Minato's home was more crowded than usual.
Tsunade's gaze shifted from Kushina to the massive fox head formed from crimson chakra beside her. For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she turned toward Seiryū.
"So let me understand this correctly. The creature that even my grandfather and grandmother could never completely control was dealt with after you spoke to it for a few minutes?"
The Nine-Tails had always been one of Konoha's greatest threats.
It was proud, violent, and almost impossible to restrain. Even Hashirama and Mito had never truly broken its will.
Yet Seiryū had apparently solved the problem through a simple conversation.
"Watch your mouth, Senju woman."
Before Seiryū could answer, the Nine-Tails bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Its enormous chakra head swung toward Tsunade, baring rows of sharp teeth.
"What do you mean, controlled? I merely reached an agreement with this brat. You do not honestly believe I am afraid of him, do you?"
The Nine-Tails threw back its head and laughed.
"Ridiculous! I am the Nine-Tails, the strongest of all Tailed Beasts. No one in this world could ever subdue me!"
The room fell silent.
Everyone could hear the strain beneath its bravado.
This was nothing like the savage beast they remembered.
In the past, the Nine-Tails would have attacked the moment it felt insulted. It would never have wasted time defending its pride with words.
Yet now, despite all its roaring, it had not so much as disturbed the furniture.
The Nine-Tails noticed their expressions and grew even more furious.
"What are those looks supposed to mean?"
Its crimson eyes narrowed.
"Are you looking down on me? I will eat every last one of you! Do you hear me? I will definitely eat you!"
It shouted loudly, but that was all it did.
It did not dare lose control here.
All it could do was threaten them and desperately protect what remained of its dignity.
Unfortunately, the empty threats only convinced everyone that Seiryū had, in fact, subdued it.
Seiryū glanced sideways at the fox.
"All right, that's enough. You're being noisy."
The Nine-Tails stiffened.
Even its chakra manifestation wavered beneath Seiryū's gaze.
Still, it raised its muzzle with an arrogant snort.
"Hmph. I negotiated with you. I was not subdued. Make sure these foolish humans understand that."
With that final declaration, the fox head withdrew into Kushina's seal.
The room became quiet again.
Wasn't it being far too obedient?
And why had the most terrifying Tailed Beast in history suddenly started acting like a sulking child?
"Anyway, that's what happened," Seiryū said. "I spoke with the Nine-Tails."
For the sake of the fox's already wounded pride, he kept the explanation brief.
"We have a common enemy. For now, Kurama can be considered an ally. We no longer have to worry about it breaking free or going berserk, so one of Konoha's greatest threats has been removed."
"Exactly!"
Kurama's head abruptly emerged again.
"I negotiated with this brat. I did not surrender."
The moment it finished speaking, it vanished back into the seal.
It had appeared and disappeared so quickly that no one had a chance to respond.
Kushina touched her stomach, her expression complicated.
"I spoke with Kurama for a while before all of you arrived."
She hesitated.
"It's actually... kind of cute."
Was this truly the same Nine-Tails that had tormented her for years?
Now it seemed more like an ill-tempered fox desperately trying to appear frightening.
Kushina supposed she could treat it as a pet that never needed feeding.
A miniature Nine-Tails would probably be adorable too.
Still, it would not be as cute as Seiryū's little Dragon Vein.
Tsunade looked at Seiryū and sighed.
"You start surprising us the moment you return. Konoha really cannot function properly without you."
She folded her arms.
"When do you plan to officially accept the position of Hokage's assistant?"
"Later."
Seiryū waved dismissively.
"There's no hurry."
"You are not escaping the position," Tsunade said. "You already promised me."
Seiryū's gaze briefly drifted down her long legs before he gave a quiet snort.
"Pay the promised reward first. Don't tell me you forgot. Otherwise, I refuse to become your assistant."
Tsunade fell silent.
This brat remembered certain promises far too clearly.
Jiraiya glanced between them.
"What reward?"
Tsunade immediately adopted the commanding expression of the Fifth Hokage.
"That is none of your concern. Focus on your own duties as an advisor."
There was no possible way she could explain the reward in front of everyone.
Absolutely none.
Jiraiya grumbled beneath his breath, but the past two years had taught him when to let a matter go.
He turned away with a dismissive curl of his lip.
"As though I care about whatever strange arrangement the two of you made."
Kushina stared suspiciously at Tsunade and Seiryū.
Whatever this reward was, it definitely involved something inappropriate.
Perhaps a kiss.
Or something even more embarrassing.
Those two certainly knew how to entertain themselves.
For some reason, Kushina felt like cheering them on.
Tsunade noticed her expression and shot her a cold look.
"You allowed Seiryū to do something this dangerous without trying to stop him. What would you have done if something had gone wrong?"
Kushina blinked.
"You're confined to the house for two days."
Kushina stared at her in disbelief.
So becoming Hokage made Tsunade that impressive?
Why was she punishing Kushina instead of Seiryū?
Was such obvious favoritism really acceptable?
Seiryū's eyes lit up as he watched Tsunade reprimand her.
This authoritative side of Tsunade was rare.
She seemed even more imposing than Queen Sāra.
"As expected of the Hokage," Seiryū said. "Your presence has become much more intimidating. Can you knock people unconscious with killing intent now?"
Tsunade glared at him.
"Would you like to be confined as well?"
Seiryū looked utterly unconcerned.
"Who in Konoha could force me to stay inside? Be serious."
Tsunade's beautiful eyes narrowed.
"Now I'm curious about how strong you've become."
She studied him carefully.
"After completely mastering the Dragon Vein, how much power can you actually use?"
Seiryū smiled.
"Are you asking for a rematch?"
"I am."
He did not hesitate.
"Fine. I haven't properly tested the Dragon Vein's power either."
Tsunade turned toward the door.
"Follow me. We'll use the Forest of Death."
Seiryū's smile became more confident.
"Do not assume that two years of training were enough to surpass me. Once I leave someone behind, they never catch up."
"A great deal can change in two years."
"You sound confident. Are you truly bold enough to challenge the Great Demon King?"
Seiryū raised his chin.
"At this point, I could probably fight the First Hokage evenly."
Tsunade's eye twitched.
"Can you act normally for once?"
"I am perfectly normal."
Seiryū stepped between Tsunade and Kurenai, taking one of their hands in each of his own.
"Come on. Let me see what kind of skill a warrior brave enough to challenge the Great Demon King has acquired."
Space twisted around them.
With a thought, Seiryū activated the Flying Raijin Jutsu and vanished with both women.
Jiraiya immediately turned toward Minato.
"Minato, follow them."
Kushina was already moving toward him.
"Hurry. I want to watch them flirt while pretending to fight."
Minato stared at her in silence.
He was also curious about how powerful Seiryū had become after fully mastering the Dragon Vein.
With a resigned sigh, he placed a hand on Kushina's shoulder and transported the others toward the Forest of Death.
By the time they arrived, Seiryū was already warming up.
He rolled his shoulders and smiled provocatively at Tsunade.
"Let us establish one thing before we begin. Do not start crying after I defeat you. I am terrifyingly powerful now."
Tsunade had already released the Strength of a Hundred Seal and entered Sage Mode.
The markings spread across her face as natural energy flowed through her body.
She raised an eyebrow.
"Do not assume I spent the past two years doing nothing."
Seiryū studied her and smiled.
"You certainly look confident. In that case, I will not hold back."
He turned toward Kurenai.
"Ryūha, come here."
The little Dragon Vein rested comfortably in Kurenai's arms.
At Seiryū's call, it chirped and flew toward him. Its tiny body dissolved into purple chakra before returning to the seal on his forehead.
Seiryū's lips curved upward.
"Let me show you the power of the Dragon Hollow."
Dragon Vein chakra surged through his body.
His transformation began.
A deep vibration rolled through the forest.
Unlike before, the chakra was neither violent nor unstable. It flowed with complete control, calm and steady despite the vast power contained within it.
Purple chakra covered Seiryū from head to toe.
His body began to change.
Small dragon horns emerged from his head. Purple scales spread across portions of his face, arms, and torso. A powerful tail extended behind him and swept through the air.
His legs grew stronger and more muscular, while his feet transformed into clawed dragon limbs that dug into the earth.
His body rapidly matured, and his height increased until he stood close to six feet tall.
The half-dragon transformation did nothing to diminish his appearance.
Instead, it gave him a dangerous, almost otherworldly beauty.
His scarlet dragon eyes resembled an ancient dōjutsu, their sharp gaze filled with restrained power. When he smiled, two small fangs became visible.
Seiryū spread his arms.
"Well? Handsome, right?"
Handsome was an understatement.
The transformation had also increased his strength tremendously.
In terms of raw physical power, it might still fall short of the final stages of the Eight Gates. However, it provided several advantages of its own.
His Cero became faster and considerably more destructive. He could also use the strongest variation of the technique, Cero Oscuras.
The Eight Gates primarily strengthened his taijutsu.
The Dragon Hollow transformation greatly enhanced his chakra-based abilities.
Each transformation had its own strengths and limitations.
Tsunade's eyes shone as she examined his new appearance.
She nodded with open approval.
"Very handsome."
A pleased smile appeared on her face.
"As expected of my man."
Seiryū froze.
He stared at her suspiciously.
"Did you take the wrong medicine? I was not prepared for you to admit something like that."
Seiryū had always been handsome, but his youth had left a faint trace of childishness in his features.
In this form, however, he looked like a fully grown young man.
That appearance suited Tsunade's tastes far more than she cared to admit.
While speaking, Seiryū quietly activated the special perception of his Heavenly Eye and glanced toward Kurenai.
Was he about to witness a confrontation fueled by jealousy?
To his surprise, Kurenai showed no unusual reaction.
Seiryū's eyes narrowed slightly.
Had something happened between them during the past two years?
A possibility suddenly occurred to him.
Tsunade curled her lips.
"I said nothing incorrect. If you are not my man, then what are you?"
Seiryū hesitated.
"What about Sāra and Hina?"
A vein bulged on Tsunade's forehead.
She had already prepared herself for the complicated relationships surrounding Seiryū, but hearing him mention other women so casually still infuriated her.
The ground exploded beneath her foot.
Tsunade launched herself forward with enough force to shatter the earth behind her.
Her long right leg rose high above her head.
Then it came crashing down.
"Heavenly Foot of Pain!"
The ground where Seiryū had been standing collapsed into a massive crater.
Cracks raced outward while jagged slabs of stone erupted from the earth.
Seiryū stood on the tip of one of the broken rocks, a bead of cold sweat sliding down his face.
"Hey, this no longer feels like a spar. Are you trying to kill me?"
Tsunade twisted her wrists and gave him a cold snort.
"You can regenerate a severed arm. Do you honestly expect me to believe that an attack like that could kill you?"
She formed a series of hand seals.
"Sage Art: Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
The earth trembled.
A vast forest burst from the ground.
Trees rose in every direction as countless branches, roots, and vines surged toward Seiryū like enormous serpents.
They twisted together, crushing everything in their path as they advanced like a living landslide.
Seiryū vanished between the branches with a burst of speed.
"Are you jealous?"
Using Flash Step, he moved through the sea of trees with effortless agility.
The branches grew denser with every passing second, yet none of them could touch even the edge of his clothes.
Tsunade gave a quiet snort and ignored the question.
Her hands moved through another sequence of seals.
"Sage Art: Wood Style: Great Forest Jutsu!"
The surrounding trees twisted together.
Massive wooden arms emerged from the forest and reached toward Seiryū from every direction.
Tsunade intended to capture him and crush him beneath their combined strength.
Seiryū clicked his tongue.
"Why are you so vicious? What a frightening woman."
Dozens of wooden hands closed around him.
Seiryū raised one finger.
"Cero."
Purple light gathered at his fingertip.
Now that he had completely mastered the Dragon Vein, the chakra flowed more smoothly than ever before. The technique formed almost instantly.
A beam of condensed energy tore through the forest.
Explosions thundered one after another as the wooden arms were blasted apart.
Shock waves swept across the battlefield, scattering splinters and shattered branches through the air.
A sharp sound cut through the explosions.
Tsunade had already closed the distance.
Her fair fist carried a terrifying amount of chakra as she drove it toward Seiryū's face.
Chakra Enhanced Strength.
Seiryū did not retreat.
He clenched his own fist and met her attack head-on.
Their fists collided.
A deafening explosion shook the forest.
A circular shock wave burst from the point of impact, flattening the surrounding vegetation and tearing loose fragments of stone from the ground.
The collision was no less destructive than a powerful ninjutsu.
They attacked again.
Fists, elbows, knees, and kicks blurred together as they exchanged blows at close range.
Both possessed exceptional chakra control.
Each strike carried enough force to demolish a building, and every collision sent another violent shock wave through the forest.
In the span of a few breaths, they exchanged more than a dozen attacks.
The surrounding trees shook beneath the repeated thunder of their battle.
Their fists met once more.
Tsunade felt pain shoot through her arm.
Her muscles went numb, and the force of the collision drove her backward across the shattered earth.
She dug her heels into the ground and barely stabilized herself.
Without pausing, she formed another set of hand seals.
"Sage Art: Wood Style: Hundred Hands of Chaos!"
The forest erupted around Seiryū.
Far more wooden arms appeared than before, each one reinforced with Tsunade's Chakra Enhanced Strength.
The enormous fists descended from every direction.
The air screamed beneath their speed.
Even Seiryū could not dismiss the power behind them.
His scarlet eyes swept across the battlefield.
"Oh?"
A trace of surprise appeared on his face.
"You created a new Wood Style technique. You really have become much stronger."
Tsunade had not wasted the past two years.
Her control over Wood Style had improved dramatically.
Seiryū's surprise quickly turned into a confident grin.
"Unfortunately, it still is not enough."
Purple chakra gathered around his raised hand.
"If you could use your grandfather's True Several Thousand Hands, I might have to be careful."
The countless wooden fists descended.
"Cero."
A concentrated beam of purple light erupted from his fingertip.
Explosion after explosion tore across the battlefield.
The Cero pierced through every incoming fist, blasting the wooden arms apart before they could reach him.
Splintered wood rained across the forest.
Seiryū lowered his hand.
"My turn."
He grinned and drew one fist back.
"Dragon Fist Burst!"
His physique was already formidable in the Dragon Hollow state.
When reinforced with the fully controlled power of the Dragon Vein, the force behind his punch reached an entirely different level.
Seiryū struck the empty air.
The atmosphere compressed beneath his fist.
The pressure transformed into the shape of a roaring dragon and surged toward Tsunade.
Its form resembled a gigantic version of the little Dragon Vein, complete with horns, claws, and open jaws.
Of course, Seiryū had restrained most of its power.
This was still only a spar.
Tsunade's expression sharpened.
Even weakened, the approaching attack was dangerous.
Her hands flashed through a series of seals.
"Sage Art: Wood Style: Wood Dragon Jutsu!"
A colossal wooden dragon rose behind her.
It coiled through the forest before charging toward the dragon-shaped shock wave.
The two dragons collided.
The resulting explosion shook the entire Forest of Death.
The wooden dragon shattered into countless fragments.
A violent shock wave tore through the sea of trees, bending trunks and launching splinters high into the sky.
The battle continued.
Thunderous explosions rolled through the forest as Seiryū and Tsunade exchanged technique after technique.
Neither of them used their full strength.
This was not a true battle.
They were testing each other, measuring how much the other had grown during their time apart.
From a distance, the fight appeared fierce enough to threaten the entire forest.
In truth, the noise was far more dangerous than either combatant.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)