Tenten, Guy, and Kakashi were working in the hotel, leaving Naruto and Neji to scout potential places to search for Tsunade the following day. It was an odd combination, considering that Naruto had only defeated Neji in the Chunin Exams a month ago.

Throughout this trip, Naruto hadn't spent any time with Neji, as he had been focused on training with Tenten and mastering the Rasengan. It had been fun, but he realized they hadn't spoken at all during their travels.

"I think Jiraiya-sensei mentioned before that Tsunade-sama is a huge fan of gambling," Naruto said, breaking the silence. "So, I bet she's at one of the cheap gambling places that stays open all day."

Neji glanced at Naruto, his expression calm but with a hint of skepticism in his eyes. "Gambling? So, we're looking for one of the legendary Sannin in some rundown gambling den?" Neji's tone was measured, but there was a faint trace of disbelief.

He crossed his arms, looking ahead as they walked. "If Tsunade-sama truly is as skilled and renowned as her reputation suggests, it's hard to believe she'd be wasting her time in such places. But, if what Jiraiya-sama said is true, I suppose it's a lead worth pursuing."

Neji's gaze shifted back to Naruto; his usual cool demeanor intact. "Still, even if we find her, convincing someone like her to return to the village won't be easy. You should prepare for that."

"Oh really, you think we should," Naruto said as he stopped thinking about it as he looked at one of the buildings in front of them. "I figured I would just walk up and tell her that we need her to come to Konoha to help an injured kid and then she would be so thrilled that she would agree to come along right away. Believe it."

Neji raised an eyebrow, his expression remaining calm but slightly bemused. "You really believe it'll be that simple, Naruto?" he asked, his tone skeptical yet composed. "Tsunade-sama is one of the legendary Sannin. If she's been away from the village this long, it's doubtful she'll come back just because you ask her."

He paused, glancing at the building Naruto was staring at. "You need to be more realistic. If she wanted to return, she would have by now. It's going to take more than just asking. You should prepare yourself for the possibility that she might refuse." Neji's words were sharp, but there was an undertone of practicality behind them. He wasn't trying to discourage Naruto, but rather to make sure he was ready for a more complicated task than he expected.

"I don't know what we do from there," Naruto said, perplexed having not thought past the first asking of her. He figured he would think of something on the fly or something that would work, but he wasn't sure. He rubbed the back of his neck as he stood there, and then looked at Neji, "Um Neji, you have any ideas for how to talk her into coming back to heal Lee?"

Neji looked at Naruto, his face serious as he considered the question. "Tsunade-sama is a legendary medic-nin, known for her skills and wisdom. If we appeal to her sense of duty as a healer, she might listen. But she's also stubborn and has her own reasons for staying away from Konoha."

He paused for a moment, his gaze steady. "You'll need to show her how important Lee's life is—not just to you or to Guy-sensei, but to the village. If you can make her, see that her skills are irreplaceable and that she's needed, she might consider it."

Neji crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "It's not about convincing her with words alone. You have to make her feel that her return matters. If anyone can get through to her, it might be you, with your... persistence." The last word had a faint touch of admiration, though Neji's tone remained as cool as ever.

Naruto nodded as he listened to Neji, he wasn't sure he was all that, but he would do his best. He nodded thinning as he looked up at the sky for a moment, "What if we make a bet with her, she loves to gamble, and maybe she would bet us on something, that might work, and if not, your right we keep asking till she changes her mind and agrees. We can't let Lee-san be left unable to fulfill his dream of being a great ninja after all. It means so much to him and Guy-sensei too."

Neji considered Naruto's idea, his gaze following Naruto's upward glance. "A bet? That might actually catch her attention," he admitted, though his voice remained cautious. "If Tsunade-sama loves gambling as much as they say, she might take an interest in a wager. But it can't be something trivial. It has to be something that would make her think twice."

He paused, reflecting on Naruto's words about Lee and Guy. "You're right about one thing, though. We can't let Lee's dream end like this. For Guy-sensei, and for Lee himself, we have to try everything we can."

Neji looked back at Naruto, a slight softening in his normally serious expression. "Just be prepared for anything. If she agrees to a bet, make sure it's something you can actually win. Tsunade-sama isn't someone you should underestimate."

Naruto nodded as he looked ahead looking at the old casino that was in front of him, his blue eyes looking at the building closely. He had no clue, but he felt that for some reason that she was there. It was one of those gut feelings that a person had from time to time, and he was feeling it. He thought about it for a moment, a bet, what to bed, and how to make sure he could win. Honestly, he had no clue what he could bet, or what he could offer except maybe to leave her alone.

He looked as he saw a blonde woman and a short dark-haired woman walking behind her in front of them. Naruto looked over at Neji and blinked, "Um Neji, is that them," he said pointing to the voluptuous blonde and a dark-haired woman who happened to be carrying a pig at that moment, walking next to each other at that moment leaving the gambling place.

Neji followed Naruto's gaze, his sharp eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of the blonde woman and her companion. The voluptuous blonde fit the description of Tsunade perfectly, and the dark-haired woman walking beside her with a pig in her arms confirmed it.

"It seems your gut was right, Naruto," Neji said, his tone calm but with a hint of surprise. "That must be Tsunade-sama and her assistant, Shizune."

Naruto's eyes widened as he realized who they were looking at. "No way... that's really her? We found her already?"

Neji gave a small nod. "Now comes the hard part—getting her to agree to return to Konoha. We need to approach carefully."

Naruto clenched his fists in determination, feeling the weight of the mission suddenly hit him. "Alright, Neji, let's go talk to her. We've got to do this for Lee and Guy-sensei." His voice was filled with his usual enthusiasm, but there was a seriousness in his expression as well.

"I understand," Naruto said as he knew there was a chance that he wasn't the right person for this. However, he knew that there was no one else there and they might not get another chance to do this again. He took a deep breath as he cleared his mind as best as he could, his heart racing, as the orange clad youngster had an important job.

He walked up with Neji, towards the pair, "Um, miss, are you by chance, Tsunade-sama," Naruto asked as normal loudly as he stood in front of both Tsunade and Shizune.

Tsunade stopped in her tracks, turning to face Naruto with a raised eyebrow. Her sharp, amber eyes looked him up and down, taking in the loud, orange-clad youngster who had just approached her. Beside her, Shizune glanced at Naruto and Neji with concern, clutching the pig a bit tighter.

"And who's asking?" Tsunade said, her voice cool and slightly amused, though her gaze flickered briefly to Neji as well.

Naruto, trying to keep his composure despite his racing heart, took a deep breath and stood tall. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and this is Neji Hyuuga," he said, gesturing toward Neji. "We came to find you because we need your help. Konoha needs you."

Tsunade's expression didn't change much, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—perhaps curiosity, or maybe annoyance. "Help? And why would I go back to Konoha, kid?"

Naruto straightened up, his usual enthusiasm bubbling up despite the tension. "One of our friends, Lee-san, was injured during the Chunin Exams. He's a great ninja, and his dream is to keep getting stronger. But we need you, Tsunade-sama. You're the only one who can heal him!"

Tsunade crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "I left Konoha for a reason, and I don't plan on going back. Healing one kid isn't enough to change that."

Naruto's confidence fell for a brief moment before he remined himself that he couldn't give up. That a friend, that Lee was depending on him to talk Tsunade into returning and healing him. He would have to play the bet card and hoped it worked. However, however he wasn't sure how to handle this bet completely. "What if we make a bet? You love gambling, right? If I win, you have to come back to Konoha and heal Lee."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, a skeptical smirk forming on her lips. "A bet, huh? And what do I get if I win?"

"Well, I will tell Jiraiya-sensei where you are and let him bother you, and pepper you with countless questions if you turn down the chance to take the bet. If you win though, I will not ask you again to return to Konoha promise," he declared, pointing at himself with his thumb as he did so. "Now how about it, do you want me to bug you for however long it takes, or do you want to try this via a bet?"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by Naruto's boldness. "You've got guts, kid," she said, her smirk widening. "Using Jiraiya to pester me—well, that's a low blow."

Shizune, standing beside her, seemed unsure, glancing between Tsunade and Naruto with a hint of concern.

Tsunade's eyes glinted with interest as she crossed her arms. "Alright, Naruto Uzumaki. You've got my attention. I'll take your bet." She stepped forward slightly, towering over Naruto with an air of authority. "But if I win, you don't just stop asking me to return to Konoha. You leave me alone for good. No more chasing after me. Got it?"

Naruto grinned, feeling the excitement build inside him. "Deal! Believe it!" He clenched his fists, his usual energy bubbling up again.

Tsunade chuckled. "So, what's the challenge, then? What are you betting on?" she asked, her tone half serious, half mocking.

Naruto paused, realizing he hadn't exactly thought this far ahead. But he wasn't about to back down now. He quickly glanced at Neji before facing Tsunade with determination. "How about a test of strength or skill?" he said, though he was unsure exactly what the challenge should be.

Tsunade smirked, clearly entertained by the situation. "Alright, kid. Let's see what you've got."

"Shadow clone jutsu," Naruto called out, " I have figured out the rasengan pretty well," he said as he looked at her as the number of clones appeared around her. "But what test do you want to give me, name it and I will do it, I am not so great at thinking up a challenge on my own, but I want to help my friend, and I will do what it takes to do so."

Tsunade watched as Naruto created a number of shadow clones around her, his usual determination shining through. Her smirk softened slightly as she observed him, realizing he had no idea just how much she already knew about him—his lineage, and the weight that came with it.

"Rasengan, huh?" she muttered, more to herself than to him, recalling Minato's signature technique. Her eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of nostalgia flickering in them for just a moment before her expression turned sharp again.

"You've got guts, Naruto Uzumaki," she said, crossing her arms. "But guts alone won't win this. If you think you're ready to challenge me, then I'll give you something simple." She glanced over at the clones. "You say you've figured out the Rasengan pretty well? Show me. If you can fully form the Rasengan and maintain it, I'll consider your bet. But I'm warning you—if you fail, this is over. No more requests. Got it?"

Naruto's clones disappeared as he stepped forward, his eyes narrowing in focus. "Alright, Tsunade-sama, you're on! I'll show you just how much I've learned!" He could feel the weight of her challenge, but that only fueled his determination.

Shizune stood by silently, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern, watching this unfold.

"Let's see what you're made of, kid," Tsunade said, her eyes locking on Naruto, her expression unreadable as she waited for him to make his move.

Naruto created one clone as he had been working on this a lot, he had it down even if it wasn't the best rasengan ever, He reached out and with his clone created a stable small rasengan between them. "I am better when I work with my friend, but I can pull it off, believe it!" he yelled as the rasengan stayed between himself and the clone, "Kakashi-sensei taught me how."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow as Naruto successfully formed the Rasengan with the help of his clone. It wasn't perfect, but it was stable, and that alone impressed her more than she let on. The kid was rough around the edges, but he had talent—and more importantly, the determination to see things through.

"Hmph," she muttered, trying to hide her surprise. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all."

Shizune's eyes widened slightly as she saw the Rasengan. "That's... really impressive for someone his age."

Tsunade's gaze softened for a brief moment as she watched Naruto. The fact that Kakashi had trained him, and seeing the Rasengan—Minato's technique—triggered old memories. She could see flashes of the boy's parents in him, even though Naruto himself didn't know just how much he carried of their legacy.

"Alright, Naruto," she said after a pause, her voice steady. "You've earned my respect with that. I didn't expect you to be able to pull off the Rasengan, even with a clone. So, I'll hold up my end of the bet."

Naruto's eyes lit up, his grin widening. "Does that mean you'll come back to Konoha with us? You'll help Lee?"

Tsunade sighed, but there was a trace of a smile on her lips. "I'll consider it, but don't think this is over. You're still a long way from mastering that jutsu, and I'm not convinced yet. But... you've got potential, kid. If nothing else, you've shown me that."

Naruto clenched his fists in excitement. "Alright! Believe it!"