Chapter 141: Tsunade

Tsuna, Jiraiya, Shizune, and Tsunade sat at a table in the inn where they were residing, deciding now would be the best time to hold a conversation.

Naruto was placed asleep in Tsuna's bed while Orochimaru and Kabuto were placed under even more restraints through the use of seals and locked up in a separate room that would alert them if one of the two moved any further than an inch.

"So let me get this straight. You are a version of Tsunade who is around half our age and has pretty much single-handedly ended the 2nd Great Shinobi World War a few years prior. After that, you trained to the point where you could fight against Madara Uchiha, who may also be alive in our world, and now you are probably on the same level as your Grandfather or maybe even above it since you can't properly gauge it. And as you went on a mission, you were transported to our timeline and now you don't have any idea how you will get back home. Is that all?" Jiraiya said, not knowing if he would be viewed as crazy if he recounted the tale back to anyone else.

"Pretty much." Tsuna said casually as she continued eating her meal.

"Why did you come to find me, Jiraiya?" Tsunade asked as she had been wondering why Jiraiya was in the vicinity in the first place, knowing that he would normally be unable to casually find her.

"I'm here because the Village wants to appoint you as the Fifth Hokage." Jiraiya said, making Tsunade's eyes widen at the statement.

"Is there not anyone else who can take up the position?" Tsunade asked, feeling very confused in her heart.

While a part of her wanted to become the Hokage and achieve the dream that her brother wanted, another part of her still felt a bit fearful of such a position.

"The only ones with the eligibility to take up the position would be you, me, and Danzo. I still have to investigate a new organization that has appeared and maintain our spy network, leaving only you two as the applicable candidates." Jiraiya said.

Tsunade realized that if she didn't take the position, the Village would fall into that man's clutches, something that she would absolutely not allow to happen.

"It can pay off all of your gambling debts." Tsuna added from the side.

Tsunade stood up abruptly as she spoke

"Shizune!! Pack our things! It is time for us to return home so that we can bring proper leadership to our Village!"

Everyone could only deadpan at Tsunade's shameless behavior, with them all hoping that her debts wouldn't be the only reason she took on the position.

~

"I know you're awake." Tsuna said as she sat in a chair before the seemingly unconscious Orochimaru.

"I should have known you would realize it." Orochimaru said as he opened his eyes to look at Tsuna.

"Why?" Tsuna asked.

"Why what?" Orochimaru said with slight confusion, not understanding what she was asking.

"Why have you become like this? A being that could barely qualify as being human and has lost all of your humanity?" Tsuna asked while growing slightly emotional at seeing what her friend could have become.

Orochimaru seemed to ponder over her question before he responded "Because I saw how fragile life truly was. My thirst for knowledge and realization of its fragility made me choose to pursue eternal life and knowledge of all Ninjutsu. Though I doubt I will be able to achieve it by being captured."

Tsuna simply stared at the man her friend could have become, and while she lacked anger or disgust, all her eyes carried were pity.

"Don't dare look down upon me. My life choices are mine alone." Orochimaru said as if reading her thoughts.

"I don't look down on you. I just pity the waste of talent and all the good you could have brought to the world. But I will ensure that a friend of mine never ends up like you." Tsuna said as she stood and prepared to leave the room.

"Wait, you never told me who you are. Didn't you say you would do so." Orochimaru asked, him wishing to understand who the person was and why they looked identical to Tsunade when she was younger.

Tsunade turned back to him, this time her presence making Orochimaru feel as if he was once again a student standing before Hiruzen all those years ago.

"I am Tsunade Senju."

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I'm Back!! Aced the Midterms!!