At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi rushed in.
"Hey, what are you—"
Before he could finish, Tsunade let out a roar, pouring all her strength into a sudden strike.
Rumble!
A deafening explosion erupted at the center of Ryoma and Tsunade's clash.
It was as if countless explosive tags had gone off at once.
The blinding light forced everyone to shield their eyes.
Minato's pupils shrank as he instinctively stepped in front of Kushina.
But Ryoma's reaction was faster—he had already raised a Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall and a Wood Release: Tree World barrier to protect Kushina.
"Ahem… what the hell are you doing?!"
Everyone else—except Kushina—was blown away, reduced to ashes by the sheer force.
Even Hiruzen couldn't withstand it.
Kushina's expression froze. She suddenly regretted suggesting this wrist contest in the first place.
Even Hiruzen was left speechless.
You were just supposed to arm wrestle—was this really necessary?
"I won."
As the smoke cleared, Ryoma's hand could be seen pinning Tsunade's against the shattered stone table.
The boulder had collapsed into rubble, and deep cracks spiderwebbed across the ground beneath them.
"You…"
Tsunade stared at him in disbelief. She had actually lost?
And what was worse—Ryoma hadn't even been giving it his full focus.
Ryoma casually released her hand and stood, rolling his shoulders as though nothing had happened.
Hiruzen was astonished.
Ryoma had beaten Tsunade?
Even in pure strength, there weren't many who could match her.
This kid… was truly something.
Sakumo Hatake remained silent, while Minato stood frozen, struggling to accept what he had just witnessed.
Kushina hurried over.
"Ryoma! Are you okay?!"
Ryoma gave her a small smile, patting her head. "I'm fine."
Still fuming, Kushina quickly turned to Tsunade. "Sister Tsunade, are you alright?!"
"I'm fine… just a little numb in the hands." Tsunade shook her head lightly.
Losing was losing. And as someone who lived by the gamble, Tsunade would never refuse to accept the outcome.
"Tsunade-hime, don't forget—we had a bet."
"Hmph. I keep my word. What do you want me to do?"
"I haven't thought about it yet. Let's discuss it next time."
"You…!" Tsunade clenched her fists.
This brat… If he dares come up with something ridiculous, I'll beat him senseless!
But then she paused.
Wait… can I even beat him?
She sighed and let it go, returning to the courtyard. That night, she silently dragged out a bedroll and slept on the sofa.
Kushina, of course, glared daggers at Ryoma for it.
When Uzumaki Mito heard what had happened, she too was astonished.
Tsunade… had actually lost.
But then again, perhaps only someone of the Senju's own bloodline could truly overpower her.
The next morning, Ryoma was still in a deep, comfortable sleep when he was suddenly shaken awake.
"Mmm… what is it, Kushina…?"
"It seems Kushina's the one who usually wakes you up, huh? Must be nice, brat."
That voice snapped Ryoma's eyes open instantly.
Tsunade?!
Sure enough, Kushina was standing beside her.
And from outside came Uzumaki Mito's firm voice:
"Ryoma, get up. This morning, we're attending an extraordinary council of Konoha's leadership."
Konoha's High-Level Emergency Council?
Ryoma brushed his teeth while listening to Kushina's explanation.
Because of Danzō's dismissal, Mitokado Homura's leave of absence, and Koharu Utatane stepping down temporarily, Konoha's administration had been thrown into turmoil.
A new batch of high-ranking officials would soon be chosen, bringing with them fresh blood to reshape the leadership of the village.
"Oh, so we're going too?" Ryoma asked, spitting out the foam.
"Yes!" Kushina nodded.
And so, Ryoma was taken along to the meeting site—the Administrative Building of Konoha.
At the entrance, they happened to run into Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya, whose face was still heavily wrapped in bandages.
When Jiraiya spotted Uzumaki Mito, he immediately called out:
"Lady Mito!"
Mito looked at him strangely. "Jiraiya, what happened to you?"
Jiraiya's eyes shifted briefly toward Tsunade before he gave a wry grin.
"Nothing serious. Just… accidentally walked into a telephone pole last night. Anyway, let's head inside."
Ryoma had thought this was going to be some sort of open assembly, but upon entering, he realized only the most influential figures of the village were present.
The higher-ups of every department, the clan heads, the Legendary Sannin, and even Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake, had all gathered.
Among the younger generation, a few exceptional talents had also been invited: Ryoma himself, Minato Namikaze, Uchiha Fugaku, and the heirs of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio.
Following after Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade, Ryoma's presence immediately drew attention. Whispers rippled across the hall as all eyes turned to the young man walking alongside two such formidable figures.
"The one with Lady Mito… is that Ryoma?"
"The same Ryoma who defeated the so-called 'Gang of Three'?"
"He doesn't look that impressive in person…"
...
TN:
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