A/N: Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, and Children of ALL AGES! M2J proudly brings to you...

CHAPTER SIXTEEN OF UKG: THE JAGAN! You all know you want it, and FINALLY after the release of my latest fic, Ultimate Wizard: Legacy of the Force, the newest update to my other fics has FINALLY arrived as I've been promising since last November.

Believe it or not, but I'm pretty close to updating my other fics too, and I mean ALL of them; Weapon-X, Rei Shinobi, Magnetism, even Dimensional Destruction looks like it's about ready as well- not to mention I have a few 'Rejects' waiting in the wings.

I hope you're all pysched, because I now I sure as hell am!

Now, as with tradition, I will answer a few reviews before we press on.

weixun18: Yeah, I was particularly fond of that part myself. Thought it was funny as hell and couldn't resist using it.

Anonymus: *sigh* I'm sure I've stated this dozens of times, not only in author notes for this fic, but in one or two others I'm sure... I am WELL aware that the Yondaime Hokage's name is Namikaze Minato and NOT Kazama Arashi. However, I was already on something like Chapter 10 or 11 by the time Kishimoto revealed that fact. So, for the time being, for this fic at least, the Yondaime will be Kazama Arashi.

Lyonnyte: Spirit Gun is a no. Spirit Bomb is a Hell No. In UD: Rei Shinobi on the other hand... Wait and see...

zesty cyanide and ViperineVampire: Go back and read the Author's notes from Chapter 14.

Bahizret: There will be a mini-arc that talks about where the Jagan came from.

asdf: It also translates into Dragon King, which is why I used that instead. As for your other review, Naruto gained the Jagan until the end of the Wave Arc, everything similar that happened in canon and this fic, were already set in motion before Naruto and co. came back, so there isn't really all that much reason for too much to change at that point. The story will diverge more and more as the story progresses.

And now... For the rest of the story...

Chapter Sixteen: Secrets and Old Memories... The Search for Tsunade pt 2

"Wh-what makes you say such a thing?" asked Sakura nervously. She knew with no small amount of dread that Ino now knew and she was certain it would be out to the rest of the Rookies and others in their generation. 'Naruto... I'm so very sorry...'

"So... It's true... The second chakra I sensed in Naruto..." Ino said in a subdued tone, "Just... Just like Gaara..."

"No! Not like Gaara at all," said Sakura in a serious tone, "Gaara is what Naruto could have become if he didn't have people like the Sandaime and the people at the Ichiraku Ramen Shop."

"B-but how...?" asked Ino, "Who could do such a thing to a person?"

"The Yondaime," Sakura replied quietly.

"N-Naruto's father?" Ino asked incredulously.

"It was the night of the Kyuubi attack Ino, he didn't have much of a choice," Sakura told her friend. "The Kyuubi was power incarnate and to defeat it, the Yondaime used a Fuin Kinjutsu of his own creation to seal the Kyuubi and its' power into Naruto at the cost of his own life."

"It sounds so... Cruel and sad all at the same time..." Ino said sadly.

"Ino, you can't breathe a word about this to ANYONE. We could be executed for even discussing it," Sakura pleaded, "For Naruto's sake... Please."

"I promise, but I'm not the only one who will have figured it out. Shika-kun more than likely has already. If not, he will soon and that Tenten girl already had some clues. If she sits down and thinks through everything that happened, she'll put it together as well," Ino warned Sakura.

"Kuso..." Sakura cursed under her breath.

"SHANNARO! Why did Naruto have to leave us to deal with this?" asked Inner Sakura.

"This Tsunade-baa-chan was your teammate, right, Ero-Sennin?" asked Naruto.

"Yeah," answered Jiraiya.

"So she'd be as old as you... Right?" Naruto asked. Jiraiya nodded in response. "Then shouldn't she... You know... LOOK old. That lady barely looks barely old enough to be my Kaa-san..."

"Trust me, Gaki... She's far older than she looks," Jiraiya replied.

The two made their way over to the female Sannin's table. Along the way, Jiraiya ordered another bottle of Sake and Naruto ordered some tea.

"Hello, Tsunade," greeted Jiraiya somewhat cheerfully as he took a seat at the ladies' table.

"Jiraiya," she returned coldly. The other young woman looked between the two somewhat nervously before regarding the blonde with the white haired Sannin with a warm smile. "You remember Shizune?"

"Of course, who could ever forget such a pretty face?" Jiraiya asked with a small, slightly lecherous, grin. Despite her knowing of his rather... Colorful... Reputation, she blushed.

Jiraiya was nothing, if not charming. The only woman in all of the Elemental Countries who seemed to be completely immune to his charm was the woman the brunette traveled with, the Legendary Healer, Senju Tsunade. "This is my new apprentice... Naruto."

It was then that the new bottle of sake arrived, which was shared by Jiraiya and Tsunade, while Naruto silently drank his tea. In the meantime, Jiraiya and Tsunade had begun a game of cards, Jiraiya dealing.

Tsunade regarded the kid carefully. Something was off about him, but she couldn't place it in her alcohol induced stupor. While not drunk, her brain was fogged enough that some long term memory was affected. "Looks like a charity case to me... I thought you quit taking apprentices after..."

"Naruto is a special case," said Jiraiya as he dealt another hand, "And has the potential to surpass even my former apprentice."

"Doubtful... Shinobi like Arashi only come by once in a generation and more often then not, they die a fool's death," Tsunade replied bitterly. "Let's cut to the chase Ero-baka, what in the hell do you want?"

Jiraiya sighed. "For the short term, I ask that you take a look at the Gaki's arm. He injured it using a new technique he invented."

"Perhaps..." said Tsunade, "What's the long term?"

"To come back to Konohagakure to heal Sensei and become the Godaime Hokage," said Jiraiya unhesitantly.

Shizune looked astonished, but Naruto, whom had been drinking at the time, spit out his tea and began sputtering.

"Wh-What the hell!?" he shouted, "You think you could have said something a little earlier!?"

He glared at Jiraiya menacingly. However, before Jiraiya could answer, Tsunade did.

"No."

Jiraiya merely nodded in understanding, idly looking at his cards. However, Naruto wasn't about to have any of that.

"Why the hell not!?"

"Because even if I had not made a vow to never return to Konohagakure no Sato, the title of Hokage is a shit job and only a fool would dare take up such a useless office."

"And what about Ojii-san? Are you just willing to let him die?"

"Gaki, you live the life of a Shinobi, people die all the time. Get used to it. Besides, you said so yourself, he's old."

Naruto stood up on the bench he and Jiraiya were seated on with a growl, but was forcibly made to sit back down by Jiraiya. Only Shizune saw Naruto's eyes turn crimson red, before returning to an ice blue color. However, they remained slitted.

"You ungrateful old bitch..." Naruto growled. "I could care less about my arm... But Konoha... And Ojii-san NEED you!"

"And what would you know, Gaki," snapped Tsunade, "Konoha is nothing more than a painful memory to me... I care nothing for that ungrateful village!"

Naruto growled menacingly at Tsunade, but the elder woman was not so easily intimidated. He tried lunging at her, but Jiraiya kept him in place. Naruto shrugged off Jiraiya's hand when he calmed down, though Jiraiya kept a close watch over Naruto out of the corner of his eye.

"Let's go Ero-Sennin... We don't need this bitter old lush..." Naruto said bitterly, barely containing his anger. "We'll find someone else... Someone BETTER to heal Ojii-san and become the next Hokage..."

"And what's it matter to you?" Tsunade asked, seemingly barely interested, though the comment about her talents irked her more than she cared to admit.

"Because... Ojii-san... Ojii-san was there for me when no one else was. When I was alone in the orphanage, wondering why no one would adopt me... When I was alone in my apartment with no one to come home to... He's done a lot for me and it's because of that, it's become my goal... My DREAM to become the best damned Hokage there has ever lived and I'll die before I see some old, bitter, ungrateful, drunk become Hokage!" Naruto said fiercely.

"Gaki... You're beginning to get on my nerves..." said Tsunade in a strained voice.

"Like I care. You're just a useless old hag!" Naruto shot back.

"That's it! Let's take this outside!" shouted Tsunade has she slammed her hand on the table, leaving a small dent in it. Even without what Jiraiya had often referred to as 'Tsuande's Freaky Strength', she was still quite strong in her own right.

"Gladly!" retorted Naruto, who had been itching for an excuse to vent out some anger. And while he didn't exactly like hitting the elderly or women, this old bag had it coming. He immediately jumped up and stormed angrily out of the bar, Tsunade not far behind him.

"Jiraiya-sama! Aren't you going to stop them!?" asked Shizune frantically.

"I didn't become a Legendary Shinobi because I was stupid, Shizune-chan," said Jiraiya. "I could never bring back Tsu-hime on my own, which is why I brought my apprentice with me."

"Is he really that powerful?" asked Shizune.

"What?" asked Jiraiya, before it dawned on him what she assumed. He then began laughing hysterically. "There is no way he could beat Tsu-hime... Not even on her worst days, especially with his arm in the condition that it's in."

"B-but... Then... Why!?" Shizune sputtered.

"Look at her, when was the last time you've seen a fire like that in her eyes?" asked Jiraiya. "The kid has a special power over people, much like his mother did. She pulled me from my abyss and now the gaki's going to do the same for her."

Uchiha Sasuke was doing what he always did, he was training. He soared through the air, eyes closed, spinning. He flung his arms out and dozens of shuriken were sent hurdling towards their respective targets.

As he landed, he surveyed his work.

Almost perfect.

He scowled. That girl he fought in the preliminaries was far above him in what he considered one of his specialties. His marksmanship was something he prided himself in, long before he learned the Goukakyuu. It was something that Itachi had actually spent a lot of time teaching him and helping him refine before he went on to try and earn his father's approval by learning the Uchiha Rite of Passage Jutsu.

This made Sasuke scowl.

Itachi...

Everything came back to Itachi, everything. The man who took everything away from him was so ingrained in his memories, the good, the bad and the absolutely horrifying. He couldn't get away from it. Even the visions he had while delirious from the cursed seal had forced him to relive that horrifying night.

Sasuke sighed.

Why? How could Itachi do what he did? He was their crown jewel, the most praised Uchiha since Madara. How could he do that to those who loved him, who held him up as a standard to which all Uchiha; ninja, police force, and civilian; should live up to? Why?

His brother had always been distant. Had been different from the clan, but he had always cared. He had always shown it when it mattered and had been there for Sasuke when even their own father either could or would not. So how could he do it to them? To him?

Nothing ever made sense these days.

For that, he cursed Naruto. The dobe, since gaining his own kekkei genkai and reluctantly revealing his status as a Jinchuuriki, had made Sasuke question many things he hadn't considered. It was nothing the dobe said or did, at least, not consciously, but it was there, always at the back of Sasuke's mind.

He had been forced to reevaluate Naruto. That had forced him to reevaluate many other things. The ideas he had about teamwork, Sakura, friendship and countless others... Even Itachi and his quest for power. All these self doubts...

Something wasn't adding up and he couldn't figure out why.

Pushing it from his mind, he examined his handiwork once more. Of fifteen shuriken, twelve were bulls-eyes, one had been close, another had been decent and the other had barely hit the outer ring of the target.

He had to admit, though he had beat her, she was far superior with throwing weapons than he was. Had he not been able to outsmart her, he'd have definitely have lost the match. Something he didn't like to admit, even if it was to himself.

That was another thing.

After the dobe's comments, and his thrashing at the hands of Rock Lee, he never would have contemplated her as a competent opponent. He'd have seen himself as superior and she unworthy to even fight in the same arena as him, let alone the same match. His victory over her would have only have reinforced this view. The only one's he would have been eager to fight would have been Gaara, Rock Lee (only because the boy had beaten him) and Hyuuga Neji.

Now... It had been as if something had changed, as if HE had changed.

Of these many changes none were more apparent that his attitude towards Sakura.

He no longer saw her as a useless nuisance. A bit annoying, and still incredibly weak when compared to himself and the dobe, but not useless. Really, when she wasn't fawning over him, he found her presence tolerable. Not that he'd ever tell her that. He'd be forced to retract that statement immediately if she knew that he actually did prefer her over the rest of his fangirls, even if it wasn't in the way she wanted.

Still, he considered her a great friend right along with the dobe...

Friend...

The term made him smile and tremble all at once. It gave him a warmness he never thought he'd feel again in the aftermath of the deaths of his parents and the rest of his clan. A feeling he swore, he promised himself he'd never feel so long as Itachi was at large and his betrayal yet unpunished.

A feeling that scared him.

He held no delusions of the distance between his and Itachi's skill, strength and power levels.

Sasuke was twelve, almost thirteen. While he was hailed as a prodigy, he felt anything but. Mostly because he had seen and lived in the shadow of a true prodigy. By the time Itachi was his age, his older brother had passed the exams for and been promoted to Chuunin and Jounin AND had been admitted into Konoha's elite Anbu and was preparing to accept his commission as a captain. The man had killed an entire clan of some of Konoha's most elite warriors and had managed to slip out of the village undetected in the span of a single evening and no one even had a clue until the next morning.

If nothing could stop him then, what about now? What would stop him from taking the little bit of happiness Sasuke had finally gained? What would stop him from disrupting the small modicum of peace he had desired for so long?

The thought terrified him.

Though Sasuke knew all of this, he had never taken any of it into account before. His reevaluations had made him question himself, his motives and his entire being. He had been so focused on acquiring power by any means necessary that he never stopped to think why, how or if. Not once had he questioned whether or not he'd actually be able to actually fulfill his ambition, his quest of righteous vengeance. Now... He wasn't so sure and that left a sour taste in his mouth.

It was with new resolve that he used these self doubts to bolster his determination, to fuel his drive and push him further past his own limits than he thought possible. But would it be enough?

Sasuke didn't know and didn't want to think about it. It was what it was and that's all that he had. He had precious people now, as Haku would put it, and he had to protect them at all costs. He couldn't let his... Friends... Suffer as he had. Even if it cost him everything, his life, his soul and his friends, if need be, he would make sure Itachi would not hurt them as he had hurt Sasuke the night of the Uchiha Massacre.

'Damn Naruto...' Sasuke thought with gritted teeth.

His thoughts turned to his fellow doujutsu user. Sure they didn't have the same one, but the blonde Jinchuuriki still had one.

The blonde was insufferable, aggravating, annoying, and a bothersome pest. It still didn't stop him from being the Uchiha's best and closest friend or from being one of the few in their age group the Uchiha actually respected.

Naruto was persistent as all hell and loyal to a fault. A fault Sasuke knew he was going to exploit. Sasuke had one of two choices to make, one of two paths he could follow. As much as he wanted to achieve the power his brother had, he wasn't so sure he could allow himself to achieve it as his brother did.

And it was for that reason that Sasuke was going to do something that he would have never even considered a few weeks ago. He was going to coerce a promise out of Naruto, as soon as the blonde returned, to finish what Sasuke started should he fail in the course of fulfilling his ambition.

He knew he shouldn't. His Uchiha honor demanded that it be he himself that avenges those killed by Itachi on that night. However, his loss to Gaara had forced him to consider what would happen should he fail. His own pride demanded that they be avenged by any means necessary. Even if Sasuke couldn't do it himself, Itachi's crimes could not go unpunished and Naruto was the only one Sasuke was absolutely sure could succeed should he fail.

Sasuke was brought out of his musings as he was approached by two individuals. Though he was surprised to see them, he wasn't at the same time. After Sakura's conversation with the Yamanaka fangirl (though whose fangirl she was at this point was debatable, much to Sasuke's relief), he knew it was coming.

Before him stood Aburame Shino and Nara Shikamaru.

"What do you what?" he asked them rudely in an emotionless, even tone. Even if he had changed, even just a little, he had to maintain appearances.

"To ask some questions and confirm some suspicions," replied Shino in an equally even tone.

"Ino's been acting less troublesome since she talked to Sakura yesterday and that had been even more troublesome," said Shikamaru with a yawn. "And we think it has to do with the Chuunin Exams."

"And why would I care?" asked Sasuke as he began to pull his shuriken out of their targets and back into his pouch.

"Because we suspect it has to do with your teammate," Shino spoke up again.

"They fight all the time," said Sasuke bluntly, "What she and Sakura fight about is none of my concern."

Shikamaru sighed as Shino pushed his glasses higher onto his nose.

"That is true, however, we have reason to believe the content of their discussion yesterday was not their usual topic," said Shino. "But your other teammate, Naruto."

"Hn..." Sasuke grunted.

"We were there for his fight against Gaara, and while we couldn't hear everything, we got enough to put some pieces together," said Shikamaru.

He knew this was coming. But knowing didn't necessarily mean he was exactly ready for it. Why couldn't all these nosy people ask the dobe about this? Oh yeah, he was out of the village. Not for the first time that day did he have the same recurring thought.

'Damn Naruto...'

"Orochimaru-sama... How is your new body responding? Well, I hope?" asked Kabuto, pushing his glasses further up on his face as he entered the room. He immediately went to a console and began taking readings.

"As well as could be expected," replied the Snake Sannin, as he sat wrapped in bandages, "Though I would have much preferred the Uchiha's body to be my new host..."

"It couldn't be helped. Not with the extensive damage done to your body," stated Kabuto.

"I already know that, Kabuto," snapped Orochimaru, "And to think that gaki managed to damage me so extensively... I'll have to be wary of him. He is not to be underestimated."

"Surely you don't think he is a match for you Orochimaru-sama?" asked Kabuto curiously, a disbelieving tone in his voice.

"No, it would take years of training to match up to me in skill," Orochimaru easily answered, however he was a bit reluctant to continue with the next part. "However... In terms of sheer power... He may surpass even Jiraiya..."

"Impressive..." Kabuto honestly remarked, "Though not unexpected considering who he is."

"No, but he is more trouble than he should be and far more than he is worth," said Orochimaru, "It is fortunate for us he can not control the massive power that lays at his command. We must ensure that he is utterly destroyed before he can learn to effectively harness it."

"What do you suggest, Orochimaru-sama?"

"All right! Just because you're old and a woman doesn't mean I'm going to hold back on you!" shouted Naruto.

"As if you could harm me!" Tsunade scoffed, "There's a huge difference between you and me, gaki!"

"Yeah! You're nothing but a drunk, washed up old hag!" shouted Naruto angrily, "And I WILL be Hokage... A Hokage everyone can be proud of..."

"Like you have it in you to be Hokage," said Tsunade, "You're just some punk, no-name kid. Give me your reason... Tell me WHY you want to be Hokage and if you give me a good enough reason AND are able to land a hit on me... Then I'll acknowledge that you MIGHT have what it takes to become Hokage!"

Naruto was glaring daggers at Tsunade. "At first... At first it was because I wanted to be like Ojii-san and the Yondaime... Everyone loved and respected them... But... I've grown up since then... I've learned not only what it means to be Hokage but to be a shinobi of Konoha. I WILL become Hokage to protect MY precious people... To protect the villagers... To protect EVERYONE... Because I'm KAZAMA Naruto, and it is my ambition, no... MY dream to become the GREATEST Hokage in history!"

Naruto slowly worked himself into quite a fury, through it all, the center of his headband began to glow. However, at the end of his speech, the Jagan, with a flash, incinerated the headband as Naruto's hair stood straight up in the front.

In Tsunade's surprise, she watched as Naruto's muscles tensed before he started to glow with an unworldly aura of purple chakra and then suddenly completely vanish.

She was, however, able to react accordingly when Naruto reappeared above her, bringing his sword down at her head. She caught the blade with her index and middle fingers of her left hand. She then redirected the blow. However, as she did this, Naruto's own left hand sped through the required six handseals that had recently become his new signature move.

"Goukaton: Inochi Enkou no Kobushi!" Naruto used the momentum to launch his fist at Tsunade, who promptly moved her head out of his flaming fist's path.

Using the momentum, he continued to spin launching a well placed kick with his left foot. However, Tsunade was able to block it with little effort. She casually knocked his foot away when Naruto drew his second katana.

Seeing it was broken, Tsunade half heartedly tried to dodge.

'Pathetic...' Was the thought that ran through her mind.

She was completely caught off guard when she heard...

"Kenjutsu: Myou Enkou no Ken!" Naruto shouted with righteous fury. Suddenly his shattered katana flared to life with black fire and somehow had regained it's full length. There was no chance for her to dodge...

Suddenly, Naruto found himself flying through the air and into a food cart.

Tsunade snapped out of the trance she had been put in when she had been saved from certain death. In place where the gaki had been, was the fist of her former teammate, Jiraiya.

"How... How dare you interfere!" shouted Naruto angrily.

"You were taking it too far! You almost killed her with that jutsu," snapped Jiraiya.

"Serves her right! If she won't help Konoha, she might as well be a traitor," shouted Naruto, "I don't see why you care Ero-Sennin... She doesn't care about anything but herself."

"You're out of line, Naruto," Jiraiya scolded him sternly.

"Whatever... Like her, I don't care..." Naruto snapped. He then picked up the shattered remains of his father's sword and began to leave. "Don't wait up for me..." And with that he began to walk away.

"Jiraiya-sama?" asked Shizune uncertainly.

"He'll be fine. He just needs time to cool off, he's had a lot on his mind lately," replied Jiraiya. "Personally, I've been expecting it for a while now. With all the stuff going on in Konoha not to mention his training, I'm actually surprised it didn't happen sooner."

"B-but..." Shizune began.

"If it makes you feel better, you can go after him," said Jiraiya, "Make sure he doesn't hurt himself too badly."

"Hai, Jiraiya-sama," bowed Shizune as she went off in the same direction Naruto left in.

Jiraiya looked over to the still silent Tsunade. She was still spaced out, staring off in the direction that both of their apprentices had left in.

"C'mon, Tsu-hime, we've got to talk," said Jiraiya gently, taking her by the arm.

She gave no resistance. "Sure..."

Shizune could only gasp as she found Naruto in the middle of a rock outcropping. His robe had been discarded and he was kneeling as chakra surged all around him. His Jagan was glowing brightly and black lightning surged up and down his heavily bandaged right arm. She took special note of his arm, remembering Jiraiya-sama had mentioned something about it earlier.

Still, the sheer amount of pure power being emitted from the boy was staggering. She wasn't sure if she'd ever felt anything this potent from her master. Jiraiya-sama, yes; Orochimaru, perhaps; but Tsunade, no...

But all things considered... Both his bloodline and the Kyuubi especially, it was hardly surprising that the boy would contain so much raw power. But that's all it was, was raw, untamed, uncontrolled power. It was a furious maelstrom of feelings and emotions. It made Shizune feel safe and afraid all at once. The boy certainly lived up to the name left to him by his parents.

Naruto lifted his bandaged arm, black lightning surging through it erratically. Shizune then noticed the seals on it, but they didn't appear to be any sort of medicinal seals that she recognized.

'What type of seals are those?' She asked herself, 'What purpose do they serve?'

She watched as a large amount of chakra was concentrated into that hand and began to take form. Her eyes widened in recognition as she saw the shape become an oddly shaped orb, before it burst.

"Kuso!" he shouted in frustration. He then punched the ground with his bandaged hand as hard as he could, multiple times. "Kuso! Kuso!"

When he stopped, he clutched his arm close to his body. And closed his eyes in pain. She was pretty sure he'd broken his hand.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

"Fine," was his rather pained, but abrupt answer.

"But your hand..."

"It refused to do as I told it, so I decided to beat it," replied Naruto with a small smile. It was obvious he was still in considerable pain.

"That... Can't be healthy..." said Shizune in concern, "What is Jiraiya-sama teaching these days?"

"I just over stressed the arm," said Naruto, when a jolt of black lightning shot up his arm. Naruto then yelped in pain and clutched his arm again.

"Let me look at it," said Shizune, "I'm not as good as Tsunade-sama, but I should be able to do something for it."

"Give me a sec," replied Naruto, who then started to careful take the seals off of his bandages.

"Naruto-kun... Those seals... I don't recognize them, what are they for?" asked Shizune.

"Containment," he answered.

"Containment?" she repeated questioningly.

"I used this jutsu and it messed up my arm," Naruto told her, "Genkai-oban said it damaged my soul. She tried to heal it, but I guess whatever she did wasn't enough, because I can't control the amount of power in my arm anymore." Purplish black flames burst out of the bandages as Naruto took yet another seal off and he yelled out in pain again. "She gave me these special bandages and her and Ero-Sennin placed all of those seals on them to help hold the dragon back."

"Dragon?" Shizune asked, both confused and interested. After Naruto pulled off all of the lesser seals he braced himself for the releasing of the main control seal. Once he ripped it off, black flames erupted from his bandage and black lightning surged up and down his arm once more. The bandages instantly fell off and Naruto clenched his right fist against the black lightning, seemingly trying to bring it under his control.

As the black lightning calmed down, Shizune saw the translucent dragon tattoo that ran up the entire length of Naruto's forearm, wrapping around it.

"Sugoi..." whispered Shizune, looking at the tattoo and feeling the power it radiated, despite being consciously restrained by the blonde shinobi. Doing a few handseals, she began to use a diagnostic jutsu on Naruto's arm. 'Such damage... The pain must be incredible...'

"It's amazing you can even use that arm with the amount of pain you must be in," Shizune commented.

"It only hurts when I take the seals off," said Naruto, "When I first used the jutsu, I couldn't even twitch my arm, until Genkai-oban healed it. She said that only that lush could heal my arm in this condition."

"Genkai-sama is a very capable healer, and the repairs done to your arm are above even what I could do. She was right, Naruto-kun, the only person I know of that could heal you is Tsunade-sama," Shizune informed Naruto as she healed his hand before helping him reapply the bandages and the seals.

"Great." he said sarcastically.

"She really isn't that bad..." Shizune pleaded. At Naruto's pointed look, she desperately tried to convince him of the fact. "Honestly. It's just that she's worked so hard and lost so much..."

"She's a ninja. She should 'deal with it'," Naruto spitefully replied, which Shizune winced at. "Gomen... I shouldn't take it out on you..."

"It's all right... Jiraiya-sama said you've been through a lot lately," replied Shizune encouragingly.

"So why are you here anyway?" asked Naruto.

"I wanted to make sure you'd be all right, for one," Shizune said, "And to try an convince you not to think too poorly of Tsunade-sama."

Naruto sighed. "It's not like she hasn't given me plenty of reason."

"I know, but you must understand, Tsunade-sama has worked harder than anyone to improve her skills in the medical field. She worked diligently to be the absolute best in her field and even then it wasn't enough." Shizune sadly informed him. "It doesn't help that you seem to be so much like them."

"What do you mean?" asked Naruto as he applied the final seal to his arm.

"I suppose it all goes back to the curse on her grandfather's necklace," replied Shizune.

"A curse?" asked Naruto skeptically.

"I don't entirely believe it myself, Naruto-kun, but Tsunade-sama does and that is an important detail for what I am about to tell you. Tsunade-sama is the granddaughter of the Shodai Hokage and the necklace she wears is one of the most priceless artifacts in not just Konoha, but in all of the Elemental Countries. It was entrusted to her by her grandfather just before his death," Shizune stated, "It wasn't long after that Tsunade's brother, Nawaki, stated his intentions to become Hokage. After telling her why he wanted to become Hokage, she gifted him with the Shodai's charm. He was killed in an ambush the very next day. There was nothing they could do. From what I heard long ago, his reasons for being Hokage weren't too far different from yours."

"You said them..." said Naruto quietly.

"Hai..." said Shizune hesitantly. "When Nawaki died, a part of Tsunade-sama died with him. She threw herself into her work, diligently improving her skills to be far superior to any other in her field- not that she had very many equals. At this point she was already a legend, not only as a ninja, but as a healer. It was during this time that she met a certain fellow Jounin, a man by the name of Dan, who was also my Uncle and last remaining relative. It wasn't long before they had fallen in love. I'm not sure if they were ever formally engaged, Tsunade-sama rarely speaks of him anymore. It's too painful for her."

Naruto felt as if his the entirety of his insides were turned into solid lead. "What... What happened?"

"He too stated his intentions to become Hokage," stated Shizune, "Though I am unsure why. Perhaps he wanted to help Tsunade-sama honor her otouto's memory in some way. For Tsunade-sama, it was like a little bit of her brother still lived. She loved my uncle so deeply that she would do anything within her power to see him succeed and become Hokage, she even gifted him with the same charm she had given Nawaki-chan."

"He... He died, didn't he?" asked Naruto solemnly.

"H-hai..." It took a moment for Shizune to gather her thoughts and composure. "Although this time, it was far worse."

"How?"

"It was only a few days later and they were both sent out on a mission," replied Shizune, "It had been far easier than expected and they were on their way back to the village when it happened. They were ambushed. The attack was repulsed, but Dan-otooji was mortally wounded saving Tsunade-sama. She did all she could to save him, but his wounds were too great. Afterwards she could only think of all the blood in the area. The ground was soaked red and she was covered in it. All of it was his. She quit being a full-time healer and active duty Shinobi after that mission, because she developed a severe case of hemophobia."

"Hemo-whatta?" asked Naruto dumbly.

"Hemophobia, fear of blood,"explained Shizune, "Tsunade-sama was never the same and it's only gotten worse as the years have gone by."

"Well then... I guess there's only one thing I can do..." said Naruto as he stood up. Shizune looked a bit nervous as she stood with him.

"What is that, Naruto-kun?"

"Give her something to believe in again," said Naruto looking her straight in the eye.

Meanwhile, Tsunade and Jiraiya had went further down the street to yet another bar.

"I didn't expect him to lose it like that," said Jiraiya apologetically. "When I first saw him, it was like looking at a smaller version of Arashi. While I was training him, it was like watching Kushina train. Hearing him speak of his dreams, it reminded me a lot of your brother when he would come around."

"Which is why you brought him with you," Tsunade stated. Jiraiya remained silent as confirmation wasn't needed.

"There's a war coming Tsunade and Naruto is not only going to be Konoha's hope, but possible the hope of the entire Elemental Countries."

"You sound rather confident in him," noted Tsunade as she sipped on her drink.

"Like I said, he's a special kid," said Jiraiya, "He reminds me so much of myself sometimes it's kind of scary. Yet, he's different too. Everything I've ever worked for... Everything his father sought to accomplish... To succeed where even Nagato failed... If there is anyone who could do it, it's Naruto."

"Perhaps... But I say it's still a little premature to place all your hopes onto that kid," Tsunade compromised, "Especially a kid with a dream like his. It's only going to get him killed."

"Still haven't managed to let go I see..." said Jiraiya sadly.

"And what would you know of it?" asked Tsunade bitingly.

"More than you realize," Jiraiya answered, as he stood and paid the tab."More than you'll ever realize."

Tsunade was unsettled by the look he gave her, but she remained seated where she was nursing her sake. She had a lot to think about.