"Enough talk—let's fight!"
As the Raikage's voice rang out, arcs of lightning crackled across his body.
The secret taijutsu of the Yotsuki clan of Kumogakure — on full display!
Ōnoki's robes fluttered despite the absence of wind, his hands slightly pressed together as he prepared his signature technique—Dust Release.
Meanwhile, Tsunade casually tossed aside the hat symbolizing her status as Hokage, an overwhelming surge of chakra swirling around her.
"Heavenly Kick of Pain!"
*BOOM!*
With a single stomp, the ground beneath her shattered, shockwaves radiating outward and splitting the earth apart. Even the tangled tree roots could not withstand the force, and as massive trees toppled one after another, the line of sight between the three Kage became obscured.
"Hellstab: Four-Finger Nukite!"
The Raikage's voice preceded his attack—his body, wreathed in lightning, had already closed the distance in the blink of an eye.
"Monstrous Strength Punch!"
No words were needed. Tsunade's fist, infused with colossal chakra, collided with the Raikage's piercing strike. The impact sent both of them flying backward.
Tsunade's fist was now a bloody mess, her fair skin torn apart by the lightning, a gruesome sight to behold.
"Strength of a Hundred Seal!"
The Yin Seal unraveled, and dense chakra surged forth, rapidly healing her injuries. In an instant, her mangled hand was restored—only the lingering bloodstains remained as proof of the damage.
"Raikage, move!"
A shout echoed, and the Raikage's body flickered with electricity as he vanished from his spot.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World!"
A massive cylindrical beam of light descended upon Tsunade's position.
If this technique connected, not even Edo Tensei would be able to bring her back—Dust Release reduced its targets to atoms, a level of destruction even Orochimaru couldn't yet replicate.
Dodge!
Against such an attack, even the Susanoo would be obliterated, let alone Tsunade's flesh and blood.
As Tsunade evaded, Ōnoki's Dust Release struck the ground, instantly carving out a crater over a hundred meters long and several meters deep.
"Fifth Hokage, do you still intend to keep fighting?"
Ōnoki stood atop a floating boulder in the distance, his body lightened by the Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique.
This jutsu compensated for his aging body, giving him mobility.
"After just one exchange, you expect me to surrender?"
Tsunade dusted herself off, surveying the cleared battlefield. She understood now just how troublesome these two were.
The Fourth Raikage had once rivaled Namikaze Minato, the fastest shinobi of his time—now, his speed had only increased. Unless Minato were resurrected, no one in the shinobi world could match him.
Ōnoki's Dust Release was peerless in its destructive power—its only drawback was the immense chakra cost.
To defeat these two together, her current abilities simply weren't enough.
"If you surrender now, we can negotiate the reparations peacefully!"
Ōnoki spoke earnestly. He held a favorable impression of Tsunade—if possible, he hoped she would remain as Hokage.
But personal goodwill could never override his duty to his village.
"Is that the Raikage's stance as well?"
Tsunade flicked her hair, her gaze settling on the towering Fourth Raikage.
The Raikage remained silent.
For a moment, an eerie stillness settled over the battlefield.
Then, the Raikage spoke firmly:
"Tsunade, since you challenged both of us, you must have a trump card. Now that we're here, show us what you've got!"
'That way, you'll lose with no regrets.'
He left the last part unsaid, out of respect for Tsunade's earlier act of saving him.
"Now that's the Raikage I know!"
Tsunade laughed heartily, her voice brimming with confidence, as though she held the upper hand instead of facing two Kage alone.
"Fine, I'll grant your wish!"
Clapping her hands together, she slammed them onto the ground.
"Wood Release: Nativity of a World of Trees!"
Trees erupted from the earth, their roots writhing like living serpents, spreading outward and sprouting new trunks in an endless cycle.
In the span of a breath, the forest had already reached the two Kage, its branches lunging toward them like grasping hands.
*Zzt!*
The Raikage, empowered by his lightning-enhanced speed, was already a kilometer away before Ōnoki could even react.
"No loyalty at all!"
Ōnoki cursed under his breath before manipulating the rock beneath him, soaring into the sky.
But the branches twisted into a massive net, descending upon him from above.
Ōnoki knew full well what would happen if he got caught. The legends of Wood Release were not lost on him—memories of Hashirama's overwhelming might flashed through his mind.
If Hashirama himself unleashed this technique, Ōnoki would drop to his knees and beg for mercy.
But since it was Tsunade...
He still had a fighting chance.
Even if he couldn't win, he could at least escape.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World!"
A beam of light tore through the wooden barrier, allowing Ōnoki to break free.
He didn't stop until he was nearly a hundred meters in the air. Only then did he dare to look back.
Below him, the earth was now a sea of writhing trees—a trap waiting for its prey to return.
As for Tsunade, she had vanished into the trees.
---
"Wood Release... It's Wood Release!"
On the Konoha side, the sight of the surging forest sent waves of awe through the ranks.
The legend of the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama, was etched into the hearts of every seasoned warrior.
Now, witnessing Tsunade wield the same power, the Konoha shinobi felt their blood boil—they yearned to charge into battle, to fight alongside her and crush their enemies.
"This settles it! With Tsunade-sama awakening the Senju's kekkei genkai, Konoha will once again stand at the pinnacle of the shinobi world!"
Some jonin began to cheer, and most of the Konoha forces nodded in agreement.
Tsunade had forced the Tsuchikage and Raikage into retreat single-handedly—such power was beyond ordinary comprehension.
Only Kakashi and Shikaku remained calm amidst the excitement.
Tsunade's Wood Release was undoubtedly formidable, but why had she disappeared instead of pressing her advantage?
That... was not a good sign.
Was she wary of Ōnoki's Dust Release?
-----
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