22 Tsunade wants an explanation
Tsunade's fist tightens on the desk.
Her anger is not aimed at him. It is aimed at a village that taught a child to confuse endurance with normalcy.
"That was not fine," Tsunade says, her voice low and dangerous. "And I give you my word. No clan, Hyuga or otherwise, will ever lay a hand on you again. If someone is foolish enough to try, they will be planning their funeral first."
Naruto shakes his head. "I'm not scared anymore, Aunty Tsunade. Back then, I just didn't know any better. I thought if I stayed quiet, kept my head down, things would be easier. You already know how the academy treated me."
Shizune's expression softens. She knows. Everyone in this room knows.
"I learned to read and write properly because Ayame-chan helped me during her breaks at the ramen stand," Naruto continues, matter-of-fact. "Most of what the academy taught me was half-wrong anyway. It felt like they were trying to keep me just smart enough to follow orders and nothing more."
Tsunade closes her eyes for a moment, massaging her temple, cursing elders long dead and systems that never protected him.
Tonton pads over and nudges Naruto's leg with a soft oink. He smiles faintly and scratches behind her ear.
"I'm good now," he says. "Really."
Shizune clears her throat, trying to lift the weight in the room. "So… about Temari. Do you think you and her would work?"
Tsunade shoots her a look sharp enough to cut steel, but Naruto answers honestly.
"I don't really know yet," he says. "But if I had to describe her… she's kind of a mix of Tenten, Hinata, and Ino."
Tsunade raises an eyebrow. "Explain."
"Well, she has that princess status like Hinata. Strong clan, heavy expectations. But she doesn't let that define her. She's blunt, says exactly what she thinks, no sugarcoating. That part reminds me of Ino. And she takes her training seriously. Real serious. Tenten was like that during the first Chunin Exams. Temari has that same focus."
Shizune nods slowly. "And what makes her different?"
"She's kind without being naive," Naruto says. "She doesn't judge people by status. She decides for herself who someone is. I respect that."
Tsunade and Shizune exchange a look. Naruto has clearly thought about this more than either of them expected.
"And the others?" Tsunade asks casually, though her eyes are sharp. "Since you seem to have strong opinions."
Naruto shrugs. "Hinata is kind, gentle, and braver than people realize. If she spoke her mind more, no one would dare walk over her. Honestly, if she'd punched Neji the first time he talked down to her, I would've applauded."
Both women laugh at the mental image.
"Ino's bold, confident, and sharp," Naruto continues. "She knows who she is. Sakura… she's smarter than people give her credit for. She takes her training seriously now. If she ever masters medical ninjutsu, she'll be terrifying."
Tsunade hums. "She does have potential."
"Oh, definitely," Naruto says. "And Tenten? She was the first kunoichi our age who felt like a professional. No drama. Just work."
There is a short silence before Tsunade exhales and leans back.
"Changing topics," Naruto says suddenly. "Do we have any good katanas in the village?"
That gets Tsunade's attention. "I thought you weren't a sword user."
"I learned some kenjutsu with the toads," he explains. "Gamaken helped. But every blade I buy breaks once I start channeling chakra properly. Wind chakra especially. I even thought about grabbing Zabuza's sword, but it's too bulky."
Tsunade's thoughts drift instantly to Kushina. To vaults she hasn't opened in years.
"We'll check the treasury," she says finally. "There are… better options."
Then her eyes narrow. "By the way. Jiraiya mentioned you complained to the Great Toads about your training."
Naruto winces. "Yeah. About that."
He explains everything. The summoning mistake. Gamabunta's rage. Fukasaku and Shima taking over. Jiraiya getting verbally and spiritually destroyed in front of him.
By the time he finishes, Shizune is staring at him in disbelief.
"You're telling me," she says slowly, "that most of your progress came from one year of proper training with the toads?"
"Pretty much."
Silence.
Then Tsunade's chakra flares.
"When that idiot comes back," she growls, "I'm going to beat him so hard he won't remember which world he's in."
Tonton squeals angrily in agreement.
Naruto grins. "Pretty sure Pa and Ma already made him eat bugs for a month."
Tsunade pauses. "You got pictures, right?"
Naruto coughs. "Of course I did."
Her smile is sharp and vindictive. "Good. I'm putting them up all over the village."
For the first time that day, the weight lifts from the room.