A shadow like a rope coiled around her body, countless Shadow Blades spread out, pressed against her chest, neck, back of the head, and other lethal areas, exuding a chilling aura.
If all of them pierced her, she could instantly turn into a porcupine.
"Tsunade-sensei, do we really have to start with such a warm welcome?"
Hakushi called out the name of the female ninja who had ambushed him from behind, then turned around to see Tsunade already bound by the Shadow Dancer's shadow, with a slight smile on her face.
"You damn brat!"
Seeing Hakushi, Tsunade had a mountain of anger to unleash, a terrifying Chakra erupted from her entire body, and indeed, the shadows binding her showed cracks, shattering with a bang.
"Lady Tsunade, please stop your irrational combat behavior!"
The sound of Katsuyu worked its effect.
Tsunade's fist stopped in front of Hakushi, not going beyond to hit his face.
Hakushi quietly withdrew the Chakra he had gathered; he knew all too well the dreadful power of Tsunade's punches, taking one wasn't a joking matter.
"Katsuyu, what exactly is going on? Why is this guy appearing here?"
Tsunade pointed unceremoniously at Hakushi, and loudly asked Katsuyu.
"Lady Tsunade, please calm down a bit. Because Master Hakushi, just like you, is now my contractor."
Katsuyu explained.
Hakushi shrugged and smiled; with the Sannin not fully assembled, he wasn't too worried about Tsunade alone.
Even if the Sannin gathered, he could summon the other clones to fight. Besides, this was the Shikkotsu Forest; the other two wouldn't be able to reach here. Even if they could, the war kept them too occupied.
"What?"
Tsunade was suddenly surprised, not expecting Hakushi to have signed a summoning contract with Katsuyu.
She didn't ask why Katsuyu signed a contract with Hakushi, because it was Katsuyu's own choice, and even she couldn't interfere.
The grudges and conflicts between humans were like dust in its eyes, not worth considering.
If Hakushi hadn't signed a contract, Katsuyu would naturally stand by her side and assist her in fighting against Hakushi. As it stands now, that was uncertain.
This really posed a huge dilemma for herself. Tsunade inwardly gave a bitter smile.
Katsuyu treated every contractor with impartiality, not letting the duration of their association decide whom to stand with.
Having lived over a thousand years, even her contract with Tsunade was just a fleeting moment in comparison.
Even though Hakushi was now a Konoha Renegade Ninja, this matter itself had no relation to Katsuyu and wouldn't elicit any discrimination or discontent toward a renegade contractor.
As long as the contract was established, regardless of who the other party was, Katsuyu would fight for them.
Respecting the relationship with any contractor was Katsuyu's principle for thousands of years.
This was also why Tsunade trusted Katsuyu.
However, because of such trust, encountering such a special situation now placed Tsunade herself in a difficult position.
"Although I used a trick to obtain the contract with Katsuyu, in this sense, we are now the same contractors, Tsunade-sensei."
Hakushi still used the honorific 'sensei' to address Tsunade.
He had learned a great deal of advanced knowledge of medical ninjutsu from Tsunade, which greatly aided him.
"I can't bear this 'sensei' title from you. Destroying the village and killing fellow ninjas, what exactly do you intend to do?"
Tsunade stared at Hakushi with a mixture of vigilance and anger, and if not for Katsuyu's presence, she would have rushed forward to teach this reckless brat a lesson.
"Oh, that, it was unavoidable because at that time I had too many things to consider. Besides, I don't feel indebted to Konoha. After all, Danzo's Root once tried to kill me, while your teacher, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, turned a blind eye, forgiving Danzo with generosity. Such deep camaraderie in war."
Hakushi responded with a laugh, but to Tsunade's ears, it sounded like a veiled mockery.
Although Hakushi's tone was merely a flat narration, it appeared all the more sarcastic because of it.
"Is that your reason for defecting from the village?"
Tsunade took a deep breath.
Regarding Danzo's matter, indeed Konoha and her teacher owed Hakushi, so she didn't argue anything.
This man was very dangerous, especially the Shadow Ninjutsu he used earlier to thwart her attack, similar to the Nara Clan's Shadow Jutsu, but with stronger attacking and restraining power.
She had to rely on her immense Monster Strength to break free.
Ordinary ninjas encountering it would probably be instantly killed.
Just as the Intelligence Department analyzed, this Shadow Jutsu was extremely dangerous; a slight mistake could result in death.
Facing Hakushi required utmost attention, with not a moment of relaxation.
"Of course not, I just find the current Ninja Realm a bit too dull, so I'll do something to entertain myself. Therefore, I don't suggest you try to stop me; among all the Konoha ninjas today, the only one I don't want to fight is you."
After hearing Hakushi's words, Tsunade frowned. Although she realized that Hakushi left Konoha for his own special purpose, very little was revealed through his words, making it utterly impossible to discern what he intended to do.
"However, is it really okay for you to come to the Shikkotsu Forest at this time? Konoha is now engaged in battles with Hidden Rock and Hidden Sand; without you, the medical pressure will be very significant."