""Mangetsu, don't cause trouble in Konoha!"
A voice rang out.
A Mist Village ninja stood there, two swords at his waist.
They definitely weren't Hiramekarei. Judging by the style of the scabbards, they looked more like Thunder Blade: Fang.
Hozuki Mangetsu still seemed dazed. His expression was blank, and it was obvious his thoughts were in disarray. He hadn't heard a word.
"Hozuki Mangetsu?!"
Raiga Kurosuki looked displeased.
"Huh? Yes!"
Only then did Hozuki Mangetsu snap out of his shock.
The fear in his eyes faded.
When he saw Raiga Kurosuki, Hozuki Mangetsu immediately bowed and apologized to him.
"Sorry!"
"Shouldn't you be apologizing to me? Or are Mist Village's ninjas all like this, attacking people in other villages whenever they please without having to apologize?"
Kyohiko glanced at Raiga Kurosuki.
Raiga Kurosuki frowned and looked between him and Hozuki Mangetsu. His emotions were difficult to contain, and his expression gradually turned fierce and cruel as killing intent quietly spilled from him.
But—
Kyohiko stood firm and even threatened him. "You're directing killing intent at me. Are you planning to kill me to silence me?"
Raiga Kurosuki was secretly startled.
When he got angry, his killing intent scared plenty of Jonin from his own village. Yet this kid wasn't afraid to meet his gaze and even dared to talk back.
Impressive courage!
He looked at Hozuki Mangetsu, growing more dissatisfied by the moment.
The Hozuki Clan had been praised to the skies, calling him the clan's greatest prodigy and claiming he might become the next Second Mizukage.
And what happened?
He was nothing but a pretty face.
He'd encountered a Konoha prodigy and immediately lost his composure, forgetting even the most basic rules of being a ninja.
Just look at this kid!
His killing intent was fixed on him, yet he wasn't afraid at all.
Now that was a true prodigy!
He shouted, "Mangetsu, are you waiting for me to apologize on your behalf?"
"Yes, I... I'm sorry, Kyohiko. I only wanted to say hello. I really didn't mean to attack you! I was startled by your reaction, and that's why it took me so long to apologize!"
Hozuki Mangetsu knew...
This could be either a minor or a serious matter.
At its mildest, it was just kids roughhousing.
At its worst, it was just as Kyohiko had described it—
Mist Village had attacked a Konoha Genin, and a Jonin had come over to try to silence him.
It all depended on what Konoha made of it.
So—
Admitting that he'd been startled into a daze was better than having them seize on his mistake and making him pay a greater price.
However—
"What were you planning to do to our Konoha ninja?"
Tsunade's gaze was icy.
Her fierce killing intent swept over them like a tidal wave.
Raiga Kurosuki stiffly turned his head.
That terrifying pressure, that overwhelming presence!
For an instant, he almost thought he'd been caught in an illusion like Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique, one that preyed on his deepest fears. That had to be why he felt so panicked and afraid.
But—
It wasn't an illusion.
Just her killing intent alone was enough to...
His face went pale.
Then he saw another figure Body Flicker down behind Tsunade. A seemingly gentle, yet terrifying smile appeared on his pale face.
Two of the Sannin—
Tsunade and Orochimaru had arrived together!
What a big deal this kid was, to have the attention of the Sannin!
Kyohiko was about to speak when Hozuki Mangetsu immediately dropped to his knees with a thud and prostrated himself.
"Kyohiko, I really only wanted to say hello. I wanted to compete with you again in the Chunin Ninja Exams. I absolutely didn't mean to attack you! Senior Raiga loses control when he gets angry. It wasn't directed at you!"
Hozuki Mangetsu wasn't afraid of other people, but Orochimaru...
He'd spent ten of the past fifteen days with Orochimaru. His consciousness had been muddled at the time, and he couldn't remember anything from those days, but deep down, his instincts had made him afraid!
He had no doubt about it.
At this very moment, Orochimaru was probably looking for an excuse to make him stay a while longer.
If Orochimaru really figured out the Hydrification Technique, he'd never be able to make up for his guilt!
A trace of regret appeared on Orochimaru's face.
"So it was a misunderstanding?"
"Yes, a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! That Hozuki brat is spoiled by his talent and usually acts out in the village. I've already given Mangetsu a good scolding!"
Raiga Kurosuki hurriedly repeated, "It was a misunderstanding."
Two members of the Sannin...
He'd heard that the kid's teacher was Jiraiya. If the other man arrived too, the whole Sannin would be here!
He wasn't Hanzo of the Salamander.
"Sorry, you two!"
Raiga Kurosuki's voice was strained.
"Don't cause trouble in Konoha. There are plenty of people here who can deal with you."
Tsunade waved a hand, intending to give them a show of force. But then she remembered they were in Konoha. If she wrecked the street, she might end up having to pay for the damage, so she stopped herself.
She glanced at Hozuki Mangetsu, still kneeling on the ground, then at Orochimaru behind her...
It seemed Orochimaru had left him with quite a shadow over the past few days!
Orochimaru chuckled. "So it was a misunderstanding?"
"Yes, a misunderstanding!"
"Relations between our villages are good now, and everyone wants peace. We can let a minor misunderstanding like this slide. Otherwise, this matter won't be settled so quickly!"
"Yes!"
Raiga Kurosuki felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He immediately turned and left, not daring to linger.
If he stayed any longer, Jiraiya might show up, and then he'd have to prostrate himself again!
After the others had left—
Orochimaru licked his lips and looked Kyohiko up and down, then smiled. "Tsunade, this is Jiraiya's student, right?"
"Kyohiko Yoshimine greets you, Senior Orochimaru!"
Kyohiko stepped forward to greet him.
Might Guy stood beside him, frozen and afraid to breathe too loudly.
One was Tsunade.
The other was Orochimaru.
They were both famous figures in the Shinobi World whom he never got to see!
"Mm."
Orochimaru's gaze was sharp.
After sizing Kyohiko up for a moment, he smiled. "I have something to do today. We'll meet again if there's a chance!"
"Yes."
Kyohiko nodded.
Tsunade waited for Orochimaru to leave, then looked at Guy and asked, "You're Might Guy?"
"Huh? Yes, Lady Tsunade!"
Guy was extremely nervous.
At this point, he was still a Genin fresh out of the academy. When had he ever seen a scene like this?
"I see you running past the hospital every day. I've read your file. You work very hard, and you're talented."
Tsunade praised him sincerely.
Guy looked surprised, then couldn't hold back his excitement and gratitude. He quickly raised a hand to wipe away his tears. "Lady Tsunade!"
He wept uncontrollably.
Tsunade's words of affirmation were the greatest praise and encouragement he could ask for.
Tsunade's mouth twitched. She turned to look at Kyohiko.
Kyohiko shrugged.
That was just how Guy was. When he got excited, his emotions changed as quickly as the weather.
Tsunade was trying to think of how to comfort him.
Might Guy abruptly stopped crying and said, "Lady Tsunade, I'll keep working hard! I'll prove that even someone who only excels at Taijutsu can become an amazing ninja!"
Tsunade's expression softened a little, and she nodded gently.
"Mm."
Her train of thought had been interrupted, and for a moment, she couldn't remember what she'd been about to say.
Kyohiko and Guy saw her expression and didn't want to speak first.
After pondering for a while, she finally remembered.
"Your training method can push your body to its limits. By breaking through them again and again, you can make progress, but it also puts a heavy strain on your body. You should get regular checkups to make sure you don't suffer an injury that's difficult to heal."
"But..."
Guy looked hesitant.
He understood the reasoning, but he and his father were only Genin. A trip to the hospital would cost quite a bit.
Tsunade's expression softened. "Don't worry. I'll cover the cost of your checkups."
Compared to her gambling debts, this was barely a drop in the bucket. But if it helped a promising ninja grow up healthy, the return would be enormous.
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"
Guy was overjoyed and thanked her again and again.
Lady Tsunade believed in him!
That was the greatest affirmation he could receive, and he was even more determined to train hard.
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