A/N: Uploading this with chapter 16! Didn't want to just end this weeks upload on a filler chapter basically. Enjoy!

The morning air was cool and fresh as Naruto and Hikari stepped out into the bustling market streets, the lively sounds of vendors calling out to passersby filling the air. The town was vibrant, with colorful stalls lining the streets, selling everything from fresh produce to fine silk and rare trinkets. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the crowd as Naruto stretched his arms above his head, already eager to start their search.

"We've got a lot of ground to cover, Hikari," Naruto said, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Tsunade's supposed to be this super famous gambler, right? So we should start with all the bars and gambling houses. We'll find her in no time!"

Hikari gave him a sidelong glance, raising an eyebrow. "You sound a little too excited about wandering into bars and gambling dens, Naruto."

Naruto grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "I mean, it's not like we're gonna do anything bad. We're just looking for her, right?"

Hikari couldn't help but smile faintly at his enthusiasm. Despite the serious nature of their mission, Naruto's energy was infectious, and she found herself relaxing a bit. She hadn't had many opportunities to experience the more lighthearted side of missions, but with Naruto around, that was quickly changing.

They started their search, wandering from one end of the market to the other. Naruto, ever the optimist, kept his eyes peeled for anyone matching the description of Tsunade—blonde hair, large bust, green jacket. He peered around corners, occasionally pointing at random women before realizing they weren't even close to fitting the description.

"That lady's blonde!" Naruto shouted at one point, pointing excitedly at a woman walking by.

Hikari shot him an unimpressed look. "She's like eighty."

Naruto blinked, then rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "Yeah, you're right. She didn't seem very 'Legendary Sannin'-like anyway."

As they moved through the market, their search took on a more lighthearted tone. They visited a few shops, asking around for anyone who might've seen Tsunade. Occasionally, they received vague leads, but nothing concrete.

At one point, they stopped in front of a small stall selling freshly baked pastries. Naruto's stomach growled audibly, and Hikari rolled her eyes.

"Let me guess," Hikari said, crossing her arms. "You want to grab some food?"

Naruto grinned widely. "I mean, we've been walking around for hours! Gotta keep my strength up if I'm gonna find Tsunade, right?"

Hikari sighed but didn't argue. As Naruto ordered some pastries, she let her eyes wander across the crowd. It was a busy day, with townsfolk bustling about and tourists meandering through the various stalls. For a moment, it was easy to forget they were on an important mission.

xxx

In the background, however, Kabuto watched from the shadows, carefully observing the pair. He stood by a corner, unnoticed, his sharp eyes gleaming behind his glasses as he studied them.

"So the young Uchiha is out with Jiraiya…" he mused to himself, intrigued. 'This little trip of has gotten far more interesting.'

His gaze lingered on Hikari, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Kabuto knew better than to make his presence known just yet. He wasn't here to confront them; that would come later, at a more opportune moment. For now, he was content with observing their movements, gathering information to report back to Orochimaru.

He turned away from the bustling streets, blending into the crowd effortlessly as he disappeared from view. Naruto and Hikari continued their search, unaware that they were being monitored.

xxx

Back at the pastry stall, Naruto handed Hikari one of the pastries, his eyes sparkling with delight. "Here, try this! They're amazing!"

Hikari took it reluctantly, though she had to admit it smelled pretty good. She bit into it, the sweetness of the filling catching her off guard. It was delicious.

"Okay," Hikari said, swallowing her bite. "I'll admit, this is pretty good."

Naruto beamed at her, clearly pleased with himself. "See? Told ya! Now we can search for Tsunade on a full stomach."

As they resumed their search, the lighthearted atmosphere between them continued. Naruto's upbeat attitude made the day feel more like an adventure than a mission, and for the first time in a long while, Hikari found herself relaxing. Even if it was just for a moment, she was grateful for the reprieve.

As the hours wore on and they visited a few more potential locations, their search remained fruitless. Naruto scratched his head, growing a bit frustrated. "Man, I thought we'd find her by now. Maybe we should ask around at the inns next."

Hikari nodded, wiping a small bead of sweat from her brow. "That's probably a good idea. Jiraiya said she's always moving, so she might have already checked out of one place and moved to another."

"Right! Then let's—"

Before Naruto could finish, a sudden commotion broke out further down the street. A loud argument erupted from one of the nearby shops, drawing the attention of passersby. Curious, Naruto and Hikari exchanged glances before making their way toward the source of the disturbance.

As they approached, they overheard bits of the argument. A shopkeeper was loudly berating someone, shouting about a gambling debt that hadn't been paid.

"You owe me 500 ryo!" the shopkeeper yelled. "Don't think you can just walk away from this!"

Hikari frowned as they neared the shop, her eyes scanning the scene. A woman stood there, her back turned to them. She was tall, with blonde hair tied into two ponytails and wearing a green jacket. Even though they couldn't see her face, both Naruto and Hikari knew immediately who she was.

"Tsunade," Naruto whispered, his eyes widening in excitement. "That's her!"

Hikari nodded, her heart rate quickening slightly. They had finally found her.

Naruto clenched his fists, ready to rush forward and introduce himself, but Hikari quickly grabbed his arm. "Wait," she whispered. "Let's see how this plays out first."

Naruto nodded reluctantly, and they hung back, watching from a safe distance as the argument between the shopkeeper and Tsunade continued. Hikari's eyes remained fixed on the legendary Sannin, the woman who would be the future leader of their village. She couldn't help but feel a strange sense of curiosity about her, especially considering Jiraiya's stories.

As the argument escalated, it became clear that Tsunade had no intention of paying her debt. Instead, she brushed off the shopkeeper's demands with a lazy wave of her hand, turning to leave without another word. The shopkeeper sputtered angrily but seemed too intimidated to stop her.

Naruto's grip tightened, his excitement palpable. "We should go talk to her now, right? Pervy Sage's gonna want to know we found her!"

Hikari nodded, but before they could step forward, Tsunade turned her head slightly, as if sensing their presence. For a brief moment, her sharp eyes locked onto them, curiosity showing in her eyes before she looked away. She groaned in annoyance as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Why are you here?"

"Still running into money problems, Princess?" came Jiraiya's amused voice.

Naruto and Hikari whirled around, their eyes widening in surprise as they saw Jiraiya striding confidently toward the group, his arms crossed casually over his chest. Jiraiya grinned widely, his voice dripping with amusement. "It's been a while, hasn't it? And yet, you haven't aged a day—still as gorgeous as ever."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed further, though there was a glint of amusement behind them. "Careful, Jiraiya," she warned, her tone light but carrying a distinct edge. "Don't push your luck."

Naruto blinked, looking between the two Sannin with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "Wait, something isn't adding up" He blinked again, taking in her youthful appearance. "She's not…old? I thought she'd be some ancient hag like you, Pervy Sage!"

Jiraiya winced at Naruto's blunt statement, but Hikari shot him a warning look, knowing better than to provoke someone like Tsunade. "Naruto," she said softly, trying to steer him away from further trouble, "you should probably be careful—"

But it was too late. Tsunade moved in a flash, and before Naruto could even blink, she was standing in front of him, her finger raised. She flicked his forehead with such force that Naruto went flying backward, landing in a dazed heap several feet away.

"Ow!" Naruto groaned, clutching his forehead. "What the heck was that for?!"

Tsunade smirked, crossing her arms as she looked down at him. "That's for calling me an old hag, brat. How did a pipsqueak like you manage to make chunnin?"

Naruto, never one to back down, scrambled to his feet and glared at her. "I worked hard for it, Granny! I'm not just some pipsqueak!" he retorted, his temper flaring.

The two of them began to bicker back and forth, Naruto gesturing wildly as he tried to defend himself while Tsunade merely smirked, clearly enjoying riling him up. Hikari, standing to the side, could only shake her head at the scene. Shizune, who had been watching from a few steps away, sighed in exasperation at her mentor's antics.

"Lady Tsunade, please…" Shizune pleaded, stepping forward. "Can we at least try to be civil for a few minutes?" She turned her attention to Jiraiya, her expression softening slightly. "Master Jiraiya, what brings you here? Is something wrong?"

At Shizune's words, the atmosphere shifted. Jiraiya's grin faded slightly, and his expression grew more serious. He uncrossed his arms, stepping closer to Tsunade. "We need to talk, Tsunade," he said, his tone low and somber. "And it's not just a social visit. Let's go have a drink, my treat."

Tsunade eyed him warily, noting the change in his demeanor. She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Alright," she relented. "But this better be important, Jiraiya."

Tsunade, now calmer, gestured for the group to follow her as they made their way through the market toward a nearby tavern. Shizune walked beside her, with Tonton following close behind. Naruto and Hikari trailed behind Jiraiya, their curiosity growing with each step.

As they entered the tavern, Tsunade led them to a corner table, away from the noise and chatter of the other patrons. She sat down with a sigh, gesturing for Shizune to order drinks. Jiraiya settled in across from her, his expression still serious.

Naruto and Hikari sat down as well, their eyes darting between the two Sannin as they waited for the conversation to begin.

Tsunade leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Alright, Jiraiya. What's this all about?"

Jiraiya took a deep breath, his gaze locked on Tsunade. "It's about the village, Tsunade. It's about the future of Konoha."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "What about the village?"

Jiraiya hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Sensei… he's planning to step down as Hokage."

That got Tsunade's full attention. She sat up a little straighter, her eyes narrowing slightly. "He's stepping down? Since when?"

"Since the invasion," Jiraiya explained. "The village is still recovering, and he feels it's time for a new leader to take over. Someone who can help rebuild and strengthen Konoha."

Tsunade frowned, her fingers tapping the table absentmindedly. "And I'm guessing he has a candidate in mind?"

Jiraiya nodded. "He wants you to be the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade."

The silence that followed was heavy, and even Naruto, who had been fidgeting in his seat, fell still. Tsunade didn't respond right away. Her eyes remained fixed on Jiraiya, her expression unreadable.

After a long moment, she let out a bitter laugh. "Hokage? Me?" She shook her head, her voice filled with skepticism. "I think you've been drinking too much of your own sake, Jiraiya. I'm not fit to lead the village."

Jiraiya's expression didn't change. "You're the best choice, Tsunade. Sensei believes it, and so do I."

Tsunade's eyes darkened slightly, a hint of anger creeping into her voice. "I don't care what that old coot or you think. I have no interest in being Hokage. That title brings nothing but pain and suffering."

Naruto, unable to stay silent any longer, finally spoke up. "What are you talking about, Granny?! Being Hokage is the greatest thing ever! Why wouldn't you want to protect the village and the people you care about?"

Tsunade shot him a sharp glare, her voice cold. "You have no idea what it means to be Hokage, brat. That title took everything from me. My grandfather was the First Hokage, my uncle was the Second, and look where they ended up. Dead. The Hokage is nothing more than a title that leads to an early grave."

Naruto clenched his fist as he felt his anger rising. Tsunade's bitter words about the Hokage title being nothing more than a death sentence struck a nerve in him, and his fists clenched in frustration.

"The Hokage is supposed to protect the village and its people!" Naruto suddenly burst out, his voice filled with a mix of anger and passion. "How can you say it's not worth it?! The Hokage is everything to me! It's my dream!"

Tsunade's golden eyes narrowed as she regarded Naruto's outburst with a cold detachment. "Dream, huh? You think that title is something to aspire to?" she said icily. "The Hokage is a fool's job, kid. They're nothing more than sacrificial pawns. One after the other, they die for the village, and look at where that gets them. Hashirama, Tobirama, … even Minato the Fourth Hokage. They all ended up dead."

Her last words hit hard, and Naruto felt his chest tighten. His hands balled into fists at his sides, shaking with emotion. The air between them grew thick with tension.

"Don't you dare talk about my dad like that!" Naruto snapped, stepping forward, his eyes blazing with fury. "He was a hero! He was the greatest Hokage there ever was!"

For the first time, Tsunade's demeanor shifted. Her eyes widened, her face showing genuine surprise. "Your…father?" she asked, her voice softening just slightly. "What are you talking about?"

Jiraiya sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his head as if anticipating this moment. "I should have seen this coming," he muttered under his breath. Shizune, standing beside Tsunade, froze in place as the realization dawned on her.

Shizune's eyes widened, and her voice trembled with shock. "Naruto…he's Minato's child?"

Jiraiya gave a small nod, his expression serious. "Naruto is the son of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, and Kushina Uzumaki."

Tsunade's gaze shifted back to Naruto, and for the first time since their meeting, she saw him differently. No longer just an annoying brat, but the legacy of the Fourth Hokage, and the child of one of her closest friends. Her heart ached with sadness as she realized how much the boy had missed out on. Naruto hadn't even known his parents, hadn't experienced their love, their care.

"Minato and Kushina…" Tsunade whispered, her voice carrying a sadness that was now impossible to hide. She looked at Naruto with a mixture of pity and sorrow. "You…never got to know them, did you?"

Naruto hesitated, his earlier anger giving way to a more vulnerable emotion. He shook his head. "No. But I know they were great people. And that's why…that's why I want to be Hokage. To make them proud. To protect the village the way they did."

Tsunade studied Naruto's face for a long moment. The fiery determination in his eyes reminded her so much of Minato—of that unyielding spirit and belief in doing what was right, no matter the cost. She hadn't expected to see that same drive in the son he left behind.

Jiraiya broke the silence, leaning forward on the table. "Tsunade, you need to seriously consider this," he said, his tone softer now. "Orochimaru has already made his move once. The invasion failed because I was there, but who's to say he won't try again? The village needs a strong leader. Hiruzen won't be able to hold off another attack."

Tsunade's face tightened at the mention of Orochimaru. Her thoughts drifted back to the day before when Kabuto had appeared, offering her a message from the snake himself.

She sighed deeply. "You're not wrong, Jiraiya. Orochimaru did reach out to me," she admitted, causing everyone to lean in closer. "He sent a contact named Kabuto. Told me he needed my help."

"What does he want this time?" Jiraiya asked, his eyes narrowing.

Tsunade's face darkened. "He wants me to heal one of his little 'experiments.' A boy from the Kaguya clan. Apparently, the kid has some kind of rare disease. He thinks I can cure it."

There was a collective silence as the group absorbed this information. Shizune's face contorted in worry, while Jiraiya's brow furrowed in suspicion.

"Why would he come to you for that?" Jiraiya asked. "Orochimaru's never done anything without some ulterior motive."

Tsunade shrugged, though her face remained tense. "Who knows with that snake? Maybe he thinks I still have some loyalty to him. Or maybe he's just desperate. Either way, I have no intention of helping him."

Before Jiraiya could respond, Shizune, who had been listening intently, turned her attention to Hikari. The young Uchiha had been quiet throughout the conversation, her expression unreadable as she listened to the exchange between the Sannin.

Shizune approached her, her curiosity piqued. "You've been quiet," she said softly. "What's your name?"

Hikari glanced up, surprised that Shizune had addressed her directly. For a moment, she hesitated, as if unsure how much to reveal. But after a brief pause, she spoke. "My name is Hikari. Hikari Uchiha."

The name seemed to hang in the air, heavy and full of unspoken meaning. Tsunade's eyes widened again, her gaze snapping back to the girl.

"Uchiha?" Tsunade repeated, disbelief lacing her voice. "But…I thought only Itachi and his younger brother were the last of the clan."

Jiraiya cleared his throat, sensing the tension in the room. "It's a long story," he said, giving Hikari a reassuring nod. "One we'll explain later. Right now, we need to focus on the mission at hand."

Hikari cast a grateful glance at Jiraiya, clearly relieved that he had intervened. The weight of her past was not something she was ready to discuss, especially not with strangers. The look of curiosity in Tsunade's eyes was hard to ignore, but Hikari kept her emotions in check, focusing instead on the task ahead.

Tsunade, for her part, seemed to sense that there was more to Hikari's story than what was being said. But for now, she let the matter drop, her mind still reeling from everything she had just learned.

Jiraiya leaned back in his chair, his eyes locking with Tsunade's. "So," he said, his voice steady. "What's it going to be, Tsunade? Are you going to let Orochimaru make the next move, or are you going to step up and protect the village?"

Tsunade's eyes flickered with uncertainty as she considered her options. The weight of her past, her losses, and her reluctance to lead the village weighed heavily on her shoulders. But as she looked at Naruto, at the determination in his eyes, she couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, there was still something worth fighting for.

She sighed, leaning forward on the table. "I'll think about it," she said finally, her voice quiet but firm. "But I'm not making any promises."

Jiraiya nodded, satisfied for the moment. It was a start, and that was enough for now. As the conversation ended, the group began to disperse, each lost in their own thoughts. Naruto, however, lingered for a moment, his eyes still locked on Tsunade.

"I'm going to make it happen," Naruto said quietly, his voice filled with resolve. "I'm going to show you that being Hokage is the greatest thing there is."

Tsunade didn't respond, but the faintest flicker of a smile crossed her lips as she watched the boy walk away.

Thanks for reading!