At that moment, Hiruzen arrived.
"Hey—what are you two doing—"
Before he could finish—
Tsunade roared and gathered every ounce of strength she had, slamming downward.
RUMBLE!
BOOM!
A massive shockwave exploded outward from Kazuki and Tsunade.
It was like dozens of explosives detonating at once.
The sudden flash forced everyone to shield their eyes.
Minato's pupils shrank.
He instantly stepped in front of Kushina.
But Kazuki reacted even faster.
Wood Release surged—
Wood Ingot Wall.
Wood Style: Tree Wall.
Layers of wooden barriers surrounded Kushina completely.
"Ahem—what the hell are you two doing?!"
Everyone except Kushina was blasted backward by the shockwave.
Even Hiruzen stumbled.
Smoke swallowed the center of the battlefield.
Kushina suddenly regretted everything.
Why did I suggest arm-wrestling?
Hiruzen sighed heavily.
You're just breaking wrists.
Was all this really necessary?
The smoke slowly cleared.
"I win."
Kazuki's hand pressed Tsunade's firmly against what remained of the shattered stone slab.
The entire platform was destroyed.
Radial cracks spread across the earth beneath them.
"You…"
Tsunade stared at him in disbelief.
She had lost.
And worse—
Kazuki had been protecting Kushina at the same time.
He let go of her hand and rolled his shoulders casually.
Hiruzen's expression turned serious.
Kazuki… beat Tsunade in raw strength?
Even he wasn't confident he could win against Tsunade in pure power.
This kid…
Was terrifying.
Sakumo Hatake said nothing.
Minato stood frozen.
It was hard to process.
Kushina rushed forward.
"Kazu! Are you okay?!"
He gently patted her head.
"I'm fine."
She glared at him—then immediately ran to Tsunade.
"Sister Tsunade! Are you alright?!"
Tsunade flexed her fingers slightly.
"I'm fine. Just a little numb."
A loss was a loss.
As a seasoned gambler, Tsunade honored her bets.
"Kazuki."
"Our wager still stands."
"Say it. What do you want?"
Kazuki smiled lightly.
"I haven't decided yet. I'll tell you next time."
"Hmph!"
If he dared ask for something ridiculous—
She'd punch him through a mountain.
…Wait.
Could she?
Tsunade clicked her tongue.
She said nothing more.
Back at the courtyard, Tsunade quietly picked up her bedding and chose to sleep on the sofa instead.
For that, Kushina shot Kazuki several meaningful looks.
Even Mito looked surprised when she heard the result.
Tsunade… actually lost.
It seemed only a Senju could truly beat another Senju.
The next morning—
Kazuki was still sleeping soundly when someone shook him awake.
"What is it… Kushina…"
"It seems Kushina usually wakes you up gently. You've got it pretty good, brat."
Kazuki's eyes snapped open.
Tsunade?!
Kushina stood behind her.
From outside, Mito's voice echoed.
"Kazuki, get up. We're attending an emergency high-level meeting this morning."
A Konoha emergency meeting?
While brushing his teeth, Kushina explained.
With Danzo removed and Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane on leave, Konoha's administration was shaken.
New leadership positions needed to be filled.
New blood would rise.
"Oh? And we're going too?"
"Yes."
Soon, Kazuki followed them to the Administrative Building.
At the entrance, they ran into Minato and Jiraiya—whose face was still partially wrapped in bandages.
Jiraiya quickly bowed.
"Uzumaki Mito-sama!"
Mito blinked.
"Jiraiya… what happened to your face?"
Jiraiya scratched his head.
"Ah, nothing. I accidentally ran into a telephone pole last night."
He definitely did not look at Tsunade.
"Let's go in."
Kazuki had assumed this would be a large gathering.
But when he entered—
Every major figure in Konoha was present.
Department heads.
Clan leaders.
The Sannin.
The White Fang.
Elite jonin.
And the next generation's rising stars—
Kazuki.
Minato Namikaze.
Uchiha Fugaku.
Members of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
When Kazuki walked in beside Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade—
The entire room's attention shifted.
Whispers spread instantly.
"That's Kazuki?"
"The one who brought down Danzo's faction?"
"He doesn't look like much…"
"He's the last Senju heir…"
Some were skeptical.
Some were cautious.
Some were calculating.
But one thing was clear—
The name Kazuki now carried weight in Konoha.