After eating and venting, Shizune fell into a deep sleep.
Aoba had forgotten to stuff the sock back in, but... let it be.
What's even funnier is Kuroboshi. He clearly could have taken the chance to escape, but after eating the third roasted rabbit, he happily came trotting back, tail in tow.
And when he came back, he didn't forget to show Aoba a 'true bootlicker' expression at the right moment, making Aoba give up on having another meal in the middle of the night.
As the night deepened, through the "Eye of Perception," Aoba could sense more and more people hiding nearby.
But whether they were deterred by his presence or by the explosive tags on Shizune, no one dared to make a move until the sun rose again.
Aoba guessed that Tsunade was probably on her way.
So, the mission was about to conclude.
He extinguished the fire, woke up Kuroboshi, and said with a light chuckle, "Since you've all waited all night and done nothing, we'll be leaving first."
He had Kuroboshi carry Shizune, and Aoba shifted their location again.
Hidden in the darkness, Inuzuka Akko immediately became anxious. "He's running again. Aren't we going to act?"
God knows how guilty he felt last night seeing Kuroboshi 'enduring humiliation' and showing that bootlicker face to that scoundrel!
Kuroboshi, I will come back for you!
"Follow him; Tsunade is almost here, don't mess around!"
After warning Inuzuka Akko, they swiftly dashed out, following Aoba.
Since they had been discovered, hiding any longer was pointless.
...
When Tsunade finally arrived, she found that the suspect, a member of Akatsuki named Yasuo, was trapped inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
To say he was trapped is a bit misleading, as Aoba had voluntarily stayed inside to spend the last few hours.
And just as Tsunade appeared, there were less than five minutes left until the end of the mission.
"Yasuo, you can't run away now."
Seeing Shizune tied up like a dumpling and covered in explosive tags inside the barrier, Tsunade felt a heavy dread.
"Run? Why would I run? Is the one billion ryo ready?"
As Aoba spoke, he casually tossed an explosive tag onto the barrier.
With a loud bang, everyone jumped in shock.
The Four Violet Flames Formation remained intact, but everyone knew it was just a warning; what might explode next time was uncertain.
"Hand over Shizune and whatever you stole, and I might let you leave."
Just as Shizune, who was about to explain it was all a misunderstanding, heard that something important might have been stolen, she immediately shut her mouth.
The more critical the moment, the less she could afford to complicate matters for Tsunade, even if it put her in great danger.
Indeed, trying to bluff here seemed impossible.
Aoba didn't regret it, as he hadn't had any expectations.
He sneered and approached the barrier, "As if any of you could keep me here if I wanted to leave. Ridiculous!"
However, Tsunade unexpectedly nodded in agreement, "The Four Violet Flames Formation indeed can't hold you. Open the barrier!"
Not only did the four ANBU maintain the barrier freeze, but even Aoba, preparing to break the barrier himself, was taken aback, not understanding Tsunade's actions.
But by the time he realized what was happening, the Four Violet Flames Formation had already disappeared...
"Let Shizune go, I owe you a favor."
"Lady Tsunade!"
Shizune was emotionally shaken, not expecting Tsunade to go to such lengths for her.
Aoba felt increasingly like the villain.
He hadn't planned to harm Shizune anyway; the mission had just ended, and if he could also casually get a favor from Tsunade, it seemed like a good deal.
But Tsunade's reliability was rugged to trust; her betting habits were notorious, and who knew when he might be able to collect on that 'debt.'
"Interesting, in front of so many witnesses, you surely won't go back on your word."
"Go, Kuroboshi, you're free."
After patting Kuroboshi on the head, the dog looked up with an expression that asked, 'Are you serious?'
After Aoba nodded, Kuroboshi carried Shizune with a complex look toward Tsunade.
He doubted if he might end up blown to smithereens soon.
But surely not... he had behaved so well.
As for everyone else, they were a bit dumbfounded. They hadn't understood why Lady Tsunade had ordered the barrier to be opened, and now they were even more puzzled by the enemy's actions.
There must be some trickery involved!
After Kuroboshi returned, Inuzuka Akko immediately ran over, cut the ropes off Shizune, and threw the ropes and explosive tags far away.
But even doing this dangerous task, he remained completely fine.
The explosive tags did not explode...
So, the returned hostage must be fake!
"Lady Tsunade..."
Bang!
"You've had it tough. Get some good sleep now."
After a solid punch to Shizune's abdomen to confirm the authenticity of the hostage, Tsunade, with a similarly complex expression, I handed her over to someone behind her.
This guy returned to Shizune...
And just when everyone was unsure what to do next, Tsunade coldly uttered two words, "Take action!"
She then stomped the ground and charged forward!
She promised to owe someone a favor, but she never said she would let him leave!
Of course, she wouldn't break her word.
She planned to give him a good beating first, retrieve the Reaper's Mask, and then let him go.
This way, Shizune was rescued, the mask was recovered, and the favor was returned. Perfect!
This was the flawless logical sequence Tsunade had devised!
But Aoba had already prepared for Tsunade to possibly turn on him, as he hadn't been satisfied with their last fight due to being rushed to complete the mission.
This was an excellent opportunity to make up for it!
The "Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist" were immediately repaired and summoned by him.
Although the "Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist" had been accidentally killed in one hit by Lady Slug last time, such a terrifying attack was something not even Aoba himself was confident he could withstand; he could only run.
But against these Leaf ninjas, the "Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist" immediately demonstrated their true capabilities.
Do you think elite Jounin are just cabbages? Easily grabbed by the handful!?
Among those Leaf ninjas who came to pursue him, there were only a few Jounin and elite Jounin.
So Aoba didn't need to worry about that side; he just needed to focus on dealing with Tsunade.
With a bang!
The fight between Aoba, who unleashed "Instantaneous" and "Absolute Defense," and Tsunade began!