That embarrassed look and awkward appearance made Tsunade want to disappear into the earth!

"Nara Shikaku! What did you see today!?"

Tsunade's figure flashed, appearing in front of Shikaku and the others, enduring the burning pain in her back. Her face was ashen, her teeth clenched like a wolf who hadn't eaten in days. Her eyes were like daggers, scraping over Nara Shikaku and his team.

"Ahem! Lady Tsunade! We didn't see anything. We just came back from rescuing Minato!" Shikaku replied seriously.

"That's right! Lady Tsunade! We just returned! We saw nothing at all!" Yamanaka Inoichi quickly added.

...

Everyone else chimed in nervously, terrified that one wrong word could cost them their lives. The look in Tsunade's eyes was nothing short of murderous.

Led by Shikaku, they quickly entered the camp, their voices trailing behind them. In the blink of an eye, they disappeared from Tsunade's view.

Tsunade gritted her teeth and turned to glare at Kaito!

His face paled. His entire reputation had taken a hit, all because of what had just happened—and the man responsible stood right across from her!

She wanted revenge, but her fury deflated. She didn't even know what that man looked like, but his sheer physical strength was terrifying. He had taken her full-power punches without a scratch!

Even her teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, wasn't that strong. Only her grandfather might have been on that level.

And who was that man? The God of Shinobi—Senju Hashirama, the man who ended the Warring States Era!

Already humiliated by that whole encounter, her frustration sank even further, like a flower left in the sun too long.

She snapped, "Tell me! Why did you come looking for me? I don't think we've met before!"

"My name is Kaito. I came to ask for your help."

"You want my help?" Tsunade's mood reignited with fire.

You take advantage of me and now you want my help? Fine! Let's see what ridiculous request you have!

"If I can help, I'll give it my all," she said mockingly.

"You know about Hoshigakure?"

"I've heard of it. Small place, near the Land of Bears."

"I owe them a favor. If anything happens, I want them to come to you."

Tsunade's eyes flared. "Why me? I don't owe you anything! You're the one in debt!"

"Between us… hmm, how do I put it… we're very close. I could only come to you."

Very close? Tsunade's face twitched. Her back still hurt!

"I don't even know you! Why should I help you just because we're 'close'? Take off your mask. Let me see if I know your face."

"Forget it! I've said what I needed to say. Just consider it a favor from Hoshigakure. If you ever need something, I'll return the favor."

Kaito rubbed his temples. Maybe he should've returned to his original world to deal with the meteorite first. This whole thing had gotten far too complicated.

"Alright then! I do have something for you. If you can pull it off, I'll handle everything related to Hoshigakure."

Tsunade suddenly smiled like a blooming peony.

But Kaito felt his scalp go numb. That smile was not a good sign.

"Tell me, what do you want?"

"Oh, nothing much," she said sweetly. "Konoha's still fighting the Sand, right? Go take care of old lady Chiyo, Ebizō, and the One-Tail Jinchūriki. Simple."

She said it like she was asking him to go buy groceries.

"With your strength, it should be easy," she added.

Kaito's face twitched. Easy? Those were the three top Sand shinobi, aside from the Kazekage Rasa himself. If he defeated them, the war between Konoha and Suna would be over.

Still, he had already made a promise. He couldn't back out now.

"Fine! I'll go right now. I expect you to keep your word!" he said calmly and vanished in a flash.

Tsunade blinked. No way! Was he really going to fight that old bat Chiyo?

"Whatever, he should be fine with that kind of strength," she muttered, turning toward the camp—but for some reason, she felt uneasy.

She wandered until she reached Konoha's command tent.

Pulling back the flap, she stepped inside. Shikaku stood immediately, bowing slightly.

"Lady Tsunade! You've returned!"

No one dared mention what had happened earlier.

"Well then, Shikaku, did anything major happen while I was making the antidote?" Tsunade asked, awkwardly avoiding the seat due to her still-sore back.

"We're stable here," Shikaku replied, stealing cautious glances. "Tsunade-sama… where is Kaito Sama?"

"Kaito? Who's Kaito?" Tsunade paused, then remembered. Her expression turned grim.

"Oh! That bastard."

Gulp!

Everyone in the room swallowed at once.

"Yes… him," Shikaku said stiffly, watching as Tsunade's temper boiled.

"He's fine. For now. I sent him to take care of Chiyo, Ebizō, and the One-Tail Jinchūriki. Honestly, he's probably poisoned and half-dead already!"

She gave a chillingly sweet smile.

Everyone shivered. Never provoke a tiger…

"Lady Tsunade, forgive me, but I doubt it'll go how you expect. Kaito Sama's strength might be more than enough to handle those three." Shikaku ventured carefully.

"What's that supposed to mean, Shikaku? Want to find out if my super-strength punch has leveled up?"

Tsunade clenched her fist, still smiling.

"This is information the Third Hokage sent a week ago. He intended for you to receive it once you left isolation," Shikaku quickly said, handing over the report.

Tsunade in her current state was just too terrifying.