The Agreement

Inside the tavern, Jiraiya and Tsunade had both drunk quite a bit.

"Time has left its marks on your face, Jiraiya..."

"But you're still as radiant as ever, Tsunade..."

The two traded words like this, reminiscing about the past.

"Don't beat around the bush. You wouldn't come looking for me for no reason," Tsunade said, looking at Jiraiya.

"Then I'll get straight to it. The village hopes... that you'll become the Fifth Hokage..."

Jiraiya's words chilled the entire table's atmosphere.

"So the old man really is gone..." Tsunade sighed.

"You knew?"

"Orochimaru told me. He killed the teacher..."

Naruto stood frozen beside them, then a few seconds later suddenly shouted.

"Who exactly is this Orochimaru you're talking about! Why did he kill Grandpa Third!"

Jiraiya glanced at Naruto, signaling Jimo to explain.

"Naruto, the two people in front of you are famous Konoha ninja! These two, plus Orochimaru... are the Three Ninja who dominated the Great Ninja War..."

"But if they're friends with the Pervy Sage! Then they should be Konoha ninja! Why would he kill Grandpa Third, why would he want to destroy Konoha!"

"Shut up, who's this brat?" Tsunade's beautiful eyes flicked toward Naruto as she asked.

"He's Uzumaki Naruto!"

Tsunade froze for a few seconds. Naruto's spiky blond hair really did resemble the Fourth Hokage's...

"But why make her Hokage..."

"Shut up, Naruto! Do you think this is some kind of ninja game? This is for the village, a decision made by the upper leadership collective. It's not something you can decide based on personal preference!"

Jiraiya's stern expression startled Naruto. He had never seen Jiraiya speak to him so seriously.

"I... refuse!"

"Didn't we come out here to find her and get her to go back and heal Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke, and that bushy-browed guy's injuries! How did this turn into making her the Fifth Hokage!" Naruto said.

"Stop messing around. She's the perfect candidate to inherit the Hokage position. On a small scale, she's a key figure who helped Konoha win the Great Ninja War, with medical skills no one can match. On a larger scale, she's the granddaughter of the First Hokage and Second Hokage who founded Konoha, carrying the purest Konoha ninja bloodline."

"Jiraiya, this brat is nowhere near your previous disciple!" Tsunade said, casting a slightly dismissive glance at Naruto, who was about to explode. "Not in looks, not in talent, and not even in brains!"

Just as Naruto was about to lose it, Jimo pressed him down firmly.

"Save your energy! Jiraiya-sama's previous disciple... you really can't compare..."

"Who was that guy! How can I not compare!" Naruto said defiantly.

"The Fourth Hokage! Can you compare to that?" Jimo's words struck like a knife, stabbing straight into Naruto's heart.

"Right in the feels... Jimo..." Naruto twitched his cheeks, admitting the truth...

"This disciple of yours isn't bad!" Tsunade looked at Jimo, praising him.

"Good looks, and he knows how to speak properly!"

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama, for the compliment!" Jimo bowed to Tsunade.

"Even his manners are way better than this yellow-spiky-haired brat!"

Tsunade paused, then spoke slowly. "Life and money are different. The First, Second, Fourth... all died with regrets. The Fourth was so young... he threw away his life for the village... That's not cherishing life, that's just stupid..."

"You've changed, Tsunade..." Jiraiya was momentarily at a loss for words, his expression heavy. No one knew what he was thinking.

"Fighting desperately at this age? That's just asking for death. Hokage? Only a fool would become Hokage!"

Tsunade said drunkenly.

Hearing Tsunade insult the Hokage like that, Naruto charged at her in fury, but was pinned to the ground by an even faster figure.

"Jimo, what are you doing! She's insulting Grandpa Hokage like that, I'm going to punch her! Even if she's a woman! I'll still punch her!"

"Shut up!"

Jimo said with a dark expression.

"Naruto! Normally you can cause as much trouble as you want, but not today! Of everyone here... the one hurting the most is probably Tsunade-sama..."

"Kid, let him go. I'll give him a chance to challenge me! It'll help me sober up anyway!"

Tsunade stood up and walked outside.

Luckily it was late at night, and the streets were empty of pedestrians.

Naruto pulled out a kunai and charged, but Tsunade sent him flying with a single flick to the forehead, even knocking off his headband!

"Kid, why do you care so much about the title of Hokage?" Tsunade asked, looking at Naruto, whose eyes were filled with determination.

"Because my dream is to become Hokage! To have the whole village acknowledge my existence!"

At that moment, the figures of Dan and Nawaki surfaced before Tsunade. By the time she snapped out of it, Naruto was already charging at her with a Rasengan spinning in his hand.

"Boom!" A loud crash rang out as Tsunade drove a single finger into the ground, splitting it open with a crack. Naruto, in a most undignified manner, tumbled straight into the ditch.

"Compared to the Fourth, he's far off... You taught him this, didn't you, Jiraiya?" Tsunade shot a glance at Jiraiya, who was desperately searching for a crack to crawl into.

"Uh... I'd say it was a joint effort between me and this kid over here..." Jiraiya pointed at Jimo beside him, trying to share the burden of shame.

"You'd better stop teaching him techniques like this! He can't learn them!"

"What are you talking about! I've been able to use the Rasengan for a while now! I just need both hands, that's all!" Naruto said indignantly.

"Kid! War won't give you excuses! Since you're so fond of dreaming, let's make a bet. I'll give you one week. If you can form a Rasengan with one hand that satisfies me, I'll give you this necklace!"

With that, Tsunade pulled a green crystal necklace from between her jade peaks.

"I don't need something like that!" Naruto scoffed.

"That's the First Hokage's Necklace! If you sold it, you could probably buy three mountains!"

"I'll take that bet!"

Naruto's face did a lightning-fast turnaround, only to find a round, plump Green Toad appearing in Tsunade's hand...

"If you lose, the money in this wallet is mine!"

"When did you—!!!"

Tsunade ignored Naruto's impotent rage and turned her gaze to Jimo.

"This kid knows the Rasengan too?"

"He figured it out on his own... I didn't teach him..."

Tsunade's interest was instantly piqued!

"Come on, kid, spar with me for a bit!"

Shizune dragged Naruto to the side. Tsunade snapped her fingers, signaling the start.

Jimo flashed behind Tsunade, a Rasengan materializing in his hand in an instant.

"So fast!" Jiraiya and Shizune exclaimed in shock.

Just as the Rasengan was about to land, Tsunade, without even turning her head, kicked backward and sent him flying.

Jimo spun continuously in midair, finally dispersing Tsunade's monstrous strength.

"How did this kid manage that? He actually withstood Tsunade's monstrous strength!" Jiraiya recalled the time he himself had been sent flying by Tsunade and couldn't help but sigh that each generation produces its own talents...