Tsunade's decision to mentor Kurenai Yuhi and Kiyo Hyuga wasn't just to give Hyuga Mirai a "surprise." She also intended to win them over—one was a well-known genjutsu Jonin in Konoha, and the other, a Hyuga clan elder, who might soon become clan leader.
If she hoped to peacefully liberate Konoha and even the Land of Fire one day, Tsunade needed to gather more subordinates and loyal clans around her.
As for Kurenai and Kiyo, they were initially surprised and a bit skeptical about Tsunade's offer. But after some thought, they agreed. After all, Tsunade wasn't just the Fifth Hokage but also the strongest kunoichi in Konoha. Receiving her guidance would be a huge help to both.
Besides, as Konoha ninjas, they were expected to follow the Hokage's orders. Kiyo, having more political experience, vaguely grasped Tsunade's intentions. But since she'd always looked down on the cowardly Third Hokage, she was the first to align herself with the new one.
Whoosh.
Boom!
The loud burst from the signal flare immediately caught the attention of most Konoha ninjas in the camp.
Seeing the red flare burst in the sky, many were shaken. It hadn't been long since the last attack, and now another powerful enemy had come?
"Enemy attack!"
There was almost no need to relay the message. Upon seeing the warning signal, everyone dropped what they were doing and, just like last time, began packing up the camp for evacuation.
To detect enemies early, all of Konoha's patrol and reconnaissance teams had been sent out. Now, the early warning came from three kilometers away.
"Tsunade-sama!"
Nara Shikaku, Kiyo Hyuga, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Ōnoki all rushed to Tsunade. She was now the camp's command.
Boom!
Before Tsunade could speak, a perfectly synchronized explosion echoed outside. Judging by the five or six bursts of fire, the explosions occurred simultaneously at multiple spots.
The force was equivalent to dozens of explosive tags.
Tsunade frowned. "Kiyo."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama. Byakugan!"
Kiyo activated her Byakugan and frowned. "Tsunade-sama, the southern patrol team has been completely wiped out. There are two enemies, heading this way. One used a summoning jutsu."
Only two enemies—yet they annihilated five patrol squads in an instant. This level of power made Shikaku and Hiruzen shudder.
If not for Tsunade's warning, they might still be cluelessly examining the corpses, unaware of another incoming attack.
"Old man, stay and evacuate the others. The rest of you, with me!"
Tsunade ordered with a deep frown. There were still many Genin and Chunin in the camp. If the enemy broke through, it would be a disaster for the weaker ones.
Without another word, Tsunade dashed toward the enemy. Kiyo and the others followed. As for Hiruzen, though disappointed, he felt slightly relieved and went to organize the evacuation.
In the forest outside the Konoha camp, Nagato retracted the five-finger missile launchers on his back. To better utilize the powers of the Asura Path, he wasn't even wearing the black cloak with red clouds of the Akatsuki.
Nagato spoke calmly, "As expected, using the Rinnegan's power through my real body greatly enhances both strength and precision."
The missile attack earlier wouldn't have been nearly as effective if it came from the Asura Path body. It might not have even killed a single person.
"Konan, stay here."
"Got it. It's just a paper clone anyway."
Konan's real body was already elsewhere. The clone was left only to gather information.
"Now, make sure no Konoha ninja escapes—Summoning Jutsu!"
Boom.
A massive cloud of smoke rose. Under Nagato's control, various summons—centipede, rhino, Yatagarasu, split hound, and more—began to surround the Konoha camp from all directions. Their role: scatter and disrupt the Konoha forces.
"Get lost!"
A furious roar rang out. Nagato saw his summoned rhino suddenly sent flying, launched high into the air from a direct hit.
"Such terrifying brute strength…" Nagato extended his hand and used Shinra Tensei, sending the rhino crashing back down—only for Tsunade to kick it aside again.
"So, it is you, Fifth Hokage."
Nagato's pale lavender Rinnegan stared at Tsunade, who had rushed over. He'd heard she had become Hokage but didn't expect her to show up on the front lines. That meant there were now two Hokage present in the Land of Rain battlefield.
"It really is you…"
Seeing Nagato's red hair, Tsunade began to recall the three children she once encountered in the Land of Rain—one of them had bright red hair.
"You bastard…"
Before she could finish, the ring on her hand released a bit of nanomaterial. It slithered up her arm and formed a tiny fixed earpiece.
Through it came Hyuga Mirai's voice: "Princess Tsunade, if you're facing an enemy, don't waste time talking. Settle it with your fists."
"But he's—an enemy!"
Tsunade retorted with some irritation. Why shouldn't she speak? She considered herself quite eloquent.
"Precisely because he's the enemy—you use strength. Think about it. Why did you always talk nicely to me before? Wasn't it because you knew you couldn't beat me?"
Tsunade growled, "Damn brat!"
Kiyo Hyuga, nearby, looked surprised. Why had Tsunade started cursing the moment she saw the enemy?
"It's nothing. That man is very strong. He possesses all the Rinnegan abilities you've seen before. Don't rush in unless there's a real opening. Supporting me from range is enough."
Tsunade gritted her teeth. Most of her anger was actually directed at Hyuga Mirai far away.
Then, she released the seal on her body. From her neck, red cloud-like patterns began to spread. Within seconds, they covered her body—she had entered Curse Mark State One. The markings eventually connected into a single mass, two horns slowly emerging from her head, and her skin turned pale.
Her aura surged, and her chakra doubled.
"So that's the curse mark he left her…"
Kiyo observed Tsunade's transformation silently.
From afar, Hyuga Mirai memorized Tsunade's Sage Mode under the curse mark, thinking: altering the genes may influence the form of this Sage Mode. Tsunade's earlier State Two didn't look like this. Might be worth studying later…
"I'm going in!"
Now fully transformed, Tsunade felt both her strength and speed had far surpassed her previous self.
With a roar, she raised her fist and charged at Nagato.
So fast!
Nagato was startled. He quickly raised his right hand and activated the Rinnegan's ability: "Shinra Tensei!"
A terrifying repulsive force erupted from him. Rocks and trees around him were flung away by the impact.
Boom!
Tsunade's punch collided with the repulsion. Her punch carried immense power, and even Nagato felt its force push against him.
Not just fast—her strength too...
Nagato's eyes narrowed as her fist clashed with Shinra Tensei in midair. He expanded the repulsion again, sending Tsunade flying. She crashed through four or five massive trees before coming to a stop.
"Tsunade-sama…"
Before Kiyo and the others could reach her, Tsunade shattered the fallen trees on top of her with a punch and walked out.
"I'm fine."
She'd only suffered minor injuries. After taking a few steps, her wounds had nearly healed. Even Tsunade herself was surprised—she hadn't even used Creation Rebirth yet.
This... this must be the recovery ability of my grandfather back in his prime!
(End of Chapter)