"You want me to apologize?"
"Do you even deserve that?"
The woman's mocking laugh rang out, and her words only fueled the anger further.
"This woman is seriously arrogant. I'm actually starting to wish I could punch her."
"Guess the Shadow of Akatsuki really has nerves of steel... or maybe he's just a freaking turtle?"
"If they don't start fighting soon, this is gonna get boring."
The crowd was practically begging for a brawl, hoping things would blow up any second.
But how could they understand just how traumatized Yahiko was?
If he'd known it'd come to this, he'd have let someone else become the Shadow of Akatsuki long ago.
"Too scared to show your face? Hiding behind masks like a bunch of cowards."
"You're really that ugly to look at?"
After some hesitation, Yahiko finally muttered those tame words under his breath.
Seeing him so clearly holding back, Nagato and the others barely managed to keep their laughter in check.
Saying too much could come back to bite him later, while saying too little didn't seem threatening at all.
Being a leader wasn't easy!
"What makes you think I'm ugly?"
"I'm afraid taking off my mask might scare you to death."
The woman adjusted her sitting posture casually, crossing her legs with ease as she looked completely relaxed.
"Heh… I'd really love to see who you are then."
"You came here causing trouble in Akatsuki Village today—you're going to pay for it."
"You came in walking, you're leaving on your knees."
After a few more exchanges, Yahiko finally figured it out.
This must be their teacher's doing. Talk about perfect timing—like someone knew exactly what we needed.
Without another word, he raised his hand and hurled three kunai.
"They're finally fighting! They're actually fighting!"
"Is that supposed to be an attack with kunai?"
"I took my damn pants off for this?!"
The crowd groaned in disappointment. Seriously, who uses kunai like that in a real fight?
With sharp whistling sounds, the three kunai flew forward in a triangular formation, targeting one woman and two men.
Thud-thud-thud~
Easily dodged, the kunai embedded themselves into the wooden wall behind them with loud thuds.
But Yahiko had already accomplished what he wanted.
All three masks were sliced open and fell from the trio's faces.
Even the densest observer could tell that was deliberate.
Wanna see? Fine—you asked for it.
"Fourth Hokage of Konoha, Tsunade."
"A disciple of the God of the Ninja World, Minato Namikaze."
"The grandson of the First Hokage, Nawaki."
The audience was full of ninja from every nation. It didn't take long before the trio's identities were uncovered, instantly sparking chaos.
Tsunade alone was already legendary across the Ninja World as the current Hokage.
Fewer people recognized Minato and Nawaki, but eventually, they were figured out too.
Their notable actions during the Second Shinobi World War and countless missions since had given them a decent reputation in the ninja world.
"I always heard the Hokage loves gambling—I thought it was just a rumor."
"Oh yeah? She's not just a gambler—she's Konoha's famous mark."
"What do you mean?"
"She loses every bet she makes—how is that not the definition of a mark?"
The crowd whispered among themselves, but Tsunade heard every word.
Talking behind her back was one thing—but hearing it to her face made her blood boil.
"Shut up! No one will mistake you for mute if you stay quiet!"
Her fierce presence shut almost everyone up in an instant.
It wasn't until the pressure hit them head-on that they finally understood its weight.
The Hokage title wasn't just ceremonial; they were all well aware of Tsunade's might.
She was undeniably at Kage level—and on top of that, she was a Jinchūriki. Few across the entire Ninja World stood a chance against her.
And don't even get started on the two behind her—those two weren't easy targets either.
Put bluntly, the three of them alone could conquer a small nation.
If they beat him here, where would he even turn for justice?
Heck, they might even kill him—and no one would so much as blink.
After all, she had that man watching her back in Konoha. Otherwise, how could the mighty Hokage dare leave the village so easily?
Their own Kage wouldn't dare leave the village so lightly, let alone come all the way here just for some gambling fun.
"Hokage actually resorting to extortion?"
Yahiko's expression darkened, tension clearly evident in his eyes.
His acting was flawless.
"The Akatsuki Shadow is backing down."
"Can you blame him? Would you still be so resolute if you were standing there?"
"Exactly. That's Konoha we're talking about."
"When you can't fight, talking sense is your only option."
"Pfft. So dull."
The onlookers already saw how this would end.
The Akatsuki Village respectfully offered a huge sum of money and prepared to personally escort Tsunade and her group out of the Land of Rain.
"Extortion? Hahahaha~"
"If you insist on seeing it that way, sure."
"Cut the chatter—hand over the cash already."
Tsunade laughed arrogantly, flawlessly embodying the villain preying on the weak.
Minato and Nawaki stood beside her like statues—expressionless and unmoving.
Cold and silent, like professional bodyguards.
"What money? You're dreaming."
"Just because you're the Hokage with Konoha behind you means we should let you walk all over us?"
Yahiko stepped forward, his words surprising the crowd watching from the sidelines.
"Tsk. Seems we've got ourselves a tough nut to crack."
"Just hope you're not bluffing."
"Now things are getting interesting again."
The spectators noticed the situation wasn't unfolding as expected, and their interest quickly returned.
"What? You wanna test me?"
"I doubt you've got what it takes."
"My patience is limited—three minutes to think."
"If you don't hand over the cash by then, I'll tear this Akatsuki Village apart myself."
With a single palm strike, Tsunade shattered the chair beneath her.
She rose abruptly, radiating overwhelming pressure.
This chapter isn't finished yet!
Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade – Please add to bookmarks:
"Go ahead and try tearing it apart. You really think I'm scared of you?"
"Even if it were Kawaki Hatake himself showing up today—we wouldn't give him a single copper!"
"And listen—I'm not only making you apologize today, I'm also giving you a lesson."
"So you remember never to act wild around Akatsuki Village again."
Yahiko took an unusually firm stance, leaving no room for compromise whatsoever.
Hearing Yahiko speak like that, not only were the bystanders shocked, even Nagato and the others felt a chill run through their spines.
Big bro, are you seriously going all in on this performance?
If the teacher really showed up, you'd be on your knees singing "I Surrender" without hesitation.
Kakuzu even darted his gaze nervously around, fearing Kawaki's shadow might materialize anywhere nearby.
It was clear he had developed a genuine mental complex regarding Kawaki.
"Talk big much?"
"Do his parents even know how fearless this Akatsuki Shadow is?"
"A young calf that doesn't fear tigers—starting a tiny ninja village and thinking he's all that."
The onlookers scoffed — you're only talking tough because Kawaki Hatake isn't here right now.
You can say that, but honestly, it's kind of scary just hearing it.
If Kawaki actually showed up and you still talked like that, then we'd admit you've got guts.
Right now, those words are nothing but attention-seeking bravado.
"You've got guts too. You really think my teacher/brother-in-law even needs to deal with you himself?"
Minato and Nawaki could no longer hold back and stepped forward past Tsunade.
Who knew Yahiko was such a good actor?
"And just who do you two think you are? Scram."
Yahiko threw himself fully into the act and wasn't pulling any punches with Minato and Nawaki.
He had already made up his mind — if they wanted to punch him later to blow off steam, so be it.
His top priority now was to nail this performance.
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