Aftermath of Battle and Speculation on "Repulsion"

The retreat of Cloud Village took the border's smoke of gunpowder with it, but it couldn't carry away the complex atmosphere permeating Taoyuan Village and its surroundings. The feat of repelling the AB Combo—especially repelling the Fourth Raikage, Ay, at the height of his power—swept through Konoha like a hurricane, even beginning to spread throughout the Ninja World. The title "Konoha Azure Dragon" was no longer just a term of respect within Konoha; it had truly begun to carry the weight to intimidate other nations.

When Duanmu Ci was helped back to Taoyuan Village by Shizune and a few guards, he was met with thunderous cheers and countless admiring gazes. However, his face was pale, bloodstains remained on the corners of his mouth, his Sage Art mode had long been deactivated, and he exuded an aura of weary weakness. This wasn't entirely an act; the backlash from forcibly mixing Sage Art with Yang Style to unleash "Pseudo-Almighty Push" and the shockwaves from directly confronting the Raikage and the Eight-Tails' Chakra had indeed caused significant internal injuries.

"Lord Duanmu!"

"Long live Lord Azure Dragon!"

"Are you alright?"

Worried questions were mixed within the cheers. Duanmu Ci managed a weak smile, waved his hand, indicating he was fine, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "I've made everyone worry. The enemy has retreated; just strengthen our defenses." His gaze swept over everyone, landing on Tsunade, who was hurrying over.

Tsunade's face was a mixture of pride, lingering fear, and undisguised concern. Without a word, she stepped forward, pushed Shizune aside, and personally took Duanmu Ci's arm. The moment she touched him, she felt the chaotic state of his Chakra and the churning of his blood. "Showing off again!" she scolded in a low voice, but her grip was unusually gentle. "Come with me to the medical bay!"

Duanmu Ci didn't refuse and was half-supported, half-carried away by Tsunade, leaving behind the still-excited discussions. People marveled at his feat of single-handedly holding off the Raikage and the Eight-Tails, and were even more filled with curiosity and awe for his earth-shattering "Wind Style secret technique" that had blasted the Raikage away in a single blow.

Konoha High Command, Hokage's Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the battle report transmitted from the front lines and sent urgently via encrypted Anbu channels. For a long time, he didn't take a puff from his pipe, and the wisps of smoke blurred his deep-set eyes. The report detailed the entire battle between Duanmu Ci and the AB Combo, with particular emphasis on the "Wind Style: Super Almighty Push" that had turned the tide at the end.

"One blow... blasted Raikage Ay away..." Utatane Koharu murmured, her face full of disbelief. "Is this truly the power Wind Style can achieve? Even an S-rank ultimate technique..."

"The report states it was the repulsive force generated by the outburst of powerful Yang Style Chakra," Mitokado Homura said, pushing up his glasses, his brow furrowed. "But such precise and powerful directional repulsion... it's unheard of. Did Tsunade say anything?"

Hiruzen's gaze fell upon the shadows in the corner. An Anbu member appeared in a flash and knelt on one knee. "Lord Tsunade's initial diagnosis is that Jonin Duanmu's Chakra is severely depleted and his internal organs suffered shock. He is currently receiving treatment. Regarding that ninjutsu, Lord Tsunade only said it was a combination of the Duanmu family's inherited secret technique and a special bloodline, involving the explosive use of life energy. She is not entirely clear on the specific principles and will need to question Jonin Duanmu in detail after he recovers."

"Family inherited secret technique... special bloodline..." Danzo leaned on his cane, his voice low and hoarse, his single eye flashing with an indescribable light, greed as tangible as substance. "First Wood Style, Sage Art, and now this inconceivable 'repulsion'... Hiruzen, the secrets he holds are far more numerous and dangerous than we imagine. This kind of uncontrolled power must..."

"Danzo!" Hiruzen interrupted him, his tone carrying a warning. "Duanmu Ci has just rendered a great service to Konoha by repelling Cloud Village's provocation and protecting the border and Taoyuan Village. He is Konoha's hero, a new pillar! During his recovery, I do not want to hear any discordant voices, nor do I want to see 'Root' make any unwarranted moves! Do you understand?" His gaze was sharp as a knife, directly meeting Danzo's.

Danzo's expression turned grim. His single eye met Hiruzen's for a moment before he finally snorted, not arguing, but his calculating gaze remained undimmed. He slowly retreated into the shadows, his mind already plotting how to bypass Hiruzen and obtain the secret of Duanmu Ci's power. Repulsion... that power that instantly pushed the Raikage away... if he could master it... his "Root" would truly possess the power to overturn everything!

Taoyuan Village, Core Medical Bay.

Duanmu Ci lay on a specially made hospital bed. Tsunade's hands, emitting a soft green light, were placed on his chest. Pure medical Chakra flowed like a gentle spring, slowly clearing his disordered meridians and repairing his injured internal organs.

"Hiss... gently." Duanmu Ci gasped. Tsunade shot him a glare, but her hand lightened slightly as instructed.

"Now you feel pain? Weren't you very imposing when you clashed head-on with the Raikage and the Eight-Tails?" Tsunade said irritably, but the concern in her eyes was undeniable. "That 'Almighty Push'... the backlash is so strong, you're forbidden from using it again unless it's a life-or-death situation! Do you hear me?"

Duanmu Ci gave a wry smile. "I understand, Lady Tsunade. The situation was critical then. If Killer B had truly unleashed that Tailed Beast Bomb, the entire valley would have been destroyed. I had no choice but to take the risk."

"Hmph!" Tsunade snorted, not pressing for details about the ninjutsu. As a top medical ninja, she could naturally feel that the power Duanmu Ci unleashed at the end was extremely complex, far beyond the scope of ordinary Wind Style and Yang Style. It seemed to contain a trace of an indescribable, almost rule-like repulsive force. This startled her and made her even more worried. She had a vague feeling that Duanmu Ci carried a burden heavier than she imagined. But since he didn't bring it up himself, she chose to trust him and protect him in her own way—for example, by presenting a united front externally and explaining the technique as a "special bloodline secret technique."

"Rest well," Tsunade withdrew her hand, watching Duanmu Ci's pale face gradually soften. "Don't worry about things outside; Shizune and I will handle them. I'll keep an eye on your 'Taoyuan Village' for you."

Duanmu Ci felt a warmth spread through him, and he reached out to grasp Tsunade's hand. "Thank you for your hard work, Tsunade."

Tsunade's face flushed slightly, and she tried to pull her hand away, but he held it tighter. Their eyes met, and a silent understanding and affection flowed in the quiet medical bay. After this battle for their lives, their hearts had grown closer.

Duanmu Ci's injuries healed quickly under Tsunade's exquisite medical skills and the powerful recovery ability of his Sage Body. A few days later, he was able to get out of bed and handle affairs in Taoyuan Village. Although the Cloud Village's probe was repelled, it also served as a wake-up call for Duanmu Ci. Taoyuan Village's scale was expanding, attracting more and more attention. Relying solely on his own strength would ultimately make it difficult to manage everything. Establishing a truly loyal and reliable armed force belonging to Taoyuan Village was an urgent necessity.

In the central plaza of Taoyuan Village, on a wide training ground flattened by Wood Style, Duanmu Ci gathered everyone who was willing and had the potential to join the armed forces.

Standing at the very front was Shizune. Her expression was resolute, her gaze steady. After numerous battles and the construction of Taoyuan Village, she was no longer the timid girl who followed behind Tsunade; she had become one of Duanmu Ci's most capable assistants.

Behind her were the first few loyal ninjas who had followed Duanmu Ci and Tsunade since the medical station days. Their strength might not be top-tier (Chunin or Special Jonin), but they had experienced life-and-death trials like the Mist Village ambush and the attack of the Seven Swordsmen, and their loyalty to Duanmu Ci and Taoyuan Village was unquestionable.

Further back were some civilian ninjas who had recently come to Taoyuan Village out of admiration. They were tired of the precariousness of war, or they admired Duanmu Ci's "Azure Dragon" moniker and Taoyuan Village's ideals, longing for protection here while also willing to contribute their strength.

Duanmu Ci's gaze swept over everyone, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears. "Everyone saw Cloud Village's provocation. Taoyuan Village is our home, a place we built with our own hands to protect the injured and orphans, a place where we pursue peace and tranquility. But this Ninja World is not peaceful, and those who covet this place and want to destroy it will not disappear."

He paused, his voice gaining a touch of power. "We cannot always rely on Konoha's reinforcements, nor can we always expect me to be the one standing at the forefront. We need our own strength! A strength that can protect our home and make any invading enemy pay a heavy price! Today, the Taoyuan Guard is officially established!"

A stir went through the crowd, and many eyes lit up with fervent anticipation.