(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
****************
"Yo! Tsunade, drinking and gambling as usual??" Jiraiya exclaimed joyfully at the reunion with his old friend, walking over directly.
Shizune, who had been trying to persuade Tsunade to leave, respectfully greeted them.
"Hello, Jiraiya-sama"
She also breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Tsunade would now stop gambling. If they had continued gambling, they'd be sleeping on the streets today.
Jiraiya nodded at her with a smile. He had practically seen her with Tsunade since she was a child.
"It's Jiraiya. Haven't seen you in years. Come, have a drink," Tsunade said, surprised to see him but still pushing a bottle his way.
Colt noticed a hint of guilt in her eyes.
Jiraiya happily took the bottle and drank.
"Pervy Sage, are you sure this is your teammate?" Naruto looked at Tsunade curiously. He now knew that the purpose of this trip was to bring back Konoha's future Fifth Hokage, one of the Legendary Sannin and Jiraiya's teammate.
But she just looked... too young.
Jiraiya laughed and explained to Naruto.
"Don't be fooled by her appearance. It's because of a special jutsu. She's actually from the same era as me!"
Naruto suddenly understood. "Then I should call her Granny Tsunade."
Colt looked at the two with the same expression he'd give a corpse. These 'warriors'... Didn't they know that a woman's age was taboo to bring up?
Tsunade's forehead throbbed with anger.
She swiftly punched Jiraiya, sending him flying, then turned her vicious gaze to Naruto.
"You little brat, what's your name?" she growled.
"Uh, I'm Naruto Uzumaki," Naruto answered nervously.
This old lady was terrifying.
Feeling Tsunade's gaze, Colt also introduced himself, "Kamiyo Colt."
Tsunade's expression became thoughtful as she processed the information. The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki and Colt... Kamiyo Colt…?
"Your mother is Mieko?" she asked him.
"Yes," he confirmed.
Tsunade's eyes softened considerably.
Mieko and she were both Senju clan members albeit the girl was a distant relative.
Tsunade had taught Mieko much about medical ninjutsu. Mieko was practically her half-disciple.
By extension, Colt was a half-Senju.
She nodded at him.
At this moment, Jiraiya limped back, his face still bearing the mark of Tsunade's fist.
"You're still so hot-tempered. I thought I was going to die just now."
Ignoring him, Tsunade asked directly, "I know it's not a coincidence you're here. Tell me your purpose."
Jiraiya got straight to the point.
"After Lord Third's death, Konoha is leaderless. The council advisors asked me to bring you back to be the fifth Hokage."
"No!" Tsunade's reaction was instant and fierce.
She hated the position and it was obvious.
"Only a fool would want to be a Hokage!"
Naruto was about to argue, but Jiraiya stopped him.
His plan was to use both soft and hard approaches, believing he could eventually convince Tsunade to return.
Jiraiya then steered the conversation to reminiscing about the past, ready to play on Tsunade's emotions.
His plan required some time…
Later, back at the hotel, Colt hesitated before deciding to seek out Tsunade again.
Tsunade was surprised to see him. And by her side was Shizune.
"If you're here to persuade me to be the Hokage, don't bother."
Although Colt was Mieko's son and half Senju, it seemed impossible to change Tsunade's mind so easily.
"No," Colt shook his head.
He stretched out his palm, and under Tsunade's disbelieving gaze, a small sapling appeared out of nowhere.
"Wood... Wood Style?" Tsunade's voice stuttered. The wine glass she was holding fell off and shattered.
She rushed in front of Colt, carefully examining the sapling.
"This immense vitality... There's no mistaking it. This is the real Wood Style."
Tsunade's voice was a little choked up.
For her, the Wood Style held incomparable meaning.
It was the glory of the Senju's and proof of her grandfather's dominance over the ninja world. Tsunade had always dreamed of seeing someone awaken it among her family members.
"I would like to ask you Tsunade-sama to teach me some Wood Style ninjutsu. After all, you are..."
He was still speaking…
"Your elder sister," Tsunade interrupted him before he could finish. "Call me elder sister from now on."
"What?" Colt was stunned for a moment but then complied with a helpless smile. "Elder sister Tsunade."
"So sweet," Tsunade said, pulling Colt into her arms in one swift motion.
"Mmph! Mmph!" Colt struggled desperately, flailing his arms.
He was about to suffocate! They were just too big… (E/N: Lucky Bastard with a capital B).
Shizune on the side looked at him with a glare.
'Tsk, stop acting like you hate it…'
After a while, Tsunade finally released Colt, her eyes full of satisfaction.
"As expected of a Senju descendant. You're quite handsome and sturdy. Do you want a girlfriend? If so, this room will be yours and Shizune's. I can find somewhere else to spend the night."
"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune exclaimed, flustered. Why was she being offered up like this and so easily at that?
Although she admitted that Colt was handsome... he was... Uhm yeah, he was still a child.
"This is too much!"
Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Kurenai Yuhi sneezed… she suddenly felt an unknown threat and looked around vigilantly.
"Shizune, I'm thinking of your future. Colt has awakened the Wood Style. Your children would definitely be strong and your life would be comfortable."
Colt, just recovering from dizziness, sweatdropped.
"Tsunade-sama, you can't ju-" Shizune was quite angry and was about to nag at her master.
"Elder sister, I already have a girlfriend. Or two," Colt quickly said while scratching his cheeks.
"Oh?" Tsunade's eyes lit up.
She hadn't expected Colt to be so capable.
Like a doting aunt, Tsunade pressed for details. Reluctantly, Colt shared everything about Hinata and Ino.
Tsunade was even more pleased. The Hyuga and Yamanaka clans - this kid had some good taste.
"Elder sister, what about the Wood Style?" Colt hadn't forgotten his original purpose so he promptly asked as they chatted.
Tsunade waved her hand.
"We'll return to Konoha tomorrow afternoon. The Wood Style scroll will be in the Senju's ancestral house."
She was quite excited and couldn't wait to see the Wood Style reshape the world once again.
"So, you've agreed to be the Fifth Hokage?" Shizune smiled, holding Tonton. She was along for the decision, but she had guessed her master would refuse.
Colt was surprised he had managed to convince Tsunade without Naruto's help. Was this the Wood Style's victory over the Talk no Jutsu?
Tsunade gazed towards Konoha's direction, sighing inwardly.
Though the Wood Style was powerful, if the village elders found out, Colt would face endless troubles. She had to protect him from the coming storm until he was strong enough.
In becoming Hokage, she was doing the right thing for her family.