Naruto: Starting By Saving Mikoto

The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows across the room, accentuating Orochimaru's sinister grin.

He reveled in the thought of the impending chaos, each scenario playing out like a finely tuned performance in his mind.

The thrill of manipulation and control was a sweet nectar, one that he had craved for so long.

"Should I prepare the puppets?" Kabuto inquired, breaking the silence as he returned with a scroll in hand, ready to execute Orochimaru's orders.

"Not yet," Orochimaru replied, his tone shifting to one of caution. "We need to let the Uchiha play their roles first. Too many distractions could ruin the allure of this game.

Focus on Itachi; he is our best chance to make this work. We must ensure he is properly… motivated."

As they plotted, Kabuto's curiosity got the better of him. "But, Master Orochimaru, who do you think is stronger: Itachi or the unknown Uchiha?"

Orochimaru paused, considering the question. "Undoubtedly Itachi. You haven't experienced his illusions; he is much stronger than he appears to be. This unknown Uchiha, while intriguing, lacks the depth of skill that Itachi possesses.

I've fought him, and I don't think he is as strong as Itachi, though only his Susanoo ability is what I find interesting."

Kabuto nodded, absorbing Orochimaru's insights. "So, you believe Itachi's experience will give him the edge, even against the potential of this unknown Uchiha?"

"Precisely," Orochimaru replied, a glimmer of excitement sparking in his eyes. "Itachi's mastery of the Sharingan, combined with his strategic mind, makes him a formidable opponent.

The unknown Uchiha may have raw power, but without the finesse that Itachi wields, he's at a disadvantage."

 ...

As the conversation with Naruto and Jiraiya came to an end, Hiro and Tsunade made their way back to the room.

Jiraiya had refrained from asking about Hiro's identity, likely because he was still grappling with the aftermath of the Nine-Tails incident that had nearly turned Naruto's life upside down.

As they slowly entered the dimly lit room, Tsunade, clearly under the influence of alcohol, quietly pulled Hiro inside, careful not to make a sound.

"Shh…" Tsunade whispered playfully, her breath slightly slurred, a mischievous smile gracing her lips. Hiro couldn't help but chuckle at her antics.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Hiro asked, glancing around the room as he closed the door behind him, ensuring it was secure.

Tsunade leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with a mix of drunken confidence and flirtation. "Why not? It's just a little fun," she replied, her tone light yet teasing.

With a playful tug, she guided him toward the bed. In one swift motion, she settled herself atop his belly, her hands pressing gently against his chest. Hiro's breath caught in his throat as she leaned in closer, her lips brushing teasingly against his.

"If you want more," she whispered, her voice sultry, "you'll have to wait until after marriage." A soft laugh escaped her lips, a blend of teasing and warmth that sent shivers down his spine.

Hiro's heart raced as he gazed into her eyes, the glimmer of mischief in them igniting a fire within him. "Are you serious?" he replied, a smile creeping onto his face. "Is that really how this works?"

Tsunade leaned back slightly, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "You'd be surprised. Even if I'm not Hokage yet, I still have a reputation to uphold." She tilted her head, the playful challenge in her gaze making Hiro's pulse quicken.

"Is that a challenge?" Hiro shot back, his tone light but charged with tension.

"Maybe it is," she teased, leaning in for another soft kiss that sent a wave of warmth through him. The kiss lingered, sweet and intoxicating, and Hiro found himself lost in the moment, his mind swirling with thoughts of what could come next.

As the kiss deepened, Tsunade wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer as they tumbled back onto the bed together.

The soft mattress cradled them, and she nestled against him, resting her head on his shoulder as they caught their breath.

"Yes," he muttered, his grip tightening as he felt the weight of her words and the moment enveloping them.

"By the way, what did you do to that kid, Naruto? That caused the Kyūbi's chakra to suddenly flare up?" she asked, her mouth hovering near his, the warmth of her breath brushing against his skin.

Hiro hesitated, trying to find the right words. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble," he explained, looking into her eyes. "I just looked at him with my Mangekyō Sharingan. I wanted to see how a tailed beast looked, but..."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "But?"

"The Nine-Tails took offense to it. I guess it felt threatened or something. It went mad," Hiro admitted, a hint of regret in his tone. "I didn't expect that reaction at all. I just wanted to understand what I was dealing with."

Tsunade's expression shifted amusement crossing her face. "So, you scared a powerful tailed beast just by looking at him? You really have a talent for getting into trouble, don't you?"

"Trouble seems to find me," Hiro replied with a sheepish grin. "But I promise, I didn't mean any harm. I just wanted to help Naruto."

"Helping him by accidentally provoking the creature inside him?" Tsunade teased. "You really are a handful, Hiro."

He chuckled softly, his heart lighter in her presence. "Yeah, I guess I am. But I'll make it up to him."

"Good luck with that," she said, playfully rolling her eyes. "You might need a miracle."

"Or a lot of patience," Hiro added, his voice light. "But, if I can handle you, I can handle anything."

Tsunade smiled, leaning in closer until their lips were almost touching. "Is that a challenge? Because I think you're going to need more than just words to keep up with me."

As the next few days passed, Hiro and Tsunade spent their time teasing each other and enjoying their growing bond.