A and Tsunade reacted almost identically upon hearing the report.
"Charge! Finish them off!"
"Turn back! Finish them off!"
The two teams immediately rushed toward each other.
"Kuromaru! Get ready!"
"Beast Mimicry: Man Beast Clone!"
In Tsunade's team, Tsume Inuzuka was the first to act. In an instant, Kuromaru completed his transformation, and the two charged forward together.
The same was true for Hizashi.
The moment the two teams clashed, the battle erupted.
"Kuromaru! Fang Over Fang!"
"Woof!"
Tsume took the lead, and two black tornadoes instantly formed, surging forward with immense force.
"Hmph! Trying to take the initiative?"
"Not if I can help it!"
"Water Release! Water Formation Wall!"
Among the five members of the A–B Combo team, the only female ninja scoffed as she formed a quick seal. A towering wall of water instantly rose in front of them.
Fang Over Fang smashed into it head-on, creating a massive hole in the barrier. But the delay was enough—the rest of the enemy team had already dropped from the tree trunks and entered battle mode.
"Lightning Release! Spider Web!"
With the defense set, the counterattack followed. Lightning surged like an intricate web, crackling toward Tsume's claws, aiming to ensnare her in an electric trap.
"Tch! You think you can hold me down?"
"In your dreams!"
"Fang Over Fang!"
Though young, Tsume was no stranger to battle. She spun at high speed once again, aiming to tear through the web of lightning.
"Yui Se, I'll back you up!"
"Water Release! Wild Water Wave!"
Another Kumo ninja dashed forward, spitting out a powerful jet of water.
The combination of Water and Lightning overwhelmed Tsume in an instant, pushing her into a disadvantageous position.
"Don't bully people, hey!"
"Wind Release! Great Breakthrough!"
"Wind Release! Wind Cutter Technique!"
Kumo had teammates, and so did Tsume.
The howling wind and slicing wind blades tore through the opposing jutsu, forcing an opening. Tsume and Kuromaru spun out one after another, landing slightly disheveled but still full of momentum.
"Thanks, Kazuyama!"
"No problem!"
Kazuyama coldly watched the enemy ninja. Just then, a figure moved at a speed too fast for the naked eye to follow—a massive fist was about to slam into his head.
Boom!
The heavy blow landed, toppling a tree.
"Damn it! It really is you, you little brat!"
The attacker was none other than A, the son of the Raikage. Seeing his strike miss and recognizing the familiar face, fury surged within him.
Kazuyama, relying on his exceptional Hive Mind vision, locked onto A's movements and instantly activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, retreating to Tsunade's side just in time to evade the devastating punch.
Glancing at the fallen tree, he felt a slight tremor in his heart. My, my, this guy's strength has improved a lot in a short time.
"Hmph, it really is the son of the Third Raikage. His physical power is already on par with his father's," Tsunade remarked seriously, eyeing A's lightning-cloaked form.
Hizashi moved to Tsume's side, while Kazuyama stood next to Tsunade.
The first clash had been a mere skirmish, but the next would be a deathmatch.
"Bastards, idiots! You can't win against us!"
"Right, brother!"
Killer Bee drew his sword and stepped beside A. The other three Kumo ninja advanced slowly.
"Hmph! What a big mouth!"
Who was Tsunade? The princess of Konoha—and she had a nasty temper.
The next second, she charged straight in.
"Tsume, Hizashi! Be careful! Don't get caught in the crossfire!"
Seeing her launch an attack, Kazuyama immediately called out, prompting the other two to nod and leap sharply into the air.
Their sudden movement momentarily confused the enemy—until they understood.
"Heavenly Foot of Pain!"
Her long, straight leg rose high, but before anyone could even take in the sight, it came crashing down.
Boom!
A violent tremor erupted, and with it, the entire ground shattered.
The earth split open, debris flying in all directions.
The five Kumo ninja were momentarily stunned before quickly leaping away to avoid the devastation.
"Break!"
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"
Hizashi seized the moment, thrusting his palms forward.
A grabbed Killer Bee and unleashed his chakra midair, retreating at high speed. The other three weren't so lucky—they were sent flying by the force of the attack.
Tsume and Hizashi charged straight ahead, seamlessly working together, leaving A and Killer Bee to Tsunade and Kazuyama.
"Kazuyama! Beat up that Eight-Tails Jinchūriki for me!"
"Got it! You don't have to tell me twice!"
Chōmei glared at the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, issuing an unspoken challenge. Kazuyama had already been thinking the same thing.
King versus king, general versus general.
A was Tsunade's opponent, so Killer Bee should have been his.
But would things go as expected?
No—far from it.
"Wow, a beautiful girl with crazy strength!"
"Eat my blade!"
Killer Bee, with A's help, dodged Tsunade's first wave of attacks. Even through his sunglasses, the excitement in his eyes was obvious as he looked at her.
Brandishing his sword, he charged straight at Tsunade. Meanwhile, A lunged toward Kazuyama, his Lightning Release–enhanced body surging with power.
"Kid, let's see who's faster!"
A had already pushed his body to its limits, moving like living lightning.
"Damn it! Why are you after me? Go fight Tsunade, you bastard!"
"I'm out!"
Kazuyama cursed A's persistence, but his movements were swift. He instantly teleported with the Flying Thunder God Technique, simultaneously scattering marked kunai in different directions.
"Hmph! I've figured out your tricks!"
"This time, I'll end you!"
In A's mind, the key to Kazuyama's teleportation was the kunai. If he memorized their positions, he was certain he could strike the instant Kazuyama reappeared.
"Die!"
A charged again, his lightning-clad fist flashing toward Kazuyama.
"Damn it, this is endless."
Kazuyama vanished once more. A's eyes locked onto the kunai, ready to predict his landing spot.
But to his shock—Kazuyama didn't reappear near any of them.
"Did he leave a mark before he even got here?"
"Damn brat!"
Just as A's frustration peaked, a voice echoed from nearby.
"Summoning Technique!"
Boom!
In an instant, a massive golden snake and a large green snake materialized in the forest.
"Kinrin, hold him off!"
"Chōmei, lend me your chakra!"
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
Kinrin bared its blood-red fangs and lunged at A.
Meanwhile, Kazuyama's body dissipated into white smoke, revealing it had only been a clone.
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake