Naruto watched as Tsunade's punch slammed into the ground. The astonishing impact filled him with amazement.
The cracked earth and billowing dust made the terrifying power of Tsunade's monstrous strength plain to see.
Yet while Naruto was still marveling at it, Tsunade was even more surprised by his speed.
Though she knew she had held back with that strike, Naruto's speed had still exceeded her expectations.
He had dodged her attack with ease, almost as if he'd teleported, leaving Tsunade momentarily unable to believe her eyes.
Shizune, watching from the side, was just as stunned. She hadn't seen Naruto move at all. To her, he seemed to disappear out of nowhere, only to suddenly reappear behind Tsunade. His extraordinary speed left her utterly shocked.
Jiraiya watched with a satisfied smile. He was delighted to see the surprised look on Tsunade's face.
After that, Tsunade stopped holding back and began taking their spar seriously, launching a fierce assault on Naruto.
Yet no matter how swift her attacks were, Naruto always vanished at the last possible moment, teleporting to a safe spot.
It left Tsunade feeling utterly helpless.
Her monstrous strength might make her attacks incredibly powerful, but if she couldn't hit anyone, it was all for nothing.
Besides, as a medical ninja, her monstrous strength was almost her entire fighting ability.
"Handsome boy, is dodging all you can do?" Tsunade asked helplessly. Her voice carried a hint of breathlessness; she was clearly starting to tire.
As Tsunade finished speaking, Naruto decided to turn up the pressure.
Senjutsu—Frog Kata, a unique technique that combined Natural Energy, became especially fluid and devastating under Naruto's control.
His figure darted between Tsunade's attacks like a phantom. Every time he struck, his fists infused with Senjutsu Chakra landed squarely on her. Though Naruto wasn't using his full strength, more than a dozen solid blows in quick succession put Tsunade under unprecedented pressure.
Tsunade had her pride, too. She keenly sensed that Naruto was holding back, and anger at being underestimated welled up inside her. "Don't hold back. Come at me!" she shouted, her voice full of frustration and determination.
Naruto heard her and curled his lips into a smile. Don't hold back, huh?
In an instant, Forward Spell: "Azure" and Reverse Spell: "Crimson" fused perfectly under his masterful control, and Imaginary Technique: "Purple" took shape in his palm.
The immense power sent the surrounding air into a violent churn. Naruto's blond hair whipped wildly in the wind, and excitement gleamed in his eyes behind his sunglasses.
"Then I'll go all out, big sis!" Naruto's voice held a hint of playfulness, yet everyone present was shaken like never before.
Tsunade froze. She had never seen such overwhelming power, while Shizune was so frightened by the sudden display that she dropped straight to the ground, terror written all over her face.
Even Jiraiya, who had been watching from the sidelines, couldn't help leaping up and rushing between them. "Stop, Naruto!" he cried urgently. He knew that if Naruto truly went all out, the entire area would be destroyed.
Jiraiya's shout rang out like a thunderclap, piercing the tension in an instant.
He spread his arms, his gaze resolute, as if he meant to block the impending force with his own body.
Seeing Jiraiya intervene, Naruto smiled faintly. He hadn't really intended to attack Tsunade with Imaginary Technique: "Purple"—he'd only wanted to show off his strength a little.
With a light flick of his finger, Imaginary Technique: "Purple," which had gathered an immense amount of energy, dispersed like morning mist. The air around them settled once more.
Tsunade, a legendary ninja who had weathered countless storms, found herself slumping to the ground despite herself. The terrifying scene she had just witnessed still rattled her.
A thought flashed through her mind: No wonder someone like Orochimaru was willing to become Naruto's lackey. If you failed to recognize the situation, you might really vanish like dust. Tsunade couldn't help giving a bitter smile, her heart a jumble of conflicting emotions.
Though her own legs were still trembling, Shizune mustered her courage and staggered over. She helped Tsunade to her feet and asked with concern, "Lady Tsunade, are you all right?"
Tsunade smiled and shook her head, the expression carrying both helplessness and relief.
She let out a deep sigh. By the time it was done, she seemed to have aged several years.
This was the younger generation's era now, she thought.
Tsunade didn't shy away from the outcome. She readily agreed to return to Konoha and take up the Hokage Position.
And so, accompanied by Jiraiya, Tsunade set out on the journey back to Konoha.
Along the way, they reminisced about the past and talked at length about their hopes for Konoha's future.
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