Looking at the "explanation" the Kaguya Clan had sent him, the Third Mizukage fell silent for a moment.
The dead Kaguya ninja had already been pale, and in death, his skin had lost what little color it had. A white Bone Spike still protruded from his chest, firmly lodged there.
He had only wanted the Kaguya Clan to investigate the matter themselves. That was why he'd handed Konoha's letter directly to Kaguya Naoto. He hadn't expected the Kaguya clansmen to react so violently.
A simple inquiry had apparently been taken as an accusation, indirectly driving a ninja who should have been serving Kirigakure to his death.
The Third Mizukage had no choice but to summon an attendant and issue orders, suppressing his anger:
"This matter has already blown up. Inform Konoha directly, and tell them Kirigakure isn't afraid of war either."
After a pause, he looked at the dead Kaguya clansman and continued, "Send him back to the Kaguya Clan Compound and give him a proper burial."
In Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi received the Mizukage's reply several days later.
By then, most of Hiruzen Sarutobi's anger had faded. The Mizukage had dealt with the "assassin" and given him an explanation.
Though the letter was full of hostility, a spy he had placed in Kirigakure had also confirmed that a Kaguya clansman had "committed suicide out of guilt." Hiruzen understood that it would be unwise to keep dragging things out with Kirigakure, one of the Five Great Nations.
Bang!
The door to the Hokage's Office burst open as someone kicked it.
"Old man!"
Before she even appeared, her imposing presence made itself known. Like headlights meeting on a dark road, her massive chest came into view first.
Tsunade had just returned from the battlefield and hadn't even had time to change out of her ninja uniform. She strode right up to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"How are things with Kirigakure?"
Seeing Tsunade arrive at just the right moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi handed her the reply from Kirigakure.
Tsunade reached out, took it, and quickly scanned the letter. Then she nodded. "At least they know what's good for them. I'm heading home, then. I need to see whether that brat Nawaki has been slacking off. Since I'm back, I might as well put him through his paces."
Tsunade started to leave, but Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped her. "How are things on your front?"
"The report's in the scroll. Don't worry! The enemy's already been routed. Jiraiya can handle things there."
As she spoke, she pulled a scroll from her clothes and tossed it over. Before she'd even finished speaking, she had vanished.
"She's still as restless as ever."
Seeing that Tsunade had brought good news, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, unfazed by her attitude. He picked up the scroll and began reading the battle report carefully.
Outside the Konoha Training Ground.
"You're sure this'll work?"
Namikaze Yoru asked helplessly as Nawaki dragged him toward the dango shop.
"Of course! I've already had someone keep an eye on things. When my sister gets back, she'll definitely go to the Hokage Building to report first." Nawaki thumped his chest confidently.
After being grounded at home for several days, he couldn't stand the boredom any longer. He'd convinced himself Tsunade wouldn't be back for another three to five days and planned to take advantage of the timing. So he'd gone to the Konoha Training Ground and dragged Namikaze Yoru along.
As they walked, Namikaze Yoru suddenly felt a chill run through his body, as if danger were closing in.
Sure enough, they hadn't gone far when Tsunade appeared ahead, her gaze coldly fixed on the two of them.
Nawaki reacted a little too slowly and hadn't noticed her yet. He was still pouring out his complaints to Namikaze Yoru.
"I'm telling you, my sister's basically a human-shaped tyrannosaur. I honestly don't know if she'll ever get married..."
Namikaze Yoru sensed trouble. He quietly edged away from Nawaki. Badmouthing Tsunade right to her face was asking for it. He had a feeling blood would be splattered on him in a moment.
Wham—
Hearing Nawaki talk about her like that, Tsunade flashed forward and slammed a fist into the back of his head, sending him stumbling.
"In broad daylight, and someone's trying to attack me again?" Though caught completely off guard, Nawaki quickly steadied himself and turned around, shouting angrily.
Then he saw the nightmare that haunted his dreams. His indignation turned to unease, and he forced a smile. "S-Sis, you're back already? The fighting must've been rough..."
"It wasn't rough. But shouldn't a certain someone be grounded? And yet he's out here talking nonsense. Looks like I've been away too long—my words don't carry any weight anymore."
Tsunade rolled her wrists as she spoke to Nawaki, as if warming up for a workout.
Nawaki's voice began to tremble. He stammered for a long moment without managing to say a word, then could only cast a pleading look at Namikaze Yoru.
Seeing Nawaki look his way, Namikaze Yoru knew he couldn't keep pretending to be uninvolved. He said, "Lord Tsunade, Nawaki really has been at the compound for the past few days. He hasn't gone anywhere. Today, we were just about to head to the Training Ground to practice."
At the first half of that, Nawaki looked at Namikaze Yoru with gratitude, as if he'd seen his savior. But when he heard the second half, he realized something was wrong. He knew it was over. There was no escaping today.
Sure enough, Tsunade smiled. "Good. Then I can see for myself whether you've made any progress, Nawaki."
With that, as Nawaki stared at her in despair, Tsunade grabbed him by the back of his collar and dragged him toward the Training Ground as though he weighed nothing.
As they left, Namikaze Yoru thought he could make out the words "Save me" on Nawaki's lips.
After a moment's hesitation, he decided to follow. Nawaki's predicament had something to do with him, after all. A person could be shameless, but he shouldn't be heartless.
He quietly followed them. They had only just left the Training Ground, so in no time at all, they were back on the training field.
Tsunade released Nawaki and stood alone in the center of the field. She crooked a finger at her brother, who was still psyching himself up.
When she saw Nawaki dragging his feet, Tsunade gathered her chakra and slammed one foot down! A tremendous force burst out, and the ground beneath her shattered into chunks, cracks spreading outward in a web.
The commotion jolted Nawaki back to his senses and roused his fighting spirit. He raised his voice and declared:
"I've improved a lot too! Don't underestimate me!"
His words seemed laced with indignation. He leaped at Tsunade, apparently planning to take her on in Taijutsu.
But when powerhouses clashed, the one with the more overpowered stats inevitably crushed the other without mercy. At the peak of her strength, Tsunade had no trouble dealing with Nawaki.
Before a single round was over, Nawaki was knocked to the ground. He got back up to fight, only to be crushed again.
In the end, Nawaki simply gave up resisting and wrapped both arms around Tsunade's long leg. She casually shook him off, sending him flying.
Even as he flew backward, Nawaki didn't lose heart. Instead, he wiped the dust from his face and laughed to himself.
Seeing this, Tsunade suddenly began to worry. Had she hit him too hard and knocked something loose in his head?
After he finished laughing, Nawaki didn't charge at her again. Instead, he held up one finger to get her attention, then pointed at the ground.
The familiar sight left Namikaze Yoru, who'd been watching from the Training Ground, completely dumbfounded. He hadn't expected Nawaki to pull a dirty trick like this.
Before you continue