On the forest road along the border of the Land of Fire, the black rain had turned into fine, hairlike drizzle.
The original six snow-white steeds had been frightened off by the aftermath of the earlier battle. Now, the luxurious agarwood carriage was being pulled by two extremely bizarre-looking "laborers."
Two withered Outworld Blood Slaves, their skin cracked like old bark, were bare-chested, thick hemp ropes cinched tightly across their chests.
Two Beast-Taming Nails radiating dim golden divine light had been driven into each of their spines. With every step they took, the light sent piercing pain through their nervous systems.
"Pant... pant..."
The blood slaves' heavy breathing sounded especially horrifying in the silent woods. Mighty Peak Quasi-Kage Level creatures from Beyond the World had now been reduced to beasts of burden, stripped of all dignity.
"Tsk, those two are disgusting to look at, but their footing is certainly steadier than ordinary horses."
Inside the carriage, Ye Tian lounged comfortably on a soft couch covered in Finest Cloud Sable Fur.
He held his trademark thermos in one hand. As his gaze drifted back from the gap in the curtains, a roguish smile belonging to the exploiting class curled across his lips.
"Cough... cough. Lady Tsunade, your strength is wrong."
Ye Tian tilted his head slightly and looked toward the Fifth Hokage, who was crouched beside the couch with a flushed face.
Tsunade had rolled up part of her sleeves, exposing smooth, jade-white forearms that glimmered faintly.
Her hands rested on Ye Tian's long, powerful legs, pale blue Immortal Origin Power flowing around her fingertips.
"Ye Tian, I'm helping you 'stabilize your meridians,' so can you stop talking?"
Tsunade bit her red lip. Her amber eyes shimmered with moisture, though it was impossible to tell whether it came from embarrassment