Konoha: The Honored One

Tsunade's white fists clenched, her knuckles cracking audibly as she walked toward Gojo with a deceptively serene smile. Each step was deliberate, her strength radiating with barely contained fury.

"Let's handle some family business first," she said, her voice sweet yet menacing.

Gojo lounged in his chair, a grin spreading across his face as he tilted his head in mock curiosity. "Oh? And in what capacity are you handling this 'family business'?"

Tsunade bit her lower lip, her honey-colored eyes narrowing. "As your foster mother, I have a duty to take care of you."

The memory of Gojo sneaking off to Oiran Street flashed through her mind, igniting her frustration. Last time, when Jiraiya had tried to corrupt him with one of his "research" trips, she'd disciplined Jiraiya so thoroughly he couldn't sit properly for a week. But Gojo? His ability made him untouchable. That grin only fueled her annoyance.

Gojo leaned back, nonchalantly resting his feet on the desk. "So, you're saying you're my mommy now? This is taking a turn. Should I start calling you Lady Mom-sade?"

Before she could retort, the door slammed open, making them both turn.

"Gojo-sensei!" Sakura burst into the room, her pink hair frazzled and her voice frantic. She grabbed Gojo's arm. "You need to stop Naruto and Sasuke! They're going all out to prove who's stronger, and it's going to get ugly!"

Gojo let out a theatrical sigh, rubbing his temples as if the weight of the world rested on his silver-haired head. "Kids these days, always picking fights. Can't I have one peaceful day to tease Tsunade?"

"Gojo!" Tsunade barked, her irritation reaching new heights.

Grinning mischievously, Gojo turned to her. "Alright, Tsuna, I'll settle this, but don't think you're off the hook for tonight's family meeting." His tone was mocking, but his eyes gleamed with amusement.

"Who wants to go home with you?!" Tsunade snapped, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Before she could launch another tirade, Gojo grabbed Sakura, and in a flash of cursed energy, the two vanished.

Tsunade stood there, fuming. "That damn brat…"

Shizune, peeking around the corner with a clipboard, sighed heavily. "Lady Tsunade, you haven't even started today's paperwork."

Tsunade stretched lazily, her back cracking. "Work-life balance, Shizune. Ever heard of it? Come on, let's go grab a drink."

"Master Tsunade, you can't just—"

"Shizune," Tsunade said, cutting her off, "we live in a world of constant chaos. You think one skipped day of paperwork is going to end civilization? Now, let's go."

Shizune groaned as she followed the Hokage out, muttering about the doomed future of the village.

On a Rooftop Nearby

Naruto stood across from Sasuke, his expression unusually serious. "Sasuke, I'm telling you one last time—apologize to Sakura right now!"

Sasuke scoffed, his hands stuffed in his pockets. "Why should I? She's annoying, and you're even worse for sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."

"She's our teammate!" Naruto roared, his fists clenching. "She cares about you, but all you do is push her away!"

"You think you can lecture me, you loser?" Sasuke's crimson eyes activated, the Sharingan spinning menacingly. "If you want me to apologize, then beat me. If you can."

Before Naruto could charge, Gojo appeared out of nowhere, casually holding Sakura under one arm like a sack of potatoes.

"Alright, alright," Gojo said, cutting through the tension. "What's going on here? Sasuke, you really think you're the strongest in the group? Bold of you to say that with your hair looking like a rooster's tail."

"Gojo-sensei!" Naruto exclaimed, his anger momentarily forgotten.

Sasuke glared at him, the Sharingan blazing. "I respect you, but I won't back down. Today, I'll show everyone who's the strongest!"

Gojo smirked, patting Sasuke's head like he was a toddler. "Oh, Sasuke. You're adorable when you're delusional."

Sasuke swatted his hand away.

Naruto, meanwhile, puffed out his chest. "Sensei, declare me the winner now! Sasuke's all talk anyway!"

Gojo raised a hand, silencing them both. "Alright, here's the deal: fight it out. I'll referee. No rules, no whining. Just fists and ninjutsu. First one unconscious loses."

"WHAT?!" Sakura yelled, finally wriggling free. "You can't let them beat each other up like this!"

Gojo waved her off. "Relax, Sakura. Conflict builds character. Besides, they're boys. Let 'em vent their testosterone before they implode."

She groaned in frustration, but the two rivals were already squaring off.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto shouted, summoning a dozen clones that charged Sasuke from all sides.

Sasuke's lips curled into a smirk. "Predictable."

With a quick series of hand signs, he unleashed Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu, spewing small fireballs that curved mid-air, hitting every clone in rapid succession. Smoke filled the rooftop as Naruto's army evaporated.

"You'll have to do better than that," Sasuke taunted, his Sharingan glowing with intensity.

Suddenly, cracks spread across the ground. From the shattered earth emerged Naruto, his hand glowing with the spiraling energy of a Rasengan!