The morning sun had barely crept above the horizon when Naruto, Hikari, and Jiraiya arrived at yet another small town, surrounded by a wide open field perfect for training. The fresh air and the expanse of space were ideal for pushing their limits, and Naruto had been up for hours, itching to make progress on his new jutsu.

Naruto stood at the center of the field, a look of determination etched across his face as he summoned a gust of wind chakra around his hands. He had been working tirelessly on refining a new jutsu that Jiraiya had suggested—Wind Style: Vacuum Bullets. His chakra flared, swirling and condensing in his palms as he attempted to push it forward, forming the small, deadly spheres of compressed air.

Jiraiya stood a few meters away, arms crossed as he observed. "Alright, kid, focus. You've got the basics down, but your control needs to tighten up. Keep the chakra flow steady and aim for precision."

Naruto grit his teeth in concentration as he released the jutsu, sending a barrage of wind bullets flying toward the targets set up in front of him. A few of them hit their mark perfectly, but others veered off course, scattering wide across the field.

"Damn it!" Naruto groaned, feeling frustrated with the inconsistency.

"Not bad, Naruto, but you need to focus more," Jiraiya said, offering a rare compliment. "You're getting there, but wind chakra is tricky. It's all about fine-tuning the control."

As Naruto wiped the sweat from his brow, Hikari stood a few feet away, her hands already weaving through a series of quick hand signs. She had been focused on refining her Fire Style techniques. Though her flames were already powerful, she had learned that there was always room for improvement—more control, more precision.

She inhaled deeply and unleashed the Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique, sending a spiraling inferno toward a row of practice dummies. The flames roared like a dragon, twisting through the air with lethal intent. The heat was intense, scorching the earth as it passed, and the dummies disintegrated under the pressure of the attack.

Jiraiya nodded in approval, turning his attention toward her. "Hikari, that fire jutsu of yours is coming along nicely. But remember, don't just rely on raw power. Keep honing your control—precision is what makes a great jutsu deadly."

Hikari acknowledged his advice with a brief nod, her Sharingan active as she analyzed the lingering effects of her attack. She was always seeking ways to improve, to sharpen her abilities even further.

Naruto, though slightly out of breath, couldn't help but grin at her. "You're still a total badass with that fire stuff, Hikari!"

Hikari glanced over at him, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "You're not too bad yourself, Naruto. Keep it up."

Just as they were about to resume, Jiraiya clapped his hands loudly, signaling the end of the session. "Alright, you two. That's enough for now. You've both made good progress, but it's time for a break. Let's head into town and grab some lunch."

Naruto groaned, his stomach rumbling as if on cue. "Finally! I'm starving!"

The three of them headed back toward the town, the prospect of a hot meal lifting their spirits. The training was intense, but Naruto felt like he was really getting somewhere. His mind kept drifting to the Rasengan, how close he was to finally mastering the final stage of the technique. With Hikari's help, he had started to understand the delicate balance of chakra control needed to fully form it. He was eager to see Jiraiya's reaction when he completed it.

As they made their way back into town, the wind shifted slightly, carrying the scent of something familiar and unsettling. Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing for the time being. For now, they'd eat and rest. Whatever it was, it could wait.

In a bustling village not far from their training field, the dim interior of a bar was filled with the low hum of conversations and the clinking of glasses. At the far end of the room, a blonde woman sat slumped over a table, a mostly-empty bottle of sake in front of her. She took another swig, wincing slightly as she felt the weight of her recent gambling losses press down on her.

"Tch, just my luck," muttered Tsunade, the infamous Sannin known both for her strength and her penchant for losing money.

Beside her, Shizune, her loyal apprentice, watched with a worried expression. "Tsunade-sama, maybe you've had enough for now. We should really be heading back soon."

On Shizune's lap, Tonton, her small pig companion, let out a soft grunt as if in agreement.

Tsunade waved a hand dismissively. "I'm fine, Shizune. Besides, what's the point in leaving when I've got nothing left to lose?" She let out a tired laugh, though it held little mirth.

As Tsunade poured herself another drink, the door to the bar creaked open, and a white-haired man with glasses stepped inside, his gaze immediately finding Tsunade and Shizune. He approached them with an air of calm confidence, a small smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Excuse me, Lady Tsunade," the man said smoothly as he reached their table. "It's been a long time."

Shizune tensed instantly, her hand moving to the pouch at her side. "Who are you?"

The man adjusted his glasses and offered a polite smile. "Forgive me for not introducing myself. My name is Kabuto, and I've been sent here by Lord Orochimaru. He has a proposition for you."

Tsunade's eyes, which had been glassy with alcohol a moment ago, sharpened at the mention of Orochimaru's name. She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest. "I'm not interested in anything that snake has to offer," she said flatly.

Kabuto chuckled softly, his expression never faltering. "I thought you might say that. But, before you dismiss the idea outright, you might want to read this." He reached into his cloak and produced a sealed scroll, sliding it across the table toward her.

Tsunade glanced at the scroll but made no move to take it. "What's this supposed to be? Orochimaru's apology for all the lives he's ruined?"

"Not quite," Kabuto replied smoothly. "Consider it more of a… proposal. I assure you, the terms are quite generous. You'll find the reward to be something you've been seeking for a long time."

Shizune's eyes narrowed in suspicion as she watched Kabuto closely. "What could Orochimaru possibly offer that would interest Tsunade-sama?"

Kabuto's smirk widened slightly, but he said nothing more. Instead, he took a step back and gestured toward the letter. "All the answers you seek are in there. I'll leave you to think it over. Orochimaru will be expecting your response soon."

Without waiting for a reply, Kabuto turned on his heel and exited the bar, leaving an air of unease in his wake. Shizune quickly reached for the scroll, but Tsunade placed a hand on her arm, stopping her.

"Leave it," Tsunade muttered, though her eyes were fixed on the sealed envelope. Despite her words, there was a flicker of something in her expression—something that hinted at old wounds and long-buried desires.

"Tsunade-sama…" Shizune began softly, concern evident in her voice.

Tsunade shook her head, downing the rest of her sake in one gulp. "I'm not making any deals with that bastard. But I'll read what he has to say. Just to see what game he's playing."

Naruto, Hikari, and Jiraiya finished their lunch, and Jiraiya reclined back with a satisfied grin on his face. "Well, I'd say you two deserve a bit of a break before we head off again."

Naruto stretched his arms behind his head, feeling full and content. "Yeah, and maybe after that, we can get back to training! I want to see if I can master that new jutsu by the end of the week!"

Jiraiya laughed heartily. "We'll see about that, Naruto. But don't push yourself too hard. You'll need all your energy for what's coming next."

Hikari glanced at Jiraiya, her brow furrowing slightly. "What do you mean?"

Jiraiya's expression shifted, becoming more serious. "Let's just say… things are about to get interesting. We're on the brink of something big, and I have a feeling it's going to affect all of us."

Naruto tilted his head, confused. "What are you talking about, Pervy Sage?"

Jiraiya waved him off with a grin. "Don't worry about it, Naruto. For now, just focus on your training. The rest will come soon enough."

As they made their way out of the restaurant and back toward their inn, the tension from Kabuto's appearance in the nearby town lingered in the air, though Naruto and Hikari were blissfully unaware of the storm that was brewing.

The first rays of dawn had barely touched the sky when Jiraiya, Naruto, and Hikari set out once again, the crisp morning air filling their lungs as they hurried toward their next destination. Jiraiya had received valuable intel the night before—they had learned that Tsunade was in the next large town over, and if they moved quickly, they might be able to catch up with her before she decided to move again.

The journey was relatively quiet at first, the crunch of gravel underfoot and the rustling of trees along the path the only sounds to accompany them. But as the sun rose higher in the sky, Naruto, full of his usual energy, began peppering Hikari with questions.

"Hey, Hikari," Naruto began, glancing over at her as they walked, "have you ever thought about using a weapon when you fight? I mean, you're already super strong with your jutsu and taijutsu, but I feel like you'd be awesome with a sword or something."

Hikari tilted her head slightly, considering his question. "A weapon?" she mused aloud. "I've never really thought about it. My jutsu and taijutsu have been enough so far."

Naruto grinned, clearly excited about the idea. "Yeah, but imagine if you had something like a katana! You'd look super cool, and you'd be unstoppable!"

Hikari chuckled softly at Naruto's enthusiasm. "Maybe, but I'm not sure how it would fit with my style. I've always fought without one."

Jiraiya, who had been walking slightly ahead of them, glanced back over his shoulder with a thoughtful expression. "Actually, Hikari, Naruto might be onto something. A weapon could complement your abilities, especially with the kind of raw power you have."

Hikari raised an eyebrow, curious. "You think so?"

Jiraiya nodded. "Absolutely. You've got great control over your fire techniques and taijutsu, but adding a weapon could give you more versatility. A short sword or a katana might suit your style well. It would allow you to fight up close while keeping an edge—literally—when dealing with multiple enemies."

Hikari mulled over the idea. She had never really considered using a weapon, but the more she thought about it, the more it intrigued her. "A short sword, huh… It might be worth a try."

Naruto, not wanting to be left out of the conversation, chimed in again. "Yeah! And I've been thinking about getting better with weapons too. I mean, I already use kunai and stuff, but maybe I should get something more awesome to fight with."

Jiraiya smirked at Naruto's eagerness. "If you keep getting stronger, Naruto, there's one weapon that might suit you—something your father used to fight with."

Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "My dad? You mean the Fourth Hokage?"

Jiraiya nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "That's right. The Flying Thunder God Kunai. It was his signature weapon, and he was a master at using it. But don't get too excited just yet—you've got a long way to go before you're ready for that. It takes more than just strength. You need precision, speed, and control over space-time ninjutsu to use it properly."

Naruto's excitement faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered, determination gleaming in his eyes. "Well, I'll get there eventually! I'll train harder than ever, and one day, I'll be strong enough to use it just like my dad!"

Jiraiya chuckled. "That's the spirit, kid. But for now, focus on mastering the Rasengan and your wind-style jutsu. You're making good progress, but don't get ahead of yourself."

Hikari listened quietly as they spoke about Naruto's father, her mind wandering back to her own parents. She still remembered the lessons they had taught her when she was younger, how they had pushed her to become stronger, to survive in a world filled with endless conflict. But she had never really been taught to wield a weapon. Maybe this was an opportunity to expand her skills, to honor her parents in a new way.

Jiraiya noticed the thoughtful look on her face and smiled. "If you're interested, Hikari, I can help you find a good swordsmith when we reach the next town. A katana might be a good fit for you."

Hikari nodded slowly, her decision made. "I'd like that. It's worth a try."

Naruto grinned, clearly excited about the prospect of Hikari getting a weapon. "See? I knew it would be awesome! We're both gonna get stronger, and when we do, we'll be unstoppable!"

Jiraiya gave an approving nod. "That's the goal. But remember, strength isn't just about power. It's about how you use it."

As the day wore on and the sun began to sink lower in the sky, the trio finally reached the outskirts of the next town—a bustling, larger settlement with a well-traveled market and several inns scattered throughout. The town had an air of liveliness, its streets filled with travelers, merchants, and townspeople going about their business.

Jiraiya led them toward a quiet inn tucked away from the busier streets, gesturing for them to follow. "We'll rest here for the night and start our search for Tsunade tomorrow morning. If my intel is correct, she should be nearby."

Naruto pumped his fist in the air, clearly eager to get started. "We're finally getting close! I can't wait to meet her."

Hikari, on the other hand, felt a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Meeting one of the Legendary Sannin who was also a Senju was bound to stir up some old feelings, but she pushed them aside. This was a mission, and she couldn't let personal grudges cloud her judgment.

As they settled in for the night, Hikari found herself staring out the window of their room, her mind filled with thoughts of the battles ahead, the enemies they would face, and the new challenges that awaited them. She glanced over at Naruto, who had already fallen asleep, snoring softly.

Jiraiya's words echoed in her mind—strength isn't just about power. It's about how you use it. Hikari wasn't just fighting for herself anymore. She had found a team, a bond with Naruto, and a reason to keep moving forward.

With that thought in mind, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to rest, knowing that tomorrow would bring them one step closer to their goal.

This chapter was more of the journey with our group. Tsunade will be making her appearance next chapter. Thanks for reading!