Chapter 215

Their widened eyes betrayed their surprise, and an involuntary exclamation slipped from their lips.

"Intact..."

"Still no harm, not even a scratch..."

The collective gasp echoed through the air, mingling with the disbelief that hung heavy in the atmosphere.

"How can this be!"

"This is Tsunade-sama's full power. It is impossible for a ninja to block it and come out unscathed. There must be a limit for joking!"

The exclamation cut through the stunned silence, a reflection of the bewilderment that gripped the Konoha ninjas.

Their trained eyes couldn't reconcile the reality before them.

This wasn't just some ordinary feat; it was a manifestation of Tsunade's full power.

The idea that a mere mortal could withstand such a force unscathed defied the laws of their ninja world. It had to be a jest, a limit to some cosmic joke they couldn't comprehend.

"This... this... Carnes-san is a monster!"

The shock reverberated through the cognition of Konoha ninjas, utterly shattering their preconceived notions and simple worldviews.

In their simplistic worldview, the existence of such an indomitable force was deemed impossible.

A being with a physique that surpassed steel itself was inconceivable.

Yet, it wasn't just Carnes' physical might that played a part in this spectacle.

This was the result of protecting his body with Armament Haki, an idea that transcended the limits of conventional defense of this world.

Naturally, his defenses were extraordinary, it was nigh impenetrable, as his Haki was the strongest in One Piece world.

One could argue that in the current Naruto world, no individual or technique possessed the capability to breach such impervious protection.

Even the legendary Might Guy, sacrificing his very life to unlock the Eight Gates, could, at best, make a dent in the defense—barely.

But Carnes would still emerge unscathed from that battle.

As Tsunade withdrew her fist, she found herself frozen in place.

As she grappled with the realization that her extraordinary strength had been rendered completely useless against the man standing before her.

It couldn't inflict harm upon the man before her.

She did all that, but still not even a scratched skin to show for it!

Carnes observed Tsunade with keen interest, a trace of amusement and playful tone lacing his voice.

"I already told you; your little fists are only suitable to give me some good massage."

"But you still don't believe me. Once again, you've lost a bet!"

Tsunade heard his words and silently lowered her head.

Yes, she had indeed lost the bet again.

But this time, the stakes were Hinata's last hope of survival.

In that moment, a mist of regret clouded Tsunade's eyes.

Carnes, witnessing Tsunade on the verge of tears, felt a twinge of discomfort and unease.

Perhaps he had pushed the boundaries too far and played a little too much this time.

But he couldn't understand why Tsunade was acting like this.

Carnes hadn't intended to become emotionally involved with Tsunade and take things seriously with her.

His primary aim was to enjoy this escapade in the world of Naruto.

Yet, as the situation unfolded, Tsunade found herself teetering on the brink of tears.

And Carnes, despite his typically composed demeanor, felt a hint of awkwardness, finding himself in an awkward position.

Being accustomed to high-ranking positions and having been inactive for an extended period, Carnes wasn't particularly adept at offering solace.

After a brief contemplation, he decided to speak, though his words lacked the gentle touch one might expect in a comforting moment.

His attempts at comforting Tsunade were, to put it mildly, lacking.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Carnes finally spoke, his tone more dismissive than consoling.

"Come on, it's just a lost bet. No need to dwell on it." he remarked nonchalantly.

"And surely no need to make a big fuss out of it."

"Losing a game or two happens to everyone; get used to it. Don't think about it too much."

Carnes, not known for his comforting abilities, unintentionally conveyed more of a dismissive tone than consolation, bordering on sarcasm.

Carnes, lacking finesse in offering solace, unintentionally sounded more like he was mocking Tsunade than providing comfort.

This only intensified Tsunade's discomfort, and the tears she had been holding back after losing yet another bet began to flow freely.

Fueled by frustration, Tsunade exclaimed.

"You.... you insufferable bastard! I will again challenge you!"

Tsunade's voice, filled with anger, echoed as she lunged at Carnes, resembling more a fierce villager from the countryside than the esteemed Hokage she once was.

It was a far cry from the dignified demeanor one expected of a Hokage of Konoha Village.

However, it wasn't entirely Tsunade's fault; Carnes' previous antics had been amusing, but now he had directly defeated her.

Earlier Carnes had conducted himself in a playful manner throughout their previous endeavors, and now Tsunade had faced a direct defeat from him.

Having succeeded as Hokage, Tsunade felt an immense burden.

The pressure of being Hokage weighed heavily on her shoulders.

The recent invasion organized by Pain had pushed Konoha Village into unprecedented turmoil.

And despite being the Hokage, she found herself unable to stop Pain's onslaught, leading to a deep sense of frustration.

This failure weighed heavily on her, and when Carnes finally intervened and pushed Pain back, she was very happy, but that relief was short-lived.

As there was no guarantee that Pain wouldn't return again for a vengeance.

Even Naruto, who had returned from his training, found himself at a disadvantage and on the verge of defeat.

With the constant threat of Pain's resurgence and Naruto struggling against overwhelming odds, Tsunade approached Carnes for assistance, only to face ridicule once more.

Tsunade, feeling desperate, lowered her pride and approached Carnes for assistance, only to be met with more ridicule.

The situation escalated when she lost a crucial bet, forcing her to witness Hinata confront Pain while carrying the heavy burden of leadership.

Carnes' attempt at reassurance appeared nothing more than a cruel joke, in the face of Tsunade's mounting despair.

Especially as Tsunade witnessed Hinata facing Pain on her behalf.

The gravity of the situation, coupled with the weight of her lost bet, proved too much for Tsunade to bear.

As Carnes observed the broken state of Tsunade before him, even he seemed momentarily taken aback.

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