Strength Matches Courage

Fūen didn't say much in response to Tsunade's taunt. This world was just like that; to do anything, one needed a reason.

Just like how the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, wanted to marginalize the Uchiha clan, wasn't it under the guise of Konoha needing a police force?

Fūen scanned the area. "And the other person?"

"What?" Tsunade blinked in surprise.

"I said, where's the person you saved?" Fūen repeated, then shook his head. "Never mind, he's not important. What's important is you."

The moment he saw Tsunade, he understood. The person fighting Kakuzu was likely heavily injured and unable to fight, otherwise Tsunade wouldn't have taken the initiative to ambush them.

But it didn't matter anymore. What mattered was Tsunade. Her life was far more precious than that of some unknown individual.

As he spoke, he took a step forward, a sharp kunai reflecting a cold face.

"Let me guess, you're at your limit, aren't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't be wasting my time with so much chatter."

Tsunade sneered, "You can try."

Internally, however, she sighed. Fūen was right. The reason she had spoken so much was because the first wave of attacks was the limit of what she could currently do. Now that she had agitated her wounds, she could feel her body tearing with every breath.

Did Fūen dare to make a move? Of course not. If he had a precise grasp of Tsunade's condition, he would have attacked long ago. He was always extremely cautious around ninjas who bore such prestigious titles.

He thought about which Konoha ninjas held such titles.

The God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju.

The Professor, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The Tomb of the Shinobi, Shimura Danzō.

Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo.

The Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze.

Every Konoha ninja with a title was renowned throughout the ninja world. Although the title "Konoha's Sannin" wasn't as widely known as the others, he wouldn't underestimate Tsunade because of it.

"You, go test her."

Suddenly, Fūen spoke to his last subordinate.

The subordinate's face turned pale, and he cursed Fūen internally for being a scoundrel. He was afraid of dying, yet Fūen was making him test her limits.

But as he looked up into Fūen's deep, unyielding eyes, a chill crept into his heart. Defy Fūen? He dared not. He knew that every Jonin, besides their own strength, possessed formidable skills.

"Yes," he said, lowering his head. He drew his kunai, while Fūen behind him quietly moved a little further away.

The Chunin swallowed, cautiously approaching Tsunade. He slowly raised his kunai, intending to test her by throwing it.

Tsunade's expression was blank, but internally she sighed. Having bought a little time, with her current physical condition, she had one more chance to attack.

Originally, she had intended to detonate herself with Fūen, taking a Jonin with her in death. She hadn't expected Fūen to be so cowardly, sending a subordinate to test her when he knew she was heavily injured.

There was no other choice. She would have to use her final killing move on this Chunin.

Chakra slowly gathered in her palm. If one had the Byakugan, they would see all the chakra pathways in Tsunade's body converging on her right hand. It was an incredibly terrifying amount of power.

Whoosh whoosh--

Suddenly, a whistling sound pierced the air. A single senbon struck the arm of the Takigakure Chunin, piercing his hand as he held the kunai.

"Ah!" he screamed, the kunai flying from his grasp. He clutched his bleeding hand with his other.

Immediately, a figure appeared before him. Faced with the tiger mask, he was filled with terror.

"Water Release: Water Prison Technique."

The tiger moved like a butterfly, rapidly forming hand seals. Instantly, a two-meter-tall water prison enveloped the Chunin, trapping him. He gasped for air, his neck constricted, and he frantically pounded on the water prison, trying to break it. However, this method offered no escape.

He wasn't completely brainless, though. Realizing ordinary methods were futile, he knew to use ninjutsu to break free. Trembling, he formed hand seals with his injured hand.

Splash--

Several cracks suddenly appeared on the surface of the water prison. Over ten sharp earth spikes erupted from the ground, piercing the water like swords. The water prison collapsed with a roar, scattering water droplets everywhere.

Very clever, he thought. Knowing Earth Release counters Water Release. But that was all. The moment the Chunin broke free and gasped for air, a kunai silently sliced across his throat.

His eyes widened in disbelief. He clutched his neck, his peripheral vision catching sight of Fūen standing by, observing the entire scene with cold indifference. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

He was dead.

Anbu members were accustomed to killing, so there was no change in the expression beneath the tiger mask. He was like a puppet.

He took a step forward, blocking in front of Tsunade, and stared silently at Fūen in the distance.

"Clap clap."

"Such swift action," Fūen exclaimed. "As expected of Konoha's Anbu, far superior to Takigakure ninjas." Then, he changed his tone. "Konoha Anbu, mission machines, killers, devoid of emotion. True to their reputation."

"Likewise," a hoarse voice, indistinguishable by gender, came from beneath the tiger mask. "You show no thought of intervening for the death of your subordinate. If we're talking about lacking emotion, you're still far behind me, Fūen."

Fūen chuckled. "Subordinates? I have as many as I want."

Tsunade looked deeply at Fūen. She suddenly realized that this ninja before her was also a terrifying individual. And it was often such people who fared better in chaotic times.

"I heard a certain ninja from Takigakure consumed Hero Water, and from then on, his strength increased dramatically, quickly becoming a Jonin in the village," the tiger said calmly.

"Mhm... that did happen. Since then, many ninjas have set their sights on Hero Water. What about it?" Fūen nodded lightly.

"That person, it was you." the tiger said.

"Oh? What makes you say that?" Fūen asked, surprised.

"Isn't it?"

"Heh heh, it really was me." Fūen admitted readily.

The tiger nodded and spoke to himself, "I heard that after consuming Hero Water, a person's Chakra can increase more than tenfold. I was wondering... can someone who has already consumed Hero Water consume it again? Will there be any effect if consumed again?"

Fūen narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

The tiger took another Kunai from his pocket. The two Kunai rubbed against each other, the swish-swish sound echoing in the spacious cave.

"We investigated, and Takigakure's Hero Water was indeed lost. However, we also found something interesting: the last person to see the Hero Water was you." The tiger stared quietly at Fūen. Although he was only a Chunin, he didn't falter in his demeanor when facing a Jonin.

"Hahaha, you don't think I stole it myself, do you?" Fūen burst into laughter, holding his stomach.

"Who knows." The tiger shrugged.

"Kid," Fūen suddenly stopped laughing. "You have a lot of courage. However, in this world, your strength must match your courage."

As the words fell, the tiger's pupils constricted, and his body trembled.

The Fūen in front of him had turned into a puddle of water.

At the same time, a cheerful laugh came from behind him. "I knew you were stalling for time. Coincidentally, I also needed some time."

A Kunai pierced the tiger's back. Fūen released his grip and said faintly, "The gap between a Chunin and a Jonin cannot be bridged by courage alone."