Aozora genuinely slipped away while Shisui was subduing Murakumo Kurama.
However, the moment he burrowed underground, he sensed Danzo's unrestrained chakra, so he secretly returned.
What followed was straightforward—Tsunade and others prepared to corner and attack Danzo, only unexpectedly trapping a snake inside as well.
He immediately began searching for an excuse to join the fight, and fortunately, Uncle Snake fully supported him.
Profit is the ultimate principle for bounty hunters!
"Little buddy..." no, Big Boobie Brother. Since we go way back, I can give you a twenty percent discount! Eight million ryo, and I'll keep a jonin busy for you! How about that?"
Aozora haggled with Tsunade casually, his tone nearly identical to how Danzo had spoken with Orochimaru moments earlier.
Being called "Big Boobie Brother," Tsunade felt conflicted but took the offer seriously.
Though unsure of Aozora's true strength, Tsunade figured he could probably hold his own against a jonin.
After a brief pause, Tsunade replied, "Alright, but listen—you've got just one million on you right now, already in chips."
Aozora nodded, saying, "Installments work, though the discount won't apply anymore."
Tsunade nodded. To her, eight million or ten million wasn't much, especially under these circumstances where a strong fighter was worth its weight in gold.
Orochimaru licked his lips suddenly and asked, "So what you're looking for is money?"
Aozora nodded, curiously watching Orochimaru. Was Uncle Snake going to bribe him?
The corners of Orochimaru's mouth curled into a sinister grin as he pointed toward the warehouse of the gambling den. "There's money inside. Lots of it!"
Aozora was momentarily speechless. That was just supposed to be an excuse...
After a moment of awkward silence, Aozora stubbornly added, "I just prefer doing things the honest way..."
Yet everyone around him cast doubtful glances, even Tsunade and others appearing skeptical.
Aozora almost laughed out loud. He eyed Tsunade up and down, then pouted, "Fine! I'm after Big Boobie Brother's good looks!"
No way in hell would he ever reveal the truth!
Surprisingly, Orochimaru nodded approvingly. "That explanation makes more sense!"
Inside the gambling hall, everything fell silent for a second. Everyone thought about it, then nodded along.
Seeing how easily they accepted this ridiculous reason, Aozora regretted wasting brain cells trying to come up with any justification at all.
Tsunade puffed out her chest slightly and said, "Could you make it seven million? I'll remember you fondly."
"No deal!"
Realizing his tone sounded too harsh and might compromise his assumed persona, Aozora quickly softened his words. "We bounty hunters strictly follow one rule: business is business, and feelings are feelings. Besides..."
At this point, Aozora suddenly felt like he'd been possessed by a John Woo movie hero—his eyes filled with dramatic passion as he said, "I won't let money tarnish my feelings for you!"
Meanwhile, as Aozora bargained and flirted, the three jonins from Danzo's side grew increasingly furious at being completely ignored.
Shimura Hidetree coldly remarked, "Where did this boastful bounty hunter come from? May I handle him later?"
"Hirano Haru remarked, 'His kunai throws are quite skilled. If I had been a little slower with my hand seals just now, I might have been injured.'"
Chiaki Tachibana nodded as well. Both he and Hirano Haru had faced Aozora's kunai directly and knew just how deadly they were.
Upon hearing this, Shimura Hidetree remained indifferent. "He's just a bounty hunter after all. Probably doesn't have much ninjutsu heritage, so he focuses more on kunai throwing."
The three were about to continue speaking when Danzo coldly interrupted, "Finish off your opponents quickly! Don't waste time!"
In his opinion, aside from Tsunade and the opponent assigned to him, everyone else on the opposing side was insignificant. Black Hawk, who was slightly stronger, had already suffered serious injuries. The rest were either rookies or bounty hunters. His three subordinates should be able to defeat their opponents soon enough.
Although Orochimaru was currently on his side, he knew clearly that if he became weak, Orochimaru would certainly be delighted to stab him in the back.
Upon hearing this, Shimura Hidetree and the other two responded in unison before each rushing toward their respective opponents.
Shimura Hidetree swiftly formed hand seals and executed the same jutsu as Danzo.
[Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!]
Unlike Danzo's overwhelming wind techniques that blanketed the sky, his wind attack was more condensed but only consisted of a single projectile.
Aozora flipped out of the way of the Wind Release wave. He could no longer afford to stall and talk with Tsunade. Stomping his right foot heavily, he shot forward toward Shimura Hidetree like an arrow.
Wanting to avoid revealing his identity, Aozora didn't use [Shrink Step], but his [Body Flicker Technique] remained as fast as thunder.
Seeing Aozora rushing over, a triumphant smile appeared on Shimura Hidetree's face. In an instant, he executed another technique.
[Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!]
With Shimura's back facing the large hole Danzo had created, cold winds continuously blew into the room.
With the additional power of his technique, the wind suddenly increased dramatically, forming a powerful gust aimed straight at Aozora.
This mighty wind could easily lift hundreds of pounds, and most dangerously, it carried transparent Wind Blades within its currents.
Chakra shaped into claw-like formations beneath Aozora's feet, rooting him firmly to the ground.
Under his sunglasses, he had already activated his Three Tomoe Sharingan, clearly seeing every Wind Blade hidden within the storm.
As Aozora and Shimura Hidetree clashed, the rest of the fighters scattered and formed their own separate battlegrounds.
The fight between Shizune and Chiaki Tachibana seemed calm on the surface but brimmed with deadly intent.
Both were medical ninja, understanding how to save lives but even better at taking them. Their delicate hands shimmered with razor-sharp chakra blades capable of cutting arteries, severing tendons, slicing throats, and piercing hearts with just a small swipe. Additionally, both concealed poisoned needles and toxic mist throughout their bodies, making defense nearly impossible.
Rather than becoming timid after her near-death experience, Shizune had grown even bolder. Knowing her strength was inferior, she adopted a mutual damage fighting style, hoping to overcome her opponent and rush to help others.
The confrontation between Black Hawk and Hirano Haru currently ended in a stalemate.
Black Hawk's strength and experience were superior to those of Hirano Haru, and he originally should have held the advantage completely. However, after an intense battle, his chakra reserves and physical stamina significantly declined. His bodily reactions, strength, and speed greatly deteriorated compared to before, and the power of his techniques weakened considerably.
Hirano Haru was trying to outlast him. Black Hawk stayed silent, calculating his remaining chakra. He was preparing a high-risk, all-or-nothing move.
But the battle between Shisui and Danzo had instantly turned white-hot.
Right from the first exchange, he knew his strength was no match for his opponent's. Black Hawk was injured, Shizune was too weak. Even if they somehow won their own fights, they wouldn't be able to help in his battle against Danzo. Therefore, if Konoha wanted to break this stalemate, there was only one solution: Shisui himself must defeat Danzo.
For the sake of his companions, he could no longer hold back. His eyes swirled with Three Tomoe, his pupils darkening into a deeper crimson.
From Shizune to Shisui, they all instinctively prepared to risk everything, never relying on Aozora.
As ninja, they knew one truth well—every battle had to be fought alone.
Let's face it—can you really trust someone fighting just for eight million ryo?
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