Marvel: Devour to Evolve From Naruto

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Every time Tsunade asked a question, her tone grew sharper.

With each question, the atmosphere became heavier.

By the time she was done, Jiraiya fully grasped the seriousness of the situation.

Both Tsunade and the Flying Thunder God technique were top-level Konoha secrets.

In fact, Tsunade's hemophobia was an even bigger secret—so classified that even Minato Namikaze, despite mastering the Flying Thunder God technique, didn't know about it.

So how could an outsider possibly know?

"Kid, looks like you'll have to come back to Konoha with me."

Ron raised an eyebrow slightly, ignoring Jiraiya and instead locking eyes with Tsunade. His

expression showed clear irritation.

"When did I ever say I knew the Flying Thunder God technique?"

"When did I ever claim to be Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple?"

"What part of this is impersonation?"

"As for approaching you on purpose?"

"Your name is all over Tanzaku Street. Do I really need to go out of my way to find you?"

Tsunade didn't listen to Ron's response.

In her mind, he hadn't answered anything directly.

Deflection wasn't the same as explanation.

"You didn't say you knew the Flying Thunder God technique, but you used it right in front of me and Shizune!"

"And this food—do I even need to remind you how it got here?"

"You also never claimed to be the old man's student, but the number of people who know about

my hemophobia is incredibly small!"

"Besides the old man, no one else would tell anyone without my permission!"

Ron let out a deep breath. "That's all?"

Tsunade remained firm. "Isn't that enough?"

Even Jiraiya and Shizune felt she had a point.

"So, you're treating me as an enemy now?"

Ron didn't even bother explaining further. He wasn't about to let himself get captured.

Going to Konoha with Jiraiya? Might as well walk into a lion's den.

He glanced at Tsunade. Her expression was resolute, without the slightest hesitation.

Shizune, on the other hand, looked like she wanted to speak up for him but wasn't sure how.

She had no say in this.

Ron chuckled to himself.

He'd been too naive.

He thought that building a relationship and becoming friends would eliminate suspicion.

But this wasn't the original story.

He wasn't some pre-written character.

This was a real world.

Everyone had their own beliefs.

Their own sense of identity.

For Tsunade, Konoha came above all else.

It was the village her grandfather built.

The village her great-uncle protected.

The home where she grew up.

She wouldn't allow anyone to threaten it.

Compared to Konoha, Ron—someone she had known for barely half a day—was insignificant.

Even if he was only suspicious, that was enough.

Ron shook his head in self-mockery.

"I was way too naive."

"I'm just an outsider in this world. Why do I even care what you all think?"

As someone who grew up in a completely different world, he had approached this one with

curiosity and enthusiasm.

But he didn't expect the suspicion to come so fast.

If he ever had to swear loyalty to this place, he'd probably struggle to adapt.

Damn, that's ironic.

Ron lifted his gaze, looking at Tsunade and Jiraiya, who had surrounded him, ready to strike

at any moment.

"We could have been friends."

"If you want someone to blame, blame yourself."

Tsunade, who had been watching Ron's every move, felt her heart tighten when she met his gaze.

A thought crept into her mind: Did I make a mistake?

She was just about to speak when—

In the blink of an eye, Ron vanished.

Silence hung over them for a moment.

Jiraiya was the first to break it. "Tsunade, what just happened?"

"That was... the Flying Thunder God technique?"

But Tsunade didn't respond.

She just stared blankly at the table, her expression unreadable.

Was that really the Flying Thunder God technique?

The technique required a seal.

But when Ron returned earlier, she had checked.

There wasn't one.

Did I really make a mistake?

Jiraiya remained silent for a moment before turning to Shizune with a questioning look.

Shizune hesitated, then looked at Tsunade, who still hadn't spoken, before lowering her head and

explaining everything that had happened that day.

As she spoke, her gaze fell on the food on the table—especially the fruit cake in front of Tsunade.

The lingering sweetness of fruit and cream was still in her mouth.

But at this moment, all she could taste was bitterness.

Her throat felt tight.

She wasn't sure when, but her eyes had begun to redden.

She hadn't eaten properly all day, only having a couple of bites earlier.

She was still hungry.

But now, staring at the table full of delicious food, she found it hard to swallow.

When Shizune finished, Jiraiya spoke to comfort Tsunade.

"Tsunade, your suspicion wasn't wrong."

"If he had nothing to hide, why didn't he answer directly?"

"He could very well be a spy from another village."

"And the way he disappeared—it was definitely a space-time jutsu."

Still, Tsunade didn't respond.

Jiraiya sighed inwardly, a hint of jealousy flashing in his eyes.

...

Half a day.

And Ron had already left such an impression on her?

"Tsunade, let's head back to the village."

"We need to report this to the old man."

"The village can investigate."

"If he knows about you, he must've been in Konoha before."

"Someone has to recognize him."

Jiraiya's words finally brought Tsunade back to reality.

"Alright..."

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