The sudden shockwave kicked up clouds of dust, scattering them like a sandstorm!

The massive tent was shredded to pieces by the aftermath.

Glass bottles filled with strange liquids toppled from the table, crashing to the ground one after another like harvested wheat. Their contents spilled out in all directions, dyeing the earth into a chaotic splash of colors.

A strong, acrid smell began to spread. The overpowering stench made Kaito's nose wrinkle.

Nearby, Tsunade stood frozen, staring at the mess. The work she had spent an entire week perfecting was gone. Her expression darkened so much it felt like the air itself had become heavier.

Kaito, fully aware of Tsunade's infamous temper, didn't waste a second. He turned and bolted, tossing a shout over his shoulder: "I'll wait for you at the station entrance!"

The noise drew the attention of the Konoha shinobi stationed nearby. Within moments, several had gathered in front of Tsunade.

"Lady Tsunade! Are you alright?" one of the jonin asked, glancing at the two unconscious ninja behind her.

"I'm fine," Tsunade growled. "But how the hell did a stranger wander into camp without anyone noticing? Where the hell is Shikaku?!"

"The supply convoy was ambushed by Sand-nin," the jonin replied quickly. "Lord Shikaku took most of the troops to reinforce them."

"I see… Clean this place up. I'm stepping out," Tsunade ordered coldly before storming off, rage practically radiating from her.

You little bastard… whoever you are… Since you ruined my work, I'll make sure you regret it, Tsunade seethed internally as she walked.

At the camp's gate, Kaito leaned casually against a support pillar. With the guards distracted by the earlier commotion, the area had become eerily quiet.

He didn't have to wait long.

Tsunade stormed out of the camp, her expression thunderous. The moment she spotted Kaito, she didn't hesitate. Without a single word, she launched a punch straight at him.

Kaito sighed. He knew Tsunade's temper was bad, but this was ridiculous.

He dodged the incoming strike.

Boom!

A loud crash followed as Tsunade's fist struck the ground where he had been standing.

Without giving him a moment to breathe, Tsunade came at him again, fists flying with precision and fury.

"Do you even know what those were? My antidote samples for Chiyo's poison! A week's work—ruined because of you!"

Each blow she threw carried more strength than the last. Her fury only seemed to fuel her power.

Kaito understood there was no reasoning with her until she calmed down.

Meanwhile, some distance away, a bizarre scene was unfolding. Tsunade's fists pounded the earth like artillery shells, each strike leaving craters in the ground.

The escalating chaos quickly drew the attention of the remaining shinobi in the camp.

Watching from afar, a few of the chunin exchanged nervous glances.

"Why's Lady Tsunade attacking our own gate?" one asked, eyes wide.

"She's fighting someone," a Hyuga said, activating his Byakugan. "The opponent's fast—very fast. He's dodging everything."

He didn't add the most disturbing part—Tsunade wasn't even close to landing a hit.

The masked figure was simply toying with her.

"Get ready," came a commanding voice. "If Lady Tsunade goes down, we move in."

The shinobi turned toward the speaker and bowed slightly.

"Master Shinku!"

Yuhi Shinku—father of Yuhi Kurenai and one of Konoha's elite "Eight Colors"—stood calmly watching the confrontation. His genjutsu prowess was legendary, even said to rival the Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan.

He stood alongside the likes of Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi as a strategic cornerstone of Konoha's forces.

Back at the battlefield, Tsunade punched yet again, creating another gash in the ground.

"You just going to keep dodging? Fight me like a shinobi! What are you—Danzo? A coward who hides in the shadows?"

Kaito suddenly reappeared, standing calmly before her. "That's low. Don't compare me to that rat."

"Hmph. Says the guy in a mask who won't even fight me head-on," she sneered.

"I'm not here to fight," Kaito replied evenly. "I came to talk. But clearly, you're too angry to listen."

"Fine. You want to talk? Take this first."

With a grin, she lunged forward again.

"You said it, not me," Kaito muttered as he raised his left hand, palm open.

Wham!

He caught her punch with a single hand—completely halting its momentum.

"You idiot," Tsunade laughed, relaxing slightly. "You really took that? I hope you're ready for the hospital. If you break something, I'll patch you up myself."

Bang!

A shockwave exploded from the contact point between them.

The ground cracked violently beneath their feet. A crater formed instantly, the energy of the collision rippling outward.

Tsunade's laughter died on her lips.

Her punch felt like it had struck a steel wall. No—worse. It was like trying to shatter a mountain with her bare hands.

The masked man's reaction didn't change. He had taken the full force of her strongest punch as if it were nothing.

Tsunade pulled back her fist, her tone now serious. "Who are you? What do you want? When did someone like you appear in the shinobi world?"

Kaito's eyes narrowed slightly.

"You just threw seventeen punches. I dodged all of them."

"Now it's my turn."

And with that, he vanished.

---

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