Chapter 49: Stepping Toward Kage Level – Crisis at the Border, and Kurenai in Danger
Once there, Tsunade called Kazuya to the courtyard.
"Hmph, you brat!" Tsunade huffed, a little prideful as she spoke. "Since you're officially my student now, I guess I have to teach you something. Medical ninjutsu is too complex, and I doubt you have time for that."
"So, let's go with Strength of a Hundred," she said, pulling a scroll from her robes and tossing it to Kazuya. "This is the method for learning it. As for the technique itself…"
She stood up straighter and explained, "The key is precise chakra control. You focus the chakra, then release it all at once through your fists, creating immense destructive power."
"This technique requires a high level of chakra control. But since you've already mastered the Flying Thunder God, I doubt you'll have any problems."
Kazuya nodded. "I'll give it my best, Senpai."
He held the warm scroll in his hand, though a part of him couldn't help but wonder where exactly Tsunade had been keeping it...
"Whatever," he thought.
"Given your skills, Strength of a Hundred shouldn't be too difficult for you. Ten days should be enough," Tsunade added with confidence. "Train hard."
With that, she turned and left, knowing that someone of Kazuya's talent didn't need much hand-holding when it came to training. Just pointing out the key details would be enough.
As for Kazuya, after entering his room, he casually tossed the scroll onto the table.
Training?
What a waste of time.
He would rather spar with Tsunade some more.
After all, his Strength of a Hundred skill was already at level 3, and he had more or less mastered the basics, just like the Flying Thunder God.
In the following seven days, Kazuya continued to take things easy, occasionally sparring with Tsunade for fun.
But as the sparring increased, so did Tsunade's frustration.
Losing repeatedly to a junior wasn't something the proud Tsunade could tolerate for long. She was one of the Legendary Sannin, after all!
Finally, under Kazuya's constant teasing, the intensity of their matches ramped up.
Tsunade went all out. She used nearly every trump card she had, save for her Creation Rebirth and her summoning jutsu.
Despite Tsunade's best efforts, she still couldn't overpower Kazuya.
[You have obtained 200 chakra points.]
[You have obtained 300 chakra points.]
[You have obtained 100 strength experience points.]
[Your strength has leveled up to lv5 (0/1000).]
[You have obtained 30 points of Ashura's bloodline.]
[You have obtained 40 points of Ashura's bloodline.]
[Your Ashura's bloodline has leveled up to lv2 (0/1000).]
[You have obtained 50 points of Yang Release talent.]
[You have obtained 60 points of Yang Release talent.]
[Your Yang Release talent has leveled up to lv3 (0/1000).]
Golden orbs of light continuously flowed into Kazuya's body. Tsunade's rewards were top-tier, and before long, Kazuya had maxed out his Strength to lv5, advanced his Yang Release to lv3, and leveled up his Ashura bloodline to lv2. His chakra reserves had also seen a significant increase:
[Chakra: lv4 (98,600/100,000)]
At 98,600 points, Kazuya was just shy of reaching the Super Kage level. However, the more he fought with Tsunade, the fewer high-quality drops he was getting. By the seventh day, not a single Ashura bloodline point dropped.
"Ugh, Tsunade… you're not delivering!" Kazuya sighed.
It seemed he'd have to wait for a cooldown period before he could extract more Ashura bloodline from her.
Over these few days, Kazuya's strength had grown remarkably. The Ashura bloodline granted the Sage Body, known for immense chakra reserves and heightened vitality. In his prime, Hashirama Senju's life force was so vast that it dwarfed even Tsunade's Creation Rebirth without needing to use seals. His chakra levels were enough to rival Naruto and half of the Nine-Tails, which was astonishing.
This was the power of the Sage Body.
Now, Kazuya was following in that same path. "Once my Ashura bloodline is fully developed, combined with the Lightning Chakra Mode, I'll be strong enough to knock the Third Raikage around like a rag doll!" Kazuya thought, excited about his future potential.
When it came to pure destructive power, Kazuya might already surpass the Fourth Hokage. With his Flying Thunder God Technique combined with Strength, he didn't even need to use Rasengan. The sheer speed and devastating force of the technique made him a terror on the battlefield. Any average Kage-level ninja wouldn't stand a chance.
"Time to call it a day," Kazuya muttered, exhaling a deep breath. The journey to become Tsunade's disciple wasn't in vain.
Publicly, Tsunade acknowledged him as her student. In truth, after being repeatedly overpowered by Kazuya, she had no choice but to concede, treating him more as an equal than a subordinate. This was the reality of the ninja world—power dictated status.
A New Crisis Looms
Early one morning, after finishing his breakfast, Kazuya noticed a gray pigeon land at the inn. It was one of Konoha's messenger pigeons, used by the Anbu to relay important information.
Kazuya's expression turned serious. What could the Anbu want at a time like this?
Opening the scroll, he quickly scanned its contents. His face hardened.
The situation was tense. Konoha and the elite forces of Kumogakure were in a standoff at the Frost Country's border. Tensions were rising, with both sides amassing reinforcements, and Kumogakure had even sent their Jinchuriki into the fray.
But that was just the backdrop.
The real urgency lay in the fact that Yūhi Kurenai and Kakashi were leading two Anbu squads in the Land of Hot Water when they were ambushed by elite Cloud ninjas. The situation was dire, and Kazuya was ordered to provide immediate reinforcements.
"It seems like the enemy forces are no joke," Kazuya said calmly as he burned the scroll.
Both Kurenai and Kakashi were top-tier Jonin. For them to be in such danger, the enemy had to be formidable.
"More experience packs are on the way," Kazuya chuckled lightly. But this time, he knew he had to be quick. While, according to the plot, Kurenai and Kakashi should be fine, there was always the risk of something going wrong.
Especially Kurenai—he hadn't claimed her yet. Even a small injury would spoil the fun later on, and he couldn't have that!
Kazuya checked the map. The ambush site marked in the intelligence report wasn't far from Rose Street, where he currently was. If he hurried, he could be there within five hours.
Without delay, Kazuya informed Tsunade of his departure.
"Be careful out there," Tsunade advised a rare note of concern in her voice.
"Thank you, Tsunade-senpai," Kazuya nodded and turned to Shizune. "Shizune, my dear junior, take care. Until we meet again!"
With that, he left swiftly.
Shizune waved her hand, a bit reluctant. "Stay safe, Kazuya-senpai!" she called after him.
At three years younger than Kazuya, and given their vast difference in power, she had humbly accepted the title of "junior."
"Don't just stare—he's already gone," Tsunade quipped, giving Shizune a knowing look.
"Huh? No, I wasn't—Tsunade-sama, I mean…" Shizune stammered, flustered, her face turning bright red.