A/N: Quick reminder to send in questions regarding the eventual direction of the story or anything else about it you want, really. Send those in by Friday, and I'll try to get them answered sometime soon. Also, a quick reminder that something special will be happening for the 50th chapter.

The massive castle walls trembled. Salt water ran through the cracks and folds of the citadel, trickling downward like drops of rain. The massive swells of ocean water pressed down on the ground, carrying with them the sparks of the ocean.

Gamabunta clicked its long tongue. "Manda and Orochimaru. Katsuyu-san and Tsunade-hime. Heh." The toad's eyes narrowed. "You guys planning a reunion?"

Orochimaru blinked atop Manda. He stretched out his arms, his hands turned palm upward as he focused his energy.

"Fool! This job is gonna be tough! It's time to settle our rivalry." Jiraiya set his hands in preparation for another technique. "We'll defeat Orochimaru here and now." He faced the snake with pride.

The enormous snake's eyes swiveled upwards. "Hey, Orochimaru! What are you smoking, summoning me in this terrible land? You want me to eat you?" the creature demanded furiously.

Orochimaru said nothing. His eyes narrowed.

"Get me some damn sacrifices after this, got it, guy?!" Manda spat.

The serpent master, Orochimaru, shrugged. His eyes glanced downward, turning toward Kabuto's battle.

Tsunade's eyes narrowed. She glanced downward, studying the ball of wind. That kid did figure it out. I'll give him the necklace after this is over. Tsunade gave Orochimaru a long look. "Katsuyu-sama, be patient. Your first role will be to aid the wounded after this is done, but right now, we have to defeat Orochimaru."

The slug glimmered, white and cold.

"Summoning Technique." Kisame's hand struck the water.

Orochimaru's eyes widened.

"You didn't think I'd leave such a thing to chance, did you?" Kisame folded his arms. "My summon doesn't chatter on, but it'll be enough to handle you."

A massive white shark rose above the fighters.

"You, you want me to eat you, huh?" Manda asked, enraged. He glared at Kisame.

"I'd thought to myself I needed a wallet. Snake-skin will do," Gamabunta commented, slowly unsheathing his sword.

Katsuyu remained quiet.

The massive shark rushed forward, its tail switching from side to side.

"Orochimaru. You follow an evil path that is too much. We are enemies now." Jiraiya moved his hands in preparation for seals.

"Enemies? Thank you for your insight. From beginning to end I've never cared about good or evil," Orochimaru responded, laughing. His eyes darkened with fury.

"Today is the last day there will be three sennin." Tsunade gripped her wounds, watching as they closed slowly.

"I don't care about any of that. You all do talk too much." Kisame's eyes narrowed. "Crown, Samehada."

Water slipped out from the wrapping of the sword.

"I just came here to kill you! Orochimaru, you bastard!" Roaring with laughter, Kisame rushed forward.

"Wind Style: Engulfing Tornado!" Orochimaru's hands laced together.

Jiraiya slammed his hands together. "Spring Swallow Swamp!" he called out.

A swamp appeared in the ground. The shallow depths did little to hold back the battling warriors.

The wind kicked up. A tornado rushed toward Kisame.

Kisame's eyes narrowed. "Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"

The tornado dispersed. The bullet penetrated through the tornado.

Tsunade drew back her fist. She punched Orochimaru hard across the face.

Orochimaru slid along Manda's body, his hands burning and blood pouring from the marks of the scales.

Manda wrapped up Katsuyu.

Katsuyu remained motionless. Acid oozed out of the scales.

Gamabunta slammed the sword into Manda's scales.

The ruff of scales reflected the sword, sending it flying backward.

Gamabunta scowled, his lip turning downward. How do I kill this person?

Manda tightened his grip.

Roaring with laughter, Kisame slashed downward. The blade cut into the scales of the giant serpent.

Manda gasped in shock. The tail twirled around rapidly, slamming into the shark.

Kisame flew backward through the air, his eyes wide with shock.

The shark swam forward rapidly. A segment of Orochimaru's flesh tore away as the shark severed a piece of the flesh.

"Bunta! Some oil!"

The toad spat oil onto the ground.

Manda choked. Blood spurted from the creature's mouth and side.

Blood filled the water and swamp. The shark's eyes gleamed bright red.

Jiraiya spat out fire.

Orochimaru's hands laced together. "Water Style: Driving Water Technique!"

The oil ignited.

Water poured downward, covering the surface of the oil.

The shark flew backward, driven back by the pressure of the water.

The flames raged upward. A chemical solution would be required to douse this type of flames.

"Vitriol." Orochimaru's hands twisted upward rapidly. The ground shuddered.

At last, the flames faded from the earth.

If both of us were in good condition, this battle would already be over. Jiraiya glanced at Tsunade. As it is, Tsunade's scared and I'm drugged. He glanced upward toward the massive shark man. Kisame's the only one who's carrying the fight.

Tsunade reached downward. She grasped the boulder, lifting it with one hand.

Orochimaru ducked downward.

Tsunade hurled the boulder at Orochimaru.

The boulder passed over Orochimaru's back.

The snake's mouth opened wide behind Gamabunta.

Gamabunta leapt backwards, dodging the strike of the snake.

Taking Gamabunta's sword, Tsunade stabbed the mouth of the snake shut.

The shark swam in circles, blood trailing from the wounds where its teeth had severed away sections of Manda's body.

Manda roared. Mouth opening wide, it rushed toward the shark.

Orochimaru scowled, irritated. He extended his tongue, aiming at Tsunade's neck.

Smirking, Kisame chopped downward, rising from the salt water. His sword slammed into the tongue.

Damn it!

Energy seeped out of the tongue.

With this I can't win. Orochimaru's eyes widened in shock. A host of black flames rose along his arm.

Manda hissed. "Damn you. You've shamed me, you stinking ape. I'd consume you myself, but with my mouth so I can't swallow." The snake dissipated into smoke, its last words to the observers, "You're going to die." Scales fell from the body, cut neatly by the shark's rows of teeth.

Orochimaru looked upward, his eyes wide. Am I really going to die here? I don't believe that.

Accept my deal. A harsh, calm, unaccented voice resonated through Orochimaru's hearing.

The air glimmered.

The veins throbbed. Blood rushed toward the surface.

Orochimaru's eyes widened. Eh? Who's that who's speaking to me? What is that I hear?

Bring me back to my true body, and I'll grant your body immortality. You don't have much time, Orochimaru-san. Are you really planning on dying here, without accomplishing your ultimate goal?

"…"

I'm not saying now. We can discuss the exact reasons later, though I suppose in some ways it's due to a certain similarity between us.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. Fine. I accept it.

Kisame rushed forward. The sword slashed along the body.

Orochimaru's eyes widened.

The blood sprayed along the body.

Orochimaru reached downward. He touched the bloodied area.

The wound sealed over.

Kisame's eyes widened. "Huh?" he questioned, staring at the wound with shock. Samehada should be sucking out his chakra. So even if he had a technique like Tsunade, he should die. He raised the sword again.

"Kisame." Itachi stood at the height of the tower, his red eyes narrowed.

Kisame scowled. He sheathed his sword, his expression sour.

"It's clear that we need more preparation to kill you." Itachi nodded to Orochimaru. "Regeneration like that isn't so easy to destroy, I'd guess. We'll need to study it more carefully before we can succeed in killing you."

Orochimaru scowled.

"Besides that." Itachi glanced over his shoulder.

A roar echoed from the castle.

Naruto swallowed. He glanced over his shoulder. Uh-oh.

"There are two jinchūriki here. It's rather dangerous to underestimate such bestial creatures' ability to destroy even the best of plans."

Naruto's eyes widened. Is he calling me a bestial creature? "Get down here, you!" he shouted, waving his fist.

Itachi's lips curled upward. He turned. "Tsunade-san, it seems you accepted Jiraiya-san's offer." He paused. "I look forward to seeing a new Hokage. Things may become more interesting with a new leader." His hands clapped together.

Kisame clapped his hands together.

The pair dissipated into smoke.

"As to that, it'd be wise for us to depart as well. Kabuto-san!" Orochimaru barked sharply.

Kabuto raised his hands from their place of rest. He vanished in a wave of fire.

Orochimaru followed suit, bowing mockingly to the pair.

Tsunade groaned. My use of that technique limited my chakra greatly…

Jiraiya mentally checked, frowning. "Rats." A broken leg and arm matched the response of his probing fingers.

Silence followed the battle. A heavy weight descended on the field. The gravity of what had just occurred resonated through the bloodstained environment.

The clouds dispersed slowly.

"He won, as usual." Jiraiya grinned admiringly, looking at his sleeping student. He glanced at Tsunade. "Well, what do you say about it, Tsunade-hime?" he asked, a grin crossing his face as he studied the woman's expression steadily.

"Call me the Fifth Hokage." Tsunade smiled brightly.

Naruto rubbed the back of his neck. "Wow. You guys really are way ahead." He sat upright. I wouldn't be awake, but I tasted blood.

Tsunade turned, raising an eyebrow. "Your point, brat?"

"I'm going to have to train way harder to catch up!"

Jiraiya smiled.

Tsunade blinked in surprise. "You really think highly of yourself, don't you?"

"Yep!" Kōju remarked. "As to me, I'm going to get even stronger than you are, Tsunade-san!"

Tsunade's eyebrow twitched. "They're all really cocky brats."

"Like we were any different?"

Tsunade and Jiraiya chuckled together.

Grown-up talk. Naruto and Kōju both looked pointedly in other directions. They folded their arms, looking very much aloof.

Slowly, Sasuke stumbled down the stairway, her expression serious. Her crimson eyes narrowed. She stumbled slightly on one of the steps.

"Sasuke-chan! You okay?" Naruto shouted, his blue eyes wide with concern.

"Fine, idiot." Sasuke stumbled downward again, her foot slipping on the stair. "I just got more damaged than I should have."

The iron-grey clouds wheeled overhead. The roar faded from existence.

The group staggered back into the city, soaked in salt water.

History

The restaurant bustled with activity once more. A few regulars, eminently familiar with the destruction the shinobi had wrought on the battlefield and the restaurant alike only a few days before, glanced nervously at the table. Flames rose from a stone oven in the corner of the shop. Several kegs of beer lay against the far wall.

"So Tsunade-obā-chan's the Fifth Hokage starting today, eh?" Naruto questioned, shaking his head from side to side. He dug into the ramen bowl on the table.

"Why does that irritate you, Naruto-san?" Shizune asked nervously. I probably shouldn't ask this, but I suppose I ought to, or he'll say it another way.

"Because, if you compare her with the Third Hokage, she's rough, selfish, loose with money, easily pissed off, and pretty dumb," Naruto remarked, his lip turning downward.

"It's not fair to anyone to be compared with the Third." Shizune rubbed her head. He's gonna get himself killed.

Tsunade leaned over the table. Her hands reached out toward Naruto's neck.

Naruto gulped. Uh-oh. I'm finally going to die here! No way!

Sasuke tensed. Her hand touched the kunai at her side. Her crimson eyes flickered upward, studying Tsunade's face.

The hands retracted.

"A bet is a bet. I did make that promise to you."

Naruto blinked. "Eh?" He reached downward. Cold metal wrapped around his neck.

A necklace dangled around Naruto's neck.

"Oh. Huh. Right. So you acknowledge that I could become Hokage?"

"Yeah, though why'd you be anxious about such a stupid and selfish person's recommendation I don't know." Tsunade reached forward, tipping back the mug of beer.

Shizune sighed, sweat running down her forehead. The two of them are genuinely similar people.

Sasuke relaxed. Her eyes stared out the window, studying the clouds.

Naruto gulped. "Oh. Uh. Haha." He rubbed the back of his head.

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it." Tsunade sighed, yawning and stretching. "It's a pity about my book series."

Naruto blinked.

"Black Currant is probably on hold for the next few issues."

Kōju bolted out of her chair. "What?!" Her eyes widened in shock, suddenly sparkling like emeralds. "You. You're the author of Black Currant?!" Her teeth showed in shock.

"Haha." Tsunade rubbed the back of her head. "It's always nice meeting a fan."

Less impressed, Naruto's brow darkened. "You're the one who wrote that pervy series?" he demanded harshly, his teeth showing in anger.

Tsunade sighed. "It's realistic, which is more than I can say for Jiraiya-san's series." She glanced sideways, tipping back the beer again. "No offense meant."

"None taken. Sales indicate which one readers prefer, anyway." Jiraiya smiled. His eyes grew dark as he glanced down at the venison on the table.

Tsunade grumbled something under her breath.

"Can I get your autograph?!" Kōju questioned anxiously.

Tsunade smiled. She held out her hand.

"Um. Here!" Kōju pulled out the first issue from her pocket.

Removing a pen from her obi, Tsunade signed the top of the issue, her signature flourishing and curving.

"What the hell?" Naruto's eyebrow twitched.

"We made a deal. If we became chūnin, each of us would try to publish a manga series."

Naruto's eyebrows furrowed. "So you had published a series."

"I had Come Come Paradise," Jiraiya supplied. "And she had Black Currant."

"What the hell did Orochimaru publish?" Naruto frowned. "I mean, I understand if it's not being published anymore. Him being an S-Rank criminal-nin and all. But surely he did something, right? He must have at least tried something?"

"You know." Jiraiya frowned. He tapped his chin. "That's honestly a very good question. I don't think he succeeded at convincing a publisher. If he did, he never told us, and he never showed us his drafts either."

Tsunade handed back the signed book. "It's in good quality, considering." She smiled. "Take good care of it."

"I will!"

Sasuke folded her arms. She stared silently out the window. How much further away are you, Itachi-nii? How much further do I have to stretch out my hand before I can reach you?

Kōju stared at her food, her expression growing more serious. Even with all that, I still needed help to get through that fight. Naruto-kun probably would have won on his own eventually. Why am I still so far behind you two?

The table slowly turned silent. A cold wind blew through the door.

"Well." Jiraiya clapped his hands together. "Let's get started. Only a bit longer to reach Hidden Leaf!" He rose to his feet, walking toward the road homeward.

Sasuke, Kōju, Naruto, Shizune and Tsunade followed Jiraiya at a slower pace.