In Spite of it all (BOOK TWO)

Chapter 4

Tsunade POV~

I groaned and leaned back in my chair, dragging a hand down my face. 

With a frustrated yell, I swiped a hand over the table and knocked off the stack of sheets piled on top of it. 

"Fuck this!" 

Tonton gave a snort of protest, while Shizune sighed from her spot in the corner and made to pick up the papers. I instantly felt a stab of guilt, my anger evaporating. I heaved a heavy breath, wondering how Shizune dealt with my bullshit day in and day out.

"Sorry..." I mumbled, standing.

Too much had been on my mind lately. Now, to top it off, there were reports of a possible terrorist organization to look out for.

And the rumors said they were hunting the Tailed Beasts.

The "Akatsuki," as they were called, had already managed to kidnap the Kazekage, extract the One-Tails, and kill the Jinchuriki of the Two-Tails and take that one too. 

To make matters worse, a letter had arrived from Kakashi about the scene they came upon. 

He didn't know this yet, but there was no doubt in my mind the Akatsuki had something to do with it.

I'd heard about them before. They were pretty underground before now, keeping their actions as nondescript as possible, but now they were going around collecting the Bijuu.

And Naruto was attacked by them.

I felt I had every right to be frustrated.

I plopped back down in my chair. Danzo was also a concern, though he was much closer to home. In fact, he was probably right down the hall. He had appointed one of his own to Kakashi's team, which none of us were happy about but none of us could actually argue against, and there was something...off. About everything.

Danzo's Foundation was still a thing, apparently. 

I couldn't help but be suspicious. Danzo had a lot of authority (something I should've changed long ago, except now it'll be a lot harder than before. Sensei was too lenient.) I couldn't help but feel he was up to something.

I sighed. Whatever he was planning, it could wait.

The Tailed Beasts were being collected by a terrorist organization.

I dropped my head on the table. All I wanted was to sleep. Have a drink or something.

How the fuck did I end up Hokage?

Oh yeah. That was Naruto.

I grimaced, painful emotions and memories resurfacing. Now wasn't the time for that.

I set to work writing a reply to Kakashi. I may not have been the most eager putting Naruto back in the Hidden Leaf before, but his life was in danger. Even though he probably knew it by now, he was being hunted by dangerous rogue ninjas who he couldn't possibly take down all by himself.

Knowing Naruto, that was probably what he was trying to do, anyways. 

I shook my head, conflicting feelings rising up inside me.

I couldn't lose him too. He could be killed. I can't let that happen.

Not this time.

Naruto POV~

I ended up robbing someone. A rich person, just like Kurama said.

'Aren't you proud of me?'