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Tsunade's POV (Senju Manor - Hidden Leaf Village)
Morning
"Normally, I'd think I did, but your behavior has just been odd, the oddest of all being your return to the Leaf."
"I had no choice in the matter. Sensei felt I was needed, and I knew he would attempt to press the issue. It was easier to return." Tsunade answered somewhat honestly.
"Close to the truth but not quite it." Jiraiya decided from the sink with a shake of his head. "You've told him no before, like when the Cloud made their move for the Hyuga and we were concerned war was on the horizon. Each time Hiruzen tried before, you resisted, yet after meeting Narut, you finally relented."
"Fine, let me play along then. I have a soft spot for the boy. What would that matter to you?" Tsunade asked.
"I know better than anyone on this plane; it's just who you are, Tsunade. Recent years have made me question it, but there's no mistaking what I see in your eyes these days." Jiraiya explained. "The spark is back; when we last spoke before your return it hadn't been there."
"I told you never to mention that night again," Tsunade groaned. Of course, I was in pieces that night. The entire reason I left the Leaf and formed the Senju Mob was to search for Dan. They never found his body, but I was so certain he had lived that I needed to make sure myself."
"So I helped form your organization and offered my resources. In truth, and I am truly sorry to say this, I was certain we wouldn't find him. Dan wasn't the kind of man to let anything short of death stop him from returning…" Jiraiya said morosely. "I had hoped, but we never found even a trace…"
"I had no choice but to accept his death. It felt like the last supporting pillar came down in my life. I used my team to fund my coping, but in truth, it's ironic Shizune took it better than me. And Naruto… it's happening all over again. It's different from Dan, of course, and more like Nawaki. There's this feeling of hope they bring me, and I just know I'm gonna watch that light go out."
"It's not!" Jiraiya snapped. Tsunade felt a moment of shock; the man, ever hopeful towards her, had always done his best to be half charming and half-ass. Her silence allowed him to rail forward. "I won't let it!"
"You already tried with Minato, and he was a fucking genius! He was one of a kind, meant to dominate and improve this world, yet he died just like the rest! How many times do we have to do this?! Raise these impossible men and women and send them off to their deaths?!" Tsunade ranted angrily, rising out of the water heedless of her nudity.
Jiraiya rose from the sink and stalked over to her as she climbed out of the tub. The two got in each other's faces as Jiraiya harshly raised her voice to her. "I get it; you've given up. But this planet needs a hero, one that the toads have foretold I would teach. We can't just give up and let things fall apart."
"That damn prophecy again. Have you considered that your methods aren't working? Looks to me like you are training another Minato Namikaze, a powerful and kind shinobi who will do anything to win." Tsunade countered.
"I'm doing nothing of the sort! But even if I was, Minato was the best of us!"
"And he died. If Naruto really is this hero, he needs to be the sort that lives." Tsunade finished. "Are you ready to produce something like that?"
Jiraiya paused, his fury lost for a moment. "Wait… Are you tryna poach my student?!" Jiraiya's grave face was lost as he grabbed Tsunade by the shoulders and began to shake her roughly. "I won't allow it! Ma and Pa have barely forgiven me for not letting them sign their contract. You hear me! If I lose him as my pupil, they'll never let me forget it…" Jiraiya's eyes dipped lower, and he shook her again. "Damn the way they-"
Tsunade's temper finally snapped. Her fist ensured Jiraiya's will, and the bathroom wall did the same as she launched him from the room. It was convenient if nothing else, beating him allowed her to dodge the question…
Yagura / Mei's POV (Rebel Hideout - Land of Water)
Noon
The path of the hero was long and arduous. If Yagura was fully honest with himself, it seemed to be never-ending—twists and turns, the cruelest and most persistent villains, and endless heroic deeds. Often, Yagura lamented his destiny, but it was the only life he had to live.
It was absurd how long this war had gone on. Yagura had no hesitation, of course. It was only fitting he waged holy warfare on the evil infesting this land. It had taken Yagura quite a while to figure out the problem. It had become clear in time: bloodline users.
In Yagura's short life, he discovered an all-too-simple truth. Those with power were gifted with control; those with control only sought more, and in time, they would get just that. The path the powerful walked was corrupted, filled with temptation and absolutism. In time, any and all who wielded power would be corrupted by it. All but those who had mastered themselves, a rarity in this world that Yagura himself had achieved. His life's cruelty and harshness and the burden of being a jinchuriki created the perfect mix. It made him a vessel to be filled with holy purpose. It made him a hero. But others would only grow to become evil. If Yagura seeks to vanquish it permanently, he would crush those with the potential…
As such, Yagura made a point of creating some of these outings himself. While a leader could scarcely afford to be on the frontlines of each battle, a hero could not allow others to labor for him. So when a sizable fort with a suspected large cache of supplies inside was found and tied to the Rebels, the decision was simple.
The Land of Water was unique geologically speaking. It was separated from the mainland by a series of islands of various sizes surrounded by the sea. Because of the large number of islands, the constant scuffles of war, and the ever-increasing need for manpower, it was easy to find an unoccupied or watched island. A smaller one in the southern region had been discovered to hold the fort for the Rebels.
Yagura led his own personal platoon of men and medics—a team of utterly loyal and absurdly experienced shinobi who acted as his shield and blade alike. They also took several notable members from the pro-Yagura media. It was also due for a hero to display his heroic deeds.
This particular stronghold was home to the last remnants of one of the most evil and cockroach-like of the Rebels. The Yuki Clan had been one that had been close to passing before this war and Yagura's purge. They had suffered greatly in the last great war. But those who remained were powerful and hidden away for quite a while. Now, they would face him.
His men had intended to come with him once their ship drew close. But Yagura would not risk them heedlessly; besides, being a Hero required guts. So Yagura marched calmly onto the island on his lonesome. The island was supposedly abandoned, yet among the sparse palm trees was a series of small tents. Around the campsite loathed an older couple and a younger son. All of which stared at him in awe. He supposed he was fitting for being in the presence of a hero. He approached them, whistling nonchalantly as he did.
"Mizukage-sama, " the older male said as he bowed. His partner followed, though their son seemed stunned still. "I am surprised and glad to be in your presence. For what reason do you find yourself in our neck of the woods?"
"Merely enjoying the beauty of our homeland," Yagura answered pleasantly. "Though I must admit to being confused. According to Intel, this island is inhabited."
"We are a struggling family scarcely making it in the war. Roughing it in the wilds is preferable these days." The old man admitted. "Though we will vacate if necessary."