Do I Have A Purpose Anymore?
Chapter 23: "The Power Women Can Possess"
Kurenai felt his lips brushing gently upon hers, as he probed into her warm mouth with his moist, soft tongue. She could feel a sense of joy growing in her once lonely soul, as she kissed back deeply and lovingly. Kurenai felt his arms wrap around her cold, aching body, warming it up so much and making her feel safe and loved. It felt so comfortable within his welcoming arms and she felt incredibly contented at that moment.
When they finally parted, Kurenai felt his lips placing gentle feather-like kisses on her neck, as she arched her head back, to expose more of her neck to him. As he gently licked and nibbled at her neck, a small moan of pleasure escaped from Kurenai's mouth when she felt his gentle, wet, and hot kisses trail down from her ear to her collarbone.
As he continued to place kisses her neck, Kurenai reached out to run her fingers through his soft, touchable hair, while rubbing the back of his neck. Soon she felt his hand softly cup her breast before a thumb flicked across her left nipple through her wrappings, as he gently fondled her breasts. Kurenai could feel an intense pleasure rising from within her and she could feel her nipples hardening under his soothing touch and driving her mad with desire.
Reaching out and pulling his head back up, Kurenai's lips crashed down upon his once more. As their lips and tongues played with one another in a gentle game of tag, Kurenai couldn't help but feel her body become alive as she savored the taste and feel of his lips on hers. Love seemed to swell deeply in Kurenai's heart, as she kissed with unbridled passion while pulling him closer to her. It was then the would be lovers each moaned the others name in blissful unison.
"Kurenai!"
"Kakashi!"
At that moment, two sets of eyes snapped open from their slumber, as each Jounin stared with shock and awe at the other. Both of them unable to speak due to the fact of their tongues being in the others mouth at that time. After a moment, Kurenai broke their embrace and frantically scrambled out of the sleeping bag. Kakashi quickly sat up, as both he and Kurenai stared silently at one another in astonishment. Each of them was unable to say a word, before Kurenai turned on her heels and ran out of the encampment.
"Kurenai wait, I'm . . . . . . . sorry!" Kakashi finally over his shock attempted to say to the fleeing kunoichi. The last part of his apology seemingly dying on the wind, as Kurenai was gone before he could finish his plea.
Pulling his mask back up, Kakashi's head hung low in both anger and despair. The anger he felt was at himself for breaking his promise to Kurenai even if he hadn't consciously done it. And the despair that he had inadvertently hurt her and perhaps had forever ruined their friendship. Silently, the masked Jounin berated himself for what had happened.
'Damn it Kakashi, what's the matter with you? How could you have done that...and to Kurenai? And more importantly, why did I do that? Wasn't I dreaming? I thought I was? Am I starting to develop feelings for Kurenai? I don't know, but it doesn't matter. Judging by the look I saw on her face, she certainly doesn't have any feelings for me. I need to find and apologize to her for this. I just hope she doesn't kill me...
Kakashi then threw on his Jounin vest and went searching for his kunoichi comrade.
Meanwhile, a half a mile away, Kurenai had finally stopped running and sat down on an old log by a lake. As she attempted to catch her breath, a myriad of thoughts similar to her fellow silver-haired Jounin raced through her mind.
'What the Hell has gotten into you Kurenai? Oh Kami, what have I done? How could you have done that to Kakashi? I thought I was just having a dream. I can't believe this happened. Am I starting to develop feelings for that one-eyed pervert? I... think I might be, but judging by the look I saw on his face, I doubt he has any feelings for me... But still the feeling of his arms around me and that kiss . . . . . . . mmmmmm'
It was then the scent of Kurenai's arousal wafted up to her nose and caused the Jounin kunoichi to blush furiously before saying to herself.
"Oh Kami, I need to cool off right now!"
Quickly stripping off her wrappings and clothes, Kurenai plunged into the cool refreshing waters of the lake. Taking a deep breath, Kurenai dove deep under the water to try and lower her body temperature as well as wash away the smell of her excitement. And as luck would have it, few seconds later, Kakashi emerged from the forest by the lake and looked around.
"I don't understand, her trail led to here, but I don't see Kurenai anywhere..." Kakashi said to himself, as he made his way to the edge of the lake.
It was then, at that very moment Kurenai came bursting forth out of the water, her long dark brown hair hanging down in front of her face, as she walked towards the shore. A quick flip of her head sent the locks obscuring her face cascading behind her in a spray of water before she stopped walking and suddenly found herself standing face to face in front of a very stunned Kakashi only a few feet away.
Kurenai was standing before Kakashi in the water and he gazed at her angelic face with her deep crimson colored eyes providing a stark contrast to her alabaster white cream like skin. Kurenai's long dark brunette hair, which was still wet, framed her gorgeous face like a dark silk curtain. The sensual curve and beauty of her neck and chest and her full breasts that were firm and thrust out proudly before him with her profound dark nipples and areoles still dripping with water nearly took Kakashi's breath away. The silver-haired Jounin also took note of Kurenai's slender arms and of her lean flat stomach before his eyes fell upon her slim feminine hips and then to the patch of dark hair between her thighs encased within her long supple legs. Never in Kakashi's life had he beheld the sight of a more beautiful goddess before him than he did at that moment, before his eyes rolled to the back of his head and...
He fainted.
Forgetting her embarrassment, Kurenai rushed out of the water when she saw Kakashi fall to check on his condition. After a quick check and thanks to her time she had spent with Hinata, Kurenai recognized that Kakashi had only fainted and was not seriously hurt. Leaning her Jounin partner up against the log, Kurenai began to get dressed while thinking to herself.
'I can't believe he saw me naked, I'm so embarrassed. When he wakes up I may kill him for peeking on me. But still, the fact that he fainted upon seeing me like that, I don't know why, but I find that kind of . . . . . sweet.'
As Naruto watched Kenpachi put the Crimson Blade bandits through their morning training regiment, he bore a look of concern on his face. Shunsui seemed sensed this and made his way over to Naruto before asking.
"What is it that troubles you?"
"Is it that obvious?" He sighed.
"To me it is."
Realizing there was really no point in keeping quiet anymore, he decided to voice his concerns.
"I'm troubled, because I've come to a realization. Tell me, what is your assessment of the men after training?"
"Truthfully, they do have potential, but their combat skills are sorely lacking. If they were to encounter an enemy with any combat experience or training, they would most assuredly lose."
Naruto could not help but shake his head as he listened on.
"They can become efficient fighting force in time with the proper guidance, but right now if we were to send them against the Akatsuki, they would prove nothing more than being a minor nuisance to them before they were killed."
"I agree with you, and that's what troubles me. I fear we won't have the time to properly train all of these men before we are forced to face the Akatsuki in the Spring Country. They know I'm coming, so they will wait a little bit longer, but they won't wait forever. And I know we won't have the time to train the men to combat them and right now just about everyone I see out there we will just be leading them to their deaths."
At this point, his words had taken on a bitter tone, as he thought with regret to himself.
'They may be bandits and only in this fight for the money, but I'd still like to give them a fighting chance of survival from this battle.'
"I think I might have a solution to this." Shunsui interrupted.
Naruto arched an eyebrow and said
"If you do, please tell me, I'm all ears."
"Yor-Yoruichi." Shunsui hesitantly replied, knowing this was a sensitive topic.
"Oh Kami how can that woman help this problem?" Naruto groaned in apprehension.
"Well, Yoruichi knows of a place, a separate realm actually, where time flows at a different rate than what we experience in this realm. She once trained a student there by the name of Ichigo where he achieved a remarkable increase in power and skill in only three days. Yoruichi, Kenpachi, and I could take the men into this other realm and train them to the point where they can be an effective fighting force to use against the Akatsuki and not just lambs led to the slaughter."
"How long would you need in this other realm to accomplish this?"
"Two weeks."
"Two weeks huh," Naruto muttered to himself before he asked.
"And what is the equivalent time difference between that realm and our own?"
"Two weeks of training in that realm would be equal to about six months of hard training in this realm." Shunsui replied stoically.
Naruto was surprised upon hearing answer, but couldn't deny that this was indeed the solution to the time verses training dilemma, as he thought.
'Good, and during that time and pretty damn soon, I need to achieve bankai. There's no way I can win as I am now.'
"Talk to Yoruichi and make whatever preparations you need to Shunsui to do this. But first, we'll talk to Kenpachi about the logistics of doing this. I don't want to take all the men and leave the encampment unprotected and vulnerable to attack while they are gone."
"As you wish." Shunsui politely bowed before setting off to find the Neko woman.
As Naruto watched Shunsui flash-step away he mused once more about the upcoming fight against the Akatsuki and of Shunsui's suggestion to help get his small army ready for that battle and thought with renewed hope and confidence.
'Maybe we will have a chance of winning this fight after all.'
Sakura was growing frustrated with each passing minute while she sat in the palatial home of Tazuna and his daughter Tsunami and grandson Inari. She desperately wanted to resume her search for Naruto, but right now she was stuck and she knew it. Sakura and Kiba had arrived in the Wave Country a couple of days ago to follow up on a lead about Hinata. Unfortunately their journey had proved costly to Akamaru. The previous night before their arrival, a rather poisonous snake had slithered into their camp. However, before it could harm either Kiba or Sakura, Akamaru had attacked and killed the serpent, but not before the canine received a venomous strike himself. Sakura using some of the medical knowledge she had learned from Tsunade over the years had managed to save the dog's life. But by no means was he healed and wouldn't recover completely without the aid of veterinary assistance.
So besides Akamaru still requiring additional medical aid, Sakura and Kiba had also discovered their dreadful lack of money to restock their supplies and continue on in their journey to find both Hinata and Naruto. Kiba had wired his mother Tsume for help with Akamaru and some money, but until it arrived both he and Sakura were stuck with no food or shelter. Fortunately for them, Tazuna had been kind enough to shelter and feed them these last three days out of gratitude for Sakura and the rest of Team #7 help in defeating Gato the crime lord and freeing their village from his tyranny several years ago.
"Would you like some tea Sakura-chan?" Tsunami asked, as she entered the living room carrying a tray with a kettle and cups on it.
"Yes please, thank you Tsunami-san."
As Tsunami poured the tea, she eyed the pink-haired girl sitting in her living room with curiosity. Naruto had been tight-lipped when he had visited them not that long ago. Only her father seemed to know the reason as to why Naruto had shown up. But he refused to tell either her or Inari that reason and even went as far as to order not only her and Inari swear not to divulge to anyone from Konoha that the blonde Jounin had visited them recently, but the entire village as well. Tsunami thought maybe she could get some answers from Sakura, but she knew she needed to be subtle about it.
"So, it's been so long since I've seen you last. What's been going on in your life?"
Sakura really didn't like or want to talk about herself, but knew Tsunami was a good person and it would be impolite not to reply.
"There's not much to say Tsunami-san. I've just been living the life of being a shinobi. I suppose the highlight of my career was when I became an apprentice to the legendary Sannin and current Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, Senju Tsunade."
"Tsunade-sama of Konoha, my, my, that is very impressive!" Tsunami exclaimed before asking.
"But what else has been happening in your life?"
"Well, I got engaged." Sakura absently replied, before wishing she could take back what she had just said.
"Engaged, that's wonderful Sakura! I always knew you and Naruto would get together. I remember how much he doted on you when I first met you two. To be honest, I thought you and Naruto made the cutest couple even back then."
Sakura's face became crestfallen upon hearing Tsunami's comment before she spoke up and stammered.
"N, no it wasn't Naruto-kun I got engaged to. Naruto-kun and I were together for a long time, but I broke up with him to be with Sasuke-kun."
"Oh, the Uchiha, I'll admit I never really liked him as much as Naruto, but still congratulations. I'm sure you and he will be very happy together."
"No, we won't. We both ended our engagement awhile ago." Sakura replied with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories for you."
"No, no, it's alright, it was a mutual breakup on both our parts, but it still hurts right now to talk about it."
"I understand if you don't want to talk about it. Let's change the subject, how is Naruto-kun doing these days?"
Tsunami saw Sakura wince slightly, as she was about to answer when Inari opened the front door and entered the house, but both women could hear the sounds of shouting coming from outside before the boy closed the door behind him and walked into the living room where his mother asked.
"What's going on Inari? Who is doing all that shouting outside?"
"Kiba-san is arguing with this pretty young lady who arrived with three dogs. She said she was his sister Hana. Anyway, Hana gave Kiba-san a piece of paper to read and when he did he starting yelling at her. Something about how their mother can't do this to him and why should he leave Naruto-sama alone?"
Sakura immediately leapt up and pressed her ear to the front door to hear what was being said.
"I don't care what okaasan has to say Hana! I'm not going back to Konoha without my wife!"
"She isn't your wife anymore, don't you get that? Okaasan and Hiashi-san have dissolved the marriage between you and Hinata."
"But, but they can't do that!"
"They can and they did, as of right now both you and Hinata are divorced. I'm sorry Kiba-kun, I know it must hurt, but what's done is done." Hana replied, as she knelt down to check on Akamaru's condition.
Kiba stood seething in rage while he watched his older sister check on his canine partner, before he growled out in a menacing tone.
"Grrrrrrrrr, I don't give a damn what okaasan and Hiashi have done! The two of them can go to Hell! I'm bringing my wife home and there is nothing they can do about it! I didn't agree to this divorce and neither did Hinata!"
Hana looked up with shock at what Kiba had just said, before standing back up and stating harshly.
"What, you don't think Hinata will agree? Let me tell you something little brother, she'll agree to the divorce the second she hears about it!"
"Why's that, because of Naruto?" Kiba spat with disgust.
"No, not because of your friend."
"He's not my friend!"
"Yes he is, whether you want to acknowledge it or not. He had nothing to do with the problems in your marriage with Hinata and you know it!"
"Well, if he's not the problem to my marriage, then what is?"
"You Kiba!"
"You don't know what the Hell you are talking about you bitch!"
The Inuzuka female took a step forward and was standing practically nose-to-nose with Kiba, as she growled with intimidation.
"Grrrrrrrrrr, if you ever speak to me like that again I'll put you down, because that is exactly what I'm talking about Kiba! Your attitude and they way you treated Hinata during your marriage was shameful to the clan. You treated Hinata like a possession or a trophy more than as a wife. It was like you thought her only purpose in life was to serve your needs no matter what they were. To be honest, the way you spoke and acted towards Hinata infuriated many members of the clan. Oh and let's not forget your ultimate betrayal of your marriage which is the shame and humiliation you've put Hinata through these past three years of your endless infidelity you've committed with numerous Leaf village women."
"Hinata knows about that!" Kiba exclaimed, with a worried look upon her face.
"The whole clan knows about, as well as the results of some of those liaisons. Do I know for certain that Hinata knows, no I do not? However she is neither stupid nor a fool and never was. So chances are little brother that yes, she knows all about your escapades."
'Maybe if the little Hyuga bitch would have put out more I wouldn't have had to go looking for it somewhere else!' Kiba thought bitterly to himself, before his sister's voice rang out once more.
You should thank Kami you were never physically abusive towards Hinata, because if you had okaasan and I would have beat the crap out of you. And if we didn't, I know several other clan members who would have. Hinata is a good woman Kiba and was quite popular within the clan, as they could see what you apparently couldn't. That she was a kind, gentle, and decent person worthy of the respect you never gave her during your marriage. Well, that marriage is now over little brother, deal with it. But if you do truly care about Hinata as you say, then at least do the decent and honorable act of letting her go. You owe her that much."
Kiba stood silently and glared at his older sister before stepping back and stating without hesitation and in defiance.
"No, I won't give her up, she's mine and mine alone, and I won't lose her to Naruto!"
"Haven't you heard a word I've said? Naruto has nothing to do with this!" Hana shouted back in frustration.
"I don't care what you or anyone has to say or think! Naruto is the cause of all of this and I'm getting Hinata back! As soon as Akamaru is recovered we're going to find her and that's all there is to it!"
"I'm done arguing with you about this. You want to go chasing after your EX-wife I won't stop you, but Akamaru's not going with you. The venom from that snakebite was quite toxic and he still needs some antivenin and at least two weeks time to recover from it. I'll be taking him back to Konoha to get him the treatment he needs."
"What, but I need Akamaru to help me track down Hinata!"
I'm sorry little brother, but if Akamaru were to try and accompany you, he would be dead in a week."
"A week is all I need; I won't let you take him!"
A snap of Hana's fingers and her three Wolf Huskies positioned themselves between Kiba and Akamaru. Kiba looked over and glared at his sister, as he heard her say:
"It's not up for debate. Akamaru will be coming back with me to the village to heal. The mere fact that you are willing to risk his life in your obsession to get Hinata back sickens me. If you want to go after her, fine! But I'll be damned if I let you kill Akamaru in the process of doing so!"
With that said, Hana made some hand seals and created a Shadow Clone, and the two of them loaded Akamaru into a horse drawn wagon. As Hana was about to leave, she shouted out towards the house.
"By the way, thank you Sakura for the medical assistance you gave to Akamaru. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have had the time to save him now. Our clan owes you a debt, which I will now repay. I won't tell Hokage that I found you. But you should consider returning with me to Konoha, as Lady Tsunade is quite cross with you at the moment."
Sakura opened the front door and took a hesitant step out onto the porch before bowing to the Inuzuka female and replied.
"You're welcome about Akamaru Hana-san. And thank you for not saying anything to Lady Tsunade. But I must decline your invitation to return with you. I must, no need to find Naruto-kun as soon as I can. I hope you can understand that?"
"I can and I do Sakura-san. You and Kiba-kun take care of yourselves and please come home soon. You both have people back in the village who care and miss you." Hana commented with a wave of the hand, as the wagon lurched forward and began its trek back to Konoha.
Tsunade stood out on the balcony to her office and watched the villagers prepare for the Kyuubi festival to be held in a couple of days on October Tenth. Her anger about this festival had been steadily rising all week, as she had heard nothing but the gleeful comments from people about how happy they were now that the demon was gone. Sure the villagers had praised Naruto as a hero when he had brought back the Uchiha traitor. But slowly over the last five years, the same prejudices and hatred Naruto had endured the majority of his life had been slowly creeping back into the minds and hearts of the people. This infuriated Tsunade to no end and she silently wondered how the villagers would feel if they knew the true heritage of the individual they were so joyful to be without?
'I'll know the answer to that question in a couple of days. And I can't wait to see the looks on all of these bastards faces when they hear who Naruto really is.' Tsunade thought to herself, before a knock on her door interrupted her thoughts.
"Enter!"
Tsunade looked on as Shizune opened the door to escort in Councilman Danzo and the two Council advisors to the position of Hokage elders Koharu and Homura. Gesturing for them to take a seat, Tsunade ordered Shizune to bring in some tea for her and her guests. While they waited for Shizune to return, Danzo groused with annoyance to Tsunade.
"I didn't come here Tsunade to drink tea and exchange pleasantries Tsunade. You said you had a matter of vital importance to discuss with us, what is it?"
"Well first off Danzo you will address me as Hokage-sama or Lady Tsunade now and in the future. For if you don't, you will no longer need a cane as a wheelchair will be your permanent form of transportation. Do I make myself clear?" Tsunade answered with a hint of malevolence ringing in her voice.
"Yes Hokage-sama, I understand." Danzo replied through clenched teeth.
It was then that Shizune returned carrying a tray with a kettle and cups on it. As all the occupants in the room watched Shizune pour cups of tea out for everyone before distributing them, Danzo eyed the blonde Hokage cautiously. Danzo had learned a long time ago never to be the first one to drink or eat from something his people had not prepared. Seeing Tsunade as well as Koharu and Homura drink without any ill effects, the old war-hawk Councilman surmised that everything was fine and took a sip of tea himself before asking.
"Why is it that you have called the three of us here Hokage-sama?"
"Yes, let us discuss that right now. Shizune if you would excuse us please and before you go activate the silencing seals around my office. The matter we are going to discuss is not for everyone's ears."
"As you wish Lady Tsunade." Shizune replied, before making a series of hand signs to activate the seals and locking the door as she left behind her.
"Now the matter I wish to discuss is with regards to Naruto Uzumaki." Tsunade stated before taking another sip of tea.
"Yes, I'm glad you brought this up. We also wish to discuss with you Hokage-sama the matter of the Jinchuuriki. I as well as Koharu and Homura feel we made an error is supporting the recommendation that the boy become the next Hokage after you. We like the people of the village were merely caught up in the euphoria of the return of Sasuke Uchiha when that recommendation was first proposed. In light of the Uzumaki's recent status in becoming a missing nin, we are going to file a proposal in the Council two days from now to have the boy upgraded and listed as an S-Class Missing Nin in the Bingo book with a kill on sight order. We are also going to make another proposal that Sasuke Uchiha be named your new successor to become Hokage. We know of your personal feelings with regards to the boy. But I must inform you between the three of us and the Civilian side of the Council, we have the votes to push these measures through." Danzo stated all of this with a smirk, as he took another sip of his tea.
"I see then this meeting was quite fortuitous." Tsunade countered.
"For you see I called the three of you in here because I too am planning on introducing some proposals to the Konoha Council to vote on in a couple of days as well. I chose this date to coincide with the anniversary of the Yondaime's sacrifice, as I'm sure you did as well Danzo-san."
"But of course Hokage-sama." Danzo snidely replied while finishing off his tea.
"Well let me tell you the proposals I plan on introducing. First off, I'm downgrading Naruto to B-Class Missing Nin status with a mere capture order for him. Secondly, I also plan to honor Minato by revealing to the village at the start of the Kyuubi festival Naruto's true heritage of being his son. I must also tell you that Naruto will not be replaced as my chosen successor by the Uchiha brat either. And Koharu and Homura, when I make these proposals, I expect your full support on all of them."
"Ha, ha, ha, you can expect their support all you want Hokage-sama, but you're not going to get it or mine. And I can assure you that your proposals have no hope of passing, not if I have anything to say about it!" Danzo declared with mocking laughter.
"You won't have anything to say about it."
"Why is that Hokage-sama?"
An almost evil glint shone in the blonde Hokage's eyes.
"Because in about a minute you will be . . . . . . dead."
"What are you talking about Tsuna . . . . . argh?" Danzo began to ask before clutching his chest in pain, and gasping for breath.
"Wha, what's happening?"
"Oh, you're having a heart attack Danzo." Tsunade calmly answered, while taking another sip of tea and watching the Councilman keel over to the floor in agony.
"But, but how? I know the tea wasn't poisoned. I, I saw you drink first." Danzo asked through clenched teeth.
"Your right, the tea wasn't poisoned; it merely acted as a catalyst for the poison." The blonde Kage replied smoothly.
"You see I'm not known as the Queen of Elixirs for nothing. Several years ago I was able to develop a clear, odorless, and tasteless poisonous paste that simulates death by cardiac arrest perfectly. So it was a simple matter for me to lightly coat the bottom of your tea cup with the paste and then wait for the tea to metabolize it and carry into your system. If you notice on your tea cup Danzo, it only has four stars painted on it, as opposed to everyone else's which has five. I mean we wouldn't want to have the wrong person having the heart attack now would we?"
"You, you bitch Tsunade! You'll never get away with this!" Danzo spat out in agonizing rage.
Tsunade stood up and casually walked over to Danzo, then looking down at the old war-hawk Councilman writhing on the floor and stated with a smirk and a smile.
"My dear Danzo, I already have."
A scant second later, Danzo stopped moving and his eyes stared lifelessly up towards the ceiling.
Just then Shizune entered the room and announced.
"Lady Tsunade, something terrible has happened, as Councilman Danzo was leaving the building he appears to have had a heart attack. Several of our Anbu witnessed him collapse and tried to revive the man, but I'm afraid they were not successful. I'm sorry Lady Tsunade, but Councilman Danzo is dead."
"That is most unfortunate news. Konoha has suffered a tragic loss today of one of our most prominent political leaders. I must discuss this tragedy with my advisors Koharu and Homura and how it will affect Konoha in the future. Please leave us Shizune and take the tea with you as you go. Oh and send someone in here to empty my trash would you."
"As you wish Lady Tsunade." Shizune politely replied before signaling behind her and an Anbu operative appeared and entered the office before picking up and carrying Danzo's body away in front of the stunned and frightened Hokage advisors. As Shizune closed the door behind her, Tsunade returned to her seat. Just as the blonde Hokage was about to speak, she was interrupted by Koharu stammering.
"Now see here Hokage-sama, how dare you . . . . .."
"Shut up you senile old bitch or there might be another tragic loss of a prominent political leader today! Believe me, I was truly tempted to get rid of all three of you corrupt and decrepit old fossils on this day. Fortunately enough for you two, I decided otherwise. I know the two of you have gotten rich over the years off of Danzo's bribes, but the payday's for your support of his measures in the Council ends now! From now on, you are going to agree with and support any and all proposals I make within the Council from now on. You will also use whatever influence you have with those idiot minions on the Civilian side of the Council to support my measures. Your payment for all of this will be the continuation of your health to still live quite comfortably off the money you have received from Danzo all these years. Failure by you to do any of what I just said, and I can most assuredly promise you that this will be the last Kyuubi Festival either of you will ever see again. Do we understand one another?"
Koharu and Homura turned and looked at one another, before turning back to see the resilient and determined look on their Hokage's face. Seeing Tsunade's hardened gaze directed towards them, both advisors bowed their heads and meekly replied in unison.
"Yes Hokage-sama."
"Good, because I'm telling you two right now, the Konoha Council is going to become once more a decent, noble, and self sacrificing body of leadership for this village like it was in the days of the Nidaime. And I will remove any obstacles in my way from achieving that goal." She waved a hand dismissively. "Now, the two of you may go, but never forget what I have said to you on this day."
"Yes Hokage-sama."
As Tsunade watched her two advisors leave her office. She pulled a bottle of sake out of her desk drawer and poured herself a drink, before lifting the cup in the air and declaring.
"I promise you Naruto-kun, if you do ever return to the village and take my place as the Rokudaime. You will not be plagued with the corrupt and deceitful administrations that Sensei, your father, or I were. This village will become the utopia my grandfather the Shodai always dreamt it could. And I can think of no one better than you to lead this place into that golden era."
Tsunade then slammed the drink down her throat and looked out towards the setting sun with a sigh.
Sasuke jumped swiftly from tree to tree followed closely behind by his traveling partner Ino heading in the direction where they had felt that chakra explosion a few days ago. However, the Uchiha was troubled at the prospect of actually finding Naruto and of what he was suppose to do. The two week grace period Lady Tsunade had granted him to find and return his friend had expired long ago. Now if he were to follow his orders, if he couldn't convince Naruto to return to the village, then as an A-Ranked Missing Nin, Sasuke would be forced to eliminate him. This prospect did not sit well with Sasuke at all.
A snapping branch behind Sasuke roused him from his thoughts, as he took a quick glance behind him to see Ino doing her best to keep up with him. The sight of the blonde kunoichi brought forth a new set of thoughts for Sasuke to ponder. Sasuke knew this partnership with Ino was only temporary and the moment they did find Naruto it would most likely end. The Yamanaka heiress had already shown that her motives for finding Naruto were vastly different from his own. So when they did find Naruto and he was forced fight him if the dobe wouldn't return. Sasuke realized he would probably be fighting Ino as well, along with Hinata if she had already found Naruto first.
Sasuke could already feel the onset of a headache, as he pondered that uncomfortable scenario. It would be bad enough trying to fight Naruto on his own. Let alone having to fight two highly skilled kunoichi's along with him. This mission had grown much more complicated than Sasuke had originally thought it would be. The Uchiha youth had no desire to fight anyone and could only hope that Naruto would listen to reason and come back to the village with him. However, if Naruto refused and forced Sasuke's hand, he was confident that he could defeat Naruto and the others if he had to because of the ace up his sleeve. That ace being the Zanpaktou Zabimaru he had obtained from Lord Byakuya Kuchiki of the Kuchiki clan. Naruto and the others would not stand a chance against the power of such a weapon.
However, while Sasuke was certain if Ino and Hinata were to go down from the blade, they would stay down. Unfortunately, Sasuke wasn't as certain about Naruto staying down as his friends stubbornness could prove insurmountable at times. And if Naruto refused to stay down, then this brought Sasuke back to the question that had been mercilessly plaguing his mind since the two weeks ran out that Lady Tsunade had given him to find and return Naruto.
Could he actually kill his only friend?
Authors Notes: Here is chapter 23 for everyone to enjoy, I hope? Although there were no major changes from the original chapter, which I had written exclusively. There were a few subtle ones throughout the chapter that required a bit of rewriting. As well as Sasuke's angst-ridden scene at the end, which is brand new. Also before anyone screams plagiarism, as a few readers did for my story Naruto vs. Sasuke: The Aftermath. Yes, I did reuse two very similar scenes in Danzo's death in both stories. However, I had written the scene first in this story at least two-three years ago. This will probably be the last update for this story for a little while, as I need to turn my attention back to my main story" Naruto vs. Sasuke: The Aftermath." I was discouraged in the amount of reviews the last chapter received, as it was the lowest total I have ever gotten on this tale. Am I doing something wrong? However, I still want to thank everyone who did take the time to leave a review on it or this story. They really do help an author out in knowing what people like about it, as well as motivate them.
Thanks for your support of this story and take it easy!
Kingkakashi