Senju Gō VS Tsunade!

The next day.

The war situation was dire.

Konoha adjusted its latest rotation schedule.

The ninjas sighed in frustration—their leave had been cut short, and they would soon have to return to the battlefield.

"The war situation is dire..."

"I heard Iwagakure is throwing ninjas into the front lines without regard for losses."

"Our mobile unit has to keep sortieing."

"Hmph! Our mobile unit fights the elites!"

"Long live Namikaze Minato-sama!"

All the ninjas in the mobile unit genuinely admired Namikaze Minato.

It was absolute strength and character.

And he had saved nearly everyone.

He was also a representative of the Civilian Ninja, having promoted many of them, granting them honor and a better life.

The debt of gratitude to Namikaze Minato-sama could never be repaid!

Loyalty!

At that moment.

A flash of gold streaked across the sky.

Far away, in a distant region.

Namikaze Minato's figure appeared alongside Ogawa Gō.

"So this is the Flying Thunder God Technique—truly amazing," Ogawa Gō remarked.

"This is as far as I can take you... I still have to return for a strategy meeting. Time is tight. Sorry."

"No need to apologize, Minato. Helping me this much is already great, hahaha!"

Ogawa Gō planted his hands on his hips and laughed heartily.

Namikaze Minato watched him and couldn't help but give a wry smile.

He had gone to see Jiraiya earlier that morning.

Jiraiya was also learning the Rasengan at the time, but that teacher's comprehension didn't seem to be up to par—he still hadn't mastered it.

Namikaze Minato had also probed for information during their chat, learning Tsunade's latest whereabouts.

In fact, Jiraiya had gone to find Tsunade.

But Tsunade still refused to return.

Jiraiya didn't force the issue, after all, Tsunade had hemophobia.

Though Konoha's situation was quite critical now, there was nothing else to be done.

Then Namikaze Minato sent Ogawa Gō here.

"Flying Thunder God Technique!"

Namikaze Minato's figure flickered and vanished.

Ogawa Gō clicked his tongue in amazement.

"So cool."

Within the Land of Fire, in a fairly prosperous town.

A young girl followed beside a voluptuous woman in a kimono.

"Tsunade-sama, wait for me..." the girl, Shizune, called out.

"Gulp, gulp, gulp."

Tsunade drank fine sake, a flush of tipsiness coloring her face, which only made her more alluring.

Men on the street cast all kinds of glances her way, but no one dared to make a move.

Gambling with Tsunade and fleecing that fat sheep? That was fine.

But trying any funny business with Tsunade?

She was one of the Sannin!

And the Princess of the Senju!

His grandfather was the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama!

No one dared lay a hand on her.

Unless they wanted to lose the head on their shoulders...

"Swish!"

Boom!

A figure shot in at blinding speed.

In an instant, he sent Tsunade flying with a single blow!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Tsunade crashed through several walls, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Ah... ah! Lady Tsunade!" Shizune screamed in disbelief.

She was about to rush over.

But a man grabbed her by the scruff.

"Ninja Art: Chakra Blade!"

Shizune slashed sharply, forcing the hooded man back.

Then she hurriedly dashed toward Tsunade.

Tsunade struggled to her feet: "Damn it, who are you!"

"My name is Ogawa Gō. But that's just a name from the past... Now, I am called Senju Gō."

Senju Gō walked over slowly, yanking off his hood and tossing it aside.

His expression was calm as he activated the Eight Gates.

Yet no steam rose from him.

By now, Su Nuo had fully hypnotized Senju Gō, controlling every move he made.

Back when he was Hyuga Shin, Su Nuo had used the Eight Gates.

The Eight Gates was a forbidden technique that demanded extreme physical condition and inflicted severe damage.

So.

Whose body was terrifyingly strong?

That's right—the premium alchemy material "Hashirama Cells"... ah, no—members of the Senju Clan or the Uzumaki Clan.

The Eight Gates was never meant for commoners to train in.

It was powerful, sure, but anyone who used it ended up ruined.

The Senju and Uzumaki clans, with their immense regenerative power and life force, were the ones truly meant to master it.

Now, Su Nuo had combined the highly active cells within Senju Gō's body with various taijutsu from Sukuna's memories, the Eight Gates, some martial arts Su Nuo had seen in his past life, and Water Release—forming the New Eight Gates!

The biggest difference was that outwardly, it no longer looked brutal. Instead, it was far more subdued.

He appeared no different from an ordinary person, but he had already opened the Eight Gates to the fourth gate, the Gate of Pain, without any red steam appearing.

In this new mode, steam only emerged when the fifth gate was opened.

And even when steam appeared, his body wouldn't turn red. That steam would instead merge with Water Release, forming a Water Release Armor over his body, following the same principle as Lightning Release Armor.

After all, steam was just countless tiny water droplets...

"Senju Gō...?"

Tsunade wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, deliberately avoiding looking at it.

"The Senju Clan has already abandoned its surname! We've merged into the Konoha clan! What are you doing?! And if you're a Konoha ninja, why are you attacking me? Are you planning to become a rogue ninja?!"

Senju Gō walked slowly toward Tsunade, casually forming hand seals. Bits of earth and stone gathered around him, eventually forming a pitch-black armor.

"I'm here to escort the Senju Clan Head, Senju Tsunade, back to Konoha."

"...!!"

Tsunade took a step back.

She had hemophobia, and it had been a long time since she'd fought...

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Tsunade glared at Senju Gō as he drew closer.

"Tsunade, if you're willing to return, we can avoid a fight. Maybe we can sit down and talk, work together to restore the New Senju."

Senju Gō extended a hand.

In short: you become the Clan Head, rebuild the glory, leave now, and nothing happens.

"I'm not going back. Did the old man send you here?" Tsunade stood her ground stubbornly.

"No, that's not it. This is my own idea... Since you refuse, I'll just have to knock you out and carry you back!"

Water Release: Water Leg Wings!

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"

A massive earth-and-stone dragon burst forth from the ground!

Boom!

Tsunade kicked the dragon's head apart with one blow.

But then she saw a figure clad in black battle armor, riding a trail of water light as he glided down the dragon's body straight toward her!

"What?!" Tsunade's face twisted in shock as Senju Gō closed in.

She could only force down her inner panic.

"Super Strength!"

She threw a punch.

Gate of Limit, open!

The fifth gate opened!

Senju Gō punched Tsunade flying with one blow!

This clash of strength—Senju Gō had won!

Tsunade was sent flying again, smashing through a heap of buildings!

Finally, a cascade of building debris rained down, about to crash onto Tsunade.

"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune screamed.

But before the words faded—

Tsunade threw a Rising Dragon Fist!

The falling debris instantly reversed its momentum.

Boom!

A massive chunk of rubble was blasted away.

Tsunade, now truly enraged, slammed her palm against the ground without hesitation.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Boom!

A plume of smoke appeared.

A giant slug emerged.

And Tsunade stood atop the slug, the diamond-shaped mark on her forehead beginning to extend countless dark lines that coiled around her entire body.

Yin Seal · Hundred Healings Jutsu!!