Dense mist shrouded a small, uninhabited island on the outskirts of the Land of Waves.
"What a baffling healing ability…"
Hidden within the fog, Mei Terumi frowned as she watched Tsunade, who was restoring her injuries while carefully scanning her surroundings.
Both women were in poor condition—especially Tsunade. Mei's Lava Release and Boil Release carried powerful corrosive properties. Even though Tsunade could regenerate her wounds through her extraordinary medical ninjutsu, her clothing had suffered irreparable damage.
Fortunately, Tsunade wasn't one for false modesty.
Before the battle began, they had deliberately chosen this deserted island to avoid involving innocent civilians from the Land of Waves. With no one else present, exposure was the least of her concerns.
Though mildly irritated by her state, Tsunade's focus never wavered. She knew that once Mei Terumi was defeated, she would have all the time in the world to worry about appearances.
But that victory was still far away.
The thick mist provided Mei with excellent concealment. Unless she used ninjutsu or moved deliberately, Tsunade found it difficult to lock onto her exact position.
On top of that, the island's high humidity greatly enhanced Mei's Water Release, allowing her to fight efficiently with minimal chakra consumption. Geographically, Mei held the advantage, forcing Tsunade into a defensive posture.
Still, this did not mean Mei was guaranteed victory.
Mei glanced at the shattered terrain around them, unease flickering in her eyes.
The island—nearly split in half—was the result of Tsunade's raw, overwhelming strength.
Those monstrous punches were terrifying.
If even one had landed directly, the prolonged battle—currently leaning in Mei's favor—would have instantly tipped toward Konoha.
Tsunade's sensory ability was formidable. Each time Mei used ninjutsu, the fluctuations in chakra became harder to conceal. Tsunade's attacks were inching closer, forcing Mei to act with increasing caution.
Their confrontation had become a contest of patience.
For Tsunade, once she pinpointed Mei's true position, the battle would end—injuries or not.
For Mei, the longer this dragged on, the worse it became. She needed to bring Tsunade down quickly, yet Tsunade's unparalleled medical skill made that almost impossible.
After a brief pause, Mei formed several hand seals.
Water clones emerged silently from the mist.
Continuous pressure from multiple angles…No time for her to heal.
That was Mei's plan.
But the moment chakra surged—
Tsunade sensed it.
Without hesitation, she abandoned her feigned recovery and vanished in a Body Flicker, bursting through the fog and appearing high above Mei and her clones.
"…Found you."
Midair, Tsunade smiled and extended her left leg.
Slender.Fair.
From Mei's angle, it was an almost surreal sight.
Yet beneath that graceful posture lurked unrestrained ferocity.
Mei felt chakra rapidly condense in Tsunade's foot and instantly sensed mortal danger. She and her clones retreated at full speed—
But they were a fraction too slow.
Amid Tsunade's wild laughter, her heel crashed down.
Boom!
The impact shook the sea itself.
The remaining half of the island shattered. The water clones burst apart instantly, and although Mei wasn't struck directly, the shockwave hurled her into the ocean.
By the time Mei climbed back up, she was drenched. What had once been a hundred-meter-wide island was now mostly submerged. Both women stood atop the water's surface, facing each other.
Whoosh!
A kunai flew toward Tsunade—she sidestepped effortlessly.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A roaring water dragon surged forward.
Bang!
One punch dispersed it into mist.
Tsunade did not pursue.
Mei's position was too far from solid ground. Tsunade needed to stay close to the remaining land. She retreated, eyes locked on Mei.
Mei followed.
Halfway back, Tsunade stopped.
"You really live up to the name of a Legendary Sannin," Mei said quietly."You're… impressive."
Her chakra reserves were already more than half depleted—and yet, victory was nowhere in sight.
"You're not bad either," Tsunade replied coldly."But do you really have time to chat?"
The mist had thinned considerably after Tsunade's earlier strike, improving visibility.
Despite locating Mei, Tsunade did not press the attack.
The island lay too close to the Land of Waves. If the battle escalated further, perceptive villagers might witness it.
More importantly—
Tsunade was confident.
Confident that Konoha's forces were already overwhelming Kirigakure elsewhere.
The longer this dragged on, the clearer the outcome on the other battlefield became.
"…You win," Mei finally said, shaking her head."I'm calling off this operation."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed.
"Oh?""And the price?"
So she thinks she can just walk away after failing?
Absolutely not.
"The price," Mei said evenly,"is that you let us withdraw—and I guarantee Kirigakure will not take advantage of Konoha's current weakness."
Judging from the composition of Konoha's forces, Mei knew Tsunade couldn't afford to waste time. If Kumogakure struck Konoha now, Tsunade would be forced to retreat immediately.
Trying to extort me?Impossible.
"And who are you," Tsunade scoffed,"to represent Kirigakure?"
Mei met her gaze calmly.
"And you?""Can you represent yourself?"
Tsunade frowned.
"…Of course I—"
Her words stopped.
There was only one circumstance under which she couldn't represent herself.
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