((This story is pure fan-fiction. The characters and locations are the sole property of Shonen Jump and the series's creator, Masashi Kishimoto. At no time is this fiction an intent to infringe upon their rights nor properties.

A/N:Based on Rules of the Hunt by FenrisRoots. Not a copy nor a rewrite, but I have his permission to make my own version. I will be using some of his seal ideas, etc... again with author's permission.))

Tsunade made her way to the most unused Training Ground in the village. She needed to get away from the damnable Council which was already making her wish she had not taken the job as Hokage. And it had only been a couple of days! She still couldn't figure out what it had been that changed her mind and made her return to Konoha with her apprentice in tow. If she didn't know better she would have sworn someone used a Genjutsu on her!

Her thoughts were interrupted as she arrived and stared at the locked gates bearing the warning signs that kept civilian and most shinobi alike out. She felt the arrival of three of her ANBU guard arrive and reached for a lock as one spoke.

"Hokage-sama? I don't think this is wise...The Forest of Death is only used during the Chuunin Exams..." the purple haired, neko(Cat) masked woman said softly. A small confirmation was heard from the other two guards. "If you wish to train...there are other Grounds more suited to this." whatever she was about to say was halted as the buxom Hokage turned to face them.

"The best training is one performed under life and death. I learned this from the old monkey himself when I was a Genin. I've gotten out of shape. I need to train harder than what the ANBU can provide as opposition." Tsunade said in a tone that allowed no discussion.

Anything else was prevented as the ground erupted in three locations, causing the Hokage to jump back and her protection detail to take up positions around her with weapons drawn. A disembodied voice spoke out from the depths of the Forest, "Don't care why you are here. Just stay out of my territory."

Tsunade's eyes widened at the blatant attack, yet her blood felt like it was boiling at the command sent her way. "Oh it's on now...whoever you are. I'm going to enjoy tearing you apart." she said in an low, angry voice. Ignoring the words of her ANBU that were trying to keep her from falling prey to this unknown.

A short chuckle was the answer followed by a taunt, "Then do come in...I will enjoy this hunt." Then the gate exploded and fell over as a compressed ball of something impacted it.

Without any hesitation, Tsunade dropped her green jacket and took off into the forest. "Damnit!" the Neko masked woman said as she sent the other two ahead, "Calling in reinforcements." She summoned a Shadow Clone and spoke urgently to it. "Find Anko. Tell her Predator-san is here and the Hokage just ran into his hunting grounds." She didn't wait to see the clone take off, she took a breath and sprinted inside. This is sooo not going to end well...

Ten minutes later...

I don't know who this sonuvabitch is...but damn he's good. Tsunade thought as she knelt high in a tree, keeping her back pressed against the rough bark, and her hazel eyes scanned constantly. She knew she had been goaded into this, her attacker simply pushed a few buttons and she charged right in. He played me like a damn Shamisen. I have no idea where my detail is... her eyes widened as she heard a scream not too far from her. Damn...that's two down. Sensing an arrival, she lunged and dropped down with a kunai in hand. Her eyes widened as she dropped right on top of the Neko masked guard. The blade an inch from her throat while the ANBU stared up at her wordlessly, hands empty and palms raised upward in a show of non hostility. Backing off, she drug the obviously injured woman into the shadow of a wide tree and whispered, "Report." She then began applying medical jutsu to the woman's injuries.

Yuugao sighed as she relaxed minutely against the tree. "Buta(Boar) and now Yagi(Goat) have been neutralized. We are approximately three kilometers from the Central Tower."

Tsunade hissed in aggravation as she considered their situation. "Who is this guy? He's taken down two of my ANBU in a matter of minutes. You're messed up but somehow you've evaded or escaped him as much as I have."

Yuugao answered, "He's called Predator. He is a Hunter in the purest sense of the word. The reason we are still breathing is because this is sport for him. A Hunt and he plans to make it last. He's left who he considers the strongest alive for last." She added looking directly at the Hokage.

Hazel eyes narrowed, "This psycho hunts ANBU for sport?" she reiterated incredulously. "What kind of person would think of hunting people as a sport?"

Meanwhile at the Gates...

Anko arrived frowning as she studied the twisted and charred remains of the gate. "It's him alright." she muttered as a hand came up to her left shoulder, rubbing at her aching Curse Mark. "Dammit. I knew this was going to happen sooner or later. Just hope I'm not too late." she said as a sadistic grin grew on her face as she strode through the now open gateway and entered the forest. This is not going to end well...but hell, at least it'll be fun.

Back inside...

Running full tilt towards the tower, Tsunade listened to Neko's answers and summarized while leaping over fallen trees and dodging others. "So let me get this straight... this 'Predator' came onto the scene almost four years ago. Since then he has hunted and taken down over thirty missing nins in and from every Elemental Nation. He's listed in the Bingo Books as a potential Recruitment figure?! I've never heard of such an entry before."

"Hai, Hokage-sama. He is ranked as an A-Class opponent, bordering on S-Class. The main reason is because during the last four years...anyone who has either tried to Hunt or capture him has been left in their respective Villages skinned and missing their skull and spinal column. Even whole teams have been found that way if the rumors are true." Yuugao said as she chose her words very carefully.

"Kami...that's insane."

"Maybe. But it IS an effective warning. So the entry was changed from kill or capture to recruitment. The reward listed varies, but I've read it from 35 million to 40 million Ryo."

"What is Konoha's? For that matter why in the hell does he have a Lair in the Forest of Death?"

"I...I cannot say, Hokage-sama. The details were listed as an S-Class secret by the Sandaime."

A golden eyebrow arched high, "Oh really? Even to the Godaime Hokage?"Tsunade asked, but before the Neko could respond the tree in front of them exploded when a ball of compressed, white- hot, chakra impacted it. Tsunade cursed loudly as that distorted voice began chuckling loudly. Taunting them and urging them to greater speeds. "Dammit...I've had enough." She said as she skidded to a halt in the clearing around the central tower. She turned around and clenched her fists. "Come out you bastard. Face me! Or are you scared?!" she roared in challenge.

Yuugao stopped alongside her but was pinned against the Tower wall when a huge net came from her right and enveloped her. She didn't struggle, since she knew the damn thing would only tighten if she did. Even so she felt it secure her firmly in place, her hands caught in such a way, she couldn't form handsigns. She was out of the game and could only watch as events unfolded.

The answer to her challenge was one she seriously didn't expect. From the trees there was a small flash of red then three tiny red dots appeared moving on her chest, stopping right over her heart. Looking at them, she felt her heart rate increase. A soft "thump" was heard and she looked up. A shimmering figure appeared, seemingly out of nothing before it flowed like sludge and revealed what was once hidden. Out of habit, she started at the face and slowly began sizing up her opponent even as she began molding her Chakra to implement her strength enhancing techniques.

A male figure, maybe six foot tall, stood twenty feet before her. A mask of an unfamiliar shape and design covered the features and a connected loose cowl hid his hair. He wore a mesh undershirt, just like many Shinobi do, the fit emphasizing the powerful chest. A sleeveless black overcoat hung on his frame adding to the intimidating picture as it drew the eye to the width of his shoulders and the strange device that sat atop his leftt. As she shifted her weight, she saw the device pivot silently with her and she surmised the device was tracking her movements. The undershirt sleeves encased powerful looking arms and a strange thick vambrace shaped thing was on each forearm. A wide belt wrapped around slim hips and there were markings all over it. Storage seals...she guessed as she saw a hand drift to one and a poof of smoke revealed him holding a tube in his hand. Before she could react to that, both ends extended turning it into a seven foot staff with barbed ends. A telltale crackling was heard even as electricity sparkled along the tips and down maybe a third of the staffs length from each end. Lightning infused staff...not only strengthening but presumably giving it better piercing power. Not to mention the debilitating effects. Standard black shinobi pants were tapped at the ankles but a strange overlapping plate armor protected the shins and calves.

The Predator's head tilted to the side slightly, like a dog would when studying something new. the lights by the right temple area changed from red to green. Behind the mask, the young man smiled and stabbed one end of the spear into the ground. The right hand moved to the opposite vambrace and tapped a command. Which resulted in his shoulder cannon rotating upright and retracting under the overcoat. His distorted voice spoke clearly. "Senju Tsunade. Sannin. Medic. You will be a prized piece in my collection." So saying he removed the power pack after taking off the overcoat, which revealed shoulder armor that matched the greaves on his legs. With the pack set aside he took up and donned the overcoat anew and assumed a ready position similar to a Sumo wrestler's. Body full facing his opponent, legs bent at the knee. Arms spread slightly wide though the spear was well within reach. the left hand clenched and two slightly curved blades sprang forth from the front of the vambrace, their inner edges jagged and were sharp enough, thanks to a Fuuton Chakra conversion seal etched onto their length,to shear flesh from bone and even sever the limb completely.

When she heard the stranger speak, she froze as he listed off her credits and name. He knows exactly who I am...and he wants to fight me... her thoughts interrupted as he shed pieces of equipment and her lips twitched into a smile. He's leveling the playing field? Facing me only with melee weapons and his own strength. Why? Why would he...I get it. I have no weapons other than my own strength and skills. He's honoring my courage... wants to face me equally, but he's not stupid enough to remove his every advantage. she thought as he took up a taijutsu stance. Chakra began to glow like flames engulfing her hands before they stabilized. She took a breath and watched her opponent. Noting his head tilted again before his neck popped and the right hand pulled the spear out of the ground and slowly began circling. Tsunade matched him step for step her focus set and her expression one of determination.

Behind her mask, Yuugao found herself sweating as she watched the tableau in front of her. Tsunade, the Godaime Hokage, squaring off against Predator,the Beast that Hunts Shinobi. She knew better than to struggle, any movement on her part would distract Tsunade. Or worse, make her opponent do something about it. She had survived one hunt, like Anko. Both of them knew they wouldn't survive a second. She blinked, to rid her eyes of sweat and in the fraction of a second, everything changed. Her jaw dropped as she saw the battle of titans begin.

Tsunade launched forward, hands bladed and strike after strike at her opponent. Seeing how he bent, twisted and outright evaded her enhanced moves. Kicking up her speed she added kicks in, using her taijutsu knowledge to become a veritable hand to hand nightmare. Letting none of her disappointment show as he now used the spear to block and deflect. An expert at bojutsu...His current speed is equal...increasing it to match mine.

The man behind the mask was grinning widely as he fought, upping the ante as he went on the offensive at last. Once he got a feel for her style. Using the spear like a quarterstaff and a full extension of his body. Jabbing with the Charged tips, forcing the blonde woman to dodge. Making her expend her energy defensively while he used his own in offense.

Head and body flipping, twisting and bending to avoid the deadly barbed tip of the spear, she had to use moves she hadn't utilized since the Second Shinobi War as she fought this masked man whose speed and skill was more than impressive. It was frightening. Then she connected... A Chakra emblazoned fist making a loud sound as it made contact with the mask. Sending him flying back to collide back first against a huge tree. Panting heavily, she steadied herself and saw him slide down to the floor. Not straightening, she watched warily even as she used medical jutsu to heal her broken hand. Shit...that mask is reinforced like I've never seen. I know that one hit isn't enough... Sure enough, her opponent stood up and a gloved hand came up to the mask even as he shook his head to clear the cobwebs. Taking the opportunity, she charged in, the glow on her fists even larger as she poured everything into the blow.

Elsewhere...

Hearing the explosions, Anko increased her pace. Sweating as she readied her kunai in each hand. Kami...I'm begging you. Please don't let me be late!

Back at the Tower...

Predator's head snapped up as heard the charging rush, eyes narrowing as he dropped the spear and his hands came together to catch hers, his legs snapping back and feet digging into the ground. Even though he thrust his own Chakra forward to counter hers, he was pushed back through a tree and several feet more. Breathing heavily, his eyes bored into hers through the mask and he spoke softly. "My turn." Seeing her hazel gaze widen. Then he switched to a flowing taijutsu that literally had no name. A culmination of him taking over a dozen taijutsu styles and making one that suited him. Capitalizing on his strengths and protecting his weaknesses. Claws retracted as fists, elbows, knees, feet, and even his head was used to pound the warrior that opposed him. This close, he knew he would take heavy hits, but he ignored the pain and continued onward.

In moments, Tsunade knew she was in serious trouble. Whoever this guy was, he could take damage and keep going. Leaping back, using several flips to gain some distance, she saw him disappear. Her eyes narrowed then rolled back as an uppercut caught her full on the chin. She barely felt a hand grab her by the neck and one at the juncture of her thighs before she was flipped like a baton and summarily slammed face down onto the ground. The impact such a quickly spreading crater formed. She felt weight settle on her back but couldn't move. The sound of metal sliding along metal and she felt the tips of his claws trailing along her back, moving from her shoulders down to her hips. The panting yet still maddeningly distorted voice by her ear as he spoke. Feeling a tear form in her eye as she realized she was dead.

His clawed hand reared back, the sunlight shining along the jagged edges as they came down with brutal efficiency. Then he leapt away as a new threat appeared, kunai stopping just where the back of his head had been. Skidding back with the claws digging furrows, he snarled in outrage at the interruption. Head turning every so slightly, his eyes widened as he recognized the tan trenchcoat that flapped in the wind. The purple hair tied back into a spiky mess. The sadistic smile. The fishnet clad body with its metal greaves. "Anko-chan..." he said in warning.

Not moving from her protective position, she spoke loudly and calmly though the smile was frighteningly large. "I cannot let you, Predator-san...Not this time. I won't let you harm the Hokage!" she said clearly as she readied for battle.

"Hokage? Old man Saroutobi is the Hokage...Don't lie to me." he replied bluntly, his voice still growling.

"You don't know? The Old Man died at the end of the Sand and Sound Invasion during the Chunnin Exams almost a month ago... Senju Tsunade was instated as the Godaime two days ago."

The dented mask turned to where Yuugao was still trapped by the net. "Neko-chan...?"

"She is telling you the truth, Predator-sama." The Neko masked ANBU said loudly.

He straightened up and roared his outrage to the sky before storming over to them and saying in a cold voice, "Then grow stronger...Hokage. Though I enjoyed our fight, the Old Man was better. Next time..." he finished in warning before adding off-handedly, "The contract will be upheld. Take your ANBU and go. Except this one...She will be released soon enough." His hand indicated Yuugao's position before he quickly moved and re-equipped. A moment later he had the captured ANBU slung over his shoulder and with spear in hand, they disappeared with eye mesmerizing ripple of light.