AN: I want to thank all of you who have come over from my abandoned story, The Hero and the Florist. It means a lot that you guys still support me in at least this story. So, to make up for abandoning the one story, here is another installment of No More Lies. As for my closing the poll, it was so damn even that that half of you want solo and the other half want Ayame and Amaru to be with Naruto. So, I will include them since I have already teased Ayame, now if you'd rather another girl other than Amaru, please suggest a girl that isn't a country or village leader like Shizuka in reviews. Please note this chapter will contain my first real fight scene so please be gentle with me.

And to the guest review who said that Naruto should know Princess Koyuki by now, they are incorrect. The movie where he meets her takes place after Tsunade becomes the Fifth Hokage during the filler episode where they try to take off Kakashi's mask, just before Naruto turning into "Finding Sasuke."

Onwards to the story!

"Talking"

'Thinking/mental communication'

"Kurama talking"

"Summons Talking"

Jutsu/Bloodline

No More Lies

Chapter 5: Battle and Fate

"Alright Takumi, no charging in when we confront Orochimaru, and don't try not to use your inner power, it will give you away and that snake wouldn't hesitant to use that information against you." Jiraiya said as they ran towards the last location that Naruto's clone spotted the Snake Sannin.

"I know that, ya know!? Just don't stop me if I get the chance to end him." Naruto growled, trying to keep his temper under control, Benihime on his hip while glancing at a still hesitant, but battle ready Tsunade.

Jiraiya just sighs. 'I hope he doesn't take his first life today.'

'I hope he's ready to use that sword in actual combat. I noticed the blade is made of weird chakra metal. I wonder...' Yugao thought, questioning the blade.

[On the other side of town]

"You're sure that Tsunade is here, and hasn't fled town yet Kabuto?" Orochimaru hissed out in pain, his sealed arms causing constant pain and agony.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru, according to our contacts, she should be either at the gambling halls or a hotel, which is ran by one of them. We should check there first. However, we should be cautious, I heard that Jiraiya was heading this way with a former ANBU and a new student." The bisected silver haired young man informed and advised.

'So, the Leaf is trying bring her back to the village... How intriguing.' Orochimaru thought before nodding to his right-hand man. "Very well, let us make our way to this informant of yours."

Before they walked too far, the Snake Sannin noticed multiple, similar, chakra signatures, one he felt before but couldn't place it. However, he did signal to Kabuto they were being watched. The young medic also noticed and knew who this chakra signature belongs to but thought it impossible if his intel was correct.

"My lord, this presence shouldn't exist, not if my intel is correct. He should be dead." The spy whispered.

Orochimaru stayed quiet nor make any notion to acknowledge he heard, because he knew if there were multiple of the same chakra signatures, they were using some sort of clone jutsu, and if he was right, it was the Shadow Clone Jutsu, which made this intriguing. The only person that was supposed to be dead and could make this many clones, was the Kyuubi Jinchuriki.

'Hmm they seem to be dispelling and corralling us to the outskirts of town. It's a fight they want and don't to get the civilians caught in the crossfire... Naruto's matured in the past month.' both Sound Ninja thought.

[Outskirts of town]

Naruto, Tsunade, Jiraiya and Yugao all waited in a large open field outside of the gambling town. "The snakes will be here shortly but are you sure it was wise to use my clones to lead them here? Kabuto spent enough time with me in the Forest of Death, he'll know it's me. Which could lead to my exposure if we let either of them escape." Naruto said sternly.

"We realize that you're risking a lot, but we should not get civilians involved." Jiraiya said seriously.

"We will do all we can to make sure that they do not escape but incapacitating them in a way that they cannot talk will be difficult without killing them." Yugao said just as seriously, with concern laced in her voice.

"Then we kill them and avenge the old man. Maybe even free Sasuke from that hickey on his neck." The former blonde said darkly grabbing the handle of Benihime ready to draw it and fight.

"When they get here Tsunade and I will take on our former teammate, while you and Yugao take on that Kabuto." Jiraiya started before noticing the glare his apprentice was sending him. "Don't give me that look, Orochimaru is out of your league right now, even with your sword and the Rasengan. Tsunade and I are more suited to fighting him since we're familiar with his fighting style."

"Grr... fine. But once we finish Kabuto, we'll back you up." Naruto snarled. "And before you say anything, I know I shouldn't use Kurama's chakra if I can help it."

Everyone nodded and waited for their opponents, and they didn't have to wait long. A short five minutes later Orochimaru and Kabuto showed up, causing the four combatants to slip into their respective fighting stances with Naruto growling, barely holding himself back from attacking the person that killed his grandfather figure.

Orochimaru merely chuckled. "Well, isn't this quite the reunion. Jiraiya, Tsunade." He said in his usual condescending tone.

"Cut the crap, Orochimaru! I know why you're here. You want me to heal your arms that you lost while you killed sensei! Well you can forget it." Tsunade said firmly with a scowl.

"Oh, but I think you will Lady Tsunade. You see, we can return to you what you miss the most, but in order to do so, Lord Orochimaru will need his arms." Kabuto said with a sly smirk.

'Dan... Nawaki...' Tsunade thought, with a stunning look her face, her stance faltering.

"Shut up you snakes! The dead cannot truly come back to life!" Naruto shouted

"He's right. I heard how you managed to defeat sensei. The Impure Resurrection Jutsu, being the souls of the dead, however requiring a living sacrifice. Meaning they'd be nothing more than zombies under your control." Jiraiya said, backing his godson, having done what little actual research he could.

Hearing this Tsunade tightened her stance back up, while Orochimaru and Kabuto scowled at the hooked youth they had yet to completely verify if it was who they thought it was. "You've some actual research that doesn't involve peeping on women in the baths... I'm mildly impressed Jiraiya." Hissed Orochimaru.

"Enough talk!" Naruto shouted drawing his sword. "Today, the world will be rid of two scum of the earth, and I get the massive bounty for your heads!"

"Well, it's been quite some time since I've seen that sword... and one I have sought since its previous master died so tragically that night thirteen years ago...Naruto..." The snake sannin said, testing his theory.

"And the only way you're even touching this word is when I cut you with it!" the former genin shouted, barely holding himself back from charging in.

"Calm down a little Naruto, you won't be able to fight clearly if you're blinded with rage." Kurama said, attempting to bring his host's temper down to a simmer at the very least.

Nodding slowly and taking a deep breath to calm himself. 'Thank you.'

"Kabuto, you take care of our young friend and the young lady with them. I'll take on my former teammates. Before that... do it." Orochimaru ordered.

Kabuto knowing what that meant, he rolled up his master's sleeves revealing the purplish, bloody arm, and rubbing the blood from the right arm over the snake summoning seal on the left. Seeing this Tsunade fought her Hemophobia back while biting her thumb running through the hand signs to summon Katsuya, while Jiraiya was right there with her about to summon Gamabunta.

"SUMMONING JUTSU!" All three sannin shouted at the same time making the three-boss summons to appear.

"Orochimaru! What is the meaning of this!" Manda, the snake boss hissed. "I told you not to summon me unless you had one hundred human sacrifices ready for me!"

"Our apologies Lord Manda, we will have double ready for next time. Right now, we require your assistance." Kabuto said in the humblest tone he could muster, knowing how volatile this boss could be, while trying to turn Manda's attention to his two rivals.

"Jiraiya, what's going on? Why have you -" Gamabunta stated to ask before he noticed Orochimaru and Manda, understanding. "I see... Time to get me a snakeskin wallet."

"Lady Tsunade, how may I be of assistance?" the ever-polite boss of the slugs, Katsuya asked.

"It's time to settle the past Katsuya." The Slug Sannin said earning a subtle nod from the giant slug underneath her.

Off to the side, Yugao was in awe. "The Triple Dread Lock, I never thought I'd have the honor of seeing this..."

"As impressive as this is sensei, we don't have that luxury right now." Naruto said locking eyes with Kabuto.

Regaining her senses, she drew her sword and starred down the man that was partly responsible for her fiancé's death. "Right..." was all she said.

"It's been about a month, hasn't it, Naruto...? Since the Forest of Death? You've certainly changed since then." Kabuto sneered.

"Learning secrets that were kept from you all your life will do that to you." Naruto said coldly.

'Huh, what could he mean? What secrets?' Kabuto thought but shock his head and said to the former blonde, "Doesn't matter, because once word gets out that you are still alive, you will be hunted by ANBU Hunter Ninja, taken back to the village and killed after having the fox is resealed into someone else."

"All the more reason to kill you and your gay, pedophile master." Naruto taunted with a smirk watching Kabuto get angry. He then turned to his Kenjustu sensei. "Let's go."

Yugao nodded while both student and sensei charged at the Sound Medic, while Kabuto summoned his Chakra Scalpels and charged at his opponents. Naruto and Yugao both swung horizonitally to attempt to bisect their opponent only for him to backflip out of the way and hit them both in their none dominate arms, causing them to lose feeling.

Naruto growls at this, while his partner within was already on healing the damage done, while Yugao wasn't so lucky to have that benefit. "Naruto, we need to be careful. That jutsu he's using is far worse than the gentle fist fighting style. It can target the muscles and internal organs. It's a staple for all medics." Yugao warned doing raising her sword again with her good arm.

Naruto nodded, unconsciously channeling Kurama's unfiltered chakra through Benehime's blade, giving it an eerie red glow, startling both his sensei and his opponent.

'That glow... I've only heard stories of Kushina doing that... so... it's a chakra medal designed to handle the overwhelming power of Kurama's Chakra... or any of the tailed beasts if I had to guess.' Yugao thought in awe.

"Wh-what are you doing?!" Kabuto voiced what he was thinking.

"Huh?" Naruto asked before he looked down at his blade. "Oh wow. Didn't know I could do this."

"I'm more impressed you did it unconsciously. This is how your mother got the title 'Red Death', Naruto." Kurama said. "Now end it. The unfiltered chakra through your blade is extremely poisonous and corrosive."

'Got it.' Naruto mentally nodded and looked to his sensei and charged at Kabuto was still terrified, so much so he couldn't move or dodge Naruto's strike, which was armed for his neck to take his head clean off. As his head fell to get the ground, the skull started to disintegrate and dissolve. The rest of Kabuto's body was also slowly doing the same from the neck down.

As this was happening, both Naruto and Yugao were looking in shock, not believing what just happened, both for different reasons. A grin slowly crept up on Naruto's face, one that frightened Jiraiya and Tsunade who looked over mid-fight having scened Kurama's chakra.

[With the Sannin]

Fight between the three of them was intense, Jiraiya had used Swamp of the Underworld to trap Manda in a six-foot-deep swamp, causing Manda to curse the Toad Sage for being unable to move and having to dispel. However, Katsuya and Bunta stuck around, knowing how dangerous Orochimaru can be, even without his ability to use his arms. However, before the fight could truly begin, they felt Naruto channeling Kurama's chakra and looked over, only to see Benihime glowing red from the chakra. But what they saw next terrified each of the Sannin, as well pissed off Orochimaru to no end, Naruto taking Kabuto's head clean off his shoulders, only dissolve into nothing, burned away by the corrosive chakra.

'Damn that brat! Kabuto was invaluable! I'm going to find another medic with similar skill sets!' Orochimaru fumed. 'For now, I will take care of this brat, as well as Tsunade since she refused to heal me.'

At the same time, Tsunade and Jiraiya were worried about the sadistic grin on the teenager's face, noticing he hadn't pulled up his mask since the hotel in his rage. 'Oh no, don't tell me that his bottled-up rage, coupled with his first kill has triggered something in him.' Jiraiya thought, while Tsunade knew that look all too well, unknowingly confirming Jiraiya's fear especially with what they were hearing now.

Yugao too, was worried, as the former genin started maliciously laughing. 'I was afraid of this... Now that he's not hiding behind his idiot persona, all his bottled-up rage caused by the years of abuse and hatred of the village, combined with his first kill and the power he has with that blade, he's snapped.'

"Oh, I'm sorry Pedimaru, did I just annihilate your boy toy? I guess you'll need to find another little boy to satisfy you." Naruto taunted. "Maybe I should spare other boys, and finish what the Third Hokage started... and end your miserable life!" He said reading his blade again to attack.

"Naruto! You're no match for him! Stay back let us handle it! Yugao, let's go!" Jiraiya said, earning a nod, but was ignored by Kurama's host, who keep his eyes glued to Orochimaru with a crazed look in his eyes.

"Naruto calm down. Don't let the unfiltered Chakra overtake you. Benehime is testing you!" Kurama yelled out.

"Look at you boy, nothing more than a wild beast after they have their first taste of blood. Looks like the Leaf was right, you're nothing but a demon!" Orochimaru taunted before bringing out his Kusanagi blade from this throat and expended his neck to run the Jinchuriki through the stomach, only for Yugao to push her crazed student out of the way and get stabbed herself, knocking Naruto back to his senses and dispelling the corrosive chakra that was channeling through his blade.

"Sensei!" Naruto seeing being stabbed through her stomach, he swiped at Orochimaru's neck, barely nicking his vocal cords, causing the snake to recoil and leave the Kusanagi in the former Anbu.

Jiraiya saw this and looked to Tsunade who was already talking to Katsuya. "Katsuya, can you send a clone to heal her?"

"Yes, but the sword will have to be removed carefully... if I am right, not only is it through her stomach, but very close to her womb, if we aren't careful, she could end up becoming baron. Especially with the poison that is coating the blade." The boss Slug replied already sending her to the downed kunoichi.

Meanwhile Orochimaru was furious, he was having trouble performing his Body-style Replacement Jutsu with injury from the surprise attack. So, he did a body flicker to get away and focus on healing his injuries and find a way to move up his timetable to obtain Sasuke.

At this moment Naruto didn't care that the snake got away, his focus was on Yugao, and the guilt he felt. He knew he was responsible... if he hadn't been overtaken by bloodlust and adrenaline from his first kill. Orochimaru was right, he was like a wild beast after getting its first taste of blood, a demon.

"GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!" Kurama said, getting the former leaf Genin's attention. "You are nothing like a demon or a wild animal, the sword was testing you, and I'd say you passed since you immediately snapped to it when your sensei was harmed. Now pay attention a slug is almost next to you to help the woman."

"Young man, I need to you carefully remove the sword in her stomach straight as you can, try to wiggle it at all." Katsuya's clone said in her usual motherly tone, but even this was laced with a seriousness that Naruto caught on it.

After nodding in understanding, he did as he was asked and removed the poisoned sword as carefully as he could, while Yugao grunted in pain. "I'm sorry sensei. If only I didn't lose myself. I will train to overcome the bloodlust and be able to use my mother's sword properly." He whispered more to himself than to woman he was helping.

"I-it's alright Naruto." She said, getting into a coughing fit, bringing up a glob of blood, "I-I'm just glad you c-came to your senses."

"Don't talk Ma'am. You're seriously injured." Katsuya's clone said earning a pained nod from the ex-ANBU.

Off to the side Tsunade and Jiraiya were talking about what happened. "I'm concerned... that was too easy. I didn't think Orochimaru was that injured." Tsunade said, with the Toad Sannin nodding in agreement.

"I don't even know if Naruto's slash connected, I didn't see any blood on that super extended neck, did you?" He asked.

"Yeah, I did... but it didn't look that deep... but for Orochimaru not to do that disguising replacement jutsu of his, either he was severely injured or not injured enough to worry about it but left after he realized he was out numbered with his number two man killed." The Slug summoner voiced her concern.

"Then we should be very careful moving forward. For now, after Katsuya finishes her treatment of Yugao, we should get back to your apprentice. We need to make final decision about either or not you are coming back to the village with me and Yugao. I don't think that Naruto will accompany us, not since he just left a week ago." The self-proclaimed Super Pervert stated.

"I know, doesn't mean I'm looking forward to it, because I already know that Shizune will want to return once she hears everything that's going on, and from what you said, you two are running out of time, especially that former ANBU." Tsunade sighed in resignation.

[Back with Naruto]

"Yugao's going to be ok right?" Naruto asked clearly worried.

"Yes, child, you did very well with removing the sword carefully. Now please let me concentrate." Katsuya said, trying to be polite but even with her patience, the former blonde was really grating on her nerves. In truth, it was heartwarming to her that the teenager was so worried about his sensei.

Naruto merely mumbled an apology and gazed at the Kusanagi that Orochimaru left behind. 'I think I'll give his to Yugao as a gift... or maybe keep it and save as a gift for when I meet that female ninja leader chick.'

"Oh yes, give the girl who you have to fight for her hand in marriage an extremely poisonous, and rare sword for her to kill you with... That's one hell of an introduction gift." Kurama chastised.

'Oh, shut it... I wouldn't give it to her before the fight obviously.' Kushina's son rebuked, feeling rather offended that his partner thought so little of him that he didn't think ahead with the gift.

It was then that the two remaining Sannin walked up. Tsunade was the one who spoke up. "How's the treatment coming along? We need to get back to the inn and check on Shizune."

"I'm almost done with what I can do, however, she will need to take it easy for a while." Katsuya said, noticing that both Gamabunta and her larger portion returned home.

All the three nodded, although the last thing Naruto was thinking about training now. All he cared about was that she was going to be alright.

"I'll be sure to do that... doesn't mean I can't supervise this one's training, right?" Yugao strained to get out while gesturing to her student.

"As long as it doesn't involve sparring with him." Tsunade sighed. 'Her dedication is commendable, but she's going drive herself into an early grave if she keeps it going at this pace.'

"Alright, I'm all finished. Please take care everyone." Katsuya said before dispelling.

[Back at the Hotel]

An hour later, they all back at Shizune's side with Naruto helping Yugao walk back, while he carried the Kusanagi in his other hand. On the way, Jiraiya and Yugao agreed to let him hang on to it as gift for his future betrothed, but not before teasing him about the same issues Kurama did, giving her more ways to kill him before they fight. This caused him to pout saying that wasn't that stupid.

However, Shizune was still unconscious, so all they could was wait. Yugao and Jiraiya used this chance to get some quick shut eye, while Naruto while feeling tired, decided to stay awake and make sure Tsunade didn't try to make a break for it, clearly not trusting the Legendary Sucker.

"You don't have to keep watch over me brat. I'm not going to run, especially with Shizune in the state she's in." Tsunade grumbled.

"You haven't given me any reason to trust you, sure you had Katsuya heal Yugao-sensei, but one good dead is useless. Many people would use one or two good deeds to gain the trust of others, then stab them in the back. I've learned that lesson all too well, thanks to that cesspool of a village." The former Blonde growled.

The conscious medic wasn't expected a rebuttal like that. "...Just what happened to you back in the village?" Was all she could ask.

"What didn't happen to me in the village?" He shot back before continuing, "I was shunned, ostracized, over charged on soiled food, parents told their kids to stay away from me, sabotaged in the academy. And after my third attempt at the final exam, which for some reason was always my worst jutsu, the standard Clone Jutsu, and after I failed the exam because I can't do the jutsu, one of my sensei's approached me and told me about the 'secret test which would allow me to become a genin.' He said I had to sneak into the Hokage Tower, take the big scroll hidden away there, which just so happened to be the Scrolls of Sealing, and learn a single jutsu from it."

Naruto stopped and chuckled. "Funny enough, that's how I learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Anyway, after doing the task, my other sensei, Iruka, found me and told me that Misuki tricked me, only for him show up right then and there, and told me about the Third's decree, that I had fox sealed within me and that I was the demon. Then after my match in the Finals of the Chunin Exams, I find out who my parents were, that Hiruzen didn't tell me 'for my protection', that my own sensei, Kakashi knew who my parents were since he was my father's student, but instead of training his team evenly, he focused on the 'Last Loyal Uchiha.' Hell, all he really taught us was the Tree Climbing exercise and something a friend of his told him once... 'those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum.'

So yeah, I don't trust people too much, and it takes a lot to earn that trust. There are only 7 people I trust wholeheartedly. One is Yugao Sensei, the 5 others are back in my new home, and the other is Iruka back in the village."

"You don't trust the old pervert over there?" Tsunade asked curiously.

"Why would I trust a man who is supposed to be my godfather, but never actually came and took care of me, despite being the Spymaster for Konoha, he could have dropped at least twice a year. No instead, when we first met, he acted like he didn't know who I was, and originally refused to train me until I … 'convinced' him too using a Jutsu I created to deal with perverts, and please don't ask what it does. Anyway, when he was training me for the Finals of the Chunin Exams, he spent most of the time with his 'research'. He even threw me off a cliff in order to summon Gamabunta for the first time." Naruto said merely shrugging.

Little did they know that Yugao and Jiraiya were listening in on their conversation with different reactions. While Yugao had a small smile on her face, feeling very happy that she was one of the people he trusted, Jiraiya frowned, disheartened that he wasn't on that list even though he understood why, it still wasn't easy to hear. He was however sweating when he felt Tsunade's anger thrown his way.

"Oh really..." Tsunade in low, ominous voice.

'Yup, I'm fucked.' Was all Jiraiya had time to think before he was punched through the wall and landing outside of town. This causes Shizune to wake up and groan, still feeling the aching pain from her master's monstrous slap. Naruto quickly pulled his mask back up before she spoke.

"Ugh, Lady Tsunade, did you have to hit me that hard?" She asked, clearly excepting to get hit for mentioning her uncle in such away. Once she gained her full bearings, she noticed two others in the room, along with a human sized hole in the wall. "Who are these people and why is there hole in our suite?"

"Ahh, you're awake." Naruto said casually.

"You were that Shadow Clone kid we ran into before." The younger medic proclaimed.

"That's right, my name's Takumi. Sorry if I was the cause of you getting injured." Naruto said solemnly.

"Shizune, I'm sorry! I really over did it... You flew into a wall and I broke your jaw! I felt so horrible." Tsunade cut off their conversation to apologize.

"Well I am sorry for being insensitive. But I stand by what I said about helping the village if that's why they are here." the younger medic said.

"...Yeah that's why we're here..." Jiraiya said, climbing through the hole in the wall.

"Master Jiraiya!" She exclaimed before asking, "What did you do this time to get punched through a wall this time?"

"My student told Tsunade about my behavior and teaching methods." The Toad Sage groaned.

"If it's your usual 'researching while occasionally giving advice' method, then I can understand why. Or was it worse than usual." Shizune deadpanned.

"Try tossing me off a cliff to summon Gamabunta." Naruto tossed his godfather farther under the bus.

This earned disbelieving stare from the younger medic, with Tsunade cracking her knuckles, ready to send him flying again, making Jiraiya sweat.

"Now, now, as amusing as it would be to see the old pervert go flying, why don't you four discuss what you need to." Naruto said, deciding to save his godfather.

And so, the re-discussed everything, leaving out Naruto's identity and status, knowning that Shizune big on rules and protocol, and would suggest they drag him back to protect him from the Stone and Cloud villages.

"So, while I was out, everyone here took on Orochimaru and his second in command and Takumi killed him and farther injured Orochimaru after he stabbed Yugao here?" Shizune asked shell-shocked.

"That's right." Naruto said, with Yugao nodding, placing hand over her stomach where she was stabbed.

"Lord Jiraiya, you've found one hell of a student, you as well Yugao." a still stunned Shizune got out.

"Will I appreciate the praise, can we get back to the matter at hand, you know, whether or not you and Tsunade will return to the leaf with Jiraiya and Yugao. And before you ask, I have people waiting for me back home." Naruto said trying to push back his blush.

"Right, sorry." She apologized before getting serious. "I've already voiced my opinion on going back if the village needs help with medics, but this is so much more than that. This would mean we would remain there."

Everyone but Naruto nodded, who just sighed before she continued. "However, we cannot have Danzo become Hokage. I agree with all of you that he'd not only turn the Elemental Nation into a war zone but make everyone with a potential bloodline into breeding stock, this includes you Lady Tsunade." She said looking at Tsunade who looked like she was ready pop a blood vessel. "What I mean is that you carry Lord First's blood in you, and just because you don't have Mokuton, doesn't mean that your offspring won't."

"I'm too old to have kids, you know that Shizune!" The Slug Sannin fumed.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean they won't have their medics do what they can to revitalize your egg sack then extract them to have someone else birth the children." Jiraiya stepped in.

Tsunade looked like she was gonna destroy the place at the mere thought of it. "And not just that... from what I've heard about this asshole, I wouldn't put past him to dig up the graves of the dead if they had bloodlines. That means even if they are unable revitalize your eggs, your grandfather's bones aren't safe, hell they already aren't if Orochimaru was able to use that Impure Resurrection Jutsu to have him in a fight against the Third Hokage." Naruto added fuel to the fire.

"Speaking of the two... It wouldn't surprise me if Danzo was the one who helped Orochimaru get into the village in the first place." Yugao thought out loud.

Sensing Naruto's anger starting to spike again Jiraiya puts an end to it. "Let's put that on the back burner til we get back to the leaf, assuming I'm correct that you will go back to the village just to stop Danzo from doing this, assuming he already hasn't."

"You're damn rights! If me having to suffer being Hokage means I put a damper on that warhawks plans, then I'll do it!" Tsunade said a determination Jiraiya hasn't seen in her since the fight again Hanzo the Salamander.

"In the case, let me tell you the secret to paperwork that all kage should know." Naruto said, knowing she'd owe him for the rest of her career. "Two Words... Shadow Clones."

"Takumi, you are a genius. If you were a Leaf Shinobi, I'd give S-rank payment for that information. Hell, I still might, since you're a freelance Shinobi." Tsunade said pulling him into her ample chest, shocking everyone, while Jiraiya, both shocked and jealous, starts giggling and writing in his notebook, and Naruto flailing around.

'Can't...breathe!' Naruto thought while Kurama was laughing his tails off.

"Lady Tsunade, I think Takumi is starting to turn blue from lack of oxygen." Shizune said, giggling slightly.

Tsunade gasped and let the teenager go, who gasped for air. "Sorry about that." She said sheepishly.

"Let's just prepare to head out. My family will be starting to worry about me soon." He said, after catching his breath.

"Alright, as I said, I will send you money to your home after my coronation." The future Fifth Hokage promised.

"How about I just give you my account info once I get my parents accounts under my control." The younger blackette said.

This caught Shizune's attention. "What do you mean? Why wouldn't you already have those under your control, assuming they left it to you?"

Naruto's mood darkened and spoke in an even tone, "Let's just say it was kept from me for stupid reasons by a well-meaning old man."

"Ok...?" Said a confused medic. 'I'm sure I'll find out eventually if it's a need-to-know thing. This kid seems to value his privacy. He has not once mentioned where his home is.'

"Very well. If you are unable to do so by then, I will send a trust messenger to your home. How's that?" Tsunade asked.

Naruto just nods, hoping to get him parents accounts soon so he can take missions again. 'It's a good thing I cleaned out my account before the exams... who knows that the villagers would have done with what little cash I had, not that I had more than a hundred thousand yen in my account.'

"How are you doing Sensei?" He asked Yugao

"I'm fine, I should be able to make it back to the village at the very least." She replied with a smile to her student.

The young Uzumaki nodded, feeling relieved. "And I told you, you are not responsible for me getting hurt. I would have taken the hit all over again if it meant you were kept safe." She said, catching herself as she was about to talk about his status as a Jinjuriki. Naruto frowned at this but nodded.

"Alright you two, that's enough with the brother/sister routine." Jiraiya grumbled, still sore that the ex-ANBU was closer to his godson than he was.

It didn't seem to faze either of them though, if anything they smiled brighter at the thought. "Before I head back home, can I talk to you in private Jiraiya?" Naruto asked.

"Huh? Sure." The Toad Sage nodded, alittle confused as to what he could want.

So, the two stepped out into the hallway and down the hall so not to be overheard, both making sure no one followed them.

"So, what is it that you wanted to talk about Naruto?" Jiraiya asked his godson.

"I wanted to ask if you know who my godmother is?" He asked hesistantly.

This shocked the Super Pervert, he didn't except this to ever come up. "Not that I won't answer, but I'm curious as to why you're bringing this up now?"

"...I just feel I need to know. Know why I wasn't taken in if they lived in the village. If they cared..." Naruto said solemnly.

"...I see..." Jiraiya said solemnly. "Well... your godmother did care... she was your mother's best friend, however, she couldn't take you in because both the Council, and her clan, wouldn't allow it... the Council due the events that surround your birthday and the attack on the village. Her name was Mikoto Uchiha, Sasuke's mother... The council refused to let the Uchiha have possession over "the weapon" because it was thought that one of them was controlling Kurama. And the Uchiha refused for basically the same reason, having you amongst them would only raise the already high tension with the village."

He stopped to sigh. "But Mikoto fought, she fought so hard Hiruzen thought her sons were getting jealous over the time she was putting forth to bring you into the family. She was heartbroken when she was forced to give up on her promise to Kushina, she felt like she had betrayed you and her. So, don't doubt that she loved and cared for you. I'm sure you got some non-toad related gifts with no labels, right?"

Naruto just nodded, fighting back the tears that were threatening to roll down his face. 'So, Teme's Mom was my godmother... and she loved me enough to fight for me despite being turned down who knows how many times. I wish I could thank her for everything she's done, but she died that tragic night. I guess he and I have even more in common... it's too bad I can never share it with him now.' He despaired.

"Are you ok?" Jiraiya asked in a soft tone.

"Of course not... once again that damned council got in the way of me having a happy life. I will never forgive them. I have even more reason to never step foot in Konoha ever again." Naruto said heatedly.

The Sannin just nodded, internally wincing, chances are he just damaged his relationship with his godson even farther for asking a stupid question out of concern. "I'll head back to the others, take as much time as you need."

"Just...tell everyone I went home. I don't want anyone to see me like this." the now official freelance shinobi said dejectedly.

All the older man could do was nod and walk off. As soon as Jiraiya entered the room and relayed the message, Naruto broke down and cried silently. Even Kurama didn't say anything, especially what he wanted to say would only cause his host to lash out at him.

[Back in the Hotel Room]

When Jiraiya relayed the message, Yugao was the first to ask what was wrong, seeing the Sannin's defeated look.

"Takumi... asked about something he wanted, no needed to know. And it wasn't exactly pleasant to have to tell him or for him hear. He didn't want to worry anyone, so if you see him again... don't probe into it. I'm sure he'll tell you especially eventually." He said solemnly.

The young swordswoman nodded, looking very concerned, so did Tsunade, curious about this information the young man needed to know.

"Come on Let's get going, it's gonna take us about a day or two to react Konoha and we don't have a lot of time left before the Warhawk gets the Hat." Jiraiya said, his tone turned serious.

The ladies all nodded and gathered their things, knowing Naruto had his things in storage scrolls, and headed out, not knowing that he was just around the corner in desperate need of comfort. Had she known, Yugao would have gone over and held him until he was alright.

[In Konoha a day later]

We find the proctor of second part of the chunin exams and part of the T&I division, Anko Mitarashi, leaving the only place she can relax other than her apartment, the Dango Shop. Ever since her former sensei invaded the village in attempts to raise it to the ground, and killing the beloved Third Hokage, she's been treated even worse than she used to be.

The only reason she is remotely safe is because she's part of the T&I and her boss, Ibiki, would have the asses of whoever tried to physically harm her, not to mention that people were afraid she's shick her snakes on them. This doesn't mean that she hasn't been charged triple the price on everything when she goes shopping for anything. It was only the Dango shop that treated her fairly.

So, on her way back to work, she ignores the glares and being once again called "Snake Whore", "Traitor", and the likes. However, this doesn't mean she drops her guard at all, and because of this she notices something down a nearby back alley. So, despite telling herself it was stupid idea, she goes to investigate.

"What do you mean Kabuto has been killed and Orochimaru unable to speak due to a throat injury?" A male, monotone voice was heard.

'Orochimaru?!' She thought to herself, instinctually grabbing the spot on her neck where her curse mark was, while hiding the best she could behind a wall.

"Like I fucking said, Lord Orochimaru came back in really bad fucking mood, when someone asked about Kabuto, he gave the signal to kill to poor bastard. Now I'm stuck being the goddamned informant." A fowl mouthed teenage girls voice.

'Heh, this girl has a sailor's mouth.' Anko thought, deciding to poke her head around the corner discreetly.

What she saw was an ANBU with a blank mask, the rumored ROOT ANBU under Danzo's command, and a girl with long red hair, a black hat with pipe-like stripes and bandaged sides, a tanned tunic with elbow length sleeves, a rope like belt that her former sensei use to wear, black wrist bands and biker shorts, and what looked like a flute tucked in the belt.

"I understand, here's the information you were sent to get." the ROOT ANBU said handing over a scroll to the girl before vanishing using the Body Flicker Jutsu.

The redhaired put the scroll into her utility pouch and storms off, unknowingly in the direct Anko was easedropping, until she bumps into the Snake Mistress, dropping the scroll, and with quick thinking from Anko, a blank scroll that looked identical.

"Hey! Fucking watch where you're going, you damn bitch." The girl snarled, noticing two scrolls on the ground.

"Same could be said to you... I was just taking a short cut to get home to review my mission" Anko said picking up the information scroll.

"Tch. Fine. I don't have time to waste on the likes of you." The redhead grabs the other scroll and runs off.

Anko looks down at the scroll in her hands. "I better get back to T&I. Ibiki should know about this." She said and tucked into her trench coat and rushed off to work.

5 minutes later of roof jumping, she landed in front of the T&I building and runs in and straight for Ibiki's office and slamming the door open.

"Anko... what did I tell you about slamming my door open?" Ibiki asked, not looking up for the paperwork on his desk.

"Sorry, but this is important! I just witnessed an interaction between an unmarked ANBU, and a shinobi working under Orochimaru!" Anko said pulling out the scroll she swiped and handed it to him.

This catches his attention as he takes the scroll. After a few minutes of reading the scroll, he frowns with a destressed. "This is information on the Uchiha and his mental state since the exams when he got the same curse mark as well demands for payment for their assistance during the exams and invasion!" He said before looking up. "You said it was an unmarked ANBU that gave this scroll to the shinobi? What can you tell me about the shinobi?"

"Technically it was a kunoichi, but..." Anko said and described the girl, while thinking to herself she had even more evidence that Danzo helped Orochimaru.

Ibiki cupped his chin and thought. "According to the ANBU that were stuck outside the barrier when Hiruzen was fighting Orochimaru, one of the four Sound Ninja who erected said barrier, fits that description, aside from the 'Sailor Mouth' you mentioned. She was likely one of Orochimaru's personal guard. If she was able to get in and out of the village without being noticed, someone in power is helping Orochimaru and his people."

"I assume we don't know anything other than that about her or the other three?" the Snake Mistress asked with a frown, receiving a negative head shake from her boss. "Damn it... we already know that snake is planning to obtain the kid, but what is he planning...?"

"Hmm... likely to wait til the Uchiha is feeling inadequate, weak and that the village is preventing him getting stronger, then send someone to 'persuade' him into going with them." The Mental Torture expert theorized.

But before could comment on it, there was a knock on the office door. "Come in!" Ibiki said hiding the scroll they obtained in his desk.

"Forgive the intrusion Ibiki, I come on behalf of council with summons for... Miss Mitarashi." ANBU Tiger said, stopping himself from calling Anko "Snake Whore" in front of Ibiki. "Something about an important mission."

"Very well. I will head that way in a moment. Thank you, Tiger." Anko said, catching on to that his pause therefore thinking of a way to be polite.

When Tiger left, she turned to Ibiki who also seemed to catch on. "You know he was gonna call me one of the insults I've been called before, right?"

"I know, and he held his tongue because I was right here." He said, clearly irriated.

"Well I better get going. Those old bats get impatient quickly." Anko said, resigning herself to what will likely be getting a suicide mission.

[Hokage Tower: Council's Office]

5 minutes after being summoned, Anko arrived in the Council's office. If she were to be honest, she was surprised not to see Danzo sitting in the Hokage's Office despite the mission to bring back Tsunade.

"Have a seat Miss Mitarashi." Danzo said gruffly watching her do as asked. "We have received word that the Land of Waves is harboring an unaffiliated shinobi of extreme power. He is a teenager, thirteen or fourteen years of age, sapphire blue eyes with k9 like pupils, wearing black hooded sleeveless vest, with a black mask like Kakashi's, black ANBU pants and black sandals with immense chakra levels."

"And you believe this kid is a threat? Why? Because he's unaffiliated with immense chakra?" Anko asked skeptically.

"That is correct. If Iwa or Kumo were to get their hands on someone like that it would be trouble. Especially since he seems to share Wave's view of our village. They view the fallen Jinjuriki as their savior and don't appreciate the village celebrating his death. A former Client of ours and now major of Wave said as much when we had a messenger go find Jiraiya there." The Old War Hawk said.

'If it's that mission Kakashi told us about, then I'm not surprised they don't appreciate the village celebrating the death of their hero.' Anko thought ruefully before nodding. "And we're sure he'll be in Wave?"

"By now, yes he should be. He might have accompanied Jiraiya and the former ANBU known as Cat to retrieve Jiraiya." Koharu Utatane, the only female on the Elder Council said.

"What?! Cat was removed from duty!?" Anko asked shocked. Yugao was one her few friends, for her to be removed from duty, she wondered what happened.

"Yes, she requested a leave of absence and left the village with Jiraiya to guard the Ichiraku's who were moving to Wave when we are at our most vulnerable. We cannot have such responsibility from one of our ANBU, especially since they shouldn't require time to grieve death." Homura Mitokado, the other male of the council spoke up.

'These bastards! She lost her fiancé before the Chunin Finals! She's still human, not a mindless drone!' Anko internally fumed. "...Very well. I will leave within the hour...providing I can procure the equipment I need."

The Elders nod and watch her leave the room, then Homura and Koharu turn to Danzo. "Prepare your ROOT, she clearly sympathizes with the lost weapon as well as her friend formerly of the ANBU. Not to mention if she learns that we helped Orochimaru get into the village, she'll be a flight risk."

"I'm well aware, I've already arranged it. My team is waiting just far enough away from not to draw any attention to themselves from that ungrateful village." Danzo said firmly.

Just then Tiger bursts in. "There better be a good reason for this intrusion Tiger." Danzo snarled.

"Yes sire. We received a messenger toad from Jiraiya. He and the traitor Yugao are on their way back with Tsunade and Shizune!" The ANBU said frankly, knowing this was important.

"Damn them... How did Jiraiya find her so fast?" Danzo fumed.

"The message said something about that brat using clones to help with the search in Tanzaku Town. He was also apparently the one for injuring Lord Orochimaru." Tiger reported.

"That child is too powerful already. We must do something about him." Koharu hissed.

"Unforunately, we cannot... reports say that Tsunade and Jiraiya are close to the boy. And it is to send a team after him." Tiger said tentatively, knowing he was thin ice right now.

Danzo growled. "Very well. We'll have to watch this child closely from now on. How long til the Sannin and Ex-Anbu arrive?"

"Tomorrow morning Sir." The ANBU said with a bow.

"Dismissed." Danzo said.

Tiger then used the Body Flicker Jutsu to get out of dodge and Homura and Koharu turned to Danzo. "We apologize old friend. But it seems we will have hold off our plans for the Elemental Nations for the time being."

"This just means we can make more in-depth preparations. I am a patient man. If Tsunade doesn't go along with our agenda, we can just lock her away and go ahead with the Senju revival plan." Danzo said after calming himself.

[Forests outside of Wave]

Half a day has passed, and Naruto was almost back home, however he stopped when Kurama told him he sensed a battle not too far off. With it being so close to Wave, he decided to check it out and take care of any would-be bandits that dare threaten his new home. However, he arrives as shortly after the battle concludes and senses three chakra signatures retreat in the direction of Konoha.

'Hey, isn't that the crazy snake lady who was the proctor for the second exam? What's she doing out here and why is she so beaten up?' Naruto askes himself

"I don't know, but she's barely alive, you need to get her back to town to see a doctor immediately." Kurama replied even if he wasn't asked.

'Shit... alright. Just hope she doesn't cut my cheek again. Though it did feel good having her ample chest on my back.' The ravenette thought with a blush.

"Not the time to perv out. Damn hormonal teenager." Kurama huffed and went back to sleep.

Naruto grumbled and picked Anko up in piggyback form and ran towards town.

"ugn... Why...are you helping...me? Who...are you?" Anko asked weakly.

"Shhh. Don't talk. You're badly injured. I shouldn't even be moving you, but I have no first aid experience." Naruto said.

"ROOT... Konoha... did this...to me..." Anko said before she fainted.

"Hey! Hang on!" He shouted and ran faster. "Damn it!"

Five minutes later crashed through Tazuna's first door. "Tsunami, Ayame! I found someone in need of help!"

"Takumi!" Both ladies exclaimed. "What happened to her? Wait... She's a leaf ninja, what's she doing here?"

"I don't know. But I found her like this just outside of town and she managed to say something about Konoha." He said looking at the Snake Mistress.

"Alright, we'll help her, but she's your responsibility." Tsunami said.

Naruto nodded and looked around. "Where's Teuchi and Tazuna?"

"Out working on the ramen stand. Father wanted to get Mr. Ichiraku's input so that it's up to his family's standards." The mother of one said.

Naruto nodded and left the ladies to take care of Anko. He knew they'd do the bare minimum to get her to the point she won't die, but he knew they didn't have to skill to do more. "I should send a message to Pervy Sage tomorrow, they should be back to Konoha by then. Hopefully... Anko I think her name is, if I remember from that banner she had up at the end of the first exam correctly."

"That's right brat, and don't deny that you thought she is attractive, that outfit she wears leaves nothing to the imagination." Kurama teased.

'Hey, that's beside the point you damn perverted fox. I was just making sure I had the right name to give the future Fifth Hokage.' Naruto defended himself

All he got in reply was a "Uh Huh" from his tenant and he just grumbled. However, he did remember the promise he made to Gamakichi, so, he made his way into town to get two big bags of sweets for the red son of Gamabunta.

When he got back thirty minutes later, he found Anko on the couch dressed only in bandages, causing to blush and drop the sweets, which thankfully didn't spill out over the floor.

"Naruto, you're back. Why do you have two big bags of sweets?" Ayame asked before noticing where he was looking and continued in a sickly-sweet smile. "You had better not be perving out on her."

"O-of course not. But why didn't you guys re-dress her, even if she wasn't wearing all that much begin with?" He defended himself by asking a question of his own.

"Uh huh... don't try that 'deflect a question with another question' on me Naruto. But to answer it anyway, this will make it easier to change her bandages later tonight. Now why don't you answer mine about the sweets? I know you don't have that big of a sweet tooth." She glared.

"Ok, fine. You make a good point. As for the sweets, they are for Gamakichi, one of the 3 toads I currently know how to summon. When he delivered that message to you, Teuchi and Pervy Sage, he made sure to make me promise to give him a bag of sweets... I got an extra one because I'm gonna need him to play messenger again tomorrow." Naruto said with his hands up in surrender.

Ayame nods and Tsunami enters the room giggling. "Ok lovebirds, no time to be arguing like an old married couple. I just started supper, so can I ask you both to go fetch my father and Teuchi?" She teased while making a request.

"Ts-tsunami! W-we aren't even a couple! We're more like s-s-siblings! I told you that..." Naruto said blushing up a storm.

While Ayame was giving her best Hinata expression without fainting, daydreaming about being married to Naruto. Tsunami noticed this and giggled harder but decided not to tease them anymore. It was up to Ayame to officially confess how she feels to the knucklehead.

"L-l-l-let's go N-n-n-naruto" Ayame cursed herself for the stutter. 'Damn it... I'm gonna give myself away at this rate.' Not realising he overheard her that night.

"Alright...?" Naruto said confused, somewhat forgetting about her confession he overheard a week ago.

"You're an idiot, or do you not remember what got you so flustered a week ago? Ayame's conversation with Tsunami in the kitchen?" Kurama deadpanned.

'...oh...r-right' Naruto blushed even more.

Kurama just paw palmed and groaned. Naruto fought off his blush and walked out the door with Ayame.

That evening while Tsunami took charge of monitoring Anko, Naruto and Ayame decided to sit on the roof and enjoy the night sky together, while Teuchi just smiled as they walked upstairs.

"Hey... Ayame can I ask you something?" Naruto asked tentatively.

"Hmm?" She replied not looking from the starry sky.

"Remember a week ago? When you first arrived here and helped Tsunami in the kitchen?" He asked, now really nervous. He knew he had to steel himself for this.

"H-huh?! Uh..Y-yeah of course... She dragged me to help in the kitchen and talk... why?" She said just as nervously, turning her gaze his way panicking internally. 'Don't tell me his sensitive hearing was able to hear our conversation over that that noise!'

"Umm... Well..." He paused, steeling himself. "I'm sorry... I overheard you two talking... I heard everything."

"Y-you did?" She said turning pale, wanting curl up into a ball and die.

He nodded slowly. "D-did you mean what you said?"

'Huh? He's not...rejecting the idea? Could I have been wrong about how he sees me?' Ayame asked herself but realizing he was waiting for an answer. "Yes...I did... How could I not? I've known you for half your life. I loved when you had that big honest grin on your face when you got your anonymous gifts, when you came in telling us excited you were about going to the academy.

It broke my heart to see you come in once a month downtrodden from the Third saying he didn't know who your parents were, the times you came to father and I starving, the times you came in beaten and bruised from drunken villagers, and all the times that Haruno girl was stupid enough to turn down a date with you.

How could I not fall in love with you? Any lesser person would be gone insane after what you've gone through. Even if you don't feel the same or you're not ready, I just want to be a light that can keep some of the darkness away." She spoke passionately, but honestly, a dark blush on her cheeks.

"Ayame..." Naruto said in aye and taking a few minutes to gather his thoughts.

"Don't even think about turning her down. We haven't even met the girl you're technically engaged to. This girl has been there through it all, even left her home with her father for your sake. This girl loves you wholeheartedly." Kurama stepped with a rare moment of compassion, Shocking his host.

Naruto knew what his partner said was true. She's done so much for him he knew that it would be cruel to turn her down, especially since he does feel the same. So, he makes his decision and pulls her into a hug.

Ayame returns the hug with tears in her eyes, thinking he's gonna turn her down. "I feel the same way..."

Those words caused her to pull away to look him in the eyes, only to see the honesty in them. "Y-you do?" She asked, barely above a whisper.

Naruto just nods. "As long as you're ok with me being away from home a lot being a shinobi... then maybe we can act on this."

"...You knucklehead... Of course I'm ok with it... and while I don't have a choice in the matter, I don't mind sharing you with this girl you have to fight eventually... even if I am sure she will have to be the official wife for political reasons." Ayame said with tearful smile and pushes back into the hug, resting her head on his shoulder.

He just nodded gently and holds her tight. Little did both of them know, Teuchi and Tsunami were spying on them through a nearby window, both smiling. Teuchi nodding his head in acceptance, knowing Naruto will treat her right, especially if the boy wants to continue getting his ramen, and Tsunami had a few tears in her eyes from the heartwarming scene.

[The next morning]

Anko walks up in a room she didn't recognize, realizing she was all but naked if it weren't for bandaged, in what appeared to be a living room. However, she does notice that her close are washed, mended and folded neatly on the table beside her.

"Hello? Anyone there...?" She asked in hoarse voice. 'Damn, well guess I should take it easy with speaking for a while... though I think I'm just thirsty.' She thought to herself.

"Oh, you're awake. Let me get you something to drink. Your throat must be dry. We aren't a medical facility, so we didn't want risk you drowning on us when Takumi brought you here after he found you injured outside of the village." Tsunami said as she made her way to the kitchen get some tea ready for everyone in the house.

"Where am I?" The Snake Mistress asked.

"You're in the Land of Waves, Home to the Great Bridge Builder Tazuna and those who practically worship Naruto Uzumaki, the hero who gave us our fighting spirit and hope back." The former housewife said with pride.

"Wave huh... I heard about this place from a colleague. He was Naruto's sensei, Kakashi Hatake." Anko said.

"Oh? So, you are from Konoha. You didn't have an any ID on you when you arrived, so we didn't know for sure." Tsunami said and put down the tea for her guest. "But so you know, the townsfolk don't like people from there. Especially after we heard your village celebrated our hero's death. So be careful."

Anko nods, she knew this already of course, but to get confirmation from the source was a very good thing. "Thanks for the heads up. I'll be careful. And thank you for the tea as well."

"You're welcome." Tsunami said with a smile. "You should probably get dressed. My father, Tazuna, and our guest Takumi should be getting up soon. I'm sure you'd rather be dressed in more than bandages when an old man and a healthy teenager come downstairs. I'll start breakfast."

Anko nods and does as asked. 'This is bad... My target, even though I'm sure it was a fake mission to get me "killed in action" by those bastard ROOT ANBU is staying with the Mayor and his family. Damned old bats... taking advantage of there no Hokage.' She fumed to herself.

She was dragged out of her thoughts said "target" came downstairs, only he didn't have his mask or hood up, looking half asleep, therefore his whiskers and spikey hair were on full display. The kid let out a groggy mumbling that sounded something like a Morning and sat the down the table to drink one of the other cups of tea, not noticing Anko sitting there yet.

"Oh! Morning Taku-" Tsunami started before noticing his mask wasn't up and looking at the Leaf Ninja sitting across from him with a slack jaw expression.

"You're that brat that was pronounced dead after the invasion! What are you doing here and alive?!" Anko shouted, pointing at Naruto.

"Huh...?" He said before realizing the issue. 'SHIT! I forgot this crazy snake lady was in the living room.'

"Don't 'huh' me! Answer my question!" She said ready to strike, momentarily forgetting where she was.

"I would kindly ask you don't attack our village hero, or I can no longer you the hospitality of my home." Tazuna said coming downstairs wondering what all the racket was about first thing in the morning.

Anko dropped her stance but remained alert in case this kid attacked her.

"I'm alive because I abandoned that shit hole of lies and deception. I left because not only was there a decree to keep me from learning about me having the nine tailed fox sealed within me, but I wasn't told who my parents were for 'my protection', even though I asked the Third Hokage once every month, begged even, simply wanting to know if they loved me or if I was abandoned." Naruto said heatedly.

Anko was taken by that answer. She could understand leaving after that. She knew that Lord Third and Naruto were close, having a grandpa/grandson relationship. To have been lied to for who knows how long, on top how he was treated by the villagers, she's not surprised he had enough decided to split. If she didn't have a job she loved and friends that would worry about her if she left, she would, especially after she was pretty sure she was tossed aside.

"You're turn, why were you outside of town so badly injured? Before you passed out you mentioned something about the village and ROOT." The former Genin demanded.

"I was sent on a mission by the Elder Council to eliminate you actually." She said honestly but threw her hands up in surrender she saw he was posed to strike. "However, I know believe that they were just trying to get rid of me because of who my former sensei is."

Naruto dropped his attack stance, nodded and asked. "Judging from the fact that you're known as the Snake Mistress of Konoha, Anko, I assume your former sensei is Orochimaru?"

Anko just sighed, nodded and cupped the mark on her neck. "That's right, I even have, what I assume to be the prototype to the hickey he gave your former teammate, the Uchiha. He gave it to me and abandoned me." She explained based on her fragmented memory.

"I see... I'm sorry to hear that. However, I think you'll be happy to hear that you'll be able to report the abuse of power. I just helped Jiraiya and former ANBU Cat find Tsunade Senju to have to return and be the Fifth Hokage." The blackette said with a smirk. "In fact, I was just about to send a toad to report finding you, so I can quickly add that the Council sent you on a suicide mission if you'd like."

Anko also smirked. "I always did love that devious side of you, Naruto." Shes said before the smirk turned to a wistful smile. "You know, we're a lot alike. We're both pariahs of the village... You for holding the fox, and me for being Orochimaru's student."

"I see... 'She's the student of a traitor! She must be a must be a sleeper agent!'" Naruto did his best to impersonate the villagers. "That sound about right?"

She laughed a little at how accurate that was. "Pretty much... That and the elders were likely worried about the information they don't know I already found out. I have reason to believe that they helped the snake get into the village during the Chunin Exams. I... intercepted a scroll with information that proves it along with something else that involves that Uchiha. Just tell them to contact Ibiki, or scar head as you called him in the exams, I left the scroll with him."

Naruto nodded, while Tsunami and Tazuna felt out of place in their own home with the sensitive information being thrown around. Realizing this both pariahs apologized. "Sorry about that you two... Got caught up in the moment."

"Oh, don't worry about it. We're just glad that you found someone you can relate to." Tazuna said waving them off getting a nod in agreement from his daughter.

"Thank you, and I'm sorry to have to ask, but I can I stay here until the situation back home is sorted?" She hesitated to ask. "I promise to never say anything about Naruto being alive to anyone. Well anyone who doesn't already know."

"Alright, but as you know, if you find your headband, you can't wear it within the village." Tazuna said as Mayor of Wave and not a father and grandfather.

"Speaking of... I had my clones investigate the area I found you. All I found was a scrap of black cloth on one of the branches. It seems your attackers took your headband and left in a hurry, got it snagged on a branch, only to tear off part of the cloth. They probably intend on using it as proof of death rather than your head." Naruto said as he finished adding the new information to the scroll, earning a growling nod from Anko.

"Alright, I'm going to the forest to send this. Pretty sure neither of you want a toad in your living room if you can help it." Naruto said pulling up his mask and hood and turned to Anko. "You stay here. You need the rest. I'll show you around when you don't hurt to get up." He added when he saw Anko grimace in pain trying to get up and follow, only for her to sit down again and nod.

[In the forest]

"SUMMONING JUTSU" Naruto cried out in the field he met Haku.

"Greetings young Takumi, I am one of the messenger toads. Congratulations on being able to change up your selection." a small green toad said as he appeared, using the young man's alias just in case.

"Aww man... I was trying to get Gamakichi... oh well. I have this scroll that needs to get to Jiraiy and Tsunade. They should be in the leaf by now. Also, can you deliver this bag of sweet to Kichi? I promised him this for playing messenger a week ago." Naruto was a bit disappoint he messed up again but was glad he finally got a messenger toad.

"No problem. Give me what needs delivering and I'll make sure both parties get the packages. Lord Gamakichi is on the way so it's not out of my way. I'll be on my way. Call me again if you need anything else delivered." The toad said with a salute and dispelled.

[Gates of Konoha, that morning]

It was a normal day for the Eternal Gate Guards, Kotetsu and Izumo, sitting at the Northern Gates playing cards, wishing something exciting would happen.

"Man... I know it's only been a week since the invasion, but things have been so quiet since the 'celebration of the death of ninetails.'" Kotetsu spat, being one of few that actually liked Naruto.

"Tell me about it, the village has gotten even more mundane, if that's even possible. I miss our 'Prankster King from Hell.' At least he died in doing his duty to protect the village." Izumo said in a bored tone.

Off to the distance Kotetsu notices something off in the distance. "Hey, Izumo. I think things are about to get interesting again."

"Well, I'll be. Seems the rumors were true, and Jiraiya succeeded in his mission." Izumo nodded dumbly.

"I can't believe you two and that brat convinced me to come back here..." Tsunade grumbled, ignoring the gawking of the two gate guards as she, Jiraiya and Yugao walked up.

"Yes, Takumi has a way of convincing people, be it through befriending them, pissing them off, or tricking them into thinking it was there idea... " Yugao stated trying to keep to a straight face, but everyone could see her shoulders jiggling a bit, showing she was laughing ever so slightly.

Jiraiya sighed at that. Seems he has a lot to learn about his godson while Shizune in awe that she was back in Konoha.

"Forgive us Lord Jiraiya, Lady Tsunade, Miss Yugao and Miss Shizune. While we know any everyone else know who you are, which is an honor to have you home Lady Tsunade, we'd be demoted to Genin if we let you through without following protocol." Kotetsu said, trying to sound official, came off like a fanboy.

The Slug Sannin just shook her head. 'Great... not even at the Tower and already being worshipped...' "Thank you for your hard work gentlemen." She said going over and filling out the necessary paperwork. 'Great the first bit of paperwork I'll be doing...and I'm not even Hokage yet.'

Yugao, Jiraiya, and Shizune do the same. "Thank you, ladies and gentleman. Please make sure to report to the Council. They have been expecting you." Izumo said professionally.

[Hokage Tower: Council Assembly Chambers]

Tsunade and company walk into the Council Assembly Chambers, the room filled with all three parts of the Council consisting of the civilians, the clan heads that make up the shinobi side, and the three fossils that tend to forget that they are not above the Hokage.

Danzo stood up and took charge. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Council. We've gathered to welcome the Last Senju to back to the village." He paused earning an applause from all forms of the council.

"Is it to our understanding you've returned to take up the position your very own sensei, Hiruzen Sarutobi, held for many years of Hokage?" He asked, really hoping she had changed her mind.

Tsunade sneered, she had an idea what he was thinking. "Yes, that is correct. I shall accept the position of Hokage, providing the Jonin Council and the Feudal Lord approve of course." She grins seeing Danzo and the old bats fuming.

"Very well." The Warhawk said evenly, barely hiding his anger. "The Feudal Lord should here in two days. We sent word to him when we sent Jiraiya out to find you. Thus, the timelimit Jiraiya."

"I see... because it wouldn't do to make his Lordship travel this way for nothing..." Jiraiya growled.

"Now that we have a proper canditate for Hokage, I believe we have one final thing tabled for this meeting." Homura said, casting a look to Yugao.

"If it's regarding my fate of remaining a kunoichi of Konoha, then I believe I shall take control of my own fate." The former ANBU said before turning to the best-known medic. "Lady Tsunade, I know I worked with Jiraiya and his new student to bring you back so save me from being removed from the roster dishonorably, however, my time with Takumi has given me time to think."

Tsunade looked at looked the young woman, having a feeling what she was getting at. The swordswoman looked out of sorts ever since Naruto returned to the Land of Waves.

"What are you saying?" Tsume Inuzuka, Kiba's Mother and head of the Inuzuka Clan, knowing this young woman was friends with her daughter, Hana.

"Lady Inuzuka, Lady Tsunade, members of the council. After receiving word of my removal from the ANBU by the Commander and the Elder Council..." Yugao paused casting a glare at the three elders, who were also under the scrutinizing glares of the Clan Heads. "and the week that followed, I have decided to resign as kunoichi of the Land of Fire. I wish to travel the Elemental Nations." She finished, leaving out that she wanted to travel with and train Naruto, all while settling down in Wave knowing that wouldn't sit well with the council.

The room erupted in two opinions on the matter. The Clan Heads were outraged that she was removed from ANBU duty in such a matter, and the civilians were outraged she'd quit, knowing her skill.

"QUIET!" Tsunade shouted, silencing the room "I believe we deserve to know why exactly you were removed from duty, for those who don't know already." She asked.

"According to the scroll I received from ANBU Tiger, I requested my leave of absense to more the loss of my fiancé, Hayate, at an immature time, while the village was in a very vulnerable state. That an ANBU that required time off to more the loss of a loved one was useless anyhow." Yugao said evenly barely containing her anger and sorrow.

The civilian side of the Council agreed with Elders and the ANBU Commander, while Clan Heads could sympathize knowing the dangers of Shinobi lifestyle, knowing even Shinobi were still human.

"Very well. Fill out the resignation forms and have them on the Hokage's Desk in two days' time. But I would like to speak to you about your plans in detail. Especially if the involve what I think it does." Tsunade said with authority causing the eldest woman in the room to speak out.

"Princess Tsunade, you cannot make that decision yet! You don't have the authority." Koharu protested.

"Neither did you Elders when you removed her from ANBU, that decision rests with the Hokage and the Hokage alone. Or do you forget that you Elders, are mere advisors, not rulers." Tsunade snarled.

And just to add trouble for the fossils, it was then that Naruto's messenger toad arrived in a puff of smoke. Seeing where he was and the significance of it, he spoke respectfully and handed the scroll to Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, Lord Jiraiya, and honored members of the council. I bring word from Lord Jiraiya's student." Unsure as to whether or not to reveal the kids name.

"Thank you." Tsunade said taking the scroll and read it over. Koharu and Homura felt a sense dread, while Danzo similar shrugged it off.

"It would seem you Elders have overstepped your bounds again." The Hokage nominee said. "You sent one Anko Mitarashi on a mission to eliminate an unaffiliated shinobi, only to send unmarked ANBU agents, whom I suspect belong to Danzo's ROOT program, to kill a kunoichi of the village, simply due to her former affiliation with Orochimaru and something else I need to confirm with Ibiki. If this other information is true, it will be High Treason for at least one of you."

AN: And that's it! I apologize if the fight with Orochimaru is lack luster, but I did say this was my first one... I will work to improve fight scene's in the future or seek help in doing them.

Ayame and Naruto are together! However, Shizuka will be the main girl. I will leave who the last girl up to you! I have mention of Samui, Mabui and Anko, but only one will get in, so cast your votes in the reviews. Keep in mind that they cannot hold any political influence, such a Hokage or Feudal Lord, like Mei, Koyuki or Shion.

I want to thank Midnight Lost for a couple of the ideas in this chapter. Namely How Anko discovered Orochimaru's and the Elder Council's collaboration in the Chunin Exams, her finding out that Naruto was indeed alive, and Yugao's resignation.

Now, I'm sorry for leaving off with a cliffhanger, but I figured it was long enough at almost just over 12,500 words without AN's. Will Tsunade be sworn in? Will Yugao's resignation be accepted? What will happen to the elders when it's revealed they worked with Orochimaru to get into the village during the exam? What will happen with Anko? Find out next chapter and more because next time I plan to at least start the Land of Snow arc.