Tsunade, having taken the lightning strike head-on, felt her blood roiling inside her, nearly spitting out blood but forcibly holding it back and immediately using medical Ninjutsu on herself.
Because of the chakra protecting her body, the lightning strike did not cause Tsunade any visible external injuries, but it did cause her severe internal damage.
"Stand down, Tsunade-sama. You are no match for me now."
The light from the thunder blade in his hand cast half of Kakashi's face in blue, complementing the crimson Sharingan, making him appear exceptionally cold and alluring.
"Kakashi, don't get ahead of yourself, you're just a junior," Tsunade said as she leaped forward, throwing a punch at Kakashi. He managed to block it with his thunder blade just in time, the forceful fist colliding with the sharp blade, pushing Kakashi back several steps and leaving a slight trace of blood on Tsunade's knuckles.
Such minor injuries were nothing to Tsunade; she could heal them in the blink of an eye.
"If you're willing to back down, then show me, Kakashi, how much of Sakumo-senpai's sword technique you've mastered," Tsunade challenged. She had never fought Hatake Sakumo and was unaware of the full extent of the Hatake sword technique's power. After all, when they were just making a name for themselves, Hatake Sakumo was already at his peak.
Back then, even if the three Sannin had joined forces, they might not have been a match for Hatake Sakumo. They had struggled against the demi-god-like Sanin Hanzo, so Hatake Sakumo was considered even stronger.
"As you wish, Tsunade-senpai," Kakashi replied, his aura changing in an instant, exuding a sharp presence as if he were an unsheathed treasured blade.
Even at a distance from Kakashi, Tsunade felt a stinging sensation on her skin.
With the Sharingan enhancing his insight and combined with the Hatake family's sword technique, Kakashi's mastery had now surpassed even Sakumo's peak.
Kakashi was fully capable of inheriting the title of Konohagakure's White Fang.
Though the White Fang's blade was no more, Kakashi's strength was not dependent on a single weapon.
"Hatake Sword Technique: Lightning Flash."
To Tsunade, Kakashi's form seemed as rapid as the Body Flicker Jutsu, reaching her in the blink of an eye.
"You are really annoying," she muttered.
Suddenly, a fierce chakra burst from Tsunade, blowing away the surrounding trees, and with a powerful stomp on the ground, the earth cracked and bulged, hindering Kakashi's speed and throwing him off balance.
In situations of extreme speed, one could either be in perfect balance or completely off-balance, and Kakashi found himself in the latter scenario, exposing a vulnerability.
"Die," Tsunade declared.
With a powerful kick, Tsunade launched herself at Kakashi like a missile, her sudden burst allowing her to reach an incredible speed. In almost less than a blink, her furious punch struck Kakashi squarely in the abdomen.
This attack was far more ferocious than any before, but as Tsunade's fist made contact with Kakashi's body, there was a 'boom' and the struck Kakashi dissipated into smoke – it was a shadow clone.
"A shadow clone?"
Realizing she had hit a shadow clone, Tsunade inwardly cursed her luck. Suddenly, she felt a hand emerge from the ground, grabbing her ankle.
"Earth Release, Double Suicide Decapitation Jutsu."
A muffled voice rose from beneath the earth, and Tsunade felt a force pulling her down towards the ground.
"Come out now."
Tsunade knew that if Kakashi managed to pull her underground, she would lose any chance of victory. With a forceful lift of her leg, she yanked Kakashi's body out of the ground with her foot.
Kakashi's wide eyes revealed his surprise; his usually reliable Double Suicide Decapitation Jutsu had been violently countered by Tsunade.
He could understand if his opponent had reacted in time to evade capture, but this brute force method was beyond his comprehension – though, considering it was Tsunade, it somehow made sense.
Tsunade pulled Kakashi out, swung her leg and sent him flying. However, Kakashi managed a backflip in mid-air and landed steadily on the ground.
"Tsunade-sama, can we end this fight? If we continue, neither of us will have the time to determine a victor," Kakashi said, his voice tinged with fatigue.
"Besides, if we keep fighting, Konohagakure's Anbu or other ninjas will come, and that won't be good for you, Tsunade-sama."
"Enough talk. Either step aside or continue fighting me."
With that, Tsunade charged at Kakashi again.
Seeing Tsunade's state, Kakashi understood that she was merely venting her frustration on him.
And after such a long fight, with no one else from Konohagakure intervening, Kakashi knew Minato must have ordered them not to interfere, to avoid embarrassing Tsunade. After all, her actions were tantamount to deserting the village.
Yet, the absence of his brother and father puzzled Kakashi; he couldn't believe they hadn't heard his use of the Thunder Strike.
"Kakashi, you've been too lax lately. Let Tsunade give you a proper workout."
This is what Hatake Satoru thought when he saw that lightning strike. He already knew when Kakashi started fighting Tsunade.
But he didn't step in to help. First, Kakashi could handle Tsunade. Second, it was a good chance for Kakashi to train. Hatake Satoru couldn't stand seeing him so relaxed.
Though he might not realize it, Satoru was even more relaxed than Kakashi. But no one bothered him about it. That's the privilege of being the strongest.
(End of Chapter)