When they arrived at the open space behind the tavern, Isamu immediately spotted the Fourth Raikage Ai and his subordinate, Ameyuri.
Seriously?
Why are these two still here?
Don't tell me they actually waited here the entire night?
The moment Isamu noticed them, Ai and Ameyuri also saw him.
The two were surprised, but they immediately walked over and greeted him respectfully.
"Lord Isamu."
"Why are you two still here instead of leaving?"
"Well…"
"We're here to ask Lady Tsunade to treat our companion."
"Of course, if you were willing to help us again, we'd be deeply grateful."
Hearing Ameyuri's explanation, Isamu finally remembered.
They still had a companion infected by the Xuanyuan Clan's Exploding Bug.
He had simply forgotten because he'd only just woken up.
"So that's it."
"Well, you can discuss it with Tsunade."
"Just pretend I don't exist."
With that, Isamu casually walked off to one side.
Seeing that Isamu clearly had no intention of getting involved, Ai and Ameyuri sighed helplessly.
If he were willing to act, Karai's Exploding Bug would be solved in moments.
But since he refused…
Their only hope was Tsunade.
"Enough talking, Raikage."
"Let's begin."
Although Tsunade was slightly surprised that Isamu knew the Raikage personally, she didn't dwell on it.
She walked to a stone table and placed her right elbow on it.
The Fourth Raikage said nothing.
He stepped forward, clasped Tsunade's hand, and prepared for the match.
Displaying excellent timing, Isamu walked between them to serve as referee.
He placed one hand over their clasped hands and shouted,
"Ready?"
"Begin!"
The instant Isamu gave the signal…
Both Tsunade and the Fourth Raikage exerted their full strength.
A violent gust of wind erupted around them.
The stone table beneath their elbows began cracking apart under the tremendous pressure.
For a time…
Neither side gave an inch.
The youngest present, Itachi, knew the man opposite his grandmother was the Raikage.
He clenched his fists tightly, unable to hide his anxiety.
Seeing Itachi's worried expression, Isamu grinned.
"Itachi!"
"Cheer for your grandma!"
"Let her hear you!"
Receiving permission from his grandfather, Itachi immediately abandoned his usual composure and shouted,
"Grandma Tsunade!"
"You can do it!"
"Go, Grandma!"
"Go! Go! Go!"
Hearing her grandson cheering her on…
Tsunade's determination surged.
Golden chakra spread across her body as she pushed harder.
Little by little…
The Fourth Raikage's arm began moving downward.
Lightning Release chakra erupted around Ai's body as he responded with all his strength.
Even so…
He couldn't stop his arm from slowly being forced back.
No matter how tightly he gritted his teeth…
He continued losing ground.
"What incredible strength…"
Garuda couldn't help staring in surprise.
Tsunade actually has the advantage…
I can't lose.
If I lose… Karai will die.
I absolutely cannot lose!
Seeing defeat drawing closer…
The Fourth Raikage suddenly changed tactics.
He deliberately relaxed his strength for an instant.
Before Tsunade could slam his hand onto the table…
He relied on his explosive speed to reverse the momentum.
Bang!
The stone table shattered into countless fragments.
Tsunade's hand struck the broken surface.
The outcome had been decided.
"The winner…"
Isamu announced calmly,
"…is the Fourth Raikage, Ai."
Tsunade immediately shot him an annoyed look.
I've already lost.
Did you really have to announce it?
Are we even family?
Feeling her glare, Isamu awkwardly scratched his head.
Shizune stared blankly.
"Lady Tsunade…"
"Actually lost in strength?"
"No."
Isamu shook his head.
"She didn't lose in strength."
"She lost in speed."
Both competitors stood up.
Looking directly at Tsunade, the Fourth Raikage said,
"I couldn't afford to lose."
"My companion's life depends on this."
"If you think my method was dishonorable…"
"I won't."
Tsunade shook her head.
"I never said this was purely a contest of strength."
"You won."
"The arm-wrestling match is yours."
"So…"
"You're willing to treat Karai?"
Ameyuri immediately stepped forward.
"This way, please."
Now that Tsunade had agreed, she had no reason to refuse.
Turning toward Garuda, Tsunade smiled.
"Garuda."
"Would you like to come with me?"
"Of course, big sister."
"Good."
"Shizune."
"Let's go."
Picking up Itachi, Tsunade followed Ameyuri.
Shizune and Garuda went with her.
Only Isamu and the Fourth Raikage remained behind.
The two silently looked at each other.
Finally, Ai spoke first.
"Lord Isamu."
"If you're free…"
"Would you care to come with us?"
"Sure."
"I don't have anything else to do anyway."
"I'll tag along."
The reason Ai invited Isamu was simple.
He didn't fully trust Tsunade's ability to cure Karai.
If she failed…
Then Isamu, the true master, was still there as insurance.
Even if he had to beg…
He would ask Isamu to save Karai.
Led by Ameyuri, the group walked for five or six minutes before arriving at a dilapidated building.
Inside the ruined structure…
Karai lay weakly on a stone slab.
During the journey, Ameyuri briefly explained the situation.
"Karai."
"I've brought the greatest medical ninja alive."
"Lady Tsunade."
"You're going to be alright."
Hearing Ameyuri's voice, Karai painfully opened his eyes and looked at everyone.
Without wasting a second…
Tsunade set Itachi down.
Green healing chakra gathered around her hands as she immediately began examining Karai.
"You mentioned earlier…"
"That you stole a secret technique from Sugi Village."
"I didn't expect Sugi Village to have someone this capable."
After only a brief examination…
Tsunade couldn't help admiring the person who had created this technique.
"The enemy…"
"Wasn't from Sugi Village."
"What?"
"It was the Xuanyuan Clan."
"They were hired by Sugi Village."
"The Xuanyuan Clan?"
"The ninja hunters?"
The moment Tsunade heard the name…
She immediately stopped what she was doing.
Her expression turned serious.
Even Shizune looked visibly shocked.
The Xuanyuan Clan's reputation among ninja clearly wasn't small.
Seeing the Fourth Raikage remain silent, Tsunade said calmly,
"Staying silent won't help your companion."
"If you want me to treat him…"
"Tell me everything."
"Exactly as it happened."
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