Chapter 3 — An Encounter with Hidan
If Shunsuke Ryouta stayed with her, other villages wouldn't get wind of his existence.
And at the same time, she wouldn't have to deal with debt collectors pounding on her door.
Two birds with one stone.
Truthfully, Tsunade had never wanted to return to Konoha. In her heart, it was a place filled with painful memories. And yet… it was still precious to her.
It was the village her grandfather had built with his own hands. The place the two people she had cherished most had sworn to protect.
Shunsuke's sudden appearance had disrupted the fragile equilibrium of the ninja world. If another hidden village got hold of him, Tsunade didn't even want to imagine the consequences.
So even if she didn't want to go back—
She had no choice.
Half an hour later, three people and one pig walked along an official highway.
"Where are we right now?" Shunsuke asked curiously, glancing around.
Despite the constant wars that plagued the Shinobi World, its landscapes were undeniably breathtaking. Forests stretched endlessly in every direction. From higher ground, one could see nothing but rolling mountains and dense woodland fading into the horizon.
Shizune smiled gently. "We're in the Land of Hot Water. It's famous for its hot springs and casinos. Tsunade-sama loves traveling here."
Shunsuke nodded in understanding. Then he glanced at Tsunade—currently maintaining the appearance of a teenage girl—and his eyelid twitched.
"You look pretty cool wandering the world like that… but the way you run from debt collectors is honestly kind of pathetic."
Tsunade: "…"
"Pu—pu!" The little pig in Shizune's arms nodded vigorously, as if wholeheartedly agreeing.
"See? Even Tonton thinks so." Shunsuke burst out laughing.
Tsunade shot him a suspicious look. "How do you know her name?"
"Of course she told me," Shunsuke said cheerfully. "I can understand what she's saying."
"Eh? Really?" Shizune looked at him in surprise. "Aside from Tsunade-sama and me, no one has ever understood Tonton before. That's amazing, Shunsuke!"
"Hmph. Understanding a pig isn't exactly impressive," Tsunade waved dismissively.
"I can communicate with any living being," Shunsuke said, his clear eyes turning toward the sky. He pointed upward. "That bird just said it's about to poop."
The instant he finished speaking, a white-and-green splat fell from above.
Tsunade jerked backward, narrowly avoiding it.
She glared up at the sky with killing intent. "You stupid bird!"
Then she froze, staring at Shunsuke in disbelief.
"You really can understand them…"
"Of course." He looked smug.
"Communicate with all living things…" Tsunade muttered under her breath, awe slipping into her voice before she shook her head.
The pig already flew.
What else could possibly surprise her at this point?
Still… this kid's abilities were way too bizarre.
Before she could dwell further on it, a figure appeared on the road ahead.
The man had silver hair slicked back and wore a hooded jacket. A wild grin stretched across his face. In one hand, he casually held a blood-red triple-bladed scythe.
"Yo—two beauties and a brat?" he laughed. "Say, how about you join the Jashin Cult?"
Tsunade's brow twitched. "Highway robbery?"
Shunsuke, on the other hand, stared in surprise.
That's—
Hidan.
Judging by his outfit, he hadn't joined Akatsuki yet… but it was probably only a matter of time.
So because I showed up and Tsunade stopped traveling… we ended up running into Hidan?
…This is getting interesting.
"Highway robbery? I'm a devout follower of Lord Jashin!" Hidan barked. "His number one believer!"
Shunsuke stared at him.
That kind of fanatic devotion… he couldn't imagine himself ever reaching that level.
And for some reason, the words slipped out before he could stop them.
"You're that devout? How about you switch to worshipping me instead? I'm a god too."
"Hah?" Hidan's eyes rolled toward him. "You know what you're saying, kid? Sounds like you're itching to serve Lord Jashin personally."
Tsunade folded her arms, her expression turning cold. "Shizune."
"Yes. Leave him to me," Shizune stepped forward.
"Better not." Shunsuke tugged at her sleeve and gently pulled her back. "His ability is pretty strange. I'll handle this."
"Hah? You kidding me?" Hidan sneered, lifting his scythe toward Shunsuke. His tone turned icy. "A brat like you dares look down on me?"
"Are you sure?" Shizune asked worriedly.
"It's fine." Shunsuke grinned.
After all, they had saved him, checked his condition, even bought him clothes. That counted for something.
Still… he hesitated.
He had never fought in real combat before. Setting aside the fact that he had no killing techniques, Hidan's immortality alone was a headache.
"This guy troublesome?" Tsunade asked, noticing his expression.
"Yeah…" Shunsuke smacked his lips. "He's immortal. In a way, that makes him annoying. And be careful—don't let him get your blood. If he does, he can use a ritual circle to transfer any damage he takes onto you."
"Immortal?" Tsunade's expression grew serious. She didn't doubt him. The boy himself was already a walking anomaly.
"Any good way to deal with him?" she asked.
"Dismember him and bury the pieces," Shunsuke said solemnly. "Problem is… the only thing I've ever killed is a chicken."
Tsunade: "…"
Hidan's expression darkened.
Who the hell is this kid?
How does he know so much about my ability?
"You just injure him," Tsunade said firmly. "Shizune will handle the rest."
Then she leapt back.
She had hemophobia. If possible, she'd rather stay far away from blood.
"Running?" Hidan grinned wickedly and charged forward with his scythe.
"Stay back!" Shunsuke shoved Shizune aside and stepped forward.
His first real ninja battle.
Excitement bubbled in his chest.
He dashed straight at Hidan.
"Die! Hah!" Hidan laughed as his triple-bladed scythe sliced cleanly through Shunsuke's torso.
But instead of tearing flesh—
It passed through in a burst of golden light.
Before Hidan's stunned gaze, Shunsuke's body reformed, as if blinking into existence right in front of him.
Shunsuke beamed.
"Ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
Hidan's face changed.
A small, bare foot came flying straight toward his face.
Since Shizune had bought him a child-sized kimono, she'd also gotten him wooden sandals.
Unfortunately, Shunsuke wasn't used to wearing them.
So he was barefoot.
"Light-speed kick!"
With a bright, carefree laugh, he sent Hidan flying like a kite with its strings cut.
Crash.
Hidan tumbled across the ground, rolling several times before staggering upright, dazed.
Who am I?
Where am I?
Did I just get kicked?
Before he could process it, Shunsuke charged again.
Whoosh—
The blood-red scythe howled through the air, slicing Shunsuke cleanly in half at the waist.
Again—no resistance.
Before his upper and lower halves even finished reconnecting, that same small foot smashed into his face once more.
Hidan: "???"
Boom.
He slammed into a tree trunk. Blood spurted from his nose.
This kid…
What the hell is he?
For the first time, unease crept into Hidan's eyes.
He was completely dumbfounded.
His taijutsu was excellent—especially combined with that massive scythe.
But against this ability?
It was useless.
What is this crap? Is this kid cheating?!
Shunsuke casually formed a series of completely nonsensical hand seals, then finally raised a middle finger toward Hidan.
"Ninja Art—"
On a tree branch in the distance, Tsunade's eyes narrowed.
He can use ninjutsu too?
What kind of hand signs were those? I've never seen them before…
Beside her, Shizune watched with anticipation.
"Flashbang Technique!"
Shunsuke threw his arms wide, eyes blazing.
In the next instant—
A brilliant golden radiance erupted outward from him.
As the brightness intensified, gold shifted into blinding white.
In a single heartbeat—
The entire world lit up.
Tsunade: "!!!"
Shizune: "!!!"
Hidan: "!!!"