Clang!
The sound of metal clashing filled the air.
Shishou, grasping the Kusanagi Sword, shielded Tsunade behind him, blocking the Third Hokage's adamantine staff with a single strike.
"Kusanagi Sword, is it?" Enma, the Monkey King, who had transformed into the adamantine staff, opened an eye to look at Shishou. "No wonder it can cause me pain despite my adamantine body."
"I'll leave you two to it," Tsunade said, her face flushed as she glanced at Shishou's back before leaping to the side. The image of Shishou instinctively stepping in front of her replayed in her mind, making her heart race and her face redden.
Seeing Tsunade move aside, the Third Hokage retracted his staff, planting it by his side. He threw a kunai and formed a series of hand signs.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Shuriken!"
Dozens of shuriken multiplied in front of the Third Hokage, quickly forming a dense barrage. He followed up with another set of hand signs, adding an invisible Wind Release to the shuriken, causing them to whistle as they flew.
Clang, clang, clang...
Shishou's Sharingan, hidden beneath his contact lenses, activated. His Kusanagi Sword became a blur as he deflected every incoming shuriken.
Seeing that his Shadow Clone Shuriken technique was ineffective, the Third Hokage narrowed his eyes and formed more hand signs.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
Pressing his hands to the ground, a dragon's head made of earth rose beside him.
"Combination Technique: Earth Dragon Flame!"
Another set of hand signs, and the Third Hokage breathed out a stream of fire, merging it with the Earth Dragon Bullet, sending the attack toward Shishou.
Watching the Third Hokage's complex jutsu, Shishou frowned and dodged continuously. With his strength, even if the Third Hokage were in his prime, he wouldn't pose a significant threat. But Shishou wasn't sure how to handle the situation without embarrassing the Third Hokage.
He pondered whether to defeat the Third Hokage instantly or to let the battle go on for a few moves before ending it.
Perhaps sensing Shishou's dilemma, Tsunade shook her head subtly from afar.
Starting with Mokuton techniques, Tsunade feared Shishou might humiliate her teacher by defeating him too quickly.
With his "wife's" directive, Shishou had no choice but to comply.
"Lord Third Hokage, you truly are a master of ninjutsu. Such powerful techniques—I'm impressed!" Shishou dodged while praising the Third Hokage, causing Tsunade to roll her eyes from a distance.
To others, it sounded like Shishou was complimenting the Third Hokage. But to Tsunade, who knew Shishou's true strength, it sounded like he was mocking her teacher.
"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
Forming hand signs, Shishou unleashed a massive column of water from his mouth, instantly creating a huge wave that surged toward the Third Hokage.
"Such a large-scale Water Release! This guy is impressive," Might Guy exclaimed, giving Shishou a thumbs-up as he and the others, including Kakashi and Kurenai, jumped to higher ground to avoid the water.
Kurenai watched Shishou with increasing curiosity. His voice and mannerisms seemed oddly familiar to her.
Have I met this person before? Kurenai wondered.
Seeing the large-scale Water Release, the Third Hokage narrowed his eyes.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A tall earth wall rose in front of the Third Hokage, blocking the incoming wave.
"Water Release: Lightning Water Dragon Bullet!"
Using the water created by Shishou, the Third Hokage formed a massive lightning-charged water dragon and sent it toward Shishou.
"Using my own jutsu against me, huh? Not bad, Third Hokage!" Shishou praised while forming hand signs.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
A dragon-like flame erupted from Shishou's mouth, meeting the Third Hokage's Lightning Water Dragon Bullet head-on.
Hiss!
The collision of water and fire produced a dense fog that enveloped Shishou, the Third Hokage, and everyone nearby.
Tsunade frowned as the fog surrounded her. Something about this fog felt different from the typical result of Water and Fire Release clashing.
Suddenly, she sensed someone beside her and turned to find Shishou.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't use the Flying Thunder God technique?"
"And this fog, did you create it?"
Tsunade glared at Shishou.
"That's what the old man said, not me," Shishou replied, pulling Tsunade into his arms and kissing her. "This fog is the Hidden Mist Technique from Kirigakure."
Soft and warm, melts at touch...
Taking advantage of the situation, Shishou deepened the kiss, knowing the presence of the Third Hokage and others would prevent Tsunade from reacting too harshly.
Otherwise, who knew when he'd get another chance like this?
"Mmm..."
Caught off guard, Tsunade's eyes widened. Her fists clenched, ready to pummel Shishou, but the thought of the others nearby made her hesitate.
The fog might block sight, but not sound...
In her moment of indecision, Tsunade found herself gradually responding to Shishou's kiss, her fists alternately tightening and relaxing.
Eventually, she wrapped her arms around Shishou's neck, returning his kiss passionately.
Meanwhile, the Third Hokage remained vigilant, watching for any surprise attacks from Shishou.
After a minute with no sign of an attack, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and formed hand signs.
"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"
A strong wind blew away the fog, gradually revealing the surroundings.
Sensing the wind, Tsunade jolted and quickly pushed Shishou away.
Bam!
Seeing Shishou trying to continue, Tsunade's expression twitched. She punched him, sending him flying.
Blushing deeply, Tsunade quickly hid behind a large tree.
Just as she finished, the Third Hokage's wind jutsu reached her position, revealing Shishou hanging from a tree, coughing up blood.
Seeing this, the Third Hokage, along with Kakashi, Kurenai, and Guy, were all stunned, clearly unaware of what had just happened.
This woman packs a punch!
Shishou marveled at the fist-shaped dent in his chest.
Seeing the others' puzzled looks, Shishou jumped down, unaffected, and praised the Third Hokage with a straight face.
"Lord Third Hokage, your Wind Release is truly formidable."
"You're the first!"
"The first to injure me this badly."
Shishou emphasized "injure me this badly," making Tsunade, hiding behind the tree, clench her fists in anger.
The Third Hokage looked at Shishou strangely. His Gale Palm was powerful but not lethal enough to cause such injury.
What just happened? The Third Hokage wondered.