Muzan Gets Hammered

A venomous fang mark appeared on the three men's ankles.

The poison's side effects manifested immediately. The world spun around them, and by the time they came to their senses, the surrounding thorny vines had followed close behind, binding them tightly.

"Damn it!"

They tried to use kunai to cut through the thorny restraints, but ultimately found it was all futile. As the vines constricted, their spikes drew near.

Just as Muzan was about to finish off the ninjas, a figure suddenly rushed in front of him.

"Bang!"

A single punch shattered the vines and sent Muzan flying with them.

"Crack! Crack! Crack!"

The repeatedly snapping vines were flesh and blood extended from Muzan's body. It was equivalent to having a chunk torn straight off him. Covered in blood, he looked exceptionally horrifying.

But that was not the most fatal part. His clothes had also been torn to shreds, leaving large areas of skin exposed directly to the sunlight.

In an instant, smoke rose from Muzan's body!

"Argh!"

The burning sensation was the most lethal of all, because sunlight was Muzan's natural enemy. He desperately fled into the shadows, only then noticing Tsunade, who had rushed over.

Only Tsunade had the strength to nearly cripple Muzan with one punch.

"This..."

Tsunade knew Muzan's body could not be exposed to sunlight, but this was also her first time seeing him in such a miserable state beneath the sun. She realized that punch had truly gone too far.

Just as Tsunade wanted to check on Muzan's condition, a ninja beside her blocked her path. The three men's condition was not looking good either.

"Lady Tsunade, he just tried to kill us!"

The man looked utterly miserable, but Tsunade noticed something wrong with his state. He was not a normal Anbu ninja. He showed no concern whatsoever for his companions, and he gave off a cold, sinister feeling.

"Hmph! So they're Root operatives."

She had no goodwill toward Root, even if they were part of Konoha.

"Since you aren't dead, go back."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade."

Compared to the three ninjas, Muzan was the real problem. He was still hiding in the shadows, and the sunlight was at its most scorching now. If he stepped out even a fraction, he would suffer searing pain.

He suddenly sensed danger approaching. A middle-aged man dressed in black appeared beside Muzan and draped a layer of clothing over him. The moment he turned around, the auras of two top-tier powerhouses collided in the street.

"Hatake Sword Technique!"

Drawing the White Fang Ninja Blade from his back, Hatake Sakumo swept away his dejection in that instant, becoming once more the terrifying White Fang of Konoha!

"Bang!"

The collision between the Monster Strength Fist and the Hatake Sword Technique unleashed terrifying destructive force, tearing open the ground where the two had clashed. When the dust settled, Sakumo stared at Tsunade with hawk-like eyes.

"Tsunade, you had better give me an explanation."

Setting aside the burns, Muzan had only just repaired his broken body, yet the bloodstains left behind could not be erased. Sakumo was indeed one of Konoha's strongest, but Muzan before him was also his son.

After learning that Muzan had clashed with three ninjas, Sakumo had rushed over immediately. Unfortunately, he was still one step too late.

The moment he arrived, he saw Tsunade attacking Muzan!

A Kage Level powerhouse using the Monster Strength Fist to bully a child?

Sakumo had to demand an explanation. The mission's failure was his own fault, but it could not be allowed to implicate his child.

Having taken that slash head-on, Tsunade was in poor condition. Because she suffered from hemophobia, seeing Muzan in that state had magnified the fear in her heart without limit.

"I was in the wrong about this. If the Third Hokage wishes to punish me, or if Muzan has any demands, I will agree to them all."

"It's all right, Father."

Muzan put on the black robe, and his aura became even darker and more frightening.

Because it was Sakumo's robe, it had no hood to conceal Muzan's face. His blood-red eyes were even stranger than the Sharingan, and together with his bewitching features, they possessed an unusual beauty. Even Tsunade was seeing Muzan's face beneath the black robe for the first time.

"I was not seriously injured, but there is something I need to discuss with Father in private. As for Lady Tsunade, please do not take it to heart. I acted too rashly earlier because someone was discussing Father's mission failure."

"However, where did those three ordinary men obtain information about the mission? I hope Lady Tsunade can investigate."

Before everyone, he laid the matter bare. Someone wanted to use the pressure of public opinion against Sakumo.

In the original story, Danzo merely wanted to keep Sakumo from competing for the position of Hokage. He did not intend to get Sakumo killed.

It was simply that Danzo had overplayed his hand. Konoha lost a Kage Level powerhouse for nothing, weakening its top-tier strength and allowing the other ninja villages to see hope, indirectly bringing about the Third Ninja War.

It could truly be called cleverness backfiring, and Muzan would never allow what came next to happen.

Judging from Sakumo's expression and demeanor, things were moving in the worst possible direction. It had to be stopped.

Tsunade understood what had happened. Sakumo's mission failure had only occurred yesterday, yet rumors had already emerged today. She spent most of her time either in casinos or taverns and had not paid attention to the talk within Konoha.

Moreover, the appearance of the rumors was highly abnormal. Someone had to be fanning the flames behind the scenes.

"I will give Sakumo an explanation. If someone truly leaked information about the mission deliberately, I will make him pay the price."

Only those around the Hokage knew the details of the mission. In truth, Tsunade had already guessed who was causing trouble, but she could not say it in front of Sakumo.

Once she said it aloud, it would mean there could never again be any reconciliation between the Hokage Faction and Sakumo.

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade."

Muzan's white hair fell loosely as he gave a slight bow, showing his respect.

If Tsunade demanded an explanation, even the Third Hokage would not stand by and ignore it. After all, in certain respects, Tsunade's influence was even greater than the Third Hokage's.

As for Muzan attacking villagers and fighting Konoha Ninja, an ordinary ninja would inevitably spend time in prison. But given Muzan's identity and status, as well as the doubts surrounding these villagers and ninjas, the matter would not be pursued too harshly.

Of course, there would still be an official punishment.

After the incident ended, Muzan was ordered to remain confined within Konoha for one month. During that time, he was not allowed to leave or clash with ordinary people.

"Father, I have already heard about your mission failure."

The two sat facing each other. Inside the room, Muzan removed his black robe. Noticing the dejection of the man before him, he directly voiced what was on Sakumo's mind.

"I can sense your desire to die, but you must understand that death is not only not an escape, it is also an admission of your own incompetence."

That final sentence made Sakumo frown tightly. He raised his head to look at Muzan, then finally sighed.

"The mission failed because of me. I truly did intend to kill myself to atone."

Mercilessly exposed by his son, Sakumo did not know how to face Muzan. He also understood that suicide to atone was a sign of weakness.

But he could think of no other way to make amends.

"What I mean is, this was not your fault. The mission's failure was inevitable, because there was a traitor among your subordinates."

"This was all a trap aimed at you. They wanted to make you unable to compete for the position of Hokage."

"What?"

Those words left Sakumo stunned. He was no fool. Once he calmed down and carefully reconsidered the course of the mission, there had indeed been doubts everywhere.