62 2/2

As Shizune quieted down, bowing her head slightly, Tsunade looked forward. She couldn't blame Shizune for not knowing, Tsunade hadn't told her. Shizune knew of Tsunade's legendary bad luck, she had witnessed it all this time. Tsunade had never told her what happened when her luck changed. How each time it had happened something terrible had occurred. The only thing she was grateful for was so far she hadn't truly won in a big way. She had won a minor lottery earlier that morning, and had experienced good luck in a few other minor games of chance. Even still, she knew something bad was coming.

Shizune, following behind her master, could only blink as she saw her start taking back alleyways and side streets, causing her to frown. She immediately opened up her senses, trying to detect anyone who might be following them, wondering if Tsunade had perhaps sensed someone watching them. Yet she couldn't sense anyone following or stalking them. She kept her senses alert as she followed Tsunade.

The duo were turning down a side street when Tsunade suddenly froze, staring ahead with one fist clenched. Shizune moved to the side to see what had caused the older woman to stop, only for her eyes to widen as she saw a pair of figures ahead of them, her frame freezing as well as she instantly recognized one of them.

Before them stood Orochimaru, Tsunade's former teammate. Someone Shizune was all too familiar with given his rather infamous reputation. Tsunade had told her about Orochimaru, mostly as a warning to stay away from him if they should ever see him. Next to the snake sannin was a blue haired woman, her hair done up in a high ponytail with bangs framing her face, her skin pale with red lipstick and dark colored eyes accenting it. She was dressed in a green kimono like dress with a short right sleeve, and a red short-sleeved turtleneck underneath, her outfit completed by a rope belt around her waist, and brown gloves and calf length sandal boots.

Orochimaru merely smiled at the pair as he took a step forward. "Tsunade-chan…how wonderful to see you again," he said.

"Orochimaru…it hasn't been long enough," Tsunade responded, her body tense.

Orochimaru gave her a mock hurt look. "Is that anyway to speak to an old teammate?" Orochimaru asked her, as Tsunade scoffed.

"Considering what I've heard about you since I left Konoha, be glad I'm not greeting you with a fist to the face. What do you want?" She snapped.

The blue haired woman took an angry step forward, a snarl on her face, only to be stopped by Orochimaru's hand on her shoulder. "Careful Guren. You would be destroyed before you had a chance to even attack her," he said, causing Guren to step back. The snake sannin just smiled at his former teammate, speaking again. "I simply thought it might be time to finally reconnect with my fellow sannin. I'm sure you've heard about my recent reunion with Sarutobi-sensei," he said with a smile.

"I heard you tried to lead an invasion of Konoha. Sounded like it didn't go too well," Tsunade said while crossing her arms, trying to look more relaxed and nonchalant.

"Indeed. I might have…underestimated the potential dangers of unforeseen variables," Orochimaru admitted, still smiling. "But in the end, I like to think I at least gave our old home village a wakeup call."

Shizune, tensing slightly, had set the pig Tonton on the ground. "Tsunade-sama…," she said, sliding her hands into the sleeves of her kimono, settling one hand on the hidden senbon launcher there.

Tsunade gave the slightest shake of her head before speaking up. "You want to hurry up and tell me what you want? Or did you just come here to reminisce and tell me about your failures?" She asked, seeing the slightest twitch of annoyance from Orochimaru.

"I suppose I shall forgo the pleasantry of small talk then. I came here to make you an offer, Tsunade-chan. I want you to work for me," he said with a smile.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "…I don't know what the hell you've been drinking to think that was a good idea, but I think even I would want to stay away from it. What exactly makes you think I would even entertain that idea?" She asked him.

Orochimaru just continued to smile at her. "I was thinking perhaps I would offer to give you back that which you value most. The…two things you want most in this entire world," he said with a smile.

Tsunade scowled at him, her hands moving to her side, clenched into fists. "Careful there, hebi-teme. You know what I can do when I'm angry. And don't think your helper there will even slow me down," she warned him.

"Indeed, but I'm not here to anger you, Tsunade-chan. I'm here to make a sincere offer. I've learned a lot in my time away from Konoha. Even a very…unique jutsu your granduncle created. One that would make you quite happy. My offer is simple. Agree to work for me…and I'll return to you both Nawaki and Dan," he said.

Tsunade growled, crouching down and tensing herself, preparing to launch towards him. "Don't you dare speak their names!" She shouted, hurling herself forward with a fist drawn back.

Guren moved forward as if to protect Orochimaru, but Tsunade's fist slammed into her before she could react. And then she disappeared in a cloud of smoke, as Tsuande's eyes widened. 'Orochimaru' merely smirked before disappearing in a second cloud of smoke, while another one appeared on one of the rooftops with Guren. "I was hoping your temper wouldn't get the best of you, but it pays to be cautious," he taunted. "I will give you a week to think about my offer, Tsunade-chan. And I'll even give you proof that my offer is genuine. Expect a visit from an 'old friend' in three days time," Orochimaru said, before disappearing with Guren in tow.

Tsunade let out a growl of annoyance, slamming a fist into the wall of one of the buildings and causing a rather large hole to appear in said wall. Thankfully no one was inside the room on the other side, as Tsunade drew her fist out of the hole while Shizune rejoined her, followed by Tonton. "Tsunade-sama?" She asked quietly, her voice shaking a bit.

"I need a drink," Tsunade said, turning and heading to leave the alleyway with Shizune quickly following her, the latter stopping only to grab Tonton and carry her along.

That evening, with the sun starting to set, both Naruto and Jiraiya entered the town. After their encounter with Akatsuki the duo had traveled at a 'shinobi forced march'. Usually when a group of shinobi needed to cover a lot of distance at speed, they would travel either on foot or by tree-hopping at the fastest speed they could maintain for an extended period of time. They would keep that pace for one to two hours, depending on the chakra or stamina of the shinobi in the group, before slowing down to either a light jog or brisk walking pace for thirty minutes, then returning to the faster pace afterwards. Every four hours they would take a break to catch their breath, usually no more than ten to twenty minutes, and then set out again.

Naruto and Jiraiya had been maintaining this pace for a week or so, stopping only in towns to search for news of Tsunade, which had led them here. Now as they passed through the city walls, Jiraiya could only grin. "I've got a good feeling about this town," he said.

Naruto snorted at his comment. "You said that about the last two towns," he retorted, only for Jiraiya to wave a hand.

"I was close on the last one though, wasn't I? She passed through there only a few days ahead of us!" He said with a grin before getting more serious. "Go ahead and send your shadow clones out, see if they can spot either of them. If not I'll start my questioning tomorrow," Jiraiya stated.

Naruto quickly summoned twenty shadow clones, who nodded and shot off in different directions. Some of them took to the streets and alleys, while others vaulted up to the rooftops, spreading out and quickly disappearing to the shadows. Naruto meanwhile followed after Jiraiya, the duo deciding to hit up a restaraunt first for some food.

As they walked, Jiraiya looked back at Naruto. "You know, I'm honestly kind of surprised how well you reacted to my 'investigation method'," Jiraiya stated. When Naruto had first seen Jiraiya sitting in a gentleman's club, a pair of escorts sitting on either side of him flattering him and giggling while he got drunk, the sannin had expected Naruto to berate him for wasting their time. Instead, Naruto had simply told him his own investigations had turned up nothing and then left.

Naruto shrugged as he walked alongside Jiraiya. "Information comes from all kinds of sources. And few sources are as informative as those in the seedier side of society," Naruto told him. "One of the things I've learned from my time with Raphael-sensei."

Jiraiya frowned slightly at that, though he made sure Naruto couldn't see it. He couldn't argue with the statement as it was true. Thieves, gamblers, crime bosses, geisha, bar owners, all of them usually heard and knew things around town that most people would never expect. But it did slightly disturb him that Naruto already seemed to be as exposed to such a world, to a point where it was not surprising to him.

Shaking his head he looked forward again. "We'll probably want to hit the various gambling establishments first. Even if she isn't in one of them, the owners will have seen her," he said.

Naruto nodded only to stop, eyes widening as one of the clones dispersed and its memories returned to him. "…found her," he said, causing Jiraiya to whirl towards him with surprise on his face.

"What?! Already?"! He asked, eyes wide as Naruto nodded, pointing off to the left a bit.

"She's sitting in a restaurant about two hundred meters that way. My clone got a glimpse, and it looks like she's drinking herself into a stupor. Her assistant Shizune-san is there as well, looking uncomfortable," he reported.

Jiraiya frowned a bit at that. "Tsunade likes to drink, but this doesn't sound like an enjoyment binge. Something might be up," he said, looking to Naruto. "Alright follow me gaki, but don't spook her. And…keep your shadow clones close, in case she tries to make a break."

Naruto blinked but nodded, knowing his clones already would be converging on that location once the first one dispersed. He quickly took point, leading Jiraiya to the restaurant.

When they arrived, Jiraiya took the lead. "Act like we weren't expecting her to be there," he cautioned Naruto, only for the blonde to shake his head.

"You really think she'll fall for that?" He asked, only for Jiraiya to shrug.

"Not really, but she'll be expecting me to act that way," he said with a sheepish grin, causing Naruto to give him a deadpan stare. Jiraiya just turned back and entered the restaurant, giving a look around only to start in 'surprise'. "Tsunade-chan, is that you?" He asked in a 'surprised' voice.

Naruto, following behind him, got a better look at the duo of women they had been sent to find. He definitely had to admit, Tsunade was quite beautiful, though that beauty was marred by the grouchy look on her face as she now drunkenly glared towards Jiraiya, who walked jovially over towards her table. Naruto simply followed and sat down, taking in the surprised and still worried look on Shizune's face.

Tsunade growled in annoyance as she set the empty cup in her hand down. "Jiraiya, you old lecher. What are you doing here?" She demanded, pouring herself another cup.

"Oh we were just were looking for a place to get food before we turned in for the night. Just got to town, looking for a comfy bed for the night," Jiraiya said back, helping himself to the sake after she had poured her cup. "I'm honestly surprised to see you here though. Small world, isn't it?" He asked.

Tsunade scoffed. "Yeah, small world," she said sarcastically, looking at the armed figure next to Jiraiya. "And who's this shrimp? Get yourself a new apprentice? Hope you're not filling his head with bullshit like you did the last one," she said.

Jiraiya tensed a bit as he could feel Naruto stiffen next to him, sensing the boy was angered by Tsuande's jab at his father, even if she didn't know it. However Naruto took a deep breath, before speaking. "Naruto Uzumaki, genin of Konoha," he said shortly.

Tsunade blinked as she heard his name and focused on the blonde boy now, before realization crossed her face. "…well I'll be. Minato and Kushina's kid. All grown up and a ninja now?" She slurred out, setting the cup down. "Figures Jiraiya would take an interest in you, since he-," she started to say.

"Taught my father. Yes, I know. Though I'd appreciate it if you didn't announce that fact to the entire world," Naruto said, glancing around. Thankfully there didn't appear to be anyone in earshot, but he wanted to be cautious. Last thing he wanted was an Iwa death squad or Kumo extraction team coming after him.

Tsunade snorted at that. "Kid has some sense at least. Not out to be some hero or something?" She asked, pulling a deck of cards out of the pocket of her jacket slung over the back of her chair. "So are you going to tell me why you're really here Jiraiya? I don't think it's a coincidence that shortly after Konoha is attacked, you show up," she said, shuffling the deck.

Jiraiya sighed, dropping his jovial attitude. "Fine," he said, watching her deal the cards out. "I'm here under Sarutobi-sensei's orders," he stated as he picked up his cards and looked them over. "He wants you to return to Konoha at once."

Tsunade, looking over her own cards, did not answer for a few moments before setting down two cards and drawing two more. "And what does he want from me?" She asked, her voice growing more serious though still holding a drunken slur to it.

"We need your help in healing wounded from the invasion. There are several people who would recover faster, or have a higher chance of recovery, if you were present. However that is not the only reason. Sarutobi-sensei is retiring again…and you're the best choice to become Hokage," he said, discarding three and drawing three more.

Tsunade stiffened, staring at her cards. She held four a kind in her hand, a very strong hand. Taking a deep breath she looked back at Jiraiya, who was shuffling in the three new cards he had. "Is that so?" She asked, her face as neutral as she could make it.

Jiraiya nodded quietly. "Out of the possible contenders, you're the best choice. Unless you like the idea of me being put in charge of the village," he added with a grin on his face.

Tsunade, however, did not react to his humor, instead focusing on him. "…did you and Sarutobi-sensei really think I would accept?" She asked him.

Jiraiya let the smile drop, before sighing in frustration. "We both believe you're most likely the best person for the job. I have obligations that prevent me from being able to take the position. And the next best choice would most likely run the village into the ground," he said, laying his cards on the table, revealing a flush.

Tsunade looked at the cards, before setting her own winning hand down. "Then you and Sarutobi both are going senile," she said, causing both Shizune and Naruto to stare at her in shock. "There's no way in hell I'm going back to that cursed village, let alone becoming its leader."

Jiraiya frowned at the look on her face. "Tsunade," he started to say, his voice serious, only for her to cut him off.

"You know just as well as I do that the position of Hokage is cursed. Sarutobi-sensei is the only one who's managed to avoid it so far, but not by much. My grandfather, granduncle, your student though…all of them died. And how many people have died chasing the dream of being Hokage?" She asked, slowly touching the necklace around her neck. "It's a fool who wants to be Hokage, and I'm no fool. Let some other idiot take the position."

Shizune looked down, both saddened and slightly shamed by Tsunade's words. Jiraiya, knowing exactly what caused Tsunade to have such beliefs, shifted uneasily as he tried to figure out how to handle the situation. However, the surprise reaction came from Naruto who slowly stood up, causing the trio to look at him as he stood there, head lowered a bit so his eyes were shadowed.

"...Jiraiya-sensei…when you're done with this coward…I'll be waiting for you outside," he said simply, turning to leave only for a fist to slam onto the table and causing him to stop.

"What the hell did you say brat?" Tsunade demanded, glaring at Naruto, who simply turned his head to look at her with cold eyes.

"You heard me. You're a coward. Sitting here, slandering the dead, insulting people who were willing to give everything they had, even their lives, to protect the ideals they believed in, and the village they swore to lead and preserve. What gives you the right to judge them, you who only seem interested in drinking and gambling and shirking any kind of responsibility to those in need? You're nothing but a coward, and a disgrace to your grandfather and granduncle," Naruto said, his voice hard.

Tsunade let out a yell as she flipped the table over, rising to her feet. "Shut up brat! You've no idea of what kind of hell I've been through!" She yelled at Naruto.

"And you have no idea what I've been through. Doesn't change what I see in front of me," Naruto shot back, even as he had turned to face her. He knew he was pissing off a sannin, someone who was on the level of Jiraiya or Orochimaru. And he already knew, from his clone's experience, he stood pretty much no chance against someone like Orochimaru.

But hearing her slander his dad like that, a man Naruto never got to know because of the Kyuubi attack, had angered him. He knew, thanks to the scrolls left to him by his parents, that his father had loved the village, and that being Hokage was his dream, to be able to do all he could to protect Konoha, both the ideals and the people of the village. While Naruto did not have as much of a desire as his father did, he could still understand the man's thoughts and feelings. And hearing Tsuande's insults angered him, as she was trashing one of the things he could connect to his father about.

Tsunade growled as she stood over him. "I'll show you gaki. Outside, right now!" She demanded, only for Naruto to scoff.

"Oh sure, a sannin fighting a genin. That'll prove you're not a coward," he said, before stepping aside. "After you."

Tsunade started to storm outside with Shizune following, while Jiraiya grabbed Naruto. "Gaki, what the hell are you doing?! You're going to get yourself killed here!"

Naruto looked at Jiraiya. "Don't worry ero-sennin," he said, before stepping outside. Jiraiya growled before following him.

Tsunade stood there, glaring at Naruto as he moved opposite of her. "I'll make this quick brat. One single finger is all I need to put you down for a week," she said.

Naruto merely said nothing, instead settling into a taijutsu stance as Jiraiya shook his head, thinking this would not end well. The genin shot forward, heading towards Tsunade while suddenly making the handsign for his kage bunshin. Immediately two shadow clones appeared on either side of him.

Tsunade's eyes widened at that as the three charging blonds switched positions rapidly, confusing her on which was the real one, before all three moved to attack her. She quickly slammed a fist into the ground, causing the road to shake and threw all three off balance, before she lashed out with a powerful kick, slamming into all three. Her eyes widened as all three burst into smoke, revealing all of them had been clones. At the same time four more descended on her from above, fists drawn back.

Tsunade snarled as she leapt up, unleashing a flurry of punches at them and destroying all four. As she landed another Naruto charged towards her, rearing back with his fist. She kicked a rock at it, thinking it was another clone and that would disperse it, only to see the rock slam into that Naruto and send him skidding back due to the force behind it. Realizing that was the real Naruto she hurled herself towards him, flicking her finger towards his forehead while channeling chakra in order to knock him out. Yet just as her fingers hit, 'Naruto' burst into smoke, revealing another clone. And at the exact same moment, she felt metal poking at her back, right behind where her heart would be.

Both Jiraiya and Shizune could only stare in surprise as Naruto stood behind Tsunade, the hidden blade extended from his left bracer and aimed at her back. If he had wanted to, he could have stabbed through, piercing her heart. Jiraiya narrowed his eyes as he quickly understood what Naruto had done. He had used his clones to hide his presence, constantly changing out with them, using the numbers and their speed to keep to keep Tsunade from ever seeing the real him. When he had her off balance he went for the kill, substituting himself with a clone right before she had flicked him, and struck at her back.

However, Jiraiya knew this outcome wouldn't have happened if Tsunade had been sober and focused. It was only because of her anger at Naruto's words and the fact that she was drunk that allowed him to get this lucky, due to her senses and reflexes being slowed. She had still torn through his clones even then. Still, he couldn't help but feel some pride at seeing Naruto outthink his opponent. (1)

Tsunade looked over her shoulder as Naruto withdrew the hidden blade at her back, before turning to face him. The sudden realization that he could have honestly killed her there had created a sobering effect on her, causing her to actually look him over, seeing the weapons and equipment he carried. Especially the blade that retracted back into the underside of his bracer. He wasn't just some genin dreaming of heroics, this was someone who was ready to fight…and kill.

Still, she felt her anger rise up, fueled by her embarrassment at him actually managing to catch her off guard. "Don't think that counts, brat. I was holding back," she snapped at him. "And don't think this changes anything! I'm not going back to Konoha!"

Naruto shrugged at that. "I don't really care. You wouldn't benefit the village anyways," he said, turning and walking off. "I'll go find us a hotel, ero-sennin," he told Jiraiya.

Jiraiya just sighed before looking to Tsunade, who was still fuming. "Tsunade…this isn't a request. Sarutobi-sensei has ordered you back to the village. Even if you're not going to take up the mantle of Hokage, he still wants you back in the village."

Tsunade just glared at him. "And what's he going to do if I refuse? He can't mark me as a missing nin, that'll just have every shinobi from other villages swarming down on me to try and capture or persuade me to join them. There's nothing he can do to bring me back."

Jiraiya just looked at her with a mixture of sadness and disappointment, before speaking. "He thought you'd say that. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but…if you don't return to the village he'll freeze the Senju accounts, preventing you from drawing any more money. You'll be completely on your own financially."

Tsunade froze at that, eyes wide in surprise as her mouth dropped open before she glared furiously at Jiraiya. She knew she'd never make it if she lost access to the Senju accounts. While she was able to successfully stay ahead of most debt collectors, a few managed to corner her, and unless they got really violent or made utterly ridiculous demands, she'd pay off the debts with money from her family accounts. Without the Senju accounts she'd have no money to pay off those gambling debts she couldn't outrun, and she'd be sunk.

Suddenly feeling even more furious at this knowledge that she essentially was trapped, she turned and stormed off angrily, with Shizune bowing to Jiraiya. "I'm sorry for the trouble she caused, Jiraiya-sama," the raven-haired assistant said, before rushing after Tsunade. Jiraiya just let out a sigh, creating a clone that followed them before turning to go after Naruto. It seemed this was turning out to be as tedious as he thought it would be.

He didn't notice the figure watching the whole scene from an alleyway, before said figure disappeared, to go warn their master of this new development.

And scene…well, I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Had a different ending originally, but it didn't really feel…organic or realistic. So I hope this new ending works. I'll tell anyone what the original ending was if they want to know.

RS19: Wow, you were really working hard on this one, weren't you? *Is smiling innocently at LR*

LR: Don't try to butter me up, get back to work. You know the rules. *points to chalkboard on the wall*

RS19: *whimpers as she goes back to writing "I will not blow up the Ranger Lair" on the chalkboard, with several rows of the same sentence preceding it*

Elroth: *Is being forced to sort through LR's reviews* She does have a point though.

LR: Well I did want to get this one out before or on Christmas. As a sort of Christmas gift to my readers. I hope they enjoy it.

Arashen: Oohhh, will we get a Christmas party here? *Is smacked upside the head by Raphael's training sword*

Raphael: Focus, idiota. You're still in 'training' here. *Smirks as Arashen is forced to spar with him using heavy weights around his arms and legs*

LR: Maybe if you all didn't keep trying to blow things up I would be able to throw a party here. For now, you'll just have to settle for my Christmas gifts to you instead. *turns to the camera* So that's all for this chapter, I hope you all enjoyed it! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!

Thanks go out to Bill Alain for his help in betaing this chapter! Thanks so much man!

1. I just wanted to make this point clear, so no one thinks I'm being inconsistent or overpowering Naruto. Naruto here won this little skirmish because he was able to outthink his opponent, but also because Tsunade was angry and drunk. He was able to use that to his advantage and keep her off balance long enough to get into a position where he could strike the killing blow. However, if Tsunade had been sober and more focused, she'd have decimated Naruto. She's a lot stronger, far more experienced, and possibly is even faster than Naruto. But I did want to also show though that with the right planning and skills, someone as powerful and strong as Tsunade could be taken out by someone with a lower rank and abilities. This is sort of a way to say that power and rank mean nothing if your opponent can catch you at just the right moment. You can be one of the most powerful shinobi out there, but you make that one mistake and even a genin can end you.