A few minutes later, Akaba had just used the Substitution Technique to sneak back into the group of three.
"Perfect timing," Tsunade said with a calm tone.
"Eh?"
Erika looked completely puzzled, not understanding what was going on.
Akaba scratched his head with a smirk, playing dumb. "What're you talking about?"
"Heh."
Tsunade let out a short, mocking laugh and ignored him.
Akaba subtly touched his nose, trying to hide his nervousness.
Did they recognize the Multiple Shadow Clones?
According to the memories he received from the clone, everything should have gone smoothly without any mistakes. He could only think of one culprit—Mito Uzumaki had ratted him out again.
"Ahem, let's get moving. The closing ceremony's starting soon."
Akaba forced himself to sound casual as he urged them forward.
"Hehehe."
Tsunade sneered mockingly before turning around and heading toward the viewing platform.
"So where are we going next?"
Erika was beginning to grasp part of the situation, but she had no interest in getting involved in ninja affairs. All she cared about was finding more fun places to visit.
"Go where? It's time to go home already."
Tsunade replied with obvious impatience.
"Already going back?"
Erika's eyes darted craftily. She was already plotting her escape—she hadn't had nearly enough fun yet.
However—
The moment Erika turned, she saw the one person she feared most: Tsunade. She screamed at once.
If this girl managed to run off, the entire venue would likely descend into chaos.
"You actually dared to use violence on me! Don't you know I'm the princess of the Land of Fire!"
Erika shouted in anger.
"Oh please," Tsunade waved dismissively. "Like everyone here isn't some kind of princess. Come on."
She grabbed Erika's hand and dragged her toward the viewing platform.
It had been long enough—the argument upstairs should've ended by now.
"Nice job!"
Akaba silently gave an internal thumbs-up. It took every ounce of patience to make it this far. There was no way he'd let her slip away now.
Truthfully, he had even prepared Genjutsu—if she tried escaping, he'd use illusion magic to pull her back. Using Genjutsu on ordinary people was effortless for him.
"Now that I think about it... thank goodness Jiraiya doesn't have abilities like that."
Akaba muttered inwardly.
"This isn't the way to the Stand!"
After walking a bit, Erika realized the path was growing narrower.
"It's a shortcut."
Tsunade replied simply.
After turning a corner, Erika finally spotted the viewing platform they'd seen earlier. But standing between them and it was a cliff over ten meters high.
How were they supposed to get past this?!
She froze in shock, completely stunned.
"This is the quickest route. Climbing up won't be a problem."
Tsunade grinned brightly. Then, gripping Erika tightly, she rushed straight up the cliffside.
Her chakra control was extraordinary—her steps remained firm and steady even while carrying another person. But for Erika, a normal girl, this experience was absolutely terrifying.
From bottom to top, Erika screamed all the way. Even after reaching the top, her heart was still racing wildly.
Akaba followed behind, feeling a little bad for her. He had considered casting a Genjutsu to dull the fear—but Tsunade moved too fast. The fire was too close for help to arrive in time.
"What happened?"
"Are you okay, Princess?!"
Guards immediately rushed over, clearly very concerned.
Erika stood up, her legs trembling. Tsunade said casually, "It's fine. I brought her up the mountain through a shortcut."
"Tsunade, how could you—"
Mito Uzumaki was about to reprimand her when she caught sight of Erika's strange expression.
This didn't look like anger at all.
"I'm so thrilled! This is amazing!"
Erika exclaimed excitedly. "Onee-chan, Tsunade, can we do it again, please?"
"Huh?"
Tsunade froze completely, utterly confused about what just happened.
It confused her, but Akaba got it completely.
Even though roller coasters scare people, many still enjoy riding them, right?
"Let's go one more time, come on, please Onee-chan, Onee-chan..."
Erika clung to Tsunade, giving her best puppy eyes and pleading voice.
Tsunade stood there, totally flabbergasted.
"Cough," interrupted Daimyo. "Tsunade, just take her for another run."
The Daimyo felt awkward but couldn't comprehend young people's preferences either. If his granddaughter acted this way, what else could he do?
"Well… okay, then."
Tsunade scooped up Erika and leapt off the Stand — that's right, straight down.
Midway, she suddenly pushed off the cliff wall and sprinted rapidly across its surface.
"Ahhhhhh!"
Her distorted voice clearly betrayed her terror.
Even scarier, as soon as Tsunade landed, she immediately pushed off again and started running upward.
That feeling was oddly addictive!
Back on the Stand, Erika's legs had gone weak, barely able to stand.
"That was so thrilling!"
Erika was buzzing with excitement and gazed eagerly at Tsunade again.
Tsunade stood there, totally flabbergasted.
What in the world is wrong with this girl?
Normally, someone should've been terrified, yet apparently she enjoyed it!
"Onee-ch—"
"Erika, come back here!"
As she prepared herself for another round, the Daimyo finally intervened and stopped her.
If they did this again, the kid'd probably be too scared to stand — remember, she's the Princess! The Daimyo's mansion would be utterly humiliated!
"Cough," interrupted The Third again, trying to smooth things over. "Well, if there are no other issues, maybe we should proceed with the closing ceremony now?"
"Yes, Lord Third," Akaba responded accordingly.
Akaba was in charge of organizing and hosting the closing ceremony — otherwise, he wouldn't have come here at all.
"Then let's begin. Since Daimyo has traveled far, wrapping things up early will allow us to escort him home safely."
Mito Uzumaki said indifferently.
"The Land of Fire isn't in total chaos just yet, but wrapping things up early won't hurt," the Daimyo retorted slightly before nodding at Akaba to begin the final Manga Con program.
Akaba bowed gently, formed hand seals, and vanished instantly using Body Flicker.
Soon after,
"The event is concluding. The closing program is about to begin. It includes three acts: Cosplay Skits, Live Performances, and Virtual Reality Games."
"Everyone, hurry back to the Stand! If you're not there, you might miss part of the finale!"
Amplified by Chakra, Akaba's voice boomed throughout the entire mountainside.
Everyone began heading toward the Stand.
Though some might not care much about these performances and might even leave directly — like Orochimaru — very few actually left this time; the crowd levels at each Stand remained almost unchanged.
Erika had just come down from her roller-coaster high when another act kicked off. She chugged some water real quick to keep her strength up — couldn't afford to be wiped out during the show.
A few minutes later,
Everyone saw figures appear along the mountain path.
Zabuza and Haku.
Kakashi, Sasuke, and Naruto.
This time around, Zabuza was completely restrained by eight ninja hounds, unable to move at all. Haku had already taken Sasuke down. Naruto was the only one still on his feet facing her.
"Zabuza, you've gone too far. Your ambitions are too great."
After his warning, Kakashi raised both hands into intricate hand seals. The distance kept the crowd from seeing clearly, but then—
Crackling electricity!
A piercing screech tore from the base of the mountain, echoing through every corner of the arena.
"Oh my God... This is—"
"The Lightning Cutter! It's really a Ninjutsu!"
"Incredible! I didn't even think this technique existed!"
Not just civilians — even ninja were stunned beyond belief.
A Ninjutsu imagined only in legends had actually materialized before them. The blinding flash made anyone who stared directly at it tear up instantly.
"I'll say it again — your future holds only death!"
In the blink of an eye, the attack surged toward the immobilized Zabuza.
But in the very next heartbeat,
A figure suddenly appeared, standing right before Zabuza.
In an instant, blood sprayed into the air!
"My future holds only death? Heh heh heh... Kakashi, you're wrong again."
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