Jiraiya spent the next few days bringing Tsunade up to date. Both Sannin also observed the girls' training with admiration. After one of those training sessions, Shizune approached the two teens.
"Naruko-san, Hinata-san, may I speak with you for a moment?"
"Of course," Hinata replied politely. "But please refer to us as N and H. It helps keep our identities as anonymous as possible—and we only allow our real names to be used by those we consider loved ones."
Naruko stretched and yawned, giving a small nod of agreement.
"Please, N-san… I understand that you're upset with Tsunade, but she's not truly a bad person. She's just… in a very dark place right now," said Shizune gently.
"We know," Naruko said with a sigh. "We understand. I don't hate her for not being there when I needed someone. I know others probably took advantage of her lowest moments to manipulate her. But her attitude yesterday… really pushed me over the edge."
"We hope that returning to Konoha and working as a medic will help her begin to heal," added Hinata. "Both with her grief—and her fear issues."
"How do you know about that?" Shizune asked, surprised.
"Didn't both of you treat a member of A-sama's team some years ago?" Hinata replied calmly. "Please don't feel pressured to speak on your master's behalf. And reassure her—we don't hate her. But N-chan can't just accept her into her family overnight. Not after everything that's happened to us."
Two days later, Tsunade invited them to dinner in an effort to connect. Even if she wasn't yet sure about returning to Konoha, she still wanted to form some kind of bond with her long-lost relatives. During the meal, Naruko told her about her life as a Kumo kunoichi and about the failed invasion led by Orochimaru.
That night, Hinata went to the female Sannin's room.
"Tsunade-sama, it's me—H Uzumaki. Please open up," said the polite young kunoichi.
Tsunade, mostly out of curiosity, let her in.
"What are you doing here, H-chan? At this hour of the night?"
"I came now because it's the only time we can avoid Jiraiya-sama," Hinata said calmly. "Let me get straight to the point. We—N-chan and I—know you've been in contact with the Snake. N-chan smelled his foul chakra all over you. We also know that his right-hand man, Kabuto Yakushi, is keeping tabs on you."
She paused, her voice lowering into a colder tone.
"Listen to me carefully. He will deceive you. No matter what he offers, it will be a rigged deal. And more importantly—if you hurt N-chan, I assure you, you will die. You know full well what my mother-in-law is capable of, and I'll guide her with my own eyes."
Her tone remained disturbingly neutral throughout, but her words left no room for misinterpretation.
As she reached the door, Hinata turned back and added:
"You should know better than to listen to someone who desecrated your ancestors—reviving them as slave zombies to send against the very village they built. Just so you know."
Tsunade stood frozen as the dark-haired girl left. She knew the threat was not a bluff. It was a warning. And she wondered just how formidable those two girls truly were, especially under the Kyūbi's guidance.
Orochimaru was a bastard—she'd never doubted that. But she hadn't imagined he would stoop so low as to desecrate the remains of the village's founders, to twist her own family's resting place into a weapon against their legacy. All in the name of his petty vengeance against the so-called betrayal of their sensei.
She missed Dan. She missed Nawaki. They had left her far too soon. But at what cost would she see them again? The lives of others? No… they wouldn't be her Dan and Nawaki. They would be shackles. Chains. Tools for Orochimaru to manipulate her.
No, the girls were right. It was time to stop wallowing in grief and start doing what she was supposed to do. She owed that much—to her ancestors, to Naruko… and to the people she loved.
But if she was going to confront her ex-teammate, she needed to get rid of Jiraiya first—or else he'd spring whatever trap she prepared before Orochimaru could even slither into it.
That Sunday, Jiraiya dragged himself to Naruko and Hinata's room. He had been drinking with Tsunade the night before and had warned her about betraying the Leaf by aiding their former teammate. She had drugged him—that much was certain. He arrived just seconds after Shizune.
"Tsunade, that… that… ARGH!" He sputtered, unable to form the insult. "She drugged me! She's gone to Orochimaru!"
"We know, Jiraiya-sama," Hinata replied calmly. "But we suspect she's not betraying us. She may be trying to set a trap for him. That's likely why she left Shizune behind."
"Please, Jiraiya-sama, you have to help her!" Shizune pleaded. "Let me see if I can do something about the drug, and then we'll go—please!"
The Toad Sannin nodded, and after a brief pause, he and Shizune left. The Kumo girls told them they would follow a bit later.
Meanwhile, Tsunade arrived at the meeting point. Orochimaru greeted her and presented detailed documents outlining his condition.
"Sarutobi-sensei really did a number on you, didn't he?" Tsunade said as she studied the medical reports Kabuto had provided. "Impressive. He managed to destroy your nervous system, erase your chakra pathways, and render your flesh nearly useless. If it weren't for your medics, your arms would have rotted, and no treatment could've helped."
"Yessss… Kabuto is quite the accompliced medic," Orochimaru hissed. "So… are you going to heal me or not? And remember… as payment, I'll need two sssacrificesss, which you must provide."
"I can treat your arms—given enough time. If he follows my instructions, your boy may even be able to regrow your chakra pathways and nervous system. But I don't know how to undo the seal, nor how to repair the damage to your mind," Tsunade said with a sigh. "Still… a deal is a deal."
She performed a few quick hand seals, and her hands began glowing green. But just before she touched her former teammate, Kabuto lunged at her with a kunai.
Orochimaru turned, about to ask what his subordinate was doing, but Kabuto explained swiftly: "She's not performing a medical jutsu."
"Why, Tsunade? Why betray me?" Orochimaru growled. "Don't you want to see your lover and brother again? Didn't I promisssse to ressurrect Dan and Nawaki for you?"
"I'll see them again when my time comes. But until then, I have a duty to the living. I'll kill you, Orochimaru—for your crimes against my clan and my people!"
Orochimaru chuckled and bit into his own hands, making them bleed. He smeared Tsunade with his blood as he flung his arms, causing her to tremble.
"Oh, poor Tsunade-hime. The best medic in the world. The strongest kunoichi alive—yet still so afraid of blood. Ku ku ku ku… You really are pathetic. No wonder you lost your loved ones. But don't worry. You'll be coming with us. I'll treat you well… while you decide to heal me. Ku ku ku ku…"
"The hell she will! Not while I'm here!" roared Jiraiya as he landed between the two former teammates, Shizune arriving moments later.
"Bah, Jiraiya," Orochimaru sneered. "Of all the stubborn nuisancesss, you're the worst. But what can you do when you can barely stand? Ku ku ku ku… The Great Jiraiya, drugged by this pathetic woman. You're not even a challenge now."
"Neither are you—without your arms," Jiraiya shot back.
Enraged, Orochimaru extended his neck, aiming to bite him. But Jiraiya quickly protected himself with his Ninja Art: Lion's Mane Needle Shield. Orochimaru evaded it and kicked him several meters away.
"Kabuto! Kill Tsunade's assistant!"
Though drugged and staggering, Jiraiya managed to engage the armless Orochimaru. Meanwhile, Shizune found herself facing Kabuto. Both were medical-nin with battlefield experience, but Kabuto had a clear edge.
Tsunade watched helplessly as Kabuto slowly overwhelmed her disciple.
Move! Move, damn it! I need to move! I can't let a little blood stop me! I am Tsunade Senju! she screamed internally.
"Come on, Tsunade! Shizune needs my help! Come on!" she pleaded to her frozen limbs. But her body remained locked in fear.
Kabuto, now smug, had trapped Shizune in ninja wire and was gloating about how pathetic both master and apprentice were. Just as he went in for the kill, a blur passed by him—he barely managed to leap back before the ground exploded under Tsunade's heel.
Orochimaru was having a terrible day. First, Tsunade didn't cooperate. Then Jiraiya, even while drugged, was proving to be a serious obstacle. And now—of all times—Tsunade had overcome her hemophobia. It was a terrible day indeed.
"Kabuto! Come here! We need Manda—now!" Orochimaru barked, retreating. With Kabuto's help, he summoned the great serpent boss, Manda.
Tsunade and Jiraiya responded immediately—summoning their own legendary partners.
"Orochimaru! Why did you summon me? And why is that irritating toad here?"
"Manda-sama, please help us in this fight. We'll offer you plenty of sacrifices later," promised Kabuto.
"Orochimaru! Who is this insect? What is happening here?" asked the massive snake, annoyed.
"Manda, this is my underling. We're in a bit of a struggle, but he's right. Help us, and you'll get all the sacrifices you want."
"So we're finally dealing with the traitor? Good. By the way, I want a new snakeskin wallet for my wife. Let's get to work... Ero-sensei," taunted Gamabunta.
Jiraiya threw a bit of a temper tantrum to his summon's amusement. Yep, those girls definitely had a gift for jokes.
"Katsuyu-sama, please help us manage this. Can you assist Jiraiya? I might have... drugged him a little," said Tsunade.
"On it, Tsunade-chan," replied the enormous slug as a small portion split off and formed a miniature clone. The clone jumped to Jiraiya's shoulder.
"Let's do this, Bunta! Give me oil! Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!" Gamabunta sprayed a large stream of oil, which Jiraiya ignited with a Fire Release: Flame Bullet, transforming the technique into a massive wave of flaming oil that lingered across the battlefield.
Manda burrowed underground to avoid the fire and reappeared beneath Katsuyu, coiling around her. Biting was ineffective, so he lunged at the humans on top. But Katsuyu countered with corrosive acid, forcing Manda to recoil. The slug then split into hundreds of mini-clones, carrying Tsunade and Shizune to safety.
Gamabunta descended, sword in hand, aiming for the coiled snake. But Manda whipped him aside with his tail, forcing him to retreat and leaving his short sword embedded in the earth. As Manda lunged again, Bunta caught his jaws, holding them open.
Tsunade kicked Bunta's sword into the air and caught it, aiming to decapitate the snake. Orochimaru, vomiting and extending the Kusanagi blade, forced Tsunade to evade at the last moment, making her miss.
Amidst the chaos, no one noticed Kabuto sneaking away.
Then, Kabuto emerged from underground behind Shizune and held a chakra scalpel to her throat.
"Surrender, Tsunade-sama, or lose someone precious again."
Tsunade clenched her fists as Orochimaru cackled.
"It's inevitable. It's your destiny to help me fulfill my dreams, Tsunade. You know how persistent I am. Help me get rid of our esteemed ex-teammate. Think of all the women you'd be helping—ku ku ku ku."
"Tsunade…" said Jiraiya, concerned.
"Don't do it, Tsunade-sama! They'll never let me go, and you know it!" Shizune screamed, struggling in Kabuto's grip.
"No? Then you'll help me one way or another. Kabuto, kill her."
"Yeah… I don't think so," said a new voice.
Suddenly, dozens of blue braid-like tendrils and two massive, arm-like blonde hair extensions burst from the hole Kabuto had used, followed by Naruko and Hinata. Hinata's braids wrapped around Kabuto, restraining him, while Naruko's extended pigtails shielded Shizune.
Kabuto tried to cut himself free with a chakra scalpel, but had to retreat, failing to injure Shizune.
"Yo, Ero-sensei! This Ninja Art: Lion Mane technique is pretty awesome. Sorry we're late," Naruko said, scratching the back of her head.
"Well, well, if it isn't the blonde menace who ruined my plans and the blue-haired whore who let the Eight-Tails crash my private meeting with Sarutobi-sensei." Orochimaru sneered. "I'm sure the Akatsuki will forgive me if I deliver their lost Jinchūriki. But before that, I plan to experiment on both of you for the pain you've caused me!"
"Kabuto, enough playtime. Since Jiraiya is still drugged, let's see how many of my summons he can handle. And oh, how I will enjoy dissecting an Uzumaki Jinchūriki. I bet an unsealed Hyūga will fetch a high price on the black markets."
Everyone cringed—everyone except Naruko.
"Hey, you snake-faced manwhore pedophile!" Naruko shouted.
Orochimaru blinked.
"Yes, you! Don't look so shocked, you child-molesting freak. I'm talking to you! I've had the week from hell, so do yourself a favor and disappear... Right. The. Fuck. Now!"
"Oh, poor poor Naruko-chan…"
"What happened to the little Jinchūriki? Did you break a nail? Did someone steal your breakfast?" Orochimaru mocked while summoning more snakes.
Hinata picked up Shizune as Naruko cracked her knuckles.
"Now you've done it. I'm going to kill all of you! And you're lucky, because just a few days ago, we ran into Fish-Face and Emo Big Brother the Kinslayer. They identified me, so Akatsuki knows I'm alive. Which puts me back in the game—both as a target and as a player!"
"Then we found Tsunade drowning in debt and booze. And to top it all off—I'm having my TJNMs today!"
Her transformation dropped mid-rant.
"Wait... What are TJNMs?" Orochimaru asked flatly.
"MY. TEENAGE. JINCHŪRIKI. NINJA. MONTHLIES, YOU MORON!" Naruko roared.
"My boobs hurt! I'm bleeding like a waterfall! I've got cramps in places I didn't know existed! AND YOU DECIDE TO PISS ME OFF TODAY!"
"Well, this is fan-fucking-tastic," the fox-girl growled. "I don't have to hide anymore, and you gave me the perfect excuse to cut loose. Hinata, jump on my back!"
Her smile turned feral as she dropped to all fours. "If you survive this, you better buy lube, 'cause I'm bending you over before I kill you!"
With a maelstrom of red and orange chakra, Naruko transformed, forming a dome of raw energy that rapidly expanded. In seconds, a massive Nine-Tailed Fox emerged and landed among the summoned snakes, crushing them beneath her.
"How does it feel?" boomed Naruko's voice.
"How does it feel not being on top of the food chain?"
As she tore through the snakes, Naruko growled:
"Mom, can you control the tails? I'm still clumsy past three."
"Of course, Naruko-chan. It's adorable watching you trip over them, you know?"
"MOM!"
"Hush. Focus on the fight."
The snakes tried to escape or attack, but were crushed or wrapped by the multiple tails. Kurama crushed them, preventing their unsummoning. Naruko bit off one final serpent's head before turning to Manda and his riders.
"You should have run when you had the chance, Pedochimaru!"
"Naruko-chan, Oka-sama, they're the originals. No clones or disguises," reported Hinata.
"Hold tight, daughter. Naruko and I are going in!"
Manda was still trying to process the deaths of his summons. When the vixen lunged, Manda shouted:
"Orochimaru! This wasn't part of the deal! I'm not fighting a Bijū for you!"
"Damn it! Hold still, you overgrown worm!" Naruko yelled.
Kurama drove three tails into the ground, trying to impale the snake. Manda barely escaped and vanished in a puff of smoke. Kabuto and Orochimaru used Earth Release: Dig Like a Mole to escape underground, with Naruko relentlessly pursuing them.
"Enough, little ones," Kurama said. "They're no longer a threat. The damage and effort aren't worth the chase."
As the fox turned to withdraw, Gamabunta raised his sword cautiously. Jiraiya visibly trembled.
"Come on, Gamaboss! That's no way to treat your underling. I thought you liked me!" Naruko whimpered.
"Oh H-chan, hold me! My heart hurts!"
"N-chan, you're too big to be held right now," Hinata teased.
"Drama! Sadness! Abandonment!" Naruko cried dramatically, ears drooping.
"Time to return to normal, N-chan. Ero-sensei looks like he's about to have a stroke."
"But it hurts less like this!"
"You can't eat lunch at that size."
"Okay, okay, I'm changing back. Brace for landing."
Naruko shrank, reverting to her humanoid form. Everyone stared in awe—except for Shizune, eyes clenched shut, clinging to Hinata.
"Ow ow ow… my ouchies. Shizune-neechan, you can open your eyes now. It's over."
Shizune opened her eyes, blinked, looked at Naruko, and shouted:
"YOU!" She grabbed the blonde by the neck and shook her. "Don't ever scare me like that again!"