Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya both realized something awkward.
Kazuki didn't need saving at all.
Not even close.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.
Is Kazuki already this strong?
Stronger than Tsunade?
Or is this just a bad matchup?
Orochimaru, watching from the side, was even more shocked.
The strength Kazuki was displaying now was far beyond what he had shown during their little "test" a week ago.
This wasn't growth.
This was a leap.
Orochimaru even felt that not even Hiruzen could suppress Tsunade this cleanly.
And yet—
There she was.
Pinned to the ground.
Unable to move.
At that moment—
Uzumaki Mito appeared.
"Hiruzen, what is going on?"
Then she saw Tsunade bound to the ground.
Her eyes widened.
"Kazuki! Let her go! What are you two doing?"
The moment Mito arrived, Kazuki dispelled the Strength of a Hundred.
The technique was essentially a high-level enhancement state.
By unlocking the Yin Seal, all stored chakra could be used freely—boosting ninjutsu output, forbidden techniques, and even raw physical power.
Once the technique was deactivated—
The Wood Dragon weakened.
BANG.
Tsunade shattered it instantly and jumped up.
"You bastard! I'm going to kill you!"
She had just been "disciplined" by someone under twenty.
Unacceptable.
"Ahem. Tsunade. That's enough."
Hiruzen looked exhausted.
Why did she have to pick a fight with Kazuki of all people?
Mito spoke calmly.
"Go back."
Kushina hesitated, then ran over to hold Tsunade's arm.
Tsunade glared at her.
"Hmph. Kushina, your loyalty switched fast. Siding with outsiders now?"
Mito's voice turned sharp.
"That's enough! Get back here."
Hiruzen sighed.
"Tsunade. You and Jiraiya are coming with me to the office."
"…Fine."
She shot Kazuki one last glare before following Hiruzen.
Halfway there, Jiraiya couldn't help himself.
"Tsunade… that Kazuki…"
"Shut up!"
BOOM.
Her fist smashed straight into Jiraiya's face.
He flew backward—
Straight into a house.
CRASH.
The building partially collapsed.
Several startled ninjas leapt out.
"Enemy attack!"
Hiruzen pinched the bridge of his nose.
"It's fine. Stand down."
The ninjas blinked.
"Naruto-sama!"
"Tsunade-sama!"
"Orochimaru-sama!"
They bowed respectfully.
Hiruzen cleared his throat.
"Are you all alright?"
"Y-Yes."
"Just startled…"
A groan came from the rubble.
"Ugh…"
Jiraiya crawled out, holding his face.
The ninjas exchanged strange looks.
Hiruzen silently pulled out a wad of cash.
"Please stay at an inn tonight. I'll have this repaired first thing in the morning."
"It's fine, Naruto-sama."
"Yes, we understand."
Hiruzen turned to Tsunade.
"Repairs will cost at least fifty thousand ryo. Pay the finance department in advance."
Tsunade crossed her arms.
"I don't have any money."
…
Meanwhile—
Kazuki and Kushina followed Mito home.
"You couldn't just let Sister Tsunade win once?!"
Kushina glared at Kazu.
He shrugged.
He would've loved to.
The system had other ideas.
"Look what happened now! When she calms down later, you're apologizing."
Kazuki ignored that completely.
Apologize?
She attacked first.
He just taught her a lesson.
That was fair.
Kushina huffed and tried to pinch his arm.
Her fingers pressed against solid muscle.
"…Why are you so hard?"
Mito sighed softly.
"Kazuki. How did this even start?"
He calmly explained everything from beginning to end.
When Kushina heard the full story, she lowered her head guiltily.
"I drank too much… If I hadn't gotten drunk, none of this would've happened."
Mito shook her head.
"This isn't your fault. Tsunade's always been hot-headed."
Then she turned to Kazuki.
"When did you learn the Yin Seal… and the Strength of a Hundred?"
Kushina froze.
"What?! Kazu, when did you learn the Yin Seal?!"
She hadn't seen clearly earlier—
But when Mito arrived, she had sensed it.
Kazuki had unlocked the Yin Seal.
Mito had noticed immediately.
She just hadn't said anything at the time.
And now—
Her eyes were sharp.