Haruto Saito was yanked up by his collar, his face filled with shock. His complexion quickly flushed red, not because of any emotional shift, but because his throat was being squeezed. Tsunade dragged him off the couch, lifting him into the air so that his feet no longer touched the ground.
A violent gust of wind lashed against Haruto's face. Tsunade, exuding an overwhelming aura, appeared like a terrifying witch straight out of myth, emerging from the depths of an abyss.
"Cough... Let... let go of me first..." Haruto barely managed to squeeze out the words from his throat. He felt like he was about to suffocate.
"You brat! You dare deceive me?!" Tsunade gritted her teeth, gripping Haruto's collar tightly, her face almost pressed against his, her expression looking as if she were about to devour him alive. "If you don't deliver this time, you're dead!"
"Let go first... I'm gonna die..." Haruto flailed his arms and kicked his legs. If Tsunade didn't release him soon, his Dead Bone Pulse: Dance of the Golden Amber would be ready to activate!
"Hmph!" Tsunade scoffed and threw Haruto back onto the couch. Then, with a single stomp—
Boom!
The wooden couch collapsed instantly, causing Haruto to experience a violent jolt.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Inside and outside the resting chamber, gusts of wind whipped through the air. White smoke billowed as figures suddenly materialized. They all maintained hand-seal stances, their eyes spinning with the three-tomoe Sharingan.
Elite Uchiha clan shinobi!
"Protect the young clan leader!"
"Be careful!"
The Uchiha clan members reacted as if facing a major threat. Several elite jounin leaped to Uchiha Fugaku's side, forming a protective barrier as they retreated. Other Uchiha shinobi who had rushed to the scene were all on high alert, their wary eyes locked onto Tsunade.
For Tsunade to unleash such a terrifying aura within the Konoha Police Force Headquarters—it was impossible not to suspect she was here to cause trouble!
Another shinobi suddenly appeared beside Uchiha Fugaku.
This person arrived so silently that there was almost no disturbance in the chakra flow. There had been no prior warning of his presence. His eyes were deep, his physique was sturdy, and his demeanor carried an air of authority. His facial features bore some resemblance to Uchiha Fugaku, though he was already approaching his forties.
Tsunade completely ignored the Uchiha shinobi who had suddenly appeared on high alert—she wasn't here to cause trouble.
"Tsunade, what do you think you're doing?" The imposing middle-aged man frowned as he spoke.
Tsunade was still glaring at Haruto, but upon hearing that voice, she turned around, immediately suppressing her aura. She lowered her head respectfully. "Lord Tokugawa!"
"Father," Uchiha Fugaku quickly interjected, speaking in a hushed but urgent tone. "Lady Tsunade has brought a special pardon decree from the Hokage. She's here to take Haruto Saito."
Uchiha Tokugawa!
The current head of the prestigious Uchiha Clan, one of the two most powerful clans in Konoha. The chief of the Konoha Police Force, the supreme commander of the law enforcement division. He was one of the most powerful men under the Hokage's rule, with strength shrouded in mystery. Many believed that he was the closest in power to Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.
Along with the Hyuga clan's head, who was the Intelligence Department Chief, and the Nara clan's head, who was the Captain of the Jounin Corps, he was one of the so-called "Three Giants of Konoha."
This was a man whom no one in Konoha—or even the entire ninja world—dared to underestimate.
Even as the most beloved disciple of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Tsunade wouldn't act recklessly before Uchiha Tokugawa. It wasn't just about their positions—on a personal level, Uchiha Tokugawa and Sarutobi Hiruzen were considered equals, even if their relationship was far from friendly.
Before Tokugawa, Tsunade was but a junior. So long as there was no direct conflict, she would maintain a respectful stance.
Of course, there was another reason she restrained herself—she knew she couldn't defeat Uchiha Tokugawa. She had immense respect for powerful individuals.
"Haruto Saito?" Uchiha Tokugawa's gaze shifted to the disheveled boy. Naturally, he knew who Haruto was. He had even made some arrangements concerning him. However, such matters were minor enough that all he had to do was issue orders for others to carry out. This was actually the first time he had seen Haruto in person.
Haruto was also observing him.
Neutral relationship.
Reputation: 57,929.
Clearly, a portion of Uchiha Tokugawa's reputation stemmed from his position, making it impossible for Haruto to gauge his true strength through his reputation score alone.
"Don't cause a commotion here," Uchiha Tokugawa said, shifting his gaze back to Tsunade. He could tell that Tsunade's near-berserk state wasn't directed at the Police Force or the Uchiha clan—but at Haruto.
He then glanced around the room and said indifferently, "This matter doesn't concern the rest of you. Disperse."
"Yes, Clan Leader!" The surrounding Uchiha shinobi responded in unison before quickly retreating.
Tokugawa cast one last look at his son, Uchiha Fugaku, patted his shoulder, and then disappeared without a trace.
"You little brat! You're coming with me!" Tsunade snarled, vanishing in a blur as she grabbed Haruto and disappeared from the room.
—
Konoha's bustling commercial district.
Atop a thirteen-story tower, Tsunade and Haruto reappeared out of thin air.
Haruto was completely disoriented. His entire body felt off.
Tsunade hadn't used the Body Flicker Technique—she had simply moved at such an incredible speed that it was impossible to see clearly. Being dragged along at that velocity made Haruto feel like he had motion sickness.
"Whoa! Haruto-san, we meet again! Hahaha!" Before Haruto could fully regain his senses, he felt a tight grip around his neck. Jiraiya's annoyingly loud voice rang in his ears.
Looking up, Haruto saw not only Jiraiya but also Orochimaru, leaning against the railing with his arms crossed, observing him with a faint smirk.
An overwhelming sense of doom washed over Haruto.
The Legendary Sannin were all gathered here... and they didn't seem to have good intentions!
"Alright, brat, speak up! What jutsu do you want to learn? I'll teach you!" Tsunade's voice was laced with menace as she cracked her knuckles loudly.
"Uh..." Haruto now understood why Tsunade was so furious.
"Hahaha! Haruto-san!" Jiraiya burst into laughter, smacking Haruto's shoulder. "Before you die, how about selling me your wager? 50,000 ryo—no more!"
Jiraiya was trying to take advantage of the situation!
"Stay out of this!"
Boom!
A heavy punch sent Jiraiya flying. He tumbled across the rooftop before finally coming to a stop, coughing up blood.
Tsunade calmly retracted her fist.
Haruto twitched.
She was this brutal to her own comrades?! What a terrifying temper!
"Choose, brat!" Tsunade glared at him. "If you really mastered the Chakra Scalpel in a single day, then your talent is monstrous! Pick another jutsu—I'll teach you, and you must master it within a day! Now choose!"
Tsunade was being sarcastic. She didn't believe in Haruto's supposed talent at all.
She felt deceived.
And she was going to expose him.