Naruto: Starting By Saving Mikoto

The students sat up straighter, the excitement bubbling in the room. Naruto, in particular, fidgeted with impatience, his eyes wide with anticipation. 

Sasuke, as always, looked calm and aloof, while Sakura snuck glances toward the brooding Uchiha.

"I will now announce the squads," Iruka continued, scanning the list in his hands.

"Squad 7," he began.

Naruto's heart pounded in his chest. This was it.

"Naruto Uzumaki."

"Yes!" Naruto punched the air, his excitement overflowing. His moment was finally here.

"Sakura Haruno."

Sakura smiled brightly, glancing at Naruto with half-interest before quickly turning her attention to the next name.

"Sasuke Uchiha."

Sakura's heart skipped a beat, and Naruto's excitement faltered, his face falling. Sasuke?! Of all people to be teamed up with, why him?

Iruka continued, reading out the rest of the squads. 

Naruto barely listened, his mind still stuck on the fact that he would be spending every day with his rival and crush. It wasn't exactly the dream team he had hoped for.

"After lunch, you will meet your new Jonin teachers. Class dismissed!" Iruka announced, snapping Naruto back to reality.

As the students filed out, Naruto lingered near the door, watching Sasuke and Sakura. 

Sakura was already by Sasuke's side, fawning over him as usual. Naruto clenched his fists, muttering under his breath. Why does it always have to be Sasuke?

 ...

In the morning.

Hiro blinked awake, still adjusting to the new surroundings. 

Just last night, they had left that small village away in the hills, moving restlessly as Tsunade never seemed to stay in one place for long. 

Now, they were in a slightly larger town, though the atmosphere remained calm.

The faint sounds of the town starting its day echoed through the small room: the distant clattering of dishes, birds chirping, and the soft snorts of Tonton, Tsunade's pig, trotting around the kitchen.

He pushed aside his thin blanket and stretched, letting out a long yawn.

He made his way to the small common room, the scent of tea and freshly prepared food filling the air. 

"Where's Tsunade?" Hiro asked, noticing the absence of the legendary Sannin.

"She's outside, getting some fresh air. She usually takes a walk around the village before breakfast," 

Shizune replied, already moving gracefully around the kitchen, busy with her morning routine.

Hiro nodded, stepping over to the table where Tonton was sniffing curiously at a loaf of bread. He absentmindedly patted the pig on the head. 

Tsunade soon returned, a relaxed smile on her face as she stepped into the room.

Before Hiro could reply, Tsunade spoke again, her grin widening. "I've been thinking... It's about time we have some fun around here."

Hiro raised an eyebrow. "Fun?"

Tsunade grinned wider, a mischievous spark lighting up her expression. "This place has a decent gambling den, a few cozy bathhouses, and I hear the sake isn't half bad either. Starting tonight, we're gonna make the most of it."

Shizune let out a quiet sigh, already resigned to what was coming. "Tsunade-sama…"

"You know the drill, Shizune. It's been too calm around here." Tsunade leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "We'll start with the gambling den tonight. I've been holding back."

Hiro blinked, realizing what she meant. This was the beginning of her true routine. The late nights, the gambling.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon that evening, Hiro found himself trailing behind Tsunade and Shizune as they made their way to the town's small gambling house.

Inside the den, the sounds of coins clinking, cards being shuffled, and muffled cheers filled the air. Tsunade wasted no time, sitting down at a table with a sharp grin.

The night stretched on with Tsunade winning round after round at the gambling table, her reputation as a lucky drunk becoming more apparent with every bet.

Hiro watched with a mixture of amusement and concern as Tsunade threw herself into the games, taking swigs of sake in between victories and losses.

And By the time they left the gambling den, the night had turned late, and Tsunade was wobbling on her feet. Shizune, having tried to keep her in check all night, looked both exhausted and resigned.

"Tsunade-sama… you've had enough for tonight," Shizune sighed, stepping forward to offer support. But before she could reach her, Tsunade stumbled and leaned heavily into Hiro, her hand resting on his chest for balance.

"Hey, careful!" Hiro said, instinctively wrapping an arm around her waist to steady her.

Tsunade chuckled, her face flushed from the sake. "Brat, you're stronger than you look," she slurred, leaning in closer, her breath warm against his neck.

Hiro felt a jolt of surprise at their sudden proximity, his heart skipping a beat as Tsunade's body pressed against his. "Tsunade, maybe you should rest."

Tsunade looked up at him with hazy eyes, her usual sharpness softened by the alcohol. "Rest sounds… good," she muttered, her head falling forward until her forehead rested against Hiro's shoulder.

Shizune quickly stepped in. "Let's get her back to the inn before she passes out."

Together, they managed to guide Tsunade back to their small lodging. 

By the time they reached the room, Tsunade was barely able to stand on her own, her legs unsteady. Shizune opened the door, but as she turned to help, Tsunade's legs gave out completely.

"Whoa!" Hiro caught her just in time, his arms wrapping around her in an awkward but firm embrace. Tsunade's weight against him caused them both to stumble backward into the room, crashing onto the small futon that had been laid out.

For a moment, there was silence as Hiro found himself lying beneath Tsunade, her ample chest pressing uncomfortably against his face.

Hiro's breath hitched. The warmth of her body, the scent of sake lingering between them—it was all too much, too sudden.

But just as quickly, Tsunade's head dipped forward, and she let out a soft snore, completely passed out.

Hiro sighed, both relieved and flustered, as he gently maneuvered her off of him and onto the futon beside him. Shizune, who had been watching from the doorway, gave him an apologetic look.

"She'll be fine by morning. I'll take care of her," Shizune said, stepping forward to cover Tsunade with a blanket.

Hiro nodded, his heart still racing from the accidental encounter. As he stood up, he couldn't help but glance down at Tsunade, her usual strong, unshakable presence softened in sleep.

With a quiet sigh, Hiro made his way to his own bed, trying to calm his thoughts as he lay down.

"...106," he muttered under his breath.

"Ah, well, I should start trying to fix her phobia from tomorrow," he thought to himself, turning over onto his side.