Naruto: The Monkey King

Nightfall in Tanzaku Gai

The moon hung low over Tanzaku Gai, casting long shadows over the streets as Tsunade and Shizune stood together in deep discussion. The air was heavy with tension. Orochimaru's offer weighed on Tsunade's mind. His promise to resurrect Nawaki and Dan in exchange for healing his arms, which had been sealed by Hiruzen during their battle in Konoha.

Shizune's face was drawn, worry creasing her brow as she pleaded with Tsunade, urging her not to make a deal with the devil. "You know what Orochimaru is capable of... if you heal him, you're unleashing a monster."

Tsunade's hand clenched into a fist, her heart torn between the temptation of seeing her loved ones again and the knowledge of the danger Orochimaru posed to the entire village. Before she could respond, there was a rustling sound from the shadows.

Naruto stepped out, his eyes reflecting the flicker of torches lining the streets. He had been eavesdropping on their conversation and couldn't keep quiet any longer. His face was set with determination, his voice steady. "Tsunade... you should heal Orochimaru."

Naruto clenched his fists, his gaze burning with intensity. "I understand perfectly. Orochimaru killed the Third Hokage. I owe him for that. I have a score to settle, and I want to be the one to take him down."

Tsunade hesitated, studying Naruto's face. She saw the fire in his eyes, the same fire that had been in her younger brother's gaze. After a long silence, she sighed. "You're serious about this, aren't you?"

Naruto nodded firmly. "I am."

Shizune looked horrified but didn't say anything, understanding that Naruto's will was unbreakable.

The Next Day

Jiraiya stood in the morning sun, his brow furrowed as he glanced around, searching for Naruto and Tsunade.

Shizune approached him, her face calm but her eyes betraying the anxiety she tried to hide. "They went out together. Probably just spending some time alone."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Together?

He could sense that Shizune wasn't telling him everything, but he chose not to press the issue. If Tsunade and Naruto had gone off on their own, there was likely something serious going on. Still, he managed a smile. "It's a good thing for them to spend time together. They're family, after all."

Shizune said nothing, merely nodding. But as Jiraiya walked away, his mind turned, wondering what Tsunade and Naruto were truly up to.

---

With Naruto and Tsunade

The two walked side by side through the forest, the path leading to an inevitable confrontation with Orochimaru and Kabuto. As they walked, Tsunade broke the silence.

"You know, Naruto, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

Naruto glanced at her curiously. "What's that, Tsunade?"

Tsunade hesitated for a moment before continuing. "You and I… we're related. Distant relatives, but still family. Your parents were remarkable people, Naruto. Your mother, Kushina, was the most fierce and courageous woman I've ever met. And your father… he was the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."

Naruto stopped in his tracks, staring at Tsunade in disbelief. "Wait… the Fourth Hokage was… my dad?"

Tsunade nodded, her expression soft. "He was. You've inherited more from them than you know."

Naruto was silent for a moment, absorbing the revelation. His heart swelled with pride and newfound resolve. "I won't let them down, Tsunade. I'll make them proud."

Tsunade smiled faintly. "I know you will."

---

At the Meeting Place

Tsunade approached the clearing where Orochimaru and Kabuto waited. Orochimaru stood still, his snake-like eyes gleaming with anticipation. Kabuto stood by his side, smirking, his hands folded across his chest.

"Tsunade..." Orochimaru greeted her with a venomous smile. "I trust you've made your decision?"

Tsunade's gaze was sharp as she stepped closer. "You said you'd bring back Nawaki and Dan... and that you wouldn't touch the Leaf Village."

Orochimaru gave her a solemn nod, though the gleam in his eyes betrayed his true intentions. "Of course. I always keep my promises."

Tsunade's hand glowed with chakra as she placed it over Orochimaru's damaged arms. The process took time, her chakra flowing into the cursed limbs. Slowly, the seal that the Third Hokage had placed on them began to unravel, the dark marks fading from Orochimaru's skin. He flexed his fingers, smiling wickedly as the feeling returned to his arms.

"Ah... much better," Orochimaru hissed. "Now... it's time for me to fulfill my side of the bargain."

He formed a series of hand seals, and two coffins emerged from the ground. As the lids slid open, Dan and Nawaki stepped out, their faces as serene as the day they had died. Tsunade's breath hitched as she saw them, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Nawaki... Dan..." she whispered, stepping forward. But her joy was short-lived.

Orochimaru, with a malicious grin, pulled out two kunai with sealing tags. He placed the kunai in the back of their necks, and in an instant, the light left their eyes. They became mindless puppets under Orochimaru's control, their expressions turning blank as they moved to attack Tsunade.

Tsunade leaped backward, narrowly avoiding their strikes. Her heart ached as she dodged their attacks, but her anger quickly turned toward Orochimaru. "I knew you wouldn't keep your word, you snake."

Orochimaru laughed, his voice cold and mocking. "Yet you still went through with it. How foolish."

Tsunade chuckled darkly, her eyes glinting with resolve. "An angry battle maniac insisted that I do it."

Orochimaru raised a brow. "Battle maniac?"

Before he could process her words, Naruto appeared in a blur of motion, delivering a series of lightning-fast staff strikes to Dan and Nawaki, knocking them away from Tsunade. He landed beside her, holding Yeoui behind his back, his gaze cold and unwavering as he locked eyes with Orochimaru and Kabuto.

Kabuto sneered at the boy. "You should butt out of the grown-ups conversation, Naruto. You're out of your league."

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly, recognizing the change in Naruto's demeanor. He had seen the boy's potential during the Chunin Exams, but this was different. There was something far more dangerous about him now, though neither Orochimaru nor Kabuto fully understood what had changed.

What they didn't realize was that Naruto had ascended to godhood that day, his power far beyond anything they could comprehend.