Chapter 173: Tsunade's Finger Massage
In the Land of Rivers.
A sudden mist rose over a patch of forest, followed quickly by screams.
Moments later, the sound of movement sliced through the air.
Tsunade, Hoshikawa , Yūhi Kurenai, and Nohara Rin arrived.
"We're too late."
Tsunade sniffed the heavy scent of blood in the air, her expression grim.
"There are six shinobi remaining."
Hoshikawa said, his eyes closed.
"Prepare for battle! Kill them all!"
Tsunade's voice was low and firm.
After speaking, she plunged straight into the dense mist.
Hoshikawa followed close behind, but Kurenai and Rin stayed rooted outside.
This was the tactic their squad had refined over the past week.
The reason was simple: the Kirigakure shinobi, upon realizing they were facing Tsunade, would almost always flee outward.
Kurenai and Rin, positioned outside, served as the perfect blockade.
Fūton: Reppūshō! (Wind Release: Gale Palm!)
Hoshikawa formed a hand sign and slammed his palms toward the mist.
Wind Release chakra condensed and compressed in his hands until it reached a critical point, transforming into a gust of fierce wind.
The dense fog was instantly blown away by a third, revealing the forms of three Kirigakure shinobi.
Hoshikawa had only started demonstrating his Wind Release to Tsunade this past week.
He figured that since he already had the persona of a genius, he might as well go all the way.
As he predicted, Tsunade didn't seem particularly surprised.
After all, Hoshikawa had already used Water, Lightning, Fire, and Earth Release; adding Wind Release just made—perfect sense.
"Enemy attack!"
One of the Kirigakure Jōnin quickly issued a warning.
The moment the words left his mouth, his eyes widened abruptly.
He had spotted Tsunade.
"Run—"
He didn't get to finish the word before the Kirigakure Jōnin's body was sent flying by a single punch.
Hoshikawa ignored Tsunade; with her strength, she was clearly not in danger.
He drew the Thunderfire Blade, flashed forward, and charged toward the three shinobi hidden in the mist.
The air whizzed past.
A barrage of shuriken and kunai flew toward him.
Mikazuki no Mai! (Dance of the Crescent Moon!)
Hoshikawa 's body blurred, and two Kage Bunshin (Shadow Clones) materialized in the smoke.
The clone on the left formed hand signs, and a wall of water instantly rose.
Hoshikawa leaped up, stepping on the water wall to reach mid-air.
His speed was incredibly fast, and the Thunderfire Blade in his hand crackled with lightning.
The Kirigakure Chūnin directly facing him immediately paled.
He felt a powerful sense of danger.
Just as he reached for the kunai in his pouch, the Thunderfire Blade flashed past, piercing his throat.
Blood sprayed out.
"You bastard!"
Another Kirigakure shinobi hastily formed hand signs.
A sudden jet of water shot out of his mouth, instantly expanding in the air to become a massive water sphere that smashed down on Hoshikawa .
Hoshikawa had just pulled out the Thunderfire Blade when the large water sphere was already overhead.
But he showed no concern.
Because his Kage Bunshin had formed the necessary hand signs in time.
Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!
The ground churned, forming a patch of mud. A dragon head emerged and spat out a bullet of mud.
The mud bullet soared out and collided with the large water sphere.
Body Flicker Technique!
Hoshikawa 's body vanished from his original spot.
The remaining Kirigakure shinobi was startled, scanning his surroundings frantically.
But he failed to notice the air twisting directly above him as a large pile of mud dropped down, burying him alive.
Lightning flashed.
Hoshikawa gripped the Thunderfire Blade with both hands and plunged it into the mud.
A significant amount of blood seeped through the wet earth.
He turned his head and saw the last remaining Kirigakure shinobi collapse to the ground with a dull thud.
It was Hoshikawa 's second Kage Bunshin.
It had used the Konoha Style: Willow.
Hoshikawa dismissed both clones and looked at Tsunade.
Her speed was just as impressive, successfully dealing with the other three Kirigakure shinobi.
With that, all six Kirigakure shinobi were dead.
The dense mist gradually dispersed, revealing all the bodies.
In addition to the six Kirigakure shinobi, there were also four fallen Konoha shinobi.
Hoshikawa sighed, sheathing his Thunderfire Blade.
War was cruel, and he had seen too many bodies of comrades to be phased anymore.
"Hoshikawa , are you okay?"
Kurenai quickly ran up to him, asking with concern.
"I'm fine."
Hoshikawa smiled, ruffling her hair.
Nohara Rin, walking up to them, stopped in her tracks when she saw the interaction.
Tsunade silently examined the four fallen Konoha shinobi on the ground. Once she confirmed they were beyond saving, she released a signal flare.
This was to notify the ninja squad at the Konoha camp to come and retrieve the bodies and garrison the newly established outpost.
After half an hour of waiting, eight Konoha shinobi appeared.
Without Tsunade needing to say a word, they began moving the bodies.
The remaining squad members entered the outpost, beginning the process of clearing and setting up, taking over the duties of the fallen shinobi.
"Let's head back."
Tsunade scanned the area once more, then turned and walked away.
Hoshikawa , Kurenai, and Rin quickly followed.
"Lady Tsunade."
As soon as they returned to the camp, Nara Suzaku approached them. "We've received some intelligence from Konoha Village."
"Send it to my tent."
Tsunade replied casually.
Hiruzen Sarutobi would regularly dispatch ANBU to deliver intelligence, so she was used to it.
But seeing her dead comrades earlier left her in a foul mood, and she couldn't be bothered to go to the main tent to look at the reports.
"Yes, ma'am."
Nara Suzaku nodded and turned to leave.
"You two go rest."
Tsunade glanced at Kurenai and Rin, then headed into her tent.
"Tsunade-sensei…"
Rin hesitated, her voice tinged with worry.
"It's nothing."
Hoshikawa said softly, following Tsunade.
He lifted the tent flap and blinked.
Tsunade was sitting on the ground, leaning forward with her entire body sprawled over a low table.
He could clearly see her shirt slightly straining and the heavy burden being pressed flat.
Hoshikawa paused for a moment, then stopped and waited by the entrance.
"Hoshikawa ."
After half a minute, Nara Suzaku appeared and handed the documents to him.
"Thank you."
Hoshikawa took the documents, entered the tent, and sat down opposite Tsunade.
"Read it to me."
Tsunade lifted her eyes to him, looking utterly languid.
Hoshikawa nodded slightly and opened the document. A single glance made his heart pound.
Suppressing his shock, he read: "Orochimaru advanced rashly, fell into a Kumogakure trap, resulting in over a hundred casualties."
"What happened?"
Tsunade immediately sat upright, demanding an explanation.
With her movement, her clothes gave a subtle tremor.
Hoshikawa 's eye twitched, and he handed the document to her.
Tsunade immediately began to read.
Hoshikawa watched her, deep in thought.
He wondered if Orochimaru had done this intentionally or if it was a genuine mistake.
The content of the document was straightforward, detailing events from the day before.
Apparently, Orochimaru had discovered a lone Yugito Nii and led a group of shinobi to intercept her, only to be ambushed.
The Fourth Raikage, Ay, and Killer B appeared simultaneously and launched a fierce assault.
After an intense battle, Orochimaru and his forces escaped, but they suffered over a hundred casualties.
The Uchiha clan, however, suffered the most grievous losses.
Because Orochimaru had taken many Uchiha shinobi with him, many of them ended up dying.
This included four Uchiha Jōnin.
This, of course, was the reason for Hoshikawa 's suspicion.
As someone familiar with the original story, he knew of Orochimaru's obsession with the Uchiha clan and the Sharingan, even to the point of personally mentoring Sasuke Uchiha later on.
"How could Orochimaru make such a mistake?"
Tsunade finished reading the document, a deep frown creasing her brow.
"The battlefield is unpredictable. No one can guarantee anything."
Hoshikawa recovered and said.
"That may be true, but Orochimaru is a veteran of many wars. He shouldn't have been so reckless," Tsunade sighed, exhaling slowly. "Losing a hundred people all at once is a huge blow to Konoha."
If it had been a hundred Genin, the impact wouldn't be as significant, but there were many Jōnin among the casualties.
"Kumogakure is not Kirigakure or Sunagakure. They have too many powerful individuals," Hoshikawa shook his head, offering a slight comfort.
How should he put it?
Regardless of the reason, Orochimaru had undeniably suffered a defeat.
In contrast, Tsunade had just eliminated Jūzō Biwa and Kurozuchi Raiga.
In short, in this first major clash between the two Hokage candidates, Tsunade had clearly gained the upper hand.
Although she didn't have any ambition to compete with Orochimaru for the position, the powerful ninja clans did.
The Uchiha clan's heavy losses might have already sown seeds of doubt about Orochimaru.
"You're right."
Tsunade composed herself and nodded. "Kumogakure's strength is comparable to Konoha's. It's normal for the fighting to be tough."
"What was the Hokage's reaction?"
Hoshikawa thought for a moment and asked.
He hadn't read the entire document, only glancing at the part regarding Orochimaru before handing it over to Tsunade.
"Danzō volunteered to lead his ANBU unit to the Land of Frost."
Tsunade scoffed. "That old geezer just won't give up!"
Danzō?
Hoshikawa 's mind stirred.
Could this reckless advance have been at Danzō Shimura's suggestion?
Did he feel a sense of urgency after hearing that Tsunade had killed Jūzō Biwa and Kurozuchi Raiga?
After all, Orochimaru had many options and didn't necessarily need to be Hokage, but Danzō did.
Orochimaru was his only hope now.
Hoshikawa stroked his chin.
If he thought about it, Danzō Shimura was actually quite formidable, arguably Konoha's strongest Wind Release user.
Besides that, he was proficient in Sealing Jutsu and even possessed the Izanagi Dōjutsu, a skill akin to a revival technique.
It seemed a cornered man would truly do anything.
In the original story, there was no mention of Danzō participating in the Third Great Shinobi War; it only stated that he conspired with Hanzō to force Yahiko's death.
Now, to protect his status, he was certainly trying hard.
"Orochimaru will have enough trouble dealing with Kumogakure."
Tsunade put down the document and said, "We need to find Kirigakure's main base here quickly."
"They are too mobile on the sea."
Hoshikawa recalled the several times they had missed their targets this past week. "It's difficult for us to pin them down."
"It's truly frustrating."
Tsunade rubbed her forehead, sighing.
"How about I try going alone?"
Hoshikawa asked tentatively.
While the Hyūga clan's Byakugan was excellent for scouting, they weren't proficient in Water Release, making their effectiveness at sea greatly diminished.
Many times, before they even got within the Byakugan's range, they were detected by Kirigakure's Water Release shinobi.
Hoshikawa , however, was different; he could move freely in the seawater.
Furthermore, with the Water Release: Water Instantaneous Body Technique he learned from Hanzō, he could perfectly blend into the water.
Coupled with the bonus from the 'Water Release Special Jōnin' trait, Hoshikawa was confident his Water Release skills ranked in the top ten of Kirigakure.
Moreover, he could deliberately choose to go out on rainy days, triggering his 'Rain God' trait.
With an added 100% boost to Water Release power, let alone the top ten, he thought he might even be in the top three.
"Absolutely not!"
Tsunade refused without a second thought.
She knew Hoshikawa was the most suitable candidate, but the task was too dangerous. The slightest slip-up could result in him being surrounded.
She would absolutely not allow that to happen.
After all, she had already lost Nawaki; she couldn't possibly lose Hoshikawa , too.
"Sensei."
Hoshikawa took her hand and said, "My strength is decent. Even if I'm discovered, I can escape."
"What if you run into all of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"
Tsunade stared at him, challenging him.
"Even then, it's fine."
Hoshikawa said casually, "I have the Strength of a Hundred Seal. I can last at least half an hour under their combined assault."
"Shut up!"
Tsunade glared at him, thoroughly displeased.
If he was going to die anyway, what was the point of lasting for half an hour?
"Half an hour is enough time for Sensei to arrive and save me."
Hoshikawa said with a smile, "My point is, let's go together."
Tsunade was stunned.
If they went together, there would be danger, but it wouldn't necessarily be life-threatening.
As Hoshikawa said, she just needed to arrive in time.
"You…"
Tsunade was about to say something but met his determined gaze.
She pressed her lips together and fell silent.
"I'll go with you tomorrow," Tsunade finally said slowly after a long pause.
Her emotions were complicated. This boy was finally growing up.
"Yes!"
Hoshikawa nodded emphatically.
He knew it was a risk.
But he had many tricks up his sleeve, so it was worth the attempt.
Of course, the main reason was still to help Tsunade ascend to the position of Hokage.
Eliminating the remaining Seven Ninja Swordsmen would put her far ahead of Orochimaru.
Tsunade suddenly noticed that Hoshikawa was still holding her hand, and she felt a subtle change in her heart.
However, she hesitated for a moment and did not pull her hand away.
"The ocean is vast. It won't be easy to find them."
Tsunade thought for a moment and said seriously, "Don't rush things. Take your time, be gradual. It doesn't matter if it takes a while."
She was worried that Hoshikawa would be too reckless and fall into a trap or an ambush.
"I understand."
Hoshikawa blinked.
He realized Tsunade didn't seem concerned about him holding her hand.
A thought sparked in Hoshikawa 's mind. He gently squeezed her slender fingers and then lightly tickled her palm.
"...?"
Tsunade instinctively looked at him.
How dare this brat push his luck?
"Sensei,"
Hoshikawa said, making up a plausible excuse, "I know a massage technique that can relieve finger fatigue. Would you like to try it?"
"What is it?"
Tsunade paused, then asked.
"Just open your hand."
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow and said.
Tsunade extended her hand, her five fair fingers slightly parted, revealing her soft, smooth palm.
It's truly beautiful.
Thinking this, Hoshikawa held her hand, then slowly began rubbing her palm with both thumbs.
Tsunade's heart fluttered slightly, but she quickly realized that he didn't know how to massage at all.
She could certainly tell the difference between skilled and unskilled.
However, the pressure was just right, and it actually felt quite comfortable.
Tsunade simply allowed him to continue the "massage."
(End of this chapter)
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