After Kurenai uttered those words, slight fluctuations appeared in the eyes of Tsunade and the others.
It wasn't that they doubted Kurenai's judgment, but they also considered it very likely!
After all, everyone has weaknesses, and in this world, no one is 'perfect' in every aspect.
Even the fact that they went directly after Kurenai earlier could be because they inferred that Kurenai might be skilled in ninjutsu, so they wanted to take her out first.
Because Kurenai had been merely spectating until now, even the act of saving Guy earlier was done without Kurenai doing anything, so guessing that Kurenai might be a genjutsu ninja was a typical assumption.
Combining the events that just took place, they could deduce that the enemy was feeble at genjutsu, and it could even be their Achilles' heel!
So, Kakashi immediately made a decision, "Everyone, center around Kurenai for the upcoming battle. Create opportunities for her!"
The one who was best at genjutsu here was indeed Kurenai. Although Kakashi was also somewhat skilled, it wasn't to a great extent, so everyone immediately accepted this decision.
Looking at Kurenai, who was being protected in the very center, Aoba couldn't help but feel helpless.
He didn't think that his quick action earlier caused this situation since as long as Kurenai joined the battle, her weakness would eventually be discovered; it was better to strike first.
What he didn't expect was that he had somewhat underestimated Kurenai's capabilities.
After all, Kurenai's presence could have been more prominent in the original work.
The most memorable scenes involving her, including using genjutsu, where she was instantly defeated using genjutsu by Itachi, are notable.
And then she gave birth to Asuma's posthumous child, continuing the Sarutobi clan's line...
Kurenai's genjutsu abilities shouldn't be underestimated; even if she's not a heaven-sent genius like Itachi, she's still a top-tier genjutsu practitioner!
Overconfidence...
But even if her weakness was discovered, what of it? He wouldn't give Kurenai such an opportunity again.
"Raijin!"
Aoba opened his hands wide, and the three Tomoe drums on his back began to spin rapidly.
Seeing this, Tsunade immediately changed her expression, slammed the ground, and summoned Katsuyu again to protect them against the lightning!
In the next second, a massive amount of lightning shot into the sky, transforming into hundreds of lightning bolts raining down, genuinely deserving of the name Raijin.
Poor Katsuyu was used again as a lightning rod, being "milked" for healing...
If it were any of the other two Sannins, they would've lost their temper by now!
However, minor injuries weren't a big issue since all the Katsuyus are split (censored) from the original Katsuyu.
After the Raijin ended, Katsuyu returned to the Shikkotsu Forest looking somewhat deflated, revealing Tsunade and others protected underneath.
The scene was scorched black, with the dense smell of lightning lingering in the air.
Asuma's complexion turned somewhat ugly. If it wasn't for Tsunade summoning Katsuyu in time to protect them, how could they have withstood such a 'divine punishment'?
This made Asuma, who had been struck time and again, feel very uncomfortable inside. He couldn't even protect Kurenai. What kind of man was he?
"Yasuo, draw your sword. Since this is no longer a fair fight between you and me, there's no need to cling to any sense of honor."
Tsunade, disregarding the expressions of others, took a deep breath and said.
It wasn't that she wanted to see Yasuo's strongest swordplay, but under the current circumstances, would the opponent not use it if she didn't mention it?
She might as well bring it up openly, saving them the surprise should Yasuo suddenly draw his sword during their next battle.
'Yasuo's strongest weapon is his sword!' This thought has always weighed heavily on Tsunade's heart. Seeing that Yasuo still refused to draw his sword naturally filled her with concern.
It's like getting into a fight with someone who has a gun strapped to their waist; they've said they won't use it, but who would gamble that they genuinely won't?
If it had been used from the beginning, one could simply raise their hands and surrender.
But if one draws a gun after the fight has heated up, a life could truly be lost.
Tsunade had thought it through very well, but she needed to learn that the actual gun Aoba had at his waist was out of bullets.
And a gun without bullets is, at best, a firing stick; it can be used to hit someone, but it loses its most extraordinary deterrent power!
Therefore, Aoba would instead let Tsunade always fear his knife and never draw it to rely on luck.
Then, there is only that option...
Suddenly, Aoba dispersed the fierce aura around him, actively deactivated the Instantaneous Triple Turn state, and spoke lightly, "To deal with you, I don't even need the knife. Since you have helpers, I will respond in the same way. Let's see whose helper is stronger!"
As soon as his words fell, a gray, misty light ball drifted out from his chest, turning into a throne that appeared in front of everyone.
Tsunade and the others were still wary of who his "helper" might be when they witnessed such an odd scene.
Aoba walked to the throne, slowly sat down, and immediately, an indescribable aura rose from him as if a king overlooking the world was gazing at all living beings.
The effect of the [Lich King's Gaze], majesty +10!
All those with weak wills would feel fear, losing their courage.
However, it was clear that Tsunade and the others were not people with weak wills, so they only felt very uncomfortable and oppressed under his gaze, but they did not flee without fighting.
Seeing this, Aoba couldn't help but sigh lightly. It was indeed nothing but a flashy, useless ability.
Then let the descent begin, my undead ninja legion!
With a thought from Aoba, countless gray light spots flew out from the [Frozen Throne], and then, to the utter shock of Tsunade and the others, took on their appearance from when they were alive.
"This is...?!"
"Shinobi from Kumogakure?"
"Look there!"
When those two figures who should have died long ago stood at the forefront of the entire legion, everyone's eyes widened, disbelieving what they saw!
"The Fourth Mizukage Yagura... and the Fourth Kazekage Rasa? Aren't they dead?"
"How is this possible?!"
And not just them, there were also Kirigakure's Hozuki Mangetsu, Kurotsuchi Mayoi, Kumogakure's A (Fourth Raikage)...
One by one, familiar yet unfamiliar faces eerily appeared before them, making it hard for anyone to remain calm.
Then, as if suddenly realizing something, Tsunade's heart sank, "So that's it, this is the real reason you were looking for the Death God mask, Yasuo!"
After Tsunade connected the dots, she immediately completed the motive.
She had never imagined that there existed in this world a ninjutsu similar to the Impure World Reincarnation, manipulating souls. Then everything became clear!
The objective was to release those souls sealed by the Death Reaper Seal and to possess them, just like these figures.