The Shadow That Defied Fate

Tsunade withdrew her gaze. "Hokage? Hah, I just said it—only idiots want to become Hokage. You're an idiot too, kid!"

"Whether I'm an idiot is your opinion, but I won't change my dream just because of what you said, Granny. I'll definitely become Hokage someday!" Thanks to Awen's memories, Naruto wasn't provoked by Tsunade's words. His expression was utterly serious.

Tsunade stared blankly at Naruto, lost in thought. He gave her the same feeling her younger brother Nawaki once had.

But the more she thought about it, the worse she felt. Pointing at the necklace she always wore around her neck, she said, "Your name is Naruto, right?"

"That's right!" Naruto replied.

Tsunade smiled faintly, her tone teasing. "The technique you used in that fight earlier was the Rasengan, wasn't it? Who taught you..."

"That's right, it was the Rasengan. Kakashi-sensei taught me that ninjutsu!" Naruto answered.

"I see. So it was that brat Kakashi. That brat has started teaching students too now? Time really flies, Jiraiya," Tsunade said, looking at Jiraiya.

Jiraiya stared at Tsunade's beautiful face, which looked barely over twenty. "But you haven't changed much either, Tsunade!"

"Heh... aren't you the same? After all these years, your personality hasn't changed much at all!"

Under Shizune's desperate, disapproving gaze, Tsunade drained an entire jug of sake, slammed the table, and looked at Naruto with amusement. "Hey, Naruto, was it?"

"I'll make a bet with you. Come outside and fight me. If you can take the necklace from around my neck, not only will I acknowledge that you can become Hokage, I'll give you this necklace too. But if you lose..."

Tsunade changed the subject and extended a finger. Under Jiraiya's envious gaze, she gently hooked Naruto's chin. "If you lose, you'll be a Genin for the rest of your life!"

Shizune hurriedly tried to stop her. "Wait, Lady Tsunade, that necklace is..."

"What does it matter? Competing with a brat like this doesn't even count as a warm-up!" Tsunade felt irritated. Too much had happened today—first Orochimaru, then Jiraiya and Naruto suddenly appearing. She badly wanted an outlet to vent her frustration and calm the agitation in her heart.

"Hmph, even if I have to stay a Genin forever, I'll still become Hokage and show you!" Naruto declared without fear.

"That's some spirit. Fine, Naruto, let's go downstairs and spar. Jiraiya, clear this stuff away!"

"Right away!" Jiraiya eagerly carried off the dining table and everything else. Shizune followed along to help with a speechless expression. If he had a tail behind him, Jiraiya would have looked like a dog trying to please its owner, wagging his tail excitedly. The words "bootlicking dog" popped into Naruto's mind.

They arrived behind the inn, where there was a spacious rest park. It was late at night, and there were very few people around.

Jiraiya quietly sidled up to Naruto's ear. Narrowing his eyes, breathing heavily, and wearing an excited expression, he whispered, "Hey, Naruto, could you use that special Flying Thunder God Technique on Tsunade? Put a Flying Thunder God Mark on my palm."

"Uh..." Naruto looked at Jiraiya as though he were looking at non-recyclable trash. Everyone in the universe knew what he was plotting.

Jiraiya continued, "Don't look at me like that! Look, among the Three Sannin, Orochimaru and I have both been hit by that move of yours. Tsunade's the only one who hasn't!"

"What kind of lousy reason is that? I refuse, Pervy Sage. Don't even think about it. If you really want to see it that badly, why don't you chase after her yourself? Once you win her over, you could even make Granny Tsunade wear a bunny girl outfit and black stockings if you wanted!" Naruto would never do something like that.

"Bunny girl black stockings..." Jiraiya imagined the scene: Tsunade dressed as a bunny girl, her plump long legs wrapped in black stockings, her voluptuous body trembling as she shyly called him "Master"!

Pfft...

At the thought of that scene, blood gushed from Jiraiya's nose. Like Ebisu after being hit by the Sexy Jutsu, he flew backward, collapsed on the ground twitching, and wore an expression of bliss.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow and asked suspiciously, "Naruto, what were you two whispering about just now?"

"Nothing. The Pervy Sage had a perverted episode. Granny Tsunade, let's begin. That necklace of yours is as good as mine!" Naruto rolled his eyes. The Pervy Sage really had no dignity.

Tsunade held out one hand. Naruto's earlier fight with Kabuto Yakushi had made her feel that this was still not entirely certain. "One hand is enough to deal with a brat like you!"

"Oh? I thought you'd use just one finger. Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

After creating a Shadow Clone, Naruto charged Tsunade from both front and rear. The Shadow Clone formed a Rasengan in his right hand and struck at Tsunade, while Naruto followed directly behind him.

Tsunade easily caught the Shadow Clone's wrist and squeezed hard, crushing the clone instantly. Then she lightly tapped Naruto with a punch.

Yet that seemingly gentle motion sent Naruto flying more than ten meters.

Tch, just like Nawaki. Charging straight in like that, Tsunade thought, seeing through Naruto's attack pattern at a glance.

Naruto got to his feet and charged again. After exchanging several moves, Tsunade knocked him down once more.

"Your intentions are so obvious. Are you really a ninja?"

"So direct, so reckless. Are you really a ninja? And you want to become Hokage like this? Keep dreaming. You might as well be a Genin for the rest of your life..."

"Enough, Naruto. Don't you know when to give up?"

Although Tsunade's words grew harsher and more merciless, she was deeply astonished inside. She had deliberately held back, but Naruto's performance still exceeded her expectations. He could already trade moves with her in battle. Good grief, he had nearly snatched away her necklace.

"Keeping my word is my ninja way!"

Naruto's chakra erupted. In that instant, Tsunade felt as though a gust of wind had swept past her. Naruto vanished from the ground and appeared before her in an instant, taking her necklace.

"This is..." Jiraiya stared in shock.

Shizune covered her mouth, unable to believe it. "How... how did this happen? Wasn't Naruto just knocked down by Lady Tsunade? How did he suddenly appear in front of her?"

"I got it, Granny Tsunade. I won this bet!" Naruto shook the necklace in his hand and flashed a brilliant smile.

Tsunade stared at Naruto's childish smiling face, slightly dazed. The necklace so important to her had been taken by Naruto.

Jiraiya said with a hint of schadenfreude, "Tsunade, your luck with bets is still as bad as ever. The Legendary Sucker reputation really is completely accurate."

Tsunade looked at Naruto, took a deep breath, and asked, "What ninjutsu was that just now? How did you suddenly appear in front of me..."