Chapter 166

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"Hey kid, haven't you held on long enough?"

Tsunade said with a forced smile. She hadn't noticed how long Yoichi had been holding her hand. She really shouldn't let her guard down around this cheeky kid.

"Well, your body isn't shaking anymore, and your voice is quite strong. It seems the hemophobia has been temporarily suppressed."

Yoichi finally let go of Tsunade's hand, nodding. "Warmth can indeed dispel hemophobia. If it flares up again, feel free to come to me."

"You little—"

"Tsunade-sama, let's focus on the task at hand."

Yoichi's mention of business matters interrupted Tsunade's thoughts, calming her down. She was here for serious matters, but being led by this kid was unsettling.

"Fine, I'll start the treatment. I'll need to borrow your tent; arrange an open space outside for me to use Kuchiyose no Jutsu."

Tsunade ordered, then covered her eyes and had Shizune help her with a blood sample on her hand. She then stepped outside the tent and performed the summoning jutsu.

A large slug, over ten meters tall, was summoned by Tsunade. Seeing this, Shizune quickly wiped off the blood.

"Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade commanded, "Split up and find all the severely injured ninjas in the camp. I will heal them through you."

"Yes, Tsunade-sama."

Yoichi then said, "Shizune, inform Orochimaru-sama that Tsunade-sama is starting the treatment."

"Oh, got it."

Shizune hurried towards Orochimaru's tent to deliver the message.

Tsunade returned to the tent and sat down. Yoichi followed and asked, "Do you need chakra support?"

"Don't underestimate me; I'm one of the Sannin."

Tsunade clicked her tongue, feeling that Yoichi was treating her like she needed care. As one of the Sannin and a senior, her pride resisted accepting help from a younger ninja. Yet, deep down, she had a strange feeling, a slight hope that someone would take care of her.

The large slug split into hundreds of smaller slugs, which quickly crawled onto the wounded. Shizune relayed Tsunade's plan to Orochimaru, who then directed the medical team to follow her instructions.

As Tsunade began the treatment, her body released large amounts of chakra, which were transmitted to the injured through the slugs.

This slug technique was incredibly effective on the battlefield, allowing rapid treatment of all injured ninjas. If the war lasted a day, a lightly injured ninja could return to battle three times in a day, effectively multiplying the manpower.

Previously, due to the shortage of medical ninjas, many lightly injured ninjas hadn't received treatment. With Tsunade's arrival, all the wounded began to receive care.

Even Sakumo had a small slug on him, transmitting Tsunade's chakra for healing.

Sakumo's shoulder injury, which would have taken a long time to heal, was now rapidly regenerating thanks to Tsunade's treatment. His bones and muscles were mending quickly.

Chakra transmission continued for a long time. The number of severely injured ninjas surprised Tsunade, making her break into a sweat.

Just then, a hand rested on her shoulder, transmitting chakra to her.

Tsunade was momentarily stunned but quickly used the chakra, as sharing chakra between medical ninjas was common. Utilizing chakra while performing medical ninjutsu was not difficult for her.

'Affection +2, Tsunade's tsundere personality is truly laid bare by this ability.'

Yoichi thought, seeing the guide's message. Tsundere types were probably the most likely to remain single.

The slug treatment lasted over an hour before Tsunade finally stopped. She was sweating heavily but opened her eyes to find a damp towel handed to her.

".…Thanks."

Tsunade muttered, momentarily taken aback. How was this cheeky kid becoming so good at taking care of her? The chakra transmission earlier also felt…

"How is the treatment going? What about Sakumo-senpai's injuries?"

Yoichi's serious question interrupted Tsunade's thoughts, bringing her back to reality. "It's going well. The lightly injured are battle-ready again. Some of the severely injured can move, and the rest will recover in about ten days. Sakumo is also on the mend."

"That's good. This means we have some manpower and won't be stretched too thin."

Yoichi nodded, noticing the new prompt from the guide but decided to trust his ability.

"There's one more thing, Tsunade. I need to let you know…"

"What is it? Why so serious all of a sudden?"

Before she could finish, Yoichi extended his hand, and a small tree sprouted from his palm.

"Mokuton? Did you study my grandfather's cells?"

Tsunade's eyes narrowed at the sight of the Wood Release. She remembered Orochimaru's earlier words, realizing his caution about a potential conflict with Yoichi over this matter.

"Aren't you angry? Mokuton is a symbol of the Senju, but now it's in me."

"What's the use of anger? Would you believe me if I said I wasn't angry?"

Tsunade sighed. She genuinely didn't feel much anger. "How did you obtain the power of Mokuton?"

"For various reasons, I suspect Danzō wanted to use Mokuton to counterbalance my Mangekyō Sharingan. He enlisted Orochimaru to research Mokuton. But Orochimaru and I are close, so we worked together to develop Mokuton and I transplanted it into myself."

Yoichi felt relieved, thankful for his ability's reliability.

"There might be more than just me with Mokuton in the village. For specifics, you'll have to ask Orochimaru."

Tsunade relaxed her tense expression, biting her finger, "I know more about using my grandfather's cells for experiments than anyone else. My great-uncle started it, leaving more experimental notes in the Senju clan than in Konoha. But he couldn't replicate my grandfather's power and eventually gave up."

"Once… my younger brother wanted to be Hokage."

Tsunade paused, then continued, "I wanted to help him achieve that dream, so I thought of my great-uncle's experiments. But it was too difficult. Without the resources my great-uncle had, I gave up… I didn't expect you, a brat, to inherit it."

"It's perfected now. If you want, it might even cure your hemophobia."

"I don't need that... method."

Tsunade turned her head, speaking quietly, but Yoichi heard her.

"I understand. We'll use our agreed method. You'll become my ally."

What's with this cheeky kid?

Tsunade's heart skipped a beat. She wasn't used to this feeling, but she didn't dislike it.

"What do you plan next?"

"I'll stay here. You know my situation, so tell Orochimaru not to let injured ninjas disturb me. I'll summon slugs to help when needed."

Tsunade responded thoughtfully. She couldn't stay away from Konoha during a war, especially with this kid underestimating her ninja resolve.

"By the way, I bought the tea you wanted. Don't use such poor excuses next time."

Tsunade waved her hand, mentioning their quick trip to the Land of Tea. They bought tea and observed the situation before returning.

"Tsunade, thank you."

Orochimaru entered, smiling, "I misspoke earlier. Even not at your best, you're Konoha's medical master."

"Don't flatter me, Orochimaru. I haven't forgotten about the experiments with my grandfather's cells."

Tsunade threatened, but Orochimaru was unfazed. He knew she would have acted if she were truly angry.

"I've arranged a tent beside Yoichi's for you. If Kumogakure attacks…"

Orochimaru hoped Yoichi would protect Tsunade, as he was the only one capable.

"Kumogakure shouldn't attack. I'm well-rested."

Using Godzilla's body was unfamiliar, requiring chakra control to manage heat. But with practice, he'd master it.

"The two Iwagakure Jinchūriki are dead. They've lost their main fighting force. Kumogakure must focus on appeasing Iwagakure, or the Third Raikage will be in trouble."

In such a war, the Third Raikage's absence was telling. He was likely at the Grass Country battlefield.

If the Third Raikage were here, Konoha would have been completely defeated.

Kumogakure missed their chance to defeat Konoha. Tsunade's arrival provided much-needed relief.

"For now, we wait for village reinforcements. Tsunade, we're counting on you."

Orochimaru left to continue preparing the camp's defenses.

Tsunade felt uneasy in Yoichi's tent, sensing he might say something to make her heart race.

'What is this kid up to?'

Tsunade's thoughts raced. Since Dan's death, no one had cared for her so attentively. It was annoying but also touching.

"Tsunade-sama, the tent is ready."

Shizune poked her head in, seeing Tsunade storm out. "Got it. Let's go."

"Huh? Why is Tsunade-sama in such a hurry?"

...

"Quiet!"

"Dead?"

Kitsuchi clenched his fists upon hearing from the injured Bee. "Why did Rōshi and Han die?"

"Kitsuchi, my brother barely escaped thanks to the Hachibi. He almost died too!"

A defended Bee, who lay weakly on the bed.

"But our village lost two Jinchūriki!"

Kitsuchi was furious. This loss was devastating for Iwagakure. Even if the bijuu could regenerate, it would take years.

How many lives would it cost to capture the Yonbi and Gobi?

Even if successful, how long to train new Jinchūriki to match Rōshi and Han? It took them ten years to master their bijuu's power.

Iwagakure would need about fifteen years to regain such strength.

"I'm sorry, but I had no choice. Facing that monster, the Hachibi had to sever its tail to escape."

Bee weakly explained, "The tail is the bijuu's strongest defense. Even other bijuu's Tailed Beast Bombs can't break it. But the monster Konoha's Lightning Fang became had such power that it cut through the Yonbi and Gobi, killing Rōshi and Han."

Hearing Bee's explanation and seeing his injuries, Kitsuchi knew Kumogakure wasn't deceiving them. Kumogakure still needed Iwagakure's strength.

But the loss was too great. Hundreds of ninja deaths were nothing compared to losing two Jinchūriki.

"I'll report this to Lord Tsuchikage!"

Kitsuchi said after a long silence, "The decision rests with Lord Tsuchikage."

With that, Kitsuchi left the tent with his subordinates. Dodai wanted to explain but was stopped by A.

"Explanation is pointless. Bee doesn't lie. We didn't foresee the Lightning Fang's power."

"Whether Iwagakure accepts it depends on the Third Tsuchikage's decision."

(End of Chapter)