Konoha Azure Dragon's Roar!

Silence! A more profound, deathly silence than when the giant wooden wall first rose enveloped the entire battlefield!

The Konoha ninjas forgot to cheer, and the Kirigakure ninjas forgot to attack. All eyes were fixed on the top of that barrier, on the figure who, by himself, had clashed with Juzo Biwa of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and sent him flying!

He stood there, moonlight gilding his form with a silver edge. The blood at the corner of his mouth looked particularly striking against his pale face. His body swayed slightly, like a candle in the wind, yet he stood like a mountain that would never fall!

"What... what is that power?" a Kirigakure chunin stammered, his kunai almost slipping from his grasp. First, a forest barrier that isolated the battlefield appeared out of nowhere, then a Life Rain that healed injuries, and now... with a single palm strike, he had sent the renowned Juzo Biwa, known for his strength, flying, leaving him in an unknown state? This was completely beyond their comprehension!

"A... monster! He's a monster!" another Kirigakure ninja retreated in terror, looking at the towering, verdant barrier and the figure atop it, his eyes filled with fear.

"Azure Dragon... it's Lord Azure Dragon!" Inside the barrier, a Konoha chunin, whose arm wound had been healed by the Life Rain, was so moved he was in tears. He suddenly raised his kunai and roared with all his might, "Konoha's Lord Azure Dragon!!"

This roar was like a spark thrown into boiling oil, instantly igniting the emotions of all the Konoha ninjas!

"Lord Azure Dragon!!"

"Konoha's Azure Dragon!!"

"Kill! Follow Lord Azure Dragon and kill those Kirigakure dogs!!"

Thunderous roars erupted from within the barrier, carrying the ecstasy of survival, boundless admiration for their protector, and a rekindled, surging will to fight! At this moment, the title "Konoha Azure Dragon" was no longer just a description; it was deeply etched into the hearts of every Konoha ninja who had witnessed this miracle, becoming a symbol of strength and protection!

Tsunade stood below the barrier, gazing up at that figure. The initial shock had passed, replaced by emotions surging like a tsunami. Pride! For the unparalleled strength and fearless protection he displayed! Admiration! For his towering presence and his heart that protected them! Reassurance! It felt as if as long as he was here, no obstacle in this world could be insurmountable! Her hemophobia had vanished without a trace in the life barrier and Life Rain created by Duanmu Ci, in the face of this absolute sense of security. All that remained was her complete and utter love for this man. Her heart had completely surrendered at this moment, without the slightest hesitation.

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!" Amidst the Kirigakure forces, a surviving commander looked at the unconscious Juzo Biwa, heard the thunderous roars of "Azure Dragon" from the Konoha side, and then glanced at the impenetrable giant wooden barrier and the figure atop it, like a demon god. His liver and gall felt like they were splitting. He hoarsely issued the order.

The morale of Kirigakure had completely collapsed. What mission, what revenge, all became meaningless in the face of absolute power and the fear of death. The remaining Kirigakure ninjas, like stray dogs, abandoned their armor and weapons, fleeing desperately in the direction they came from, only wishing they had more legs.

Duanmu Ci stood atop the barrier, coldly watching the defeated enemy, making no move to pursue. He maintained his outward appearance of weakness, breathing heavily, but his eyes held a chilling calculation. He knew that the real crisis (Danzō) might have only just begun. He raised his hand, gently wiping the blood from his lips, his gaze sweeping over the excited crowd below, finally settling on that golden figure.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

The worry, pride, adoration, and complete trust in Tsunade's eyes conveyed themselves without reservation. Duanmu Ci saw it, and on his pale face, slowly, with great difficulty, he managed a small but incredibly reassuring smile for her.

This smile made Tsunade burst into tears instantly.

Kirigakure's defeat came and went quickly. When the last Kirigakure ninja's figure disappeared into the darkness at the edge of the forest, only the gasps and suppressed cheers of Konoha remained on the battlefield.

"We... we won?"

"We won! It's Lord Azure Dragon! Lord Azure Dragon saved us!"

"Taoyuan Village is safe!"

The joy of survival spread like a plague. Many collapsed to the ground, exhausted, crying and laughing. Duanmu Ci, controlling the wooden spikes and vines on the barrier, finally relaxed his tensed nerves.

"Ugh..." He let out a suppressed groan, his body shaking violently. It wasn't entirely an act; maintaining such a massive Wood Release barrier, casting Life Rain, and forcibly activating the Rinnegan to unleash Almighty Push (even if it was a feint) placed a tremendous burden on his spirit and consumed a vast amount of chakra. As he relaxed, a strong sense of dizziness and emptiness washed over him like a tide.

"Duanmu!" Tsunade had been staring intently at him. Seeing his unsteady form, her heart clenched. She could no longer hold back. Chakra erupted beneath her feet, and her body transformed into a golden streak of light, instantly rushing to the top of the high barrier.

Just as Duanmu Ci's vision went black and his body began to fall backward, a warm and powerful embrace firmly caught him.

The familiar scent of him, with a faint hint of alcohol and herbs, filled her nostrils. Duanmu Ci's consciousness blurred for a moment, and then he felt himself held tightly by strong arms, his head resting on something soft and reassuring.

"Lord... Tsunade..." He forced his eyes open, seeing Tsunade's beautiful face, filled with anxiety and concern, up close.

"Don't speak!" Tsunade's voice trembled almost imperceptibly. She quickly checked Duanmu Ci's condition, confirming that it was mainly exhaustion and not a fatal injury, which somewhat eased her heart, but her concern grew even greater. "You've done enough. Leave the rest to me! Sleep!"

Her voice carried an undeniable command and a deep tenderness. Duanmu Ci's tensed nerves completely relaxed, and the immense fatigue overwhelmed him. Before he completely lost consciousness, he used his last bit of strength, his lips moving. His voice, weak but clear, reached Tsunade's ears: "The base... is yours... our... home..."

Before he finished speaking, his head lolled, and he fell completely unconscious (feigning it). The bloodstain at the corner of his mouth looked particularly striking in the moonlight.

"Duanmu!!" Tsunade's heart ached sharply, and she held him tighter. That phrase, "our home," was like a warm current, instantly washing away her last shred of composure. Tears blurred her vision again, but she forcibly held them back, her gaze becoming incredibly firm.

"Shizune! Take over medical command! Prioritize the seriously wounded! Organize personnel to clear the battlefield and repair defenses! Send a highest-level battle report to Konoha immediately!" Tsunade, holding the unconscious Duanmu Ci, spoke with a steady and powerful voice, instantly overpowering the clamor below and regaining control of the situation. At this moment, she was no longer the fragile woman troubled by hemophobia, but one of the Sannin, the Princess Slug, the mistress of Taoyuan Village!

"Yes! Lord Tsunade!" Shizune immediately took the order, tears welling in her eyes, a mix of worry for Duanmu Ci and joy at Tsunade's renewed resolve.

Below, the crowd watched as Tsunade leaped down from the barrier, holding the unconscious "Lord Azure Dragon." The crowd automatically parted a path, their eyes filled with awe, gratitude, and worry.

"Lord Azure Dragon..."

"Lord Tsunade..."

Tsunade, carrying Duanmu Ci, walked with firm steps toward the safest ward within the base. Her back, illuminated by firelight and moonlight, appeared incredibly tall and reliable. She knew the battle was over, but the protection had just begun. She had to hold up this "Taoyuan" that he had fought to protect until he woke up.

Konohagakure, Hokage Office.

An urgent battle report, marked "Top Secret - Taoyuan Great Victory," landed like a stone in deep water, instantly creating a tidal wave among the higher-ups.

Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly stood up from his seat, nearly dropping his pipe. He stared intently at the words on the report, especially the section: "...Genin Duanmu Ci, at the critical moment of the base's peril, unleashed the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, suspected to be from the First Hokage, performing the 'Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence' level defensive ninjutsu, forming a giant wooden barrier to block Kirigakure's main force... Simultaneously cast the large-scale group healing secret technique 'Life Rain'... Later, at a crucial moment, used an unknown powerful defensive/repulsive secret technique to heavily injure Juzo Biwa, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen... single-handedly turned the tide of the battle... all of Konoha hails him as 'Konoha Azure Dragon'... currently exhausted and unconscious, being treated with all efforts by Princess Tsunade..."

"Wood... Wood Release?! Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence?!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice trembled with disbelief. An unprecedented brilliance erupted in his cloudy old eyes, which then turned into a mixture of deep worry and ecstatic joy. "Heaven bless Konoha?! The First Hokage's power... has reappeared?! Tsunade... you've taken on a remarkable disciple..." he muttered, unconsciously tapping his fingers on the table, his heart surging. Was this power a blessing or a curse? But no matter what, repelling Kirigakure and saving Tsunade and that base was a great achievement!

"Immediately! Convene an emergency high-level meeting!" Hiruzen Sarutobi commanded in a deep voice, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Root, deep within a dark base.

The same intelligence was respectfully presented. Danzō Shimura merely glanced at it, and his single eye instantly erupted with a terrifying, almost tangible greed! He clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles cracking from the force, and a piece of the armrest of the chair beneath him was actually crushed!

"Wood Release! True Wood Release! Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!!" Danzō's voice became hoarse and distorted with extreme desire, like a venomous snake hissing. "The First Hokage's power... awakened in a mere brat?! Perfect... too perfect! This power... must belong to me! To Root! To Konoha's future!" He suddenly stood up, pacing back and forth in the dim room, suppressing his frenzied excitement. "The plan... must change! No matter the cost! Infiltrate! Monitor! Find its weakness... or... take it directly! Draft a new plan for me immediately! And make it fast!"

The shadows of Root became more viscous and dangerous because of this battle report.

Within Konohagakure.

The news spread like wildfire.

"Did you hear? Great victory on the front lines! Kirigakure has been repelled!"

"More than just repelled! I heard a medical ninja named Duanmu Ci used the First Hokage's Wood Release ninjutsu! He created a forest that blocked the enemy!"

"Azure Dragon! They all call him the 'Konoha Azure Dragon'! He sent the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure flying with a single palm strike!"

"Is that true? That powerful?!"

"Absolutely! The battle reports have already come back! Konoha has produced another incredible hero!"

"Lord Azure Dragon... please keep him safe..."

From the streets to the taverns and tea houses, everyone was talking about the "Taoyuan Great Victory" and the "Konoha Azure Dragon" who turned the tide. Duanmu Ci's name echoed throughout Konohagakure overnight, becoming a new legend and symbol of hope.

Taoyuan Village, special ward.

Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the unconscious Duanmu Ci on the bed, and the golden-haired beauty who remained by his side without leaving.

Tsunade held Duanmu Ci's slightly cool hand, her fingertips gently caressing the skin of his hand, her movements incredibly tender. She looked at his pale face, his tightly closed eyes, and the smear of blood that pained her so deeply.

"Idiot..." Tsunade murmured softly, her voice thick with emotion, tears silently falling and dripping onto their clasped hands. "Why did you push yourself so hard... Who gave you permission to... stand in front alone..." She leaned down, pressing her cheek gently against the cool back of his hand, feeling his presence.

"You know... when I saw you collapse... I felt like the sky was falling..." Her voice was soft, as if she were talking to herself, or perhaps pouring out her heart. "It took me so long... so long to find you... to find this place... this place that lets me see the light again... How could you... how could you leave me..."

The room was silent, save for Tsunade's suppressed sobs and Duanmu Ci's steady breathing (feigned).

"Wake up soon..." She looked up at him, her eyes blurry with tears, filled with an unwavering resolve and an overwhelming love. "Our 'home' has just begun... How can it function without you, the head of the household? I warn you... Duanmu Ci... if you dare not wake up... I'll... I'll..." She seemed to want to issue a threat, but ultimately couldn't, merely tightening her grip on his hand.

"I... I won't allow anything to happen to you... Do you hear me..." Her voice finally softened into a choked, almost spoiled command.

Just then, Duanmu Ci's eyelashes seemed to tremble ever so slightly. Tsunade's heart leaped, and she held her breath, watching him intently.

However, Duanmu Ci did not wake up, only his breathing seemed to become steadier. Tsunade felt a pang of disappointment, but more so, her heart ached for him. She picked up a warm towel and carefully wiped away the residual blood from the corner of his mouth, her movements as gentle as if she were handling a rare treasure.

What she didn't know was that in the moment she lowered her head to wipe his face, the unconscious Duanmu Ci's lips curved upward, ever so faintly, almost imperceptibly.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water. The nascent Taoyuan Village stood quietly under the moonlight, simple yet full of life. The saplings, nurtured by Wood Release, swayed gently in the night breeze. This sapling, watered with blood and protection, had endured a storm, and instead of falling, its roots had dug deeper, defiantly reaching for the sky. Its future was destined to be extraordinary. And the Azure Dragon protecting it would eventually awaken, leading it to a vaster sky.