In a certain border area connecting the Land of Fire, Land of Water, and Land of Earth.
The weather was gloomy, as if the entire world was shrouded in gray, appearing particularly dark and melancholic.
However, Tōshirō's mood at this moment was even more somber than the hazy sky.
He hadn't slept for two days, traveling continuously.
But even so, he had only just arrived at his destination.
Before him lay a canyon, with steep and dangerous mountain walls on both sides, forming a natural barrier. This was the only way to enter this country.
This is the place...
Sweat streamed down Tōshirō's face, his expression grim.
He had fought a major battle with Kakuzu, and his chakra consumption was already immense. Coupled with continuous travel, he had no time to rest. Even someone as strong as Tōshirō, a perfect Jinchuriki, was nearing his limit.
This current state was Tōshirō's worst condition in recent years.
The Five-Tails' worried voice came from within him. "Tōshirō, you look very tired..."
Tōshirō's eyelids drooped. "It's nothing..."
As he spoke, Tōshirō, who was rushing, suddenly noticed a few figures in the canyon ahead. From a distance, even with just a silhouette, Tōshirō immediately recognized one of them.
"Tsunade—!"
Tōshirō's loud shout was filled with joy, dispelling the previous gloom, like the dawn breaking through darkness.
Seemingly hearing someone call her name, Tsunade, who was walking ahead, paused slightly and instinctively turned around.
The next second, a familiar figure, one too familiar, came into view.
"Tōshirō, what are you doing here?"
Suddenly seeing Tōshirō, Tsunade's expression was both happy and surprised.
Seeing Tsunade safe and sound, a huge weight was lifted from Tōshirō's heart.
"You haven't answered me. What are you doing here?" Tsunade asked, puzzled, pressing on, "And I remember you went to..."
Tōshirō's gaze fell on the masked Anbu member beside Tsunade. He chose not to explain, instead asking, "Are you here to represent Konoha in an alliance with Kirigakure and Iwagakure?"
Tsunade was a little confused. "How do you know that?"
Given the critical situation, Tōshirō didn't care about the presence of others and directly said, "Don't go. It's a trap."
Tsunade's expression momentarily wavered, her brows furrowed. "A trap?"
Tōshirō's expression was grim, and he affirmed, "Precisely."
Tsunade asked, "How do you know?"
Tōshirō fell silent for a moment.
He had unintentionally obtained the information through interrogation using his Sharingan.
Someone used his dark past to lure him out, specifically to separate him from Tsunade. Then, by assigning Tsunade a mission, they would trick her into an alliance, seizing the opportunity to kill her.
Tōshirō prided himself on his clean work, believing he left no incriminating evidence.
Unless someone had been monitoring him from the beginning.
Upon a little thought, he knew who it was.
Madara Uchiha...
Only this guy had the ability to use absolute force to compel Kakuzu to betray him.
Thinking this way, it was highly possible that this old man had anticipated that he would use his Sharingan to interrogate the target.
Although he didn't know how this guy orchestrated the whole thing, one thing was certain: during this process, Danzo most likely also intended to kill him.
While Hiruzen Sarutobi was cunning, he wouldn't be so deranged as to directly use Tsunade as bait.
Perhaps Hiruzen Sarutobi's injury back then was also intricately linked to Madara Uchiha, all to allow the extreme Danzo to take power and set up this scheme.
However, thankfully, Tsunade had not yet been captured. Tōshirō thought this with a hint of luck.
Facing Tsunade's persistent questions, Tōshirō couldn't come up with a good explanation for a moment and could only force out, "Let's put that aside for now. You come back to the village with me first."
Clearly, this was unacceptable to the Anbu member beside Tsunade. "Hey, Tōshirō, there's a limit to your jokes."
Tōshirō didn't even glance at the Anbu member, selectively ignoring him. His eyes were solely on Tsunade the entire time.
Tsunade fell silent, thinking seriously.
Tōshirō's behavior aroused strong dissatisfaction from the Anbu: "Tōshirō, you're too arrogant."
This time, Tōshirō reacted. His crimson eyes cast a sidelong glance, carrying a faint warning.
He was in no mood for jokes right now.
The Anbu ninja, glared at by that look, felt as if pierced by a sword. Bound by duty, he bravely met Tōshirō's chilling gaze.
"I understand..."
Tsunade looked up, a faint smile on her face. "Let's go back first."
Tōshirō opened his mouth, his expression brightening.
The Anbu ninja's face beneath his mask was filled with disbelief. "Lady Tsunade, are you really going to do that?"
Tsunade replied without hesitation, "Yes, I believe Tōshirō. He wouldn't lie to me."
Tōshirō felt a warmth in his heart. Nothing was more heartwarming than his girlfriend's unconditional trust, which even alleviated his tension.
The Anbu ninja still wanted to try to persuade her. "But, Lord Danzo..."
"I'll explain it to him."
Tōshirō saw Tsunade's sense of responsibility, and he nodded slightly, showing an approving look that said, "As expected of the woman I see myself with."
The Anbu ninja, unable to change Tsunade's mind, could only sigh helplessly.
Tsunade looked at Tōshirō, smiling sweetly. "Let's go back first..."
Tōshirō nodded. Just as he was about to move, he suddenly sensed something unusual in the air. Without thinking twice, he spread his arms and, with himself as the center, created a hemispherical snow dome, covering everyone around.
In an instant, a series of explosions erupted on the surface of the snow dome, creating a large amount of smoke that obscured visibility.
As the sounds died down and the smoke gradually dispersed, Tōshirō's gaze pierced through the blast-damaged snow dome, looking at the dense array of figures standing above the canyon. His face darkened.
Damn it, did the enemy arrive so fast?
Tōshirō's eyes were fixed on the front, holding his breath. "Tsunade, hide behind me. I'll get you through this encirclement."
Hearing this, Tsunade slowly walked behind Tōshirō.
With such a large number of enemies, and an unknown number of traps laid ahead, breaking through by conventional means was nothing short of a pipe dream.
So, only unconventional methods remained.
His thoughts raced. Tōshirō decided to use a Tailed Beast Bomb to clear a path, then transform into his Five-Tails form, taking Tsunade and the others to break through the encirclement.
This would consume a massive amount of chakra, making his already dwindling chakra reserves even worse.
Of course, "dwindling chakra" was relative to Tōshirō himself; compared to others, he still had several times more chakra than anyone else.
Tōshirō began to channel the Tailed Beast chakra within him, intending to enter Partial Tailed Beast state.
"Pfft."
A sudden pain from his back interrupted his entry into Tailed Beast state.
The "Tsunade" behind him, taking advantage of his complete lack of guard, had stabbed him in the back with a kunai.
Tōshirō's wide eyes were bloodshot. His body staggered a few steps forward, blood dripping.
He turned around, his face showing an expression of disbelief.
The "Tsunade" smirked sadistically.
If she continued to disguise herself, flaws would easily appear.
Tōshirō's eyes were bloodshot, gushing wildly with intense red light. "You're not Tsunade! Where is the real Tsunade?!"
(End of Chapter)
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