finally || naruto and tsunade

x

Tsunade listened to Terumi Mei's story.

"They call themselves the Purists," she explained, giving a name to the shady group that had tried to kill her. "They rose to prominence after I defeated Yagura and took command of Kirigakure."

"Who are they? And why did they attack Tsunade?" Naruto asked, steel in his tone.

Mei sighed, rubbing tired eyes. "They're a group of separatists that see themselves as loyalists to the previous Mizukage and his regime," Mei continued. "They despise me, a usurper in their eyes, as a Bloodline Limit user. They want the village to go back to the old ways, where people like me were persecuted and slaughtered for just existing."

Tsunade remembered vividly the bloody past of the Land of Water.

"But why would they attack Lady Tsunade?" Konohamaru asked from behind her, standing next to Naruto. She was seated across from the Mizukage, two shinobi at her back.

"It's still just speculation, but I suspect it was to spark conflict between our villages," Mei answered, looking far too tired than she should. "If the alliance falters, we'd be alone if an internal conflict broke out again..."

Tsunade rubbed her temples. No matter what efforts anyone made, conflict seemed to be inescapable.

"I understand if you want to cut your trip short and leave early..." Mei said, slightly hesitant. Tsunade could tell that the woman didn't want them to leave at all.

"No," she said, crossing her arms definitely. "I won't run away. I'm not afraid of these people." Honestly, Tsunade thought these "Purists" would be terrified to attack them again, after Kurama's little joke.

Mei smiled brightly. "I'm glad to hear that." She stood from her seat, looking apologetic. "I'm very sorry that this happened on my watch," she said, bowing slightly.

"It's not your fault," Naruto said, sighing, his shoulders finally relaxing. "I won't let a few losers mess up everything we've all worked so hard to build," he promised, sounding more and more like the Naruto she loved. "I'll help you put an end to these... Purses, or whatever they call themselves."

Yup. He was back to normal.

Everyone laughed-except Naruto-and Mei smiled.

"Thank you, Naruto-san," the Mizukage said, genuinely happy that Naruto wasn't furious anymore. Whether anyone would admit it or not, her idiot was the linchpin that held the alliance together.

If Naruto stopped believing, the alliance would crumble, and everyone knew it.

"I'll beat some sense into them, just like I did to Sasuke!" The idiot gave the Mizukage a thumbs-up.

Thankfully, Naruto was nothing if not a believer.

| A Believer |

Naruto wouldn't leave her side for the next two days.

He was like a mother hen, following her around wherever she went, even to the bathroom, the idiot.

But she didn't mind. The failed assassination gave them an excuse to be seen together at all times, allowing them to even sleep in the same room, though most people thought he was crashing on the floor or a couch, not with her in her bed.

They spent several days stuck like glue, Naruto's impressive presence a shining beacon at her side at all times.

| A Believer |

With someone like the Great Uniter showing up, their plans were forced to change. The Hero of the Fourth wasn't a simple pawn, but a piece that changed the game entirely.