adept at reading her students emotions. But respect was also important to Sakura.

Tsunade sighed. "Where should I begin?"

Sakura answered the question for her. Whatever restraints Sakura had placed upon herself quickly came off. "Why did you wait so long to tell Naruto about master Jiraiya? Why did no one tell him who his parents were all these years? And why . . . why didn't you trust me to be there when you told him these things!"

Sakura got progressively louder with each question. She advanced slowly on the Hokage's desk, step by step, until she slammed her palms down on the desk and could look Tsunade straight in the eye by the time the third question was finished. Fire burned within

Sakura's pale green eyes, despite the fact that they were misty with tears. It reminded Tsunade of Naruto when she had first met him, when he had lectured her not to disgrace the title of Hokage.

Tsunade stood up, and calmly reached for her green robe. Sliding it on, she looked at her student, who was still waiting expectantly for an answer.

"Sakura, take a walk with me. This place is stuffy and I need to clear my head."

Sakura looked taken aback, clearly expecting to at least be chastised for speaking so impolitely. The younger woman nodded dumbly and followed Tsunade out the door.

Tsunade lead Sakura out into the parks surrounding the Hokage mansion. The lights of the town had already begun to come on. They walked in silence the whole time, and Tsunade could feel the young woman's curious stare on her. Soon they were leaving the town behind as they reached the trail that would take them up the mountainside to the Hokage faces. Up they went, the lights of Konoha becoming smaller and more distant, until they at last reached a viewing platform halfway up the mountain. It was one of Tsunade's favorite spots. It provided a breathtaking view of Konoha, its red-orange rooftops a glow with the last rays of the setting sun. One also had a good view of the side profile of the Fourth Hokage from here.

"Tsunade-sama" Sakura began carefully.

"I waited to tell Naruto for exactly the reason you saw. I was afraid in his injured condition he wouldn't be able to repress the Kyuubi if it saw an opening in his emotional state. I would have waited longer, but the council got wind of it. They would have shut me down. He needed to know. I took a risk. I'm sorry."

Sakura's eyes darted from side to side as she listened.

"How . .. How long have you known, about . . ."

"One of Jiraiya's summons made it back before your mission to find Sasuke was complete.

"And, his parents?"

Tsunade studied Sakura. "Naruto didn't tell you?"

"He-" Sakura struggled for the words. "He said his father wished it . . . but still."

"You think we should have told him sooner anyway."

"Of course!" said Sakura.

"Perhaps you are right, Sakura." Tsunade admitted. She indicated the bust of the Fourth on the mountainside with a nod of her head. "But the Fourth Hokage had a reason for everything he did. We tried to respect those reasons as long as we could."

"I see," said Sakura.

"But I am sorry for not having you be there Sakura," Tsunade said warmly. "Its not that I didn't trust you. I just didn't want to put any more people in danger than necessary. Do you understand?"

Sakura hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. Tsunade considered her student for a long moment, watching her struggle with her emotions.

"Beware of your feelings for him, Sakura."

Sakura looked up, both surprised and defiant.

"I won't deny them any longer, Master," she said.

"All I'm saying, Sakura, is that love for a Kunoichi is risky. You know the rules between teammates, especially for young ninja like you and Naruto. If you can not keep your emotions for him in check, you will have to be on different teams.

Sakura looked horrified. "Master, we . . . we would always be, professional."

"But how would you react now if he was seriously injured, or killed? Would you be able to fight on? Complete your mission. A long time ago, I nearly wasn't able to."

"Master, you were . . .?"

Tsunade laughed. "Is it so hard to believe I was in love once?"

"Well, no" Sakura said sheepishly. "Its just that . . . you mean to say you lost someone? Who was he?"

"Someone very special." Tsunade said, feeling her own eyes grow misty. "He believed in me. Supported my ideas about medical ninja being part of a squad when no one else would. Just like Naruto believes in you."

Sakura blinked. "But all I can ever do for him is . . ."

"Naruto doesn't see it that way. He's always respected you. It was easy for me to see. And you saved him today. Don't forget that. If it weren't for you I . . . I don't know what would have happened."

Sakura was silent for a long time. Tsunade followed her eyes. She was staring thoughtfully at the visage of the Fourth Hokage. The wind whipped past, blowing both their hair backward.

"Tsunade-sama." Sakura said at last. "I know what I feel for Naruto is risky. But it's a risk I'm willing to take. I won't let anything happen to him. For the Fourth's dream, for your grandfather's dream, for Naruto's dream, I will protect him with everything I am. If that is not enough, then I will carry on his dream, and become Hokage myself . . . just as you did."

Tsunade's eyes shot open wide and her breath caught in her chest at these stirring words. Slowly, a smile formed on her lips. But there was still something Sakura needed to know. The Fifth had been dreading telling the girl, but now she felt like the young woman would understand.

"Sakura, Naruto needs a mentor, and Jiraiya can no longer help him." Tsunade said.

Sakura tilted her head curiously. Perhaps she was wondering why Tsunade was bringing that up again.

"There is little more Kakashi can teach him, so I'm sending him away."

Sakura eyes went wide as she began to panic.

"B-but why? Tsunade-sama there are so many here who could train him."

"Its not that simple Sakura." Tsunade said sadly. "The council will soon demand that we keep him under lock and key. I've promised them that I can send him to a safe place. A place where Akatsuki can not touch him while he trains. In the meantime, we will use information that Jiraiya managed to get to us before he died to hunt down the remaining Akatsuki members."

Sakura's eyes began to well with tears. She searched for an argument. Any argument. It tore Tsunade up to see her like this. She had just seen the girl profess her love for the Fourth's son with all her heart. Sakura had finally admitted her feelings to herself, she and Naruto had finally found one another, and now Tsunade was going to force them to be apart again.

"Let me go with him then!" Sakura begged. "I can help with his training, keep him healed if he goes too far. What if he injures himself with something more destructive than the rasenshiruken?"

"We need you here, Sakura." Tsunade said with finality, shaking her head slowly. "Where he is going you can not follow. He will be training with the same ones that the Third had train Jiraiya, The Frog Sages."

"The Frog Sages?" Sakura repeated dumbly.

"Meanwhile, the council will be pacified."

"H-how long will the training take." Sakura asked.

"That's entirely up to him." Tsunade said. "I suspect that it will be especially tough the first year or so."

"Y-year or so . . ." Sakura said, looking even sadder.

"I have training for you too, Sakura."

Now Sakura really looked startled.

"First, I'm going to teach you your own summon." Tsunade said proudly. "That should give Kurunai time to recover from giving birth to the baby she is about to have. Then you will start training with her as soon as she is ready."

"I-I'm going to train with Kurunai-sensei?" Sakura asked. "But why?"

"To develop your genjutsu skills of course!" Tsunade said.

Sakura looked both scared and excited. Her mouth hung open in amazement at all that she had heard. It made Tsunade laugh. She put a hand on Sakura's shoulder.

"You are going to surpass even me one day, Sakura." Tsunade said. "You are already more capable than I ever was at your age. You'll be a master of both the body and the mind, and our enemies will fear you far and wide. I'm so very proud of you."

Sakura beamed, but Tsunade saw instantly that all the praise in the world was not enough to mend the heartache that was building within the girl.

"When does Naruto leave?" Sakura asked timidly.

Tsunade hesitated, hating to look into her student's pained eyes. "He leaves in the morning. Shizune will have already delivered the orders by now."

Sakura nodded, and though she looked like she wanted to cry, she did not.

"Does Naruto know?" Sakura asked.

"Before he almost lost control of the Kyuubi, before you arrived, I had him summon one of the frog sages. That one will explain to Naruto what must be done. It's the one that brought back the Nara clan members. Do you remember?"

Sakura nodded, indicating she did.

"Then, I will go see him now." said Sakura. "Although . . ."

"Although?" Tsunade promted.

"I know there are others who would want to see him too," Sakura said thoughtfully.

Tsunade smiled. Perhaps Sakura really could keep this professional.

"I'm sure something can be arranged." Tsunade said. "But its after hours already, so don't stay too late. I expect to see you in the morning at dawn. Come ready to train on training ground five."

"Yes mam!" Sakura said smartly.

Tsunade watched the young ninja launch herself from the platform and head back into town at full speed. Then she looked up at the Hokage faces on the mountain, which now included a bust of herself. We're going to need another mountain, Tsunade thought as she considered the next generation.