Lotus Of The Leaf ~Book One~

Chapter 46! The Necklace of Death!

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Tsunade slams her fist against the ground just as Naruto is on her with that Rasengan, and his foot is caught in the cracked earth. His Rasengan buries into the ground, and sends him flying backwards. Naruto starts struggling in the crack. "Oh my god- this is too good." I tease as I approach him and gaze down at his agitated expression.

"SH-SHUT IT, REN!" Naruto bellows. I laugh heartily and extend my arm to pull him out.

"Naruto, are you all right?" Shizune asks softly.

"Jiraiya!" Tsunade snaps. I turn my head to gaze at her. "Are you the one who taught this little kid the Rasengan?"

"Well, of course I did." Jiraiya retorts as if it's obvious. "I'm his teacher, aren't I? What of it."

"You and the Forth Hokage are the only ones who can use that jutsu. Whats the point of teaching it to someone who could never master it?" She looks furious. "You old fool! Giving him false hopes like that. Filling his head with stupid ideas. Making him think he could actually be Hokage some day!"

"I'll show you who's stupid!" Naruto bellows as he stands up quickly. "Just wait! Give me just three days, and I'll have that jutsu down flat!" He exclaims.

"Watch what you say, kid." Tsunade scoffs. "I might just hold you to it."

Naruto scoffed back. "I said it, and I never go back on my word. That's my nindo- My ninja way!"

I gasp softly and smile. He never fails to surprise me. "Well then, care to make a bet on it?" Tsunade asks.

"A bet?" Naruto asks.

"I'll give you one week," Tsunade starts explaining. "If you can master that jutsu by then, I'll admit I'm wrong, and that you're worthy of becoming Hokage. I'll even throw in my necklace."

"Lady Tsunade, No!" Shizune objects. "No, you don't really mean that."

"Ah, you can keep it." Naruto casually denies. "I'm not really into jewelry"

"You numb skull." Jiraiya quips to him. "That necklace belonged to the first Hokage himself. There are only three like it in the world." He explains. "Why that little thing is worth three gold mines, and the mountains on top of 'em."

'Really? Dad's old necklace is super expensive? Why'd Mom let me keep it, then?' I cock my head and reach into my pouch and finger the small necklace delicately.

"Lady, you've got yourself a bet." Naruto agrees immediately.

'Well, at least he'll have ramen set up for life.' I moan outwardly.

"All right," Tsunade smirks. "However, if you don't master it in a week, you lose and admit I was right. And I get the money in froggy." Tsunade holds up Naruto's froggy purse.

"Wow- I didn't even see her take it." I exclaim softly.

"Not Gama!" Naruto exclaims in terror.

"Lady Tsunade, what are you doing?" Shizune asks in horror. "How could you gamble with the necklace?"

"He hasn't a chance of winning." Tsunade retorts. "Let's go Shizune." She walks off with Shizune. I try to take a step towards them, but the fear of rejection takes hold quickly. I lower my gaze and cross my arms over my chest.

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The river babbled calmly as I sat by its side, letting my bare feet soak into the cool water. "Excuse me," I hear Shizune behind me. I turn my head and smile at her.

"Ms. Shizune-" I turn my head back to the waters surface and tense when she sits besides me.

"You're.... You're Shun's daughter... Correct?" She asks cautiously.