Scolding to Your Face, So Brave

Looking at the "explanation" delivered by the Kaguya clan members before him, the Third Mizukage fell silent for a moment.

The dead Kaguya shinobi's skin was already pale, and after death it held not a trace of color. A segment of stark white bone spike remained firmly embedded in his chest, yet to be pulled out.

He had originally intended for the Kaguya clan to investigate the matter themselves, which was why he directly forwarded Konoha's letter to Kaguya Naoto. He never expected the Kaguya clan to react so violently.

A simple inquiry had been interpreted as an accusation, indirectly driving a shinobi who should have served Kirigakure to his death.

The Third Mizukage had no choice but to summon an attendant, suppressing his anger as he gave the order:

"This matter has already blown up. Inform Konoha directly, and reply that Kirigakure is likewise not afraid of war."

He paused, looking at the Kaguya corpse before him, and continued: "Send it back to the Kaguya Clan Compound. Give it a proper burial."

Inside Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi received the Mizukage's reply several days later.

By now, most of Hiruzen Sarutobi's anger had subsided. Seeing that the Mizukage had dealt with the "assassin" and offered an explanation, Even if the letter was thick with hostility, intelligence from a spy planted in Kirigakure confirmed that a Kaguya clansman had "committed suicide out of guilt." He understood it was unwise to keep pressing a fellow great nation like the Mist Village.

"Bam!"

With a loud crash, the door to the Hokage's Office was kicked open.

"Old man!"

Before the person appeared, the thunder arrived first. Like meeting a car on a dark night, those headlights came into view ahead of the driver.

Just returned from the battlefield, Tsunade hadn't even had time to change out of her ninja uniform as she strode swiftly up to Hiruzen Sarutobi:

"How's things with the Mist?"

Seeing Tsunade had arrived just in time, Hiruzen Sarutobi handed her the Mist Village's reply.

Tsunade reached out, took it, scanned it quickly, and nodded:

"At least they know what's good for them. I'm heading home now. I need to check if that brat Nawaki has been slacking off. I'll test him while I'm at it."

Tsunade turned to leave, but Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped her: "How's the situation on your front?"

"All the intel is in the scroll. Don't worry! The enemy has already collapsed. Jiraiya keeping an eye on it is enough."

Saying this, she pulled a scroll from her pocket and tossed it casually. Before her words had even faded, she had vanished.

"Still with that temperament, always rushing about."

Seeing that Tsunade had brought good news, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally smiled with relief. He didn't mind her attitude at all, picking up the scroll to carefully read the battle report.

Outside Konoha's Training Ground.

"Are you sure this will work?"

Namikaze Yoru said helplessly, being pulled along by Nawaki toward the dango shop.

"No problem! I've already had someone keep watch. My sister will definitely report to the Hokage Building first." Nawaki patted his chest confidently.

After being grounded at home for several days, he could no longer bear the boredom. Convinced that Tsunade would still be gone for three to five more days, he planned to exploit the time gap. That was why he had run to the Training Ground and dragged Namikaze Yoru along.

As they walked, Namikaze Yoru suddenly felt a chill run through his body, as if some danger was about to strike.

Sure enough, before they had taken a few more steps, Tsunade's figure appeared not far away, her gaze coldly fixed on the two of them.

Nawaki was a step slower in reacting and hadn't noticed yet, still venting his grievances to Namikaze Yoru.

"Let me tell you, my sister is basically a 'human-shaped dinosaur.' I really wonder if she'll ever get married..."

Namikaze Yoru sensed trouble and silently distanced himself from Nawaki. Daring to badmouth Tsunade to her face—he had a feeling blood would splatter on him soon.

"Boom—"

Hearing Nawaki badmouth her like that, Tsunade flashed forward and slammed her fist heavily into the back of Nawaki's head, sending him stumbling.

"In broad daylight, someone's attacking me again?" Nawaki was caught off guard but quickly steadied himself, turning around with an angry shout.

As he turned, he saw the nightmare before him. His indignant mood shifted to unease as he forced a smile: "Sis...sis, you're back so soon? The battlefield must have been tough, huh..."

"Not tough at all. But shouldn't someone be grounded? And yet here they are, spouting nonsense outside. Looks like I've been gone too long—my words don't carry any weight anymore."

Tsunade cracked her wrists at Nawaki, as if warming up for exercise.

Nawaki's voice began to tremble. He stammered for a long time without getting a word out, finally casting a pleading look at Namikaze Yoru.

Seeing Nawaki's gaze, Namikaze Yoru knew he couldn't keep playing dead, so he said: "Lord Tsunade, Nawaki really has been at the clan compound these past few days without going out. Today we were just heading to the Training Ground for practice."

At the first half of the sentence, Nawaki looked at Namikaze Yoru like he had seen a savior, his face full of gratitude. But when he heard the second half, he realized something was wrong. He knew he was doomed—there was no escape today.

Sure enough, Tsunade smiled and said: "Good. Perfect timing. Let me see if Nawaki has made any progress."

Then, under Nawaki's despairing gaze, she grabbed him by the back of his collar, as if he weighed nothing, and dragged him toward the Training Ground.

As she left, Namikaze Yoru thought he could read the words "save me" from Nawaki's mouth shape.

After a moment's hesitation, he decided to follow. After all, Nawaki's predicament was partly his fault. A person could be shameless, but not heartless.

Silently following, the two had just left the Training Ground not long ago, and in the blink of an eye, they were back at the training site.

Tsunade released Nawaki, standing alone in the center of the field, and crooked a finger at her brother, who was still psyching himself up.

Seeing Nawaki dawdling, Tsunade immediately mobilized her Chakra and stomped down with an explosive burst! A surge of immense force suddenly released, shattering the ground beneath her feet into pieces that spread outward like a spiderweb.

Nawaki snapped back to his senses from the commotion, then ignited his fighting spirit and declared loudly:

"I've improved a lot too, don't underestimate me!"

His words seemed laced with a hint of indignation as he lunged at Tsunade, actually intending to spar with her in Taijutsu?

But in a contest between powerhouses, it was ultimately the one with the more absurd stats who ruthlessly crushed the other. For Tsunade in her prime, dealing with Nawaki was effortless.

Within less than one exchange, Nawaki was knocked to the ground. He got up to fight again, only to be mercilessly overwhelmed once more.

Finally, Nawaki gave up resisting entirely, wrapping his arms around Tsunade's long leg, only to be sent flying with a light flick from her.

Flying backward, Nawaki wasn't discouraged. Instead, he wiped the dust off his face and chuckled to himself.

Seeing this, Tsunade suddenly grew a bit worried: had she been too rough, beating the kid until he lost his senses?

But Nawaki, after finishing his laugh, didn't charge forward again. Instead, he extended an index finger toward Tsunade, pointing down at the ground beneath his feet.

This all-too-familiar scene left Namikaze Yoru, watching from the Training Ground sidelines, utterly stunned—he never imagined Nawaki would resort to such a dirty trick.