The Land of Hot Water, a commercialized village without any ninja villages or defenses.
Here you'll find the most mysterious underground gold exchange, as well as red-light districts that men frequent.
Of course, the casino on Tanzaku Town is more famous.
The air inside the casino was thick with tobacco, alcohol, and frenzied desire.
The sounds of dice clashing, cards being dealt, and gamblers shouting mingled together, creating the unique cacophony of sounds here.
In a relatively quiet corner of the casino, Tsunade downed her drink in one gulp and casually pushed another stack of banknotes onto the center of the gambling table.
I'm betting on big!
His movements were bold, yet he couldn't hide the weariness and numbness between his brows.
Shizune stood to the side, holding the little Tonton, looking worried.
Just then, a Kunai the window, and then Minato Namikaze's figure solidified and landed where the Kunai had been.
His sharp blue eyes quickly scanned the noisy crowd and soon locked onto the figure with the word "gambling" written in large letters on his back.
He didn't rush forward immediately, but patiently waited for Tsunade to finish her round.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, it was clear without even looking that Tsunade had lost again.
"Tsk, what bad luck today."
Tsunade clicked her tongue, stood up, and her chest swayed slightly. Everyone in the casino only dared to look down at the table; no one dared to peek.
At the casino, this is the best big fat sheep.
But if you look around carelessly, this casino might get demolished.
The raging woman's reputation was as well-known as that of the fat sheep.
Tsunade and prepared to move to another spot.
" Lady Tsunade, could we talk somewhere else?"
Minato's gentle voice sounded behind her.
Tsunade turned around impatiently, a look of annoyance flashing in her eyes:
"Oh, it's the Minato."
"What, did the old man have a change of heart and send you to deliver some gambling money to me?"
Shizune, who was standing nearby, quickly bowed and said, " Minato Jonin, Lady Tsunade was just being rude, please don't mind."
Minato bowed slightly, his attitude respectful.
" Lady Tsunade, Miss Shizune."
"I have come here on the orders of the Third Lord Hokage, to request a matter of vital importance concerning the survival of Konoha."
"Survival or death?"
Tsunade chuckled and led the group out of the noisy casino.
Let's talk as we walk!
"I can help guide the medical base from the rear, but if you want me to go back to fight, then forget it."
Minato didn't beat around the bush; he went straight to the point. His voice was low, but every word was clear:
" Lady Tsunade, the situation is far more serious than you imagine."
The Kumogakure continues to exert pressure in the northeast, while the Iwagakure Village army has crossed the border of the Land of Grass.
Meanwhile, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist of the Kirigakure have already appeared on the southeastern coast of the Land of Fire.
Konoha is facing a three-front war.
Tsunade, painted with henna-colored nail polish, tightened slightly, but her expression remained impassive.
" Konoha is full of talented people. With you and Jiraiya, and the Hyūga Uchiha clans, we were able to win the Second World War. We can definitely pull through this time."
" Lady Tsunade, this time is different."
Both Iwagakure and Kumogakure deployed their elite Jinchūriki.
Faced with these challenges, Konoha may still have a fighting chance.
Minato took a deep breath before continuing:
"But the biggest variable has appeared, Lady Tsunade."
Our ally Sunagakure Village has now become a variable that can overturn the entire ninja world."
Upon hearing the words " Sunagakure," Tsunade stopped in her tracks.
Although she was far from the center of power, it was hard for her not to know about the changes that had taken place in Sunagakure over the past few years.
"I know that the Chunin from Sunagakure overpowered the Uchiha Clan and won the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams."
However, the Land of Wind is a poor and weak nation, and I've heard that the Third Kazekage was assassinated by his own daimyo. What threat could they possibly pose?"
" Lady Tsunade, they are no longer the poor village that needs our help."
According to the latest intelligence, Sunagakure has completed its internal purge at lightning speed, even overthrowing the Daimyo of the Land of Wind and the old aristocratic system.
It is said that the ninja named Mukai directly smashed the daimyo's castle protected by the Four Violet Flames Formation, and that his Ninjutsu was said to have earth-shattering power.
More importantly, he subdued the Tailed Beast of Sunagakure, One-Tail Shukaku, which became his summoning beast.
"Oh? You subdued the One-Tail brat? Mukai? You mean the winner of the Joint Chunin Tournament?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow upon hearing this.
"That's not all."
A hint of apprehension flashed in Minato's eyes. "He, Sasori, and a previously unknown ninja named Konan have formed a stable golden triangle."
They were known as the Sunagakure Sannin Hanzo of the Salamander.
Upon hearing the familiar face, Tsunade snorted and crossed her arms disdainfully, saying:
"It's the same old trick: showing off their superiority after winning."
Hanzo of the Salamander personally led the charge, defeating the new generation of Sunagakure's forces; even the others were no match for his hook scythe and poisonous mist.
The Sunagakure should be in danger!
"No, Lady Tsunade, the result is quite the opposite."
The power they wield... transcends the realm of conventional Ninjutsu.
In the battle of Moon Sake Town, Hanzo of the Salamander was instantly killed by the three of them working together, and the entire Amegakure army surrendered.
It's said that Hanzo of the Salamander was a complete stomp; he was no match for the three Sunagakure members.
That was an absolute crushing power.
Minato Namikaze looked at Tsunade and said with concern:
"It's said they used a special Puppet Mecha that provided an incredibly powerful boost to their combat strength and defense."
"Puppet? Mech?"
Tsunade first heard this word, her brows furrowed tightly.
What threat could a puppet pose, something so fragile, other than a sneaky attack with a poisoned blade?
How can it be connected to A?
Did he Hanzo of the Salamander and kill him in one fell swoop?
This is even harder than defeating him!
Hanzo of the Salamander's ability to save his life is no less impressive than his reputation as a demigod!
As a top medical-nin and Taijutsu master in the Shinobi World, Tsunade understands the difficulty of such a feat better than anyone else.
Could three unknown Sunagakure ninja really kill Hanzo of the Salamander of the Demigod of the Ninja World, and subdue the Amegakure?
How is that possible?
"Yes, Lady Tsunade, the Sand Village is said to rely on these kinds of Puppet Mecha."
Based on scattered intelligence reports, it was a humanoid weapon that combined Chakra- conducting metal, precise sealing technology, and an unknown energy source.
Not only does it possess terrifying defensive capabilities and devastating offensive methods,
Even their mobility and Chakra amplification are terrifying.
Minato relayed the information Konoha Tsunade:
The elders deduced that Sunagakure was able to subdue Shukaku probably because of this Puppet Mecha technology.
Lady Tsunade, the Sunagakure is vastly different now.
They are changing and expanding at a pace we cannot comprehend.
The fall of the Kazekage, hailed as the strongest, did not lead to the decline of Sunagakure; instead, it brought the Land of Rain under his rule.
They now possess the power to decide the outcome of the ninja war.
Tsunade and a few others sat down at an outdoor table, listening silently, their fingers unconsciously tapping the surface.
After a long while, she finally moved her lips:
"So, you only thought of me when things were so dangerous?"
Tsunade finally spoke, her voice a little hoarse:
"You want me, a washed-up Sannin, to deal with the Sunagakure Sannin who killed Hanzo of the Salamander?"
Haha, I wonder how Orochimaru Jiraiya that idiot Jiraiya will react when they hear this news.
The three of us were defeated by Hanzo of the Salamander in the day.
"No, Lady Tsunade, the Lord Hokage did not send you to battle."
Minato leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with utmost sincerity:
"We need you to represent Konoha and serve as Sunagakure."
"An envoy?" Tsunade aback.
"Yes. Jiraiya- sensei and Lord Orochimaru have both gone to the front lines."
However, according to the latest strategic assessment, even if Konoha's elite forces were to be deployed to deal with the formidable forces of the three powerful hidden villages, it would still be difficult to cope.
We need a strong individual who can represent Konoha in terms of seniority, prestige, and strength to reinforce the alliance with Sunagakure."
The sound of the Minato carried an unquestionable trust:
"You are the granddaughter of the First Hokage, one of the legendary Sannin, Shinobi World's top medical expert."
Your very identity signifies the highest level of importance attached to this diplomatic operation.
I will escort you there with Team Kakashi.
Tsunade, took a deep breath, and after a long while, finally opened them:
" Shizune, pack your things."
She stood up, her voice regaining its usual strong and resonant quality.
" Lady Tsunade? Are we going back to the village?"
Shizune looked at her with surprise.
Tsunade looked at Minato Namikaze, shook her head, and said:
"No, we won't go back to the village, we'll go straight to Sunagakure."
I don't like the musty smell of the village.
Let's go, Minato.
I want to go and see for myself who these new Sannin who could take down Hanzo of the Salamander are.
I'd also like to see what this Puppet Mecha is.
A relieved smile finally appeared on Minato's face, and he nodded solemnly:
"Thank you so much, Lady Tsunade. I'm counting on you!"