The Fear!

The sparring match between Shinji and Yakumo had drawn in more than just the Five Kage, who were in a meeting at the Hokage Building. Ninjas from all over the village had come to watch, too.

On top of a tall building beside the training ground.

Tsunade and Shizune stood side by side atop a rooftop water tank, watching the intense battle unfolding in the training ground nearby.

Whoosh.

Just then, Jiraiya rushed over and landed beside Tsunade.

Watching Yakumo in the training ground, Jiraiya's eyes lit up. "Well, well! That Superhuman Strength Punch and that Heavenly Foot of Pain! Tsunade, little Yakumo's becoming more and more like you! Even her presence is about seventy or eighty percent of yours!"

Tsunade smiled, unable to hide her pride.

In the training ground, Yakumo's attacks flowed smoothly. Her movements were no longer stiff; she was like a butterfly breaking free of its cocoon.

Tsunade was proud, but even she had to admit that at Yakumo's age, she hadn't been as strong or as commanding.

Tsunade smiled, her misgivings gone. "The little one's grown up!"

In the training ground.

Shinji tilted his head aside, evading Yakumo's punch. Then he lightly tapped the ground with his foot and leaped back, dodging her follow-up kick as well.

Boom!

A crash sounded behind Shinji.

He didn't need to look back to know that Yakumo's kick had just blown the tree behind him to pieces!

Fortunately, the other students watching from the sidelines had already been ushered farther away by the ninjas who'd arrived afterward. Otherwise, who knew how many of them would have been injured by that one blow?

Turning around amid a shower of leaves and splinters, Shinji met Yakumo's razor-sharp gaze!

"Heh."

With a light chuckle, Shinji charged at her.

Yakumo's strength and speed