It was the following day, and Goku woke up with shortness of breath. Also, his abdomen was in pain. And Goku opened his eyes and saw nothing but darkness. Goku struggled to move, but the more he pushed, the stronger the pain he felt around his abdomen. Goku quickly came up with an idea, and he focused some of his chakra onto his arms and, in a swift move, was able to release himself from whatever had him pinned down. That sudden movement caused him to fall out of bed, confused and making a loud noise, waking up both Shizune and Tsunade.
Goku: I can breathe again.
Shizune: What's going on? What happened?
Goku: What happened is that Mom almost suffocated me with her chest. I swear that was close. I almost didn't make it.
Goku begins to take deep breaths when he suddenly realizes something.
Goku: Wait, wasn't I sleeping on the sofa, so why was I in Mom's bed?
Tsunade sat up and stretched before answering Goku.
Tsunade: When I awoke in the middle of the night to get some water, I noticed you were sleeping on the sofa. Because you appear cold, I carried you up and moved you onto my bed so you may bask in the warmth of my motherly love. Come on, Goku, and get some rest. Getting up at this hour is not a good idea.
Upon checking the clock that was on top of the nightstand, Goku noticed that it was going to be six o'clock in the morning. After getting up from the ground, Goku made his way to the window and opened it.
Goku: Sorry, Mom, but I need to get back on my training. I can't let Naruto show me off.
Tsunade: Is Jiraiya also teaching you the Rasengan too.
Goku: No, he wanted to, but I rejected his offer. The Rasengan, that's Naruto's thing. As for me, I'm working on a couple of different jutsus. I have just discovered how to recreate one of my father's main jutsu from his clan scrolls.
Goku jumps out of the open window and heads to an undisclosed location to train.
Tsunade: I wonder what jutsu he is talking about.
Shizune: I think it has to be of that old scroll he always carries with him.
Tsunade: Maybe so. Plus, I wonder how long it will take for Goku to realize he is still wearing his sleeping pajamas.
Shizune: Knowing Goku, he's probably on his way back.
Immediately after Shizune had finished speaking, Goku made his way back inside the hotel room by way of the window.
Goku: Hehehehe, I forgot to change out of my sleeping clothes.
After reaching inside his backpack, Goku pulls out one of his training outfits and goes to the bathroom to change. After several minutes have passed, Goku walks out of the bathroom wearing a blue gi with a white knot-style obi, blue wristbands, yellow pants, black shoes with white leg wraps, and his ninja headband wrapped tightly around his right arm.
Goku: I'll see you later tonight for dinner.
Goku jumps out of the hotel room window once more and heads out to do his training.
Tsunade: could it kill him to use the door like a regular person for once?
Shizune: I wonder what jutsu he is working on. Maybe I should spy on him later today.
Tsunade: Let him be. He'll show us when he's ready. Plus, trying to spy on that kid is almost impossible for us. He would pick out our presence right away. I suggested that you get additional rest, Shizune before we go back out to the poor areas of the city. I want to be of help to as many people as I can because we only have a few days left here after this.
Shizune: Yes lady Tsunade.
It has been about a week since Goku, Jiraiya, and Naruto landed at Tanzaku Quarters, intending to locate Tsunade and persuade her to return to the Leaf Village and take over as the next Hokage. Both Goku and Naruto concentrated their attention on their training separately from one another during the following five days. During this period, Jiraiya is making an effort to conduct additional research for the book that he is working on. Both Tsunade and Shizune devoted their time to assisting those who were afflicted with illness or injury and who resided in the slums of the city.
Jiraiya and Goku notice a change in Tsunade's personality each day that passes. She looked worried and stressed about something. Goku tried to speak to his mother to see what was going on, but Tsunade would just say that she was okay and that nothing was wrong with her.
When Goku was making his way back into the town after a full day of training, the only thing going through his mind was having a hot bath to relax and eating several delicious meals. Before Goku makes his way to his hotel room, Goku decides to stroll around the streets. It is at a food stall that he notices both Jiraiya and his mother. Intending to surprise them, Goku moves closer to the stand; however, he stops when he hears them talking.
At the food stand, Jiraiya is sitting next to Tsunade, and he tries to make an effort to steal a glimpse at Tsunade's chest cavity, but he abruptly stops himself once he notices the necklace that she is wearing.
Jiraiya: I was under the impression that you would have already placed a bet on that necklace by this point.
Tsunade: It has been a long time since I considered selling this necklace, but I was unable to really do it. I even entertained the idea of placing a wager with Naruto, stating that if he were to perfect the Rasengan technique within a week, he would be able to have it. In exchange, if he failed to do so, I would be entitled to all of his money.
Jiraiya: What stops you?
Tsunade: It's Goku. I do not doubt that he would be upset with me. The only person I can't let get upset at me is him. He's the only one. If he ever feels disappointed in me, it will be my end. I don't care about the opinions of others about me, but Goku is the person I care what he thinks about me.
Jiraiya: Even after giving birth to Goku, I find it hard to comprehend that you have changed so much.
A shot of sake got gobbled up by Tsunade, who remained silent as she sat there.
Tsunade: Jiraiya, I find it hard to believe that you came here and requested Shizune to leave us alone so that we could speak regarding Goku and precisely how much I have changed as a result of him. Therefore, you should just come up with it and state what it is that you genuinely want to talk about.
Jiraiya took a deep breath and ordered some food and drinks.
Jiraiya: I can tell by looking at Shizune's face that Orochimaru was here and that you spoke with him. Tell me, what did he promise you in return for healing his arms? Let me tell you one thing, Tsunade: if you try to do something to betray the Hidden Leaf Village, and when that happens, I'll kill you myself.
The sudden sensation of sharp metal around Jiraiya's throat and the back of his neck caused him to stop talking before he could continue. The clone of Goku, who stood on the opposite side of Jiraiya, held a kunai knife at Jiraiya's neck. Meanwhile, Goku appeared between Jiraiya and his mother, holding a sword toward Jiraiya's throat.
Goku: I'll just say this once, Jiraiya. Be careful with your following words if you don't want to die here bleeding out like an animal. I won't let anyone hurt the people I love. I will kill them, even the ones I see as a family.
Tsunade attempted to attract Goku's attention by placing one of her hands on his shoulder but was unsuccessful. As soon as she realized that she was not getting his attention, Tsunade increased the amount of pressure she was applying to her hand until Goku reacted in discomfort and turned to look at his mother. A smile was given to Goku by Tsunade, and she placed her forehead on his before she began to speak
Tsunade: Thank you, Goku, but I need you to leave and let me finish my conversation with Jiraiya.
Goku was going to refuse to leave, but Tsunade placed a finger on his lips, preventing him from talking.
Tsunade: Please, Goku, return to the hotel room; we'll talk there.
Putting his sword back into a scroll, Goku made his clone vanish as he started to walk away from the current situation.
When Goku emerged from the bathroom after taking a bath, it had been more than an hour since he had arrived at the hotel room. It was at that precise moment that the door to the room next door opened, and Tsunade entered. Both Goku and Tsunade continued to look at each other for a brief moment before Goku made the decision to speak.
Goku: Mom, what exactly is going on here? For what reason did Jiraiya attempt to threaten you? Say that he will kill you if he has to. On top of that, I beg you not to tell me that you are fine, given that you don't appear to be okay.
Tsunade took a deep breath and walked over to wherever Goku was standing.
Tsunade: I had a meeting with Orochimaru before you guys arrived, and he proceeded to tell me about the attack that he carried out on the Leaf Village, which resulted in the death of our sensei. However, in the final moments before Sensei passed away, he removed his arms and the ability to perform jutsu techniques. Orochimaru has made a request for me to heal his hands, and in exchange, he is going to bring two people back to life from my past.
During his time of reflection, Goku remained silent and closed his eyes. While Tsunade waited to find out what Goku was going to say, she began to feel a little anxious. Goku inhaled profoundly and then opened his eyes in order so he could gaze at his mother. He then smiled at her.
Goku: I am assuming that Orochimaru was trying to say that he was going to bring back my uncle Nawaki as well as your first love, Dan Katō.
Tsunade was taken aback by the fact that Goku was aware of the person that Orochimaru intended to bring back to life. That was especially true considering that Goku was mindful of Dan, as she had never mentioned Dan in the presence of Goku.
Tsunade: How do you know that name, Dan?
Goku: Oh, I forgot, this happened many years ago. Perhaps I was six or seven years old at the time. After a long day of work, you went out to spend the evening drinking. You came back wasted and stated that today was a depressing day. I wanted to see if I could cheer you up, so I went to your room. It was then that I heard you call out the name of my uncle, my father, and most importantly, Dan. Finding out who Dan was was an investigation that took many years up until the point where Ero-Sannin finally revealed what took place during the course of the Second Great Ninja War.
During this time, Tsunade was silently cursing herself. Even though she wanted to be angry at Jiraiya for telling Goku who Dan was. She knew that she should be angry at herself for allowing her old habits to control her to the extent that she had been drunk around Goku.
Goku: Having said that, Mom, what choice have you made? Should we pursue Orochimaru, or are you going to accept the deal that he has offered? I will be there for you and provide support no matter what choice you make. I will not abandon you.
When Tsunade heard Goku speak, she immediately began to cry. Her eyes began to well up with tears. She drew him into her arms so that she could hug him.
Tsunade: It's always been your dream to follow the steps of the first and second Hokages and surpass them. I know you will achieve those goals. I will not be taking Orochimaru's offer to heal his hands, and in return, he'll be bringing back Dan and Nawaki.
Goku: Alright then, so that means that we are going to go after him.
Tsunade: No, you're wrong, Goku. I'll be going after him, and you'll be here.
Goku tried to attempt to speak to his mother and convince her to help her take down Orochimaru. Tsunade struck Goku in the stomach, causing him to lose his strength and allow him to fall to the ground, where he eventually became unconscious.
Tsunade: I ask that you forgive me, Goku, but I will allow you to confront Orochimaru after all. I am aware of the amount of effort that you have put in over the past few days. When you were around me, you relaxed your guard, a sign that your chakra reserves had been depleted. Because of that, everything became much easier to handle, making it more difficult to make you unconscious. The last thing is to cause you any pain. But on the other hand, I have no choice but to carry out my duties because, knowing you, you would attempt to persuade me to bring you along with me. I can't have you to sacrifice yourself for me.
After picking up Goku from the ground, Tsunade laid him on her bed and kissed him on the forehead. At the same time, the door to the hotel room opened, revealing Shizune carrying Naruto on her back while he was unconscious.
Goku opened his eyes to discover he was in a village, but the village had no sign of any inhabitants. Goku quickly stands up and appears to be a little confused. Almost immediately, Goku recognized the location. He had returned to the village of Sadala, which once had been the ancestral home of the Saiyan Clan in the past. As Goku continues to walk, he eventually arrives at a large house that is the largest in the village. Just as he is making his decision to enter, he hears a voice that he recognizes calling out to him.
Bardock: It's good to see you again, son.