Land of Earth, Iwagakure.
The Shinju's aircraft was incredibly fast. After crossing into the Land of Earth, it took less than two hours for them to reach the skies above Iwagakure.
Flying directly over a hidden village could only be described as blatant provocation.
So, to avoid unnecessary trouble, Shinju and Tsunade chose to jump off the aircraft and enter through Iwagakure's front gates.
During the descent—
Shinju thought to himself: Tsunade-sensei was, after all, the leader of a great village. Yet here she was, traveling with only him, without any entourage or display of status. It seemed a little lacking.
So, his eyes spun into the Mangekyō Sharingan!
"Whoosh!"
He activated Susanoo!
Shinju transformed into a towering green God of War, more than two hundred meters tall. With his massive hand, he cradled Tsunade-sensei's body as huge wings spread from his back, gently beating as he descended.
At that moment, every shinobi in Iwagakure saw the giant descending from the heavens!!
"What the hell is that? A green giant falling from the sky?! (≖╻≖;)"
"Is another hidden village launching a surprise attack on us?! Hurry, notify the Tsuchikage-sama!ヽ( ຶ▮ ຶ)ﾉ!!!"
But there were still a few veteran shinobi in the village who recognized what they were seeing. At a glance, they identified the giant as a power of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan and signaled the others not to panic.
"Don't rush to conclusions!"
"That giant should be Susanoo."
"The Uchiha clan was wiped out. Only a handful survived, and even fewer could awaken Susanoo."
"A green… most likely it's Shinju, the one who destroyed Amegakure!"
"Shinju?!"
"You mean the guy who leveled our Mountain Range to the ground?! (ꐦ ಠ 皿 ಠ)"
"Who said you could talk?!"
"They're here in Iwagakure to negotiate reparations. Open the gates."
Soon, Iwagakure's gates opened, and Shinju and Tsunade entered.
Because Tsunade wore the Hokage hat, combined with their dramatic entrance, the moment they stepped through the gates, all eyes were instantly on them!
"I told you not to be so flashy, but you never listen." Tsunade shot Shinju a sideways glance as she spoke.
Shinju ┓( ´∀ )┏: "We can't let the Hokage lose reputation when traveling, can we? (*´◐∀◐*)"
Tsunade knew Shinju was looking out for her, and he wasn't entirely wrong, so she let it drop.
The two then strolled leisurely through Iwagakure under the watchful stares of countless curious shinobi.
Their arrival was too sudden, so the village hadn't had time to send anyone to officially receive them.
They had walked quite a distance when they ran into a short-robed girl.
The girl's eyes first landed on the Hokage hat atop Tsunade's head.
Confirming their identities, she introduced herself:
"Hello, my name is Kurotsuchi. The Tsuchikage of Iwagakure is my grandfather. I'll take you to see him."
On the way, the girl eagerly explained everything they passed by.
Finally, her gaze shifted to Shinju, and she asked:
"So you're Shinju? You seem a little underwhelming compared to the rumors…"
"Don't take it the wrong way, I mean your presence feels more restrained. And in person, you're much more handsome than the rumors say. ( ˝ᗢ̈˝ )"
Shinju was actually a bit embarrassed by the compliment. Waving his hand modestly, he said:
"No, no, you flatter me."
Just as he finished, a burly man appeared, walking toward them.
The man's features were honest and rugged, but his expression carried clear displeasure…
"Hello, I'm Kitsuchi. From here, I'll be escorting you to the Tsuchikage's office."
The man spoke to Shinju and Tsunade.
Kurotsuchi instantly pouted unhappily.
"Dad, Grandpa said I could take them there."
When Tsunade heard Kurotsuchi call the man "Dad," she immediately understood and smiled knowingly.
She looked from Shinju at her side to the sharp-witted girl Kurotsuchi…
So that's why the man looked so displeased—he was worried about his daughter being "taken" by an outsider.
Kitsuchi glanced at his daughter, his tone leaving no room for debate:
"This meeting is extremely formal. Do you think this is some children's game?"
Kurotsuchi could only turn her head and glance at Shinju: "…"
She wanted to say: Shinju, the one responsible for this entire mess, is actually younger than me…
After parting with Kurotsuchi, the three headed toward the Tsuchikage's office.
Unlike his daughter, Kitsuchi was silent and stern, not saying a word the entire way.
Finally, they arrived at the Tsuchikage's office door.
Knock knock knock—
Kitsuchi raised his hand and knocked.
"I've brought Konoha's Hokage and Shinju."
With a click, the office door opened, revealing a small, elderly man standing inside…
Shinju's gaze fell on the old man.
This was the Third Tsuchikage, the direct disciple of the First and Second Tsuchikage, known as Ōnoki.
And this unimposing old man wielded a power surpassing the Kekkei genkai—a Kekkei tōta: Dust Release.
"Come in."
Ōnoki pulled the door open and invited Shinju and Tsunade inside.
Once inside, Shinju noticed everything had already been arranged—the meeting table, seating, tea, and more.
Ōnoki then turned to Kitsuchi:
"Kitsuchi, go invite the village's elders and the daimyo."
Soon after, staff arranged for Shinju and Tsunade to be seated.
With Kitsuchi gone, only Ōnoki, Shinju, and Tsunade remained in the office.
Perhaps to ease the atmosphere, Ōnoki, as host, was the first to speak to Tsunade.
"Tsunade, the last time I saw you was decades ago—I can hardly remember. In the blink of an eye, you've grown so much and even become the Hokage of Konoha."
Tsunade smiled in reply.
"Yes, before I knew it, I've already passed fifty."
"Ōnoki-senpai, you must be eighty this year, right? ∩_∩"
Ōnoki waved his hand.
"No, I just turned seventy-nine."
After that, Ōnoki turned his gaze to Shinju.
"So you're Konoha's Shinju. Truly a talented youth. If only you hadn't stirred up so much trouble within the Land of Earth. ツ"
"Hohohoho."
Shinju humbly bowed his head.
"I'm young and ignorant. That's why I came here to make amends."
"No matter the outcome of the meeting later, I'll accept it."
Ōnoki hadn't expected the powerful Shinju to be so respectful and humble, with such a good attitude!
Clearly, this boy's rise to such heights wasn't without reason.
He immediately praised:
"Konoha truly is overflowing with talent!!"
Time passed, but Kitsuchi and the others had yet to return. Ōnoki explained:
"This is a serious matter, involving the Land of Earth's territory and borders, so the daimyo had to be invited. It will take some time."
Tsunade nodded in understanding.
Shinju, meanwhile, let his eyes dart slyly.
He wondered… could he get the Third Tsuchikage to demonstrate Dust Release?
Shinju's aptitude for ninjutsu was incredibly high. But Kekkei genkai were complex, usually only passed down through lineage—let alone a Kekkei tōta that surpassed them.
In short, this wasn't something easy to comprehend.
But Shinju, ever the diligent student, had an insatiable curiosity toward anything he didn't yet understand.
In simpler terms—he was eager to learn!!
So, Shinju offered a little flattery to the old Tsuchikage:
"Tsuchikage-san, I've heard you've mastered a Kekkei tōta that surpasses even Kekkei genkai, with unmatched power…"