Chapter 22 – The Title of Hokage: Naruto vs. Tsunade
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[Unspecified Pub, Tanzaku Town]
Current Time...
Naruto and Jiraiya entered the small bar where Naruto had detected the large chakra signature and were immediately drawn to the faces of two of the patrons. Jiraiya was relieved to see that Naruto's senses had been right on the money.
"Hey, Tsunade!" Jiraiya greeted happily; Naruto, on the other hand, simply narrowed his eyes for a brief moment at the sight of the future Fifth Hokage. The sight was not encouraging in the least to the young chunin.
Appearance-wise the female Sannin appeared to be in her twenties to those who didn't know her; she was fairly tall, had light-colored skin, brown eyes, waist-length blonde hair that she had tied into two loose ponytails, a very large bust, and had a violet rhombus mark on her forehead that Naruto realized was a gathering point for some sort of massive chakra reserve. She wore a grey and sleeveless kimono-style blouse that was held closed by a broad, dark bluish-grey obi that matches her pants and open-toed sandals with high heels as well as a necklace with green crystal around her neck.
Tsunade's appearance aside, Naruto was more concerned that she looked like she was sulking... and drinking sake like there was no tomorrow.
"She's the one they chose to replace the Old Man? We're so screwed," Naruto thought to himself in dismay before he heard the "Slug Princess" acknowledge them.
"Jiraiya... why are you in a place like this?" Tsunade asked her fellow Sannin as she quickly tried to sober up.
"We were actually looking for you, Tsunade," Jiraiya said in response as he and Naruto took a seat with Tsunade and another women who sat next to the renowned medic ninja; she had fair skin, black hair and eyes, wore long blueish-black kimono with white trimmings that was held closed by a white obi, and open-toed sandals similar to Tsunade's except the heels were much lower. The woman also was holding a sleeping piglet in her arms though Naruto decided to ignore it.
Naruto guessed that she was most likely either Tsunade's apprentice or assistant.
"And why'd you come looking for me, Jiraiya? And who on earth is the kid next to you?" Tsunade asked; she figured, incorrectly, that her fellow Sannin was just there to talk about Orochimaru's death and therefore she didn't understand why he had a kid with him.
Jiraiya's expression had turned serious by this time; the Toad Sage decided to first answer her second question.
"He's-" Jiraiya began until, to his surprise, Naruto cut him off.
"Just a young chunin who was asked to go along with Jiraiya-san," Naruto said; after a few seconds Jiraiya managed to figure out why Naruto refused to reveal his identity yet.
Naruto did not want to reveal his identity to Tsunade just yet since he did kill Orochimaru who was one of her former teammates; even if that teammate had gone rogue which would have probably put him on bad terms with both of his fellow Sannin there was still no telling how Tsunade right respond if she found out that her teammate's killer was sitting across the table from her.
"I see... but that still doesn't explain why you two have come looking for me," Tsunade pointed out.
Jiraiya let out a sigh before he finally let the cat out of the bag, so to speak.
"To be honest... we're here because the Sandaime has retired again. Sandaime and both of the councils have requested that you take his place and become the Godaime Hoakge," he said, causing the eyes of both Tsunade and the other women to widen in shock.
The woman with Tsunade was the first to respond to this news.
"Wait a minute, Jiraiya-sama... why would the Sandaime retire like this all of a sudden!?" the women asked in shock.
"Let's just say that Sarutobi-sensei was shaken up by recent events, Shizune," Jiraiya vaguely explained to now named Shizune before he turned his attention back to Tsunade.
"Well, Tsunade; what's your decision?" Jiraiya asked.
Tsunade lowered her head down as she appeared to be deep in thought; after several minutes of silence Tsunade finally gave her answer.
"Never in a thousand years would I do it... I refuse," Tsunade said bluntly.
Jiraiya sighed at his former teammate's refusal while Naruto narrowed his eyes at her; the Konoha chunin had a very good idea about what Tsunade was about to say next.
"All those who became Hokage gambled with their lives and all but Sarutobi-sensei ended up giving up said lives for the the sake of peace. Only a fool would want to become Hokage much less actually becoming one; that includes my Grandfather, Tobirama, and especially old your student Min-" Tsunade said before she stopped mid-sentence.
The reason: Naruto, who took offense to Tsunade insulting the previous Hokages that included his own dad, unsheated his sword and had it pointing towards the Sannin's throat; it was only separated by millimeters which got everyone's attention... once they realized what had happened, of course.
"I don't care if you're the one that the old man chose you to become the new Hokage; try to finish that sentence and it'll be the last thing that you ever do," Naruto said even though it was a bluff; even though he had no intention of killing Tsunade he would not let her insult his dad and the others.
Since Tsunade had no intention of going to Konoha as Jiraiya had hoped Naruto decided to persuade her to change her mind... his own way.
The young Uzumaki removed his sword from its place near the now terrified Tsunade's neck, much to relief of both Shizune and Jiraiya.
"Let's go Jiraiya-san; she's not worth the trouble," Naruto said as he left the table; he walked towards the exit before he stopped halfway to the opening.
"You know something, Tsunade? Somewhere in the afterlife I'm sure that your brother and boyfriend are watching you reduce yourself to this pitiful state your in now. The founder of the modern-day system of medical ninja running from her past, living her days as a hopeless druken gambler? Nawaki is probably feeling ashamed that he ever called you his sister... and Dan probably feels the same way for ever having any feelings for you," Naruto said as he turned to face the threesome behind him.
Jiraiya and Shizune were the first to register what Naruto had just said and, when they did, they eyes widened in a comically horrified expression.
"Please tell me he didn't just say what I think he said?" Jiraiya thought as he was well aware that his godson just entered forbidden territory, metaphorically speaking.
"Is he insane?! Tsunade's gonna kill him!" Shizune thought to herself, unaware of who the boy was.
As for the Slug Sannin her face suddenly turned red in pure rage at what Naruto had just said once it registered to her and it was clear to everyone in the pub that they should now get out of dodge immediately. Tsunade finally spoke when the last patrons left the little bar.
"Take that back, you little gaki," the female Sannin hissed.
Naruto simply smirked before he picked up a plate of five dumplings from another table; he then grabbed one of the round dumplings and tossed it at Tsunade's forehead as he spoke.
"Over. My. Cold. Dead. Body," the Uzumaki/Namikaze said while tossing a dumpling at the Slug Princess, as many people called Tsunade, with each word he said.
Before the fifth dumpling could reach Tsunade, however, she plucked it from the air with her right hand which she then closed into a fist; the Sannin, in her rage, then slammed her fist into the table smashing it to bits, much to the terror of both Shizune and Jiraiya.
Naruto, on the other hand, smirked at Tsunade's reaction.
"As I thought; I knew that this would happen," Naruto thought to himself.
In truth Naruto didn't really mean what he had said; he did, however, have a very good reason to provoke Tsunade though it was a reason that only the young Chunin could've thought of.
Tsunade looked at Naruto with face that would've made anyone else quake in terror.
"You and me, gaki. Outside. Right now," Tsunade snarled; Naruto's smirk only grew wider at her challenge.
"Ladies first," Naruto said in a mocking tone; as if to further insult Tsunade by making an air quote with his left hand around the word 'ladies'.
As Tsunade stormed out of the bar Shizune's eyes once again widened in comical terror.
"Is that kid looking for death or something?!" Shizune yelled out as Naruto walked out behind his next opponent. Jiraiya simply sighed at Shizune's words.
"Not exactly, Shizune; if anything Tsunade is the one whose made a mistake... for picking a fight with Naruto," Jiraiya said; Shizune looked at Jiraiya in shock at finally learning the name of the young chunin.
"Naruto... You mean as in Naruto Uzumaki? The same Naruto who killed Orochimaru?" Shizune asked to which Jiraiya nodded in response as he and Shizune left the damaged pub.
"Let's just see what happens; I'm sure he has something in mind," Jiraiya reasoned.
When the two shinobi passed the exit they came upon a scene that practically screamed tension.
Naruto and Tsunade faced each other and on the main street of Tanzaku Town seperated by 50 feet; the people nearby, thankfully, had enough common sense to get out of the immediate area which meant there were less inhibitions on both combatants.
"Now that we're about to fight how about you finally tell me your name, gaki?" Tsunade said before Naruto placed his zanpakuto next to Jiraiya and asked him to keep a close eye on it; due to his mission Naruto couldn't risk using his sword in this fight... not that it made much of a difference.
"Since you'll probably want to know my name after this fight I guess I should give you my name before I fight you. (he points his right thumb at his headband) I am Naruto Uzumaki... Chunin of Konohagakure and the guy who's going to defeat you," Naruto declared. Like her assistant Tsunade's eyes widened in shock at the mention of that name.
"So you're the kid who defeated Orochimaru; if that's the case then I guess I can't hold back against the likes of you," Tsunade said as she got into her fighting stance.
"Heh... then stop your yapping and let's do this already," Naruto said as he got into his fighting stance.
Tsunade made the first move, charging at Naruto and throwing a punch with her right hand. Naruto, to Tsunade and Shizune's absolute shock, simply caught her fist with his bare left hand; if that weren't enough to surprise both kunoichis the young Uzumaki clansman didn't appear to be so much as even fazed by the attack.
"That's impossible; that punch should've crushed every bone in his arm with that punch and yet he doesn't it even appear as if he was affected by that punch. Who is he? What is he?" Tsunade thought to herself.
Naruto simply smirked at Tsunade's reaction.
"It's my turn, Tsunade," Naruto taunted before he made his move.
Using Tsunade's arm as leverage Naruto lifted his body into the air where he proceeded to smack Tsunade in the face with a roundhouse kick. The Sannin was sent flying by this strike and by the time she had regained her footing she had been knocked back 100 feet.
"Such strength; I should've guesssed that his skills with taijutsu would be great," Tsunade thought to herself before she questioned Naruto on his prowess.
"Where did you learn to fight like that, gaki?" Tsunade asked him.
Naruto was soon having another flashback...
Flashback
[Unspecified Location, Hueco Mundo]
Four Years Before Naruto's Return...
Naruto stood in the middle of the massive desert outside of Las Noches preparing to spar, yet again, with Grimmjow who was probably the Espada Naruto spent most of his time with; compared to most of his training regimens this one, which was how Naruto trained to master his skills in Hakuda (hand-to-hand combat), was on a weekly basis throughout his entire time at Las Noches.
Naruto got into his fighting stance which got him a smirk from the blue-haired Arrancar.
"Your move, Naruto," Grimmjow said.
"If say so, Grimmjow-sama," Naruto said as he charged and threw a left jab at the former Adjuchas.
Grimmjow simply sidestepped the attack and tried kick the young Uzumaki in the face. Relying on his instincts Naruto jumped over kick and proceeded to smack Grimmjow with a kick of his own. This move caught the Espada by surprise and he proved unable to dodge it in time; Naruto's foot smacked Grimmjow in his left cheek and sent him back several feet.
Grimmjow, despite getting battered and bruised, simplywidened his smirk.
"Looks like you finally got me that time; you've certainly come a long way, Naruto. Now let's try this again," Grimmjow said.
"Yes Grimmjow-sama, sir," Naruto said as he and Grimmjow continued their practice session...
End Flashback
"My teachers made sure that I could defeat any opponent I faced even if I found myself unarmed or, in this case, if I find myself unable to use anything other than hand-to-hand combat. Now unless you have anymore questions let us continue this fight," Naruto said.
Tsunade responded by charging towards Naruto before she tried to hit the young Uzumaki with a left roundhouse kick. As Naruto proceeded to easily sidestep the kick Jiraiya, who was watching the "fight" unfold alongside Shizune and the piglet, had one thought running through his head.
"Note to self: never piss off my godson; if I do I have a feeling I might end up like Tsunade," Jiraiya mused as he watched the fight in amazement...
Next Time - Fools