79. Rasengan Variation

To everyone's amazement, a small spiral of chakra shot from Sora's hand, streaking across the seat to impact the log Naruto was holding. The effect was similar to that of a mini-Rasengan, leaving a small, spiralling indentation in the wood.

Sora slumped back in his chair, visibly exhausted. "Hmm, I guess I'll have to practice that," he mumbled, reaching for his bowl of noodles. "The effect isn't quite what I wanted, and the speed is similar to a fireball jutsu. It won't really hit anybody at that speed... Plus, I'm already out of chakra."

The table was silent as everyone processed what they had just witnessed. Jiraiya couldn't hide his shock, his mouth hanging open as he stared at his young disciple. Tsunade, too, was visibly impressed, understanding the full implications of what Sora had just accomplished.

Naruto was the first to break the silence, his voice filled with excitement. "That was amazing, Sora! You're incredible!"

Even Sasuke gave a grunt of acknowledgement, his dark eyes fixed on the small redhead with newfound interest.

Tsunade leaned back in her chair, her earlier disdain replaced by a look of grudging respect. "Well, well," she murmured. "It seems I may have underestimated you, kid."

Sora, oblivious to the impact of his actions, was focused entirely on his noodles, slurping them up with the enthusiasm of a starving child. Jiraiya, having recovered from his initial shock, "You never cease to amaze me, kid," he said softly.

As the shock of Sora's display wore off, the conversation at the table slowly resumed. Tsunade, her interest piqued by the young prodigy, began asking more questions about the boys and their training.

"So, Jiraiya," she said, her tone markedly less hostile than before, "how long have you been training these two?"

Jiraiya, still beaming with pride, replied, "I've been working with Naruto for a few weeks now, since just before the Chunin Exams. Sora here... well, he's a special case, around that time only, I've only been training him for a short while, but he's got a knack for picking things up quickly."

Sora, having finished his noodles, piped up, "Pervy Sage is a great teacher! Even if he does spend too much time peeking at ladies in the hot springs."

Tsunade's eye twitched at this information, and she shot Jiraiya a glare that promised pain in his future. Jiraiya, for his part, had the decency to look sheepish.

"Now, now, Sora," he said hastily, "we don't need to discuss my... research methods."

Naruto, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly spoke up. "Hey, Granny Tsunade," he said, ignoring the dangerous look the woman gave him at the 'Granny' comment, "why don't you want to be Hokage? It's the coolest job in the village!"

Tsunade's expression darkened. "Coolest job? Ha! Being Hokage is a fool's game. You put your life on the line for ungrateful people and sacrifice everything for a village that will never truly appreciate you. In the end, all it brings is pain and loss."

Her words hung heavy in the air, the bitterness in her voice palpable. Naruto looked shocked, unable to comprehend someone speaking about his dream in such a way. Sasuke remained impassive, though there was a glimmer of something – understanding, perhaps – in his dark eyes.

Sora, however, tilted his head thoughtfully. "But isn't that what being a ninja is all about?" he asked innocently. "Protecting people, even when it's hard? That's what the Third always said."

Tsunade's gaze softened slightly as she looked at the young boy. "You're too young to understand, kid. The world isn't as simple as that."

Jiraiya, sensing the tension, decided to change the subject. "Tsunade, we didn't just come here to offer you the position of Hokage. The village needs your medical expertise. Kakashi Hatake and several others were severely injured in a recent attack."

This caught Tsunade's attention. "An attack? By whom?"

Jiraiya's expression turned grim. "The Akatsuki. Two of their members infiltrated the village, searching for Naruto."

At the mention of the Akatsuki, both Sasuke and Naruto tensed. Sora, noticing their reactions, looked between them curiously but remained silent.

Tsunade's brow furrowed. "The Akatsuki? That organization of S-rank missing-nin? What do they want with the brat?"

Jiraiya shook his head. "That's classified information, Tsunade. But suffice it to say, it's crucial that we protect Naruto. And to do that, we need Konoha at full strength. We need you."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking between Jiraiya and Naruto. "I see," she said slowly, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern. "And you think bringing me back will solve all of Konoha's problems?"

Jiraiya leaned forward, his voice low and serious. "Not all of them, no. But it would be a start. The village needs stability, Tsunade. It needs hope. And right now, you're the best person to provide that."

As the adults continued their discussion, Sora's attention wandered. His green eyes darted around the inn, taking in the other patrons, the décor, and finally settling on Tsunade's companion, who had been silent throughout the entire exchange.

"Excuse me," Sora said, his voice cutting through the tension at the table. "But who are you? And why do you have a pig?"

The dark-haired woman blinked in surprise as if she hadn't expected to be addressed. "Oh, I'm Shizune," she said with a gentle smile. "I'm Lady Tsunade's apprentice. And this," she added, lifting the small pig in her arms, "is Tonton."

Sora's eyes lit up with curiosity. "A ninja pig?" he asked excitedly.

Shizune chuckled. "Not exactly. Tonton is more of a companion and occasional tracker."

"That's so cool!" Sora exclaimed. "Can I pet her?"

Before Shizune could respond, Tsunade cut in. "Enough about the pig," she said sharply. "We have more important matters to discuss."

Sora pouted but settled back in his seat, his eyes still fixed longingly on Tonton.

Tsunade turned her attention back to Jiraiya. "Even if I wanted to help, and I'm not saying I do, what makes you think I can? The injuries you're describing sound severe. Even my skills have limits."

Jiraiya's expression remained serious. "We both know that your limits far exceed those of any other medical ninja in the world, Tsunade. If anyone can help, it's you."

There was a moment of tense silence as Tsunade seemed to mull over Jiraiya's words. Then, unexpectedly, Naruto slammed his hands on the table, causing everyone to jump.

"I don't get it!" he shouted, his blue eyes blazing with determination. "How can you just sit here and refuse to help? People are suffering! The village needs you! And you're just going to turn your back on them?"

Tsunade's eyes flashed dangerously. "Watch your tone, brat. You have no idea what you're talking about."

But Naruto wasn't backing down. "I know exactly what I'm talking about! Being Hokage isn't just about being the strongest ninja in the village. It's about protecting people, about being there when they need you most. If you can't understand that, then maybe you don't deserve to be Hokage after all!"

The table fell silent, everyone staring at Naruto in shock. Even Sasuke looked surprised by the blonde's outburst.

Tsunade stood up slowly, her chair scraping against the floor. The air around her seemed to crackle with tension. "You've got a big mouth, kid," she said, her voice dangerously low. "Care to back up those words?"

Naruto stood as well, meeting Tsunade's glare with one of his own. "Anytime, anywhere, Granny!"

Jiraiya quickly intervened, standing between the two. "Now, now, let's not get hasty here. We're all on the same side, remember?"

But Tsunade wasn't backing down. "No, Jiraiya. If this brat thinks he can lecture me about being Hokage, let's see what he's got. Outside. Now."

With that, she stormed out of the inn, leaving a stunned silence in her wake. Naruto, after a moment of hesitation, followed her, his fists clenched at his sides.

Jiraiya sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "This is not how I planned this to go," he muttered.

Sora tugged on Jiraiya's sleeve. "Pervy Sage, is Naruto-nichan going to be okay? That lady looks really strong."

Jiraiya patted Sora's head reassuringly. "Don't worry, kid. Tsunade won't seriously hurt him. Probably."

***

Guys, Give me some Powerstones, We are falling in rankings like Choji who can't stop eating.