Chapter 16: The Risk

"The practice of love offers no place of safety. We risk loss, hurt, pain. We risk being acted upon by forces outside our control."

― Bell Hooks, All About Love: New Visions

Naruto, Hinata, and Tsunade-The Saffron Siren Bar & Restaurant

"That's a horrible wager and we both know it."

Tsunade scoffs at Naruto's bored tone, the way azure clouds over no longer interested in apparently anything else she has to say. Strange, isn't finding her why he, Jiraiya, and his little sacrifice came over towards Tanzaku Quarters in the first place?

She jabs a finger into his hand as he pulls his ryo away, amber eyes narrowing.

"Now hold on, you can always give me a counteroffer boy! You didn't even say why my deal is so bad anyways."

Naruto blows out a breath. "I don't necessarily care for starters if you actually return back to Konoha or not. The policies and rules for me as a jinchuriki probably won't change under your rule compared to Old Man Third's."

Cobalt moves to Hinata, gaze softening a fraction. "And more importantly...Hinata is the nicest sacrificial gift I've ever received; I wouldn't make a bet over the potential of losing her."

Tsunade snorts, notes the way Hinata's cheeks darken. Sweet words don't change the facts of her situation. "Sacrificial gift forced to be with you don't forget. Strange though that a Hyūga would give up one of their own."

Naruto's eyes narrow, edge creeping back into to his voice.

"The circumstances no longer matter, the Hyūga clan gave her away and now she is for all intents and purposes, mine."

Hinata's blush burns like a flame, straightens herself as Tsunade's eyes lock onto her to see what she thinks of his declaration.

"And Naruto is mine. I officially changed my name to Uzumaki during the events of the attempted invasion of Konoha by both Suna and Oto ninja."

Tsunade looks between the pair, mind shifting briefly back to Granny Mito. Memories of long afternoons listening to stories of her and Grandpa growing up during the Warring States Era as she braided her hair, strolling through the park with her until the sky shifted from a light blue to a deep ink black.

Every year she was presented with a myriad of gifts and trinkets from places as far away as Kumo and Iwa, weeklong celebrations she can't recall now if she ever truly enjoyed.

"Thank you once more for the bountiful harvest this year Lady Mito! Please enjoy this mulled wine and honey I personally crafted from my fields. I pray we have another short monsoon season again this year." A farmer, Ryuja Yamawara going by the name stitched in his vest bows gratefully.

Tsunade looks at his fingers layered with dirt, the way he hurriedly curls them out of sight when he catches her staring.

Mito simply nods with a light smile, attendant stepping forward gathering the crate of goods to set to the side.

Tsunade goes back to reviewing her books, peeks up a minute later at the forming line outside. Mito has no say over the weather as far as she's aware, at the most she'll create a windstorm when she gets truly annoyed with Grandpa or Dad for procrastinating on a project.

Yamawara nervously pats at a sheen of sweat to his forehead with a handkerchief as if Granny is about to forcefully blow him out, gray eyes shifting to avoid Mito's black eyes, instead staring at the wood flooring of the Hokage's residence.

"Thank you Mr. Yamawara. I will be sure to use these during our next meal and have the wine served at the next Kage Summit meeting my husband will host next month here in Konoha."

A woman approaches next, hands heavy with kimonos shades of deep vermilion to soft pink, gold stitching carefully used to design lotus flowers and cranes along the edges and bottom. Both symbols for the Uzumaki's longevity and Mito's beauty and harmony she's brought to the village.

"My apologies on delivering this late to you Lady Mito! However, I was able to collect enough fabric from visiting the Land of Rice last month to procure these kimonos for you!"

Mito grins, shakes her head gently. "It's no problem at all Madam Eichiro! I can wear these kimonos to the upcoming Fire Lantern festival at the end of July."

Tsunade hums as the woman nervously scurries away, gazes past Mito curiously to the growing collection of gifts surrounding them. "Grandma, what's with all the presents? Wasn't your birthday last week?"

Mito nods slowly, obsidian glancing to the assortment of teas, fruit wines, lotions, meats, pottery, and herbs. "It's more for the beast than me Dear. It's important to keep the Nine Tails calm, to avoid calamity falling upon the village by honoring it with yearly gifts. Hashirama thought it fitting to choose my birthday, to make the day more as one for celebration than cause for worry."

Hazel eyes falls to a box of chocolates imported from Iwa, Mito giggling before nodding giving the go ahead.

Tsunade immediately bites into one of the dark chocolate bars, beams as sugar and cream slowly melt on her tongue.

"They're all afraid of you." She notes aloud between bites, pattering after Mito to the kitchen.

Grandma only ever truly gets mad when Grandpa spends too much at the newest casino in the Hot Springs district, ryo she'd rather he put to use for the garden or books for the Academy like Grand Uncle Tobirama has done as of late than teaching her card games and ways to skip class.

Dark eyes haze over for a moment, fingers brushing at her forehead and Tsunade stiffens for a moment wondering if she should have an attendant call for Grandfather.

This is the third one this week, they keep happening more often, last longer than before.

'Another dizzy spell?' Tsunade considers, by her side in an instant, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

Mito glances down to her, smiles hugging her close.

"Sorry, I got a bit out of sorts there for a second. You'll make a fine medic one day if you choose to be Dear at that sharp eye you have for assessing. The seal for the Nine Tails weakens as I get older, I...I hear it call to me more often these days to use its power to renew my strength. I will soon need a successor to take on holding it, one who has the body and spirit to handle this beast."

Tsunade guides her to sit in her favorite chair that gives her a view of the Hokage monument and the garden she created with Grandpa.

"Will the villagers fear that person too?" She questions as Mito's gaze turns towards outside, forests and mountains turning to deeper shades of viridian green at summer's approach.

Mito blows out a breath, moves for a glass of water. She stirs in her favorite mint leaves brought over from Uzushiogakure, leans back in her chair.

"...It's a honor to be chosen to hold the jinchuriki Dear. Hashirama reminded me of that when I first came here to Konoha and voiced my concerns on if the people would take in an outsider like me, worry about this powerful beast I'm holding within me. But it's because of his love and the children we've had together that I have endured the Nine Tail's whispers, its urges to cause destruction."

Tsunade swirls at her glass pushing the memory away, Granny Mito never did really answer her question back then...

And the boy before her now is a reminder said 'honor' doesn't seem so noble to the one chosen to be a jinchuriki.

"So, give me a counteroffer that can suit both our needs boy. What is that you want that Sarutobi or Jiraiya never gave you or in Jiraiya's case, keeps messing with you via vague responses? Surely that will make you want to truly stay in this game, right?" Tsunade challenges.

Naruto taps his fingers against the remnants of the counter, Hinata studying him silently already seeming to know his desire.

"Answers. I would like to know more about the Uzumaki clan and my parents. Perhaps learn a few of the skills and abilities they used the night of the Nine Tails attack before their untimely deaths."

Shizune expression turns even frostier than before, dark eyes snapping to Tsunade.

"You don't need to tell him anything Lady Tsunade! You weren't even-"

Tsunade holds up a finger to cut her off, amber eyes focused back on that wad of ryo.

'That's enough for at least an entire weekend of gambling!' She smirks.

"One fact. I'll give you one fact about the skills the Uzumaki clan used that can give you a starting point on studying them more if I lose. Hell, I'll even poke my head into the village to see if this damage is truly as bad as you and all these gossipmongers I've heard is true."

'No way Sarutobi could die so easily to a bunch of weak genin to chunin shinobi.' Tsunade considers, though both Naruto and Hinata haven't yet confirmed or denied which parts of the rumors are true, and which parts are false...

Cerulean eyes gleam with renewed interest just like she hoped.

"And if I lose? I assume losing my ryo isn't the only thing on the table however, I'm not going to offer Hinata's title as my sacrifice."

Tsunade huffs, pulls off her necklace ignoring Shizune's alarmed expression, points to his toad wallet.

"Fine, as a bonus you can have my necklace. And you offer up that prized Gama thing or whatever it is I heard you call it."

"Gamachan." He mutters.

Naruto pulls out his wallet, features wavering just slightly as his lips pull into a frown and Tsunade feels her adrenaline zap, she's challenging a teenage boy and not her usual debt collectors or fellow pachinko players...

Hinata reaches out to cover his hand, pearl turning to hazel.

"I can offer my Mom's necklace. It...It was a gift Father gave her on her wedding day she passed onto me before her death. Err, I'm not sure if it's in the same value class as your necklace-"

Naruto blinks before quickly shaking off his surprise, scowl instantly returning.

"No, I can always buy another toad wallet Hinata, you can't get another version of your Mom's necklace y'know!"

"That toad wallet is no longer in production Naruto so I can say the same about your wallet. Plus, you personalized it with your name. It's...one of the few sacrificial gifts Lord Third gave you that you never threw away."

Naruto looks over himself to see if he has anything else Tsunade could want.

"Ugh, the wallet doesn't matter to me that much! What if I offer my jacket y'know?! It could be from a collector's edition from a clothing shop longer in business maybe!"

"You like that jacket too much to part with it and it's probably worth less than your wallet Naruto." Hinata counters making Naruto huff, pair going back and forth on other items they would be willing to part with.

Tsunade yawns, sets her head down to wait as this love squabble or whatever it is ends.

Naruto finally looks back over to the Slug Sannin, blue eyes sharp.

"Gamachan and the wad of ryo if I lose, the information you have on the Uzumaki and your necklace if I win." He finalizes.

Tsunade beams, shakes his hand with enough vigor to form bruises.

"Deal boy! Now, let's see if you're ready to truly gamble against a legendary opponent!"

'How the hell am I losing?! To a 13-year-old brat of all people?!'

Has she become that rusty? So out of practice at other gambling games from too much time at the slots that she'll have to give up Hashirama's necklace?

Tsunade grits her teeth, recovers her mask of calm even as Naruto reveals a Full House.

Before that it was a Four-of-a-kind and a Straight Flush.

She can't even declare Hinata is cheating for him somehow with her attention currently on Shizune and Tonton trying to gather her connection to her, Shizune's lips pursed shut refusing to answer.

Tsunade huffs, forces herself to focus back on the next round, shuffles the cards ignoring Naruto's amused grin.

"Wow, you really suck at this Granny and I'm just a beginner!" He taunts, grin widening deviously.

"Shut it. This is gonna be our real last round! All the previous matches were just warm-ups." Tsunade declares.

Naruto rolls his eyes lightheartedly, but she doesn't miss the way they've started to tinge scarlet.

"You better not back out of this deal Granny."

Because despite his relatively jovial demeanor indulging her in multiples rounds of watching her lose, beneath it is a simmering rage that he knows there's a high chance she'll back out of this bet somehow.

And acutely she's reminded of Granny Mito, the way her eyes clouded over watching again and again gifts pile all around her, fists wound beneath her sleeves knowing none of these civilian or shinobi truly wanted to even be in the same room as her...

"Do you want to draw or stand pat?" Naruto questions and Tsunade blows out a breath to peek at her cards only to see that she has a 10, a Jack, a Queen, a King, and an Ace.

All of Hearts.

Her breath stills, dread seeping into her chest as liquor turns to stone in her stomach.

'No, this is the best hand.'

She stands up so abruptly Naruto startles, Shizune and Hinata glancing back over to her as well.

Shizune stiffens seeing her pained look, a winning hand most likely.

Tsunade catches her gaze, nodding.

"We need to go; now."

But too late as the words slip from her tongue into the air does the room plunge into darkness, screams pierce the quiet as the ground beneath her quakes, snake coiling around her leg pinning her in place.

She hears Orochimaru's low croon in her ear even if he isn't close by, that she can only run so far before her past catches up with her.

"Found you. Tsunade."

Kakashi-Dango Creations Sweets Shop

'It's not like Sakura to skip a sparring session.' He hums between bites of his Goma dango.

Her attendance at the Academy was perfect, she has no excuse like Naruto to not have had come.

'Anko. People have told me they've seen them meet up more than once in some fields the Naka River or at the training grounds.'

Sasuke at least had reluctantly taken to training with his chidori and sparring with him until word reached his ear of Itachi in the area...

And just like that, there was no hope in expecting him to listen or do any remaining lessons after that, moving with a speed akin to the month of preparation they had back during the Finals.

"You're forgetting Naruto isn't the only one who got promoted to Chunin on this team; that has to be a sign. I need to test my skills against him for all he did to our clan, to Mother and Father!"

Kakashi peers down at the remaining half in his skewer.

'Revenge has never been far from Sasuke's mind after all.' He sighs absently, taking in thin white clouds in the distance, the smell of various syrups and soy sauces surrounding him.

He can see why Shikaku and that son of his like to observe the sky as the day goes by, chest loosening just slightly to focus on what he can do next to manage his team.

The smell of tobacco invades the area, bristling recognizing that brand.

Coils pour back in around his throat catching sight of two of his fellow jonin.

They usually save their dates for late evening or night, at least that's what he thought.

Asuma thankfully sits with his back to him, but Kurenai instantly sees him even if he purposely chose a table in the shadows.

A light red hue stains her cheeks, crimson eyes turning quickly towards the menu.

Asuma chuckles lowly. "You act as if you don't order the same nori and mitarashi dango every time we come here."

"No, I don't! No way am I that predictable! I might order some additional appetizers just for you saying that!" Kurenai huffs in return.

His hand curls around hers, snickering as her blush deepens.

"Go ahead, it's my treat today since we'll both be away on missions for your birthday. I'm glad we were able to get this alone time in today."

Kakashi slowly slides down in his seat. He'll have a clone pay his bill or maybe use a substitution jutsu and leave his ryo on his plate, or even-"

"Oh, what's this! Is that my internal rival Kakashi I spy enjoying some desserts on this beautiful afternoon day?! I just knew my burning youth was running off on you!" Gai declares and Kakashi freezes, half turns to see the man before he happily plops down into the seat opposite him.

"Bad posture there Kakashi! I can't have my eternal rival developing back issues so early in primetime of our lives!"

Kakashi says nothing for a long minute, Gai's grin widening all the while before he picks up the menu.

"Huh, I didn't know this place sold Kibi dango as well. That's more like a dumpling than a dango."

Kakashi sits forward in his seat, annoyance morphing into alert getting his hidden message.

'There's disguised enemy shinobi heading this way.'

Maybe not 'disguised' per se, as they head outside the stall, the Akatsuki all wear cloaks decorated with ruby clouds from the little intel they have of the group. The first of the pair stops upon seeing him, grin splitting across his shark-like teeth in delight taking Kakashi in.

"Ah, Kakashi of the sharingan, I take it? I've always wanted to test your famed copycat skills against Samehada here."

Itachi holds up an arm to impede his path, notes the strengths and weaknesses of everyone here.

'It'd be dangerous to try and deal with Gai and Kakashi at once.' He notes.

"We're not here to cause any further damage Kisame; not yet unless we don't get the information we seek."

"Information?" Asuma questions, draws his cigarette away from his lips studying the duo. They're stronger than any other enemy ninja they dealt with during the invasion, Kisame for a moment seeming to ignore Itachi's command before stepping back as he wants.

"Feeling nostalgic being back in your home village; among old comrades?" He teasingly asks, Itachi shaking his head, eyes pinpointed on Kakashi, that sharingan eye gifted to him.

"No, we're just here for the Nine Tails, the Hyūga girl sacrificed to him as well if he won't go alone." Itachi voices.

Kurenai grits her teeth that they would mix Hinata into whatever it is they want in their collection of Tailed Beasts. She can at least put the swordsman under a genjutsu she's sure, but Itachi would be a challenge...

Gai cracks his knuckles, beams while nodding to Kakashi they got this.

"And if we don't provide you with this information? What will you do?!"

Obsidian eyes morphs into scarlet, Itachi sighing.

"Well, we'd just have to get the information then by force."

Sakura-Training Ground 9

"Get up. Unless you're enjoying the taste of mud and grass on your lips!" Anko snickers from somewhere up above her.

'Ah, that's why she picked these grounds. Still muddy and wet from all these storms we've had.'

It makes everything slippery, hard to see even in front of her. Lingering mists blend with the creeping vines, thick vegetation, and lush flora of this environment. Midday sun burns on her neck despite how little filters down from the canopies, sweat clinging to her back and arms like glue.

Sakura sits up slowly, tastes iron on the back of her throat, fresh bruises forming on top of old ones.

Her eyes fall upon her curse mark, the very same as Sasuke's. Throughout this whole exercise and even past sparring sessions, she hasn't called on its power even once, mentioned what effect it's been doing to her body this whole time...

Anko follows her gaze, scoffs before slapping a hand to the mark like it's a mere insect bite. "This? That's a story for another time, but I'm sure you can at least find through old records at the Academy that confirm I'm a former student of Orochimaru."

Sakura purses her lips, name jolting a fresh wave of goosebumps along her skin.

'Maybe there's no reason to worry too much about Sasuke if Anko-sensei is dealing with that curse mark okay. Perhaps she found a way to neutralize its effect, but if so, why hasn't anyone given it to Sasuke yet?'

Anko leans close to her, auburn boring into verdant forcing her to push said thoughts aside for now.

"Don't worry about all that right now girlie! Tell me, are you giving up?" She bluntly asks, Sakura instantly shaking her head.

"Of course not!"

Anko nods, pleased as she slips back into a fog of her own creation.

"Good! Like the little bookworm I know you are, I'm sure you know poison can be delivered in a variety of methods. The most common and effective uses tend to be via poison tipped needles to mists."

Sakura steps deeper into the haze to give follow.

"Animals and plants too, though I don't see either of those used as often." She mutters.

Anko grins, suddenly behind her.

"True, very true. That's why I plan for you to learn them all. Mixing that with your growing upper body strength and knowledge you have of genjutsu can help you both offensively and defensively."

Sakura nods slowly, tamps down anxiety tickling under her skin. All the nurses and doctors she came across during the invasion and who took care of her Dad were the picture of calm and bottomless wells of patience. No pursed lips, scowls, cries, or open outrage over Konoha's dire situation and the blood that soaked their fingertips.

She can be that too, has to become that too.

Anko's face morphs between shades of gray and black, twists into that of a viper.

Her heart jumps into her throat, leaping backwards as the snake rushes for her throat.

She lands hard, bites through the stab of pain to her ankles.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears!"

The needles only manage to pierce the snake's tail, body splitting into two.

"Surely that isn't all you can do; is it?" The first snake croons, fangs glistening pinpointing for her legs.

"Don't forget how fast we can move; how can you slow us down?" The second snake adds.

Sakura erects another barrier of earth, clicks her tongue to focus.

'Ugh, I can't stay on the defensive forever! Plants, Anko-sensei gave me one I can use for this situation, right?'

She fists the bottle out of her pocket, adjusts her position to avoid nicking herself.

Sap of the hogweed plant.

The pair slither through a crack in the dirt wall, yellow eyes gleaming.

The first snake opens its mouth and Sakura shoves the sap in.

Its body instantly contorts, gags as foam and blisters form along its tongue crinkling to the ground.

Sakura ducks before the second one can strike, jabs a kunai straight into its head.

Anko claps as she undoes her fortress.

"Nice! What's say we take an hour break for lunch before I test you against 5 snakes?!"

Sakura bites her lip not to curse, cry, or scream at her bemused look.

"...Fine by me!"

They settle under the shade of the trees, Sakura fiddling with her chopsticks, rice sticking to her tongue at Anko's faraway look.

Dozens of questions pop up to ask about her time with Orochimaru even though she said she'd save it for another day, studying her own bento before noting a black snake slithering up her arm.

Anko leans toward it, nods before it poofs away.

Sakura swallows, leans forward. "Trouble?"

Brown eyes flicker to her before nodding.

"Two Akatsuki members spotted near the market district. You stay here, I'll go investigate and provide any needed backup."

She disappears in a flash, Sakura setting her bento down feeling her stomach roil. Alarm bubbles up at all the rumors she's heard from various shinobi and civilian.

'Akatsuki? Are they searching for Naruto?' Wait, isn't one of their members Sasuke's brother?'

Tsunade & Jiraiya-Tanzaku Quarters, Night-Owl Kitchen

'Breathe. Breathe.' Tsunade reminds herself.

The wall beside her crackles, last of its wood and cement foundation crumpling at her feet.

She steps backwards as blood trickles towards her feet, squeezes her eyes shut.

'Relax. You're fine.' She grits her teeth until she finally hears her heartbeat slow.

"So quick to using your hands instead of your words. Ah, some things truly don't change about you Tsunade." Orochimaru purrs.

"What do you want with me?" Tsunade spits back, takes in his bandaged hands, the peeks of violet to black layered upon his skin.

'Necrosis that bad isn't from a normal injury or attack for infection to settle in like that.'

Orochimaru cracks his neck. "I...admittedly made some miscalculations in the midst of murdering our old sensei.'

Tsunade bristles at his casual tone, Shizune studying him and Kabuto in rising disgust.

"None of that explains what you want with Lady Tsunade!"

Kabuto sends her a shushing look as Orochimaru holds up his decaying arms.

"Oh, don't look at me that way Tsunade, you're used to death involving loved ones like Dan and Nawaki. How about we strike a deal? You fix my arms and I'll bring your beloved brother and lover back to life hmm?"

He stretches his neck right into her face, eye to eye forcing her attention.

"...And say I do help you, what will you do next?" Tsunade questions point blank tuning out Shizune's yelp of disbelief.

Gold eyes shine with mirth. "Why finish what I started in destroying Konoha of course. You don't care about the village either; do you? Since you've been gone from the village for over a decade now."

He draws a senbon needle from his sleeves via his tongue at her silence, slashes it slowly across his neck allowing vermilion to bubble up.

Tsunade freezes, eyes widening as blood trickles out, Orochimaru licking away the trail before it can fall to his collarbone.

"One week. I want an answer by then on what you plan to do."

"You bring trouble everywhere you go." Tsunade scowls into her sake cup.

Bad enough now added to her gambling debts is destroying the Saffron Siren's establishment. Who's going to want to let her into any casinos or pachinko parlors once word of this spreads to the other establishments?

And he along with his tagalongs have taken to following her and Shizune around even as the sun sets low, rays of yellows and reds striking against storefronts preparing for the coming nightlife, the festivals that are supposed to start tomorrow.

Jiraiya simply grins in return, knocks their cups together cheerily.

"Now, now. I wasn't the one who chose to punch at the walls of the Siren and get us all kicked out! We're lucky this kitchen takes ryo no questions asked! Now I'll need to find alternate sleeping arrangements before the day ends too."

Amber eyes track back to Naruto and Hinata, Shizune reluctantly watching them as they eat at their dinner quietly between reviewing flyers promoting the various events coming up for the week.

Tsunade gestures with her head towards the duo.

"Why'd you really bring those two along?"

Jiraiya shrugs. "Kid is persuasive!"

At Tsunade's flat look he sighs, clears his throat.

"He might've found my original manuscripts for the next installment in my MakeOut Paradise series and threatened to burn them."

Tsunade smiles humorlessly. "Oh, wouldn't that have been a tragedy."

Jiraiya's grin fades. "To be serious though, the Akatsuki are getting too close for comfort to the village. I gotta teach the Kid more ways to protect himself. As for his sacrifice or err Hinata, he didn't want to go without her. I suppose he has a point, her byakugan is coveted for its abilities and she's no longer under the protection of the Hyuga bar any extreme changes to the sacrificial rules."

His eyes tinge dark and Tsunade peers back down pretending his stare isn't growing intense fiddling with her barely touch katsudon.

"...If you actually help Orochimaru with whatever deals you two promised each other, I'll consider you a traitor to the village."

Tsunade stays quiet for a long while as he goes back to his kaarage, huffs at him of all of people to order her around when he's known to not even stick to his own self-made rules.

"You don't have any say in what I do or don't do Jiraiya."

But before Jiraiya can counter her, Naruto wedges himself between them, looks at Tsunade questioningly.

"When are you gonna hold up your end of the deal considering you lost y'know?"

Tsunade snorts, scoots back from him like he's a fly.

"Who said I need to tell you anything? Our last match didn't even finish if you recall considering it got interrupted by Orochimaru and that lackey of his."

Wind sharpens in her ear a second later, jumping back as Naruto tears a twister into her vacated seat.

'Huh, he has more up his sleeve than I thought.'

She arches a brow as Jiraiya pulls him back with a firm grip, blood red staring back at her as he squirms in his hold. Her heart lurches briefly seeing Nawaki in his stubborn scowl, a boy who like him, was so impatient and ready to prove his skills to the world.

Until he took all those dreams to the grave.

"I gotta make a name for myself too Big Sis! We gotta live up to Grandma and Grandpa's legacies, the very people who helped grow Konoha from the ground up! Heh, you'll come to my inauguration ceremony when I officially become Hokage someday, right?!"

She'd grinned and given him Grandpa's very necklace as a good luck charm, that his upcoming mission would be his first success of many.

And then just like that the following day...gone.

Tsunade blinks away the memory, considers if Naruto wants to try another gamble with her only for her to hear a rush of coming water.

'That's heading this way. Fast.'

Hazel eyes twist to Jiraiya who nods, stomping her foot putting up a barrier of rock and earth.

She doesn't wait for the two to get any closer, slams a fist to the ground.

"Earth Release: Fissure!"

Kisame chuckles as dirt crumples up receding back the jet of water, looks over to Itachi as they leap back from the crack in earth, rebalancing themselves just feet away once more.

"Huh, two of the legendary Sannin? That will make this fight much more interesting."

Itachi looks past the duo to Naruto and Hinata, considers how they can go about this without the boy drawing into the Tailed Beast's power too fast. "We have no business with them Kisame. We're here for the Nine Tails and the byakugan user too if necessary."

Shizune shifts them out of sight while Tsunade scoffs, posture relaxing. "Shizune. This isn't our fight, and they have no interest in us; let's go."

Kisame laughs, razor sharp teeth gleaming. "Ah gonna be a coward, huh? Well, who said I would just let you leave? While Itachi is more of a...pacifist you could say, I fully intend to see if the rumors of your skill match with reality. But I can first cut those kids legs off, then go for you next!"

Jiraiya gives her incredulous look she pretends not to see, Shizune even looking at her with momentary frustration at her lack of desire to help her old teammate. Tsunade clicks her tongue, they both know how she is when it comes to blood, rarely do shinobi get into fights without some being spilled in the process.

"You heard him, no use in any of us trying to leave now." Jiraiya mutters.

He draws up his hand before slamming both palms to the ground just as Kisame's shark races in for them.

"Summoning: Toad Mouth Bind!"

A wall of stickiness instantly coats them all, Kisame scowling at his footing and Samahada encased in a thick slime.

"Don't bother, nobody has ever been able to escape this cavern." Jiraiya mentions.

Itachi studies the area as he closes in, crimson glowing for a flash of a second. Tsunade's brows furrow, grunts before reluctantly forming a seal to create a barrier around Shizune, Naruto, and Hinata.

It's not much, better that then continued exposure to these acidic walls.

A field of onyx flames burst forth, form around the duo. Tsunade's gaze turns to his partner as a pocket opens to their side.

Their escape.

'How? Fire shouldn't be able to melt this guy's stomach seeing as I'm seen him use plenty of fire related abilities in the past.' Jiraiya frowns.

He draws in breath, scowling at only seconds remaining until they're truly gone.

"Toad Oil Bullet!"

The spray of oil only manages to melt at the ends of their robes, moving further and further back.

"Our opportunity for capture is gone for today Kisame; let's retreat." Itachi decides.

They melt into crows back into the shadows and coming nightfall, Jiraiya muttering a curse to himself at how quick they moved. The next time they come for Naruto, they'll be better prepared to counter him, may even bring along a 3rd teammate to aid in his capture.

Tsunade brushes slime and oil off her shoulders as the esophagus dissipates, sighing. This is going to cost extra ryo too if she's ever going to get the smell of toad saliva and stomach acid out of these clothes.

Jiraiya sends her a look. "You could've helped, what happened to the woman who didn't hesitate to fight for what she knows is wrong?!"

Tsunade shrugs. "She died a long time ago; the Tsunade I am now doesn't poke her nose in business that doesn't belong to her. Be happy I at least formed that seal coat around those two."

Naruto scoffs, slides out of Shizune's hold. "That shark guy is right; you are a coward. And a liar too seeing as you can't even keep simple promises."

Hinata nudges his shoulder sharply, Naruto wincing before continuing on undeterred. "It's true, harsh as it is y'know. It was a waste of time to believe in another Sannin that ran away from the village as well."

Tsunade's gaze turns to him venomously, cracking her knuckles only making his malicious grin widen. Good, maybe being pissed will remind her that sitting around and moping won't change the past, won't undo whatever sadness and frustration she's carrying around like a stack of bricks.

Hinata checks the area with her byakugan for any lingering traps or tags, pauses noting someone weaving their way through the crowds hurriedly towards them.

'Is that...Sasuke?'

Naruto follows her gaze, eyes narrowing as he comes into view as streetlights flicker on.

'What's Sasuke doing out of the village at this time of day?'

There's no way Kakashi-sensei would've okayed this or one of those Old Farts temporarily in power. Bad enough in their eyes for the jinchuriki and sacrifice to be gone from the village, now the last Uchiha escaped under their nose as well?

Jiraiya claps his hands eagerly regaining their attention.

'Time to raise some hell and either get lucky or end up with some broken ribs again.'

"Kid, Tsunade here is going to give you at least one answer to your questions on the Uzumaki and throw in her necklace if you can handle the latest technique I want to teach you. Hinata, there's a certain fire related ability I want to show you as well to mix in with your taijutsu."

Tsunade jabs at the side of his chest, force enough to knock him back a few feet. "Oh am I? I don't recall you being my spokesperson."

Jiraiya hugs his side, grins despite hearing that sickening crunch of bone in his ears, scarlet red bruise blooming out like spilled wine. "You are! I won't even add in that I want you to return to the village. However, give the Kid and little miss Uzumaki here one week to show they aren't like all the stories you've heard of the jinchuriki and their sacrifices."

His eyes land back on Naruto and Hinata, marvels to himself at how great he is at creating plans on the fly, ideas like this are why so many call him an expert!

"Both of you; your training starts now!"

-x-

I had a bit of writer's block with this chapter, mostly in reference to everything not just being exactly like canon or characters acting too OOC like Tsunade.

I do have to ask, I'm on the fence on if Itachi should be the antihero like he was in canon or full on more villainous? Itachi is the reason Sasuke is the way he is and I'm neutral on him overall if I make Itachi full on evil or not. I don't plan to thoroughly go into the Uchiha clan anyways and its dynamics, this story is more for the Hyūga clan, but it's impossible to avoid their clan not coming up at some point.

As always, pa-tre-ons get early access to chapters! I've posted additional NSFW things for NaruHina and MHA there. I go by TheLovelyMidnightWriter there! Check out my Insta by the same name for my anime drawings, book recommendations, and travel blog!

Let me know your thoughts as always!