Chapter 57: Shikamaru's Analysis, Tsunade's Trial Spar!

Chapter 57: Shikamaru's Analysis, Tsunade's Trial Spar!

"Despicable bastards! I've caught you now! I'll shatter your bones!"

Tsunade grit her teeth, her eyes flashing with anger.

Knock, knock, knock...

A knocking sound interrupted her brooding.

"Come in," Tsunade said lazily.

The door opened to reveal Shikamaru Nara, his face serious as he entered the room.

"Lady Tsunade!"

"Oh, it's you, Shikamaru," Tsunade acknowledged. "Any updates on the Hyuga clan situation from the past few days?"

"I have some speculations," Shikamaru replied, his brow furrowed and eyes glinting.

"Do tell."

"I suspect that this incident involving the Byakugan may be related to Tang, Yun, and Hinata Hyuga," Shikamaru Nara stated.

" Them?" Tsunade straightened in her seat, her brows knitting together. "I had my suspicions about them too. But considering they've just arrived in Konoha, they would naturally be prime suspects no matter what happens. Anyone with a bit of wit should know better than to put themselves in such a position."

"Perhaps that's exactly what they're thinking," Shikamaru countered. "The safest place is often the most dangerous. Moreover... I've received some interesting intelligence. Before the incident with the Hyuga clan, Hinata did not visit them."

"He didn't?" Tsunade frowned, intrigued.

"No, and this is the intriguing part. According to my sources, Hinata went straight to the Hyuga compound after entering Konoha, but something he witnessed there made him turn back," Shikamaru explained.

"Oh?" Tsunade's eyebrows arched.

"He saw members of the Hyuga main house bullying the branch house members," Shikamaru revealed.

"I see..." Tsunade mused, her eyes narrowing in thought.

"Furthermore," Shikamaru continued, "in another world, without the presence of a caged bird, I believe there wouldn't be a distinction between the main and branch houses. In that case, do you think the Hyuga clan would be more united, Lady Tsunade?"

"Are you implying that Hinata resents the division between the main and branch houses in this world, and that he witnessed the main house bullying the branch house?"

"Yes, although all of this assumes that another world similar to ours truly exists," Shikamaru qualified. "If it doesn't, then these speculations are meaningless. Nonetheless, I remain suspicious of them."

"Indeed, they are cunning," Tsunade said, her tone grim. "Was their assistance in healing also a ploy to lull us into a false sense of security? Those guys... regardless of their true identities, they're too arrogant! They don't seem to hold Konoha in any regard at all!"

Tsunade's displeasure was evident, and she clenched her fists tightly.

"Shikamaru, where are they now?"

"Hinata, Tenten, and Naruto are all at the Konoha Hospital. Yun is with Kakashi at Rin's grave," Shikamaru reported.

"I see," Tsunade said thoughtfully. "I had intended to test them after some time had passed. But it seems we must move up our timetable to more accurately determine if they are suspects. We must also show them that Konoha is not to be trifled with!

Shikamaru, have someone invite those three to a clearing on the outskirts of Konoha. I want to meet them there."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade."

Shikamaru bowed and took his leave.

Tsunade shook out her cloak and headed out as well.

On the outskirts of Konoha...

Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, had set aside her usual green cloth attire and now wore only a form-fitting sleeveless shirt that showcased her perfect figure while also preparing her for combat. Her gaze was intense as she stared into the distance.

There...

The Akatsuki trio, along with Kakashi, Shino, and Naruto and Sakura, who were also present, approached her.

"Granny Tsunade!"

Naruto called out to her from a distance, but in contrast to his usual energetic self, he now looked deflated.

It was evident that Hinata's situation had affected him deeply.

"Naruto, Sakura, why are you two here as well? I don't recall inviting you to join us."

Tsunade asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Sakura and I were just asking Tang about martial arts, so we came along," Naruto explained, his eyes narrowing suspiciously as he looked at Tsunade. "Granny Tsunade, why do you seem so reluctant to see us? What do you plan to do to Tang, Yun, and Neji?"

"You brat, weren't you just bragging about how strong they are? I just want to test their skills and see how powerful they really are," Tsunade replied, her eyes shifting towards the Akatsuki trio, a glint in her eyes as if conveying a hidden message.

"Sparring! Excellent! I've been longing to face off against true Kage-level opponents from this world, and now I finally have the chance! Is this what they call the thrill of youth?"

Little Empire Lee, upon hearing Tsunade's words, jumped up and down in excitement, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"What? Sparring? Why do you need Lee... I mean, Tang and Neji? I was just spending time with Rin, telling her stories from our world..." Empire Obito frowned, clearly displeased.

Neji, noticing Tsunade's demeanor, raised an eyebrow.

In his mind, he thought:

"Has she figured it out? That's why she's using this sparring session as a warning or a test of strength? Is it because of Shino from this world? As expected... no matter the world, the Nara clan is never one to be underestimated.

But... so what if she has figured it out?

The Kage of the ninja era is nothing to us in the Empire!

Your probing will only lead to despair!"

"Huh? Granny Tsunade wants to spar with Tang, Neji, and Big Brother Yamato?" Naruto asked, his eyes wide in surprise.

Sakura, standing beside him, shared a similar expression.

Shino, seeing their reactions, smiled and asked, "Yes! After all, Naruto, you've been praising them so highly, and Tsunade-sama is curious as well.

But... Naruto, between Tsunade-sama and Tang, Yamato, and Neji, who do you think is stronger?"

With these words, the gazes of Tsunade, Kakashi, and the Akatsuki trio all turned towards Naruto.

Naruto's face scrunched up as he struggled with the question:

"Who's stronger... I... I don't know! Granny Tsunade is a Kage and one of the Legendary Sannin.

But Tang's strength, even from what he's shown so far, is incredibly powerful.

As for Neji and Big Brother Yamato, I haven't seen them in action yet."

"Is that so?"

Shino furrowed his brows, his eyes filled with gravity.

In Naruto's eyes, Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin and a Kage, might not necessarily be able to defeat Lee, Neji, and Obito from another world. Was it due to Naruto's ignorance of a Kage's true power, or were Lee, Neji, and Obito truly that formidable? He glanced at Tsunade once more.

"You brat! You dare underestimate me as well! You've got guts!"

Tsunade clenched her left fist and struck it against her open right palm, exerting a slight force that created a cracking sound.

Naruto jumped at the sound, looking a bit aggrieved as he said, "Of course, I know you're strong, Granny Tsunade! But Tang is really powerful too! I don't know if I don't know!"

"Hmph! Sakura, what about you? What do you think?"

Tsunade turned her gaze towards Sakura.

Sakura's face twitched as she replied, "I... of course, believe that my master is stronger!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end