You don't want people to know you hit someone, do you?

Tsunade saw the main gate from afar, a flicker of nostalgia and memory crossing her eyes.

"The previous gate guards..."

"They died on a mission. The ones responsible for the gate now are Haneda and Tsuchihara, two newly promoted Chunin."

"Newly promoted? No wonder I haven't seen them before."

Having been away for over a year, Konoha was still the same Konoha, without any major changes, yet the people standing at the gate had long since changed.

She let out a sigh.

The face that had originally held a hint of expectation now showed a trace of desolation, and her mood became listless.

However.

Upon reaching the village entrance.

"Lady Tsunade? Lady Tsunade has returned!"

"What?"

The two men at the village entrance exclaimed.

Immediately.

At the gate, passing ninjas and villagers all stopped one by one and swarmed over.

"Lady Tsunade!"

"Lady Tsunade, you're back!"

"Where is Lady Tsunade? I want to see, I want to see..."

Amidst the noisy voices were the sounds of parents soothing their children, as one child after another was lifted up to catch a glimpse of the village entrance from afar.

Most of these children had only grown up in the last year or two and had no prior impression of Tsunade.

But clearly.

Under the influence of their parents, they still knew Tsunade's name and worshipped her deeply.

In the blink of an eye, the once-spacious village entrance was crowded with the surging throng of people.

Tsunade was stunned.

She felt an indescribable emotion in her heart, a bellyful of words stuck in her throat, unable to be uttered.

"Don't block the way, disperse, disperse."

Haneda waved his hand.

Only then did the crowd outside clear a path.

Jiraiya walked behind Tsunade, and the group entered the village.

The usually calm Kakashi was so excited that his forehead had turned red; one could only imagine the expression beneath his mask.

Kurenai Yuhi was the same...

However.

Few people could remain calm while at the center of such a scene.

In this generation, many had been protected and treated by Tsunade; even in the later era of Naruto, many still held Tsunade in high regard, which was evident from this.

Along the way.

By the time they reached the vicinity of the Hokage Building, the crowd had gradually dispersed under the organization of the ninjas.

Entering the building, Tsunade couldn't help but lean against the wall and look at Jiraiya.

"Go and report back; I won't be going."

"Fine."

Jiraiya did not insist.

"The C-rank mission isn't very important, so there's no need to report together. Kakashi, Kurenai, you two can leave first as well. Go back and get some good rest, we'll gather for training tomorrow."

"I'm going to rest too."

Tsunade let out a yawn.

Kyohiko hurriedly asked, "Lady Tsunade, is what you said before still valid?"

"What?"

Tsunade was taken aback for a moment, recalled the conversation, and immediately understood, laughing, "Do you really want to get beaten up?"

"For a ninja like you, we Genin wouldn't even have the chance to ask for pointers if we wanted to, so how could I not want to!"

Kyohiko spoke quite directly.

Shizune couldn't help but admire him from the bottom of her heart—

If she hadn't witnessed Tsunade's strength, she would have simply thought Kyohiko's words were those of the ignorant who know no fear.

However.

Having witnessed Tsunade's strength and knowing the gap between them, he still dared to bring this up voluntarily...

That took quite a bit of courage!

Tsunade smiled amusedly. "Good lad, you've got guts."

She paused, looking toward Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi.

"What about you two?"

"We would also like to receive your guidance!"

Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi replied in a hurry.

Tsunade put her hands on her hips. "Fine, I'm idle anyway. Tomorrow morning at seven, Training Ground 10 in the Forest of Death. Don't you dare be afraid to show up!"

"We'll be there!"

Everyone shouted in unison.

Shizune felt envious deep down, but she didn't ask to join in.

Having wandered and traveled with Tsunade, she was already half a student and had received plenty of guidance; there wasn't much point in her getting involved now.

Hokage Office.

Jiraiya informed Hiruzen Sarutobi of the situation on the road, then broke a seal to produce one of the corpses.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grave.

"Based on your judgment, how likely is it that they were coming for Tsunade?"

"Hard to say."

Jiraiya shook his head.

He hadn't been at the scene when it first happened, so he couldn't gather all the information.

However.

"One thing is certain: the other party intended to take them alive. The target could be Tsunade, Shizune, or perhaps Kyohiko and Kakashi. The first wave of ninja tools wasn't poisoned, so the likelihood of a hit-and-run framing job is low."

"Is that so?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes.

Then, he looked at Jiraiya. "What are your thoughts on what to do next?"

"I promised Koji Matsuyama that I would head to the Land of Waves later to observe the situation closely, but I hope you can help investigate from your end as well."

Jiraiya said.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

"I will make the arrangements."

"Then I'm off!"

"Tsunade is back, so watch yourself. Don't go doing anything ridiculous again."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

Jiraiya's face stiffened, then he gave a light cough, waved his hand, and leaped out the window.

The next day, Training Ground 10 in the Forest of Death.

There were no pre-arranged test sites this time, and it wasn't a matter of the three of them attacking together, but rather—

One-on-one!

Tsunade stood there looking very relaxed.

"Are you coming at me one by one, or all at once?"

Tsunade pointed at the three of them.

Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi looked hesitant.

Attacking together would test their teamwork, while one-on-one would test individual strength...

"Can we have both?"

Kyohiko whispered.

Even though he was still a child, as an adult in spirit—

I want it all!

Tsunade was stunned into a laugh, then said with feigned annoyance, "Little brat, you're too greedy. Be careful, or you won't be able to get out of bed after today's beating."

"I'm not afraid!"

Kyohiko mustered all his courage.

Fear, of course there was fear.

But.

To have a Kage-level ninja as a free sparring partner and back down out of cowardice would be the act of a complete fool.

Ninjas know no fear!

Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi nodded repeatedly, echoing Kyohiko's sentiment.

"If you aren't afraid, I don't want to exert myself too much. Let's do one-on-one for the three of you. Who's going first?"

Tsunade had no objections.

Since they were already here.

Beating one person or beating three made no difference, but taking on all three at once would be a bit of a headache.

"I'll go first!"

Kakashi's reflexes were quick; he immediately stepped forward.

Kyohiko regretfully pulled back his own foot.

It seems—

Kakashi's innate reaction speed was still far superior to his own.

He thought to himself.

"Very well."

Tsunade's lips curled upward, and she drew a circle on the ground with her left foot. "I just want to hit someone and can't be bothered to move around much, so I'll only use one hand. If you can find a way to force me out of this circle, you win."

Kakashi's gaze was focused as he observed the battlefield.

The circle was very small, with almost no room to maneuver on either side.

In such a confined space...

"Can I use Paper Bombs?"

"Of course, ninja tools are part of a ninja's strength."

Tsunade's lips curled again.

Kakashi nodded: "I have no further questions."

"Then let's begin."

The moment the words left her lips.

Tsunade stared at Kakashi, her posture appearing quite casual, but—

Cold sweat began to pour down Kakashi's forehead.

His lips trembled slightly, his hands shook, and he remained rooted to the spot, unable to move.

Kurenai Yuhi was stunned.

"Is it a Genjutsu? But I didn't sense any chakra fluctuations!"

"It's not a Genjutsu, it's just pure killing intent."

Kyohiko's expression was grave.

In the anime, Kakashi had twice been so suppressed by Orochimaru's killing intent that he couldn't bring himself to strike.

Back then, he was already a Jonin.

Now—

Kakashi was merely a Chunin, yet he had to face the pressure of a Kage-level ninja like Tsunade; the intensity of that pressure could only be imagined.