Without chakra to sustain it, Tsunade's firm skin began to sag. Wrinkles rapidly appeared at the corners of her eyes and across her forehead. Within seconds, she reverted to her true appearance as an aging woman. Her golden hair lost its luster and hung limply.
Chiya held Tsunade by the neck with one hand, the intense killing intent in his eyes gradually fading.
Killing was only a means, never the goal.
Lopping off this woman's head would be easy, but a corpse could not provide lasting psychological deterrence. Keeping her alive in this humiliating state would deal a far greater psychological blow to Konoha and the entire Five Great Nations Allied Forces than simply killing her. Chiya knew perfectly well that a living, ruined idol was far more useful than a dead martyr.
"Sasuke," Chiya called without turning his head.
Several dozen meters behind him, Sasuke put away the Kusanagi Sword and strode over across the rubble. He glanced at the unconscious Tsunade in Chiya's hand, his expression unchanged.
"What are your orders, Lord Chiya?" Sasuke asked, lowering his head.
Chiya casually flung Tsunade at Sasuke's feet. Her body struck the rocks with a dull thud.
"Tie her up. Find some sturdy special steel cables and run them through her shoulder blades. Take her back to Flame Emperor City and hang her in the very center of the city wall." Chiya's tone was flat as he gave the order. "Let everyone in the shinobi world take a good, long look. This is what happens when you defy my rules. On my territory, Konoha's Hokage is nothing more than an object to hang up on display."
Sasuke nodded. "Understood. I'll have the Rain Ninja Death Squad handle it. She won't have any chance to escape."
Sasuke looked down at Tsunade on