NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: 13. Kabuto Replaced?
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**Naruto's POV:**
As I watched the fight between Tsunade and Kisame, I noticed that Kisame seemed to be holding back, probably not wanting to draw blood. He likely wanted to test Tsunade's strength firsthand.
*This is an opportunity. I can replace Kabuto's role with Kisame. I just need to perfect it.* I couldn't help but feel thankful to these two, even if they didn't know it. I was using them to help Tsunade overcome her hemophobia.
As Naruto focused on the battle, he noticed the dejected look Kisame sent towards Tsunade. Then Kisame spoke, "I'm quite disappointed. To think someone with the title of Sannin would be so weak. It seems it's better to just kill you than waste any more time with you."
Tsunade roared as she gathered chakra from her Yin Seal and sent a powerful kick toward Kisame. Realizing the danger, Kisame quickly dodged. The next second, the entire area within a kilometer was literally torn apart.
Despite Tsunade's unbelievable strength, she lacked the speed and reflexes to match it, having grown rusty over time. Kisame, on the other hand, was just waiting for the perfect moment to finish her off.
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**Third-Person POV:**
As the fight between Tsunade and Kisame reached its climax, Naruto knew it was time for him to intervene. Kisame closed in on Tsunade, swinging his sword to end the fight. Just as his blade was about to strike, it collided with Naruto's Rasengan. Kisame's Samehada absorbed the Rasengan but still struck Naruto's hand. Though the chakra covering and the Rasengan stopped most of the impact, the remaining force was enough to cut through and draw blood.
Tsunade noticed the blood, but instead of reacting with fear, she just stared blankly at it.
Meanwhile, Naruto engaged Kisame in battle. He summoned hundreds of shadow clones to match Kisame's Kage-level strength. As the fight grew more intense, Naruto mixed some explosive shadow clones among his regular clones. Using the element of surprise, he managed to draw Kisame's blood.
Enraged, Kisame rushed at Naruto with a speed he had never shown before. Naruto could have dodged or used a giant Rasengan to block him, but he decided to risk it and wait.
Just as Kisame was about to reach him, Naruto saw Tsunade's punch land squarely on Kisame's face. The punch was so strong that it caused the earth beneath them to crack open. Naruto could hear the sound of bones breaking, and Kisame was sent flying.
Tsunade stood in front of Naruto, her Yin Seal fully activated. The aura she exuded was intense and powerful. She turned to Naruto and said, "You go back. I'll take care of this."
Naruto nodded, but inside, he couldn't shake the flashbacks of Tsunade getting beaten.
Round two of the battle began, but this time Tsunade had the upper hand. Itachi, who had been engaged with Jiraiya the whole time, noticed the shift and called for Kisame to retreat.
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**Naruto's POV:**
As I watched them retreat, I muttered a quiet thanks. Tsunade had successfully overcome her hemophobia and would probably accept the role of Hokage now.
Tsunade approached me and began healing my injury. Soon, Jiraiya returned, and instead of making a dramatic speech, I admitted, "Actually, I have a selfish reason for wanting you to become Hokage." They both looked at me suspiciously.
Without saying anything else, I pulled out the scrolls that contained the evidence. Tsunade began looking through them, and I could practically feel her anger radiating from her.
Finally, she spoke. "Jiraiya, I accept the role of Fifth Hokage. After all, how can I waste this opportunity to make them pay for what they did—not just to me, but to countless others?"
Jiraiya silently picked up the scrolls, stunned. He decided to remain silent for now.
As I watched Tsunade and Jiraiya leave for a bar, leaving me and Shizune at the hotel, I thought to myself, *My work is done. Now it's just a matter of some politics that Tsunade will handle. But I won't miss my chance to kill Danzo with my own hands.*
After completing my internal monologue, I turned to see Shizune staring at me. Awkwardly, I said, "Hey."
She awkwardly smiled and replied, "Uh, hi."
The atmosphere was tense.
Trying to break the silence, I added, "It must have been hard on you to be stuck with such a sensei."
It seemed like we'd found a common topic, and we began talking for the next few hours until sleep overtook us.
The next day, Tsunade and Jiraiya returned, still smelling of alcohol, and we began our journey back to the village.
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**Peace.**