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....
Tsunade cracked her knuckles, making a crisp popping sound.
Yes, it was her fault for not paying her debts. But putting the facts aside, wasn't the underworld debt collector at fault for hiring a bounty ninja of the "Seven Ninja Swordsmen" caliber to collect a debt from her?
The underworld boss was just being owed some money. If a fight broke out, an average ninja could very likely lose their life here.
"L-Lady Tsunade, what should we do?" Shizune asked nervously.
"What should we do? Naturally, we should eliminate evil for the people," Tsunade replied.
"?"
"Hoshigaki Kisame, it's that woman right in front of you! Break her limbs for me!" the underworld boss shouted excitedly, pointing at Tsunade. His gaze toward her was anything but pure.
His eyes were full of greed-not like a creditor meeting a debtor, but like a starving man eyeing a piece of delicious meat.
Kisame noticed the underworld boss's lecherous gaze and frowned. "Taking her down is not a problem, but she looks like a total pauper. Are you sure you can pay me half the debt amount after I deal with her?"
"Of course! Even if she doesn't have money on her, I'll pay you out of my own pocket!"
"But on the condition that you break her limbs for me. I want to drag her back as a slave!"
Such vulgar words!
Kisame's frown deepened. He took a deep breath and said nothing more, turning to look at the blonde woman not far away, whose face seemed somewhat familiar.
Not repaying debts?
She seemed to fall into Kisame's "can kill" category. But the girl beside her, probably around fourteen or fifteen years old, still needed her care-probably.
In summary, the blonde woman fell into the "cannot kill because she has responsibilities" category.
As for the underworld boss's commission... if he eliminated the one who issued the commission, he'd get the money and wouldn't violate his own four principles-a win-win situation.
"Hoshigaki Kisame?"
Hearing the conversation between the two, Tsunade became alert.
Since the current Hidden Mist and Konoha were allies, the Mist Village's wanted posters were naturally displayed within the Land of Fire.
This was known as the "Joint Anbu Inspection of the Two Villages" and the "Extradition Treaty"...
Once, after waking up from a drunken stupor in a tavern, Tsunade happened to hear about the bounty on Hoshigaki Kisame.
Hoshigaki Kisame's shark head was worth 35 million ryō; capturing him alive was worth 40 million ryō. If she brought him back to Konoha...
Tsunade rolled up her sleeves, her eyes gradually showing excitement.
She wasn't particularly interested in money, nor did she care for being a bounty hunter.
But as the saying goes, "A traveler nearing home feels timid." A wanderer who hasn't returned home for a long time can't go back empty-handed, right? Hoshigaki Kisame could be her gift upon returning home.
"Kisame, what are you waiting for?! Go catch Tsunade for me!" the underworld boss shouted.
"Wait, Tsunade? Did you say she's Tsunade?" Kisame paused.
No wonder the blonde woman in front of him felt oddly familiar; she was Tsunade of the Legendary Sannin, whom he had seen in Anbu intelligence reports.
Because the woman before him had a strong gambler's aura and wasn't wearing a ninja headband, Kisame hadn't recognized her at first.
Similarly, after learning her identity, Kisame became even more excited.
As everyone knows, ninjas earn their titles through their own efforts.
In the ninja world, there is no authoritative organization to define a ninja's strength. But a ninja with a title is certainly not weak!
If we were to quantify a ninja's strength, ranging from levels 1 to 100, then titled ninjas would be the pinnacle of the ninja world at levels 91 to 99!
As for what level 100 is above titled ninjas... Kisame believed it was Konoha's First Hokage.
Now, the granddaughter of the First Hokage stood before him; using her as a stepping stone to earn his own title couldn't be more appropriate.
The title of the "Legendary Sannin" was earned by battling evenly against "Hanzo the Salamander." Although it's hard to say who made whom famous, the fact remains.
Currently, a title for himself, Kisame, was also quietly circulating in the ninja world-"The Tailed Beast Without a Tail."
It sounded arrogant, but Kisame didn't like this title.
First, because he owed it to Samehada; second, because there were a full nine others who were openly stronger than him.
Hoshigaki Kisame felt that his ninja skills had reached their peak, and it was time to wield his blade against the "titled ninjas" of the ninja world.
He slowly swung his large sword, leveling it in the air and aiming it at Tsunade, greedily licking his lips. "Today, when I defeat you, the ninja world will spread a title belonging to me, Kisame."
"Wonderful, you even pick your own title," Tsunade smirked, mimicking the way Gojo Kaigetsu spoke in her memory.
It seemed this time, they both had reasons they couldn't afford to lose.
A great battle was about to erupt-!
Shizune and the underworld boss tacitly retreated to the side to avoid being caught in the aftermath of the clash between these powerful individuals.
Kisame held his sword aloft, not minding the weight, and step by step closed the distance between himself and Tsunade.
"People can't breathe underwater, but the increasing pressure inside the body stimulates the respiratory center to demand air, causing extreme discomfort."
"Because it's underwater, a person's consciousness controls the body not to breathe. But when they really can't hold it anymore, instinct overrides consciousness, and they try to breathe underwater."
"The mouth and nose will inhale a large amount of water, triggering related reflexes. The body enters a state of extreme hypoxia; this is the most painful stage for a drowning person."
"Consciousness gradually collapses; the brain begins to shut down."
"Finally, your pain disappears, but the most basic senses remain. You'll feel your body becoming light, thinking you're floating in the air, and your brain automatically replays the happiest moments of your life."
"The human body is fascinating, isn't it?"
"Tsunade of Konoha, I, Hoshigaki Kisame, will use the grandest Water Release jutsu to give you a near-death experience."
"But don't worry; I won't kill you or break your limbs to hand you over to the underworld boss because you have the responsibility of taking care of that little girl."
"???"
Tsunade squeezed her fist with a puzzled expression.
Had she been out of touch with the dangerous yet captivating ninja world for too long? She felt she couldn't keep up with the current state of the ninja world.
Tsunade didn't know Hoshigaki Kisame.
Her stereotype of Hidden Mist ninjas was that they were bloody, cruel killing machines.
As a wielder of a legendary sword, even if he was a rogue ninja, he should be the killing machine among killing machines-the ultimate villain devoid of humanity.
But listen to what Hoshigaki Kisame just said?
Because Shizune was beside her and needed her care, he wouldn't kill her? Not to mention how many rounds Kisame could last under her Iron Fist, wasn't this a bit too benevolent?
Right now, the two of them were in a life-and-death ninja duel!
Not to mention Hidden Mist ninjas-even Konoha ninjas, who are inherently kind, would be ready to eliminate all threats at this point, right?
Had she found a savior among villains?
What had he experienced to create such a huge contrast with her stereotypical image of the "Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist"?
Tsunade could only think that it was hard to say.
"Although I don't know what you've been through, there are some things you've misunderstood."
"Let me make it clear: our roles and identities are not as you imagine. From my perspective, you're the one who needs mercy."
"Fight!"
Hoshigaki Kisame took the lead. Since this was to prove himself, he didn't plan to use the Great Sword Samehada.
He clapped his hands and quickly formed seals:
"Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
"Water Release: Giant Shark Bullet Technique!"
"Water Release: Water Prison Technique!"
Although Kisame's thinking had gradually become more introspective due to his self-reflection, he didn't hold back at all during combat.
He knew that mercy toward the enemy was something to consider after the battle; during the fight, even a lion uses all its strength to catch a rabbit!
So he didn't hold back at all, fully unleashing his masterful combat skills, starting off with a full barrage of powerful Water Release jutsu.
But unfortunately.
Hoshigaki Kisame encountered the currently furious, reigning taijutsu top master of the ninja world-Senju Tsunade!
Facing the deadly Water Release jutsu roaring toward her, Tsunade remained unflustered.
Deeply inheriting her grandfather's essence, Tsunade clapped her hands and called out:
"Monster Strength!"
Then, raising her fair and tender hands-which Gojo Kaigetsu regarded as treasures, enough to make him blush-she casually swung a punch.
...
"Normal Punch!"
"Consecutive Normal Punches!"
"Serious Punch!"
"Deliberate Blast Punch!"
K.O
...
Tsunade's battles have always been plain and unadorned, even a bit dull.
If fists didn't work, then she'd use the "Heavenly Foot of Pain." Whether against enemies or Gojo Kaigetsu, it's equally effective.
In short, she focuses on overpowering all ninjutsu with sheer force.
After several exchanges, when the aftermath of the Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave dissipated...
The underworld boss peeked out from a distant corner, looking expectantly toward the center of the battlefield.
"Did he win?"
As the water receded, it revealed the two people at the center.
Hoshigaki Kisame lay collapsed on the ground, weakly coughing up water:
"I couldn't make Lady Tsunade use her full strength; I apologize for that."
"My ninja way ends here..."
...
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