Chapter 11

Tsunade, Shizune and Naruto exited the bar after her story. Jiraiya hadn't moved but looked utterly shocked by what Tsunade shared. As the three were making their way back to Orochimaru's, Naruto was curious about something.

"So, were you and Orochimaru friends?"

"I think I'm as close to that as she'd allow anyone to be but it isn't a straightforward relationship and how she shows she cares is a little unorthodox." Tsunade said.

"What do you mean?"

"When I initially left the village with Shizune, I was a mess. Depressed and quickly succumbing to alcoholism and a gambling addiction. Whether I wanted to be completely numb or just hurt myself through debasement I don't know but I was hardly functional and Shizune was taking care of me more than I was truly training her. That lasted for about a year before Orochimaru found me. She-" Tsunade stopped to laugh, "she was not happy with what she saw. She said there are very few people she deems remarkable and I was one of those but if I was going to lose myself in grief it'd be better to just join those I lost. She said she'd give me three months to make a decision and if I were still some stumbling drunk she'd kill me and even as drunk as I was I knew she meant it."

"So, what happened?"

"She found me three months later and we fought. Well, sparred. Sparred for us."

"You destroyed a forest with your antics." Shizune interrupted.

"Hey, I appreciate she cared but no one threatens me so we had a bit of a tussle. Last good fight I've had, honestly. Hmm,"

"No, Tsunade-sama! You two are reckless and will just cause destruction."

"But it'll be fun! Oh, and that reminds me, brat you got to find someone around your level you like fighting. Not necessarily a rival as those relationships tend to turn bitter."

"Don't know too many people who could fit the bill and the ones I could think of don't much care for me."

"Who were you thinking of Naruto-kun?"

"Neji Hyuuga, Rock Lee and Sasuke Uchiha."

"Oh, yea. People take maiming, attempted murders and losing their lifetime goals personally." Shizune offered, helpfully but slurred.

"They do?" Naruto jokingly asked.

Shizune nodded before confirming, "They do. And it doesn't even matter why." The blonde and the redhead both snickered at Shizune's earnestness. While engaging in light banter as he returned to Orochimaru's, Naruto thought about Tsunade's words. True, as far as taijutsu; Neji, Rock Lee and Sasuke could push him. Chances are they had skills superior to his own, or in Sasuke's case having it buttressed with the predictive abilities of his sharingan.

Neither Shikamaru nor Shino were heavy combat types. They could certainly handle themselves but it was just a different approach as they favored being several steps ahead of their opponents, leading them into traps within traps. Naruto could plan a few steps ahead, especially when previous experience came into play but he wasn't the strategists his teammates were. It's what made sparring with them so fun, he had to be unpredictable and improvise in ways that would blow up their plans.

Naruto was lost in his thoughts and not fully aware he'd made it to his final destination until he heard Tsunade knock on the door. The trio were ushered in by Kabuto who led them to Orochimaru's first story office; the manor appeared to be two stories but had two sublevels as well. When they arrived, there were three other people in the room with her, a tall boy in his late teens with white hair and two red dots over his eyebrows. Two teenage females, one in her mid teens with pinkish red hair and the other twelve to thirteen with red hair and eyes to match, a shade similar to Naruto's.

"So, this shithead is the our clan head? I don't see it." Said the older girl.

"What?" was Naruto's response.

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After Tsunade forced Naruto to sober up with the help of medical ninjutsu the heir of the Uzumaki was better able to engage with his new clansmen. Tayuya was foul mouthed so he quickly learned not to take anything personally, she was only respectful to Orochimaru. But she was also funny, direct and honest which were all things Naruto could appreciate. Karin was… interesting. She was, for the most part pretty quiet an amiable until something set her off, then she'd explode. Tayuya enjoyed setting her off.

As the three Uzumaki chatted through the night, Naruto learned that Tayuya was a genjutsu specialist but also had some cool summons she could control through her flute. Karin specialized in medical ninjutsu and research. She was originally from Kusa but her mother and she were not treated well there and she was eventually saved by Orochimaru. Naruto tried to include the older boy, Kimimaro he learned his name was, but he was terse and didn't seem interested so Naruto let him be. All in all, it was an interesting evening getting to know his fellow clan members, even at the cost of a full night's rest.

While the Uzumaki had been getting to know each other, Tsunade informed Orochimaru she'd told Naruto about team Hiruzen's history, including her past with the Sandaime. She relayed how Jiraiya looked beyond shocked, as if he couldn't process the information given.

Orochimaru didn't really care that Tsunade blabbed about something that, for almost anyone else, would be considered a highly personal piece of information. Not only did it make Hiruzen and Jiraiya look bad in the eyes of Naruto but it may cause a rift between the Toad Sage and the Old Man.

Besides, Tsunade was defending her. The two have had the debate long enough for her to know Tsunade's position on the issue. Tsunade can't, or refuses to believe, she would have made the same choices if not for the fallout of their team. Orochimaru doesn't feel guilty about, well, anything really but she doesn't like that Tsunade accepts blame for her choices. She did what she did because she wanted to do it. She's not some damaged, little girl that Hiruzen broke. She'll never accept that.

Also, she just doesn't want to be one more thing Tsunade blames herself for. The woman is so guilt-ridden it's amazing she manages to get out of bed. It's unhealthy and limiting. The two have never and will never see eye to eye on this issue. Outside of their ethics on human experimentation, it is really the only thing they vehemently disagree on. Well, and Tsunade's haori.

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There are pleasant ways to start a day, Hiruzen is sure of this. Granted, he hasn't had what he'd consider a pleasant start to any day in years. It's always something, always. It'd be bad enough if the letter he received from Rasa was the whole of it, because clearly his counterpart is a sadistic asshole upstart in need of a beating. Rasa finally sent word on if he'd provide aid in the upcoming Ame invasion and he would, under some conditions. Hiruzen realized the man would try to get something out of this, the fact that it was to their mutual benefit wouldn't be enough prompting to act. But why this?

Rasa wants to see the fight that should have been the finals of the Chunin exams, Gaara vs. Naruto; jinchuuriki vs jinchuuriki. He also wants this exercise is pointless dick measuring to take place in Suna, as to give his boy as much of an advantage as he could. Hiruzen could have safeguards on hand, making sure Jiraiya was there with seals in hand to subdue either of them. However, they are jinchuuriki and things can escalate. There is a real risk of serious, permanent injury occurring and Hiruzen didn't see the value in it. But he'd have to trust Naruto to handle it as support from Suna reduced the risk for his own shinobi and gave them more manpower.

So, yes, that'd have been enough to sour his mood for the day but he also had the displeasure of sitting across from a, clearly, hungover Jiraiya looking both depressed, angry and confused. It was bad enough he stumbled in, making Hiruzen's ANBU tense but the large man just sat down and hadn't said a word. Hiruzen, being used to his students' quirks knew this happens when Jiraiya is building up to have a conversation he'd much rather avoid; he was trying to find his nerve and if he held to pattern the first thing he said would be crass and inappropriate.

"So, Sensei…. Impregnate any students lately?" And there it was. Hiruzen immediately signaled for his ANBU to leave, refusing to do this in front of an audience. He trusted them but even that had its limits.

"No, not lately, Jiraiya. The old boy doesn't get around like he used to."

"But you did get around. So very smooth, the Professor was."

"Jiraiya, I'm going to need you to get to the point as I have actual work and something of actual importance we need to discuss."

"You toyed with your student and then sent her to your lunatic of a rival, I think that's important."

"Not to you, it isn't. Every one of her accomplishments was taken as a personal slight by you, Jiraiya. Blame me if you must, in my alleged favoritism but you burned the bridge between you two so you'll forgive me if I find this to be a bit hypocritical; especially from a Super Pervert."

"Alleged favoritism? Even now you deny it?"

"No, I'm just tired of having to confront it. I'm not perfect, far from it. I've been a professional killer longer than you've been alive. I mess up, I think too highly of myself. I'm flawed, Jiraiya. So, yes, when I had someone that looked upon me with admiration and desire I savored it. I indulged in it because it was new and simpler. Biwako and I were having problems. The demands of being Hokage leaves little time to be a quality husband and father but the excuse had worn thin. She wanted more time, the children did as well. Orochimaru just wanted me."

"Until you had your fill and threw her away."

"Yes. I didn't know Danzo was as twisted as he'd become but for the sake of my marriage and to manage my own guilt I needed some distance so I reassigned her and limited contact. And before you go on, yes, I've often wondered if how I handled things led her to do what she did. It was one of the reasons I couldn't kill her and let her flee. I often wonder which I regret more, crossing that line with her how what I did with Naruto but I can't go back, only forward."

"I know, Sensei. I'm not sure why I'm here. I guess after Tsunade told me I've just been thinking about how things could have been different. If I hadn't been so jealous and the like. Maybe she would have stayed on the straight and narrow."

"Maybe, Jiraiya. This is a question I've often had to ask myself as well. So, does this change things for you?"

"No. Regardless of the why, what she's done is unconscionable and I want her away from Naruto as soon as possible but it does add some context. Not enough to excuse her behavior but I feel I might understand her a little better." he said with a shrug. "Now, what's this business you need to tell me?"

"Rasa wants Naruto to fight Gaara, it's his condition to support us against the Akatsuki."

"Mm. I'm not ashamed to admit I wanted to see the fight."

"Were you disappointed when Naruto forfeited at the Chunin Exams?"

"No, it was the right call but Gaara had the best chance to push Naruto. You weren't exactly forthcoming with his skills so I know very little of what he can do."

"He was to be your apprentice, you were supposed to find out." Hiruzen said crossly, which Jiraiya waved off, dismissively.

"I was under the impression I was to babysit and play bodyguard. If I seriously trained the kid he'd run through the finals, which he did anyway."

"I never told you not to seriously train him." the Sandaime shot back. He hadn't.

"No, you just said you had concerns about his maturity and didn't think he was quite ready to advance and just so you know, I've been distracted with Orochimaru and the Akatsuki but we will be having that conversation soon, Old Man."

"So you teach him the rasengan?" The Sandaime asked, deciding not to acknowledge the latter statement.

"I didn't know the kid would get it in a month. Neither Kakashi nor I managed it that fast."

"That must have stung." Hiruzen said with a smile.

"Like a bitch and a half. At least his father was an adult before he started showing me up." Jiraiya said, sulking the entire time.

"Of course, you'll go there with him in case things get out of hand."

"Of course."