Becomes a Rebel Ninja After Annihilating the Hyuga Clan

Tsunade could only be prevented from acting on her own when Konoha was in danger. No matter what she was doing, she had to return and protect Konoha.

Even if the chance to annihilate Mei Terumi’s Kirigakure unit was right before her, Tsunade couldn't afford to hesitate.

Her familiar teachers and friends were in Konoha, as were the families of the ninjas under her command.

All those places she had lived since childhood, all those people she grew up with, and all those shared memories created a bond that tied their fates to the village named Konoha, making it impossible to sever.

If Konoha was to be destroyed, what would be the point of defeating these Kirigakure ninjas?

“What do you mean?” Tsunade's eyes held a dangerous glint. Mei Terumi’s words had given her an unsettling suspicion.

Seeing Tsunade's reaction, Mei Terumi finally smiled faintly, tapping her lips as she spoke slowly:

“I know you're mainly guarding against Kumogakure, but… a few days ago, Kumogakure secretly sent an envoy to our Kirigakure. They proposed borrowing the path through the Land of Water to attack Konoha. The elders feared that Kumogakure might be using this as a ruse to cause trouble, so they rejected it.”

Tsunade felt her heart skip a beat.

Konoha had set up numerous outposts along the borders of the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning to guard against Kumogakure.

However, if Kumogakure managed to invade Konoha by borrowing paths through other countries, these vigilant sentries, who tirelessly relayed information back to Konoha, would become the very thing that misled Konoha’s leadership.

Once the Kumogakure troops entered the Land of Fire through another country and suddenly appeared outside Konoha Village like gods descending from the heavens, it would be too late…

“Kirigakure rejected Kumogakure's request to borrow a path, but other countries might not refuse…” Tsunade muttered to herself.

That was the crux of the problem, and the real reason why Mei Terumi had willingly disclosed this secret to Tsunade. Leading her Kirigakure unit, she couldn't defeat the Konoha unit and wanted to retreat, but Tsunade was relentlessly pursuing them. The solution was to tell Tsunade that her home was in imminent danger, making Tsunade retreat on her own.

Kirigakure had rejected Kumogakure’s plan because of its own closed-off traditions and unwillingness to take risks.

But what about other countries?

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Would they refuse like Kirigakure?

After all, Kumogakure was powerful and wealthy. If threats didn’t work, incentives certainly would. How many countries could resist Kumogakure’s carrot-and-stick approach?

Tsunade's breathing grew rapid. No wonder both Iwagakure and Sunagakure had started moving without any news from Kumogakure!

They were brewing such a despicable plan!

Borrowing a path…

Borrowing a path…

There were only a few countries and villages neighboring Konoha. Which one was most likely to provide a path for Kumogakure?

Tsunade didn’t know; her mind was in chaos. She only wanted to rush the information back to Konoha.

Konoha had many sentries along the Fire and Lightning borders, but not so many elsewhere, mainly due to limited manpower. Kumogakure was a primary surveillance target. Ȑ

Kumogakure clearly knew that if they dispatched troops from the Land of Lightning, Konoha would definitely find out. So they proposed a “borrow a path” plan to other neighboring countries.

There was no need to verify the authenticity of the information; Tsunade was already completely convinced that Mei Terumi was telling the truth.

Kumogakure obviously had the highest intent to destroy Konoha, but hadn’t acted yet because they were seeking a path.

They planned to uproot Konoha with minimal losses and maximum efficiency.

“So, what do you think? Still want a price?” Mei Terumi asked with a smile.

Tsunade's face was grim, remaining silent.

In the distance, a commotion from ongoing battles drew closer.

“Oh, they’ve reached here already,” Mei Terumi looked Tsunade up and down, admiring her fine figure and thinking, "So big." Noticing the commotion getting closer, Mei Terumi reminded her, “Have you made up your mind yet? Any later, and you’ll be seen.”

Tsunade abruptly lifted her head, glaring fiercely at Mei Terumi, shouting:

“Give me your coat.”

After a moment of silence.

“…Not wearing one?!”

Tsunade was incredulous.

“You shameless woman!!”

Finally, Mei Terumi found a female Kirigakure ninja’s outfit and gave it to Tsunade.

…

In a small town in the Land of Waves, the Kirigakure and Konoha forces faced each other in stark contrast under their respective leaders’ orders.

“Neiki!?”

Seeing the bodies of Akimichi Torifu, Yamanaka Masao, Shiranui Genma, and many other familiar faces, Tsunade clenched her fists in fury, smashing a large tree beside her.

Tsunade’s outburst made the nearby Kirigakure ninjas vigilant, thinking Konoha was about to attack again.

“Now, Captain Suzaku and Captain Hayama are fighting Neiki with several other Jonin. Should we go help?” Shizune suggested.

Since they no longer needed to fight Kirigakure, their only remaining enemy was Neiki of the Hyuga clan.

“Of course we’re going!” Tsunade gritted her teeth. She couldn't believe that after she left, such a menace would appear on the battlefield between Konoha and Kirigakure. “I’ve heard of that guy's many deeds; I must see it for myself, and also…”

She paused, her mind flashing back to the scene when she returned to Konoha, seeing the hopeless ruins.

Seeing thousands of bodies lined up in pits, ready for burial.

Seeing the unending sadness and numbness on people’s faces.

Seeing her teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who seemed to have aged thirty years overnight, apologizing to her the moment he saw her:

“I'm sorry, Tsunade. Many people needed evacuation that night, so Nawaki's grave couldn’t be moved in time…”

Even the Konoha cemetery had many explosive tags placed, different from other places. It must have been Neiki’s doing himself—Neiki’s deep-seated hatred for Konoha was beyond many Konoha high-ups' comprehension.

But regardless, it wasn’t a big deal. Tsunade didn’t really care about such things. Graves were not as important as the lives of the living.

Tsunade remembered her response at the time:

“It’s okay. I’ll find Neiki, kill him, and then blow up his grave.”

That was just to comfort her teacher, but now, hearing that Neiki was indeed near her and seeing the “gifts” Neiki had sent, Tsunade couldn't suppress her impulses.

Can you represent yourself?

In a way, I can!!

She called two ninjas from the Anbu and firmly instructed:

“Deliver this information to Lord Hiruzen. You can lose your life, but the information must get through!”

“Yes!”

The two ninjas vanished into the forest.

Looking at the remaining Konoha ninjas before her, Tsunade took a deep breath:

“Since we’ve found Neiki, let’s go…”

“Kill him!”

“Then bury him.”

“And blow up his grave!!”