Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and I sure am not making a profit from this.

Chapter 21

Hidden Location

The sound of a desk being upended and glass shattering was the prelude to the eruption from Orochimaru.

"HE'S USELESS!"

Danzo looked at the snake sannin and shook his head. "You can take skin and hair samples and grow a clone…"

"It will be years before the clone is mature enough to even see if it will result in a sharingan."

"If not you can at least swap the eyes from the specimen you acquired before the Uchiha massacre."

Orochimaru gave the old war hawk a dark look. "The reason I haven't done that yet is because the transfers haven't been successful. How are yours?"

Danzo frowned while his hand started to go to his covered arm. "The fact remains, you have a living pureblood Uchiha to use."

Orochimaru leaned against the wall. "His reproductive organs and cells are destroyed." He eyed the temporary hands that Kabuto had attached. For some reason they were decaying and he'd need replacements before the week was out.

"That was because of Uzumaki." Danzo said a huff in his voice.

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow at this. "Tell me everything about Uzumaki, it seems my spy failed on that regard as his information is rather lacking."

XX

Training Ground 7

Kakashi arrived only thirty minutes late and that was due to the meeting he had with the Hokage about his remaining students and their status.

He found Sakura working on tree climbing and he could tell she'd been at it for some time as there were numerous scratches and she was covered in sweat.

Shikamaru was doing push ups, sit ups and then he would jog twenty laps around the training ground before repeating. Like Sakura he was covered in sweat.

It made Kakashi proud of his remaining students and the proof that they wanted to get their third teammate back and they were going to drive themselves into the ground to do it.

They are working harder than ever before. They care about one another and it shows.

"Sorry I'm late." He said. "The meeting with the Hokage went longer than I originally thought."

His only answer was twin grunts as Sakura and Shikamaru were focused on their training.

"I've removed you both from duty for the next two months and we're going to use an old abandoned outpost outside of the village to train without interruptions or distractions."

This got their attention. "Go home and pack your gear for an extended time out of the village. Don't worry about food as I'll have that covered."

Kakashi watched them go and he made a mental note to thank Naruto later for saving him from losing his team. Obito, I'm sorry about your family but Sakura, Shikamaru and Haku are worth your whole clan. Sasuke wasn't worth it and you and Rin were right. Even after all this time I had my head up my ass and it nearly cost me again. I make a new vow. I vow I will be the teacher that Minato sensei was to us. And I will make it up to Naruto as well.

With that Kakashi went to get his own gear already his mind formulating plans for his remaining students training.

XX

Miles from Konoha

"Why did we have to leave so early?"

The pair of blonds ignored Jiraiya as they continued to leap from tree to tree.

Anko who had invited herself along after speaking with the Hokage was behind them laughing.

The trio had found Jiraiya's hotel room and dragged the still recovering sannin out into the early morning air before the sun had gotten more than halfway above the horizon.

Jiraiya was behind them by a couple of yards still cursing them and wishing his hangover would go away.

When Sarutobi had given him this mission, Jiraiya had thought he'd have an easy time with the brat.

Instead he finds the kid married, well trained and very determined in a way that reminded Jiraiya of the kids parents.

Maybe I should have paid attention to what sensei was telling me about Naruto and less on visiting the hot springs.

Jiraiya looked ahead to where his godson was and wondered how he missed the boy growing up. Skip out of his life and only ask for a yearly report and this is what happens. I really shouldn't be surprised.

"Keep up Pervy Sage!" Naruto called back and Jiraiya saw that they were further ahead than before. "Damn kids." He muttered and increased his pace. I can't wait till he meets Tsunade.

XX

Jiraiya stretched out before the fire and groaned. "I have to ask, where we're going?"

Naruto who was working on dinner over the fire while Anko and Ino were laying out the sleeping bags looked at his godfather. "Looking for Tsunade." He said.

Jiraiya grunted. "My informants say she's further south."

Naruto shook his head. He wasn't going to waste time chasing Tsunade, not when he knew where she was going to be.

"That information is weeks old. I heard she's moved on and we'll catch her at the next town." Naruto said. And hopefully we can get to her before Orochimaru. Anko told me that Zabuza took his hands and with the poison that he had in his system when he channeled his chakra into his sword it will be hard for the snake bastard to keep any grafted hands.

"Where the hell did you hear that from?" Jiraiya asked. His spy network was the best there was and yet the brat knew the information was dated.

Naruto gave him a grin. "Lets just say my spies know things."

Ino who was with Anko shook her head.

"So, how'd your mom take it?" Anko asked.

Ino snorted. "She spazzed at first, then daddy came home and she didn't let him out of her sight." Ino shook her head. "Mom gets kind of clingy. She nearly had both Naruto and I strip down just to look for wounds that the incompetent medics might have missed. Her words not mine."

Anko laughed. "Your mom's a riot."

"Don't laugh. Until Naruto talked her out of it she was going to go looking for you next to make sure you were okay."

Anko looked at her like she was crazy.

"Mom's adopted you. Why do you think she's asked you over for a weekly family dinner not to mention the homemade dango she's sent you several times a week."

Anko blinked at this. "I just thought…well I…damn?"

Ino laughed. "Look at it this way sensei, you've got friends who care and in a couple months you'll be an adopted aunt."

Anko blinked again as Ino laughed.

XX

Tanzaku Town

Jiraiya looked around as they passed the gates. "Okay Naruto, why here?"

"She won't be able to pass up the poker tournament." Naruto said. "And there is also the new casino that opened up. It's like baiting a bear trap with honey. Tsunade won't be able to pass it up."

"Add in the fact she hasn't been here in years and she'll feel safer." Ino added. She looked around. "Anko and I will check out the hot springs. You and the pervert start checking the local gambling houses and then the casino. We'll meet at noon for some lunch."

Before Jiraiya could complain he was left alone with Naruto who patted him on the shoulder. "Look at it this way Pervy Sage, the sooner we find her the sooner you can go back to peeping on women."

People passing by gave the toad sage a dark look and the killing intent from the women told Jiraiya that if they caught him he would be a dead man.

"I hate you." Jiraiya said.

Naruto laughed and started to walk away. I'll take this side of the street and you take that side."

Jiraiya watched him go wondering if he could slip away for some quality time until Naruto's voice came back to him "And if you sneek off to peep I'll turn you over to Anko and Ino-chan."

Jiraiya shuddered as he recalled what happened the other night.

Flashback

Naruto and Ino had turned in and Jiraiya noticed they were sharing a bedroll. He let a perverted giggle slip out and his notebook was in his hands and his pen racing over the paper.

He never saw the snake summon until it swallowed his notebook. He looked at Anko who gave him a dark look. "Next time I'll have it swallow something else." She said and looked between his legs. "Maybe a smaller snake as this one would be overkill."

Jiraiya watched as she returned to her position to take first watch. Jiraiya had slept with one eye open all night.

End Flashback

"Snakes…why did it have to be snakes." He muttered wondering how she knew his fear of snakes. She's Orochi's former student. He must have told her. He thought unaware that Anko used her snakes like people used kunai.

Across the street Naruto shot a look to where his godfather was entering a gambling-house and made a hand sign.

Two shadow clones appeared. "You keep up the appearance of looking." He gestured to the first clone. "You keep an eye on Jiraiya without being seen." He told the second.

"And where will you be?" The first clone asked.

Naruto grinned. "Playing a game with Grandma Tsunade." Naruto said before walking away whistling a tune. The clones exchanged looks. "How much do you think he'll win this time?"

The second clone snorted. "He's going to own another casino."

The clones separated to do their tasks.

Naruto used a henge and was replaced by an older man with salt and pepper hair and beard, a bit on the hefty side with rosy cheeks. He wore a long duster and wore a whicker hat. "Grandma, you're going to learn when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em." Naruto muttered in his disguise of Ken Hawk. He entered a gambling house two blocks over and smiled seeing the back of the woman who he was looking for. Gotcha! Naruto schooled his features. "Mind if I join in?" he asked in his smooth country voice.

Suckers! He thought as he pulled out his money and kneeled across from his target who barely looked at him.

XX

Chapter 22

Gambling House

Naruto had to resist laughing as the dice landed properly and he could see the ticking of the vein above Tsunade's eye as she fought to restrain her disbelief and anger.

"You should really give up gambling, you can't read the dice or the cards." He said in his country voice.

Tsunade's only answer was a growl as she moved a bet onto the table and held up her tiles. The game had changed leaving her with the stranger playing two games at once.

"If you want, we can play…"

Tsunade growled as she shuffled the tiles in her hand. "Just roll the dice already."

Naruto disguised as he was gave her a wink and motioned for the dealer. "As the lady asks."

The rattling of the dice was heard as they bounced down the table and came to a stop.

"Even!" the dealer called out and Tsunade winced as she lost the first part of the wager on this hand.

Naruto shuffled his tiles. "I'll take three please." He slid the discarded ones to the dealer and accepted new ones.

"One." Tsunade slapped the discarded tile and took her new one. She couldn't help but smile.

Naruto cocked his head and gave her a bearded grin. "Looks like you got lucky."

Tsunade's eyes sparkled. "You could say that. Read them and weep. Full house, Aces and Tens." She laid the cards out showing three aces and two tens.

Tsunade cackled as she started to reach for the large pot that had been added to greatly for the last three hours.

"I would weep, and if I had something else I would be worried." Naruto laid out his cards one at a time starting with a Ten of Hearts, the Jack of Hearts, Queen of Hearts, the King of Hearts and the Ace of Hearts.

"Impossible!" Tsunade whined as she stared at the cards and watched as the bearded man raked the money towards his side of the table.

"Well, it looks like we're finished here." Naruto as Ken Hawk said and tossed a chip to the dealer and rose.

"Wait!"

He looked at Tsunade who obviously wasn't going to give up and mentally Naruto smiled and cackled inside the safety of his mind, as she was playing right into his plans.

"How about another game?" Tsunade asked.

"The dealer looks wiped and I have yet to make arrangements for a place to stay." Ken-Naruto said in his calm voice.

"You can stay with me." Tsunade said and as Naruto raised an eyebrow and Tsunade flushed.

"Not like that. My apprentice and I can offer you a bed in our room at the hotel. You won't find anything else as the majority of the inns are full up for the weekend with the new casino opening."

Naruto as Ken Hawk stroked his beard. "You and your apprentice wouldn't happen to try and rob me at night will you?"

Tsunade shook her head. "The hotel has a safe, you can leave your things with them."

"Alright, but as you can see our dealer has made his escape."

Tsunade's head whipped around and she saw the only ones left were the smiling Ken Hawk, herself and some of the wait staff who were cleaning the place.

"I know a place." She said.

Naruto pocketed his winnings and extended an arm. "Then fine lady, lead the way."

Tsunade grinned as she hooked her arm with his. "I think this is the start of an interesting relationship."

Only if you knew Baa-chan. Naruto-Ken thought.

XX

Jiraiya watched Tsunade and a strange man walk down the street arm in arm and he stomped down on the feeling of jealousy. He watched as the pair walked, talked and Jiraiya had to keep himself in place when Tsunade gave a deep throaty chuckle.

She never laughed like that for me…hell I don't think she ever laughed like that for Dan either. Just who the hell are you friend?

Jiraiya went to the rooftops to avoid other pedestrians and his eyes stayed on the pair. Tsunade and the man stopped at a sake bar and Jiraiya growled as the curtain blocked his view.

"Hey Pervy Sage, what are you doing up here?"

Jiraiya spun. "Don't call me that." He hissed then grabbed Naruto and pulled him down next to him. "And get down. Keep your voice down."

His gaze went back to the sake bar and he could see the legs. They're sitting very close together. WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY!?

"Ah, you found the old hag?" Naruto asked and squinted looking at the booth.

"She's not old, she's the same age as me." Jiraiya muttered.

"Hence the old hag reference." Naruto said.

Something was bothering Jiraiya and he studied the blond with him. "Where's Naruto?" he finally asked.

"I am Naruto."

Jiraiya reached out to smack the back of the blonds' head only to find his hand blocked.

"Cut that out. The only one that can do that is Ino-hime and you're not my wife." The whisker marked teen said.

Jiraiya growled. "Where is the real Naruto and don't say you are, I can tell you're a clone." He tried to smack the clone again only to once again find his hand blocked and he was surprised when both his cheeks were smacked.

"Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo. Nyuck-nyuck!" Naruto said and then with a kick sent Jiraiya rocketing off the roof and towards the sake bar.

"Hey Mo! Look at the girl!" he heard as he sailed through the air.

XX

Hot Springs

"Why do I have the feeling that your husband is causing chaos or mayhem?" Anko said as she allowed the hot water to ease her aches and pains.

"I'm chaos, he's mayhem." Ino said with a grin.

Anko snorted. "You're a double act. But seriously, why aren't we looking for Tsunade?"

There was a gasp.

"That's why." Ino said. "Hey Shizune, why don't you join us." Ino said not even taking the wet towel from her eyes.

The brunette who had been trying to slip out of the hot spring froze. "Come on." Ino said. "We'll catch up with Jiraiya, Tsunade and my husband after we've enjoyed pampering ourselves."

Shizune wasn't sure of what to make of the blond.

"And don't worry, Anko here isn't as brazen and forward as she pretends. Your virtue should be safe." Ino said with a grin and her eyes still covered.

"Gee, thanks." Anko said.

"That'll teach you to hit on my husband. Now then, Shizune, sit." Ino said and Anko turned to see the brunette still hadn't moved from where she was frozen.

"Might as well do as she says. She gets her pushiness from her mother."

"My mother is…well yeah, she is pushy. But that's mostly due to her being pregnant." Ino said and finally tilted her head allowing the towel to slip off and her blue eyes locked on Shizune.

"Now, sit and enjoy the hot springs. Besides, my shadow clone has stolen your clothes and won't be back for at least an hour. And I doubt you want to run around in nothing but a towel…unless you prefer streaking?" Ino said the last bit with a leer and a wink.

Anko laughed as Shizune "Eeped!" and sank down into the water up to her chin.

"You've been hanging around me too much."

Ino shook her head. "You've got nothing that compares to Naruto in prank and or flirt mode."

Who are these people? Shizune thought as she spotted the mentioned shadow clone waving from the doorway. I can't believe she stole my clothes. What do they want with Lady Tsunade? And did she mention Master Jiraiya?

XX

Chapter 23

Sake Bar

The Jiraiya missile exploded out the back wall of the Sake bar. Tsunade and Ken peeked over the bar first from the direction he'd come from then out the man sized hole.

"You were right hime." Ken said to her.

"What do you mean?" she asked trying to think why she had pictured Jiraiya when it was probably some idiot in another street brawl.

"You said it would be interesting being with you."

Tsunade had to laugh. "You are a very strange man, you know that Ken-kun?"

The gambler chuckled, "So I've been told."

He paid for the bottles and the pair left before they got dragged into a fight they didn't start or were part of.

"Where should we go?" Ken asked her.

"Lets see where the road takes us." Tsunade said with an impish smile.

XX

Jiraiya groaned as he tried to sit up, but he found a foot planted in the middle of his chest.

"Listen up Ero-Sannin I've got this, go peep on the bathhouse or visit a brothel…switch that." The blond with a foot on his chest said. "You peep on my wife and I'll kill you and feed you your own testicles."

With that said the pressure was removed from his chest and Jiraiya wondered what the hell had just happened.

XX

It was hours later and Tsunade found she was really enjoying her time with her fellow gambler. And it was strange as everywhere they went the man won. What was even stranger was Tsunade was winning and it was freaking her out as she kept looking over her shoulder, mentally preparing to run at the first sign of trouble, but she kept finding herself laughing with the strange Ken Hawk and enjoying herself for the first time in a long time.

It was approaching last call when Tsunade who had been drinking heavily invited Ken to her rooms for another game.

"Ah hime, I don't think my wife would approve." Ken said and Tsunade realized the man was totally sober.

"Wh-Wait, you're married?" Tsunade tried to get her mind to focus and recall all the pair had talked about.

"As much fun as the afternoon has been, we have to go and have a serious talk and as much as I am enjoying the time spent with you Baa-chan, the pervert is nearly salivating across the street and my wife should be done at the hot spring and should have collected Shizune by now."

"Who the hell are you?" Tsunade demanded and tried to hit the man she knew as Ken Hawk only to find her wrist grabbed and then flipped and landed on the ground knocking the wind from her.

"I'll tell you, but if you do that again I'll cut my hand open and smear the blood on you until I bind you. Now as kinky as that is tell me what's it going to be?"

Tsunade had to wonder how Ken as she knew him knew about her phobia. She growled as he increased the pressure on her arm and at the angle he was holding it she couldn't get any leverage to flick him off.

"Alright." She growled out through clenched teeth.

Ken looked at her for a moment then spoke. "Swear on Shizune's life you won't run until our talks are finished."

"Fine damn it!" Tsunade said frustrated that this person had gotten so close and seemed to know her tricks.

When Ken released her she saw Jiraiya and narrowed her eyes.

"Drop the henge." The toad sage said and she watched as Ken vanished in a poof of smoke and she saw a whisker marked blond standing there.

"Come on."

"Who the hell is he?" Tsunade demanded of her former teammate.

"Naruto Uzumaki." The Toad Sage said.

"You mean the…" she began but was answered before she could finish, "Yes. He's that and so much more. Wait till you meet his wife." Jiraiya said.

"Wife? But he's only…" Tsunade was confused and it wasn't from the alcohol.

"He used your grandfather and uncles chamber. He and his wife added three years." Jiraiya said with a chuckle. "They went in and came out as this. They spent three years worth in there training and when they came out they got married. Sensei wanted to make them Jonin right away but they spent time with their sensei and were made damn fine chunin."

Tsunade staggered and the blond sighed as he reached out. Tsunade flinched at first thinking he was going to strike her then she recognized the jutsu and wondered where the brat had learned it as she hadn't taught it to anyone but Shizune. She felt the effects of the alcohol being purged from her system and she was stone cold sober. She blinked as the other blond turned and led them away. Jiraiya took her by the arm.

"How'd he…"

"No idea. He knew the Rasengan and Hirashin as well. I tried to get him to sign with the Toads but he's already got a summoning contract." Her teammate admitted.

"Who the hell is he?" Tsunade demanded.

XX

"No."

The two blonds across from her smiled and Tsunade had a sinking feeling.

"You seem to think that you have a choice." Ino said. "You have been recalled by the Hokage."

"And despite what Pervy Sage thinks we are to bring you back, one way or the other."

Tsunade scowled. "You think you can?"

"I know I can Baa-chan." Naruto told her, his voice going flat. "While I am here a friend of mine is in the hands of your third teammate and I could be doing so much more than play fetch for your drunk wrinkled ass."

"Why you little…" Tsunade started to rise and found Naruto already standing the killing intent flooding from him was stifling.

"Understand this Tsunade Senju, you will return to Konoha either on your feet or on your back and in chains. The time has come for you to grow up and face responsibility that you've run from since your lover and brother died."

"How dare you!" Tsunade growled.

Naruto looked at the older blond and was going to say something when Ino touched his arm.

"Lady Tsunade, you are the greatest medic in the world. Back in Konoha we have friends that need you skills. Ignore the rest, as a healer your skills are needed."

"What do I care?" Tsunade spat. "A ninja lives or dies."

Shizune looked at her mistress and the others could nearly feel the shame she was feeling at her mistresses behavior.

Jiraiya was going to speak when Naruto spoke again.

"You like to gamble how about we make a bet?" the whisker marked blond said and Tsunade looked at him.

"What are your terms?" she asked her honey colored eyes locking on the blue orbs facing her.

"You and I have a fight. If I win you'll comeback to Konoha to heal our friends and see what the old man needs."

"And should I win?" Tsunade inquired.

"I'll pay off all your outstanding debts." Naruto said.

"You don't have that kind of coin." Tsunade scoffed.

"I do." Naruto said and Tsunade wondered just how someone so young could have that kind of money.

"Fine. Lets do this." Tsunade said.

"No." Naruto looked at her. "In three days. That will give you time to sober up fully without the aid of a medical jutsu and allow me to spend time with my wife. We'll fight outside of town, that way we reduce property damage."

"You think you're that good?" Tsunade asked.

"I know I'm that good. But you're the one that fights like a bull in a china shop." Naruto turned with Ino and left.

"Just who is that brat?" Tsunade asked.

"My student and friend." Anko said with a wide grin. She looked at Jiraiya. "I'll leave you old folks to talk. See you in three days Lady Tsunade." Anko said as she left, her mind wandering to what she could do around town and how much trouble she could get in over the next three days.

XX

Chapter 24

Three days.

Three very long days.

Three very long and nerve racking days.

Jiraiya had taken to drinking as he had the sinking feeling that the blonds with him were going to upset his former teammate.

Shizune had talked to the Uzumaki's and while she had hinted that this fight could be avoided, Anko pulled her aside and told her it was happening and they would be heading back to Konoha after that.

Ino meanwhile stretched as she snuggled into her husbands' side. The blond was a natural furnace as his body temperature ran warm.

"Today's is the day." Naruto said and Ino looked up seeing him awake.

"It always amazes me that you can wake up after a night of making love." Ino said as her hand stroked his chest.

Naruto smiled as he caught her hand and brought it up to his lips for a gentle kiss. "I've got proper motivation." He kissed her palm again.

"Are you really going to fight her?" Ino asked.

"Kinda." Naruto said. "She needs this. Trust me, we'll be walking arm in arm home with her, the pervert, Anko and Shizune. And then when we get home, I aim to see if my lovely wife will do me the honor of going out to dinner with me and then make love to me all night long."

Ino smiled. "You're wife likes that idea. Hurry up and kick her ass."

Naruto laughed.

XX

A quarter of mile out of town, the group met up, Naruto was standing with Ino in his arms when Tsunade and Shizune approached. Anko had been annoying Jiraiya and the Toad Sage knew he couldn't retaliate as the blonds were very close and he knew they would beat the hell out of him in a way that Tsunade would be proud.

"Ah, Tsu-hime. We thought you'd have pulled a runner." Naruto said holding his wife.

Tsunade growled. "Lets get this over with brat. I have places to be and your money to spend."

Shizune went to stand by Jiraiya and Anko, the Snake mistress smirked and threw her arm around the brunette. Ino after giving Naruto a good luck kiss joined them.

"Be ready to head to Konoha." Naruto said tossing his jacket aside.

Tsunade lunged and her fist connected…

With a stump, which was pulverized by the single blow, Naruto appeared behind her and he connected with a roundhouse kick to her back, which sent her rolling forty yards.

Tsunade climbed to her feet and winced as she straightened her back. She popped her spine and then glared at Naruto.

"Not so much getting hit that hard, now is it?" Naruto asked standing with his hands behind his back.

Tsunade growled and charged.

"Tsunade, I wouldn't…" Jiraiya tried to warn her, but by then she had reached the waiting blond, who grinned and removed his hand from behind him to reveal the Rasengan.

Naruto tilted his head to the side to avoid Tsunade's punch and his hand buried itself in her gut.

She flew off and connected with a boulder, destroying it and raising a cloud of dust.

"LADY TSUNADE!" Shizune screamed.

Ino grabbed her arm. "Its not over yet." She said as Anko grabbed the other arm.

Shizune blinked as Naruto appeared by the wrecked boulder and she watched as he said something.

She saw her master's fist emerge and again miss the blond who actually laughed.

Tsunade staggered out of the wreckage and with her other hand tossed a hunk of the boulder.

To the shock of the Sannin and Shizune, Naruto caught it and with a grin crushed it to powder.

"How the hell?" Tsunade asked.

Naruto snorted. "Ninja…duh." At her look he cocked his head to the side. "What? I do six impossible things before breakfast."

Ino's laugh could be heard and Naruto shot his wife a grin. When he turned his head, Tsunade lunged.

Naruto's foot caught her in the gut and the ninja watching heard her squeak for air as the kick had lifted her off the ground. She hung there for an eternity it seemed and in a blink of an eye Naruto hit a flip kick sending her rocketing into the air.

Tsunade was fighting to get air into her lungs when a shadow over her caused her to turn her head as she rocket upwards and she found her sight landing on the blond who had just kicked her.

The double sledgehammer blow to her spine sent her rocketing back to the ground where another Naruto was waiting and before she got six feet from the ground he spun, kicking her off in another direction.

Tsunade was wondering how the brat was so fast not seeing the clones as she was pinballed from one clone to another.

The last clone used her own heel drop to send her to the earth, leaving a ten-foot crater.

The clones vanished as Naruto stood over the downed Sannin.

"This is the difference. You've spent the past how many years getting drunk." He turned his head towards Jiraiya. "Grab the old hag and lets…"

Naruto looked down at the hand that had gripped his ankle. He saw Tsunade looking up at him, a snarl on her face.

Oh boy. Naruto thought. Its about time Baa-chan. Now this is going to hurt.

Tsunade used him like a whip as she smacked him off the ground then she spun around in a giant swing, keeping a grip on his ankle before on the last rotation he was airborne.

Naruto looked down and saw Tsunade preparing for an uppercut that would likely shatter every bone in his body as he sped down towards her.

He descended and he could see the others watching, Jiraiya actually yelling at her not to do it.

He saw his wife's calm eyes, her love shining thru and he knew that above all else she trusted him.

Tsunade's fist came up….

XX

The resulting shockwave from the punch knocked the others off their feet. They had to use chakra to stay in place.

The dust cloud blocked out the sun and as the dust settled the others could see. Tsunade stood with her fist upraised.

Of Naruto there was no sign.

"You sent him into orbit." Jiraiya said from his knees. He began to wonder how he was going to explain to the Hokage. His eyes turned towards Ino and wondered what the wife of his godson was going to do.

He got his answer.

Ino sat up, clapped her hands and laughed.

The others looked at her as if she was insane.

Tsunade found out why a moment later when Naruto seemed to materialize out of thin air and locked on a sleeper hold and to the shock of the others as Naruto wrapped his legs around her he rode her to the ground. After a bit he released the hold and pushed the unconscious woman off of him. He patted her shoulder.

"You still punch like a mule." He said softly as the others rushed up. He smirked at Jiraiya. "It's a long way to Konoha. You carry her, she's heavy."