ITN’s Naruto Museigen Ch. 41: Team Tsunade!

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-ˏˋNaruto Museigen Ch. 41´ˎ-

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ˑ༄ؘ ۪۪۫۫ ▹Team Tsunade!◃ ۪۪۫۫ ༄ؘ ˑ

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Tsunade stood in front of her office with her new team, a small but determined group. She had called in a small crew to take a team photo, a gesture that seemed unnecessary to Sakura, who stood next to Tenten. Sakura raised an eyebrow. “Do we really need a picture? I mean, this is supposed to be a secret team, right?”

Tsunade shot her a smirk, her arms crossed. “This is not a secret team, Sakura. Your missions won’t be the usual genin-level ones. They’ll be far more sensitive. The work we do requires teamwork on a level you haven’t seen before. This photo is just part of documenting your progress—and, of course, a reminder of what you’re capable of together.” Sakura opened her mouth to argue but fell silent, realizing the weight of Tsunade’s words.

Meanwhile, Tenten, ever the one to adapt to any situation, summoned a kunai with a swift hand gesture, ready to be included in the photo. She positioned it in her hand like a weapon, but with a calm composure, almost as if it were part of the normal routine. “Then let’s encapsulate this moment then.”

” Yeah… whatever big word you just said.”Naruto, standing off to the side, was already in his usual playful mood. He was ready to goof around as usual when Tsunade turned toward him with a disapproving look.

“ Alright, Naruto,” she said firmly, hands on her hips. “You better not pull any stunts with this picture. We’re trying to set a serious tone here.”

Naruto grinned mischievously, his eyes gleaming. “Don’t worry, Tsunade! Just for you, I won’t do anything crazy.” He winked, though the playful tone never left his voice. Sakura rolled her eyes, but even she couldn’t help but smile at Naruto’s antics.

Tsunade, still not fully convinced, narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m watching you, Naruto.”

“ Got it, Hokage! All serious, just for you!” Naruto grinned widely, giving her a thumbs up. The crew got into position, and with a few quick adjustments to the background, the photo was ready to be taken. Tsunade gave a quick nod, and the camera clicked, capturing the moment—a picture of Team Tsunade, ready for whatever the future held. As the camera crew stepped back, Tsunade felt a rare sense of pride in this new team she had assembled. Despite their quirks and differences, they were a team—and with them, Tsunade felt a sense of hope for the next generation of shinobi. Once it was done, she was given the photo and the trio looked to see.

Tsunade looked at it first, her eyes scanning the image with a small smile. She couldn’t deny it—it captured the spirit of her new team perfectly. “Well, it’s not bad,” Tsunade muttered, her usual serious tone softening just a little. “Everyone looks good.”

Sakura leaned in for a closer look, her eyes gleaming with pride. “I have to it, it’s nice seeing us together like this. I think it’s a perfect photo for our first team.” She gave a satisfied nod. “I’m glad we’re finally moving forward.”

Naruto, ever the playful one, immediately jumped in with a grin, his eyes twinkling. “I knew it’d be good. Look at me, I’m shining in this shot!” He pointed to himself in the photo, exaggerating his confidence with a dramatic pose. “Who wouldn’t love this face?” Tenten chuckled softly, shaking her head at Naruto’s antics.

“ You definitely make it fun, Naruto. But I agree, this photo does capture us well.” She gazed at the image, her face calm and contemplative. “It’s like we’ve already formed a bond just by standing here together. We’ll make a great team.”

The four of them stood in a brief silence, taking in the image of their new beginning. For Tsunade, it felt like a step toward something more than just another mission. This team would be something important. They weren’t just shinobi under her command—they were a unit. A family, in a way. Tsunade looked at the three of them.

“ Alright, everyone. Let’s make sure this team lives up to what this photo represents. No backing down.”

Naruto threw a fist in the air with his usual energy. “You can count on me, Tsunade! We’re going to be the best!”

Sakura nodded with determination. “I won’t let you down, Tsunade-sensei.”

Tenten’s calm gaze softened, but her resolve was clear. “I’m ready, Tsunade. Let’s make this team something we can all be proud of.”

Tsunade smirked, proud of their words. “Good. Then let’s get to work.”

Meanwhile

Asuma, Shikamaru, and Shikaku sat around a small table at a local eatery, enjoying their meal after a long day. Shikamaru sat quietly, poking at his food while his father and Asuma chatted casually about training. “You’ve really done a great job with Shikamaru,” Shikaku remarked, taking a sip of his tea. “I can tell he’s improving, both in skill and strategy. It’s impressive how much he’s grown under your training, Asuma.”

Asuma, always humble, gave a small nod. “Thanks, Shikaku. But it’s more about finding his potential, you know? He’s got the mind for it. I just guide him in the right direction.” Shikamaru, half-listening, barely glanced up from his plate. He wasn’t as interested in the conversation, but as always, he was quietly absorbing everything around him. Shikaku exchanged a knowing look with Asuma, and then both of them subtly slid a piece of paper toward Shikamaru. “Hey, Shikamaru,” Asuma began casually, “while we’re at it, we’ve got a little ninja test here. Nothing major, just some light brain exercises. Your old man was telling me about how sharp your mind is. Thought you might enjoy filling it out.”

Shikamaru, ever the easygoing and laid-back type, glanced at the paper without much hesitation. “Sure, whatever,” he muttered, picking up the pen and starting to fill out the test. He didn’t think much of it; after all, it was just a test. As he worked through the questions, both Asuma and Shikaku observed him carefully, quietly exchanging a few words under their breath. Once Shikamaru finished, he handed it back to them with a small shrug, then stood up, preparing to leave.

“ Well, I’m done. See you guys later,” he said, uninterested in what was happening.

As soon as Shikamaru walked out the door, Shikaku and Asuma quickly got to work, calculating the results of the test. They ran the numbers through, comparing them to the expected outcomes for someone his age.

The two of them were silent for a moment, processing the results. Shikaku raised an eyebrow. “This kid… his IQ is over 200.”

“ Over 200? I knew Shikamaru was smart, but… that’s on another level.” Asuma leaned back in his chair, eyes wide in disbelief.

Shikaku let out a low whistle. “No wonder he’s always so relaxed and never bothered by the little things. He’s processing everything at a level most people can’t even imagine.”

Asuma let out a deep breath, still in shock. “We’ve got a real genius on our hands. That’s going to be a big advantage for him in the future.”

Shikaku nodded thoughtfully, looking out the window where Shikamaru had left. “It’s not just about strength. This kid’s got the kind of intelligence that can change the game. We need to make sure he knows how to use it properly. It’s up to us, as his mentors, to help him grow.”

Asuma grinned, a sense of pride and responsibility forming in his chest. “We’ve got this. He’s going to be something special.”

“ Just make sure he doesn’t get too bored with all the genius stuff. The kid’s got a tendency to tune out if it doesn’t challenge him.” The two men shared a knowing look, understanding the challenge ahead. They both knew they had to keep Shikamaru engaged, and his incredible intellect would need to be honed properly for his future as a shinobi. Meanwhile, Shikamaru was likely already off somewhere, probably lying down somewhere shady and contemplating the world’s mysteries with his usual lazy demeanor. But deep down, both Shikaku and Asuma knew: that Shikamaru’s mind was something to be taken seriously. Shikamaru was walking down a quiet street, lost in thought when he was suddenly greeted by a familiar, cheerful voice.

“ Hey, Shikamaru!” Choji called out, waving energetically.

Shikamaru glanced up and smiled, his usual laid-back expression softening. “Yo, Choji.” The two best friends quickly walked toward each other and did their signature handshake, a tradition that had been in place for years. Choji grinned as he slapped Shikamaru’s hand in his usual enthusiastic manner.

“ It’s been a while, huh? Haven’t seen you much lately,” Choji said, still grinning.

Shikamaru shrugged casually. “I’ve been busy, you know, training and whatnot. How about you?”

Choji’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I’ve been doing great! Guy-sensei is awesome! I love the guy, and Lee and Hinata are amazing teammates. We’ve been doing a lot of tough training together. Lee’s energy is always motivating, and Hinata’s a solid fighter.”

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, smirking lightly. “I bet you’re having a blast with them. Guy’s probably running you into the ground with his crazy training.”

“ You know it! But it’s fun. I can’t complain. And Lee—man, Lee’s energy is contagious. He’s always so fired up.”

Shikamaru sighed, rolling his eyes as he leaned against a nearby post. “Sounds like a lot of effort. But hey, I get it. As long as you’re having fun.”

Choji nodded eagerly. “Yeah, exactly! It’s a great team. We’ve been getting better every day.”

Shikamaru let out a small chuckle. “Guess it’s good you’re with Lee. Tenten told me he has that ‘let’s do this’ mentality, even if he drives you crazy with it.”

Choji laughed again, nodding in agreement before the conversation shifted. “So what about you? How’s your team?”

Shikamaru shrugged, a rare smile tugging at his lips. “You know, it’s better than I thought. I didn’t expect it, but hanging out with Naruto and Tenten has been… good. They’re a bit crazy, but they’ve got heart, and we actually make a decent team together. They push me to think more creatively, and that’s not something I thought I’d need.”

Choji raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Really? You actually enjoy being on that team?”

Shikamaru smirked, glancing off to the side. “Yeah. Naruto always had a way of making things interesting. And Tenten’s skills with weapons and strategies have really helped us out in ways I didn’t expect.”

“ Sounds like you’re having fun,” Choji said with a grin. “Maybe Naruto’s not so bad after all, huh?”

Shikamaru nodded, letting out a small laugh. “Yeah, I guess. As long as he’s not dragging me into some stupid plan, it’s all good.”

Choji chuckled, nudging his friend with his elbow. “Hey, as long as you’re all getting along, it sounds like it’s going well.” The two stood in comfortable silence for a moment, before Choji slapped Shikamaru on the back. “You know, I think you’re really starting to enjoy this whole ‘team’ thing. Don’t act like you don’t.”

Shikamaru snorted, but there was a hint of warmth in his voice. “Maybe. But I’ll never it it.”

Choji smiled, knowing his friend well. “I think you’re just getting soft, Shikamaru.”

Shikamaru gave him a lazy look. “Only to you, Choji. Don’t get used to it.” The two of them shared a laugh, their friendship was always easy and effortless, just like it always had been. Despite the challenges ahead, it was clear that both of them were beginning to feel more comfortable in their respective teams, each growing in their own ways with their new teammates.

Later

Tsunade sat behind her desk, looking at Kakashi with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. They had been discussing the aftermath of the attack on Minato and Kushina for a while, but there was still one thing that had been bothering her: Kakashi’s role during the attack. “Kakashi,” Tsunade started, her voice calm but insistent, “You’ve never actually told me what you were doing during the attack on Minato and Kushina. You were there, and then… you disappeared. What happened?”

Kakashi sighed, looking down at the floor for a moment. He had always been secretive about this, but Tsunade was the Hokage now. If anyone needed to know, it was her. He met her gaze, his visible eye serious as he finally spoke. “I was fighting the masked man, too,” Kakashi itted. “But while Minato was battling him, I had to face another man—someone else with the Byakugan. He was after Kushina as well. That’s when I got this…” Kakashi lifted his shirt slightly, revealing a scar across his chest. Tsunade leaned forward, her eyes scanning the scar. It was deep, clear evidence of a fight with someone wielding a blade. She remained silent for a moment, processing the information.

“ Two men,” she muttered under her breath. “Just as I suspected… two people were behind the attack on Minato and Kushina, not just one.”

Kakashi nodded, his tone somber. “Yes. The masked man with the Byakugan was one of them, but there was another which was probably the one with the Sharingan. I didn’t have the full picture at the time, but after everything that happened, it makes sense.” Tsunade’s mind was racing. She now had confirmation of the two assailants, and it cleared up so many questions. But it also brought up others.

“ So you were fighting the second one while Minato and Kushina dealt with the first?” Tsunade asked, her voice steady but laced with concern.

Kakashi nodded again. “I never let my guard down, but I couldn’t prevent everything. I did what I could to protect them but in the end… I couldn’t stop the attack.”

Tsunade took a deep breath, her eyes softening as she glanced at Kakashi. “I can’t imagine what that must’ve been like for you.”

Kakashi remained quiet, staring at the floor for a moment before meeting her gaze. “I did my best, Tsunade. That’s all I could do.” She nodded, her expression thoughtful. She understood now why Kakashi had never spoken about it before. He hadn’t been hiding anything malicious. He had simply been carrying the weight of that day all on his own.

“ And the scar…” Tsunade said, her eyes narrowing slightly. “That confirms you weren’t lying about your alibi. You were there, fighting someone. It clears you as a suspect in the attack.”

Kakashi’s eyes softened. “I wasn’t involved in the death of Minato and Kushina. I wasn’t the one who caused it.”

Tsunade leaned back in her chair, her gaze intense but understanding. “I believe you, Kakashi. That was the last piece I needed. Now, we can move forward with the truth. We know there were two men involved—someone with the Sharingan and someone with the Byakugan.”

Kakashi’s expression darkened at the mention of the Sharingan. “I don’t know who the other man was, but they have Obito’s other eye... I’ll have to look into it further”

Tsunade gave him a reassuring nod. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”

Kakashi stood up from his chair, giving Tsunade a brief, respectful nod. “Thank you, Lady Tsunade. For believing me.”

She nodded, a small but genuine smile playing on her lips. “You’re one of the good ones, Kakashi. I don’t doubt you.” Tsunade couldn’t help but reflect on how many layers the situation had. Not just with the attack on Minato and Kushina, but with everything surrounding the masked man, Obito’s role, and Danzo’s manipulations. She was getting closer to understanding the full picture—and the truth would soon come to light. Just as Kakashi was about to leave Tsunade’s office, she stopped him with a final question. “Kakashi,” Tsunade said, her voice steady but filled with urgency. “There’s one more thing. The only living witness to the attack, can you describe the masked man with the Byakugan as best as possible? We need every detail.”

Kakashi paused, his hand resting on the doorframe as he considered her question. He’d been through so much that day, his memory hazy from the chaos of battle and the traumatic loss. But something in Tsunade’s tone made him focus, to sift through the fog of his recollection. “I … it’s hard to recall everything clearly,” Kakashi said slowly. “But there were some things I do . His Byakugan was… unmistakable. He had a very distinct way of using it, almost like it was second nature to him. The way he moved, his posture—he wasn’t just any ordinary shinobi. He was powerful. He knew Main Branch techniques.” Tsunade’s brow furrowed, her eyes sharpening with interest. She leaned forward, urging him to continue. Kakashi hesitated, his gaze distant. “His features… I couldn’t see much of his face, but the few moments I did catch, it reminded me of someone from the village. His chakra felt familiar, too. But it wasn’t until much later that I realized… the way he held himself, and his mannerisms—they were similar to Hiashi Hyuga. It was almost like looking at a different side of him.”

Tsunade froze, her thoughts immediately jumping to a conclusion. “Hiashi Hyuga?” she repeated quietly, her mind racing. “But why…?”

Kakashi nodded, his expression grim. “I know it sounds strange, but I swear, there was something about him that screamed Hiashi. He had that same kind of stoic presence. But then again, it was hard to be sure. The Byakugan gives off a specific aura, and when combined with the Sharingan’s, it’s even harder to differentiate. But in that brief moment… it stood out.”

Tsunade took a deep breath, her fingers drumming lightly on the desk as she processed Kakashi’s words. “That makes sense,” she murmured, more to herself than to Kakashi. “It explains a lot. Hiashi’s behavior and his ties to the Hyuga clan… but there’s something off about this. Could he have been involved in some way?”

Kakashi didn’t have an answer, but Tsunade’s mind was already spinning with the new possibilities. The mention of Hiashi and the Byakugan gave her a clear connection to someone close to Konoha—a powerful clan leader who had never been fully trusted, who might have been manipulated by Danzo in ways no one could anticipate.

“ You’ve given me a lot to think about,” Tsunade said, more to herself now. “Thank you, Kakashi. This changes everything.”

Kakashi gave a respectful nod, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes. “Be careful, Tsunade. If Hiashi really is involved… it could mean a deeper betrayal than any of us realized.” With that, Kakashi left the office, his words lingering in the air. Tsunade stared at the closed door, her thoughts heavy. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together, but the picture they painted was far from clear. The truth was out there—and it was darker than she had imagined.

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