-)::(- To Save a Legacy -)::(-

Konoha – 2 days later

Tsunade read over Kakashi's report for the third time and still could not properly fathom how the situation had gotten so infuriatingly complicated. Danzo had gotten incredibly lucky, the ninja who had been physically assigned to the camp had turned out to have a weak heart and had died of shock upon learning that the Batousai had come to assist Kakashi and the others. Without the captured 'Ne' operative, Tsunade didn't have the evidence to push the issue before the Shinobi Council. To complicate the situation, Danzo would know that the camp had been raided, although Kakashi's quick thinking and the assistance of Himura Seijuro would keep Danzo unaware of his groups exposure. She knew It was a small victory, but Tsunade would take what she could get.

A soft knock on the door startled her away from her musings and she quickly hid the scroll she had been reading, "Yes?" she called as calmly as she could.

Shizune's head poked out from behind the door "Ah... Seijuro-san wanted to see you, Tsunade-sama"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow in interest, "Oh? The Batousai? Is he here now Shizune?"

The younger medic-nin nodded slightly, "Hai, he's in the lobby, He says its quite important"

With a nod, Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, "Show him in, Shizune"

Shizune nodded and left, leaving Tsunade alone with her thoughts once more. She glanced over at the letter from Jiraiya on her desk and sighed, a mere month since Naruto and her old team-mate left for their three year training trip and the wayward pair were already getting into trouble it seemed. Her old teammate had taken it upon himself to attempt to teach Naruto the ins and outs of the practice of writing professionally. Jiraiya's hastily scrawled P.S. At the end of the letter was especially interesting, the young boy had apparently though that the exercise was so infuriating that he had sealed Jiraiya in their hotel room for two days using a sealing system the toad sage had taught him just days before. The situation was resolved when it was explained to Naruto that his sensei did not in fact want him to help write icha icha novels.

Tsunade was released from her musings by a soft knock on her door, "This one was told he could come in..."

Tsunade started in her chair but cheerily replied, "Yes, please, come in Seijuro-san"

the young samurai bowed politely to Tsunade and took a seat in the chair before the hokage's desk, "This one is most grateful that you have chosen to here his plea and plight, that he is"

Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, "Please Seijuro-san no need to be so proper, and yes I'm willing to hear you out, not that i can guarantee that i will agree to your request mind you," she leaned back in her chair and waited as the young warrior began to tell his tale

"I am the last of my line Tsunade-sama," he began, "and I have no means of producing an heir of my own to pass on my learning, I am sterile – I have been so since birth the doctors tell me. You must understand I am not seeking a miracle cure, I am willing to let my bloodline end with my life, but the Himura Clan Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu I must pass on to the next generation, therefore I humbly ask you for a suitable apprentice Hokage-sama."

Tsunade was shocked, a skilled warrior was offering his secrets to Konoha of his own volition, such a event was rare at best and usually involved expensive compensations to the ronin in question. She knew this was an opportunity to great to pass by, but as Hokage she had to ensure that Seijuro's family style passed to a ninja under her control who could must effectively use it. She drew a blank scroll and pen from her desk and looked up at the swordsman, "Well then, Himura was it? Tell me what you can about this style so i can determine who might best fit as an apprentice."

Seijuro leaned back in his chair and starred absently into the air as he began his story. "Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu is an ancient style that was taught by a kensei called Hiko Seijuro for over twelve generations, During an era of political upheaval long ago, the then current Hiko Seijuro taught a young orphan he had named Himura Kenshin. Kenshin fought in the wars using the Batoujutsu of Hiten Mitsurugi to defeat his opponents. When a cruel twist of the war caused him to inadvertently slay his wife, he swore an oath to never kill another human being. But he couldn't escape the violence and revenge seekers that followed in his shadows so he had a friend of his skilled in smithy work forge a unique weapon for him, the Sakabatou-no-ken. Himura Kenshin eventually used this sword to earn himself his happy life, and the Himura clan are his descendants. We follow the oath of Kenshin to a great degree, although we are allowed to kill in times of great need. Any apprentice i take Hokage-sama must be willing to follow these rules"

Tsunade lowered her pen onto her desk and rolled the scroll carefully up as she considered Seijuro's unusual style and the moral and emotional requirements that it would impose on any trainee that she might pass on to Seijuro's care. She knew Naruto was out of the question due to time and location restraints, and any of her older shinobi would not have the time to learn such a complex style. As she reached for her sake jug to help clear her head, her eyes landed on a small message scroll from one of the few shinobi council members she trusted, he had requested help in training his child from her, but with training Sakura she had not had the time. Considering the nature of the child in question's personality, the Hiten Mitsurugi would likely be just what was needed, oh yes she was a genius. "Himura-san, I have just the person" she reached over for her intercom button with a sly smile on her face, "Shizune, send for Hyuuga Hinata, and tell her father I have the answer to his problem"