It had been five days since Jiraiya left Konohagakure Village, and there had been no word from him. If not for Minato not feeling any chakra from the Flying Thunder God Kunai, he might have thought Jiraiya had already met with misfortune. Tsunade would ask about Jiraiya's situation every day.
She had tried several times to sneak out of Konohagakure Village to look for Jiraiya, but each time she was stopped. Only a ninja capable of stopping Tsunade could do so, which is why Minato entrusted this important task to his only disciple, Hatake Kakashi. Naruto's Senjutsu training was entirely left to the toads of Mount Myoboku.
Kakashi initially thought Minato called him back for an important mission, but when he learned he was to monitor Tsunade, he had only one thing to say in his heart: "Let me say thank you, for with you, all seasons are warmed."
Of course, this was just what Kakashi thought to himself, not daring to say it out loud in front of Minato.
Kakashi's strength was indeed formidable, but stopping Tsunade required his utmost effort, or else a single punch from her could lay him up in bed for a month or more.
Yet, this was a mission given by both the Hokage and his teacher, and he had no choice but to complete it. Although his power was not far behind Minato's, Kakashi held a deep respect for Minato, his teacher for a day and father for life.
"Kakashi, you bastard."
After being stopped by Kakashi on another dark night, Tsunade cursed at him and swung a punch at his face.
However, Kakashi narrowly dodged it using the Body Flicker Jutsu.
"I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama, I don't want to do this either, but this is the task my master has given me. Please don't make it difficult for me," Kakashi said, his gaze heavy, wary of a sudden attack from Tsunade.
"Step aside, or don't blame me for being rude."
"If you insist on attacking, Tsunade-sama, then I will have to boldly ask for a few pointers," Kakashi said, his whole body on alert.
"Then prepare to lie in bed for a few months."
With that, Tsunade used the Body Flicker Jutsu to appear in front of Kakashi and threw a punch.
"So fast."
Kakashi inwardly exclaimed at Tsunade's speed, his eyes widening as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. The powerful strike, backed by monstrous strength, sent Kakashi flying dozens of meters away.
At the moment of impact between his arms and Tsunade's fist, Kakashi clearly heard a 'crack' from his arm, indicating a fracture if nothing else.
"As expected of Tsunade-sama."
Kakashi thought to himself. Even though he had preemptively protected his arm with chakra, it still broke. However, this was the result of Tsunade pulling her punch at the last moment; otherwise, Kakashi's injuries would have been more than just a broken arm.
With his left arm broken, Kakashi quickly used medical Ninjutsu to set the bone. For such simple medical Ninjutsu, Kakashi was still quite skilled.
Otherwise, facing an enraged Tsunade with only one arm would be like looking for death in a lantern-lit toilet.
Having been sent flying dozens of meters, Kakashi quickly reappeared in front of her, and the arm that had just been broken showed only a faint mark, with no visible injury remaining.
"Move aside, Kakashi. Do you really want to take another punch from me? Next time, I won't hold back."
Tsunade spoke with a furrowed brow, acknowledging her disadvantage in speed.
If Kakashi persisted in his relentless pursuit, her plan to sneak away would end in failure.
Under normal circumstances, Tsunade would be allowed to leave the village, given her status as the granddaughter of the First Hokage and the disciple of the Third. She held a high position within the village.
However, due to the special circumstances and to fulfill a promise to Jiraiya-sensei, Minato could not allow Tsunade to leave the village unless Jiraiya returned safely.
"I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama, but if that's the case, I must offend you."
After speaking, Kakashi clenched his hand, and a thunder blade appeared in his grasp. He also lifted the forehead protector covering his left eye, revealing the crimson Sharingan.
Seeing this, Tsunade's expression became grave. She had fully witnessed the power of Kakashi's thunder blade in his previous battle with Naruto and the others.
"Thunder Strike."
Facing Tsunade, Kakashi had to strike first. His form seemed to turn into silver lightning, appearing before Tsunade in a flash. As Kakashi's blade came down, a bolt of lightning struck down from the sky towards Tsunade.
Tsunade's reaction was swift; a chakra cloak appeared around her, much like the Raikage's Lightning Release Armor, and she took Kakashi's strike head-on.
At home, ready to rest, Minato heard the thunder outside and looked through the window to see several blue lightning bolts falling outside the village.
"What's happening, Minato?"
Kushina sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes, and asked Minato.
"It's nothing, go back to sleep."
With that, Minato embraced Kushina and lay back down.
"You've worked hard, Kakashi."
Hatake Sakumo, who had been resting, was also awakened by the sound of the thunder.
"Thunder Strike? Is Kakashi fighting a formidable opponent?"
But after a moment, Sakumo turned over and went back to sleep, trusting in Kakashi's strength to face any enemy without falling behind, especially since they were still within Konohagakure's territory.
If Kakashi knew that both his teacher and father were aware of the battle and didn't come to help, one wonders if he would be frustrated to the point of spitting blood.
"To have mastered the Hatake sword technique to such an extent. You've probably surpassed Sakumo-senpai, haven't you?"
Tsunade, who took the strike head-on, spoke with discomfort, feeling the severe internal impact of the attack.
(End of Chapter)