Tsunade's Fury and Chiba's Restraint

"Senju Chiba, you are suspected of desertion. By Lord Danzō's and the higher-ups' secret order, you are to be executed on the spot. Your corpse is to be taken back to the Root Organization laboratory!"

Torune Aburame's voice echoed through the woods without the slightest fluctuation.

"To hell with your laboratory. That old bastard Danzō really thinks the Senju are his test subjects?"

Tsunade stepped forward, crushing the gravel beneath her foot.

The chakra around her began to rage, blue light swirling around her body.

"Senju Tsunade, are you planning to betray Konoha?"

Torune Aburame looked at her, his voice still cold.

"Betrayal? You were the ones who betrayed the Senju first."

Tsunade stared at him coldly.

"The Senju Clan bled itself dry for the village, only to end up wiped out. And now you want to use the Senju's last bloodline as a test subject."

"Is this your Will of Fire?"

Tsunade's voice brimmed with boundless fury.

"This is for the village's safety. The Senju Clan's bloodline cannot be allowed to remain outside."

Torune Aburame raised a hand, and the black mist at his fingertips grew thicker and thicker.

"To hell with your safety."

Tsunade cursed and punched the ground.

Monster Strength.

Rumble!

The ground instantly split open with countless cracks as violent force spread in every direction.

Several Root ninjas standing nearby were blasted away.

"Attack."

Torune Aburame gave a cold command and retreated.

At the same time, the black mist from his sleeves transformed into swarms of poisonous insects that rushed toward Tsunade and Shizune.

These nanoscale poisonous insects filled the air, giving off a pungent stench.

Tsunade frowned at the insects.

Though she was powerful, even she found it difficult to completely defend against such pervasive poisonous insects.

Moreover, the faint scent of blood in the air made her body stiffen.

Her hemophobia showed faint signs of flaring up at that moment.

Her breathing became rapid, and her vision blurred slightly.

"Lady Tsunade."

Shizune noticed something was wrong and wanted to step forward.

But the poisonous insects had already surrounded them.

Just then, a hand gently rested on Tsunade's shoulder.

That hand was warm, carrying a reassuring strength.

Chiba tugged Tsunade back slightly and stood in front of her.

"I told you, the worker does the work while the boss lady watches."

Chiba looked at Torune Aburame and curled his lip.

"An underhanded rat who plays with bugs like this isn't worth dirtying your hands over."

Chiba turned and smiled at Tsunade.

"Don't worry, Auntie. They're just a few bugs. They can't hurt me."

Tsunade stared at Chiba's back, momentarily stunned.

"Chiba, you..."

Tsunade murmured softly, the warmth of his palm still lingering on her shoulder.

That warm chakra flowed through her body, soothing the ragged breathing brought on by her hemophobia.

When did this brat become so dependable?

Tsunade looked at him, somewhat lost in thought.

"Lady Tsunade, is Chiba really going to be all right?"

Shizune asked worriedly from the side.

"I don't know, but his chakra is strange. It's full of vitality. Maybe it really can restrain those poisonous insects."

Tsunade shook her head, her eyes fixed firmly on Chiba.

"Fall back, Shizune. Take care of your lady."

Chiba ordered.

"Yes, Chiba."

Shizune hurriedly pulled Tsunade back.

Torune Aburame looked at Chiba and snorted coldly.

"Senju Chiba, you are too arrogant."

"My poisonous insects can corrode even iron. Do you think your flesh can stop them?"

Torune Aburame stared at him.

"You'll find out whether it can once you try."

Chiba crossed his arms, looking relaxed.

"People who play with bugs have rotten hearts. Your tricks are only fit for use in dark corners."

"Today, I'll show you what absolute power means."

Chiba looked at him with utter disdain in his eyes.

"Did that old bastard Danzō feed these bugs with his own blood? No wonder they smell like an old man."

Chiba continued mocking him.

"Senju Chiba, you are at death's door and still relying on your tongue."

Torune Aburame's voice turned colder.

"Relying on my tongue? I'm concerned about your pets. If they starve to death, what will you use to answer to Danzō?"

Chiba smiled.

"My poisonous insects will devour your body clean, leaving not even your bones behind."

Torune Aburame raised his hand.

"Anyone can brag. If you've got the guts, send them over here to bite me."

Chiba crooked a finger provocatively.

"Die."

Torune Aburame shouted coldly.

The black cloud of poisonous insects instantly accelerated and lunged at Chiba.

"Chiba, don't let your guard down! His poisonous insects are truly dangerous."

Tsunade shouted from behind him.

"Auntie, are you worried about me?"

Chiba turned to look at Tsunade.

"If you are, I'd really appreciate it."

Chiba smiled.

"At a time like this, you still have the mood to joke around?"

Tsunade was both angry and anxious.

"Life is short. How boring would it be without jokes?"

Chiba turned back around.

"Besides, these guys really aren't much to look at."

The chakra of Chiba's Sage Body and Strength of a Hundred Technique began to merge within him.

Green light emerged over his body, forming a thin protective barrier.

The poisonous insects struck the barrier, making a piercing scraping sound.

Sizzle, sizzle.

The instant the insects touched the green light, they began struggling madly before exploding one after another.

Torune Aburame's expression changed.

"How is this possible?"

He stared at the green light covering Chiba's body.

"Your chakra can actually assimilate my poisonous insects?"

Torune Aburame could hardly believe it.

"I told you, your bugs aren't good enough. Haven't you been keeping up with their nutrition?"

Chiba smiled.

"Want me to recommend a few brands of feed?"

"Damn it, everyone attack together! Kill him!"

Torune Aburame shouted in fury.

The surrounding Root ninjas immediately charged toward Chiba.

"Good. Saves me the trouble of hunting you down one by one."