Cloud Village's retreat took the smoke of war from the border, but it could not take away the complicated atmosphere hanging over Taoyuan Village. The feat of repelling the AB Combo—especially the Fourth Raikage, Ay, at the height of his power—swept through all of Konoha like a hurricane and even began spreading throughout the Shinobi World. The title "Konoha Azure Dragon" was no longer merely an honorific within Konoha; it had truly gained the weight to intimidate other nations.
When Duanmu Ci returned to Taoyuan Village with Shizune and several guards supporting him, he was greeted by thunderous cheers and countless reverent gazes. Yet his face was pale, dried blood still stained the corner of his lips, and Sage Mode had long since been released. His entire body radiated exhausted weakness. It was not all an act. The backlash from forcibly combining senjutsu and Yang Style to unleash Pseudo: Shinra Tensei, coupled with the shock of clashing head-on against the Raikage and the Eight-Tails' Chakra, had indeed severely injured his internal organs.
"Lord Duanmu!"
"Long live Lord Azure Dragon!"
"Are you all right?"
Amid the cheers were worried questions. Duanmu Ci forced a smile and waved his hand to indicate that he was fine. His voice was slightly hoarse. "Sorry for making everyone worry. The enemy has retreated. Just strengthen the guard." His gaze swept over the crowd before landing on Tsunade, who had hurried over.
Tsunade's face was a mix of pride, lingering fear, and undisguised heartache. Without another word, she stepped forward, pushed Shizune aside, and personally supported Duanmu Ci's arm. The moment she touched him, she felt the disorder of his Chakra and the turmoil in his blood and energy. "Why were you showing off?" she rebuked in a low voice, though her grip was exceptionally gentle. "Come to the medical room with me!"
Duanmu Ci did not refuse. He obediently let Tsunade half-support, half-carry him away, leaving behind the still-boiling discussions. People marveled at his feat of standing alone against the Raikage and the Eight-Tails, and they were even more curious and awed by the earth-shattering "Wind Style secret technique" that had sent the Raikage flying with one blow.
Konoha's upper echelon, Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the battle report sent back from the front lines through ANBU encryption and urgent delivery. He had not taken a puff from his pipe for a long time, and the curling smoke blurred his profound gaze. The report detailed Duanmu Ci's battle with the AB Combo, particularly emphasizing the final move that turned the tide: Wind Style: Super Godly Universal Pull.
"One strike... sent Raikage Ay flying..." Utatane Koharu murmured, her face filled with disbelief. "Can Wind Style really reach such power? Even an S-rank ultimate technique..."
"The report says it was a repulsive-force effect produced by mixing in a powerful eruption of Yang Style Chakra," Mitokado Homura said, pushing up his glasses with a deeply furrowed brow. "But such precise, powerful directional repulsion... it is unheard of. Did Tsunade say anything?"
Sarutobi's gaze turned toward the shadow in the corner. An ANBU appeared in a Body Flicker and dropped to one knee. "Lord Tsunade's preliminary diagnosis is that Special Jonin Duanmu has suffered massive Chakra depletion and internal shock. He is currently receiving treatment. As for that ninjutsu, Lord Tsunade only said it is a combination of the Duanmu Clan's inherited secret technique and a special bloodline limit, involving an explosive application of life energy. Even she does not fully understand its principles and must wait until Special Jonin Duanmu recovers before questioning him in detail."
"An inherited secret technique... a special bloodline limit..." Danzo leaned on his cane, his voice low and hoarse. An indescribable light flickered in his single eye, greed almost tangible. "First Wood Release, then senjutsu, and now this inconceivable 'repulsive force'... Hiruzen, the secrets he hides are far more numerous, and far more dangerous, than we imagined. This kind of power beyond our control must..."
"Danzo!" Sarutobi interrupted him, his tone warning. "Duanmu Ci has just rendered great service to Konoha. He repelled Cloud Village's provocation and protected the border and Taoyuan Village. He is Konoha's hero, a new pillar! While he recovers, I do not wish to hear any discordant voices, much less see Root make any improper moves! Do you understand?" His gaze was sharp as a blade as it bore into Danzo.
Danzo's face darkened. His single eye met Sarutobi's for a moment before he finally snorted and offered no rebuttal, though the calculation in his gaze did not diminish in the slightest. He slowly retreated into the shadows, but in his heart, he was calculating how to bypass Sarutobi and obtain the secret of Duanmu Ci's power. Repulsive force... the power that had instantly blasted away the Raikage... if he could master it... his Root would truly gain the power to overturn everything!
Taoyuan Village, core medical room.
Duanmu Ci lay on a specially made hospital bed while Tsunade pressed palms glowing with soft green light against his chest. Pure Medical Chakra flowed like warm spring water, slowly smoothing the disordered pathways within his body and repairing his damaged organs.
"Hiss... be gentler." Duanmu Ci sucked in a cold breath. Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, but lightened her touch as he requested.
"Now you know it hurts? Weren't you impressive when you were fighting the Raikage and the Eight-Tails head-on?" Tsunade said irritably, though she could not hide the concern in her eyes. "That Shinra Tensei... the backlash is that severe. You are not allowed to use it again unless it is a life-or-death situation! Do you hear me?"
Duanmu Ci smiled bitterly. "Understood, Lord Tsunade. The situation was critical then. If Blue B had truly fired that Tailed Beast Bomb, the whole river valley would have been destroyed. I had no choice but to take the risk."
"Hmph!" Tsunade snorted and did not continue asking about the details of the technique. As a top medical ninja, she could naturally sense that the power Duanmu Ci had unleashed at the end was extremely complex, far beyond the scope of ordinary Wind Style and Yang Style. It even seemed to contain a trace of indescribable, almost law-like repulsive force. That alarmed her and made her worry even more. She vaguely felt that what Duanmu Ci carried might be even heavier than she had imagined. But since he did not take the initiative to tell her, she chose to trust him and protect him in her own way—for example, by giving the outside world a unified explanation that the technique was a "special bloodline secret technique."
"Get some proper rest." Tsunade withdrew her hand and watched some color return to Duanmu Ci's pale face. "Do not worry about what is happening outside. Shizune and I are here. Your Taoyuan Village—and I will watch over it for you."
Warmth filled Duanmu Ci's heart. He clasped Tsunade's hand in return. "Thank you for your hard work, Tsunade."
A faint blush rose to Tsunade's face. She tried to pull her hand back, but he held it even tighter. Their eyes met, and a silent understanding and affection flowed through the quiet medical room. After this life-and-death battle, their hearts had drawn closer.
With Tsunade's superb medical skill and his Sage Body's powerful recovery ability, Duanmu Ci's injuries healed quickly. A few days later, he was already able to get out of bed and handle Taoyuan Village's affairs. Although the AB Combo's probing attack had been repelled, it had also sounded an alarm for Duanmu Ci. Taoyuan Village was expanding, drawing more and more attention. Relying on his strength alone, he would ultimately be unable to handle everything. Establishing an armed force that truly belonged to Taoyuan Village—loyal and reliable—had become urgent.
At the central square of Taoyuan Village, on a broad training ground leveled by Wood Release, Duanmu Ci gathered everyone who had both the desire and potential to join the armed force.
At the very front stood Shizune. Her expression was resolute and her gaze steady. After experiencing many battles and helping build Taoyuan Village, she was no longer the somewhat timid girl who had once followed behind Tsunade. She had become one of Duanmu Ci's most capable assistants.
Behind her stood the first batch of loyal ninjas who had followed Duanmu Ci and Tsunade since the days of the medical station. Their strength might not have been exceptional—Chunin or Special Jonin—but they had endured life-and-death trials such as Kirigakure's raid and the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist's attack. Their loyalty to Duanmu Ci and Taoyuan Village was beyond doubt.
Farther back were civilian ninjas who had recently come to Taoyuan Village after hearing of it. Some were weary of the uncertainty of war; others admired Duanmu Ci's name as the Azure Dragon and Taoyuan Village's ideals. They longed to find protection here and were willing to contribute their strength as well.
Duanmu Ci's gaze swept over the crowd. His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached every ear. "Everyone saw Cloud Village's provocation. Taoyuan Village is our home. It is a place we built with our own hands, a place that shelters the wounded and orphans and pursues peace and tranquility. But this Shinobi World is not peaceful. Those who covet this place and wish to destroy it will not disappear."
He paused, and strength entered his voice. "We cannot always rely on Konoha's reinforcements, nor can we always depend on me alone to stand at the front. We need strength of our own! A force capable of protecting our home and making every invading enemy pay a painful price! Today, the Taoyuan Guard is officially established!"
A stir ran through the crowd, and eager light ignited in many people's eyes.
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