Due to the relentless intensity of battle, Tsunade's Transformation Technique had long since worn off, revealing her true appearance.
Her golden-blonde hair, usually tied neatly, now cascaded in wild disarray over her shoulders, matted with dirt and blood. Her flawless yet battered face had turned deathly pale from the excessive blood loss, and her ample chest heaved with labored breathing. The numerous cuts and bruises on her body lent her an eerie, almost tragic beauty—one that contrasted sharply with the ruthless battlefield around her.
However, Hanzō of the Salamander was completely indifferent to Tsunade's striking appearance.
He was a man who had long abandoned sentimentality. His philosophy was absolute: there is no place for emotion in the path of a true warrior.
Without hesitation, the blade of Fei Lian, his signature scythe, gleamed menacingly in the dim battlefield light as it sliced through the air with terrifying precision, aimed directly at Tsunade's exposed throat.
The attack was swift, a textbook execution of Iaidō, the instant-draw sword technique. Though seemingly simple, this decapitation strike was executed with a mastery that made evasion all but impossible.
Tsunade, already severely injured, had no time to react.
Is this how I die?
Her once-unshakable will wavered for the first time. Tsunade clenched her teeth, trying to think of any remaining trump cards she could use.
Unlike her future self, who would eventually master the Strength of a Hundred Seal, gaining near-limitless regeneration, she had not yet reached that level.
At this stage, she was more of a frontline medic-nin—a warrior who could fight, but not indefinitely. She lacked the durability to withstand endless onslaughts, and at this moment, her options were grimly limited.
With only one usable hand, she needed time to summon Katsuyu, but Hanzō's relentless attack made that impossible.
For the first time in her life, Tsunade felt the despair of imminent death.
Her beautiful hazel eyes dimmed with resignation as she instinctively closed them—
CLANG!!!
A sudden, deafening clash of metal on metal rang through the battlefield.
Tsunade's eyes shot open, her breath catching in her throat.
Before her, a broad-shouldered figure stood tall, his back facing her, blocking the fatal blow that should have taken her life.
The shock reverberated through the battlefield.
The scythe that had never failed Hanzō—the weapon that had cut down countless enemies without resistance—was forcefully knocked away from his grip.
The legendary "Demigod of the Shinobi World" took a step back, his gaze darkening with fury.
"What…?"
Tsunade's lips parted slightly in disbelief.
She never expected this man—a mere acquaintance—to be the one who would appear in her most desperate moment.
The one who had intervened was none other than Mizuki Ryosuke.
Despite the chaos surrounding them, Tsunade found herself staring at his strong, unyielding back, and for reasons unknown, her heart pounded violently in her chest.
Hanzō, caught off guard, didn't bother retrieving his weapon immediately. Instead, he turned his cold gaze toward the man who had interfered with his kill.
"…How dare you…"
Mizuki Ryosuke, however, remained calm. He cast a quick glance at Tsunade, assessing her injuries, then turned his focus back to Hanzō.
At the same time, dozens of elite Rain Shinobi had already surrounded them, ensuring their prey would not escape.
Though it lasted only a few seconds, the moment felt like an eternity to Tsunade. Her pale cheeks flushed involuntarily as she kept staring at Ryosuke's face.
Why is my heart beating so fast…?
She had been in countless life-and-death situations before, yet this moment felt different.
Meanwhile, Ryosuke's focus was solely on the battle. He wielded his ice-forged spear with a measured grip, meeting Hanzō's fiery gaze without hesitation.
The legendary leader of Amegakure, a man feared throughout the shinobi world, was visibly seething.
To have an ally suddenly betray him—in the middle of combat—was an insult beyond tolerance.
Yet Ryosuke remained composed. He knew exactly what he was doing.
"This woman cannot die here."
His voice, calm yet firm, reached Hanzō's mind through a secret communication technique.
"She is Senju Tsunade, the granddaughter of Senju Hashirama, the First Hokage. If she dies in Amegakure, the consequences will be severe."
The words struck like lightning.
Hanzō's eyes widened slightly.
Tsunade was a Senju princess?!
For the first time, Hanzō reevaluated the situation.
Though Rain Shinobi and Konoha were already on the brink of war, outright killing the direct descendant of Hashirama Senju would bring down the full wrath of the Hidden Leaf upon Amegakure.
His original battle strategy had been methodical—he planned to start his conquest by weakening smaller villages first before confronting the might of Konoha. But if he were to kill Tsunade now, he would be skipping ahead to a direct confrontation with the strongest village far too soon.
The risks were undeniable.
Mizuki Ryosuke had read Hanzō's thoughts perfectly.
Ryosuke's message continued:
"If you agree to my terms, attack me first with your Iaidō strike when the battle resumes. I will handle the rest."
Hanzō narrowed his eyes at Ryosuke.
He wasn't entirely convinced yet, but his anger had cooled just enough for reason to take hold.
From an outsider's perspective, the two men were locked in an intense staredown, as if mentally measuring each other's strength.
Finally, Hanzō made his move.
With a sharp jerk of the chain, Fei Lian, the scythe that had been knocked away, returned to his grasp.
He wasted no time.
Without warning, he launched a blistering Iaidō slash straight at Mizuki Ryosuke.
A powerful shockwave exploded from the sheer speed and force of the attack.
Tsunade gasped as she watched the deadly blade race toward Ryosuke's throat.
But in Ryosuke's eyes, a knowing glint flashed.
He had gotten the response he needed.
Hanzō had agreed.
Now, the "battle between the demigod and the betrayer" was about to begin—one that would decide the fate of Senju Tsunade in the hidden rain.
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