Hotspring Stop

On the way back to Konoha, naturally they stop at a few towns along the way.

"Tsuyu! I am out of chips! Exchange for more quick quick!".

"Ah… yes… Tsunade-sama…", she gave a fake smile, her eyelid twitched as she exchanged the chips with her own cash.

Shizuned whispered to Tsuyu.

"You really should refuse…! Just tell her no...!".

"... I will say no if I really can't afford it…".

"How much money do you have… no it doesn't matter… you will make her too comfortable… trust me I went through this before...! She won't pay...!".

"Shizune! Stop disturbing this good child! I will win and pay you back next time I promise!".

No. I should play to cover my losses! Tsuyu made a decision.

"Ho? Joining finally?".

"Tsunade-sama, I may not gamble often but I believe in my skills".

"Skills? You are like me! Indeed, who says gambling is all about luck! Let's show them!".

"Yes Tsunade-sama. I prefer we gamble on cards. We can win more based on calculations". For example, once a card is out of the playing field, and you know the cards others have already used, you can calculate what isn't possible anymore and how many odds the cards in your hand have considering what cards are still in the playing field.

"Yosh! Lets see who wins more!".

10 rounds of gambling later…

Shizune looks at those two, standing on the balcony staring blankly into the sky as if they had lost everything they had in their life and questioning their life choices.

***

Going into the hot spring, Tsuyu awkwardly enters the spring with Tsunade and Shizune. Oh and the pig too. 

Tsuyu looks at Tonton… boiled pork…

Tsunade sighed. Her skin was wrinkly after she used tons of her chakra a few days ago, now it's getting a little better.

"Tsuyu…".

"Yes, Tsunade-sama".

"... What kind of person are you exactly". Tsunade asked casually. She just thought she's a little enigma. Most of the time she seems normal really.

"I am not quite sure how to answer that… but if I have to describe myself, I am someone who chooses to do my best to achieve my goals, otherwise I wouldn't feel happy about it".

"Hm~... I can see that. You aren't just a little genius. You work hard too…". As a PhD holder in medicine in the ninja world, she could see from her body the signs and tear from hard training.

"... That aside… you really work with Danzo?". In Jiraiya's words when Tsuyu wasn't looking, he tells her it's a possibility and since she would be the Fifth Hokage she should know.

"... Yes, Tsunade-sama".

"Huh… you admit it". Tsunade is quite surprised.

"I understand the nature of Danzo's work. Even then, the late Lord 3rd approved of his methods. From my understanding, Danzo is doing everything for the good of Konoha. He may want to consolidate his power, but I see his end goal is always for the village".

"You know him well... He remains an advisor for so long for reasons…". Tsunade acknowledged it wasn't wrong what Tsuyu said. The fact is Hiruzen let Danzo run free and let him have his own power through Root. Otherwise Danzo would have been gone already.

Remember, during Hiruzen's tenure, Konoha had to face 2 major wars without using 9 tails, without Hashirama and Tobirama. The death of those two causes major power loss on the village, making the other hidden villages dare to make their moves. All the surrounding hidden villages had always wanted to make some move, taking lands from Land of Fire.

It gets desperate enough that even Hiruzen leads the project on Hashirama cells, and the senju clan volunteered because they are the most compatible theoretically. Konoha needed the power of 1st Hokage badly to maintain peace.

Danzo's questionable actions back in those hard days helped Konoha survive, turning enemies against each other, letting Konoha hide from the highlight, weakening the enemy little by little, instigate internal conflicts, prolonging the little rest time Konoha had to recuperate before the enemies set their sight on them again. 

Tsunade went closer to Tsuyu, her mountains pressed into her side. Tsuyu tried to move away, unfortunately Tsunade is too strong.

She checked out those cursed marks, quite impressed at its work. Orochimaru is truly a genius, his attainment in the human body may surpass her own understanding. 

"Quite interesting really… you really remind me of Orochimaru… he wasn't bad at all back in those days. Back then, I preferred him compared to that pervert honestly. You might be just like him…". Tsunade seemingly reminisced about the past, her eyes seemed a little complicated knowing Orochimaru is entirely dead. Being in the academy together, from genin, to fighting in wars… Orochimaru was truly their comrade. When did it go wrong…?

"And I hope you don't turn out as crazy…", Tsunade's voice was almost cold, her fingers on her shoulders were almost gripping, as if a threat more than an advice. 

"... I would not go against Konoha, Tsunade-sama. You can be rest assured". Tsuyu is not fazed by such words. She knew what she stands for.

"... I believe you wouldn't… but I hope you don't pick up anything from Danzo… he's not the best adult you can learn from. You are still too young, and that guy is quite shrewd. If you have any doubts; you can always find me. I will be the Fifth Hokage after all, and everyone, including you, are my responsibility".

Tsunade's meaning is clear for Tsuyu. That she is above Danzo and she wants Tsuyu to place herself above that guy.

"I understand. I will seek you if I have any doubts, Tsunade-sama".

"Good!", Tsunade smiled, relaxing once more. She wouldn't want Tsuyu, someone that Jiraiya claimed to be of Minato's caliber, to work under someone else. The fact that Tsuyu is unfazed by her pressure already tells her a lot.

"Tsunade-sama, I do wonder if you have any thoughts on taking an apprentice after returning to the village".

Tsunade looked at her suspiciously, then closed her eyes back to relax.

"Who knows~ The village has too many things to settle, doesn't it? Why? Interested in learning under me? Interested in the seal in my forehead? Don't tell me you want to learn all the jutsu in this world like it's your dream~ Hn?". Tsunade opened her eyes, looking at Tsuyu while cracking her fist. She's just joking about Orochimaru really. But half serious about her suspicion that Tsuyu wanted more power. 

It's good 99% of the time to want to be stronger but she's already powerful in Jiraiya's description to her before. A jinchuriki that could control 9 tails power, nintaijutsu with Raging Fist, good arsenal with various Earth Release techniques, multi-shadow clones technique, Rasengan and even Flying Raijin. Tsunade would suspect Tsuyu is really crazy for power.

"No no. One of Naruto's squad members is someone very talented and can be considered a genius in chakra control. I believe if you take her in, Konoha would produce another great medical ninja like you. Frankly, it's also because she needs a good mentor. Naruto is learning with Jiraiya. Sasuke Uchiha, is a genius that is able to grow with just a little guidance. His sharingan already makes him surpass most of his peers. As for her, she is left behind. It would be a favor for my brother and myself if you are willing to give her a chance, Tsunade-sama…".

"... You are quite honest… hm… since it's Naruto's friend, fine! I will see that girl you speak of! But no promise. If she's not up to my standard I won't take her. But this chance is still a favor… let's see. My debts are all settled! How about that?".

Tsuyu smiled slightly. "That's fine. A chance to learn under the legendary sannin is immeasurable in value".

"Hn! Good! Just how much money a 11 year old like you can have? You start working in ANBU for just over a year, no?".

"I have a small deal on making explosive tags with few workshops. And I own the rights to a few patents too". Of course, Tsuyu didn't mention about the cut and dividend she gained from the company established by ROOT to complete operation Devil's Trade which she contributed a lot of her money into. 

"Huh… I should have borrowed more before I agreed… damn it…", Tsunade mumbled, regretting her decision to agree quickly. She could have borrowed far more and had it settled instantly.

What happened to all of your Senju heritage… Tsuyu's eyelid twitched after hearing her mumbling. 

I wonder what those rascals are doing. It sounds noisy… She could hear some noises behind the high wooden wall blocking the other side.

Tsunade suddenly grabbed a piece of rock and tore it off the walls of the spring and hurled it 70 degrees up to the sky.

Whew~

***

"Ero-sennin! NO!!!", Naruto pounced on Jiraiya that's about to peek at Tsunade, climbing onto his head. He doesn't usually care that seriously, but his little sister is in there!

"YOU PERVERT! ERO-SENNIN!!!".

"Naruto! This is my chance! Years! It's been years! What the hell! Get off me!".

A huge stone suddenly fell right on Jiraiya's head. His head spinning, he saw Tsunade's figure going round and round above him as he fell face first into the water.

Blub blub blub… Bubbles blubbed on the water as Jiraiya's face sunken in.

"Ero-sennin!". Naruto tried to shake him and poke his side, wondering if he's dead.

***