The Titan Curse: A Shinobi’s Reign

Chapter 14 – A Lingering Presence

The battlefield was silent, save for the faint crackling of dying embers where their chakra had clashed. The land itself bore the scars of their battle—deep trenches, shattered boulders, and splintered trees standing as silent witnesses to the raw power both had unleashed.

Tsunade stood amidst the destruction, her breath slow and steady despite the burning in her muscles. She wiped a streak of blood from her cheek, golden eyes never leaving the man before her.

Kurozan.

Even now, after all of it, he was still standing.

His cloak barely clung to his frame, torn in places where her fists had landed, but his expression? Unbothered.

No. Amused.

Tsunade felt her jaw tighten.

She had fought countless warriors, sparred against legends, crushed mountains beneath her fists—and yet this man had held his ground.

Who the hell was he?

Kurozan finally exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Not bad."

Tsunade scoffed. Not bad? The nerve of this bastard.

Her fists clenched at her sides. "If you think this is over—"

"Oh, I don't," he interrupted smoothly, his smirk widening. "But I didn't come here to fight you to the death, Senju."

The way he said her name made her pulse spike.

It wasn't just that he knew who she was—it was the way he said it.

Like he had known her for a long time. Like he had studied her.

Tsunade took a cautious step back.

She didn't know this man, but she knew his type.

Men who acted like they were untouchable. Who spoke as if they had already won. Who carried themselves like kings before even proving they deserved the throne.

And yet—Kurozan was different.

He wasn't all talk. She had felt his power. Experienced his strength firsthand.

And it made her uneasy.

Tsunade straightened, cracking her knuckles. "Then what did you come here for?"

Kurozan tilted his head, as if debating whether to tell her the truth. Then, his lips curled into that damnable smirk again.

"To see if you were worth my time."

Tsunade's eyebrow twitched. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," he said, stepping forward. "I wanted to know if the legendary Tsunade Senju was as powerful as they say."

Tsunade's blood boiled. She hated being tested.

She had nothing to prove to this man.

"And?" she challenged.

Kurozan stopped a few paces away, his gaze never leaving hers. "You are."

The words sent a shiver down her spine—not because of what he said, but because of how he said it.

Like it was a fact.

Like it meant something.

Tsunade clenched her fists, resisting the urge to wipe the smug look off his face with another punch. "I don't need your approval."

"I know," he said, his smirk never fading. "But you have it anyway."

Tsunade wasn't sure why that made her more irritated.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax. Losing her temper wouldn't accomplish anything.

Besides, something about this man bothered her.

Not just his strength, or his arrogance—but the way he fought.

He wasn't like any shinobi she had encountered.

His techniques. His movements. His sheer confidence in battle—it was unlike anything she had faced before.

What was his endgame?

Tsunade's fingers twitched. She should end this here. Now.

She still had chakra left. She could summon Katsuyu, overwhelm him, break him.

And yet…

Something held her back.

Maybe it was the nagging feeling in her gut.

Maybe it was the exhaustion creeping into her limbs.

Or maybe—just maybe—it was because she wanted to see what he would do next.

Tsunade hated that thought.

Her fists tightened as she took another step back, keeping her gaze locked onto his. "I don't know who you are, but if you ever threaten the people I protect, I will end you."

Kurozan's smirk didn't waver. "Noted."

Then, to her surprise, he turned and walked away.

Tsunade stood frozen, watching as he disappeared into the distance, his presence lingering long after he was gone.

She hated this.

She hated that he had walked away so easily—as if this had all been some kind of game.

But most of all, she hated that a small part of her knew…

This wasn't over.

And the next time they met?

She wouldn't let him walk away so easily.

---

Elsewhere…

Kurozan moved through the forest at a steady pace, his mind still lingering on the fight.

Tsunade Senju.

She was stronger than he expected.

But more importantly—she was fierce.

She fought with a fire he rarely saw. Not just in strength, but in will.

And that made her interesting.

He could see it—the way she resisted him, the way her body reacted in battle.

She wasn't just fighting him.

She was fighting herself.

A smirk played on his lips.

Yes. This would be fun.

But for now, there were other matters to attend to.

His plans were still unfolding. The world was still changing.

And soon—Tsunade would have no choice but to see things his way.

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