After Hiroki and the other two departed, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane strode into the Hokage's office together.
Closely examining Tsunade's condition, Koharu expressed concern, "Tsunade, I heard you were injured yesterday. Nothing serious, I hope? Should we delay the ceremony a few days?"
Internally scoffing, Tsunade calmly replied, "I'm fine, no need to worry. Are you hoping for something?"
Homura and Koharu immediately found themselves at a loss for words.
Once these two disappeared from sight, Tsunade exhaled lightly and quickly called out, "Shizune, come here and massage me."
Shizune obeyed, gently massaging her back and shoulders.
"Kaguya…" Tsunade muttered bitterly, whispering the name of the one responsible.
"How about it—you really miss me?" Kaguya's voice suddenly resounded in her mind.
Startled, Tsunade responded, "Aren't you already free?"
"No matter what happens, I always have complete control over you!"
Whether intentional or not, Kaguya's disdainful tone still made Tsunade feel annoyed.
"You're just a few centuries older than me, that's all—just had more time to cultivate."
Seeing Tsunade's expression keep shifting, Shizune sighed inwardly with a mix of concern and resignation, thinking, *There she goes again…*
Kaguya chuckled dismissively, "No matter how much you protest, this is a fact that won't change."
The soft laughter echoed in Tsunade's mind, irritating her further. "Don't look down on me so much!"
One day, I'll teach her a real lesson!
"Are you saying you want to challenge me again?" Suddenly Kaguya asked. "Come back to where we fought yesterday—I'll wait for you there."
Tsunade paused. How come it felt like Kaguya was the one more eager for a fight now?
She stretched her body slightly, hearing cracking sounds as she sighed, "…My injuries haven't fully healed yet."
"Oh, so this is Konoha's legendary medical expert," Kaguya mocked coldly.
Tsunade didn't respond, feeling odd and uneasy. She truly thought Kaguya seemed a bit strange today.
Could it be that Kaguya simply wanted to punch her and vent her frustration?
Shaking off such thoughts with a shiver, Tsunade decided to ignore Kaguya for now.
"Karin, I need something from you…"
"What?" Karin hesitated slightly.
Was he going to bite her too, like those Grass ninja had? But she hadn't told him anything—how did he even know? Karin's mind raced with anxious questions.
"Hair." So saying, Hiroki yanked a few strands from her hair.
Returning to the Hyuga Residence, Hiroki introduced Karin and Kimimaro to Hinata, asking her to help them get familiar with Konoha.
Then, he made his way to Mount Shumisen—the domain of Shimon Hiruko.
Not long afterward, Kaguya slowly stepped out from the Hyuga estate as well.
"Onee-sama, how long does *that woman* plan on staying with our clan? When will she finally leave?" Watching Kaguya walk away, Hanabi tugged Hinata's sleeve and asked quietly.
"Hanabi, that's very impolite. She's more than just a guest..." Hinata's voice carried some reproach. After a moment's hesitation, she continued, "And besides, you should call Lady Tsunade onee-chan too."
"I refuse to acknowledge that! Onee-chan, since this person showed up, you've always been siding with her." Hanabi felt wronged and said angrily.
After speaking, she ran out of the Hyuga Residence in a huff.
"Ha—"
"Don't anyone follow me!"
Still fuming, Hanabi stormed ahead without watching where she was going. She burst into the street and slammed into someone with a loud thud.
The black-framed glasses nearly flew off with the impact. Yakushi Kabuto had taken the full force of the collision.
Hanabi immediately stepped back anxiously. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine." Kabuto pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, his eyes flashing briefly as he wore a gentle smile on his face. "Little girl, you seem to be from the Hyuga Clan, right? Why are you in such a rush? You look like your mood isn't very good."
"Sorry, sorry..." Hanabi kept apologizing repeatedly before walking past him.
Kabuto silently sighed inwardly.
In a remote location within the Country of Hot Springs:
"Jiraiya, how can you still dare show your face here?"
A female voice scolded sweetly.
Then, several other female voices followed suit.
"Despicable man!"
"Smelly rascal! Get lost already!"
"Sisters, take him down!"
Jiraiya's head buzzed as he couldn't help but stare at the people surrounding him again and again.
Blonde hair, tied in a ponytail. Light brown eyes...
They clearly resembled Tsunade.
However, Jiraiya was well aware that Tsunade should still be in Konoha at this time.
So, these four Tsunades must be imposters.
It never fails to amaze me even now...
Even though he had encountered it before, Jiraiya still found himself thinking like this. As a veteran author of romantic martial arts novels, his mind couldn't help but wander.
No wonder Orochimaru said living White Zetsus were the most valuable; indeed, tsk tsk tsk...
A single White Zetsu can take on countless forms.
Capturing them alive is essential!
Putting aside his scattered thoughts, Jiraiya sternly said, "You can imitate anyone you want, but why go so far as to put on an act?"
"What business is that of yours!"
"Sisters, attack!"
[Monstrous Strength: Double Impact!]
Together, the four charged toward Jiraiya.
Sighing inwardly, Jiraiya thought if he took one of those hits, he'd have to endure four times the force.
[Ninjutsu: Needle Jizo.]
His white hair began growing rapidly again, spreading thickly around him like a giant spiky ball.
"This smelly guy's body is so prickly; it hurt my skin."
Hearing their overly sweet voices, Jiraiya felt like throwing up right then and there.
He felt rather strange.
Would you stop faking it already? Even the real Tsunade wasn't this sugary-sweet!
Not far away, Kaguya wore an odd expression, silently watching this scene unfold.
As the attackers finally stopped their assault, Jiraiya exhaled and started plotting how to capture them all alive — and haul them off in one go.
Ending the Needle Jizo jutsu, Jiraiya concentrated his chakra and swiftly began forming hand seals.
[Summoning Jutsu.]
Instantly, a thick cloud of smoke blocked everyone's view.
When the white mist faded, a giant red frog appeared before Jiraiya and the White Zetsus. It wore bandages around its waist, carried a short sword, and had a smoking pipe clenched in its mouth.
It was Gamabunta.
"Oh gross, it's that slimy old toad again," sneered the White Zetsus in a mocking tone.
The moment she saw the giant creature appear, Kaguya strode forward without hesitation toward it.
"What's the big deal this time?" Gamabunta barked, casting a brief glance at the four "Tsunades" before locking eyes with Jiraiya.
"Boss Frog, just swallow all of them," Jiraiya replied.
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