The Golden Fox And The Crimson Dragon Blade

Chapter 24: The Northern Blade And Tsunade's Dilemma

In town Jiraiya had gotten out of bed and walked straight into the bathroom to freshen up a bit, he already had a destination in mind where he was sure to find a certain drunk chick sitting alone drinking herself stupid with sake.

Ever since Tsunade's love and younger brother had died in the third great ninja world war, she had completely broken down and left the village. Last time he had heard about her, she had apparently earned a new nick name due to her gambling, it was the legendary sucker. Every time she hit the jackpot at some random town, it wouldn't take more than a week before she had gambled it all away once again and was building up continued debt over the years...

Half an hour later, Jiraiya arrived at the local bar where he as predicted found Tsunade sitting alone at the stance with at least 10 empty sake bottles surrounding her. He sighed as he made his way over to her and sat down with her barely noticing him.

(Jiraiya to the clerk) "Two glasses of sake please."

(Clerk) "Coming right up sir."

(Jiraiya turning to Tsunade) "Is it what Naruto said last night that made you come here?"

(Tsunade looking down at the table with lost eyes) "Why does he put so much effort into reaching an impossible dream..."

(Jiraiya) "He has not lived the happiest of childhoods, at age 4 he was kicked out of the orphanage and was hated by the villagers who would simply ignore him, this has caused him to grow up very lonely and it also made him yearn after their acknowledgement (Smiling) Then he met Dom who was the first to give him friendship and acknowledgement which caused the two to grow close like brothers. It also renewed the hope in Naruto and made him dream of being Hokage so he could finally be recognized as more than just a demon brat by the villagers and everyone in the world."

(Tsunade Looking Sad) "It's just plain stupid..."

(Jiraiya) "Perhaps it is, but he never gives up because that is the will of fire that burns bright in him forever and ever."

(Tsunade simply looked even more sad with a full bottle of sake in her hand) "..."

(Jiraiya taking a drink) "Are you thinking about Dan and Nawaki?"

(Tsunade Frozen in place clutching her necklace) "..."

(Jiraiya in thought) "So she is still overwhelmed by the trauma and depression that followed with their deaths huh... (out loud) I know that he reminds you of Nawaki and Dan which brings up painful memories, but you have to realize that at some point in your life you need to move on."

Tsunade closed her eyes still facing the table with Jiraiya looking at her with his sympathetic eyes, suddenly a single tear fell onto the wooden table as Tsunade was struggling to keep the tears back.

(Jiraiya serious) "When is your meeting with Orochimaru?"

(Tsunade widening her eyes still with tears flowing) "..."

(Jiraiya) "I know you met him a few days ago, and I can't imagine that he was simply there to see you after 20 years of nothing... Whatever it is that he has promised you then you mustn't give in and let your feelings cloud your judgment."

(Tsunade brushing off her tears) "I shut him down from the start, and I have no intentions of doing anything."

(Jiraiya talking in a serious tone) "Good, because if I find out that you healed Orochimaru's arms somehow and he then attacks the leaf again, then I will personally find and kill you both understood...?"

(Tsunade looking at him seriously) "I don't care for your threats Jiraiya, I shot him down and i don't need your threats to scare me into saying something that has no relevance."