The Last Senju
Chapter 53 The Last Senju
It wasn’t hard for Madara to find Sakura, after all her chakra wasn’t hidden nor had she actually made any attempt to avoid him. The rosette was moving around the field hospital, tending to the worst of the wounded, but she lacked the chakra reserves to heal everyone completely. Her face was pale, guilt thrumming through her signature but she was putting on a strong front. Emerald eyes darted up and met Madara’s gaze as he watched her.
“Just let me get everyone stabilized.” Sakura called out as she finished up with her last few patients. Sensor nin made finding the wounded easy, so there wouldn’t likely be anymore showing up now that the battlefield that been thoroughly scouted. The Uchiha dead were being prepped for transport while the Senju were being thrown onto carts so they could be handed over to their clan.
When Sakura finished with her last patient, she stepped away from the now stable kunoichi and walked with Madara out of the rapidly assembled field hospital into the shade of a large tree. Patrols kept the area safe but neither Madara nor Sakura had dropped their guard even though they weren’t under threat of attack. Sakura let her shoulders slump as she leaned against the tree and pulled off her gloves before running a hand through her sweaty hair.
“How are you feeling?” Madara asked as Sakura’s emerald eyes roamed the battlefield. From where they were standing, the pair could see the scorched remnants of katon jutsu and raised earth from doton jutsu. Madara watched Sakura consider the carnage before she let out a lengthy sigh.
“Like I can never do enough.” Sakura replied and held out her hand, letting her emerald chakra spark and gutter across her palm. “I don’t have your talent or reserves.” Sakura knew she was from civilian branches of two extinct clans. She was lucky to even have the sharingan and that was only because of how tightly her chakra was bound with Madara’s. “I just, I wish I could be strong enough to end this war. Strong enough that no matter what armies or enemies stood in my way I’d be able to shatter them.”
“I meant about what happened.” Madara clarified and earned a wry look from his pink haired friend. Sakura’s chakra was shot through with bitterness and her hands curled into fists as she looked away.
“I killed Hashirama’s brothers.” Sakura whispered and felt guilt pounding through her skull. She couldn’t blame the curse or her sharingan. Hell even her instincts had been calm today, muted by the fear she was feeling over her kidnapping. “Butsuma deserved it but they…”
“They tried to kill you. They wouldn’t have stopped unless you disabled them and could you do that while fighting Butsuma?” Madara asked and Sakura pressed her lips into a thin line before shaking her head. If Butsuma hadn’t been injured, he’d have killed her. “Will you be alright?”
“Yeah, I’m upset but…” Sakura couldn’t blame her Mizu heritage for her actions but her reactions were another story. Death was a part of life, war made it a daily occurrence. Every dead Senju meant less Uchiha casualties in the long run. Peace was a dream worth fighting for but it would only come about when the conditions changed. When both clans were too exhausted to keep fighting, or one side held a clear advantage and the other was forced to flee or negotiate. Extermination was always a possibility, though currently unlikely with Madara and Hashirama as clan heads.
“But it had to happen.” Sakura met Madara’s eyes, resignation making her look far older then her mere twelve years. Madara cocked his head in silent question and Sakura let out an exhausted sigh. “I just, I don’t know if I can tell you. The kami, they didn’t explain anything. I don’t know who sent me to you, I’m grateful for it, never doubt that Madara but I don’t know why or what I’m allowed to do.”
“Where are you from?” Madara asked and Sakura’s lips twisted as she shifted slightly. He could tell she was nervous and her fingers curled into fists before relaxing and repeating the action as she grappled with her own anxiety.
“If I told you where I’m from, could you make me a promise?” Sakura whispered and Madara hesitated. He considered her question, weighing her presence in his life against any potential knowledge. If the gods took offense and he lost her, he’d regret it for the rest of his life. He couldn’t imagine living without her by his side.
“Sakura,” Madara paused and realized he didn’t really need to know about Sakura’s origins. Her actions, expressions and chakra told him enough. “You don’t have to tell me anything. You’ve proven you’re a member of this clan, that you’re fighting for our future.” Sakura let out a shuttering breath, her throat bobbing as she swallowed and Madara slowly pulled her into a hug, pressing her head to his shoulder. “We don’t need to talk about your secrets right now if you don’t want to or you’re unsure. You killed Butsuma, avenged our father and we took Hikyo. There is time now to rest and rearm. The Senju will need to lick their wounds and with a new, untested clan head they’ll be out of action for a while.”
“If only that were the case.” Sakura whispered and Madara carefully did not tense. Sakura’s chakra was full of cold certainty and he feared whatever was on her mind. “The war is going to change again, Hashirama wants peace just as much as we do but his clan will never accept an equal peace.”
“You’re certain?” Madara asked and Sakura let out a tired, exhausted breath as she stepped back from their hug. She wiped her face free of tears and nodded. There wasn’t even a shadow of a doubt in her emerald eyes. “I see.”
“I…” Sakura had been told time and time again she couldn’t change the past. Perhaps she couldn’t prevent Konoha from being founded. Maybe she couldn’t kill Tobirama but she’d be damned if she failed to protect her clan. Somehow, she’d have to find a way to protect her loved ones. None of the current Uchiha had lived to die in the massacre. The clan she knew had passed away long before Tobirama’s hatred finally ran its course and history was mostly unrecorded, unwritten. “I’m going to have to get a lot stronger. I need to become a better medic and a better fighter.”
“Hashirama is strong and Izuna can handle Tobirama, that gives us the advantage, except…” Madara knew that with Butsuma dead, Hashirama would let Touka take to the field. The Senju girl was a prodigy, capable of advanced genjutsu and had pinpoint chakra control. She wasn’t as experienced as Sakura but she’d be more then a match for Izuna and a significant threat to both Madara and Sakura.
“Touka’s going to join the war now.” Sakura agreed and Madara nodded letting Sakura lean on his side as they slowly lowered themselves to sit on the tree’s large roots. The two sat in silence for several long seconds contemplating what was to come in their war. “I hope Hashirama forgives me.”
“He will,” Madara knew the other boy would. Hashirama would understand and he was far too kind for a Senju. This was war, people died and his brothers had tried to kill Sakura. Even the smallest distraction could have gotten her killed while fighting Butsuma and sparing or avoiding them would have provided endless such opportunities.
“He’s stupid like that.” Sakura agreed, a sad smile on her lips. “I’m going to write him a letter.” Sakura decided and stood up, wobbling slightly. “I just, I feel like not saying anything would be wrong you know?” Madara nodded in agreement as he watched the last of the dead get loaded onto a cart. The Uchiha had sealed away their bodies, while the Senju were nearly done being prepared for transport. Normally they’d have been tossed into a pile to burn but today things would be different. A show of mercy and an attempt at peace.
“I guess I’ll write something as well.” Madara knew that Hashirama might not want to hear from them. He might just burn the letters, after all if Hashirama had killed Tajima, Madara would have killed him for it but Butsuma was not Tajima and Hashirama definitely wasn’t Madara. Sakura nodded in agreement and Madara rose to his feet, joining the rosette as they returned to their duties.
***
Jiriaya looked up at the Senju estate’s fully restored barriers and frowned. He had been entered into them previously, however the current heiress had clearly removed him. He’d met Senju Izumi and she’d been a far cry from Tsunade’s fiery temper. She certainly wasn’t a cold blooded Uchiha though, instead she was quiet and kind, all peaceful smiles and measured words. Letting out an annoyed huff, Jiraiya flared his chakra and waited a moment before a woman with wild purple hair tied back into a ponytail appeared before him. Her whiskey colored eyes had a familiar spark of madness within them and her mouth was stretched into an unhinged grin.
“Hello, how can I help ya?” The woman’s voice had an edge of danger to it and Jiraiya could have sworn he’d seen her before. Racking his brain, it didn’t take him long to recognize the vivid purple hair that had always caught his attention as it moved along at Orochimaru’s elbow.
“You’re Orochimaru’s apprentice.” Jiraiya stated, narrowing his eyes as the woman. He knew, distantly that she was a part of the previous Team 7, that Hiruzen had spared her after she had betrayed her former master but he couldn’t trust her. Clearly the sentiment was returned as the woman’s smile grew sharper and Jiraiya could see the ghost of Uzushio blood in her face and slightly too sharp teeth.
“And you’re the deadbeat godfather. What do you want here, because I doubt you’ve suddenly decided to become a positive influence in Naruto’s life and the Senju clan head is busy right now.” Anko’s words were cutting and her tone was equally harsh. Her chakra rose to the surface, ready for anything and Jiraiya noticed the distinctive lack of twisting chakra that would signify a cursed seal. He knew Orochimaru had marked her, yet the snake’s chakra was absent from her.
“Your cursed seal…” Jiraiya trailed off as the woman smirked at him. Her eyes were wild as she let out a vicious laugh before snapping her teeth together in a murderous grin.
“You sanin think you’re hot shit but you’ve got nothing on our little tigress. She removed Orochimaru’s cursed seal from me and Satsuki a while ago.” Anko answered and Jiraiya’s frowned despite the good news. He’d seen the cursed seal before and had judged it impossible to remove. Suppressing its chakra entirely would unleash the venom stored within it, killing the host and the thing was partially sentient. It could react and would kill the victim rather then allow its own removal.
“How?” Jiraiya asked and Anko’s smile sharpened. The woman was clearly enjoying the situation and was utterly immune to his glare, which made sense if she was Orochimaru’s apprentice. The man was absolutely terrifying even before he’d went rogue.
“Genjutsu to fool the chakra within the cursed seal, a second genjutsu on the patient to ensure they were unaware of being treated. She surgically isolated the flesh around the cursed seal to stop the spread of poison, then a total chakra suppression seal on the operating room which allowed her to physically cut out the cursed seal. Easy.” Anko explained, the flippant delivery did nothing to hide the woman’s pride in her teammate’s achievement and genuine glee showed through her insane facade. Jiraiya had never considered applying genjutsu to a seal before but he’d never really tried either. It was certainly an unconventional approach befitting a child prodigy.
“That’s quite the achievement, but to answer your previous question I’m here about Naruto actually. I’m going to take him out of the village to train and find someone.” Jiraiya said and Anko crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. Technically, Jiraiya and Naruto held no relationship. His godfather status had been rendered invalid through years of absence and if brought before the clan council, with Hiruzen dead Jiraiya knew he’d likely lose any custody hearing. After all nobody wanted anybody else to have the Kyuubi.
“Are you, fascinating. You think we’ll just agree and hand him over? You had to be hunted down and forced to look after him. Izumi was less then impressed by your idea of training and from what Naruto tells us, you’re not interested in training him as a shinobi.” Anko twirled a senbon around her fingers, the weapon glistening with poison. Her head tilted slightly to the side as she gave Jiraiya an innocent look, even as the blade flicked and spun fast enough to make noise. It was such a painfully familiar reminder of Orochimaru that Jiraiya nearly stepped back despite the lack of piercing golden eyes.
“I need his help, unless you’d like Danzo to become Hokage?” Jiraiya asked and watched as the woman’s good humor melted away. Her eyes shuttered and her expression became utterly, terrifyingly blank. For a moment he wondered if she was Root before she took a half step, one foot now within the Senju estate.
“If Naruto returns to us in anything less then perfect health, know that not even your rank and reputation will save your life. I already intend to kill one Sanin, I’m not afraid to add another to my list.” Anko stated before vanishing in a puff of smoke. Jiraiya waited patiently for several painfully long seconds before Anko returned along with a full entourage. Naruto and his confusing Uchiha teammate stood side by side, a half stride behind Uchiha Naori and Mitarashi Anko.
“Hello Jiraiya-san, you’re taking Naruto out of the village yes? We’ll allow it, on the condition you take Satsuki here as well.” Naori’s smile was utterly serene but there was an air of finality to her words. Jiraiya knew it would be easier to argue with a landslide then deny the woman. She’d outright ignore him and wouldn’t even bother alerting the council, knowing he couldn’t afford to either.
“And why do you think that’s a good idea?” Jiraiya asked and Naori’s lips pulled back just enough to give him a glimpse of her serrated teeth. He didn’t flinch at the sight, he’d fought in the third war after all and had faced down his fair share of Kiri shinobi.
“For the same reason you want to take Naruto out of the village right now. Our defenses are in shambles, we’ve taken a hit even with the forewarning ANBU received and we’re politically unstable. It would be best if both of them were safely away from the village, especially if we’re attacked again.” Naori’s words were unfailing direct and Jiraiya had to respect her insight. The village would not be a safe place for any Uchiha, especially a pure-blood like Satsuki. Danzo would want to acquire her or eliminate her, Orochimaru had already shown interest and could easily slip into the village at will and if war broke out, eliminating the sharingan and jinchuriki would be the first things their enemies attempted.
“Fine,” Jiraiya agreed easily after only a second of consideration. Looking after two brats wouldn’t be anymore difficult then just the one. In fact Jiraiya was fairly sure Uchiha Satsuki would be a blessing since she seemed level headed and responsible, a natural foil to Naruto’s unending energy and mischief. “But we’re leaving immediately.”
“Of course, Naruto, Satsuki go grab your long term mission packs. If you leave a note for Sakura, I’ll make sure she gets it.” Naori ordered and the two preteens quickly darted into the compound. Jiraiya tensed briefly as Naori’s sharingan spun to life and he narrowed his eyes at the woman. Chakra trickled into a seal hidden on his palm, though he didn’t bring it to life yet as the woman considered him. “Were you involved in Sakura’s mishap yesterday?”
“No,” Jiraiya answered honestly, recognizing the tone and tactic being used. There was a reason Konoha had the lowest crime rate of the hidden villages right up until the Uchiha clan’s demise. Their eyes made fantastic lie detectors and even well trained spies couldn’t hide all of their tells from the sharingan. Fortunately, he was being honest and Naori saw the truth to that. “What happened?”
“If I knew, I wouldn’t have asked.” Naori answered and Jiraiya frowned, a strange sense of foreboding settling over him as the woman’s eyes returned to their usual onyx hue. She gave him a slight bow. “Sorry for the impromptu interrogation, Jiraiya-san. I am protective of my students and while I doubted your involvement, I had to be sure.”
‘She suspects Root then.’ Jiraiya hid his displeasure. He did not like Danzo, loathed the man in fact so he’d let it slide. Naori’s dark mood evaporated as Naruto and Satsuki returned, the two running across the rooftops as they made their way back to the compound’s gates.
“Safe travels Jiraiya-san. Come back home safely, Satsuki, Naruto.” Naori gave both genin hugs before sending them over to Jiraiya.
‘She’s really nothing like an Uchiha.’ Jiraiya thought, watching the open show of affection from the woman. ‘But she’s definitely of the Isles.’ He added, though he didn’t particularly mind. After all Tsunade had a bit of the Isles in her as well, her temper was proof enough of that.
***
Naruto glanced at Jiraiya’s back as he walked behind the man. They weren’t even staying for Hiruzen’s funeral, which would be held in another three days. Naruto didn’t have many loved ones but Hiruzen had always been there for him, a constant source of warmth in his lonely life. Before Sakura and later Team 7, Hiruzen had been the only one to care for him.
“You alright?” Satsuki’s question was quiet, barely audible over the crunch of dirt under their sandals as they walked. Naruto glanced over at the Uchiha and could see the genuine worry in her friend’s eyes. Naruto and Satsuki had not gotten along well in the academy and it had taken the crucible that was Nami no Kuni to forge a true friendship between them.
“I guess,” Naruto shrugged, feeling strangely prickly at the show of concern. He’d never had so many people care about him before and it was uncomfortable. On one hand it felt nice but on the other, he felt annoyed and he couldn’t understand why it was getting to him. The fact that it was Satsuki made it easier but even so, it was difficult to tolerate.
“Alright, let me know if you want to spar.” Satsuki’s words washed away the strange bitterness and Naruto couldn’t help but smile. She knew exactly what to say and he flashed a wide foxy grin towards his friend.
“You better be ready to lose ‘ttebayo. I totally would have won the third stage if it wasn’t interrupted.” Naruto challenged and Satsuki answered with a smirk. The blond felt his spirits climb, the routine interaction comforting in a way words simply couldn’t describe.
“Keep dreaming dobe, I’d have destroyed you.” Satsuki challenged and Naruto huffed in faux annoyance, even as he smiled. The two bumped shoulders as they walked, eventually devolving into playful shoving as they ambled behind Jiraiya.
“Enough you two, we’re heading into town. Tsunade was spotted here a few days ago and hopefully she’s still around.” Jiraiya looked back at the two children who quickly composed themselves. Naruto could see Satsuki’s ears flushing, her eyes angled towards the ground off to her left. “Do you remember what she looks like?”
“Blond, pale, golden eyes right?” Satsuki stated and Jiraiya nodded as they reached the outer gates of Tanzaku-gai. The city was a massive tourist trap with a sprawling red light district, countless gambling dens, luxurious casinos and even a historic castle from the Warring Clans period, though its seals and defenses had long since faded due to a lack of maintenance.
“That’s right, but I doubt she’ll be here. We’re going to make a circuit of the local cities and towns, Tsunade tends to move a lot since she needs to dodge debt collectors…” Jiraiya trailed off as the two genin stared at him. Naruto did not like the sound of an indebted hokage and clearly Satsuki agreed.
“Why can’t we just make Izumi-sensei Hokage? She’d be good at it and that way I could say I was the Hokage’s apprentice so naturally I’d be next in line!” Naruto pointed out and Jiraiya blinked, staring at the blond before rolling his eyes. The man let out a tired sigh, unwilling to point out that while Izumi had impressed him, she was far too young to become Hokage and besides, no Uchiha would ever be given the hat. They were far too feared.
“Tsunade is who the council picked,” Jiraiya stated with finality, earning a shrug from Naruto. The blond crossed his hands behind his head and leaned backwards slightly as they began moving through the crowded streets. Satsuki looked around, eyes searching for blond hair and golden eyes, though they came up short. “How about this, if you two kids behave I’ll teach you a jutsu.”
“You owe me an A rank.” Naruto replied and Jiraiya winced, hoping the blond had forgotten. Naruto grinned, smelling an opportunity and Jiraiya playfully backed away. “Well pervy sage? Going to finally man up and admit you lost the bet?”
“Fine, sure I’ll teach you a jutsu. Let me go buy some balloons.” Jiraiya let out a sigh and lead them through the streets. Tsunade was nowhere in sight and after a few stops, Jiraiya handed Naruto and Satsuki both a pair of water filled balloons. “Might as well have both of you practice. You know the chidori right Uchiha?”
“Yes,” Satsuki replied, her eyes narrowed slightly and tone curt. The tension between the two was obvious, but neither acknowledged it as Jiraiya turned his attention to Naruto.
“Well, I’m going to teach you two the rasengan. It’s the base for the chidori and while it lacks elemental chakra, it’s incredibly powerful. Now this is an A rank technique and very lethal so don’t go using it unless you want to pulverize whatever you hit. Understood?” Jiraiya’s words were clearly focused on Naruto who huffed. Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, still focused on the blond who rolled his eyes and nodded.
“Understood,” Naruto grumbled, doing his best to ignore Satsuki’s smug grin. He shot the Uchiha a quick glare before turning his attention to the balloon. “So what are we supposed to do?”
“You’re supposed to pop that balloon with your chakra. You have to spin your chakra, really fast and it will tear the balloon apart.” Jiraiya explained and Naruto frowned, focusing on the balloon and trying to make his chakra obey. His chakra rose, forming a glowing aura around his hand but didn’t actually accomplish anything. No matter how he tried to grappled the energy, it refused to obey him, instead it simply poured into the environment.
“This is hard. I bet Sakura-nee or Izumi-nee could manage it.” Satsuki’s words annihilated any frustration Naruto felt as he tried and failed to make his chakra obey him. Turning to her he grinned, because he’d never ignore the opportunity to challenge her to something.
“Hey Teme-chan, I bet I can learn this faster then you.” Naruto taunted and Satsuki smirked right back. Her eyes glittered with amusement at the idea that Naruto would master anything before her and the blond’s motivation skyrocketed.
“You’re on Usuratonkachi-kun, but you’re going to lose.” Satsuki shot back as she let her sharingan spin to life and focused on her balloon.
***
The first day outside Konoha passed far too fast and before Naruto realized it a week had gone by. They moved through town after town, searching for Tsunade who had left a trail of delighted gamblers and furious debt collectors in her wake. The competition with Satsuki made the traveling and lack of missions bearable and the two sparred almost every day in-between trying and failing to master the rasengan. Satsuki beat Naruto to the first stage, but Naruto crushed the second stage. After a month, the two had reached the third stage as they returned to Tanzaku-gai, having come full circle on their search.
“She should only be a few hours ahead of us.” Jiraiya insisted as they checked into one of the nicer hotels in town. Once the two genin were settled, he quickly vanished, no doubt to enjoy the city’s night life.
Naruto let himself fall back onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling. Being out of Konohagakure was always a strange experience for him. People were nice, they smiled back and nobody hissed curses or shot him glares full of loathing. He could certainly get used to it and the idea of returning home to all the hatred was almost terrifying. If it wasn’t for Sakura-chan, Satsuki and the rest of his precious people, Naruto wasn’t sure his dream would be enough to keep him in the village.
“I can hear your brain whistling like a kettle from here. Stop thinking so hard, you’re going to hurt yourself.” Satsuki’s tone was haughty and her eyes were narrowed into a glare but the worry underneath it was obvious. A small smile tugged at Naruto’s lips and the tips of Satsuki’s ears turned pink as she looked away, huffing as she did so.
“Thanks Satsuki-chan but I’ll be fine. Just thinking how nice it is to have friends, you know?” Naruto saw the agreement in the way Satsuki’s whole body relaxed and her expression softened. Satsuki had never known loneliness the way Naruto had, but on the other hand Naruto could never understand the loss that she had suffered. “If it wasn’t for Sakura-chan…” Naruto trailed off, unable to put his thoughts into words.
“We’d be alone.” Satsuki finished and Naruto saw the moment determination solidified in Satsuki. “I want to catch up to her, fight alongside her.” Satsuki raised her hand, fingers spread out as she reached for something only she could see. “I’m tired of being the one protected, of being the weakest link.” Satsuki’s head tilted to the side as she met Naruto’s eyes. “I’m going to catch up to you first Naruto, so you better work hard if you don’t want to get left behind.”
The breath left Naruto’s lungs as his mouth went dry. Satsuki’s smile was confident, radiant and it swept the thoughts from the blond’s mind. Eyes like polished obsidian glittered and glistened in the electric light, drawing in Naruto’s attention. Satsuki remained utterly silent, seemingly locked in place as the moment stretched between them.
“You can become Hokage,” Satsuki began, her eyes flecked through with warm crimson. “But I’m still going to do my best to protect you.” Somehow, the words left Naruto’s pride unharmed. Satsuki wasn’t implying he was somehow weak or behind her. Her words didn’t mean she thought he needed protection but rather she couldn’t help herself, she cared that much.
“Thank you Satsuki-chan but you better be ready for me to return the favor.” Naruto replied, somehow finding his voice. Satsuki let out a small sigh and shifted on her bed, eyes closing briefly before she yawned, exhaustion from a long day of training and travel finally catching up with her. “Get some rest, I’ll take watch until the pervert gets back.”
“Thanks,” Satsuki stifled another yawn as she prepared for bed. Naruto turned the lights out and sat in the darkness, listening to the Uchiha’s gentle breathing until it leveled out. It was peaceful, no threats in sight and Naruto let his chakra sense unfurl. Izumi had done her best to teach him but with only a month he hadn’t learned all that much. He’d improved though and he could feel the life around him, civilians bustling about and Jiraiya in the distance.
A star glittered in Naruto’s mind’s eye. He could see a single chakra source unlike anything he’d ever felt before. It was similar to Sakura’s but vast and full of frantic power. Where Sakura was all raging passion, this was calm and controlled, a crystallized explosion, pressed down and tamed. It was beautiful though and Naruto couldn’t help his curiosity at the sensation. His fingers came together in the familiar cross of the shadow clone jutsu and a copy of him popped into existence.
“I’ll go check on it boss.” The clone gave a salute and left through the window, dropping down to the floor of the alley below their room and heading out into the city. Back in the room, Naruto turned his attention back to Satsuki. Her breathing had evened out and her chakra relaxed into a steady flow as she slept.
‘I think,’ Naruto began, almost unwilling to finish the thought. He was good at denying his emotions, ignoring his pain but this wasn’t something he had experience with. Looking at the Uchiha filled his stomach with butterflies and his pulse quickened. He could have stared at her for hours as she sat there looking back at him and Naruto knew what that meant. ‘I think I love her.’
Naruto didn’t know what love looked like but whatever he felt for Satsuki went beyond simply liking her. She devoured his attention like a black hole. Even before he knew she was a girl, Naruto’s gaze had unfailing tracked the Uchiha, forever chasing her. It had never been good enough to beat Kiba or Shikamaru, he had to get Satsuki’s attention, prove himself her equal. She had been his goal and now that he had her acknowledgment, her confidence, Naruto knew he couldn’t stand losing it.
***
Naruto’s clone moved through Tanzaku-gai with clear purpose. The star like chakra was nearby, in a bustling izakaya. Stepping through the front door, Naruto spotted the chakra’s source, his eyes widening as he saw Senju Tsunade sitting at a table alongside a woman with jet black hair and onyx eyes. For a moment, he thought the woman might be an Uchiha before noting the lack of blue tint in her dark hair.
‘Could be mixed,’ Naruto thought to himself as he stuffed his hands into his pocket and made his way across the restaurant. He knew he should go find Jiraiya, but Tsunade had already noticed him. Her amber eyes had met his the moment he’d looked her way before returning to her menu.
“Hey,” Naruto greeted as he reached the sanin’s table, earning an unimpressed look from the blond. Beside her, the black haired woman blinked, eyes traveling to Naruto’s headband before worry briefly flashed across her face. “What?”
“You’re a bold brat I’ll give you that much.” Tsunade let out a sigh and rested her chin on her hand. Perfectly manicured nails caught Naruto’s eyes, white nail polish decorating them. Tsunade looked young, perhaps twenty years old or so, with not a sign of age on her face though the look in her eyes made it clear she had seen more than most. “What do you want?”
“I’d never felt a chakra like yours before, so I figured I’d see what it was.” Naruto replied, sliding into the table across from the woman and flashing her a foxy grin. “Your chakra is really pretty by the way. Kind of the opposite of a friend of mine, but similar as well.” Naruto explained and Tsunade arched an eyebrow. “Your chakra is like a diamond and hers is like, well, a fire?”
Tsunade snorted in amusement, grabbing a cup of sake and taking a sip before looking over the younger blond. Naruto caught the glint of recognition in her eyes. Years of experience had taught him to watch the expressions of the adults around him. It helped him escape danger and Sakura had only encouraged the skill when they met, even though she protected him from harm.
“And so you just, what, waltz up to me and take a seat at the table? As I sad, pretty damn bold for a brat. You do know who I am right? Or are you bold and stupid?” Tsunade asked and Naruto couldn’t help but grin at her. She was exactly the kind of crazy he’d been expecting from Jiraiya’s stories but there was something more to her that the pervert hadn’t mentioned. She wasn’t just smart, she was canny, mischievous in a way that was easy to miss.
“A lot of people have called me stupid over the years you know? Funny thing about that though, I always outsmarted them in the end.” Naruto grinned happily and rested his chin in his hands. Tsunade let out a bark of laughter and shook her head, taking another gulp from her cup. “So to answer your question I know who you are Senju Tsunade.”
“And? Why are you here?” Tsunade asked before frowning. “Scratch that, I know why you’re here but do you really think I’ll say yes?” Tsunade asked and Naruto shrugged. The two blonds looked at each other, one hiding his ire while the elder simply considered the son of her deceased cousin.
“I think you don’t deserve it.” Naruto started before his grin fell, his usual bright demeanor fading somewhat. Naruto had studied history, Sakura had forced facts into his skull until he could pass his genin test easily even with the skewed grading he faced. Of course he couldn’t conjure up a clone so he ultimately still failed but the truth remained, he had passed the written exam. “You know, every Hokage has died for the village, but even so it’s still my dream. I want to protect my home and my precious people.”
“And you don’t need to become Hokage to manage that. All you idiots ranting about the will of fire and defending your village are fools. The village doesn’t deserve any of you.” Tsunade replied and Naruto shrugged as the woman refilled her cup and then drained it. He eyed her until she refocused on him, her expression hardening. “What?”
“I know Konoha has its flaws but if I don’t become Hokage, how am I supposed to fix them? You’ve got a problem with the village? Do something about it, you’ve got that chance, a chance I’ve been dreaming of my whole life.” Naruto saw his words land as Tsunade flinched and looked away. Her expression soured instantly, guilt and anguish shattering her cocky facade like glass and revealing the bitter, hurting soul underneath.
“And if I don’t want to die for Konoha? It’s not worth your life kid. That village…” Tsunade sneered, her hand tightening around her cup, cracks racing through the ceramic vessel and sake leaking over the table. “My whole clan died for Konoha. Every man woman and child, my parents, my grandparents, my brother and for what? A system funded by blood money? So more children can be raised up, their heads full of lies and eyes blinded by false glory so they can be thrown into battle far too young?”
Naruto looked at Tsunade as the woman’s chest heaved with the force of her emotions. The diamond that was her chakra had cracked, passion bleeding through and her eyes blazing. She reminded him of Sakura in a way, if Sakura had shattered and become bitter and broken.
“You’re a lot like Sakura,” Naruto’s words froze Tsunade in place. The Senju’s eyes widened and then narrowed. “She says Konoha was founded to end the war between the clans. That the village was supposed to defend children and ensure they wouldn’t be sent out to battle. That it was supposed to be a place of learning and cooperation, that Madara and Hashirama would be upset if they saw what’s become of it.”
“Sakura?” Tsunade asked, her voice deathly quiet. She knew the name, even if she had never met the legendary Uchiha summoner, though the boy had to be talking about someone else. There was no way this was the Sakura that Tobirama loathed.
“Yeah, she’s really smart and stuff. Taught me history and helped me pass in the academy! She always gets sad when she talks about it though and I don’t think she likes your clan very much but she loves Izumi-sensei so I’m not too sure. Then again Izumi is only half Senju.” Naruto trailed off and scratched his head. He could see Tsunade was becoming overwhelmed and decided to shift gears. “Why, do you know Sakura-sensei?”
“I know of a Sakura, but she lived a very long time ago. She was an Uchiha, a tiger summoner and-” Tsunade stopped, the woman catching the moment Naruto’s eyebrows rose. “This friend of yours is a tiger summoner, with pink hair called Sakura?”
“Yeah, but she’s my age and she’s a Haruno.” Naruto wasn’t about to inform Tsunade that Sakura had the sharingan. That was a secret he would take to his grave. He knew he’d been left out of a lot, the Uchiha survivors were practically drowning in secrets but Naruto wasn’t an idiot. He understood they had enemies and secrecy was their only defense.
“Oh,” Tsunade’s tension vanished immediately and she shook her head. “I must be going senile, to think that the Byakko could still be alive and in Konoha no less.” The woman heaved a massive sigh and then looked back at Naruto. “You won’t convince me to return to the village with you.”
“Want to make that a bet?” Naruto asked, a sly grin stealing across his face. Tsunade rolled her eyes, looking utterly unimpressed as she leaned forward, chin resting on her palm.
“And what would I get if I win?” Tsunade asked and Naruto frowned before shrugging. He wasn’t sure he could offer anything Tsunade would want but even so he racked his brain for an answer. The woman was bitter, broken and utterly disillusioned with the world. She had drowned herself in cynicism, convincing herself that nothing could or would ever change, that it was pointless to even try.
“I’ll give up on becoming Hokage.” Naruto challenged and Tsunade froze, eyes widening in shock and lips parting slightly. He knew he had her, his pranking instincts that Sakura had reminded him time and time again were useful for more then just mischief, had lead him true.
“Easiest bet in the world, all I have to do is refuse to return and I get to save your life as an added bonus.” Tsunade scoffed, though Naruto could tell she was uneasy. He offered the woman a fierce grin and saw her self doubt return full force.
“I’ll convince you, just you wait.” Naruto promised, though he had no idea how he was going to manage it. Still, Naruto wasn’t the type to back down and he knew Tsunade wouldn’t be fleeing from them anytime soon. The woman was invested now and as she waved over a waiter, ordering her dinner the clone let itself disperse, enjoying the shock as both women realized the entire conversation had occurred by proxy. Truly a prank to be proud of.