#ask no jutsu

[senjutsunade]

Do you think Tsunade made Kakashi her successor because all of the Kage expected it, Shikaku advised it and he was pretty much the shoe in when she was out for the count, a choice that everyone just settled on in the moment. Or do you think he would have been her own choice as well. If not Kakashi who else would Tsunade nominate in Kakashi's stead. Or would she just have continued on until Naruto was eventually ready.

Anon-san, you are one evil creature, okay?! pointed look

Anyhow, for the sake of the fandom, let's tackle this one.

The simplest answer to this is, there was no one else. Ironic, right? And pretty sad too.

But the same was true for Tsunade's own turn.

After the Second and Third Wars, too many high-ranked shinobi died.

Let's talk about all the ones who had the potential to be Hokage.

Since Sarutobi's own Team 7 adventures, it seems like he was orchestrating a grand narrative with a recurring motif.

The trend started with the Sannin—his own team. From his three students, Orochimaru was considered to be the 'successor' for the longest time. How that story unfolded is another tangled web.

Following having one potential successor, Sarutobi did not stop there. He needed more. And who better than to have Hashirama's own blood? Again, Team 7 came into play, this time led by Orochimaru (see the tradition?). Another idea linked to this, which used to be a headcanon for Skye, was that Fugaku used to be on that team alongside Nawaki. The idea of having a Senju and an Uchiha on the same team, that too under Sarutobi's own student, was almost like bringing the two clans under his control. Yet fate, of course, had another plan—Nawaki died a genin, and Fugaku (and the mystery teammate) were placed on another cell. This disbanded Team 7.

Sarutobi, of course, couldn't help but try again—where Orochimaru had failed, Jiraiya was expected to succeed. And so the toad sage was the new sensei of a new Team 7 cell. This one had an unexpected prodigy—one Namikaze Minato. This time, Sarutobi's experiment was successful. A new potential Kage rose to fame. The sparkly brat burned too bright and then ended up a martyr.

But before that, his own Team 7 cell was put to the test, and from that, we get one Hatake Kakashi. Curse of Team 7 may be as strong as Shodai's necklace, honestly.

Other candidates who had the potential to be Hokage were a quite a few, starting with Uchiha Fugaku. His performance in the war was legendary. Had events not played out as they had, Fugaku would have been the ideal candidate.

Kato Dan was another potential candidate—for my muse's sake, he should have been Hokage. Maybe we would have had a better Konoha, after all. But the curse got to him too. He died before he could reach his dream.

Hatake Sakumo was another shinobi who had the potential to be Hokage. Another tragedy. Had he lived, Tsunade and Kakashi would have been spared a lot of backaches caused by paperwork. Maybe he thought the alternative was better? Cough.

Anyhow, Tsunade became Hokage because, with the situation Konoha was in, there was a need for someone of the Sannin's level. With Orochimaru as the enemy, it made sense to have another Sannin take the lead. Jiraiya was considered, but Jiraiya is more loyal to the prophecy than the village—sue me. But that is what I believe.

That left Tsunade. Kakashi MAY have been considered, but he was still too young, and the memory of Minato was still too fresh. The role fell to the last Senju.

For her own successor, from early on, it was clear it would be Kakashi. It wasn't about wanting the position anymore. The one who wanted it didn't survive. So the responsibility fell upon the ones who had never wanted to have anything to do with the position. Kakashi was Tsunade's right-hand man from the get-go. They both knew their roles and both filled them because they saw the position as not a dream but a responsibility as well as a burden that was theirs to bear. As if it could make all their sacrifices worth it. Fools.

Kakashi was the successor because who else could it be?

Gai had the skills but not the political mindset.

Nara Shikaku had the brains for the job but not the physical skill to match it.

Kakashi checked all the boxes.

His reputation in all of the shinobi nations was strong. Enemies feared him. Allies respected him. The Hatake clan itself was known for its loyalty to Konoha. His record is second only to the Sannin themselves. He may have never wanted the post, but that was what made him good at the job. And he had a very successful 12 years, right?

[pocketbuddy]

this fat fuck again

[duckiemimi]

weakened blob-state sukuna telling yuuji, "i'll commend you for playing the fool to this extent, yuuji itadori! don't underestimate me...i'm a curse!" while funny is also very telling in how much pride sukuna puts into his strength. ironically, it plays out like plain human hubris, despite him claiming to be a "curse." it doesn't seem like strength is something that's just a matter of fact to him. it seems like throughout the centuries, it's something he's had to maintain—for himself and the perception of him by others. perhaps, it's something he had to build in the first place. i wonder if it has anything to do with what he told kashimo in chapter 237, about being a "cursed, unwanted little wretch." was he made to feel small? is that why he wanted to be big? did yuuji hit a nerve? it's nice to know my little tangent of him in this post (click) had some merit to it. sukuna's more human than he thinks he is, and than he likes to be.

[teatitty]

Iruka has multiple ear piercings from his delinquent days truther but in the sense that he takes them off for teacher duties because wearing any kind of shiny attention grabbing jewellery around a bunch of volatile high excitable nin-kids is just asking for trouble and he's not a fucking idiot thank you very much

Which means all his students inevitably have a huge double take moment when they see him in casuals or mission wear outside of class and he looks like all those bad boy gangster punks their parents always complain about causing trouble

The only one unsurprised by it is Naruto because he's so used to Iruka's piercings he doesn't even clock their existence most of the time but he does think it's weird that his brother takes them off for school and not for missions. "Kids are more likely to try tearing them out," he says which is such a shudder worthy thought Naruto never brings it up again

[konohagakurekakashi]

You never pay for your own lunch so what do you spend youre money on

[shih-coulda-had-it]

En without top 😈🤭🔥 please?? 🥺

censor torino also works to stop me from fulfilling every request in the tumblr inbox.

[hellcifrogs]

Wait wait! Sannin Swap AU is giving me so many feelings!

Red eyed Naruto is looking like an unhinged Minato and I bet that with time he will use Talk no Jutsu on Orochimaru and somewhat redeem him??? Naruto trained by Tsunade thooooooo!!! FAMILY BONDING! She did see Nawaki on him, so I guess she would take it as a second chance maybe? And I snorted at "now he's the Hokage grandson" LOL

Jiraya as Sakura's proud uncle HECK YES! And after Aburame Sakura with pink beetles now we have Sakura with pink snakes. I love it! Also HECK YES GIRL END KABUTO! Also, SakuKarin if Sakura finds Team Taka?

Sasuke being trained by Jiraya might make him the village's hero (btw love his clothes) but Sasuke being trained by Tsunade? The last Uchiha being trained by the last Senju????? Madara and Tobirama are rolling in their graves and Hashirama and Izuna are watching benevolently hahahahaha He will singlehandedly end the division that exists since before the village was stablished!

Minato + Kushina (unhinged Uzumaki) = Naruto (little unhinged Minato looking gremlin). It's simple.

Tsunade is Naruto's grandma in my heart and no one can take that from me. It's simple <3

SAKUKARIN FOR SURE! Who do you think I am? 💖 there's even an extra idea I'm organizing to post later where any of the 3 could find Karin to team up, and Snake! Sakura would STILL end up with her.

The Uchiha x Senju peacemaking thing never really meant much to me... until I realized Sasuke could do it! From time to time people mention ideas for how that could be, either Sakura getting more into the Senju side (with mokuton or as Tsunade's legacy) and so SasuSaku could symbolize that peace, or just making things clearer with Naruto's chakra so that it made more sense idk NOW Sasuke doing it alone >:) by himself, being the best version of and for Hashirama's dream of the village and clearing the Uchiha name along the way! Pls😖💖

[awakefor48hours]

“All the fights in Steven Universe were so boring. They all end with talk no justu.” Tell me you didn’t understand Steven Universe, without telling me you didn’t understand Steven Universe

[the-real-sasuke-uchiha]

Yes hello I'm here to support the revolution, I offer a regular supply of The Best tomatoes in the world, and I can spread awareness with my art. Victory is its own reward, of course, but... just wondering, are you still on good terms with the ninja cats? My feline roomie has more chakra than she knows what to do with, and she could use some training.

Hi there, nice person! You are so kind, your support is invaluable for us ✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻 Any revolution is better with tomatoes and art, your contributions will be priceless.

I am in good terms with the ninja cats and with every cat in this planet. They are valuable assets in our lines. I will talk to Nekobaa, I am sure she can teach your friend some useful tricks.

Take care, my friend, and long live the revolution!

[senjutsunade]

How would Tsunade treat Sasuke if she learnt the truth about the Uchiha Massacre?

There is a lot to unpack there.

Tsunade's views about the Uchiha take after her grandfather's ideology. To her, the Uchiha name denotes trusted allies.

Growing up, Uchiha Kagame was a figure she would often encounter. My forever ago interaction with @blurredsharingan's Kagame led to my headcanons that the man was the first encounter young Tsunade had with the Uchiha clan and his friendly approach towards a toddler Senju princess made Tsunade very fond of the nin.

This fondness led to her being friendly with all Uchiha's she encountered as she grew up. They were commands. Friends. Men and women who had her back out in the battle field. People she experienced the horrors of war with. People she bed for and bled with.

Any clan related jibes were always only for fun and amusement - with the sentiment of light heartedly mocking the animosity their ancestors had clung onto.

Then came the fact that on Uchiha Fugaku was on the same gennin team as her brother (HC shared with @fire-hearted-father-blog's Fugaku). Fugaku had the natural talent to make the Senju princess want to match his constant deadpan. Following Nawaki's death, their interaction was limited but each time they crossed paths, Tsunade's sole focus was to annoy the stoic Uchiha. She got a ridiculous amount of amusement out of her attempts. They clashed a lot but Tsunade had a lot of respect for the man and his talent.

The news of the massacre had hurt her - she'd lost friends. Allies. People she had grown up with. It had shaken her a lot. Until her return to Konoha, she'd not faced the reality of what had happened. It was a tragedy of horrendous magnitude.

If/when she finds out about the planned Uchina coup - she wouldn't have been surprised. She'd never understood, nor accepted the discrimination the Uchiha's had faced. She regrets not having done anything to change that. Another regret fates bestowed upon her.

How she would treat Sasuke - as the last of the Uchiha's, she would understand some of his feelings as she herself is the last of an old shinobi blood line. Officially she would have treated her as any other nin. Outside of her official role, she would have tried to show him the respect she had for his lineage. I believe if Orochimaru hadn't fucked things up, she would perhaps had a chance to instill in the Uchiha the same loyalty many of his clan members had towards the idea of Konoha.

I believe there was the possibility of a tentative friendship there.

Bonus: One of my favorite HC's shared between me and my main Sasuke is that Tsunade and Saskue end up forming the most bizarre friendship following the war. It shouldn't have worked with all that has happened and the generational gap. Most of it is snark and jabs shared between the two with the seediest bars as the background but each encounter just so happens to be something both look forward to. He always seeks her out for advice - the fool. She tries to play the wise sage (pfffft) and gives him the best advise she possibly can but its always shit and yet the idiot trusts her (WHY?) to go through with it and always end up in trouble. Still he always comes back for more.

[minaa-munch]

Minato's thoughts when he realized he was going to be a father?

Let it be known that when it comes to parenthood Minato wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. He didn't have any parents, and the closest thing to a father was Jiraiya who also happened to be an active shinobi on the roster.

So here's a mini snippet:

"I have nothing left..."

A voice edged with loss, knuckles white from grasping the handle of the tanto blade. Light hues stare at the bloodied grass where pieces of her comrades lay like broken ceramic.

"Curse you" -- she breathes a whisper as a shadow engulfs her small form. She barely has time to turn before the cold tip of a kunai pierces her throat. Trembling digits rise to grasp at the handle while her lips continue to move.

"Curse you " She gasps, head angling to meet frigid blue hues the only way she can "--curse all that share your blood. May you feel the pain of all the deaths you've caused over...and..ov-"

Gurgle. Swish. Thud.

Minato flicks the blood of his kunai as the severed head of the kunoichi stares listlessly at him from the grass. Dull eyes spare her a glance before silently trudging towards the other chakra points tickling his peripheral.

K̴̛̜̕͝ö̶͖́n̷͍̜͗͑͑ȯ̸̫̕͜h̸̥̎͊a̵̪͎̿͆̇ ̴̦͚̘̓n̷��͉̚͜o̵͎͙̒̈́̂ ̴͍͔̮̋̈Ķ̴̹̮̉i̶̧͕̞͝i̵̢̾r̵̨̟̍̓́ó̴͕͚͘i̸̢͈̾̔̕ ̶̭̾̈́͘ͅS̵͕̭̥̊̒e̷͔͎̊͗̿n̷͇͍̏k̷̓̚͜͝ō̵̮̙̔̍͝ Pause. Minato blinks, before turning back. The kunoichi's severed head is staring back at him, lips twisting to form words.

K̴̛̜̕͝ö̶͖́n̷͍̜͗͑͑ȯ̸̫̕͜h̸̥̎͊a̵̪͎̿͆̇ ̴̦͚̘̓n̷͉̓̚͜o̵͎͙̒̈́̂ ̴͍͔̮̋̈Ķ̴̹̮̉i̶̧͕̞͝i̵̢̾r̵̨̟̍̓́ó̴͕͚͘i̸̢͈̾̔̕ ̶̭̾̈́͘ͅS̵͕̭̥̊̒e̷͔͎̊͗̿n̷͇͍̏k̷̓̚͜͝ō̵̮̙̔̍͝

Minato instantly takes a flash step back. Ink bleeds from her eyes and bubbles from her hair. Two horns emerge, followed by tendrils of shadows and dusted color, marked sigils of a language lost to humankind.

K̴̛̜̕͝ö̶͖́n̷͍̜͗͑͑ȯ̸̫̕͜h̸̥̎͊a̵̪͎̿͆̇ ̴̦͚̘̓n̷͉̓̚͜o̵͎͙̒̈́̂ ̴͍͔̮̋̈Ķ̴̹̮̉i̶̧͕̞͝i̵̢̾r̵̨̟̍̓́ó̴͕͚͘i̸̢͈̾̔̕ ̶̭̾̈́͘ͅS̵͕̭̥̊̒e̷͔͎̊͗̿n̷͇͍̏k̷̓̚͜͝ō̵̮̙̔̍͝

The head is gone. The reaper shifts its prayer beads to another palm, its eyes bottomless pools of miasma. Timeless. Immortal.

And for all his speed, Minato can't move. Eternity stares back at him with thinly veiled amusement before removing the dagger from its mouth.

K̴̛̜̕͝ö̶͖́n̷͍̜͗͑͑ȯ̸̫̕͜h̸̥̎͊a̵̪͎̿͆̇ ̴̦͚̘̓n̷͉̓̚͜o̵͎͙̒̈́̂ ̴͍͔̮̋̈Ķ̴̹̮̉i̶̧͕̞͝i̵̢̾r̵̨̟̍̓́ó̴͕͚͘i̸̢͈̾̔̕ ̶̭̾̈́͘ͅS̵͕̭̥̊̒e̷͔͎̊͗̿n̷͇͍̏k̷̓̚͜͝ō̵̮̙̔̍͝

The Yondaime awoke with a start, hand grasping at his chest where he could have sworn the Reaper had stabbed him. Frantic blues search for the specter in the dark before a tug at his fingers bid him to breathe.

Breathe. He can make out the shadows of the window sill before his vision slips to the comfort of the stars swathed by shades of blue and purple. He counts each flicker of light under his breath until he can no longer hear his heart race in his ear. Swallowing against his dry throat, Minato raises one hand to his sweat-soaked forehead.

This was the third time he had seen the same dream - no, nightmare. Except the kunoichi was new. The chakra, the blood and the weapons had all felt so real.

And the reaper --

"I'm going to be a mother ttebane!" "And I'm...really going to be a father!"

Ever since Kushina had told him about her pregnancy five days ago, he had been getting nightmares about the reaper killing him in some way or form. He had talked to Inoichi about it, of course. The Jōnin  had simply reassured him that his dreams were related to stress -- most likely about fatherhood, since that is when they had begun, before pointedly adding that it 'served him right' for reading the scrolls Kushina had told him not to touch because they were forbidden, potentially cursed and definitely terrifying.

Considering how the probability of being haunted by the Shinigami was as high as Jiraiya sensei declaring a chastity retreat that lasted the rest of his life, he put more stock in the former. And honestly - who was he kidding? He didn't know the first thing about raising a child. Sure, he had some experience with children - he had taken on a Genin team when he had been promoted to Jōnin, but that hadn't exactly ended well. Two of his kids were dead and the only way to ensure the third didn't end up the same way was to assign him to the ANBU unit under his direct command.

Point being; where he could be entrusted with the safety of an entire village, he could hardly take care of those who mattered most to him. People he loved just kept...slipping from his fingers.

"I'm going to be a mother ttebane!" "And I'm...really going to be a father!"

And by kami, did he want to be one. He wanted to be one so badly. He wanted to start a family with the woman he loved most in the world but was he even strong enough to be able to protect them--

Cue a forceful inhale at the thought, as if the action alone would banish it. Now was not the time to ruminate over his fears. Maybe there were just...unfounded fears. The wars had just ended, they were in relatively peaceful times and there would be nothing to worry about unless someone mucked up - and as the Yondaime, he would not let that happen.

Iie, not just as the Yondaime. Minato raises his hand to wipe the telltale wetness at his lids, only to be met with resistance. Cue a light snore, before dainty fingers tighten around his.

"--stupid fox 'ttebane." Kushina mumbles in the dark. It pulls a faint smile to his lips and he squeezes back, almost as if in reassurance.

He would protect his family. No matter what the costs.

[thetoaddaddy]

Hey there little one

Jiraiya, tiny young and barely hitting knee height, scowls at Naruto the way kids do when seeing someone they don’t quite know but they’re clearly judging.

“What? If you’re going to bug me you could give me some of your snack.” He said as he held out his hand expectantly. For a kid his age he is scrawny. Hard to picture him growing into a beast of a man.

[kankuroplease]

HashMada <3

I love them and wish they could’ve talked it through and listened to each other 😭

[a-preferable-alternative]

geh raus und fang ne taube

hab ich, aber sie hört nicht auf mit ihren Händen komisch rumzufuchteln und Fingerzeichen zu formen...

[konohagakurekakashi]

Did you finally fall asleep last night?

Maa, I certainly made a valiant effort.

[fuu-no-jutsu]

Hey I just found this blog and it reignited my love for Fuu! She’s so wonderful we love this funky little bug gal so much💖

Aaa thank you so much!! I love Fuu too, she fills me with so much joy and whimsy!