Orochimaru leaped from the snake toward Naruto. Jiraiya tried to stop him, but was shoved aside. The effects of Tsunade's medicine hadn't worn off yet.
His sword, Kusanagi, slid from his mouth.
Naruto drew his sword just in time, spun around, and blocked Orochimaru's strike.
"Die. You're ruining my future plans," Orochimaru said as he started hacking at Naruto.
Orochimaru kicked him, sending him skidding across the ground toward Tsunade.
Naruto was still smiling:
"Don't worry, Grandma. I'll kill this guy, then take you back to Konoha. Just wait patiently."
Seeing the blond's smile, Tsunade gasped inwardly:
*He looks just like Nawaki...*
Orochimaru swung his sword downward, stabbing toward Naruto, who barely managed to block.
As Naruto and Orochimaru clashed, murder glinted in Orochimaru's eyes.
Suddenly, a fist smashed into Orochimaru's face, sending him hurtling eighteen point ninety-nine meters.
Naruto blinked:
"Huh? Grandma?"
Tsunade reached out and pulled Naruto up:
"You okay, kid?"
Naruto nodded:
"I… I'm fine."
She took off her necklace and placed it around Naruto's neck:
"You've already won, kid."
Orochimaru staggered to his feet, popping his jaw back into place, and glared at Tsunade:
"Tsunade, what are you doing? Why risk your life for this brat?"
Tsunade cracked her knuckles:
"Because I am Tsunade Senju, granddaughter of the First Hokage, great-great-niece of the Second Hokage, and from today onward, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha."
Naruto and Shizune stepped forward beside her:
"Grandma, let's finish him together, then go home together!"
"Lord Orochimaru!" Kabuto landed beside him and slashed his own blood onto Orochimaru's summoning tattoo, calling forth another summoned beast.
Seeing that Kabuto was still alive, Naruto's face turned pale:
"What?"
Jiraiya and Tsunade also summoned their respective summons.
Three puffs of green smoke rose and dissipated, revealing a giant snake, a giant slug, and a large frog staring at each other.
Jiraiya said:
"Gamabunta, we need your help."
Gamabunta exhaled a puff of smoke from his pipe:
"Of course. Finally, I can get that snake-skin wallet I've always wanted."
Riding atop the slug, Tsunade looked down at Orochimaru:
"Orochimaru. After this battle ends, there will be one fewer Sannin left in the world."
Orochimaru only sneered coldly while Manda below him hissed:
"Orochimaru. What were you thinking, calling me out here?"
Kabuto tried to calm the beast:
"Manda, we just—"
"Silence! I don't deign to speak with insignificant insects like you!"
Manda turned his gaze back to Orochimaru:
"Once this is over, I expect one hundred sacrifices."
Orochimaru sneered:
"Of course."
Jiraiya patted Naruto on the head:
"Now things are getting serious, kid. Unless I tell you otherwise, stay out of it."
"Got it. But if something goes wrong, I'm stepping in."
Jiraiya patted Gamabunta's head:
"Let's move, Gamabunta!"
Gamabunta drew his tanto and charged at Manda, who dodged swiftly, startling Naruto:
"That snake's way faster than expected!"
Manda maneuvered behind Gamabunta, entering his blind spot. His venomous fangs gleamed in the sunlight as he lunged to bite. Gamabunta jumped aside just in time to dodge the attack.
The slug advanced and spat acidic fluid at Manda. Manda evaded again, charging straight back at Gamabunta.
With a swift flick of his tail, Manda knocked the sword from Gamabunta's webbed hand.
The slug fired more acid at Manda, but once again missed.
Manda lunged toward the slug and began coiling around her.
Seeing the danger, Tsunade shouted:
"Sludge, separate!"
Sludge split into several smaller forms.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya, riding atop Gamabunta's head, shouted:
"Gamabunta! Give me some oil!"
Gamabunta spat out a huge glob of oil, and Jiraiya raised his fingers to his mouth:
[Fire Release: Toad Oil Fire Bullet!]
A torrent of flame engulfed Manda, appearing to melt his body—until it revealed to be nothing more than a discarded skin.
Then Manda emerged from the ground behind Gamabunta.
Naruto witnessed this and immediately formed seals:
[Wind Release: Wind God Fist!]
Naruto hurled Manda backward.
Manda hissed in pain and curled up:
"You little brat!"
Just then, Tsunade flew toward Manda, wielding Gamabunta's tanto, and drove the blade through Manda's jaw, pinning him to the ground.
Naruto exclaimed in shock:
"Ero-Sennin, I'll never mess with Granny again."
Jumping onto Manda's body, Tsunade started pummeling Orochimaru, while Shizune engaged Kabuto in battle.
With one final blow, Tsunade sent Orochimaru hurtling through the air. Kabuto rushed to his side and pulled him up.
Orochimaru glared at Tsunade:
"Cursed Tsunade, my plan has temporarily failed. Don't think this is over—I have another way to heal my arms. Next time, I will kill both of you."
With that, he and Kabuto sank underground and vanished.
Naruto, Jiraiya, and Shizune appeared beside her, all summoned beasts already dispelled.
Jiraiya patted Naruto on the shoulder:
"Good job, kid!"
Smiling broadly, Tsunade walked toward Naruto:
"It's time we headed back to Konoha."
Naruto paused for a moment, then turned and ran down the road, waving as he left:
"I've been training non-stop for a whole week! I'm heading home to crash and stuff myself with ramen!!!"
Watching him disappear down the road, she shook her head:
"Someday, he'll truly become Hokage."
Jiraiya placed a hand on her shoulder:
"Now that everything's over, a woman like you shouldn't be running around in blood-soaked clothes—it's practically a sin. You should wear something like a deep V-neck bodycon dress... or even better, absolutely nothing!"
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Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!