"Well done!"
No sooner had Shizune finished speaking than Tsunade strode in with purpose.
"Tsunade-sama!"
Everyone saluted in unison.
Seeing Tsunade arrive cald even the flustered Yakumo considerably.
Tsunade waved a hand at the Kurama clansman. "You can step out now!"
"Y-Yes!"
Wiping sweat from his brow, the Kurama clansman left the practice room.
Once the ssenger was gone, Tsunade turned to Yakumo. "Don't worry. I've looked into it. Your father and mother likely ran into a group of rogue shinobi. The village is already assembling a team to provide backup."
Yakumo quickly said, "Tsunade-sama, let go!"
Tsunade shook her head.
Yakumo pressed, "Tsunade-sama, are you really asking to stand by while my parents are in danger?"
"This—"
Tsunade hesitated, caught in a dilemma.
"Even if you don't agree, I'll go myself. I won't let anyone harm my parents!"
Seeing Tsunade still unwilling to relent, Yakumo declared resolutely.
Tsunade sighed helplessly and nodded. "Fine, go get ready. Wait for my orders!"
"Yes!"
With a swift reply, Yakumo hurried off to prepare her gear.
Once Yakumo was out of earshot, Shizune whispered, "Tsunade-sama, Yakumo just finished her surgery, and now her parents run into trouble on a mission. Isn't that a bit too convenient?"
Tsunade's face darkened. "Yeah, soone's definitely pulling strings! Even if the mission center received Kurama Murayun's distress signal, the news shouldn't have reached the Kurama clan this fast!"
Shizune's heart tightened. "Soone wanted Yakumo to find out!"
"Hmph, looks like soone couldn't hold back and decided to test the waters!"
Tsunade let out a cold snort.
Shizune frowned, puzzled. "Then why let Yakumo join the rescue?"
"If I stopped her from going and sothing happened to her parents, do you think she'd still see as her teacher?" Tsunade sighed, a glint of killing intent flashing in her eyes. "Since soone wants to lure Yakumo out of the village, I'll et them head-on! I'm leading this team myself!"
Shizune breathed a sigh of relief.
Soon after, a four-person squad assembled at the gates of Hidden Leaf Hospital.
Besides Tsunade as the leader, Yakumo and Shizune were fully equipped. The fourth mber was Yakushi Kabuto, bespectacled and seemingly harmless.
Kabuto was chosen because, as a dical team shinobi, Tsunade could deploy him directly without village approval.
Moreover, his resu boasted years of undercover work in black markets, making him an ideal fit for this mission, so Tsunade picked him on the spot.
Glancing at the three before her, Tsunade asked, "All set?"
The trio replied in unison, "Ready!"
"Move out!"
With no unnecessary words, the decisive Tsunade waved her hand, leading the team out.
After the squad departed, Uchiha Shinji stepped out from around a corner.
Since this might involve Yakumo, he'd paid slight attention—and sure enough, he'd unintentionally stumbled onto sothing.
"Heh, looks like soone's in for a rough ti!"
A smirk tugged at his lips.
After days of adjustnt, Yakumo had gained preliminary control over "Wood Release," and her mastery of Koryugan had risen another level with "Koryu."
Just how strong Yakumo was now, even Uchiha Shinji couldn't fully gauge, so he quietly looked forward to her potential real combat debut.
Elsewhere.
Tsunade's squad raced along, reaching the black market from Kurama Murayun's mission just before sunset.
Built by a lakeside, the black market was shrouded in a thin mist as evening fell.
After inspecting the site, Shizune reported, "Tsunade-sama, there are signs of a fight inside. There's blood on the ground too."
Yakumo tensed imdiately. "Have you found my parents?"
Shizune shook her head. "No wounded or bodies inside. It's been cleaned up."
Tsunade surveyed the surroundings, her brow furrowing slightly.
There were no traces of combat outside, aning the fight had erupted and concluded within the black market.
But that made things complicated.
If Kurama Murayun's side had won, there'd be no need for a distress signal.
If the attackers had won and taken out Kurama Murayun's team inside the market, he wouldn't have had the chance to send one.
Just then, footsteps echoed from nearby.
"Everyone, stay sharp!"
Tsunade warned the group.
The team's nerves tightened as they all turned toward the mysterious figure erging through the mist, walking toward them.
The figure chuckled lightly. "I knew you'd co!"
Tsunade's expression shifted. "Orochimaru!? How is it you?"
At that mont, Orochimaru stepped into the squad's view.
Dressed as a Hidden Leaf shinobi, hands in his pockets, a faint smile played on his lips. His gaze lingered on Yakumo for a mont before settling on Tsunade. With a mocking tone, he asked, "Have you cured your hemophobia yet?"
Tsunade's face hardened. She imdiately ordered the three behind her, "I'll hold this guy off—get out of here!"
Shizune quickly said, "I'll stay. Let Yakumo and Yakushi Kabuto go first!"
Tsunade snapped, "Against this guy, you staying won't help. Take Yakumo and go now—their target is her!"
Knowing a fight between Tsunade and Orochimaru was beyond her level, Shizune didn't argue further. She hurriedly led Yakumo and Kabuto away.
Orochimaru watched Shizune, Yakumo, and Kabuto leave with interest, making no move to stop them.
"Not good—he's trying to stall ?"
Tsunade instantly sensed sothing off. Without hesitation, she lunged at Orochimaru.
Boom!
Soon, the lakeside echoed with a thunderous roar.
Hearing the blasts behind her, Shizune's expression soured.
Tsunade was indeed one of the legendary "Sannin," on par with Orochimaru—but that was before her hemophobia. Now, afflicted by it, she was clearly no match for him.
As Shizune worried for Tsunade's safety, two shadows suddenly darted out from the trees, charging at her.
Blocking them, Shizune shouted to Kabuto, "Yakushi Kabuto, take Yakumo and go—protect her at all costs!"
"Y-Yes..."
Feigning panic, Kabuto hurriedly fled with Yakumo.
Monts later.
Kabuto had led Yakumo far from the lakeside battlefield. Now, in the quiet forest, it was just the two of them.
He glanced at Yakumo, a glint flickering in his eyes.
Yakumo turned to him, her pupils—unbeknownst to when—having shifted into a gem-like crimson...
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