Time passed, and the Iwagakure shinobi were still frantically searching for Tsunade's trail.
If they failed to find her, then all the Jōnin and Chūnin who had fallen would have died for nothing.
In the ninja world, every Jōnin was an elite—rare and irreplaceable. In the chaos of war, their loss was devastating.
Now, after losing so many men—and with an entire Iwa squad wiped out not long ago—they were furious. To make it worse, they still hadn't even discovered who had killed them.
It was safe to say that, in the early stages of the Second Great Ninja War, the one suffering the heaviest losses… was Iwagakure.
Several Jōnin had already died in battle, and the number of fallen lower-ranked ninjas was beyond counting—a staggering figure that made even hardened veterans' scalps tingle.
If they failed to capture or kill Tsunade, the consequences would be dire. They would face the burning wrath—and severe punishment—of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki himself.
"Captain, we found blood traces! The sensory unit confirms it—it's from Konoha Jōnin Tsunade!"
A shinobi ran up to Iwado, the squad leader.
"Good. She must be nearby!" Iwado's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Spread out—full perimeter sweep!"
At his command, dozens of Iwa shinobi intensified their search.
Just a few hundred meters away, Tsunade crouched among thick vines, her eEXPression grim.
The minor wounds she had ignored to conserve chakra had now compounded, leaving her body on the verge of collapse.
"It seems… this time, I really might die here." She let out a wry breath. "I found the antidote to the salamander's poison, but I can't even bring it back… I wonder if Jiraiya's still holding on."
Her tone carried resignation. She had seen countless comrades die in battle—now it was her turn.
This is a ninja's fate, she thought bitterly. She had always known this day would come.
But surrendering wasn't her style.
"If I'm going to die, I'll die trying!"
Summoning her last scraps of willpower, Tsunade forced her battered body to move, pushing herself to flee with sheer determination.
But that act of defiance also gave away her position.
"There! She's moving!"
"After her!"
"Kill her!"
The Iwa shinobi surged forward, their faces twisted with fury.
This woman had killed too many of their comrades—they would have their revenge.
Ahead of her, the forest's edge came into view. Beyond it was not the direction of Amegakure, though even there Iwa troops were stationed. Still, if she could just get out of the forest, there was a chance—however slim—to escape.
It was her only hope, the only thing keeping her from collapsing.
But deep down, she knew the truth.
Even if she reached the open plains, there was no way to outrun so many pursuers.
Unless… Konoha reinforcements arrived.
Yet here, in the heart of the Land of Rain, there was no sign of any Leaf shinobi. It was all but impossible for help to come.
So this is how it ends…? she thought bitterly.
No. I won't accept it! My dream can't end here! I still have to fulfill my teacher's will—to become Hokage—to pull out the Third's beard—and to squander the Senju fortune! How could I die now?
Even as despair clouded her mind, Tsunade's eyes still burned with unwillingness. But her speed faltered—her body was simply at its limit.
Just as the Iwa ninjas closed in behind her, a shadow suddenly flashed before her eyes.
A figure appeared right in front of her, landing silently between her and the open path.
"Another Iwa guard? So they're flanking me… heh, guess this is it."
Her breath came raggedly, but her will didn't waver.
"My will to live won't allow me to fall here! I am the future Hokage—the granddaughter of the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama!"
"Now DIE!"
Tsunade swung her fist instinctively—
But her chakra was completely depleted. There was no strength left in her arm, and the punch was effortlessly caught by the stranger.
Then, in the next heartbeat, she finally saw his face.
—or rather, the mask.
The newcomer wore a dark cloak and a fierce Rakshasa mask—an unmistakable mark of Konoha's ANBU.
Tsunade exhaled sharply, relief flooding her chest.
A Konoha ANBU operative. That meant rescue.
Still, something about his aura felt oddly familiar… though she couldn't quite place it.
In truth, Leo had changed a lot over the past half year—both in height and build.
Her momentary relief, however, caused her body to relax too much.
Her strength gave out completely, and she began to collapse.
Leo stepped forward swiftly, catching her in his arms before she could hit the ground. With one smooth leap, he landed lightly on the forest floor.
Behind them, the Iwa shinobi burst from the trees, bloodlust rolling off them in waves.
Tsunade, leaning weakly against Leo's chest, looked around in alarm.
She realized—with a sinking heart—that he was alone.
"ANBU, don't tell me… you came by yourself? Where's the Konoha unit?" she asked.
Leo gave a helpless shrug. "It's just me, Lady Tsunade."
That voice—again, familiar—but she couldn't quite recall where she'd heard it.
Still, her face paled further.
Just one man? Against all these enemies? They were both doomed.
Her legs trembling, Tsunade whispered weakly, "You can't save me alone… put me down and run. Take the antidote and the intel back to Konoha."
Leo didn't answer immediately.
Even now, facing death, Tsunade was thinking of others.
If it had been anyone else, another Jōnin, they'd probably have said the opposite—
Tie them down while I escape.
By now, the Iwa shinobi had surrounded them. Killing intent filled the clearing.
Some were already weaving hand seals; others drew kunai and shuriken, ready to strike.
There were more than thirty of them—three Jōnin, one elite Jōnin among them. A terrifying lineup.
Tsunade closed her eyes. So this is really the end…
But then, a quiet voice spoke above her.
"A true ninja never abandons a comrade for the sake of a mission."
"Do you trust me?"
Tsunade's eyes snapped open. She blinked up at him, stunned.
"Hold on tight," Leo said softly. "It's about to get rough."
He pulled off his black cloak in one motion.
"Kill them!" the Iwa captain roared.
Dozens of hand seals flashed.
Earth and fire-style jutsu surged forward together, mixed with volleys of shuriken and kunai—
all raining down toward Leo and the wounded Tsunade.
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