Even now, Tsunade couldn't enter Sage Mode instantly.
Without Sage Mode, she couldn't use powerful Wood Release techniques, much less fight Hanzo of the Salamander.
Wood Release was a trump card. Once she used it, it had to save her life or kill her enemy in one strike.
Even with a Sage Body, she couldn't withstand the rapid Chakra drain of Wood Release without entering Sage Mode.
There was only one way: enter Sage Mode!
Once she entered Sage Mode, Tsunade would have nothing to fear from Hanzo of the Salamander.
But under these circumstances, that was incredibly difficult!
Hanzo of the Salamander steadied himself and fixed Tsunade with a cold stare.
"Little girl, you've made me angry."
After Tsunade sent him flying twice, Hanzo of the Salamander felt humiliated.
"Fire Release: Explosive Flame Formation!"
Hanzo of the Salamander slapped a hand against the ground. Countless Explosive Tags ignited across it, with the ones around Tsunade showing especially clear signs of imminent detonation.
"Watch out!"
Jiraiya shouted and started toward Tsunade, intending to shield her with Needle Jizo. But trees sprang up around her, enclosing her within them.
Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall.
Jiraiya hurriedly used Needle Jizo to protect himself.
Boom! Boom!
Explosive Tags detonated one after another, tearing the terrain apart.
When the smoke and dust cleared, the ground was riddled with craters.
Jiraiya had hardened his long silver hair into spikes and extended it around his entire body, making him look like a hedgehog. It had shielded him from Hanzo of the Salamander's Explosive Flame Formation, but he was in poor shape. Burns marked his hands.
Orochimaru emerged unscathed thanks to an Orochimaru-Style Substitution Technique, but his Chakra was nearly depleted. He wouldn't survive another Ninjutsu attack from Hanzo of the Salamander.
Meanwhile, Tsunade's Wood Release barrier