Chapter 30: Meeting the Old Lady

Okay, so someone asked in the reviews how this can only have five chapters, or four now that this one is done. I believe I told you it was only going up to the end of the Search for Tsunade Arc. I don't plan on making a sequel but again if anyone wants to, just message me and I think I'd be up for at least being a sort of advisor. If I were to make a sequel I'd still have Naruto and the others go their separate ways for two years to train but then they'd reunite. Sakura would still become a medical ninja even with her new genjutsu training, I have a plan for that which will come up before the finale I think. In the meantime I might have to go into the series to see what I can come up. I haven't been watching too many of the episodes and just going off what I can remember, though I have used the Narutopedia as a source as well. Of course I don't remember every scene and want to get the chapters done as soon as possible so I can't do every little thing.

They continued on for a while until Jiraiya stopped them at a pub. At least they had food there but it was more for adults. Naruto had been training constantly, while Sasuke helped Sakura improve her taijutsu. She was still no real match for the Uchiha as he was too fast but at least she managed to keep him at bay for a full twenty seconds during their last match.

Naruto was making progress with the Rasengan, he'd gone through the steps of creating the jutsu and now managed to make a spinning ball of chakra but couldn't maintain it for the attack. Unfortunately, their search for the new Hokage didn't seem to be getting any closer. They'd lost her somewhere in this town that had reportedly been attacked by a giant snake. Sakura felt a shiver run down her spine at that news. She traded a glance with Sasuke and knew they were both thinking the same thing. Orochimaru. Of course, they didn't know for sure if it was him, after all Naruto could summon giant toads now, so who knew how many ninja out there could summon snakes or other animals.

"Well, its getting late, kids," Jiraiya said looking at a nearby pub. "Lets grab some dinner and we'll call it a night."

Entering the pub however, Jiraiya looked in a certain corner and gasped.

"Tsunade!" he exclaimed. "I've been looking all over for you!"

The three genin with him looked at her and were dumbfounded to find the woman they'd been searching for, along with another women with dark hair and equally dark eyes and a blackish blue kimono as well, she almost looked like Sasuke's older sister, in her arms she held a small pig in a dress that must have been her or Tsunade's pet. The blonde woman, Tsunade, was (according to Jiraiya whom all of Team 7 were learning not to entirely trust) supposed to be an old lady in her fifties, yet she looked only in her twenties or thirties at most. She had a… huge chest. Sakura gazed at it with a wide open mouth, part of her wishing she could have a chest like that. Also, the woman was incredibly beautiful. Even Sasuke formed a light blush at the look of her. Naruto's eyes merely narrowed.

"Eh, I should have known Pervy Sage would just be looking for more sexy ladies!" he grumbled.

"My respect for that Sannin has certainly been depleting over these last few days," Sakura agreed.

Sasuke nodded.

"Jiraiya!" the 'old lady' exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"It's a long story," Jiraiya said. "Lets grab a drink."

The three genin sat behind Jiraiya and ordered some food and water while the adults talked and drank alcoholic beverages. Tsunade sure drank.

Naruto had fish on sticks while Sakura got dumplings and Sasuke tomato soup. Eventually Tsunade asked, "Alright so, what's brought you out looking for me after all these years? And who are these brats you brought with you?"

The insult caused Team 7 to frown, and Naruto being the vocal one shouted. "Hey, who are you calling brats?!"

"You look like the brattiest of the bunch," Tsunade said.

"Why you!" Naruto made to lunge at her but was held back by Sakura.

"Just let it go Naruto," Sakura said to her boyfriend even though she herself had developed an urge to hit the lady herself. But if she was really was one of the legendary Sannin it would only get them hurt or worse.

"This here is Naruto Uzuamaki, his girlfriend Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha," Jiraiya said.

Tsunade's eyes widened. This is the Nine Tails kid? And a Haruno Kunoichi? I thought they were all civilians? But I suppose having an Uchiha on the same team as the Nine Tails makes sense.

She sighed. "Fine. I hardly expected you to pick up a new squad at your age though."

"Oh, I'm just substituting," Jiraiya said. "I think Naruto would benefit from having his friends nearby on this one given a certain… condition he's in right now."

"Condition?" Naruto repeated. "I'm not sick!"

"No, but you have something that could still effect you," Jiraiya said.

"And what's that?" Naruto asked loudly.

"That thing Orochimaru gave you," the male Sannin said.

The curse mark, Sakura thought. She looked at Sasuke and wondered if he was recalling what Orochimaru had said just after he'd given Naruto the mark.

Someday, Naruto will seek me for power.

Sasuke remembered it as well. But would Naruto really do that? He didn't seem quite as interested in power as Sasuke had been. He did want to become Hokage though, so for that he needed power. But he'd already acquired so much in a short amount of time. Just a few months ago he'd been the worse ninja in the entire class. Sasuke still felt a little envy at that but he would work to overcome the gap that Naruto's hidden power would do.

Then he remembered something. A secret that his brother had told him which would grant great power. The Mangekyou sharingan. But to do it… Sasuke had to… kill his closest friend.

No! Sasuke thought. That would make me no better than Itachi! There has to be another way.

"Orchimaru?" Tsunade repeated. "He's been to the village?"

"You must have heard it was attacked," Jiraiya looked back at her. "He did it, and killed the Third Hokage."

"What?" Naruto exclaimed. "He did that?"

Sakura and Sasuke were interested as well.

Tsunade shook slightly. "So that must be where he got those injuries."

"You've seen him?" Jiraiya exclaimed.

"Just today," Tsunade said. "But that doesn't answer my question. Why are you here looking for me?"

With the Third Hokage gone someone needs to step up," Jiraiya said. "I thought you'd be perfect for the job."

Tsunade was silent. Naruto felt rather jealous and confused. Why was someone who wasn't even living in the village being offered the position. He also wished it was him, but deep down he knew he wasn't quite strong enough to be named Hokage… yet. He'd get his chance though someday.

Tsunade then huffed. "Not a chance! Hokages all die for nothing, my grandfather, great uncle, the Fourth Hokage, and now the Third! Their lives are too short, and they risk them for what? I'm not taking that job. Anyone who wants it is a fool!"

"What?" Naruto exclaimed. "How dare you! No one insults the Hokage! Take that back!"

"Naruto!" Sakura looked at him and was about to scold him.

"Stay out of this Sakura!" Naruto snapped with a glare that was unlike anything she'd ever seen from him.

It caused her to shut up. Naruto then looked at Tsunade.

"Are you challenging me you little brat?" she asked.

"Yeah, I am!" Naruto declared.

"Alright then lets take this outside," she said.

…

They did, with Naruto facing Tsunade with the others watching. Sasuke was slightly tempted to join Naruto, as he felt the urge to test himself against a legendary ninja, even if he would lose. Sakura meanwhile was only worried about Naruto. But she knew better then to try and reason with him.

Tsunade lifted a single finger. "This is all I'll need," she said.

Naruto frowned. One finger against him? She was really overconfident.

"Oh yeah, well if you want to say that then I guess I'll have to make you eat those words old lady!" he made sure to say the last two words with a tone of skepticism.

Tsunade frowned. "I look younger than I am you know!"

Naruto assumed a battle stance as he drew his sword. He channeled chakra through it.

"Wind slice!" he shouted as he swung.

The vertical wind cut flew at Tsunade at high speed but she still managed to move sideways and dodge it, sparing no more movement then was needed to get out of the way.

"Well that's unexpected," Tsunade admitted as she got back in an ordinary position. "Wasn't expecting a long range attack!"

Naruto's only answer was a shout as he charged. Yet she stopped him with just that one finger, it batted his sword aside, not even cutting herself in the process. Naruto's blade stuck off to the side and she used that little finger to flick him on the forehead with incredible power. It sent him flying back and he landed with a grunt, his sword flying out of his grasp and sticking to the roof a nearby building. He gritted his teeth in rage and got up.

But Tsunade was not done. She drove her one finger into the ground in the same way he had swung his sword a moment ago. A large crack appeared in the ground and made its way to Naruto who fell in. Jiraiya recalled how Tsunade had once sent him flying back a long distance and broken his ribs, Sasuke and Sakura were astonished at the strength of the Sanin, and in just one finger no less.

Naruto slowly pulled himself out of the hole.

"Had enough brat?" Tsunade asked.

"No way!" Naruto refused. "Anyone who insults the Hokages have to pay!"

"Why are you so defensive of the Hokage?" she asked.

"Because… being Hokage… is my dream!" Naruto said.

Tsunade froze at that, seeing two other people in Naruto, people that she loved, who had also dreamed of becoming Hokage. Her lover Dan and her brother Nawaki, both of whom had died in the Third Great Ninja War.

Naruto looked at her and saw she had frozen up. This was his chance to defeat her! He put his left hand just above his right and molded the chakra together like he had been practicing these last few days. The sphere of chakra pulsated in his grasp, it wasn't perfect yet but hopefully it would at least be enough.

Naruto charged at her, and she barely managed to react in time, sending a wave of energy from her finger that knocked him back, his attack dissipating as he was so. Tsunade let out a few breathes to regain her focus then turned to her fellow Sannin.

"Jiraiya! You actually taught this kid the rasengan?" she asked.

"Yeah," he admitted. "You know, he reminds me a bit of the Fourth Hokage."

"That is an A-rank jutsu! There's no way someone like him can master it! He may resemble the fourth Hokage in appearance but he has none of his talent. There's no way he could ever master it!"

"Yeah?" Naruto shouted. "Well I've made progress already, I just need to get this final step done and I have it! I'll have it done within a week!"

Tsunade looked at him. "Alright brat, you want to make a bet? If you can do that, master the jutsu in a week, I'll admit you're worthy of someday being Hokage, and also give you my necklace."

She held out the small green jewel around her neck. "This was worn by the First Hokage and is incredibly valuable. Do with it what you please!"

Shizune gasped.

"Alright!" Naruto said. "A necklace belonging to the First Hokage! You just watch old bat! I'll have this jutsu down!"

"We'll see!" Tsunade said. "But if you lose, you're to give up on your dream of being hokage and just live a normal life."

"WHAT?" Naruto exclaimed. "NO WAY!"

"Fair is fair," Tsunade said. "Besides, it will probably save your life down the line."

Sakura and Sasuke were stunned. Naruto give up on being Hokage? No way.

"Ha! I'll just show you!" Naruto said.

And so the bet was on. Tsunade, however, had no doubt he would fail, then she could at least save one fool who wanted the job of hokage.