Recruiting Tsunade

After leaving the small nameless village behind, we made our way out onto the Land of Fire's roadway system. The weather was much clearer than in the Land of Water and the climate was mild, even for the middle of autumn.

Most of the trees making up the forests were just beginning to change color, with a beautiful mixture of browns, reds, yellows, and pale greens surrounding us. The breeze was pleasant, and the air was clean. In my previous life, as someone who lived in an urban environment all my life, this scenery was amazing to me.

While Konoha was easily closer to where we were previously, I still wanted to find Tsunade and Shizune before returning, thus, I explained my plan to the others.

I told them that I have something that will allow us to get Tsunade's protection in Konoha and that if we didn't have her on our side, there was a good chance that they either wouldn't let us live there at best or would try to capture us and use us to breed Kekkei Genkai for the village at worst. They would be an invaluable resource to any hidden village, after all.

Honoka and Hikari were smart enough to know what I was saying was true, especially Hikari, who knew what the hidden village systems were like. I found out after a few days that she wasn't going to Kusagakure willingly, more like she was being 'voluntold' and was only acting cheerful about it to Karin to keep her hopes up.

Apparently, she completely fooled Honoka, though, because she was shocked and offended that Hikari wouldn't ask her for help. Honoka then threw a childish tantrum and wouldn't talk to Hikari for the rest of the day, though she was fine after sleeping it off. Uzumaki really are too cheerful.

...

We spent the rest of the journey to Tanzaku Quarters training and enjoying our time together. We probably wouldn't have nearly as much time to ourselves once we reached Tanzaku, since we would be immediately moving to Konoha afterward.

Although I had double checked my compass, I was sure Tsunade and Shizune would be in Tanzaku Quarters. It would be around fall when the festivals began, so Tsunade probably went there to Gamble and party.

I had double and even triple checked that both Dan and Nawaki had not appeared on my compass, as showing up there only to find out the ones I was claiming to be dead were alive, would surely cause Tsunade to attack me on sight.

It would take us nearly three weeks for us to arrive at Tanzaku and we made the most of our time. I began to teach Amaru, Guren, and Karin all forms of water-walking and tree-climbing, while also teaching them basic jutsu from the various scrolls that I possessed. I had also wanted to teach Honoka and Hikari, but Honoka had already learned most of the jutsu she needed, while Hikari said she wanted to settle down and be a civilian, so I accepted her choice.

I had also created two bone clones and sent them ahead to a different location to try to find and protect our final party member. I had wanted to get Fuu, the seven tails jinchuriki, but I decided to just send my clones to befriend and protect her using the transformation technique, and by marking her with the [Flying Thunder God]. If I was to rescue her, I would first have to deal with Danzo, who I had a plan to defeat, though it was risky.

A/N: I will be getting Fuu at a later date, though she will not be in the Harem. Just a heads up to anyone getting ideas.

...

...

...

On the morning of December first, a few days before the festival at Tanzaku ended, we finally arrived at our destination. I had Honoka, Hikari, and Karin book us three rooms at a fairly middle-of-the-road inn. If we stay at a cheap inn, then there is likely to be criminals who would spot our selection of beautiful women and soon to be beautiful women, and cause trouble, while if we stayed at an inn too high class, the same could happen, but rather than criminals, it would be the richer clientele who were here to gamble. I had made us all wear clothes of middle-income merchants before arriving to further add to this aesthetic. Man my parents in this life had a wide range of clothing to sell.

It was the evening of our third day when I took Haku with me to find Tsunade and Shizune. I had already explained to everyone my plan to use S-Class Jutsu to convince Tsunade. I had even offered to use it to bring back Hikari's husband, though she refused because Karin's father was still alive.

Apparently, he had run off with another woman when Hikari was pregnant with Karin, and Hikari had to sell her healing powers, to provide for Karin, which is how she ended up on Kusagakure's radar.

I had dressed in an off-white kimono with a green obi and yellow details, while Haku had a similar white kimono, though her obi was pink and had blue details. We had dressed in a traditional aesthetic because I wanted the initial impression with Tsunade to be respectful and tactful, but what I saw when I came up to her was less than stellar.

She was in a back ally with a half-empty bottle of sake throwing up her guts while Shizune patted her back, trying to make her feel better. If it wasn't for the fact that Shizune had looked at us standing at the alleyway's entrance, I would have come back at another time.

"Good evening ladies. My name is Haruka, and I came here with a job offer for you, though I guess I came at a bad time" I said. I didn't really know how to start off a conversation with them, especially in this state, but I think I could have done better.

"We don' wanna any-ya buisnuss! Scramm kud!" Tsunade said with a heavily slurred voice and a disgusting look on her face. I could tell, even if she was extremely drunk, she was beautiful. It wasn't just her voluptuous body that would put all models to shame back on earth, her face was also supernaturally beautiful.

Shizune was a fairly pretty lady as well, sporting a more oriental and relaxed beauty. She had onyx eyes and deep black hair and wore a dark blue kimono that complemented her subdued alure. She was in far better shape than Tsunade, obviously, and was wearing a troubled smile, while fake laughing.

"Thank you for the offer young man, but as you can see, we are in the middle of something. If you could, would you please come back at another time?" She said. I think she wants to take my job to pay back some of Tsunade's gambling debts.

"That is a shame, I was willing to pay handsomely too" I say as I turn to walk away.

"W-wait!" Shizune yells at us, which stops our retreat. "If it is about medicine or healing someone, I am more than willing to take the job! I am Lady Tsunade's apprentice and am quite capable!" She says as she does a bow.

"Hmmm...." I pretend to think before I pull out a senzu bean and 10,000 Ryo. I walk forwards and give it to her before looking her in the eyes and saying.

"Have your mistress take that and meet us at Tanzaku Castle tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately, this job requires Lady Tsunade to appear in person. If she just shows up, I am willing to pay 1,000,00 Ryo, and if she accepts, I am willing to pay back Lady Tsunade's gambling debts." I say.

This is probably for the best. If I convince Tsunade to show up, I can probably win her over, but if not, then my entire plan will fall apart. I need Tsunade to trust me enough to at least allow me to use [Pureland Summoning Technique] to summon Dan and Nawaki and have them talk it out. I have a feeling that Dan and Nawaki will be able to pull Tsunade out of her depression enough to return to the village.

Shizune looks at the cash and the strange bean before looking at Haku and I walking away again. Just before she can say anything, Tsunade snatches the cash out of her hands and yells after me.

"Thanks fer tha cash! Common Shizne! Les get moar booz!" As she walks off laughing happily.

"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune yells, running after her.

Haku turns to me before asking "Haruka-sama. Is it wise to associate with such people?"

"Haku my cute little servant. Have I ever been wrong before?" I say, patting her on the head. I might only be a few centimeters taller than her, but it is enough to pat her head without any difficulty.

"Haruka-sama is never wrong" Haku says with a blush, as we continue walking.

...

The next morning I wake up early to prepare. I have Jugo guard the wagon, while Honoka, Hikari, Amaru, and Karin all go out to enjoy the town's festivities on its final day. There is a fireworks show tonight and they want to cash in the experience as a group. I ask Jugo to watch George, as I am unsure what hijinks he will get into during the festival. Strangely, Jugo and George have a good relationship. George will never seem to act up around him as he does around me. Damn Nature Energy! So unfair!

Haku, Guren, and I make our way through town towards Tanzaku Castle. I am walking with a briefcase, carrying 1,000,000 Ryo worth of gold inside. Thankfully, this is the money I received from Summoning Island's vault, or more likely, Don'yoku's personal stash and escape money.

There was another 65,000,000 Ryo there as well. Probably research funds from private investors and shinobi wanting custom summoning animals. Well, it's mind now, and it is useful money for clearing Tsunade's debts if she agrees to travel with us.

I wait in the square with Guren and Haku for only a minute before I sense Tsunade and Shizune appear next to me. 'Damn! They are good at masking their presence! I thought with all of my training and practice with the [Yin Strengthening Method], no one would be able to sneak up on me, but I guess I've let my rapid progress go to my head.'

"Hey squirt! What was that pill you gave me earlier! Not only did it cure my hangover, but it also healed all of my wounds and scars!" Tsunade said. She was clearly happy but was putting on a fierce front to intimidate me. Even if I couldn't detect them while they were hiding their presence, I could still feel their emotions with my sensory powers, so I didn't completely waste my time.

Haku and Guren are clearly affected by it though. Guren is unable to move, while Haku, even if she is shaking, still takes out a senbon and moves in front of me.

"It was a rare medicine from my clan. It was their prized treasure and there aren't many left in the world." I say, placing my hand on the shoulder of Guren and Haku to relax them. Tsunade raises her eyebrow and looks amused by our actions, and is probably a little surprised that I didn't flinch under the Kage-Level pressure she exuded.

"Don't lie to me kid! You are clearly from the Hyuga Clan with those white eyes. The Hyuga don't have anything like that!" She says, immediately continuing her interrogation.

"I have the Byakugan, but I am not from the Hyuga Clan. If I was, I wouldn't need your help right now." I say, looking her in the eye. She looks at me for a second before huffing to herself and retracting her pressure. Guren and Haku audibly exhale, as they were holding their breath the entire time.

Shizune steps forward and bows "Thank you for the opportunity to clear Lady Tsunade's debts. We apologize for testing you."

"I take no offense. I am a stranger who gave you a strange item to consume. To be honest, I am surprised you ate it"

"You wouldn't poison me if you wanted something bad enough to clear my debts. Now hurry up with it. What do you want?"

"I would love to tell you here, but now isn't a good place for this. If you have another, more private venue in mind, then I would be happy to oblige."

"You didn't even prepare a venue for this? Not a very good impression your giving!" Tsunade says. I can tell she is no longer amused and is wanting for us to get on with it.

"If I did, you would think it a trap, no?"

"Tsk. I'm getting too old to be dealing with youngsters these days" Tsunade says under her breath. Shizune looks at Tsunade with a baffled expression. This is the first time he has heard Tsunade saying that she is old.

"If you would like, we can do it in the forest outside of town" I say as I point towards the forest in the distance.

"Fine fine, but hurry up with it. The Casino's opening soon and I at least want to get this done first" Tsunade says as she walks past us.

...

It only takes a few minutes to arrive at a clearing in the forest. I am surprised by how many clearings in forests I find, but I chalk it up to my plot armor.

"This spot will do" I say as I stop. "If you will indulge me to at a jutsu, I will begin immediately"

Shizune narrows her eyes at me "What are you playing at. I'll have you know that Lady Tsunade won't fall to some cheap trick!"

"I know, but what I am going to do is going to change your lives for the better!" I say as I weave the tiger sign. I silently cast the [Pureland Summoning Technique] and call for Dan and Nawaki.

Immediately two blue flashes appear in a mist-like form. Tsunade and Shizune brace for impact and cover their eyes, but when the flash recedes, they stand shocked by the sight before them.

Although transparent and blue in color, with pale white mist emanating from their feet, both Dan Kato and Nawaki Senju appear standing in the clearing. The sunset behind them giving them a mystical glow. They look around for a moment before both stare at Tsunade.

Tsunade is shocked beyond words as she stares at the two in front of her. Shizune is also shocked at the sight of her uncle. They stand there for a good second before the ghostly visage of Dan and Nawaki smile to Tsunade.

'Hello, Tsuna. It's been a while..."

"Yo sis! You got old! Hehehe"

Tears begin to fall along Tsunade's face before she snaps back to reality. She immediately turns to me and looks me in the eyes. I can see pure hatred along with a mass of chaotic emotions in them.

"Brat! What is this!? Explain before I pound you into dust!" She yells, tears still streaming down her face.

"This is my clan's ultimate secret technique, passed down since the times of the Sage of Six Paths. Pureland Summoning Jutsu. It is a technique that allows one to converse with the dead. It only summons their spirit for an hour, and the spirit must be willing to be called" I say, gesturing to Dan and Nawaki's spirits.

"I will give you some alone time, but make sure to make it count. This technique can only be used once every decade or so, else the spirit will dissipate" I say as I walk away. Guren and Haku follow me as we disappear into the treeline.

"What an interesting fellow" Dan states

"I wonder if he wants to be Hokage too" Nawaki adds.

...

After around an hour, I return to the clearing to see Tsunade and Shizune crying as Dan and Nawaki begin to dissipate.

"I'm sorry I caused you so much pain Tsuna. I know this is selfish, but I hope you can forgive yourself for our deaths. They weren't your fault." Dan says as he walks over to Tsunade. He gives her a quick kiss on the forehead before looking at Shizune.

"Shizune. I am proud to see you have grown into such a fine woman. Thank you for taking care of Tsunade all this time. It may trouble you in the future, but I ask that you keep watching over her. Who knows how much trouble she would get into if she ended up gambling all day! Hahaha!" Dan said as she looked at me.

"Thank you, young Hyuga, for allowing me to meet with these two again. I hope to shake your hand when you cross to the other side. Just don't come too fast now!" He said as he disappeared with a soft smile.

Nawaki looked at Tsunade one more time "Sis, even if you got old, I still think you're an awesome ninja! Who knows, maybe you could be Hokage in my place!" He says as he turns to Shizune.

"Umm, I don't really know you but, good luck!" He says, giving a thumbs up to Shizune, who, even now as an emotional wreck, still scoffs at the youngster's words.

Finally, he turns to me "Thanks guy! I wasn't able to be Hokage, but if someone like you is as strong as you are now, then I trust my dream to you!" He says with a goofy face for a moment. But just before he disappears, he has a serious face for once. "Please take care of my sister," he says as he bows to me.

"Don't worry. I will" I say. He looks happy as he disperses into white mist, following after Dan.

...

We stand there for an hour or so, while Shizune and Tsunade gather their thoughts and cry silently. Suddenly, Tsunade stands from her position and walks to me with her head down, hair covering her face. If it wasn't for my sensory powers, I would feel quite afraid that she wants to pummel me.

She quickly wraps her hands around me and pulls me into her embrace. If I were older than 7, I may comment about how nice it feels to be against her rack, but I'll just have to save my gloating to Jiraiya for later.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." She says quietly. I hug her back and pat her back as she once again becomes a teary mess. At some point, Shizune also joins and it becomes a group hug.

'Well this is awkward' I think to myself.

Haku and Guren both excuse themselves as they stand in the distance and wait for the sob fest to end.

...

As we walk back towards the town, Tsunade finally composes herself long enough to begin a conversation.

"So quirt, you said your name was Aruka?"

"Haruka"

"That's what I said! Gosh! So what was the job you needed for me to do?"

"I am not going to lie to you Lady Tsunade, I need your help to not immediately get captured in Konoha. I am traveling with three Uzumaki, 4 Kekkei Genkai users, and a civilian. If we try to settle in Konoha with this, we aren't going to have a good time."

"I know I shouldn't be saying this, but why Konoha?" Shizune interrupts.

"Konoha is the most friendly and peaceful village. Kiri and Iwa would immediately capture us and use us as breeding cows for our Kekkei Genkai, Suna is in an inhospitable environment, and Kiri actively hunts Kekkei Genkai users. The smaller villages aren't much better than Kiri or Iwa, and would probably be worse, since they want security and recognition from the other great nations.

Meanwhile, Konoha is world-renowned for its friendly atmosphere and peaceful ways. At least on the surface, they won't be able to move against us. Especially if we have a Sannin protecting us" I say.

"Smart little brat aren't you" Tsunade says as she looks at me.

"Well, I also wanted you to teach a few of my party members Medical Ninjutsu. Karin Uzumaki and Amaru, the civilian I mentioned earlier, have an aptitude for it."

"Heh! Fine. I have some things to do in Konoha anyway. But you're traveling with a lot of women aren't you kid? Are you trying to get a harem?"

"Not really, not that I wouldn't mind one" I say smirking at her.

"Well just because you might be able to get them doesn't mean you will get me. So don't get any ideas. You also can't buy m by paying off my debts, but I will give you Shizune for the night" Tsunade says.

"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune yells with a bright red face.

"By the way, you still have to pay my debts! Even if you're a genius, do you have the 70,000,000 Ryo needed to pay back my debts?" She says completely ignoring Shizune's cry.

I pull out the briefcase with 1,000,000 Ryo inside before summoning more gold bullion to make up the difference.

"There you are, my lady, one Shizune please," I say sarcastically. Tsunade has Ryo signs in her eyes.

"Whoooo! With you as our piggy bank, I mean, sponsor, I can gamble all I want!" She says reaching for the money, but Shizune slaps her hand.

"No! Lady Tsunade! This money is for paying back your debts! Uncle entrusted me to take care of you after all!" Shizune says as she takes the money. I can tell she is still upset by our comments, as she shoots me a death glare.

'Booo!" Tsunade says as she looks back at me. I am holding another 10,000 Ryo and a senzu bean. I gesture towards her. She quickly snatches it before clapping her hands together, silently praying to me.

"I don't mind, just don't go too far. I'm only paying for this one time after all. We leave in 1 week. I will meet you at the entrance in the morning!" I say as I walk away. This is the first time I am spending so much of my fortune, but it is simply an investment for the future.

Also, I can feel Haku and Guren's eyes staring at me from the back. I would face down the ten tails in a heartbeat if it meant not having to turn around and face them right now.

"Um. Girls..." I say. Guren grabs me by my left arm, while Haku grabs me by my right. They both look at one another before a wicked smile appears on their face. As I am being cartoonishly dragged into the distance, I can see Shizune with a smug look and Tsunade praying again, although this time, I feel like she is praying for a dead person.