"Rebuke me? Do you own this training ground?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, and the sheer pressure of her presence made the Shimura clan's guards instinctively back away, abandoning their young master.
Tsunade-hime.
A legendary figure who fought in the Second Great Ninja War. The woman who battled Hanzo of the Salamander alongside Jiraiya and Orochimaru, earning the title of the Sannin.
At this moment, Tsunade exuded the same overwhelming aura she had on the battlefield—majestic and dangerous. It was impossible for the Shimura clan's guards not to sense the shift in the atmosphere.
"This… Of course, this place doesn't belong to my family…"
"But it's a public training ground! A place meant for everyone to use! You should at least show some courtesy!"
The young master of the Shimura clan, who had occupied Training Ground No. 1 without opposition until now, responded haughtily.
Tyrannical rule?
Hearing him say that, Tsunade smiled—a dangerous, rage-filled smile.
"Alright then… I'll be polite."
Tsunade ignored the young master entirely and strolled leisurely toward the target in the center of the training ground.
"Then may I use this target?"
"…"
The young master froze, unsure of Tsunade's intentions. But as she approached, his guards instinctively took another step back.
Dazed, he nodded. "O-Of course."
Tsunade let out a chuckle, rolling her shoulders.
"It's been a while since I've trained…"
Then, she turned her head slightly.
"Tenten, step back."
At least ten meters away, Tenten blinked in confusion. That's already pretty far, isn't it?
Still, she obediently took a few steps back.
"Not enough. Move farther."
Though unsure why, Tenten jogged all the way to the edge of the training ground.
Seeing this, the smarter of the Shimura guards began retreating on their own.
The young master, however, remained frozen in place.
Then, before he could react, Tsunade's voice boomed.
"Tenten, watch carefully! This is the first lesson I want to teach you!"
A massive surge of chakra erupted from Tsunade's body, converging into her clenched right fist.
BOOM!
The target exploded into splinters the moment her fist connected.
But she wasn't done.
Driving her fist into the ground, an earth-shattering impact echoed across Konoha.
RUMBLE—
The entire training ground quaked violently.
Crack.
Kakakakaka!
Jagged fissures spread like a web, splitting the ground apart and leaving the once-stable terrain in ruins.
Tenten's eyes widened, filled with admiration.
One punch—just one punch—had demolished the entire training ground.
This was Tsunade-hime.
This was one of the legendary Sannin.
This was the granddaughter of the First Hokage—Konoha's proud princess of the Senju Clan.
And most importantly…
This was her teacher.
Tsunade dusted off her hands.
"That's enough for today's lesson."
"Tenten, let's go."
Tsunade stood at the center of the cracked training ground, surveying the damage. With a scoff, she turned away, calling out to Tenten without looking back.
"Tenten, let's go."
"Yes, Tsunade-sensei!!" Tenten responded excitedly, stars practically shining in her eyes. She hurried after Tsunade like a loyal disciple, trailing behind her as they headed toward Kazuki's house.
Training Ground One
The once-solid ground was shattered, deep cracks spiderwebbing across the earth. A pit had formed, and from within it came a panicked cry.
"Help… help me! Someone, get me out of here!"
The arrogant young heir of the Shimura clan struggled in the hole, his usual composure nowhere to be seen. After what felt like an eternity, his supposed bodyguards from the Shimura clan finally arrived, far too late.
"Master! Are you alright?!"
"Hold on, we'll get you out immediately!"
Kazuki's House
Tsunade sat cross-legged on a tatami mat in the living room, her brow furrowed in irritation. She exhaled sharply, clearly displeased.
"Hmph."
"The Shimura clan thinks they own the training grounds now? Unbelievable." She took another sip of sake before slamming the empty cup down. "Konoha isn't what it used to be…"
Despite having been away for over a decade, this village was still her home—the very place her grandfather, Hashirama Senju, had built. To see it being run this way... It frustrated her.
Tenten, sitting nearby, refilled her cup, the faint gurgling of sake filling the room.
Tsunade arched an eyebrow. "Why are you still here? Shouldn't you be training?"
Tenten grinned. "I'm your disciple, aren't I? Taking care of my teacher is part of my duty."
Tsunade sighed, shaking her head. She had the air of a gambler who had just lost big at a casino. Tenten had once idolized her as the great Sannin, but seeing this side of her… it was disillusioning.
Yet, when she thought back to Tsunade's incredible strength—shattering the earth with a single punch—her admiration reignited.
Tsunade-sensei once said she'd teach me that technique…
Until I learn it…
Hehe! Every day is exciting!
My brother was right to ask Tsunade-sensei to take me on as a student!
Tsunade, meanwhile, shook her head again. "I don't need a kid looking after me." She placed her empty cup down. "I have something to do later. Go train on your own."
Tenten hesitated. Then, with a suspicious look, she asked, "Sensei… you're not going to a casino again, are you?"
"What nonsense are you thinking?" Tsunade flicked her forehead lightly. "It's business."
"Business?"
Tsunade leaned back slightly. "I'm meeting with the old man—Sarutobi."
Just then, a masked figure appeared before them—a member of the Anbu.
"Lady Tsunade, Lord Hokage requests your presence."
Tenten blinked. That was fast… Sensei really is amazing.
Tsunade crossed her arms. "I'll go when I'm ready. You can leave now."
The Anbu hesitated.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "What? Are you planning to drag me there by force?" As she spoke, a subtle but unmistakable surge of chakra flared around her.
The Anbu immediately straightened. "Of course not, Lady Tsunade! I wouldn't dare."
"Then get lost."
"Y-yes, ma'am!"
In a blur, the Anbu vanished.
Tsunade exhaled and poured herself another drink, taking a long sip. She knew why Hiruzen had summoned her. After all, she'd just destroyed half of a public training ground with a single punch.
This wasn't recklessness.
This was a statement.
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