Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 39: Tsunade: Are Konoha's Ninja Blind?

—Whoosh!

A figure appeared behind the Edo Tensei body controlled by Orochimaru, bowing respectfully.

"Orochimaru-sama, I've completed the task you assigned me."

Orochimaru nodded with a faint smile. "Well done. Head to the Land of Rice Fields next; I've made arrangements there."

"Understood!"

As Shin disappeared into the shadows, Hyuga Fuji turned toward Orochimaru and asked, "Sharing your plans so openly—is that an invitation for me?"

"If you're willing, Fuji-kun," Orochimaru replied, his smile widening, "you'd be more than welcome to join me after you leave Konoha."

The pale-haired sannin chuckled softly as his form began to fade. "To be honest, I half-expected you to take action against Tsunade to seize her Split Technique. It seems I underestimated you. Until we meet again… on the battlefield."

For a moment, Orochimaru's figure lingered before vanishing completely.

Fuji remained motionless, observing the dissipating image. If not for Orochimaru's intervention, perhaps I really wouldn't have returned…

"A cage… Konoha truly is a fine cage," Fuji muttered. "A place to raise birds that don't want to fly."

As Orochimaru vanished entirely, Fuji's consciousness retreated from the Edo Tensei body, leaving Hyuga Meijiu in full control of his reanimated form.

Left on his own, Meijiu sighed and glanced toward the Hyuga compound. His expression grew conflicted.

"Perhaps," Fuji had said before relinquishing control, "the clan's fate won't be as bleak as you imagine. It's time to see it for yourself."

With that, Meijiu made his way toward the Hyuga clan's district, knowing that the confrontation surrounding Tsunade would soon cascade into larger changes.

---

Meanwhile, back in Konoha's graveyard, Orochimaru stepped through the shadows. The distant echoes of explosions reached his ears, prompting him to shake his head in amusement.

"Such an open display," he murmured. "Danzo clearly has no intention of covering his tracks."

Danzo wasn't worried about the fallout. Though his words to Tsunade were sharp, his actions had been carefully calculated.

From the moment Danzo declared his intent to "leave Tsunade here, dead or alive," the nature of the battle was set.

The Root's sheer manpower and resources made it entirely possible to contain Tsunade.

Her hemophobia had lingered for over a decade—a debilitating condition for a physical fighter like herself. Even if Tsunade's physical prowess had remained at its peak, ten years without combat or bloodshed would still dull her edge.

And as long as Tsunade wasn't outright killed, Danzo could maneuver diplomatically afterward. Sarutobi Hiruzen's soft-heartedness, combined with his guilt over Tsunade's past, would ensure Danzo escaped severe consequences.

"It's his way of gambling on the Hokage's sentimentality," Orochimaru mused, pausing before the Second Hokage's grave.

For a fleeting moment, Orochimaru's gaze turned introspective. If I were to leave Konoha, would you try to stop me, sensei?

With those thoughts lingering, Orochimaru activated Edo Tensei, using the information he had gathered to summon a body from the coffin. With his final preparations complete, he disappeared into the shadows once more.

---

"Summoning Jutsu!"

A colossal figure burst forth in the midst of the Root's underground base. The sudden summoning demolished walls and ceilings, leaving the interior exposed to the open air.

Tsunade stood atop Katsuyu's massive form, her golden hair whipping in the wind as her eyes blazed with resolve.

"Katsuyu!" Tsunade called out, her voice firm despite her visible fatigue.

"Lady Tsunade," Katsuyu replied in her usual gentle tone, her soft voice carrying a calming warmth. "What's happened? Is Shizune hurt?"

Hearing Katsuyu's familiar voice helped ease some of the turmoil in Tsunade's heart.

"Shizune's safe for now," she answered. "But I need you to protect her. Can you take her somewhere safe?"

"Of course, Lady Tsunade," Katsuyu replied without hesitation. She quickly detached a smaller segment of herself, which enveloped Shizune's unconscious body. Moving swiftly, Katsuyu's clone began transporting Shizune to safety.

With Shizune out of harm's way, Tsunade's expression hardened as she turned her attention back to Danzo.

Their eyes met briefly. No words were exchanged.

Under Danzo's command, several members of the Yamanaka and Nara clans stepped forward, their hands weaving signs to activate their respective clan techniques.

Root's collective strength, combined with the secret techniques of these clans, made them a force to be reckoned with.

Tsunade knew this all too well. Her experience as a war commander had shown her the devastating efficiency of Konoha's combined forces. Even a single Bijuu could be subdued when facing their coordinated might.

For now, her only option was to avoid being caught in their web.

"Katsuyu, hold them off!" Tsunade called out, dodging a series of shadow-binding tendrils.

"As you wish, Lady Tsunade." Katsuyu's massive form shuddered before splitting into countless smaller clones. Each clone began moving independently, spewing corrosive acid at the Root operatives.

However, Katsuyu wasn't invincible. Her enormous size made her an easy target for the Nara clan's Shadow Imitation Technique. Before long, the giant slug was ensnared by multiple shadows.

"Katsuyu, are you alright?"

"Yes," Katsuyu answered. "But… Lady Tsunade, why are we fighting Konoha ninja?"

For the first time, Katsuyu took a closer look at the situation. The shinobi surrounding them were all wearing Konoha's emblem.

Tsunade sighed heavily, landing another decisive blow to the ground that sent a wave of debris scattering. "It's complicated," she muttered, dodging yet another volley of attacks. "Just focus on holding them off for now."

Katsuyu didn't press further. Though she remained puzzled, her loyalty to Tsunade took precedence. She resumed spewing acid at the encroaching shinobi.

The Root operatives quickly realized the futility of their efforts. Katsuyu's ability to divide and regenerate made her nearly impossible to kill.

"Deploy the Four Violet Flames Formation!"

At the command of a Root squad leader, eight shinobi moved into position. Two separate groups began forming barriers to contain Katsuyu's clones.

But even this strategy proved ineffective. Within the barriers, Katsuyu's acid continued to erode the constructs. Her clones outside the barriers harried the shinobi, forcing them to redirect their focus.

The Root members gritted their teeth in frustration. Every attempt to contain Katsuyu was met with failure.

---

With Katsuyu occupying the majority of the Root's forces, Tsunade had a moment to assess the situation.

Her sharp eyes scanned the battlefield, noting key details. Among the captured and injured shinobi, Tsunade recognized several faces—individuals who hadn't originally been part of the Root.

Her hands clenched into fists.

Danzo… You've been forcibly recruiting them.

The realization fueled her growing fury. How many lives had Danzo trampled on to build his shadow organization?

As her thoughts churned, Tsunade's gaze drifted toward Konoha's horizon. Katsuyu's massive form stood out starkly against the village skyline.

Surely someone must have noticed by now.

Surely reinforcements were on their way.

And yet, the streets remained silent.

The surrounding buildings offered no sign of assistance.

"Are Konoha's ninja blind?!" Tsunade roared, her voice echoing over the chaos.

(End of Chapter)

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