Author's Note: Just letting you all know, what will be read and thought are Tobirama's personal thoughts. What is true and what a person perceives to be right are all a matter of perspective. Different time, different person, different ways of thinking.

Chapter 3: Harsh

(A Couple of Hours Earlier)

The small village of Kasha had less than a thousand inhabitants living in it and had never been one of great renown when compared to its neighbor village Konoha. It was a peaceful place to frequent, especially during the winter, and one that few to none wanted to attack because it was so close to Konoha, who had a few ninjas stationed as ordinary civilians, and because other than its hot springs it had little value.

The only thing that really stood out was the small bar and gambling hall within the hot spring resort, which was where the village made most of its income on the tourist trade since it was built near one of the few natural hot springs in the Land of Fire. And, it was also home to the Dragonspring Sake, a high quality and well-liked drink. The sake was ranked as one of the top best alcoholic beverages in Hi no Kuni, and a favorite of the Daimyo of Hi no Kuni. The drink was expensive, too, but also brewed infrequently and in limited quantity.

Said drink, from what Jiraiya had been informed, had just recently been announced to be back on tap.

"Best hit the bar," Jiraiya mused and walked as quickly as he could. Were it any other time he would have taken it easy and seen the sights, but right now he couldn't afford to dally.

When the Toad Sage of Konoha had been told he was to find Tsunade and fast, Jiraiya would have never assumed such orders would come from his mentor's predecessor of all people. Had the words not come from Hiruzen's mouth themselves then Jiraiya would have likely ignored it and gone to the nearest happy bar for some well-earned R&R. With the last few days and getting even less than little sleep out of it, the man believed he deserved a bit of me time.

Even then he almost been tempted to.

"No rest for the wicked," Jiraiya thought and sighed. Managing a large spy network was not an easy job, nor was it without varying degrees of stress. And with what he tasked with accomplishing, Jiraiya was certain each passing day aged him prematurely. Which would suck as the women of the world would be deprived of one of its finest bachelors. Tsunade would have said he'd have to dish out more money to get a woman's attention.

"Better find her and fast," Jiraiya was happy that fortune had been kind to him.

According to his sources, Tsunade had apparently been spotted in the village not too far from Konoha. By ninja speed, of course. Jiraiya knew his old teammate's habits well enough to know that if a village was too close to Konoha she would not frequent it unless under the right circumstances. Right now, Jiraiya guessed the woman was either trying or actually was getting shit faced drunk on the Dragonspring Sake.

That in itself was a dangerous undertaking. Getting Tsunade away from a drink at times was just as dangerous as actually fighting her. However, regardless of her not being on active duty since the end of the Second Shinobi World War and drowning herself in booze and debt, Tsunade remained a formidable and powerful kunoichi nonetheless.

It was one of the reasons why she needed to come back. While her back from the dead granduncle wanted her to come home and face the music, Jiraiya also believed that Konoha also needed its best medic and most powerful kunoichi to act as one of its many deterrents.

"Hopefully this won't end with me getting broken bones," Jiraiya involuntarily shuddered at the thought, having already been the victim of the woman's wrath before and the memory of it had given Jiraiya a healthy amount of fear. A second verse same as the first scenario was something the man would like to avoid at all cost.

As he saw the bar with a crowd in front of the entrance, Jiraiya began to make his way towards it and observed how many were suddenly forced to duck as several men went soaring high out of it above the nearby houses. Distance splashes told him they landed in nearby hot springs or rivers and only confirmed his intel.

"Yep, she's definitely here and she's either drunk or angry. Great, just great," neither scenario was a good one. Luck had brought him here but apparently that's all it was going to do for him. Steeling his resolve, Jiraiya pushed away the crowd and ignored their complaints of him cutting in front.

A couple of bouncers looked at him but Jiraiya stopped any action they would have taken by placing a large wad of ryo bills in their hands, hardly a dent in his personal fortune, and easily entered the bar where he was greeted by a lovely sight.

Healthy and perky, a nice bounce to them, and no sagging whatsoever. A pretty face that would make other women envious and likely have married men contemplate marital suicide by infidelity. She was the woman of his dreams.

"Can I help you?"

Unfortunately, the pretty crimson haired with black highlights hostess wasn't the target of his search and Jiraiya didn't have the luxury of time. It didn't stop the man from making a mental note to come back later when he could.

"Looking for an old friend. Blond, short, bit of a temper. Has a younger female companion with her and is likely the reason why three of your patrons are taking an involuntary swim," he informed her and almost cursed at the look she was now giving him.

"Booth in the back," she told him curtly and then directed her attention elsewhere.

"Well, so much for coming back for an easy win. Thanks, Tsunade," he could only imagine what Tsunade did to earn herself some fans. Part of him wondered why those men had been thrown out the way they did but that wasn't important right now.

Jiraiya merely made his way towards the booth and saw the two kunoichi, and a pig of all things, "That's new."

"Jiraiya-sama!"

"Jiraiya? What the hell are you doing here?"

"Well, there goes my entrance," distracted by the small swine in the brunette's arms, Jiraiya lost his chance at starting the conversation. Fortunately, despite her cheeks being a bit red, Tsunade wasn't drunk. It didn't mean this wasn't going to be easy to deal with.

"Could ask you the same, but knowing your love of sake and this being one of the rare few times this particular brew's available–"

"Cut the crap, Jiraiya. This isn't a coincidence and your bullshit won't work on me," Tsunade cut him off. Jiriaya had been right, she wasn't quite that drunk yet.

"Sharp as ever," Jiraiya said, but Tsunade merely scoffed at the compliment.

"Should have known this would happen," Tsunade grumbled. Her winning big before he arrived had been an indicator but she had hoped to be proven wrong. Her bad luck, however, decided to rear its ugly head once more.

"I'll say this once and only once: no," Tsunade bluntly told him, pouring herself another saucer and then gulping it down just as quickly. Her cheeks now a little redder.

"So, you've heard," he wondered.

"Pretty sure all of Hi no Kuni and then some knows, Jiraiya," Tsunade took another saucer full to the lips. "Damn brats. What were they thinking?"

Jiraiya didn't respond and merely took a swig himself in honor of his deceased student and his wife. Both talented and too young to have left this world. Konoha was poorer without them.

"We need you, Tsunade," Jiraiya was being sincere. Her fear of blood notwithstanding, Tsunade's skills as a medic were easily the best. Tsunade had been one of the major reasons why Konoha came out on top in the Second Shinobi World War. Poisons had been a major component of that war and Tsunade's expertise in the field of medicine enabled Konoha to effectively counter every one of them. Antidotes had been developed and deployed on many fronts, allowing them to push the enemies back.

But Tsunade thought differently, "Ha! And I thought I was the drunk. Last time: No. Like I said, tell sensei I'm not coming back."

"Tsunade-sama, perhaps we should–" Shizune never managed to finish her sentence.

"That's gonna be hard, Tsunade, giving it wasn't sensei that ordered you back," Jiraiya informed the two.

"Is Sandaime-sama alright, Jiraiya-sama?" a worried Shizune asked and Jiraiya saw the subtle change in movement in Tsunade when she asked that.

"Good, she's not too far gone," at least Jiraiya hoped she wasn't.

"The old man's fine. Getting on in years, but fine. But I can't say the same about Konoha right now. We've been doing what we can but having the both of you back will definitely improve things and get our people back on their feet more quickly," he informed Tsunade's apprentice, much to her relief.

"So, who's in charge then? Those two fossils? Better not be Danzo of all people because you can really forget about me going back if that's the case," despite the small crush she had on him in her younger years, all four Konoha elders had been quite attractive in their youth, Tsunade didn't care for the man.

"By your uncle's orders, Tsunade," Jiraiya dropped the bomb. Shizune was confused and Tsunade looked angry and would have lashed out at him had he not thought quickly and poured the woman a drink. She ignored it.

"Not funny, Jiraiya. Uribama-oji died a week before my grandfather did so if this is your way of being–"

"Not your mother's brother. Your grandfather's brother," the man clarified and stopped her in her tracks by giving her a scroll.

Tsunade frowned but took the rolled up parchment nonetheless. As she opened it, both Jiraiya and Shizune saw Tsunade grow paler and paler until she could almost rival Orochimaru. Tsunade wasn't even done reading before the woman dropped the scroll, her nerves shaken and her hands unable to properly hold the saucer that fell from her grasp.

"Hime?"

"Tsunade-sama?"

"Buhi?"

Tsunade said nothing to either one of them and did nothing for the longest time before she got up and made her way out of the bar. Jiraiya and Shizune and the little piglet following after her. Both wondering where she was going until Jiraiya saw which direction she was heading in.

"Well, that was easy," Jiraiya thought. But at the same time the man couldn't help but wonder what exactly was written in that scroll to compel the woman to return home without much of a fight.

(Konoha Present)

Tobirama had to admit that he didn't expect to Tsunade to have arrived in Konoha so soon. The order for her to return or face the consequences had only just been given a little over three hours ago. Perhaps word of Konoha's current predicament had reached her and the woman, despite her history and woe-is-me story, still cared for Konoha on some level. But Tobirama could care less for that at the moment. Tsunade was here, good, but she never should have left anyway. Her skill in medical ninjutsu was said to be the very best of the best, if not the best, in this day and age.

But it didn't make her a good medic in his opinion.

"A good medic, much like a good ninja, would have endured the hardships thrown at them. A good medic would have faced them on and seek help rather than give in and leave when the going got tough. How many died because she wasn't here doing her duty?" there was no doubt in Tobirama's mind that others had gone through the same as Tsunade but hadn't thrown in the towel.

There was also the fact that she was a Senju, a clan descended from the very first God of Ninja, the Sage of Six Paths himself. The Senju Clan had also been one of the top clans in all the world and their actions had influenced and shaped history throughout the ages. When Tsunade had become the last it had been her responsibility to ensure the clan survived as well as remembered for what they represented. Instead she did the exact opposite and her actions likely had many questioning the worth of the Senju Clan. Out loud it would never be said of course and he had been informed that many in this day and age fondly remembered his brother and the Senju Clan for their deeds.

"Had it been over half a century ago such sentiments would be exact opposite," while the Senju Clan descended from the son of the Rikudo Sennin that preached love was the path to peace, a belief Tobirama personally didn't wholly buy into like his deceased brother, the clan didn't get to be number one by not conquering others.

Oh, Tobirama loved his niece, but that didn't stop him from being ashamed of her at the moment. And as their gaze met one another did his face hardened; Tobirama saw her flinch, "She's read my message," at least she had done something right.

Looking at her, Tobirama couldn't help but remark how much the small girl he once knew had grown into a beautiful woman. Truthfully, the girl's appearance reminded Tobirama so much of her mother and great-grandmother, Tobirama's mother, that it briefly lessened the intense feelings he had for her. But it didn't last long and it did little to quell the anger he felt towards his niece.

"We'll leave you alone, sensei," Hiruzen spoke; Tobirama merely nodded.

Out of the corner of his eye did the Nidaime see his former student give Tsunade a look that likely wished her luck. The man wanted to scoff. Danzo had been right, Hiruzen had been too lenient with his students.

One a missing ninja privy to Konoha secrets and information that held a sadistic streak meant for a hundred men that sought immortality by using his own people as guinea pigs. Another a prodigal daughter of the Senju Clan and renown medic that suffered from hemophobia that ultimately quit when the going got too tough. The only real ninja was the deviant self-proclaimed super pervert. His unbecoming tendencies aside, tendencies that reminded him too much of Hashirama to be honest, at least Jiraiya the Toad Sage had stayed loyal and true to Konoha despite his own losses.

Tobirama would have to meet the man when he had the opportunity, but right now he needed to teach his wayward niece a lesson.

"Do you know why the leaders of the Great Five Hidden Villages are called Kage?" Tobirama asked but received no reply, "Well, I'd gather it's not a well-known story in this day and age. Back during the era of Warring States those that were Kage level ninja were formerly called Chonin (Peerless Ninja). Not quite as appealing, I'll admit. But decades before the twilight years of that period there rose a ninja of incredible renown. Hashirama and I were just boys but as first and second sons we attended the clan meetings where they came up. I would never forget the day we learned about it. How could I not? It happened two days after my brother Itama was killed."

Tsunade felt a bead of sweat fall down her face. Her uncle had a unique way of dealing out punishment that brought the famed ninja back to the days when she was no more than a little girl bouncing on her grandfather's knee. With Hashirama things were simple and repercussions pretty much non-existent. The same couldn't be said about her grand-uncle.

"We knew not their name nor their gender nor what clan they originated from. They had no affiliation whatsoever. For all we know it could have been multiple shinobi disguising themselves as one. All we know is that they had been around since before my father's time and they fought and killed any who dared face them. They fought at night and day. They fought clans, nobles and civilians. They cared not who the target was. They were even believed to have been responsible for taking down minor countries and several clans by themselves. For what reason has never been discovered but their actions had some believing they were the Rikudo Sennin (Sage of Six Paths) himself. But regardless of whether that was true or not, what was certain was that their actions eclipsed all others at the time. I honestly believed that one day every clan would fall under their shadow and nothing would be the same ever again. People took to calling them Kage (Shadow) and they were revered as the pinnacle of ninja of our time. They were idolized just as much as they were feared."

"What happened to them?" Tsunade dared ask. Fortunately, Tobirama only gave her a sideways glance.

"No one knows. Their appearances suddenly stopped. Their identity never discovered just as the reasons behind their actions were never discovered. Kage disappeared off the face of the earth," Tobirama informed his grandniece, "But regardless of Kage's origin they still had a profound impact on ninja. From then on, the term Kage was used instead of Chonin to describe the pinnacle of ninja prowess. And when Konoha was founded and a leader needed to be selected, I had been the one to coin the term Hokage and the other great villages copied us soon after their own communities were formed. And from the good that Hashirama brought did the term Kage become to be seen as not just the strongest, but as the smartest and wisest and most willing to protect and the one to endure the most for the sake of their village. And you, Tsunade, as granddaughter of the First Hokage and grandniece of the Second, should know that better than most."

And now it began.

"Tell me, instead of doing your duty, what have you been doing all this time?" Danzo had informed him and Hiruzen had confirmed his apprentice's story, but Tobirama wanted to hear it from the woman's own mouth.

Tsunade looked downwards but Tobirama was having none of that, "Look at me, you coward! Face me as a true Senju would!"

The intensity in Tobirama's voice rose but the man never yelled. He didn't have to. The Nidaime had a way of making one squirm and feel weak without having to resort to such things.

Tears flowed down Tsunade's face as she looked at her granduncle and answered, "You wouldn't understand–"

"Don't give me that!" Tobirama nearly barked at his niece and despite herself, Tsunade cowed under her great uncle's withering stare even more. Once again, she felt as though she were a little girl again with her hand caught in cookie jar. Hashirama hadn't never really minded, but Tobirama had always been one for discipline and had always doled out punishment.

"I lost my brothers. I lost my mother and father. I lost cousins, uncles and aunts. I watched as I lost countless friends, allies, and fellow clansmen – many of them children, no less – as they were butchered on blood-soaked battlefields ever since I was five years old, Tsunade. I buried them all, too, yet not once did I give into despair and give up. Had I done so, I'd be dishonouring them and their lives would be for nothing. Konoha was founded on the basis that we protect our own even in the hardest of times. But instead you turned your back on everything Hashirama and I believed in by gambling and immersing yourself in alcohol and raking up debts! And because of that many deaths that could have been prevented had you the will to keep pushing forward are on your hands! Right now, I'm ashamed to call you my blood.," Tobirama told her.

"The life of a ninja isn't easy. It never has been and never will be. If anything is to remain a constant aspect of a ninja's life it's that. That's why only the true few can actually become one. We are meant to endure the bad times and find ways to cope with it. You lost your brother, your lover, and what remained of our clan, and I'm sorry for your loss. I truly am, Tsunade. But that doesn't excuse your actions," he said.

"Easy for you to say! You cheated death somehow! You're back! It's all well and fine for you! Nawaki, Dan, everyone else! They're all dead and they'll stay dead, and I'll never get to see them again! Never get to see Nawaki become Hokage like he wanted. Or see Dan becoming Hokage like he wanted, or marry him like I wanted! Both of them wanted to become fucking Hokage and they both died a meaningless death and their dreams died with them. Where were you?!" Tsunade shouted.

Tobirama didn't even flinch, "Don't ever doubt me when I say I would have been here for you had I been able to, Tsunade. Had I been able to, I'd have put my life on the line to ensure your brother live, that your lover lived. I already gave my life up once, I'd gladly do it again without a second thought."

Here Tsunade scoffed, "And that's the problem with being or wanting to be Hokage! You don't give a second thought! Hashirama-oji sacrificed himself to bring back all who died without a second thought and it did nothing. You sacrificed yourself for your team without a second though. Neither of you thought of those you'd leave behind!"

"And there's your father talking," Tsunade's eyes shifted from hurt to angry but Tobirama didn't back down or even flinch.

Hashirama and Mito's daughter, Senju Benten, had been a great ninja. Not as powerful as her parents but Tobirama believed she had been well on her way to standing out as one of the best of her time. Until she met Tsunade's father. The man had come from a civilian background that had the immense luck of not being involved in much conflict or loss. Which to Tobirama meant he was ignorant of their ways and was not all for the harsh realities that came with it. It had been a flawed philosophy his niece had adopted.

Strong as she was, Tobirama believed that Benten's greatest weakness to have been the love she held for her husband and that made her blind at times. While Tobirama couldn't fault his niece for falling in love, she could have chosen a better partner instead of one that would end up being detrimental in Tobirama's opinion. Learning of his passing didn't bring him joy but Tobirama wouldn't mourn him either.

"My father–"

"Was an ignorant man. Both he, your mother, and Hashirama tried sheltering you from the harsh realities of being a ninja and spoiled you instead of teaching what it really means to be one. As a child you had the talent, you had the drive, you had the intellect, and I couldn't be prouder to know the next generation would be left in good hands. But it's clear to me I was wrong, for now I see that you lack the will and mental fortitude necessary to deal with the sacrifices and loss that comes with it. When I went to face Kinkaku Force, I knew the chances of me leaving alive were low, Tsunade. But I was prepared for it. I did everything I could to ensure my team and my village would be fine if did die. Anyone related to a ninja needs to be prepared for it. In Hiruzen's hands, I knew you would go far. That's what being Hokage is about. That's what being a Senju is about. Ensuring that the next generation will carry on the will and fortitude taught to them. Something you lack."

"Something I lack! I lost count of the amount of people I saw die! People I failed to save! But I pushed on and buried it all for years until I just couldn't take it anymore," Tsunade retorted.

"I'm not talking about loss in general, Tsunade. Dealing with loss, dealing with death, you clearly know how to deal with them. But dealing with death and loss of a personal nature, you clearly don't," dealing with death in general varied from person to person, but dealing with the death of someone you were close to was much harder.

"I would be lying if I said the deaths of those closest to me was easy, Tsunade. But I found ways to cope, I didn't just give up. You did. You just gave up. Hiruzen told me how you didn't even try seeking help and denied it when it was offered. As soon as the war was over you just up and left without looking back. You left when countless others would have benefited from your skills, and countless more would likely still be better off," she winced but a part of her subconsciously agreed. Had she stayed and taught the next generation of medics then in all likelihood things could have been different.

"It all stops now, Tsunade. The excessive drinking, the gambling, making a fool of yourself and the family name, all of it. It's either that, or you can walk out those gates without the clan name and the resources that come with it, and be forever known as nothing more than a stain on the clan name. Or, you can get your affairs in order and do your duty to your village, to your clan and be a part of something that will hopefully go down in history."

"Go down in history?" Tsunade didn't recall that in the scroll, "How?"

"Simple. You can undertake the Senju Clan's Vajra Trials," Tsunade almost buckled and her heart threatened to burst from her chest, "Fail and you know what awaits you," the man didn't bother explaining what would happen if she succeeded.

Tobirama didn't blame his niece for her current state. The Senju Clan's Vajra Trials came into being a thousand years ago when the clan reached its first millennium. The trials were a symbolic series of secret tests known only the Senju Clan, its exact origin long since forgotten. Four trials represented the physical aspect of the ninja, four others the mental and the final two for the spiritual. They weren't to be taken lightly. Each set of trials were unique for those that undertook them, as such one simply couldn't tell where the next participant what to avoid.

All in all, more than ninety-five percent of those who underwent the trials failed, and each of them had to be taken one after the other non-stop and without fail. And the trials only allowed you one chance.

They were designed both as a means of improving oneself and as a form of punishment/redemption for a clan member who committed a sin great enough to warrant its use. Hashirama had been the last Senju in over a century to have voluntarily undertaken it and successfully completed the trials; Tobirama had taken them too and had come close but failed the last portion and almost died had Hashirama not intervened. Despite their different outcomes, the trials caused a powerful change in the two brothers that enabled them to make their mark in not only Senju Clan history, but the ninja world itself.

"However, as you are now, I very much doubt your chances. So, you will start by helping us raise him," beside Tobirama appeared a clone of himself with a sleeping babe in its arms. The man made his way over to Tsunade and plopped the baby in her arms much to her confusion.

"Kushina and Minato's boy," Tsunade recalled.

"Correct. That boy will be in your care from now on. You'll be his mother, and protector. And when he's ready, you'll be his mentor and trainer. You will train him hard and you won't give any quarter, just as I did the same with Hiruzen. You will love him and die for him as I would. Do these two things right, prove yourself to me, and maybe one day you'll have my forgiveness," Tobirama informed.

Tsunade winced mentally at the thought. Any student that survived her grandfather and granduncle's training methods generally became more skilled and competent than the average Jōnin at an accelerated rate.

"Tobirama-oji–"

"You don't get to argue with me on this, Tsunade," Tobirama stopped her, "You either do this or like I said, you can walk out those gates. Do so and not only are you and I are done with each other; you're done with the Senju Clan. Be grateful I'm even giving you this chance. Whatever your affairs are have what I assume is your teammate hiding behind the wall take care of them for you."

From his hiding spot, Jiraiya grunted, "Damn. How long has he known?"

Jiraiya was no slouch when it came to stealth and hiding his presence, the times he was happened when his lecherous leanings got the best of him. Only the exceptionally gifted and talented could sense him when he was serious, "Explains why Minato studied the man's Sensory Ninjutsu."

Tsunade for her part, and left with no other choice on the matter, as much as she didn't want to be here or do any of this, nodded her head. The Senju name was all she had left of her family. However, the woman couldn't help herself when she asked, "What about that other woman?"

Here Tobirama released an honest barking laugh, "Toka? Toka is many things, Tsunade, but motherly and maternal she is not. She can fake it well, but that poses risks I'd rather not take. You on the other hand trump her in that department. Saru said you care for your apprentice as though she's your own daughter. Taking her in and raising her when her only remaining family had passed. No. For this the boy needs an honest to god loving mother."

Tsunade was stunned by his answer, but at the same time it was also unfair. With Shizune Tsunade had chosen to raise the girl as though she were her own. But this was a different set of circumstances; Shizune hadn't been a newborn when they both left Konoha, and Tsunade either raised the small whisker blond in her arms or stopped

"Oh, and Tsunade. Get help and get over your fear of blood. You're no good to us as a medic otherwise," he ordered.

She shivered lightly at the callous command but said nothing, "Where will I be staying?" she sincerely doubted Tobirama would allow her back in the head family building.

"Until you've earned it, you can use one of the guest houses," her suspicions had been proven correct, "We're done for now."

Tsunade knew that was her uncle's way of saying 'leave me alone and no more questions' but the blonde haired Senju couldn't help but ask him, "How'd you do it?"

Sighing, Tobirama shook his head and gave her a look. However, the man decided to indulge her, "Do what?"

"Come back. How'd you do it?" Tsunade asked him.

Tobirama merely stared at her for a good while before he gave his answer, "Even if I were to tell you, it wouldn't change a thing. Your brother, your lover, and those you lost over the years can't be brought back," Tobirama could use the Edo Tensei but not only would such actions prove detrimental in the long run, and despite Tsunade needing to be taught a lesson, that was one of the few boundaries even he wouldn't cross.

"Like I said, we're done for the night, Tsunade. I'll summon you later to discuss what is going to be done," the woman got the hint and left with Naruto.

While it only caused her to have more questions, Tsunade wasn't going to push her luck and began making her way towards one of the guest houses. Being even allowed access to one was a lucky break on her part but Tsunade she was basically walking on thin ice standing over an abyss. One wrong move and she was fucked.

"Bah!" hearing the gurgling, Tsunade looked down and saw Naruto had half opened his eyes. From their brief opening, Tsunade saw that he had Minato's eyes. Much of what she saw Naruto had inherited from his father.

"Hopefully this doesn't mean you'll have Kushina's personality," she hoped and cooed at him a bit.

Watching them out of the corner of his eyes, Tobirama was satisfied to see his niece developing a bond with his war. It would make things easier down the line. Taking his gaze off them, Tobirama calmly stated, "You can come out, Sage."

No sooner had he said that did Jiraiya appear before him in a puff of smoke, "How'd you guess?" Jiraiya asked the man.

"I sensed that your chakra echoed with remnants of natural energy," having been the brother of a Sage and having encountered and fought a few others in his lifetime coupled with his gift in Sensory Ninjutsu, Tobirama had long since developed a way of detecting them.

"I'll be honest, that sounds as frightening as it is useful," Jiraiya told him.

"You have no idea," Tobirama agreed. "We never managed to meet but I've heard much about you. Do note that I won't take kindly to anything I deem unbefitting of a ninja around my ward whilst I'm around."

Jiraiya heard the message loud and clear but even that didn't stop him from saying, "You know he's my godson, right?"

"Verbally, yes, but not officially," had he not been present for Tsunade's tongue lashing the comment likely would have thrown Jiraiya off guard. Jiraiya, however, merely frowned at the moment.

"Great. An old school by the books kinda guy," Jiraiya didn't really care for those if he was being honest.

"In any case, you and I both know I won't be around much anyway, but I'll make sure to-"

"You care for her," Tobirama suddenly said.

Jiraiya blinked and this time he was cut off guard by the man's words, "Uh...Wha?"

"I'm very perceptive, Jiraiya. I sensed how your chakra and your heart fluctuated when I spoke to her. You care about her. Deeply. Perhaps to the point that you once contemplated something more, and perhaps a part of you still does. Well, let me be clear, Jiraiya. I won't allow it," Jiraiya blinked once more, "Whatever hopes or desires you may have for my niece, keep them to yourself. Right now, she needs to get her priorities straight. Her focus right now is Naruto and getting back into gear. The last thing she needs is someone with perverted tendencies that chases after every pretty face, to make her doubt she will ever be enough, to make her fall back into habits I'm trying to alleviate. I won't have it."

Frowning, Jiraiya said, "First off, Tsunade and I aren't gonna happen, I made peace with that a long time ago."

While Jiraiya said that in a way that many would believe him, Tobirama doubted the man wholly believed he had ever gotten over his attraction to his niece. Was it love? Tobirama was uncertain. But Tsunade's life was already about to become complicated. As it was, adding a romance potentially doomed to fail and heartache was the last thing Tobirama needed to occur.

"And even if by some miracle it does happen, that not's up to you to decide," Jiraiya finished.

"That's where you're wrong. I've seen your type many times, Jiraiya. How many times did you try and fail to get her attention? Dozens? Hundreds? How easy was it for her and Dan to end up together? You heard her, she truly even passionately wanted to marry him. You and Tsunade, you two are completely different people. And right now, she is vulnerable. And despite my disappointment in her, she is still my niece and I will protect her. From what I've learned, you are someone stuck in his ways. I should know, I'm the same. We say we can change. But we don't, not really, and eventually we fall back into our old patterns," from Danzo Tobirama learned that Tsunade hadn't been the only woman Jiraiya had tried courting but each one never lasted. Jiraiya's tendencies and preferences always playing a factor.

"Let me give you a piece of advice that may save you some heartache down the line. We don't all get to live the happy life we desire. Good guys don't always get the girl. And dreams don't always come true. Sometimes life gives us a role and we have to make the most of it and be happy with what we have despite it all. You and I, our roles in life is the make the lives of others better, to make their lives happier, not our own. Accept it and take solace in the fact you are taking away the burdens others don't have to face," Tobirama finished.

"You're a real piece of work," Jiraiya couldn't help himself. How the man before him came from a clan that helped found Konoha's Will of Fire was befuddled the sage.

Tobirama shrugged, "I've been called much worse," some of which by his own brother. "But, as I said, your relationship with my niece will remain a professional one. That of a friend she can count on. Or I'll see to it that you never come in contact with my ward. Godfather or not. Right now, a series of events have us on the verge of something monumental. We can't afford hiccups or allow our personal desires lead to a bad outcome."

"Series of events?" whatever Jiraiya was gonna say before left his mind by Tobirama's declaration. "What are you talking about?"

"The Kyubi Incident was no incident," Tobirama revealed and glad that he was proficient in the use of sound barriers.

Despite being floored by the reveal, Jiraiya's mind thought it through, "You're saying it was by design? How? Who?"

And then Tobirama said two words Jiraiya would never forget, "Uchiha Madara."

As you can see, Tobirama is the type of person who does things for a reason. He is the type of individual who will do things and plan in order to reach the end game with the best possible outcome, even if it means sacrifices, of others and himself, have to be made.

Now, Tobirama loves his niece and is willing to protect her, even if he is a dick about it, but that doesn't mean he isn't disappointed in her. Tsunade was the last of the Senju Clan and the Senju name has a great deal of worth and represents something. When Tobirama learned the clan was gone except for her he was happy to know that she lived, but the fact that she didn't do what was expected of her coupled with her current life choices to him was a grave insult and her basically spitting on everything his clan stood for.

Their relationship for the moment will be a distant one but he is willing to give her a chance, only one. No do overs. You fuck up, you fail, you're out. He told her she has a chance at redemption if she undertakes the Senju Clan's Vajra Trials. Think of it like what B and Naruto underwent when they did the test for the Falls of Truth, combined with Gai's insane training methods, combined with obtaining Sage Mode, only five times harder with no do overs. And if you fail once, that's it. I guess you can say it's like trying to hit a bullet with a smaller bullet, whilst wearing a blindfold, nursing a hangover, while riding a bucking wild horse. What happens to a person who fails varies, but the further in you go the higher the chance of failure and consequences. Generally speaking, Tobirama would have died had Hashirama not been around and used his healing techniques, but even that was a close call. As such, Tobirama is the only one around to fail but survive the trials and also benefited from it, too.

Also, I'd like to point out that this isn't the Tsunade from twelve-thirteen years into canon. As such, her drinking, gambling, and other problems aren't as bad now as they would have had she continued on this way. If it had been you can bet both she and Tobirama likely would have come to blows and Tsunade probably could have said 'fuck the Senju name' I don't care. I'm not going back. Here she is a little more subdued but that doesn't mean she doesn't have a backbone, nor will she not hesitate to let her anger be known, it's just not as much as a hair trigger as it was in canon.

FYI I am gonna take liberties as some of the anime fillers I saw about the Sage's family and backgrounds. It was lame and not very well thought or just plain sucked. Personally, I believed they should not have touched that aspect as it diminished the fable of it all. Also, no extraterrestrials or Boruto plot will be used, not a fan. Don't like the plot, don't like the art, only decent aspects are the tools and some characters, but not enough to keep my interest.

Here is the history of it all, I'm not gonna bother having someone explaining the whole thing in the story for obvious reasons. Some highlights will be given but here's pretty much the scope of what I changed from canon history (that's all I'm on gonna give you):

The Otsutsuki was a clan dating well over two thousand years ago and a powerful one that ruled a now no longer existing country that has since split into much smaller ones.

Kaguya was the daughter and princess of the clan and married the emperor of the Land of Ancestors.

Kaguya's husband was killed during a war and others saw it as a chance to usurp rulership.

Kaguya is discovered to be pregnant, a coup took place and Kaguya was nearly killed.

After being forced on the run, Kaguya consumed the forbidden fruit of the God Tree to protect herself.

This changed her physically and also caused her to gain immense chakra and powers that put an end to it all. She then began using that power to end other wars.

Over time the immense powers and fear of losing her sons got to her and she developed a very bad case of schizophrenia and stopped being Kaguya. In a fit of madness, she wiped out her clan, and slowly began to set her sights on everyone else.

Her sons tried to reason with her but her current mental state made her think they were trying to usurp her which forced them all into a fight.

All three began fighting, Hagoromo and Hamura have an advantage and start winning

In a desperate attempt to win, Kaguya fuses herself with the Shinju, and is transformed into the Jubi. This powered her up enormously but costed her humanity and she basically became a force of nature without consciousness that shaped the landscape.

Their bouts go on for almost a year before she is sealed and the rest follows as it should.

Now, like I said, other bits will be elaborated on in my story. This here is the unimportant stuff. The more important crucial elements will be revealed later on where it will have great impact. This here is the just the generic, everyone already knows this already why did you bother putting this in kinda stuff.

Sorry for the very long rant. Enjoy and reviews tons like last time! Give me 40-50 like last time and I'll update one of my gamer stories next Wednesday or Thursday. I had to get interest in this story rolling while it was still fresh so I updated it instead.