Life in Konoha's ANBU by Shezza

Chapter 13: Unsanctioned Betting: Part IV

It was with a face of grim determination, tightened fists and five black-cloaked and white-masked ANBU operatives trailing after him that Naruto stalked through the streets of Crater City. The citizens gave a wide berth from the intimidating sight as the young, blonde ANBU practically stormed up to the casino where Tsunade was staying at. There were some well-dressed guards at the door but a single warning look from Naruto made them stay their ground as he stalked past them, opening the doors and stepping onto the casino floor.

The arrival of an ANBU Squad was met with a few shrieks and, from the corner of his eye, Naruto saw a few shinobi guards of some of the other VIP guests tense. Two in particular frowned, their Kumo headbands glinting, and they moved closer to the old, portly man they were guarding. Naruto dismissed them almost immediately as he pushed past frightened patrons and gaping waitresses to the back tables, where he could already hear Tsunade-sama's obnoxious laugh.

"Sir, please, you can't- Sir....Sir?" The short, balding floor manager was sweating as he unsuccessfully tried to block Naruto's path to Tsunade.

There was a rustle of fabric and a flash of black and suddenly Kage was there, a firm hand on the manager's shoulder, halting the small man in his path and allowing Naruto to pass. The closer he got to the table and the stench of sweat, smoke and booze, the angrier he became. When he finally pushed past the startled crowd of admirers and made it to the edge of the table, his face was like a thundercloud and he stared down at Tsunade grimly. The other players at the table fell silent as Naruto appeared- and the whole crowd became deathly still as the ANBU flanked him.

Tsunade eyed him and took another drink from her mug. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand and stared up at him with lazy golden eyes, looking completely unconcerned. "What do you want, brat?" she asked him lazily.

"Tsunade-sama," Naruto greeted stiffly. "As per our agreement, you're going to come with us. We'll escort you in your journey."

"I told you we were going tomorrow," Tsunade remarked casually, throwing her cards onto the table with a somewhat challenging look on her face. "I'm busy now. Go away and we can talk tomorrow."

"Really?" Naruto's voice was deceptively light. "So my subordinate was wrong when he saw your assistant packing your bags with plans to leave tonight?"

Tsunade stiffened. She eyed him blankly. "Yes," she said quietly. "He was. Now, I want you- "

She was cut off as Naruto lunged. Chakra swirled in his palm, spiralling, coalescing and forming into a small deadly orb that hissed. Then, the patrons shrieked and screamed and the other players swore as the unmasked ANBU bought his half-formed Ransengan down onto the table. It tore through the wood with ease, shattering it in an instant, and glass, chips and broken wood fell to the ground with a loud crash. Naruto was breathing harshly as he straightened up, glaring down at the Legendary Tsunade. He hadn't seen her move- she didn't look like she had even flinched- but her drink that had been on the table was in one hand and her roll of chips was in the other. She stared at him dangerously as Naruto nodded to his ANBU.

"This is official Leaf business! Everybody out!" Towa yelled.

He and the rest of Team Sigma shepherded the crowd of bystanders, patrons and workers out of the building. The two Kumo shinobi bodyguards looked extremely interested in what was going on but it was only until Komachi and Kage confronted them that they moved. In a few moments, the Casino floor was deserted as Team Sigma took posts outside, keeping the crowd from returning. It was only Naruto and Tsunade now, the former breathing deeply as he regained his composure and the latter swirling a drink in her hand, looking completely unconcerned about the events that had just happened.