Naruto: Starting By Saving Mikoto

Tsunade spun around, her eyes narrowing as she met Hiro's face. He stood in the doorway, looking no worse for wear after his two-week disappearance.

His pack was slung lazily over his shoulder, and his eyes gleamed with that same teasing intensity.

"Where the hell have you been?" Tsunade snapped, crossing her arms.

"You disappear for two weeks without a word, and now you just come back in here like nothing happened?"

"Missed me, did you?"

Tsunade scowled, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an answer. "Don't flatter yourself, brat. You're not that important."

He shrugged, stepping further into the room and tossing his pack to the side. "If you say so. But I see you've been improving without me. I guess you don't need my help anymore."

"Damn right, I don't," Tsunade shot back, though her voice lacked its usual bite. "I've been doing just fine."

Hiro chuckled softly, his eyes scanning the room before settling back on her. "Good. Because I'm here for the last part of our deal. Remember?"

Tsunade's stomach twisted slightly at the mention of the deal. She had hoped he would forget about it, but of course, Hiro never forgot when it came to getting the upper hand.

She met his gaze, her voice cool and defiant.

"Let me tell you, I'm not coupling up with you, brat. I'll give you something else. Name your price."

Hiro raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying her attempts to wriggle out of the agreement.

"Something else?" He pretended to think for a moment, a smirk returning to his face.

 "Alright, how about the Ruyi Jingu Bang (Monkey King Staff)? Or maybe that legendary technique of the Sage of the 69 Paths?"

Tsunade frowned, catching the sarcasm in his voice.

"You know I don't have any of that. Be serious! What the hell even is the Ruyi Jingu Bang and the Sage of 69 Paths?"

"Nothing," he said, brushing it off.

"Oh, and I'm dead serious." Hiro stepped closer, his playful expression sharpening.

"But you see, there's only one thing I actually want. And you know exactly what it is."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "I told you, I'm not going to be your woman."

Hiro chuckled, folding his arms.

"Then what can you offer, Tsunade? What else could possibly make this deal worth it for me? Something that holds value."

"Are you the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju going back on your word? Head of the Senju clan?"

"You…!!"

She hated this feeling—being cornered. "I can give you wealth, power, influence. Anything you want that isn't… that."

Hiro shook his head slowly, his smirk turning into something more cunning. "Wealth? Power? I can get those anytime. But what I want… only you can give."

Her frustration grew, fists clenching. "You're impossible. This wasn't the deal!"

"Wasn't it?" Hiro's eyes glinted with amusement. "You and I becoming partners, being in a relationship—that was the deal, I think. Or are you going to go back on your word, Tsunade?"

She bit her lip, her anger simmering. She had thought she could find a loophole, a way out. But Hiro was too clever, too persistent. He always knew how to twist things in his favor.

"You... Why are you so desperate for me? I'm just an old woman; you're a young man. You could find many young kunoichis much more beautiful than me.

If you want, I can introduce you to the Mizukage. I heard she looks stunning," she growled.

Hiro's smirk softened, though his words remained sharp.

"A deal is a deal; I don't know anything else!"

Her breath caught, and for a split second, she didn't know how to respond. His words struck deeper than she cared to admit.

"You've fought this whole time, putting up walls, pretending you don't care. But I've seen it.

We both have. You may not want to admit it, but we're bound by more than just a deal." Hiro's voice was low and confident, every word driving home the truth she didn't want to face.

Tsunade's chest tightened. She hated him in that moment—not just for what he said, but because he was right. She couldn't deny it. Not anymore.

She exhaled sharply, her voice low and controlled. "Fine. You'll get what you want—but on my terms. First, you follow my lead, no questions.

You mess up, you're done. Second, you keep your Distance don't think you can do anything.

And finally," her eyes narrowed, "when this is over, I decide what happens next. Agreed?"

Hiro grinned, the cocky edge returning. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

As he picked up his pack and moved toward the door, Tsunade couldn't resist a final warning. "You're playing a dangerous game, Hiro. Don't make me regret this."

He paused at the door, glancing back with that familiar smirk. "I wouldn't dream of it, princess."

Tsunade watched him leave, fists still clenched at her sides. The tension in the room remained, wrapping tightly around her.

She had never let anyone push her this far, never allowed anyone close enough to see her weaknesses.

Yet this brat—this arrogant, persistent brat—kept pushing, twisting the knife with every word.

"Damn him," she muttered under her breath as she turned away from the door.

Hiro wasn't just a thorn in her side; he was more dangerous than any enemy she had ever faced.

For all her strength and power, he had found the one vulnerability she couldn't shield: her heart.

Outside, Hiro walked down the corridor, the grin still playing on his lips.

Back in the room, Tsunade paced, her thoughts racing. This wasn't just about the deal anymore.

It was about pride. Control. She had spent her life ensuring that no one could challenge her or break through her defenses, and yet here she was—cornered by someone she should have been able to dismiss with ease.

But Hiro wasn't easy. He was clever, persistent, and worse—he made her feel things she didn't want to acknowledge.

With a frustrated sigh, she stopped pacing and stared out the window, her reflection faint against the night sky. She wasn't going to let him win.

"Fine," she whispered to herself. "Let's see how far you can push me, Hiro."