Meanwhile, Konan, who was witnessing this scene nearby, felt her brain overheating.
Wasn't Brother Ren and Sister Tsunade's relationship supposed to be that of teacher and student? Why were they so intimate, just like how her parents used to be?
Would she have to call Sister Tsunade "sister-in-law" in the future? This kind of thing... was just too much...
While Konan stood there utterly confused, the three of them quickly finished sharing the pile of grilled fish.
Just before leaving, Tsunade winked at Konan.
"I'm borrowing your Brother Ren for a while, is that okay?"
Konan shook her head. She didn't want to become a burden to Hayato Ren, so naturally she wouldn't stop them.
Besides, this way she could sleep in Hayato Ren's bed tonight. Every cloud has a silver lining.
After sending Konan back to the tent, Hayato Ren couldn't help but look at Tsunade and whisper:
"Another all-nighter tonight?"
Tsunade rolled her eyes and responded irritably:
"Is that all you ever think about? We have serious business to attend to later. I've already developed the Yin Seal, and I'm planning to develop the Creation Rebirth ninjutsu, which requires extensive reference to Sealing Techniques."
Seeing Tsunade's serious expression, Hayato Ren couldn't help but mutter under his breath:
"Acting all righteous now, I wonder who it was this afternoon who wouldn't let me leave."
Although Hayato Ren spoke quietly, his words clearly reached Tsunade's ears in the silent camp.
Thus, Hayato Ren's head gained another large bump.
Time flew by, and half a month passed. With Hayato Ren's help, Tsunade's Creation Rebirth had achieved considerable progress.
This ninjutsu worked by releasing the chakra stored in the Yin Seal to generate cursed marks on the body, stimulating cells to recover from injuries during battle - essentially an active healing skill.
Although not fully developed yet, Creation Rebirth's recovery ability was quite impressive. When activated, it was equivalent to casting a continuously regenerating A-rank ninjutsu on Tsunade.
Hayato Ren indeed hadn't learned the Yin Seal, as he was still struggling to master the Flying Thunder God.
Moreover, most of his combat power currently came from Charizard.
If the situation became dire enough that he had to engage in close combat himself, it would be better to focus on escaping instead.
As a Space-Time Ninjutsu, the Flying Thunder God was considered top-tier in the survival industry.
...
"Brat, we meet again."
Hanzo looked at the four people before him and spoke with some emotion.
Hayato Ren showed no fear, boldly shouting at him:
"Hmph, this is where you old dog will be buried!"
Facing Hayato Ren's provocation, the battle-hardened Hanzo wasn't angered at all. He glanced at Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru behind Hayato Ren and said meaningfully:
"Is your arrogance based on those three youngsters behind you? Even if Sarutobi Hiruzen himself came here, he wouldn't dare speak to me like that."
"Enough with the pointless chatter, Hanzo. Just give us a straight answer—will you surrender today or not?"
As Hayato Ren and Hanzo were still exchanging verbal barbs, the impatient Jiraiya couldn't help interrupting.
Hanzo didn't respond. Instead, he summoned his Summoning Beast, the Salamander—a clear declaration of his decision.
The moment the massive Salamander appeared, all vegetation around it withered instantly, clearly poisoned by the toxic mist enveloping its body.
In response, Tsunade and the other two promptly summoned their own Summoning Beasts.
The plain was suddenly occupied by four gigantic Summoning Beasts: Salamander, Katsuyu, Gamabunta, and Manda.
Compared to the loyal Katsuyu and Gamabunta, Manda's rebellious nature was glaringly obvious.
Manda swept his enormous eyes over the Salamander, then spoke to Orochimaru perched on his head:
"Orochimaru, why do you always find such bizarre opponents for me? This time, I won't cooperate without two hundred sacrifices."
Before Orochimaru could react, Jiraiya standing on Gamabunta's head retorted first:
"Orochimaru, are you even competent? If not, just get another Summoning Beast. I've never seen a ninja constantly threatened by his own summon."
Jiraiya successfully drew Manda's attention to himself. Manda coldly stared at Jiraiya on Gamabunta's head and hissed:
"I've changed my mind. I don't want those two hundred sacrifices anymore. Today, I'm going to feast on boiled toad."
Gamabunta immediately drew the long sword at his waist and sneered at Manda:
"Hmph, looks like we'll be having snake soup tonight."
Watching their allies quarrel while facing a powerful enemy, identical expressions of resignation appeared on Jiraiya and Orochimaru's faces.
It took them quite some time to pacify their respective Summoning Beasts and finally unite against their common foe.
Hanzo, demonstrating considerable martial honor, patiently observed this comical scene without attempting to take advantage of the situation.
Perhaps in his eyes, Hayato Ren and the other three posed no real threat.
Hayato Ren rode on Charizard's back, ascending into the air.
Immediately, Charizard opened its mouth and unleashed a Flame Jet at the Salamander below, initiating the battle.
Despite its enormous size, the Salamander possessed remarkable agility.
In an instant, it carried Hanzo underground, then burst forth beneath Manda's feet, dealing significant damage to the giant snake.
However, Gamabunta and Katsuyu were no pushovers either. While the Salamander attacked Manda, Katsuyu sprayed a large pool of acidic fluid onto the Salamander's back.
Meanwhile, Gamabunta and Jiraiya jointly performed a Ninjutsu—Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet.
A fireball with temperature no less intense than the Flame Jet struck the Salamander's body directly.
Howling in pain, the Salamander swiftly carried Hanzo back underground.
At this moment, Gamabunta glanced at the disheveled Manda and taunted:
"Can you even handle this, you wretched serpent? Getting beaten up like this—maybe you should go home to your mother."
Facing Gamabunta's mockery, Manda shot him a cold glare, then shook his head to throw off Orochimaru before diving underground to settle scores with the Salamander.
The underground struggle between Manda and the Salamander made the entire earth tremble, creating a spectacle as if an earthquake had occurred.
After a while, Manda and the Salamander returned to the surface.
By this time, the Salamander had several bleeding wounds covering its body, while Manda also bore numerous injuries and had fallen into a poisoned state.