Vision of Truth I: Cat and Fox (Naruto)

Tsunade's Battle

Chapter 30: Tsunade's Battle

Throughout out training, Jiraiya continued to drag Naruto and me from village to village in his pursuit of Tsunade. We had been traveling for three weeks when we arrived at a new village late at night. "You know, I'm starting to think this old lady doesn't even exist," Naruto muttered as we wandered through the streets.

Jiraiya stopped walking and faced some sort of eating establishment. "Well, in the meantime, we'll get a bite to eat in here," he said.

"Hey! What are you talking about? It's a tavern!"

"Which will have food," I said. "I'm hungry. Let's go."

"That's what I like to hear," Jiraiya said and lead the way into the restaurant. His eyes narrowed at two women in a booth in the back, and they stared right back at him. Then he pointed at the woman on the right and shouted, "Tsunade!"

"Jiraiya?" said the woman, standing up. "What the - why are you here?"

"Well, this is convenient," I said.

"Finally, I've been looking everywhere for you," Jiraiya said as we made our way to the booth. "Oh, should have known you'd be in here."

"Hey, Naruto, what is the drinking age here?" I asked.

"Uh, 15, I think," Naruto said.

I grinned. "Sweet!"

"No," Jiraiya said, causing me to mutter in complaint. He slipped into the booth to sit opposite of Tsunade. Naruto and I followed. A stare down ensued. Only after we had all received our food and/or drinks did discussions begin.

For her part, Tsunade already appeared to have had too much to drink, but that did not stop Jiraiya from pouring her another one. "It's like a reunion," she said. "All y'all's faces coming back at the same time."

"You mean Orochimaru," Jiraiya said, causing me to start. "So, what happened?"

"Oh, nothing very much. We said hello, that's about it." She took out a deck of cards and began shuffling them. "Well then, why have you been looking for me?"

Jiraiya took the deck of cards placed on the table and shuffled them himself. "I'll cut right to the chase. Tsunade, in its wisdom, the village has come to the decision to name you as the Fifth Hokage." Naruto and I exchanged shocked looks. At least that explained the frantic searching.

Tsunade ignored him while they started to play cards. Jiraiya explained the situation and the dangers Orochimaru posed. Apparently, Orochimaru was one of the Sannin like Jiraiya and Tsunade. He would surely try to destroy the village again. We needed a new hokage. Jiraiya demanded an answer.

Tsunade tossed her cards on the table face down. "Impossible," she said. "I decline."

"You know, it's kind of funny," said Jiraiya. "That rings a bell. I remember you saying those very words the first and only time I ever asked you out." I nearly choked on my water. Naruto did not seem too happy about the turn of events either, letting out a frustrated shout. "Don't worry, Naruto. She knows she can't refuse. There can be no on else. There was no one who contributed more to the Leaf's victory in the great war. She combines unrivaled skills as a warrior with the ability to heal others. What's more, she is the granddaughter of the very First Hokage."

"Is that so?" I said, looking at her with extreme interest. The First Hokage was the one who had sealed my family's fate.

"That's right. In heritage and abilities, she is the clear and only choice to be the Fifth Hokage. And once she accepts her destiny, which she will, then she'll have to come back with us to the village and there heal your friends. You see, it's all been carefully thought out by the highest councils of the village. No offense, but it is not something an underage genin is expected to understand."