"Don't get overconfident. The final stage is the hardest."
At those words, Naruto Uzumaki gave a firm nod, his expression sharpening with determination.
He understood exactly what Jiraiya meant.
He had already passed the first two stages of learning the Rasengan—rotation and power. Now, only the final and most difficult stage remained.
Compression.
The third stage required him to maintain violent chakra rotation and immense power within an extremely small, controlled space.
It wasn't just about generating chakra anymore.
It was about mastery.
The goal was to compress and condense chakra to its absolute limit—transforming raw power into a pinpoint, devastating force.
This was what would truly complete the Rasengan.
Naruto took a deep breath and pulled out the final training tool—a simple, fragile balloon.
Compared to the rubber ball from the previous stage, this balloon was incredibly delicate. Even the slightest imbalance in chakra would cause it to burst instantly.
"That's the point…" Naruto muttered.
He raised his hand and began gathering chakra.
It spun.
It surged.
It roared like a storm trapped within his palm.
Now… he had to contain it.
Naruto carefully tried to push the violently rotating chakra into the balloon without breaking it—
Boom!
The balloon exploded instantly.
Fragments scattered everywhere.
"…Damn it!"
Naruto clenched his fists, frustration written all over his face.
"This is insanely difficult!"
"The chakra is already powerful enough, but I can't even control it inside something this fragile?! That's ridiculous!"
Jiraiya nodded calmly, arms crossed.
"That's exactly the problem."
He glanced at the remnants of the balloon and continued:
"Think of it like trying to contain an explosion inside something that can't even withstand a breeze."
Naruto blinked.
Jiraiya smirked.
"You're basically trying to stuff explosive force into a paper-thin container without letting it detonate."
"That requires extremely fine control."
"Otherwise, anyone could do it."
Naruto gritted his teeth.
"…Fine."
"I'll just get it right."
Without wasting another second, he grabbed another balloon and started again.
Chakra gathered.
It spun violently in his palm.
Naruto tried to guide it more carefully this time—less force, more control—
Boom!
Another explosion.
"…Again!"
Boom!
"…Again!!"
Boom!
The balloons continued to burst one after another, each failure chipping away at Naruto's patience.
"AHHHH—!"
Naruto shouted in frustration, running his hands through his hair.
"This is impossible!"
"No… I refuse to believe that!"
"I'm not losing to something like this!"
Jiraiya chuckled, watching the boy's stubbornness with amusement.
"Naruto," he said casually, "you made quite a bold bet earlier."
"It would be pretty embarrassing if you couldn't follow through, don't you think?"
Naruto shot him an irritated glare.
"I won't lose!"
"Not to this! Not to anyone!"
Jiraiya burst into laughter.
"That's the spirit!"
But just as he was enjoying the moment, his expression suddenly changed.
"…Hmm?"
Naruto blinked.
"What's wrong, Perverted Sage?"
Jiraiya didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he turned his head sharply, eyes narrowing as he focused on something in the distance.
"…There's a powerful chakra nearby."
His tone grew serious.
"Very powerful."
Naruto's curiosity instantly spiked.
Powerful chakra?
Could it be—
"Tsunade?!"
Jiraiya nodded slowly.
"…We're close."
Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement.
Tsunade—the legendary kunoichi, one of the Three Sannin!
Someone as famous as Jiraiya and Orochimaru…
What kind of person was she?
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
"Hold on tight."
Jiraiya grabbed Naruto's shoulder.
In the next instant—
They vanished.
The two moved swiftly across rooftops and streets, heading straight toward the source of the chakra.
Despite Jiraiya's incredible speed, Naruto managed to keep up without falling behind.
Jiraiya couldn't help but feel impressed.
His chakra reserves… his stamina…
This kid is growing faster than I expected.
But before they could reach their destination—
BOOM!!!
A thunderous explosion shook the entire town of Tanzaku!
Buildings trembled.
Dust rose into the air.
In the distance, a large structure collapsed with a deafening crash.
Jiraiya's eyes widened.
"…That's it."
"We're too late to be subtle now."
"Let's move!"
Meanwhile…
Elsewhere in the town—
Tsunade was walking down the street, preparing—like always—to head toward the casino.
Her steps were casual, but her mind was elsewhere.
Suddenly—
She stopped.
A powerful, ominous chakra washed over her.
Her expression darkened instantly.
"…What is this…?"
She slowly raised her head.
Two figures stood ahead.
One of them…
She recognized immediately.
"…Orochimaru?"
Behind her, Shizune froze.
Her face turned pale.
"O-Orochimaru?!"
"One of the Legendary Sannin… just like Lady Tsunade…!"
Her voice trembled.
The sheer killing intent radiating from Orochimaru made her feel like she was about to be swallowed whole.
Even breathing felt difficult.
Tonton, cradled in her arms, trembled violently and curled into a tight ball.
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"It's been a long time…"
"…Tsunade."
His voice was soft, almost gentle—but carried a chilling undertone.
Beside him, Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses, observing Tsunade carefully.
"So this is the legendary Tsunade…"
He spoke in a low voice.
"She looks far younger than expected."
"It must be some kind of technique… preserving her youth."
Tsunade's gaze remained cold.
"Cut the nonsense."
"Why are you here, Orochimaru?"
Her voice was sharp, filled with hostility.
"We have nothing to talk about."
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"Don't be so cold."
"After all… we were once comrades."
Tsunade scoffed.
"That's meaningless now."
"Get to the point."
"I don't have time to waste."
Orochimaru's smile widened slightly.
"…Your temper hasn't changed."
He tilted his head, eyes glinting.
"Very well."
"Let me tell you something interesting."
"Sarutobi-sensei is preparing to step down as Hokage."
For a brief moment—
Tsunade's heart stirred.
But her expression remained unchanged.
"…So?"
"I stopped caring about Konoha a long time ago."
Orochimaru continued:
"The elders initially wanted Jiraiya to take the position."
"But he declined."
"And then…"
He paused deliberately.
"…He recommended you."
"Tsunade… as the next Hokage."
Shizune gasped.
"Lady Tsunade… Hokage?!"
But Tsunade simply snorted.
"I'm not interested."
Orochimaru nodded, as if he had expected that answer.
"I thought so."
"Then why are you here?" Tsunade demanded.
"Because…"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I don't trust that Jiraiya will be able to convince you."
Tsunade frowned.
"…What does my decision have to do with you?"
"Are you acting on someone else's orders?"
Orochimaru let out a low chuckle.
"As expected of you, Tsunade."
"You see through things quickly."
He didn't deny it.
"Let's just say… this is a very worthwhile opportunity."
Tsunade's gaze sharpened.
"…Danzo?"
Orochimaru didn't confirm.
But he didn't deny it either.
His eerie smile said enough.
Tsunade turned away, her expression filled with indifference.
"Whoever it is… it doesn't matter."
"Konoha means nothing to me now."
"So don't waste your time."
"I will never become Hokage."
For a moment—
Everything was silent.
Then—
Orochimaru disappeared.
In the blink of an eye, he reappeared in front of her, blocking her path.
Tsunade's eyes flashed with anger.
"Orochimaru!"
"What do you want?!"
"Was I not clear enough?!"
Orochimaru smiled calmly.
"I believe you."
"But a promise is a promise."
"I accepted a task."
"And I intend to complete it."
Tsunade's expression darkened.
"…Are you looking for death?"
"Do you really think I won't fight you?"
Orochimaru remained completely unfazed.
"I have no desire to hurt you."
"But the reward I was offered…"
"…is quite tempting."
He took a step forward.
"So, I'll need to trouble you for a while."
Tsunade's aura flared.
"What do you mean?"
Orochimaru's voice turned colder.
"One month."
"If you don't return to Konoha and become Hokage within that time…"
"I'll consider my mission complete."
He extended his hand slightly.
"So…"
"Come with me."
Silence.
Then—
Tsunade smiled.
A soft, gentle smile.
But both Orochimaru and Shizune knew—
That smile was more dangerous than any rage.
"Orochimaru…"
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Don't play games with me."
"You know exactly what I'm like."
She raised her fist slowly.
"If you say one more word…"
Her fist slammed into the wall behind her—
BOOM!!!
The massive structure shattered instantly.
Cracks spread like lightning.
Debris fell.
The sheer force sent shockwaves through the air.
Tsunade's eyes burned with fury.
"…I won't hold back."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)