Tsunade stared at Anya, who held her close. Amidst the chaos of battle, a strange calm washed over her. Smiling slightly, she murmured to herself, "Kid, you've really grown up."
"It's you again."
The familiar Anbu mask was followed by a voice full of hatred from above as the Tsuchikage landed. His chest ached from the pain — being hit twice by the Sword Art: Draw Technique in a row didn't just leave him sore; it might've done lasting damage. Naturally, he hated Anya with every fiber of his being.
Ignoring the Tsuchikage, Anya activated green chakra in his left hand and pressed it against Tsunade's neck. Then, using the Spirit Transformation Technique once more, he sent a strand of spiritual energy into her body.
Nourished both physically and spiritually, Tsunade finally regained much of her strength, her complexion turning rosy again. She now had the power for another fight.
Her first words were urgent: "Go quickly! There are too many strong enemies."
Anya shook his head. "We can't leave unless he's dealt with."
Gritting her teeth, Tsunade growled, "I'll handle this. Take the remaining Konoha ninjas and get out of here — report everything to the old man. Iwagakure and Mist have allied."
Anya gave a light laugh. "You've got it backward. Let me stay. You go first."
Without waiting for Tsunade's protest, he created a Shadow Clone and scooped her onto the Eagle Puppet, shooting straight into the sky.
Realizing what was happening, Tsunade shouted in frustration, "Anya, damn it! Promise me you'll come back alive!"
"Tried to run?" Enraged, the Tsuchikage accelerated toward them.
"Lightning Strike, Falling Thunder!"
Once again, brilliant lightning lit up the sky. Several bolts struck down in quick succession, cutting off the Tsuchikage's flight path and halting his advance.
Having blocked the Tsuchikage successfully, Anya summoned Katsuyu using Summoning Jutsu. Standing high atop the giant slug, he called out to the Konoha ninjas behind him, "Now I'm taking command of this battlefield. All ninjas — pull back now!"
"Move!" The Konoha forces sprang into action and retreated.
"Hmph." The Tsuchikage hovered midair, smirking coldly. "Do you really think you alone can stop my entire Iwagakure army?"
Anya shot back with a sharp smirk, "Feel free to try. Let's see whose cannon fodder falls faster — yours or beneath my blade."
With that, he unsheathed his Ninja Blade. It shimmered with blinding brilliance, as if channeling the very power of the world itself. Even the twilight glow paled in comparison. His killing intent surged to its peak as he pointed the blade directly at the Tsuchikage.
"Damn it."
Recalling Anya's terrifying sword skills, the Tsuchikage refrained from ordering his Iwagakure ninja to swarm forward all at once. Instead, he commanded, "Split up and pursue them!"
Scores of Iwagakure ninja flanked Anya's position, pursuing the retreating Konoha forces. Anya made no move to stop them — he knew perfectly well that as long as he held off the Tsuchikage, Tsunade would be safe.
Soon enough, the battlefield was reduced to just Anya facing off against the Tsuchikage, the two clashing once again.
[Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!]
[Lightning Release: Thunder Fang!]
This time, the Tsuchikage was extremely cautious—outwardly giving Anya no chance to approach, but inwardly fully prepared with a countermeasure he'd figured out over the past few days. He waited patiently for Anya to attempt closing in with his mysterious Shunshin technique, hoping to land a fatal blow in one strike.
Anya was the same; he was also waiting—for the moment when the Tsuchikage would use his Dust Release technique.
Therefore, what should've been an up-close assassin's fight turned into a duel of long-range spells. The Tsuchikage's powerful jutsu never made an appearance, and the two engaged in a dazzling display of ninja techniques, which completely deviated from their usual fighting styles.
Anya's newly developed Lightning Blade Art completely countered the Tsuchikage's various techniques. Though the Tsuchikage's jutsu came crashing down like a storm, none of them managed to scratch Anya, instead being neutralized one by one. Without the Dust Release, Anya had absolutely nothing to fear.
"This can't go on like this," the Tsuchikage muttered, frustrated that Anya hadn't attempted to close the distance. He then provoked, "What's the matter? Is your sword only good for defense? Are you too scared to come kill me?"
Anya immediately shot back, "How about your Dust Release then? Show me what it can do."
"You're not even worth me showing it to."
"Laughable. A dying shrimp who's already been sliced twice dares to boast?"
"You little brat, just wait for me."
After this exchange, Anya remained calm and collected, while the Tsuchikage seethed with rage, though still unable to gain the upper hand—at least for now.
After a prolonged stalemate, numerous Anbu from the Mist village arrived, along with two Tailed Beast Jinchuriki, who had also appeared, radiating immense power.
Seeing the reinforcements, the Tsuchikage exhaled in relief. "Kid, let's see how you can fight this time."
At that moment, a voice rang inside the Tsuchikage's mind—it was coming from Anya.
"Tsuchikage-sama, I'm using the Yamanaka clan's secret technique to communicate telepathically with you. Have you really decided to fight me until death here today?"
The Tsuchikage sneered inwardly. "So what, brat? My reinforcements have arrived—ready to beg for mercy now?"
"The Hidden Leaf is already defeated. Are you sure they're still your allies? Even if you all gang up on me and kill me, I can still guarantee that you'll pay a certain price before I die. Think carefully—are you really willing to perish together with me?"
The Tsuchikage roared, "How dare you threaten me!"
Anya warned calmly, "This isn't a threat—it's a fact. Don't forget, the Hidden Mist is known as the Bloody Mist Village. If you're an injured Tsuchikage without Iwa ninja protection nearby, guess whether they might take this opportunity to finish you off."
The Tsuchikage hesitated. Truthfully, he wasn't entirely confident. Mist's unexpectedly strong support had already raised some suspicions, and now, with Anya's words, those doubts only deepened.
The arriving Mist Anbu were clearly unaware of what had just transpired between them. Although a bit puzzled why the Tsuchikage suddenly held back, they had received orders to eliminate the Konoha ninja. Naturally, they wouldn't let Anya stand in their way, so they immediately ordered the Jinchuriki to transform into their Tailed Beast forms. An overwhelming pressure surged toward Anya.
Letting Tailed Beasts confront the Mangekyo Sharingan—truly admirable courage.
Under his mask, Anya activated the Mangekyo Sharingan. He activated the unique eye-based power of the Mangekyo against the two beasts.
The two who had partially transformed into tailed beasts were instantly taken control of. Their stiff bodies started generating Tailed Beast Balls in midair. The destructive orbs quickly took shape.
But the newly formed Tailed Beast Balls suddenly launched toward the Tsuchikage.
This powerful attack engulfed all reinforcements that had arrived with the Tsuchikage. The shockwaves even shook the ground, leaving a straight, deep fissure. This single strike shattered the battlefield's entire defensive line. It was as though a primordial beast had surged forth, devouring everything in its path.
Already suspicious, the Tsuchikage hesitated no longer and immediately countered by activating Dust Release.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
As the two world-shattering forces clashed, shockwaves rippled outward before finally dissipating. The ground sank several meters, exposing the bedrock and deep cracks beneath. The Mist ninjas were wiped out instantly, leaving not even ashes behind. Anya had already dispelled her Summoning Jutsu and vanished without a trace.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>