Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the associated characters, locations, jutsu, etc. The only thing I own is the plot of the story. If there is any plagiarism of any form it was completely unintentional.

"Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay."

Thich Nhat Hanh

"Konoha needs a new Hokage. And this girl right here," he said while grabbing Sakura and dragging her in front of him, "needs a master."

"Huh? What?!" Sakura said in confusion while looking back and forth at Jiraiya and Tsunade. The sannin looked her up and down with a very judgmental gaze before letting out a loud, and disapproving scoff.

"Not interested," she said with a wave of her hand, "you do it, after all the old man always wanted you to be Kage."

"I can't take up the position. There are some very important things I need to take care off."

"I got my own business too!" She spat back.

"What? Gambling and getting too drunk to stand? Is that worthy of a sannin?"

"Screw that! It's been decades, I owe nothing to Konoha, to the Sandaime, and certainly nothing to you!"

"Have you really become so selfish!" They started bickering at each other, while Sakura and Shizune stood on the sidelines not knowing what to do.

"Fuck you! Get out of my sight, I already said no!" She yelled while slamming her foot down, creating a hole in the ground below her. She then turned around and walked away with her fists clenched.

"What a shame, you have fallen so low. What would Nawaki think of you know?" Jiraiya said calmly, which made Tsunade stop dead in her tracks. "And Dan? He always held you in such high regards, what would he have to say?" This time Tsunade turned around, stomped her way over to Jiraiya and with one swift blow sent him flying away, crashing against a wall. He landed with a thud on the ground, groaning while rubbing his probably broken jaw.

"Don't you every say their names again." Tsunade said while holding a menacing finger against him. She was furious, but a single tear ran down her cheek.

"Y-you know I'm right. They both loved their home, your home. They gave their lives for the village, they died to give us a chance to live. They both had dreams of becoming Hokage, they wanted to give even more to Konoha. You used to believe in them as well, what changed?" Jiraiya said while struggling to get up. More tears started to come out of Tsunade's eyes as she slowly approached him again. "They entrusted the village to us, to you. Does that mean nothing to you?" Tsunade stopped right in front of him, her face to the ground and her shoulders shaking.

"I... Said..." She sobbed while slowly lifting her head, "Stop... Talking..." Her eyes were red and puffy, as the tears were now flowing down her face. She lifted her hand and reached inside her shirt, and pulled out a small necklace with a crystal tied to it. She ran a single finger over it before yanking it out and throwing it in front of Jiraiya. She once again turned around, and slowly walked away. Shizune quickly trotted towards her, and they both walked out of their sight, getting lost into the lively crowds. Sakura stood there looking at their retreating figures, before she ran back to Jiraiya.

"Jiraiya-san! Are you okay?" She asked concerned while looking over him. "That was quite a punch."

"Yeah, she's still got it." He answered with a small chuckle as he slowly stood up.

"So... Does this mean we failed?"

"No, on the contrary. We got to her." Sakura stared at him with a puzzled expression. Jiraiya walked away with Sakura following him.

...

Tsunade kept on walking through the streets in silence, with Shizune looking worriedly at her.

"Tsunade-sama, were are we going?" She asked.

"I need to clear my head. Can you leave me alone for a minute, Shizune?" The kunoichi nodded before making a u-turn and walking away. Tsunade sighed before walking into a bar and ordered a bottle of sake. She poured a glass, but couldn't bring herself to drink it, she just stared at it as the liquid swirled around in her cup.

"What would he have to say?" "They entrusted the village to you." "Does that mean nothing?"

"Damn you, Jiraiya. She groaned while slamming the little cup down and leaving some bills behind with the untouched sake. She walked away with her head down as she wandered around the town. Her mind was a mess, a mess that revolved around them. "Nawaki... " She whispered as she looked up at the night sky.

"Hey! I want to be like grandpa someday… I will be honored with the name Hokage, because being Hokage is my dream."

"Dan..."

"For the sake of everyone's safety... Being Hokage is my dream..."

"What do I do?" She asked to no one while she started sobbing. She reached for the necklace around her neck, but she felt nothing but bare skin. She felt a pang of fear before she remembered she had thrown it away earlier that evening. She slowly made her way to a nearby tree before slumping down to the soft grass. She leaned back into the rough bark, as she gazed at the stars.

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't strong enough to save you. Both of you. If only I-I..." She couldn't finish her sentence as her voice was slowly giving away to her pain.

"It is because we are living in the shinobi world, where death is always following us, that I… want to put my life on the line to subdue this war-ridden world. I dearly love both the village and my comrades… That is why I want to protect them."

"Dan, you really believed in that didn't you. Up until the very end, you risked your life for everyone else. You wanted to become Hokage..." With that thought in mind she slowly fell asleep. She was awoken by the morning sun and the birds singing in the tree above her. She lifted one hand to block out the blinding sunlight, but a shadow eventually shielder her. When she opened her eyes she saw Shizune standing in front of her, holding out a small crystal necklace.

"Shizune, it's time to go home." Tsunade said as she reached out for the necklace.

"Hai, Tsunade-sama."

...

Jiraiya had rented a couple of rooms in the local inn where he and Sakura spent a quiet, but restless night. The next morning they were having breakfast in the lounge having small talk, until Jiraiya shushed her and held up three fingers.

"What are you-" Sakura was about to ask when Jiraiya lowered one, and then two fingers. He then pointed at the door, which was immediately thrown open by a certain blonde shinobi.

"I'll do it." Tsunade said with a serious tone.

"Splendid! We head back to Konoha at noon. Now about the second request?" Jiraiya said while motioning towards Sakura. Once again Tsunade gave her a judgmental look, but instead of scoffing she spoke.

"What do you expect to learn from me?" Sakura was taken aback by the question to say the least. She looked at the ground pondering for a while, eventually she looked up again to answer.

"I'm not sure, all I know is... That I'm tired of feeling useless." Tsunade looked into her eyes for any sign of doubt, and when she saw none she grinned.

"Then it's settled! Now let me-" Jiraiya was about to say something, when a cloud of smoke in the middle of the room caught their attention. When it dissipated a small frog was standing in front of them.

"Jiraiya! We ran into some trouble with the boy, you have to come quickly!" The frog said hurriedly.

"Oh not again!" Jiraiya said with a groan.

"What is he talking about?" Tsunade asked. Sakura let out a small gasp before turning to Jiraiya.

"Jiraiya-san, is he talking about Naruto?" Jiraiya turned to look at her with an eyebrow raised, before he gave her a small smile.

"Yes. Don't worry, he's safe."

"What the hell do you mean he's safe! The idiot is wanted by the village, Danzo himself was looking for him, he's gotten into some real trouble now and-"

"He. Is. Safe. I have to go check on him now, please be sure to tell Hinata."

"Wait a minute!" Tsunade yelled while reaching out to him. Jiraiya grinned once again before disappearing in a large cloud of smoke. "Dammit, you there!" Tsunade said while turning to look at the frog. He looked quite scared of her so he immediately left as well. "God dammit it! That idiot is leaving me with all the responsibilities again!" Tsunade said in frustration.

"Tsunade-sama?" Shizune said calmly while laying her hand on her shoulder. "We ought to be heading back to Konoha now, I suspect Jiraiya-sama told them you would be returning."

"You're probably right. You, Sakura is it? Pack your things, we'll leave immediately."

Mount Myōboku

"Al right what's going on?" Jiraiya exclaimed when he arrived at the training ground. He saw Naruto in the ground groaning in annoyance, and Fukasaku sitting behind him wielding a frog staff.

"It seems Naruto-chan is having troubles with Senjutsu chakra. For some reason the chakra is not being absorbed properly." Fukasaku said as he wacked Naruto on the head as he was briefly taking on frog-like traits.

"Gahh! This is stupid! I tell you it's the stupid fox." Naruto exclaimed.

"What do you mean?" Jiraiya asked curiously.

"I don't know. He keeps yelling at me. Saying that it smells like frog or something." Jiraiya scratched his chin for a few seconds before snapping his fingers as an idea struck him.

"It seems like Senjutsu will have to wait. You need to make piece with your bijuu first, and I know just the guy."

"Huh? What do you mean ero-sennin?"

"Pack your bags Naruto. We're going to Kumogakure!"