Senju and Uchiha Join Forces

Several Anbu repaired the arena, gathering the battle-shattered ground back together with Earth Release ninjutsu.

The Third Hokage and the many Jonin left the platform, while some had already departed the scene under the Third Hokage's orders.

They were going into the village to maintain stability. If the intensity of the battle escalated, it would affect the village's daily operations.

Hanma stood quietly in the training ground, secretly using the "Savage Growth" Entry to restore himself as he considered his next tactics.

In truth, he was not absolutely confident about facing Tsunade and Setsuna together.

Although Tsunade was not yet at her peak and had not developed the Strength of a Hundred Seal, she had already signed a contract with Shikkotsu Forest. Katsuyu was an extremely troublesome Summoning Beast.

Moreover, Hanma could not withstand the Monster Strength Punch inherited by Tsunade from the Senju without injury. If Setsuna held him down and allowed Tsunade to land a sneak attack, things would become very troublesome.

What puzzled Hanma the most was Uchiha Setsuna. This old man had lived from the end of the Warring States Period until now, yet he had actually stepped forward to challenge him today.

Even if he wanted to become a legion commander, there was no need for him to compete against Hanma, who was also an Uchiha.

Something about this was strange, and Hanma quietly raised his guard against Setsuna.

Based on Hanma's more than twenty years of experience living within the Uchiha clan, he knew that this man was having an episode—the classic Uchiha Paranoia Syndrome.

An Uchiha having an episode was truly troublesome. If things went badly, he might even use Izanagi just to win.

Based on Hanma's experience across two lifetimes, in a team fight, you were supposed to kill the squishies and the healer first. That was precious wisdom from Bronze to Gold.

But the problem was that this healer was incredibly tanky. That was a real headache.

"Damn it. Of all people, Tsunade had to step out. I, Hanma, will remember this grudge for now. If you ever fall into my hands, I'll make you feel really good."

Hanma thought viciously.

"All right, we're ready on our side. Do you need more rest?"

Tsunade shouted toward Hanma, and Setsuna nodded along with her.

Hanma was speechless. When a woman got angry, there really was usually no room for dignity.

"Then let's begin."

The moment Hanma finished speaking, savage Blood Qi erupted from him, winding around his body and forming a suit of dark crimson armor that glimmered with an eerie red light.

He stomped down hard, pushing his speed to the limit. A red flash streaked past as he charged straight at Tsunade.

Hanma leaped high into the air and drove a downward punch, wrapped in a violent gale of fist wind, at Tsunade!

A cold smile hung on Tsunade's lips. Dozens of Katsuyu, replenishing her Chakra, had already secretly attached themselves to her back. Azure Chakra stirred into a vortex and densely wrapped around her fist.

"Bang—!!"

Their fists collided, and countless clouds of dust exploded across the training ground. Hanma felt the force coming from Tsunade.

"Sure enough, without the Strength of a Hundred Technique accumulated over decades, the Monster Strength Punch isn't yet powerful enough to crack Uchiha Madara's Susanoo skeleton."

Tsunade was sent staggering several steps back by Hanma's punch. She clenched her silver teeth in unwilling fury and shouted:

"Setsuna, be careful! If he gets close, activate that!"

"Plan A, now!"

Hanma pressed his advantage without mercy, completely ignoring whatever plan they had. A sweeping kick lashed straight at Tsunade's face, bringing with it repeated sonic booms.

Setsuna flicked his wrist repeatedly, sending several Shuriken flying toward Hanma at high speed.

Hanma chose to ignore them. He had to take down Tsunade. If possible, he would force-kill her in this exchange!

Tsunade endured the kick head-on, an unnatural flush blooming across her beautiful face.

With a low shout, Tsunade gathered thick Chakra around both arms and fiercely pinned down Hanma's leg.

"Now!"

"—Boom, boom!"

The Explosive Tags attached to the Shuriken detonated violently, and fire consumed Hanma's figure.

Tsunade formed a hand seal with one hand while the other gripped Hanma tightly.

"Earth Release! Swamp of the Underworld!"

The ground began to collapse as thick mud surged forth. Earth Release Chakra swallowed everything on the surface like suction cups.

"Fire Release! Majestic Destroyer Flame!"

Setsuna showed no concern for Tsunade. A blaze capable of scorching half a forest descended upon Hanma, thick fire dragons roaring as they occupied the earth.

Hanma understood now. They were wary of his speed, so they had used this method to hold him in place. With Tsunade's recovery ability as their advantage, they were trading injury for injury.

The fire dragons howled as they plunged into the swamp. Vast quantities of soil were scorched and melted, becoming ever thicker and more solidified. Tsunade still clutched Hanma's leg tightly, as though she intended to perish with him.

Katsuyu covered Tsunade's body. Chakra from the Katsuyu Sage greatly weakened Setsuna's Fire Release.

It was a tactic of losing thirty to make the enemy lose a hundred. There were not many tricks to it, but it was infuriatingly effective.

"It's useless. I don't think much of this kind of Fire Release."

As the smoke dispersed, Hanma's clothes had been burned away. He stood bare-chested, yet not a single wound could be seen on his body.

Majestic Destroyer Flame was a high-level Fire Release designed to clear out fodder. It had the advantage of wide range and considerable destructive power, but it meant nothing to Hanma.

Hanma remained unmoved within the swamp. One hand locked onto Tsunade's wrist, and a heavy elbow smashed brutally toward her shoulder blade.

Hanma sneered inwardly. Getting this close to me—just how little do you think of my close-range burst power?

Setsuna and Tsunade were both shocked. They had not expected a ninjutsu of that level to fail to even serve as a test!

Hanma gritted his teeth. Every strand of his hair stood on end as Blood Qi surged wildly. The muscles across his body bulged and knotted, his spine arching like a living dragon. One foot braced against Tsunade's abdomen while both hands seized her arms and yanked savagely in opposite directions!

The most primal violence was laid bare. Hanma looked as though he intended to tear Tsunade apart alive!

Tsunade let out a pained muffled groan, struggling against Hanma's monstrous strength.

The Katsuyu writhed, pouring in massive amounts of Chakra. Yet under the erosion of Blood Qi, even more Chakra was instead seized by Hanma.

Hanma roared. His eyes had turned a crazed blood-red, and he could already hear the sorrowful creak of her bones reaching their limit.

There was no love, no friendship. In that moment, there was only victory and defeat!

Setsuna watched the scene solemnly and sighed inwardly. The blood-red Three Tomoe gradually connected into one, revealing the shape of a sharp sword.

"Susanoo!"

Strange, chilling ocular power gathered, and warning bells rang wildly in Hanma's heart as he struggled against Tsunade.

Hanma's five senses far surpassed those of ordinary people, and he always had a special premonition toward danger.

Releasing Tsunade's arms, Hanma abruptly grabbed the back of her head and slammed it with a savage headbutt. Then he launched a flying kick, using the recoil to flee the spot.

Tsunade's arms now hung limply at her sides, while a section of her spine protruded unnaturally. Having suffered that headbutt and kick, she had fallen to one knee, her fair face covered in blood.

Jiraiya, watching from the sidelines, burned with rage. He cursed fiercely and nearly leaped out of the spectator area.

Stopping Jiraiya, the Third Hokage said in a low, clear voice:

"Keep watching. Tsunade isn't that fragile. She is the finest medical ninja."

Danzo's gloomy voice also carried over:

"Tsunade isn't the focus now. Hanma cannot kill her. The key is that the Uchiha actually have a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan!"

For once, the Third Hokage did not refute Danzo. He stared intently at the white pillar of light Setsuna had summoned.

The white pillar of light crashed down upon Tsunade, and the entire space rippled like waves. Had Hanma been a moment slower, he would have been struck as well.

The pattern in Setsuna's eyes spun rapidly, and the pillar of light immediately burst forth with intense radiance.

Hanma watched Setsuna quietly, equally shaken within. Setsuna had actually awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!

Setsuna had hidden himself far too deeply!

The light enveloped the rippling space before suddenly erupting in a blinding flash. Tsunade slowly rose to her feet, every wound on her body wiped away.

Hanma could not help becoming wary. This bizarre ability was far too similar to Izanagi!