Of course, Naruto wouldn't just sit back and be captured. After throwing down a tough - guy line, he created a clone. The moment Tsunade attacked, the Rasengan in his hand had already taken shape. The high - speed spinning Rasengan stirred up the surrounding air currents, looking extremely terrifying.
"Impossible! How could you know this Ninjutsu!"
Tsunade was greatly shocked. The Rasengan was a Ninjutsu that the genius Fourth Hokage had spent three years researching and developing. How could this reckless brat have learned it?
In fact, apart from the Fourth Hokage himself, only Jiraiya and Kakashi knew this move.
Naruto didn't have time to care about Tsunade's shocked reaction. He aimed the Rasengan in his hand at Tsunade's fist and slammed it down hard.
The confrontation between Chakra Enhanced Strength and the Chakra of the Rasengan was evenly matched for a moment until the ground beneath their feet began to loosen and collapse.
Naruto didn't expect this and leaned forward. He thought, 'This is bad!'
Tsunade seized this moment of his distraction and landed a hard punch on his head.
The hard ground was torn open, and thick smoke billowed. Standing in the center, Tsunade gasped for breath. Frowning and looking unhappy, she glanced at Naruto who had fallen to the ground. Then, she shifted her sharp gaze to Jiraiya.
"You... Why are you looking at me with such a terrifying look?"
Jiraiya was rather confused by Tsunade's glare. Tsunade looked like she wanted to eat him alive, which made Jiraiya stutter.
"Damn it! You actually taught this unreliable brat such a dangerous Ninjutsu."
"Really? I think no one is more qualified to learn it than Naruto. Moreover, as a matter of fact, he has indeed given you some trouble. So, Tsunade, how about changing your mind and coming back to Konoha with me?"
"No interest! Now that I've won this fight, don't pester me anymore in the future!"
After saying that, Tsunade turned around and left without even giving Jiraiya a look.
"Tsk! Such a hassle!"
Sasuke's face was rather gloomy. He didn't want to waste time on such a boring thing. Otherwise, they could just use force to knock the woman out, take her back to Konoha first, and then let Shisui use Kotoamatsukami or something. By then, even if Tsunade didn't want to go back, she would have to.
Thinking this way, he was about to do it. Sasuke concealed his aura. His eyes were as mysterious and dangerous as a hunter's when staring at its prey.
He quietly followed Tsunade, about to attack, when someone grabbed the corner of his clothes.
"What are you doing, brat?"
Jiraiya was extremely annoyed that these brats just did things on their own. Looking at Sasuke's stance, Jiraiya knew he mustn't have come up with any good ideas.
Sasuke frowned. Obviously, he didn't like Jiraiya grabbing his clothes without his consent. He said coldly,
"Let go of me!"
"You can't take this woman back to Konoha. I'll do it!"
(▼へ▼メ)
"Don't you understand? Whether it's becoming the Hokage or saving people, one has to be willing. Not to mention whether you have the ability. Even if you force Tsunade back to Konoha, if she doesn't agree, it'll still be in vain!"
"Yeah, Sasuke, don't be so impulsive. Calm down!"
Sakura quickly stepped in to console them. After all, Tsunade was her master, and she didn't want any unpleasantness between her comrades and her master.
"Don't worry. Leave it to me. I guarantee that that woman will behave herself after I bring her back to Konoha."
(▼ヘ▼#)
"What do you mean 'that woman'? That's the soon - to - be Fifth Hokage! You brat, show some respect..."
Even Jiraiya, who was usually easy - going, was really angered by such an arrogant and unruly tone. He unconsciously tightened his grip. Feeling the pain on his shoulder, Sasuke frowned even deeper.
"Kid from the Uchiha clan, I know what you're up to. But let me tell you today, not everything can be decided by force. Even your proud [Sharingan] can't handle everything, especially distorting someone's true will with [Genjutsu]. It's despicable!"
Sasuke scoffed at Jiraiya's words. Although he was right, the situation was urgent and there was no time for them to hesitate.
"You sure know how to lecture others."
"What? You know about me?"
"Come to think of it, it's all your fault!"
"Huh? Brat, what are you talking nonsense about? If you have a fever, go see a doctor right away."
"Aren't you guys a team? As teammates, you guys didn't stop Orochimaru from defecting and keep him in Konoha. Now you guys are so indecisive. Are you guys gonna let another one go?"
Jiraiya's heart skipped a beat. This kid really knew how to hit below the belt.
"It ain't none of your business. Anyway, this matter ends here. I'll figure out a way to deal with Tsunade. Don't worry your head over it!"
"Tsk!"
Watching Jiraiya's retreating figure, Sasuke couldn't help but click his tongue in annoyance and left alone.
"Sasuke, where ya goin'?"
"I'm going to calm down alone."
Sakura watched worriedly as all this unfolded. She walked over to Naruto.
?_?
"How long ya gonna keep playin' possum?"
(ー`′ー)
"Ha? Did you notice, Sakura? It was so awkward just then. I didn't know when to pop awake."
"Do you think we'll pull this mission off?"
Sakura sighed, really worried about how things were going.
"By the way, how did you get Lady Tsunade to teach you? She doesn't seem very willing to teach others."
"You mean this? When I first tracked down Lady Tsunade, she straight - up turned me down. But I didn't give up. After observing Lady Tsunade for a few days, I found out that she not only loves [Gambling], but also has really poor gambling skills! Back then, she was always getting hounded for debts."
"Humph! With such lousy skills, she still gambles. I'm scared she'll bet Konoha away one day!"
"
"Ha ha -- there is indeed such a possibility. So I proposed to have a gambling game with Lady Tsunade. If I won, she would take me as her apprentice. At first, she flatly refused. Finally, until I proposed that if I became her apprentice, I would help her settle all her huge debts. Judging from the result, beating Lady Tsunade in the gambling game was a piece of cake."
"Hey? Isn't that a bad deal for you? Why would you help that old hag pay off her huge debts? By the way, how did you win?"
"This is actually quite simple. The cards they often gamble with are worn to different degrees. As long as I remember the differences of each card, I would definitely not lose. Just like that, I paid off Lady Tsunade's debts little by little. But it's only been a short time since I started repaying, and Lady Tsunade has already incurred so many more debts. Ha ha."
There was a touch of helplessness in Sakura's laughter.
"However, I guarantee that Lady Tsunade's strength and medical jutsu are absolutely top - notch!"
"Tsk. I admit her strength, but I'm not sure about her medical jutsu. And her character is really terrible!"
"Naruto!"
Naruto racked his brains but just couldn't figure out where the so - called morality was in a person who was addicted to poison, an alcoholic, always in debt and never paid it off.
.................