Commander Kitsune

Forty-Eight

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING. Homework and studying leave me almost no time to write T^T . But YES I will keep updating this story and I WILL finish this, no matter how long it takes. But do expect long intervals between updates. 

(Cheese and rice, I'm like Naruto and his promises. *cries.* We're getting better, I swear.)

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Naruto's POV

"Lady Tsunade," I say, entering the Hokage's office the next morning. As Sasuke suggested, I'm here today to get my position as Commander back. He was disappointed when I told him he couldn't go with me- people who didn't have connections to anbu weren't allowed in affairs like this. Lady Tsunade is neck-deep in paperwork, and she looks like she hasn't slept in a while. Bottles of sake lay littered on the floor next to her desk. 

She lets out an audible sigh when she sees me, knowing I bring nothing but trouble. "What is it this time, Naruto?"

"You look tired," I commented, cocking my head with my hands behind my back. "You should take a break every now and then."

She scoffed. "As if a Hokage gets a break. You were the one who signed me up for this, brat. Even with Shizune helping me, the paperwork concerning Obito and the Akatsuki are piling up, and more things are coming in faster than I can get them done."

"I'm very sorry about that," I say, not sorry at all. Lady Tsunade knows this, and rolls her eyes.

"Just get on with it. What do you want?"

"Ah, right." I snapped my fingers, and my clothes changed into my anbu uniform. I hold my kitsune mask in my left hand. "Lady Tsunade, I would like to request an official duel with the Commander of the Anbu Black Ops for the title of Commander."

She doesn't even look surprised anymore, not looking up from her papers. "You're aware that I still haven't agreed for you to become a shinobi again, nor have I forgiven you for all the problems you brought upon us, right?" 

"I'm aware."

Lady Tsunade sighs again, dropping her papers to rub the bridge of her nose. "But I suppose the rules are that I can't refuse a request for an official duel." She stares at me with tired eyes. "Would it be a fight to the death?"

I shook my head. "No need. Just until one admits defeat."

"With his arrogant personality then, it'll probably lead to death anyway..." she mumbles. 

"Who? The current Commander, Dragon? What's he like?"

Lady Tsunade reaches under her desk and pulls out another bottle of sake. "He's arrogant and rather loud, and I'm pretty sure most anbu dislike him- but he's strong enough to be commander, at least."

"Stronger than me?" I teased.

She glares at me for a quick moment before taking a swig of sake. Honestly. Drinking sake on the job. "Even Jiraiya and I are only a little over half your strength."

I hummed. The only person even close to my strength is Sasuke- I'd like to say that he'll be on my level one day. Maybe even Sakura.

"An official match... so all of Anbu would need to attend," Lady Tsunade says, exasperated. "Do you need me to oversee, or no?"

"I wouldn't want to take up your time. I'm sure we can handle it, but you can come if you like," I answered.

Lady Tsunade stares at her sake rather distastefully, as if the taste weren't to her liking. She waves me off, dismissing me. "Hm. Go on then. To be honest, it'll be a relief once you beat Dragon. I never liked him very much either."