"You monster... I'll go back to Konoha with you."
Tsunade's hoarse voice, filled with resignation, sounded especially clear amid the charred ruins. This granddaughter of the First Hokage, one of the Sannin whose name had once shaken the Shinobi World, now resembled a gambler who had lost everything, finally bowing her proud head to the demon-god-like boy before her.
Shizune silently shed tears at her side. Though her heart ached for Lady Tsunade, she also knew that any resistance was futile against Shengu Xuan's utterly unreasonable, absolute power. Besides, Lady Tsunade really had lost everything at the gambling table.
"Big Brother Shengu! You're amazing! That fire tornado just now was so freaking cool! Can you teach me?" Naruto ran out from behind Gamabunta and circled Shengu Xuan excitedly, his eyes shining with fervent admiration.
Shengu Xuan rolled his eyes in exasperation, planted a hand on Naruto's head, and pushed him aside. "Teach you, my ass. With that scrawny little body, you can't even handle wind properly, and you want to play with fire? Go play somewhere else."
Jiraiya released the Summoning Technique, sending Gamabunta back to Mount Myōboku. He walked over to Shengu Xuan and couldn't help drawing a sharp breath as he surveyed the flattened, charred expanse of Tanzaku Town around them.
"Kid, you really went overboard this time. Tanzaku Town was the most prosperous entertainment town in the Land of Fire. After that fire of yours, the Daimyo will probably throw a fit," Jiraiya said with a wry smile, though a trace of relief showed unmistakably in his eyes. If not for this boy, they would certainly have suffered badly against Orochimaru and Manda today.
"Like I give a shit." Shengu Xuan yawned and slipped his hands into his pockets, looking as though none of this concerned him.