NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Done but not finished
Done but not finished
Tsunade's breath hitched as she felt the intensity of Naruto's thrust, every nerve in her body alive with an energy that danced just on the edge of control. The familiar warmth of her Transformation Jutsu wrapped around her, maintaining the façade of youth, but even that was beginning to wane. Just as she teetered on the brink of ecstasy, a sharp knock at the door shattered the fragile atmosphere.
"Nnnn... Shizune!" Tsunade muttered, frustration threading through her voice, a stark contrast to the lingering pleasure in her body. The suddenness of the interruption pulled her back to reality, leaving her bewildered in the silence that followed.
Naruto, suddenly stopped, let off a growl of frustration, and vanished into thin air, Tsunade stared at the empty space where he had been, her mind still struggling to process the out-of-world experience.
With a deep sigh, Tsunade slowly got out of bed, her body still tinged with aftershocks of what had almost been. She wrapped herself in a robe, trying to compose herself as she made her way to the door. Her Transformation Jutsu was barely holding on, her usual confident stride now a drained and sluggish walk.
As she reached the door, she called out, "Shizune, what is it?" Her voice was husky, still laced with the remnants of unbelievable pleasure.
The knocking stopped, and a soft voice replied, "Tsunade-sama, I'm so sorry to interrupt, but we have just received an urgent message from the Kazekage that requires your immediate attention."
Tsunade's expression turned from annoyance to concern. She opened the door to find Shizune standing outside, looking worried and apologetic.
"Where is it, Shizune?" Tsunade asked, trying to push aside her frustration and focus on the matter at hand. Shizune presented Tsunade with the scroll bearing an urgent message from Gaara, the Kazekage of the Hidden Sand. Her hands trembled slightly, the gravity of the moment palpable in the air. Tsunade could sense the tension radiating from her assistant, and it intensified her focus.
With a swift motion, Tsunade unsealed the scroll, the ancient parchment unfurling with a distinct rustle. As she read, her expression hardened, absorbing each word that detailed an escalating threat from rogue shinobi spotted near the borders of the Land of Wind—a menace that posed a significant danger to both villages.
"Damn it," Tsunade muttered under her breath, her mind racing. "If they're targeting the Sand, we could be next. We can't afford to ignore this."
Shizune observed her mentor closely, noting the shift in Tsunade's demeanor. The confidence that usually characterized her was now intertwined with the steely resolve of a Hokage ready to defend her village. "What are your orders, Tsunade-sama?" she asked, her voice steady despite the urgency of the situation.
Taking a deep breath, Tsunade pushed aside her earlier distractions, feeling the weight of her responsibilities settle firmly on her shoulders. "Gather the elite Jonin. We need to formulate an immediate response. Send a message to Gaara confirming our support and readiness to assist. I also want a team dispatched to investigate the borders and gather intelligence on these rogue shinobi."
Shizune nodded, her expression shifting to one of determination. "Understood, Tsunade-sama!" She turned to leave but paused, glancing back. "And… what about the villagers? Should we alert them?"
Tsunade's gaze firmed. "Yes, but we must maintain composure. Panic will only worsen the situation. Everyone needs to stay focused and prepared for anything," she replied, her mind already devising plans for defense and strategy.
As Shizune hurried off to rally the Jonin, Tsunade felt adrenaline surging through her veins, sharpening her senses. She had faced countless challenges before, but this time felt different; the stakes were higher, and uncertainty loomed like a dark cloud.
With a final glance at the scroll, Tsunade steeled herself. The Hidden Leaf had endured far too much already; she would not let it succumb to chaos. As she prepared to meet her team, she couldn't shake the lingering thoughts of her earlier encounter with Naruto. A sly smile crept onto her lips as an idea formed. Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to send him on a mission to complete that book Jiraiya had tasked him with. With Naruto out there, he could tackle this threat head-on, two birds with one stone.
"Shizune wait! Summon Naruto immediately!" she commanded, her voice resolute, ready to set her plan into motion. "While you do that, cancel the meeting with the Jonin. Naruto will take charge of this mission and form a team of his choice to do so; he'll be more than enough for this threat," Tsunade asserted confidently.
"Tsunade-sama, are you sure we should be sending our strongest resource on such a mission, especially knowing we aren't completely sure where Sasuke's loyalty lies? If he decides to turn on the village again, Naruto won't be here to stop him," Shizune remarked, her concern evident.
"You worry too much, Shizune. We'll be fine," Tsunade replied dismissively.
"Tsunade-sama, if I may interject," came a voice from the doorway. It was Kakashi, who had been listening in on the conversation, his expression thoughtful. "While I respect your judgment, I share Shizune's concerns. At this point, Naruto is the only one who can match Sasuke's strength. Sending Naruto out and leaving Sasuke here might not be the best choice for the village."
Tsunade turned to face Kakashi, her resolve unshaken. "I appreciate your input, Kakashi, but Sasuke has always been stubborn. He makes his own decisions, and he has decided to protect his village. I believe he will do just that. Plus, if Naruto chooses him to be part of his team, that's entirely up to Naruto."
Kakashi crossed his arms, contemplating her words. "I understand your faith in both of them, but the unpredictability of Sasuke's actions is a risk we shouldn't overlook. If he feels cornered or threatened, there's no telling what he might do."
"Exactly," Shizune added, her worry intensifying. "We need to ensure that our strongest resources are both present and accounted for. If we lose control of either Naruto or Sasuke…"
"I'm aware of the risks," Tsunade interrupted her voice firm. "But this is also about trust, trust in Naruto's ability to lead and trust that Sasuke will remain loyal to his friends and his village. We cannot shelter them forever. They must confront their pasts and their choices."
Kakashi nodded slowly, recognizing the weight of Tsunade's words but still feeling uneasy. "If that's how you see it, then I'll support the decision. Just ensure Naruto understands the importance of keeping Sasuke in check, should the need arise."
"Of course," Tsunade responded, her confidence returning. "Now, let's not waste any more time. Shizune, go summon Naruto immediately. We need to act fast."
As Shizune rushed to carry out her orders, Tsunade took a moment to collect her thoughts. She knew the stakes were high, but she also believed in the bonds formed through shared experiences. With Naruto leading the charge, she felt a flicker of hope that they would emerge stronger from this challenge, no matter what lay ahead.