CHAPTER 02

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Time: 6 days post the birth of Naruto

Road to Konoha

Shizune did not know what to make of the situation.

Over the years, she had become privy to a great many of her mentor's private fears, doubts, and regrets. She possessed an understanding of the woman well enough to know that it was unlikely she would ever willingly set foot into Konoha again.

Yet in the three days since Tsunade had become gripped by a mania, they were now on the road to Konoha and capped off each day with outlandish tales of a bleak future engulfing the nations.

Senju Tsunade. The only living blood relative of the First Hokage. One of the three Sannin. The doctor who had successful at treating patients even the Yamanaka failed to but was unsuccessful at treating her own trauma. The world's greatest medic who needed to use Shizune as a proxy doctor because of her deathly fear of blood.

And now a woman with claims that would have had Shizune putting Tsunade in medical observation.

"If you've got more questions, Shizune, you better ask them. Once we enter Konoha tomorrow, I'll be too busy smashing heads for a while."

Shizune turned to the woman seated beside her. Light from the campfire subtly illuminated Tsunade's features, enhancing them in a manner that always drew the attention of every straight male in the area, and a sight that usually drew Shizune's envy and irritation in turns.

In that moment however, all Shizune saw was the mix of fear, fatigue and anticipation lining Tsunde's face, the tremble in her hands but most prominent of all, the stubborn resolve in her eyes. A look she had not seen on her mentor since the passing of her uncle Dan.

Shizune stared at the flame burning away in their campsite. "By taking action to change things, you might invalidate your knowledge of the future quickly."

"Maybe." Tsunade looked like she had a plan for everything Shizune could predict and then some. "But this is the best time. Too many bad things need to cut right fucking now."

Shizune froze as Tsunade's potent intent washed over the area.

Her mentor gave a malicious smile. "And I'm going to enjoy every bit of it."

The intent retreated and Shizune heaved a sigh of relief. Every hole or logical inconsistency she poked at had consistent answers pouring from Tsunade. Answers that Tsunade backed with consistent stories and gruesome evidence.

"I've only got one more question for now, Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade faced her with a same look every time. That of a person who looked at a treasure thought lost forever and would do anything to keep it safe.

It had been three day since Tsunade started looking at her like that and Shizune yet to come to terms with it. "Your plans for Naruto. If he is the Jinchuuriki, it will not be easy to gain custody."

Tsunade's fondness with Uzumaki Naruto had clearly shown through the tales. And Shizune was worried what her mentor might do if anybody opposed her regarding the boy.

Tsunade's smile was far too sweet. "What I always do."

Those words did not fill Shizune with relief.

Time: 7 days post the birth of Naruto

Konoha

From the moment her village came into view, Tsunade struggled to contain the mass of emotions churning inside her.

Crossing the gates into Konoha proper had been an exercise in overcoming fear. A heavy focus on chakra regulation exercises allowed her to put one foot after the other. It took emotion dampening techniques taught by a future Ino to break at the sight of terrified people and broken buildings. A sight far too much like the bleak future she wished to prevent.

It also helped that the inner districts were filled with homes and stores without so much as a scratch. The factor that truly helped keep her composure was the weight of Tonton and the warmth of Shizune's hand in her own, a reminder that her future had not yet come to pass.

By the time they arrived at the Administration Office, Tsunade knew the ANBU would have reported her presence to Hiruzen. This was proven by the overworked and fatigued staff quickly ushering her up to the Hokage's office.

Just before they entered the office, Tsunade handed Tonton to Shizune. "Head to the hospital and see what you can do to organize them. They need to start being more effective and I doubt anyone's getting enough sleep."

Shizune seemed to struggle with the decision. "…But Tsunade-sama, you need to-"

Ever since she had revealed the future to Shizune, her daughter had only gotten ever more worried about Tsunade. It was very endearing but she had to face this meeting alone.

Tsunade kissed Shizune's forehead. "Go, Shizune. I'll catch up once I'm done."

Bolstered by the sight of Shizune's cute blush, Tsunade stepped into the Hokage's office.

Tsunade had never seen how Minato designed the office during his time as Hokage. And from what she could see, there was very little to talk about.

A couple of photo frames with Minato and Kushina hung on the walls. The seals cleverly hidden throughout the room were an exact match from her time as Hokage. A shelf on the wall held books on subjects ranging from chakra theory to management.

It seemed Minato was the minimalist Jiraiya made him out to be. A far cry from Naruto who would have turned the space into a perfect reflection of "organized chaos", as Naruto called it. Tsunade always said it was an excuse for being too lazy to clean up his mess.

"Tsunade-chan."

Tsunade froze at the voice. A beloved sensei she had not seen in years and here she was, focusing on the room to avoid looking at him.

"It is good to see you again, Tsunade-chan." She could hear her sensei smile, a voice filled with exhausted grief.

Taking a deep breath, Tsunade truly looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Hiruzen looked old. It might have appeared to an obvious observation but 'old' was never a term she had associated with her sensei. For as long as she had known him Hiruzen looked like a man half his age and possessed an energy that put a classroom of children to shame.

Now, Hiruzen looked every bit of his sixty years and gave off the air that a strong wind would blow him over.

Before she could take further stock of the situation, Tsunade found herself in a hug. The realization that she had never had this opportunity in the future had her hugging him tight in return.

Hiruzen appeared to be crying on her shoulder. "I never expected to see you again, child."

Tsunade tightened her hug.

It was a while before Tsunade separated from her sensei.

You're the acting Hokage now?"

Taking a seat on either side of the desk, Hiruzen spoke first. "For now. Did you hear about the disaster?"

"Yes. But I was returning to the village anyway." Tsunade could see the question in Hiruzen's eyes. "Later, sensei. Now, what happened?"

Hiruzen gave her a rundown of everything that had happened before, during and after Obito's attack on Konoha. About the death of the Fourth Hokage and his wife and the sealing of Kurama into Naruto.

He was missing the crucial details, such as the identity of the attacker, Minato's modifications to the Jinchuuriki seal and how the information was leaked. It also did not contain other details like Danzo's anti-Uchiha propaganda campaign, both during and after the attack, but the explanation sufficed as enough reason for Tsunade to know the 'truth' to begin working on the goals.

"I'm sorry about Biwaki-sama's loss." Tsunade would miss the strict mother hen.

A brief tremble in his lips was the only evidence of how affected Hiruzen was. "She would have wanted to see you again."

"Now, Minato and Kushina are dead." Tsunade dearly she could have saved them both. Naruto would have been moon. "How is Naruto?"

"Safe for the moment."

Tsunade nodded. It was likely that Naruto was being held safely inside ANBU HQ. "I want to take custody of him."

Hiruzen looked surprised. "Why?"

"I never did much for Kushina while she was around and ran from the village when she might have needed me." Tsunade would curse herself to the end of her days about that. "The least I can do is give their son the life they wanted."

Hiruzen sagged. "I understand, Tsuande-chan. I do. But Naruto is the Jinchuuriki. I can't let you take him away."

"When I said custody, I meant staying in Konoha." Tsunade knew she had shocked her teacher. "I'm back for good."

"Truly?"

Tsunade nodded. "Shizune is good enough to lead the medical corps. I can focus on R&D while taking care of Naruto." And there were a lot of things to set right. "I've disgraced the memories of my family long enough."

"Tsunade-chan, you were never a-"

"I'm not going to believe whatever you say on that. Let's agree to disagree and move on."

Hiruzen sighed. "Even if I wanted to, I'd have to talk to the Council first to make a decision."

"Sure. As long as they remember that I am the granddaughter of Uzumaki Mito and Kushina's closest living relative." Tsunade had to lay this out now before Hiruzen let other ideas get into his head. Her teacher was drowning in grief too much to be rational in making any decision.

And she needed to cut off any objections those useless advisors would have. "I am Naruto's only living relative. I have to pay my debts, sensei. And if that means I need to go through the entire Council, I will."

Hiruzen shook his head. "It is not that simple."

"Yes. It is." Tsunade glared. "I'm willing to do anything I need to ensure Naruto has the life I never have Kushina. So, what will it take? Leading the medical division? Becoming ANBU captain? Or your personal favorite, the Hokage's office?"

Hiruzen stunned. "You'd go that far? For a boy you've never met."

Tsunade knew she had to make her sensei believe her and she had just the thing. "For a girl I abandoned to become a has-been drunk. For a brother and lover whose memories I disgraced." It was the truth, and nothing was more potent at convincing Hiruzen. "The only way I can honor them is to ensure their dream comes true."

"Jiraiya might have claim as Naruto's godfather."

Considering Jiraiya had been just as useless as Tsunade during Naruto's early years, she doubted he would be a problem. "Sure."

"I'll call a meeting of the Council. It will take a while, with everything going on."

"I'll be over at the relief camps with Shizune." Tsunade stood up. "By the way, where's Orochimaru?"

"Rooting out infiltrators around Konoha. I'll let him know you've returned."

"It's… been a while. Let him know I want to meet." Tsunade truly wanted to. It would be nice to rip him apart before he become an annoying pest.

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A/N: : I am fleshing out the story as we go, so even I'm not sure exactly where this is going to take you all. But I have the general idea in place. Also, I really want to explore the Naruto world with this fic, flesh out the villages, nations and characters while seeing what Naruto taking a different path would grow up to be.

Tsunade's challenge is to raise Naruto to have a happy life while not stifling the man he is capable of becoming.

Chapter 01: Got a couple of edits. All minor changes to dialogue and description.