Seeing Aoyama Ryuyun and Tsunade holding hands like that, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio hesitated, unsure whether they should interrupt.
"Ahem!"
When it was just the two of them, Tsunade didn't care much.
But with others watching, she quickly let go of Ryuyun's hand, a faint flush crossing her cheeks.
"Shikaku," she said, recovering her composure, "make sure you and your team hold off the Third Kazekage later."
She didn't expect them to defeat him outright — simply delaying him would be enough.
"Please rest assured, Lady Tsunade!"
Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Chōza all nodded seriously.
Whether for Konoha or for the honor of their clans, they could not afford to lose this battle.
"Let's move!"
Tsunade waved her hand and led the way toward the battlefield.
Ryuyun followed behind her, his hand resting on his sword hilt, expression calm and composed.
Behind them, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio couldn't help whispering among themselves.
"Hey, Shikaku… do you think Lady Tsunade and Jōnin Ryuyun are… you know… together?"
"They don't really seem like a match," Inoichi muttered.
They meant no disrespect — it was simply that, even though Aoyama Ryuyun was known as the Golden Lion, his background as a commoner seemed worlds apart from Tsunade's noble Senju lineage.
But Shikaku remained unfazed.
"Whether they match or not isn't for us to decide," he said lazily. "Besides, if he really wins this fight… would you still say they don't match?"
"Huh?"
His words left Inoichi and Chōza momentarily confused — until the realization hit.
"You mean, Ryuyun might actually defeat Shukaku?"
"If that really happens," Chōza said with a grin, "then no one in Konoha will dare gossip again!"
Still, the thought was staggering.
Defeating the One-Tail Shukaku — the ultimate weapon — sounded impossible.
"I don't know why," Shikaku said quietly, "but I've got a feeling that guy's not ordinary. Not at all."
Inoichi and Chōza exchanged uncertain glances, but neither argued.
"Have you three finished chatting yet? Hurry up and move!"
Tsunade's irritated voice snapped them out of their talk.
"Yes, ma'am!"
They immediately fell into formation and followed her lead.
---
By the time Tsunade reached the battlefield, Sunagakure's forces had already begun their full-scale assault.
There were no warnings, no declarations — just a direct, ruthless attack, completely devoid of honor or restraint.
Leading the charge were the Third Kazekage and Granny Chiyo.
The One-Tail's Jinchūriki, Bunpuku, had yet to make a move — but even without him, the Sand's offensive was overwhelming.
"These idiots from Sunagakure — have they lost their minds?!" Tsunade snapped. "Hit them back! Hard!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
At her command, Konoha's shinobi surged forward.
The air filled with the metallic scent of blood and the roar of explosions — the unmistakable chaos of ninja war.
Amid the turmoil, Tsunade's eyes locked onto Granny Chiyo, who was manipulating her puppets with deadly precision, cutting through Konoha's ranks.
Without hesitation, Tsunade leapt high into the air.
"Die, old hag!" she shouted. "Heavenly Foot of Pain!"
Her leg came down like a hammer from the heavens.
Boom!
The ground exploded beneath the impact, sand and debris scattering in every direction.
Chiyo's puppets paused for a heartbeat, then swiftly retreated to her side.
Puppet users were always at a disadvantage against taijutsu specialists — and Tsunade was the worst possible opponent for one.
"What's this?" Chiyo scoffed. "Has Konoha run out of shinobi? Sending a little girl to fight me?"
Clearly, her sharp tongue was as dangerous as her jutsu.
"Hmph! Don't underestimate me, old woman. This 'little girl' is more than enough to crush you!"
With a snap of her wrist, Tsunade shattered a puppet that tried to ambush her from behind.
"As expected," she muttered. "Puppet masters — all sneaky cowards who rely on tricks!"
"Such arrogance," Chiyo replied coolly. "Boasting like that will only bring you an early grave."
Her fingers twitched, chakra threads glowing faintly in the air as several puppets unfolded their weapons, surrounding Tsunade.
"You want to kill me?" Tsunade cracked her knuckles. "Then come try!"
The two locked eyes — neither flinching, neither blinking.
Then they moved simultaneously.
"Super Strength Fist!"
The earth shook as steel clashed with flesh, sand and smoke filling the air.
---
Elsewhere on the battlefield, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio had already engaged the Third Kazekage.
"Ninja Art — Mind Transfer Jutsu!"
The Kazekage, who had been controlling his Iron Sand mid-air, suddenly felt his consciousness flicker.
"Ninja Art — Shadow Imitation Jutsu!"
Taking advantage of the momentary confusion, Shikaku's shadow darted across the ground and connected with the Kazekage's.
"Chōza — now!"
"Understood!"
"Ninja Art — Partial Expansion Jutsu!"
Chōza's arm swelled to massive proportions and swung down like a wrecking ball, slamming into the Kazekage with earth-shattering force.
Boom!
The explosion of dust and sand marked the first successful strike against the Iron Sand Master.
This was the true power of the Ino–Shika–Chō combination — Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi.
Individually, their clan techniques were unique.
But together… they were terrifying.
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