Zhang Miao's guess was correct. After Tsunade fell asleep drunk the previous night, the Fourth Raikage waited in the backyard all night, getting soaked in the rain.
However, the night-long rain did not extinguish his anger; it only fueled it further. As Zhang Miao stealthily returned to Tsunade's room, he heard the Raikage's furious voice.
"Tsunade, how dare you stand me up! I won't let you get away with this. Get up... get up and fight me!"
Hearing the Fourth Raikage's angry shouts, Tsunade slumped over the table and raised her head with difficulty. Still feeling the effects of her hangover, she looked annoyed as she saw the Raikage.
"Who are you?"
As soon as Tsunade spoke, Amai, following the Raikage, quickly answered, "This is Lord Raikage from Kumogakure!"
"Uh…"
Hearing Amai's introduction, Tsunade stared blankly at the Raikage momentarily before breaking into a delighted laugh.
"Haha, a big shot has arrived…"
"I already told you that yesterday!"
Since becoming the Raikage, he had never been ignored like this. Hearing Tsunade's words again made him even angrier.
Seeing his fury or perhaps recalling the previous night's events, Tsunade awkwardly laughed and waved her hand at him.
"Don't be mad... don't be mad... Hey, let's make a bet!"
"A bet?" Hearing Tsunade's proposal, the Raikage's angry face turned to one of confusion.
Seeing his puzzled expression, Tsunade smiled and extended her right hand.
"You said you wanted to use force, right? Well, if you can beat me in an arm-wrestling match, I'll go with you!"
As the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju, Tsunade did not inherit his Sage Body but did inherit his monstrous strength. Few in the ninja world could match her in raw power.
However, the Fourth Raikage was also very confident in his strength, so he immediately accepted Tsunade's challenge. They move a large stone slab in the inn's backyard to start their arm-wrestling match.
For many, arm-wrestling is just a simple game, but it depends on the participants. This was no ordinary match with the Fourth Raikage and one of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade.
As the innkeeper, acting as the referee, shouted, "Start," both contestants unleashed an astonishing amount of chakra!
Though neither used any ninjutsu, the sheer force of their chakra created a fierce windstorm in the area.
The large stone slab they used as their battleground began to crack under their immense strength, demonstrating their power.
However, in this contest of strength, the physically imposing Fourth Raikage was at a disadvantage, staring at Tsunade in disbelief.
"She's overpowering me... This woman... But I can't lose. If I lose, Karui... I absolutely cannot lose!"
Thinking this, he suddenly relaxed his hand, creating a slight gap between his and Tsunade's hands, and used this gap to turn the tables and pin her hand down quickly.
The Fourth Raikage won, not by overpowering Tsunade, but by outpacing her!
Perhaps feeling that his victory was unfair, he spoke first after Tsunade stood up, "Don't say I'm being dishonorable!"
Prepared for the worst, he was ready to use force if Tsunade refused to go with him to treat his subordinate.
Unexpectedly, Tsunade readily admitted her defeat.
"I won't say you're dishonorable. I never said this was purely a test of strength. You did win in arm-wrestling!"
Amai, standing behind the Raikage, beamed with joy, "Then you'll treat Karui? Please, this way!"
Amai led the way eagerly, and Tsunade called Shizune to follow. Seeing this, Zhang Miao, hidden in the shadows, smiled and followed.
Soon, they reached an abandoned, dilapidated house and saw their target—Karui!
Karui lay on a stone bed inside, a massive spider-like tumor on his chest pulsating like a heartbeat. His face was twisted in pain, clearly caused by the cancer.
Seeing this, Zhang Miao narrowed his eyes.
"I've seen this guy before. Seven years ago, he led a group of Kumogakure ninjas to negotiate with Konoha, and he was the one who took away Hizashi Hyuga's body. He must be one of the Raikage's trusted aides. No wonder he sought Tsunade's help."
Thinking this, Zhang Miao's lips curved into a smile.
"I thought he had died in that battle at Kusaba Coast. Turns out he's still alive. Well, that's good. Every notable ninja in the world is a valuable asset to me!"
For Zhang Miao, becoming a true god required gaining 100% of the world's will, which meant recruiting elite ninjas with names and identities. Karui fit the bill perfectly.
So, Zhang Miao decided in his heart.
"I hope Tsunade can save him. If not, I'll revive him myself!"
As Zhang Miao decided, Amai, who had just entered, rushed to Karui's bedside excitedly.
"Karui, I brought Lady Tsunade, the greatest medical ninja. You're saved!"
As Amai spoke, Tsunade approached Karui.
Looking at the spider-like tumor on Karui's chest, Tsunade began to heal him with her medical ninjutsu and spoke slowly.
"You said you stole a secret technique from Sugi Village, right? I didn't expect Sugi Village to have such formidable individuals!"
"The enemy wasn't from Sugi Village. They were mercenaries hired by Sugi Village called the Xuanen Corps!" Tsunade's words had barely left her mouth when the Raikage spoke up.
"Xuanen Corps?" Hearing the name, Tsunade's face showed a hint of surprise, "The Xuanen Corps, known as the 'Ninja Hunters of Ninjas'?"
After Tsunade spoke, the Raikage fell silent. Seeing this, Tsunade immediately stopped treating Karui and turned to the Raikage with a severe expression.
"Keeping secrets won't help the treatment. You need to tell me everything!"
Hearing Tsunade's words and seeing the Raikage's troubled expression, Zhang Miao, still hidden, narrowed his eyes again.
"The Xuanen Corps can even trouble the Raikage, and Tsunade seems surprised too. Looks like they might be worth recruiting!"
With that thought, Zhang Miao turned his gaze to the Raikage, a gleam of interest in his eyes.