Whether it's ultra-fast ninja taijutsu or space-time ninjutsu, once speed reaches a certain level, it all starts to look pretty much the same to anyone watching.
A ninja with speed is the most unpredictable ninja of all.
Haseo, surrounded by glowing light, rushed in from a distance. He reached out, wrapped an arm around Tsunade's waist, and yanked her backward before coming to a stop and spinning around to face the enemy.
This Lightning Release Chakra Mode was one of Haseo's forbidden techniques—the one that placed the heaviest strain on his body and caused the most physical harm. It was strictly prohibited. But at this moment, Tsunade couldn't bring herself to scold him. She simply pressed one hand against his arm.
The intense chakra radiating from Haseo pierced her senses through her skin, even forcing her to close one eye. Actually feeling something yourself was nothing like just picturing it in your head. If she felt this much pain just from touching him, then what Haseo himself had to endure must be unbearable.
Still, Haseo soon retracted that overwhelming chakra. That kind of power was only meant for getting somewhere fast—once they arrived, there was no reason to keep it running. The effects from his last use of kinjutsu hadn't even faded yet, so even for Haseo, prolonging his worsening physical condition wasn't ideal.
"Tsunade, take a few steps back," Haseo said.
While saying this, Haseo stepped forward himself, positioning himself directly between the enemy and Tsunade.
"Haseo-sama... you should understand—we have absolutely no ill intentions toward Tsunade-sama."
The masked man showed no special reaction upon seeing Haseo appear and calmly stated in a composed tone.
Of course, he already knew both Haseo's identity and name.
Over time, some of Tsunade's status and influence were bound to wane. Later on, when people spoke of her, their first thought would be "the world's greatest medical ninja," followed only afterward by "oh right, she's also the granddaughter of the First Hokage." But things were different at this point—her Senju heritage still made her uniquely significant.
"If you truly harbored no ill intent, then you wouldn't have approached her in the first place. 'The Princess of the Senju' still holds considerable significance, especially for someone like you..."
After Nawaki's birth and Sansho's death, Tsunade's father chose to retire and became completely withdrawn—just like Okazaki Naoyuki once had. So, even though Tsunade was still quite young and inexperienced at the time, she had already become the most prominent figure in what remained of the Senju clan... although technically speaking, the Senju clan itself no longer existed.
"Still, I don't quite understand your intentions—who you are exactly, and what it is that you want.
Even if you truly managed to eliminate the Third Hokage, some decisions already made wouldn't change as a result. A Hokage is very important, but sometimes, even the Hokage's stance makes no difference.
"The tide of history" isn't hard to grasp—you don't need to be a genius to understand it.
"Needless to say, even among you, only a tiny fraction took action today – the minority of a minority. You're destined to receive no support."
Haseo, who had been moving at high speed just now, should have attacked this enemy directly, but he didn't. It certainly wasn't out of kindness; conversation was necessary.
"Isn't wanting 'not to submit' simply because something feels 'unjust' enough reason for us to take action? Lord Haseo, you're right that we won't get support from anyone except a dozen or so people, but so what? Some things must be done."
Behind him, Tsunade lowered her hand which had become somewhat charred from contact with Haseo. She gradually realized Haseo seemed to already know the identity of this enemy before them.
"You think 'the great flow' will change direction and create turning points, but that's merely your belief. As the saying goes – those involved become blind while outsiders see clearly… That small group of deluded ones? That's just you few. Everyone else stands as the clear-eyed observers."
Haseo said this, finally understanding that calming a turbulent sea wouldn't be as simple as it appeared on the surface. Even if its surface became calm, beneath would still churn with violent undercurrents – extremists like this person opposite would always exist.
Even if Haseo could grasp his opponent's reasoning, he would never condone it.
"Lord Haseo, you should stand with us. In Konoha, of all people, you shouldn't be our enemy. So... acting together with us is the choice you should make."
From their previous conversation alone, Haseo's stance had actually been very clear, yet the other still said this now.
Tsunade suddenly felt alarmed. At this moment, she finally understood something, and her gaze locked tightly onto Haseo's back.
Then Haseo slowly yet resolutely shook his head. "Our views are completely opposite. Not even one toe of mine should stand on your side. In fact, there's no one more suitable than me to completely exterminate your kind.
This is what I believe I must do — the only path I can follow.
You see, it's the same thing, yet our opinions are completely different. This is what they call the 'Purity Paradox.'
You have no clue about the sacrifices made for you at all, nor what it truly means to protect what was earned through blood and pain. You've defied the will of two generations spanning three people... having walked out from an outcome destined for oblivion, now you choose continued destruction.
So I suppose you should feel no regrets about spilling your blood here and now.
'Relic'... If you're unwilling to fade into silence, then becoming truly ancient is also acceptable."
Haseo slowly drew his long blade from behind him, steadily pointing it toward the person facing him... If he were to turn around now and borrow two hair ties from Tsunade behind him to make twin ponytails, he'd resemble Seraphina Ko even more – a being that specifically slays 'antiques.'
"I understand."
The enemy instantly understood Haseo's stance, because action is always far more powerful than words.
Since they chose battle, what followed would be life or death.
These days, Haseo had become quite a name in Konoha's upper-tier ninja circles — especially among the higher-ups. So it went without saying that plenty of people had caught wind of his intelligence and abilities.
Even without knowing every last detail, anyone who did a bit of digging would quickly uncover his more obvious traits — a powerful ninja with an unusual fighting style and exceptional speed.
But as any ninja knew, no matter what kind of opponent you faced, the only way to truly know if you could win was to fight.
So Haseo stepped forward, blade unsheathed, while his opponent met him with a quick draw of his short blade.
The sharp clang of steel rang out into the night, echoing through the narrow alley.
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