Naruto and Shikamaru both looked at the large town, Tanzaku Town was its name, the large castle that was clearly the main attraction of the town. But Naruto and Shikamaru were looking more into the underbelly where gambling was prominent. The town was in full swing of a festival, meaning there were more people here than usual. Shikamaru and Naruto tried not to let this ruin their mood, they had a very good trip, both talking about them and their lives. They had a lot of laughs, Naruto looked at Shikamaru who was looking tired.

"We need to find her before she moves on" said Naruto, Shikamaru nodded.

"But how do we find a woman who doesn't want to be found. Considering this woman is a sennin" asked Shikamaru, Naruto laughed slightly.

"I am sure the answer will just come to us" said Naruto simply. They both walked into the town, and after having their papers checked; they were allowed to enter on the provisory that they only use jutsu if absolutely necessary. Naruto and Shikamaru moved through the town, their eyes peeled, looking for their target. They both were walking forward when they saw a section of the exterior wall protecting the castle crumble.

"Told you the answer would come to us" said Naruto, Shikamaru smirked and followed Naruto as he dashed through the people, when it got too busy he took to the rooftops. They both landed on the roof of the building and watched as two sennin were having a stare down.

"Come now Tsunade, just for old times' sake" said Orochimaru, his arms were both in a sling. Next to him stood Kabuto Yakushi

"I knew there was something wrong with him" muttered Shikamaru.

"You expect me to help you, after you admit to killing Sarutobi-sensei" said a blonde haired women, she was wearing a grass-green robe with the kanji for gamble written in black inside a red circle on the back. Underneath she wore a grey, kimono-style blouse with no sleeves, held closed by a broad, dark bluish-grey obi that matched her pants. Her blouse was closed quite low, revealing her sizeable cleavage; she wore open-toed sandals with high heels. Next to her was a short, dark haired woman. She was wearing a long bluish-black kimono with white trimmings, held closed by a white obi, and open-toed sandals with low heels. She was stood protectively in front of Tsunade.

"Yes well, we can always make a deal Tsunade; I have learnt a technique created by your granduncle. I never got a chance to use it against Sarutobi-sensei; I got interrupted and didn't get a chance to see it work. Edo Tensei, I can bring back your loved ones, if you heal my arms" said Orochimaru, Naruto watched as pain rolled across Tsunade's face, and saw her actually considering it. Naruto saw the smirk on Orochimaru's face. Naruto unsheathed his sword and blurred away before Shikamaru even blinked. Naruto landed in the centre of the ninja, his sword pointed at Orochimaru.

"She would probably accept that, if you weren't lying" said Naruto, Orochimaru looked into Naruto's sharingan and licked his lips.

"Managing to sneak up on the sennin, well done Mr Uzumaki" said Orochimaru with a laugh, his eyes alight with awe and fascination.

"Kabuto Yakushi, I knew there was a reason I didn't trust you" said Naruto simply, Kabuto shrugged his shoulders. Tsunade and her dark haired companion looked confused.

"Naruto Uzumaki, I am surprised you aren't at the funeral" said Kabuto evilly, a smirk on his face.

"What funeral, the Third Hokage is still alive" said Naruto simply, Orochimaru looked angry and Kabuto looked confused.

"But the village said he was dead" said Kabuto, Naruto smirked.

"The village, who knew there was a mole said the third had died" said Naruto simply, Kabuto growled under his breath, Orochimaru glared at Naruto.

"You are a brat who really does keep getting in my way" said Orochimaru, Naruto tensed, his hand clenching the hilt of his blade tighter. They were all distracted by the sound of a large crash. Another section of the wall crumbled down, Tsunade stood with her fist against where the wall should have been.

"What is going on here" said Tsunade, a glare settled on her face.

"Orochimaru here tried to destroy Konoha, and the old man. But he failed, now he is slithering to the best medic there is, in hopes she would cave to his requests" said Naruto, Kabuto tensed at the anger that Orochimaru was exerting.

"You keep getting in my way" said Orochimaru, Kabuto was tensed to moved, but found he couldn't move his body. He looked down and saw a shadow extending out from his body.

"Damn it" cursed Kabuto, Orochimaru snarled under his breath

"It is regrettable that I have you two as opponents, but I cannot fight you here" said Orochimaru, he turned and moved towards Kabuto, he held out a kunai and went to stab him, Shikamaru quickly released the shadow, and Kabuto grabbed hold of Orochimaru.

"We will meet again Uzumaki" said Kabuto, Orochimaru looked at Tsunade.

"You have a week to decide, I will message you the coordinates" said Orochimaru before they disappeared.

"Are we going to pursue" questioned Naruto, Shikamaru shook his head.

"Our mission has been accomplished" said Shikamaru, Naruto nodded and with a flick of his wrist, he moved the bladed to the sheath and slid it home on his back. Tsunade and her companion were looking at Naruto and Shikamaru with a critical eye.

"Who are you two brats" questioned Tsunade, Naruto and Shikamaru both bowed.

"We are sent here with a request from the leaf village" said Shikamaru, Naruto looked up at her.

"May we offer you lunch in respect for your time" said Naruto politely, Tsunade nodded and turned away from the wall, Shikamaru and Naruto followed silently. They all sat in the little bar, tension laced the room, Tsunade was sat glaring at them.

"What are your names" questioned Tsunade, Naruto raised a red eyebrow.

"Shikamaru Nara, Chunin of Konoha" said Shikamaru simply, Naruto scowled.

"Though Orochi-teme was slinging my name around, it's Naruto Uzumaki" said Naruto, Tsunade looked at Naruto critically, when her eyes widened.

"Yo...you should be dead" said Tsunade, Naruto frowned.

"I should? How polite" said Naruto simply, Shizune, Tsunade's escort looked at Tsunade sadly.

"No, you are my..." said Tsunade, Naruto frowned, remembering a distant conversation from his grandfather.

"You need to talk with Tsunade Senju; she was only young during my time" echoed Daisuke's voice, Naruto frowned at Tsunade

"That can be discussed later, our mission is to deliver the request from the leaf village" said Naruto, Tsunade nodded. They sat in the bar in the corner; Naruto's blade was propped up against the wall, a saucer of sake sat in front of each of them.

"What is the message" said Tsunade, Naruto and Shikamaru looked at eachother and sighed.

"You have been selected to become Konoha's fifth hokage, we are to escort you back so you can fulfil your roles" said Shikamaru, they watched the pain that flickered across Tsunade's face; Naruto tensed as anger then replaced these emotions.

"Why would anyone want that job, it's a fools job, anyone who becomes hokage, just dies for it and after that they are just a face on the mountain. I don't get why anyone would want that job" said Tsunade harshly, Naruto felt a glare slide onto his face.

"Who do you think you are? Trampling over the name of hokage like that, you are nothing but a washed up medic who has lost hope and faith" said Naruto, Tsunade glared at Naruto.

"What would you know?" she challenged, Naruto stood, slamming his hands on the table.

"What I know is that the hokage's have loved their jobs, they protected their loved ones and the village. People all want to be the hokage for that exact purpose, it becomes people's dreams. You are not just trampling on the names, you are trampling on the dreams of others" said Naruto, Tsunade looked pained; she looked at Naruto's solid stare, his unwavering belief.

"You dream of being the hokage?" questioned Tsunade, Naruto nodded seriously.

"I do" said Naruto, Tsunade couldn't help it, the thoughts of her dead brother and lover, their dreams of being hokage, them never reaching that goal.

"It is impossible, it's not an honour, it's a death sentence" said Tsunade, Naruto glared hard, his sharingan whirling.

"You dried up old bat, get over yourself" said Naruto, Tsunade leapt up and grabbed the front of Naruto's flak jacket

"What would you know you foolish little brat" said Tsunade angrily, Naruto smirked.

"More than you do clearly" said Naruto, Tsunade pushed Naruto forcefully down into his seat.

"You are still young, you know nothing of this world" said Tsunade, Naruto glared up at her defiantly.

"Then I hope I never become as bitter as you" said Naruto, Tsunade looked wide eyed, Naruto stood, grabbing his katana that was propped up against the wall.

"Why did they send a couple of brats, they could have just sent a message" said Tsunade, Naruto smirked.

"It's so I can go back and tell the old man how sad and petty you are, so he can see how much his students have fallen" said Naruto harshly, Shikamaru stood and placed a hand on Naruto's arm

"Easy" said Shikamaru, Naruto snorted.

"Look at you, no doubt you have known someone who wanted to be hokage, and have died before reaching that position. What would they think, if they saw you denying their dreams" said Naruto; he walked out of the silent pub, everyone's gaze drawn to the corner. Shikamaru bowed to Tsunade.

"Being the grand-daughter to the first, you should understand Naruto a little, his father was the fourth, he speaks of his dad with pride, his dad died protecting the village. Naruto doesn't think the way you do, maybe it's because he is young, or maybe it's because he is carrying on his father's will. I am sorry if I overstepped my boundaries lady Tsunade, but these need to be said" said Shikamaru, he bowed once more and left the pub, Tsunade sat with her head in her hand.

"Quite the brat isn't he Tsunade" said Jiraiya, Tsunade looked up at him and sighed.

"I should have sensed you here, what do you want" said Tsunade bitterly

"Just came to say hello" said Jiraiya, Tsunade chuckled humourlessly

"I doubt that very much" said Tsunade; she picked up the saucer of sake

"I am following him, I posed as his informant, he and that Nara brat make a dangerous team" said Jiraiya, Tsunade looked at Jiraiya.

"Why didn't you tell me he was alive" said Tsunade, Jiraiya sighed.

"And tell him what, you are related. Your grand-uncle had a daughter, who got married to some nameless wanderer who had a child; they passed away and left their only son. Minato Namikaze. How am I supposed to explain that to him" said Jiraiya softly, Tsunade sighed.

"It would just be nice for him to know he has some family" said Tsunade, Jiraiya laughed slightly.

"He has plenty of that, two adopted brothers, Iruka Umino who officially adopted Naruto, and Sasuke Uchiha who has been through hell recently, and Naruto helped him see the light" said Jiraiya with a chuckle. Tsunade sighed and looked at Jiraiya.

"Orochimaru came to see me" said Tsunade, Jiraiya stopped sipping his sake.

"And? What happened" asked Jiraiya. Naruto sat in the windowsill looking out over the town. Shikamaru was setting up the shogi board.

"Do you think she will take Orochimaru's offer" said Shikamaru into the quiet room, Naruto crossed his arms and sighed, bowing his head slightly.

"I would like to say no, but I think she might" said Naruto, his voice soft, he turned and sat in front of Shikamaru, his hand moving beneath his chin.

"She seemed to be pretty upset about what you said" said Shikamaru, Naruto frowned slightly.

"I didn't say it to make her smile" said Naruto, Shikamaru snorted, moving a piece.

"Indeed, but still, we need her to come back with us, not force her away" said Shikamaru, Naruto chuckled and moved his piece.

"I hope she says no, just so I can that old bat back to the village by her hair" said Naruto, Shikamaru chuckled under his breath.

"Fiery red heads" chuckled Shikamaru, Naruto snorted and moved another piece. Both sat in the room, a single candle lighting their game. Night turned into early morning, Naruto sighed and stood, their match had come at an impasse.

"Draw?" questioned Naruto, Shikamaru laughed briefly and nodded. Naruto grabbed his flak jacket and sword.

"I am going to scout the village, we need to be ready in case she bolts" said Shikamaru, Naruto pulled on his sword and nodded.

"I am going to find someone, don't worry it's not Orochimaru" said Naruto, Shikamaru grumbled.

"I am doing something productive and you go off doing whatever" grumbled Shikamaru, Naruto laughed and leapt out of the window, he dashed through the town; he leapt from roof top to roof top, his sharingan cataloguing everything beneath him. He spotted what he was looking for and jumped down into the street, a few people looked surprised and some looked fearful. Naruto stalked forward and threw the doors open.

"And then I told the little brat I would train him to become a super strong ninja" laughed Jiraiya boisterously, he had two attractive women on each arm, he was lounged out on a large chair, alcohol surrounded him. Naruto ground his teeth, his hand moving to his blade, he was about to pull out the blade when Jiraiya opened his eyes and looked at him with surprise.

"Sensei" growled Naruto slightly, Jiraiya for a brief moment looked frightened, Naruto's ice silver eyes focused, his hands millimetres from the hilt of his sword on his back.

"Naruto, how did you find me" questioned Jiraiya, Naruto was still glaring.

"Well after you pretended to be the informant, you followed me and Shikamaru here and spoke to Tsunade when we left, I left a clone in the bar" said Naruto simply, Jiraiya cursed under his breath.

"What did you hear" questioned Jiraiya, Naruto smirked briefly.

"Enough; excuse us ladies" said Naruto in a clipped tone, the women stood quickly and grabbed their things, they each gave Naruto a wink, and left the room.

"What do you want from me kid" questioned Jiraiya, Naruto had the blade out of its holster and pointed at Jiraiya.

"If you want to put my mission in jeopardy; do it in your own time." Said Naruto angrily, Jiraiya looked sheepish.

"I wanted to see how you handled missions" said Jiraiya honestly, Naruto snorted.

"You could have come with, stop with the sneaking around" said Naruto as he walked away, Naruto turned and looked at Jiraiya.

"What?" questioned Jiraiya, Naruto sighed.

"Will she take his offer" questioned Naruto; Jiraiya looked grim; he nodded his head.

"Sadly, Tsunade has been steeping in her own pool of anger, Orochimaru knows how to push people over the edge" said Jiraiya, Naruto nodded seriously and left the room. He walked towards the gambling places, trying to find Tsunade, Naruto watched as she left one of the gambling halls, and stalked to another, Shizune not too far behind. Naruto followed and stepped inside the room.

"If you are playing kid, you better use the blade as collateral" said a man with a scar on his face, Naruto smiled.

"No need, I will win" said Naruto, he placed his blade on the table, where each person placed their collateral; some were just cheques, money, blades, and family heirlooms. Naruto sat in the perfect position, he watched the man grab a deck of cards.

"Familiar with the game Oicho-Kabu boy?" questioned the man; Naruto nodded his head and sneakily activating his sharingan, as to not alert Tsunade or any possible ninja in the area. Shikamaru was pacing in the hotel suite; night time had fallen of the town. He was about to get up when Naruto burst through the door. He was wearing an expensive male kimono; his sword was slung on his hip making him look like a wandering samurai, his ribbon holding his hair in a ponytail was changed for a strange sealing paper. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow.

"Don't ask" questioned Naruto, Shikamaru rolled his eyes.

"You gambled didn't you" questioned Shikamaru, Naruto nodded but his face grew serious.

"I had a long chat with Tsunade, I think I am getting through" said Naruto, Shikamaru then took a sniff.

"You reek of Sake and smoke" said Shikamaru, Naruto looked sheepish.

"Well smoking isn't too bad" said Naruto, as if for dramatic effect a pack of expensive looking cigarettes hit the floor.

"Naruto, now is not the time to be soul searching" said Shikamaru, Naruto laughed slightly.

"Shikamaru, relax, I got you a present, I had to transfer some money to my account" said Naruto, Shikamaru rubbed a hand through his hair.

"How much did you make" questioned Shikamaru, Naruto's eyebrows waggled.

"Enough to probably buy out the daimyo, people refused to give up" said Naruto, Shikamaru felt his jaw drop; he looked at Naruto and frowned slightly.

"How did you gamble, you're a kid" questioned Shikamaru, Naruto laughed.

"I'm a ninja, it is considered worldwide that ninja's are adults" said Naruto simply with a shrug.