Chapter 257: Unmatched Monster Strength vs. Monster Strength Technique

Tōshirō bit his finger, then pressed a single hand to the ground. Mysterious runes spread outward like a spiderweb.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

With a loud bang, he summoned an orca with black and white coloring, using it as a meat shield in front of him.

The orca looked completely bewildered—what's going on? It had merely responded to a summoning call, and suddenly it found itself stranded on land.

???

Before it could even figure out what was happening, a massive wave of water came crashing down, sweeping away its enormous body in an instant.

When the floodwaters receded, Tōshirō shoved the orca aside. Fortunately, the large beast had absorbed the brunt of the attack. Had Tōshirō taken that Water Style head-on, it would've been disastrous.

This orca was one of his summoned beasts, named Fat Tiger. Due to battlefield constraints, he rarely summoned it.

But this time, because the opponent had used a wide-range Water Style attack, Tōshirō summoned it for some breathing room. Judging by the result, though, the orca didn't appreciate it much.

"Tōshirō, you'd better give me a damn good explanation."

"Uh…"

Tōshirō didn't quite know how to answer.

In truth, he could've countered the Water Style with Ice Release, but he had just finished showing off… and didn't want to ruin the effect by immediately backpedaling. So his poor summoned beast had to take the hit instead.

Naturally, what followed was a thorough tongue-lashing from the orca. After all, who wouldn't be pissed about being yanked out of the ocean and slammed into a life-threatening situation—on land no less—just to act as a damage sponge?

Just as Tōshirō was about to apologize, a figure suddenly leapt from behind. Taking advantage of his distraction, the figure wrapped around him tightly and dragged him into the water.

As they submerged, bubbles streamed out of Tōshirō's mouth.

Though the surface seemed shallow, there was a whole world below—deep and unfathomable.

Water Style: Instant Drowning

The technique began with Water Style: Surging Wave, mimicking a collapsed dam to stun the opponent. If that didn't work, the user would leverage the transformed terrain to create water clones and sneak in a surprise attack from behind.

This combo was one of the signature tactics used by the Second Mizukage.

Mashang, being well-versed in Water Style, had naturally studied the strategies of his predecessors.

In a way, fighting him felt like going up against Tobirama Senju—albeit a budget version.

Underwater, Tōshirō activated his Steam Armor, breaking free from the clone's grip. The moment he burst through the surface, he saw a figure gliding across the water, riding the waves like a surfer charging forward.

Because of Tsunade, Tōshirō was somewhat familiar with the Second Hokage's Water Style techniques. In an instant, he recognized the trajectory and identified the jutsu:

Water Style: Wave-Riding Strike

In the blink of an eye, a powerful straight punch was heading toward him—fast enough that dodging or forming hand seals was impossible.

At this point, he had only two options: defend or meet it head-on.

Though it looked like an ordinary punch, Tōshirō suspected it was enhanced with Monster Strength Technique.

Choosing to take it head-on wasn't the smartest move—but today, Tōshirō wanted to make a point. He wanted the geezers up in the stands to see what true overwhelming power looked like.

Tōshirō clenched his fist and swung—steam billowing from his knuckles.

Boil Release: Unmatched Monster Strength

Using steam pressure focused throughout his body, he released an explosive burst of power strong enough to rival the Monster Strength Technique.

Up in the stands, the Senju clan members chuckled.

Foolish.

He was trying to match a bare fist against their clan's secret technique—Monster Strength?

He'd probably have his bones shattered the moment their fists collided.

Well…

This was actually a common misconception.

The Monster Strength Technique was a highly secretive jutsu. The chakra didn't flare up until the moment of contact, making it impossible to distinguish from a normal punch without something like the Sharingan or Byakugan. You could only rely on experience to judge.

Those guys with Sharingan had probably seen it by now—but the attack came so fast that there wasn't even time for a sharp intake of breath, let alone a warning.

Meanwhile, Mashang also noticed that Tōshirō dared to directly confront his Monster Strength Technique.

It's over...He concluded silently.

In combat, tides can turn in an instant.

As long as that little Uchiha brat on the other side takes this punch—infused with the Monster Strength Technique—head-on, victory is almost guaranteed.

In the end, he was still a bit too cocky and hot-blooded. Let's take one last look at that arrogant face of yours.

After all…

There won't be another chance after this.

Once the fists collide, your hand will fracture, and your body will be sent flying. However, Mashang's confidence was soon shattered by the thunderous crash of the two fists meeting.

When their punches clashed, an intense shockwave erupted. The water's surface was pushed away in a perfect circle centered around them, exposing the bare ground beneath.

"Impossible…"

Mashang's pupils widened, and disbelief washed over his face. Tōshirō had taken the Monster Strength Technique head-on—and was even slightly overpowering him.

Tōshirō's black pupils reflected Mashang's stunned expression, and a mocking smile appeared at the corner of his lips."What's wrong? Surprised I took your Monster Strength Technique head-on?"

Mashang was momentarily stunned.

So this kid knew he was using the Monster Strength Technique and still chose to meet it directly. He was planning to beat him using the very thing he was best at.

"Bastard."

Enraged, Mashang channeled chakra through his body.

Not to be outdone, Tōshirō did the same, unleashing a surge of chakra as steam exploded from his arm.

After a brief contest of raw strength, Tōshirō gained the upper hand. He broke through Mashang's offense and landed a powerful punch to his face, sending him flying—perfectly replicating what had just happened earlier.

The reversal was so swift, the Senju clan members watching were stunned.

Why did a fist enhanced with Monster Strength lose to the opponent's bare fist?

Mashang's mastery of the Monster Strength Technique wasn't top-tier, but it shouldn't have been that weak.

That left only one possibility: Tōshirō also knew the Monster Strength Technique.

But that was a Senju clan secret. No ordinary person should have access to it—especially not someone from the Uchiha clan.

Unless…

Someone seemed to realize something and looked toward Tsunade.

"Tsunade… don't tell me you secretly taught this kid our clan's Monster Strength Technique?"

Tsunade flatly denied it:"I didn't."

She knew exactly what could and couldn't be taught. That line wasn't something she would cross.

Of course, not everyone believed her.

Wow.

She's not even married yet, and she's already hiding things and playing favorites?

If she did marry into the Uchiha, wouldn't she just pass on all the Senju secret techniques to her husband?

People had to remember: the Senju clan had already been disbanded.

If Tsunade gave all their jutsu to Tōshirō, and Tōshirō taught them to his fellow Uchiha, wouldn't that mean the true Senju legacy would end up in Uchiha hands?

Sensing the skeptical gazes of her clan members, Tsunade couldn't be bothered to argue.

"Believe it or don't—I don't care."

Someone tried to smooth things over:"Tsunade, we didn't mean it like that…"

"Oh yeah? Then what did you mean?"

"Uhh…"

Tsunade had a temper—and honestly, part of it came from how spoiled she'd been by these very people.

"Quiet down, all of you. I don't think Tōshirō was using our Monster Strength Technique. It's probably some other jutsu."

Just then, an elderly voice cut in from nearby.

"Elder Momoka…" someone called out.

Momoka stood with arms crossed, calmly watching the steam rising from Tōshirō's body. With her broad experience, she offered her analysis:"The reason he was able to overpower Mashang just now was likely due to the power of the Five-Tails."

"Tailed Beast power?"

"The Five-Tails possesses the Boil Release. It can enhance both speed and explosive power. Tōshirō probably used that power to directly overpower our Monster Strength Technique."

Hearing her explanation, some people finally understood and quickly turned to Tsunade.

"Sorry, Tsunade. We really did wrong by you…"

Tsunade snorted:"Didn't I say I didn't teach him the Monster Strength Technique? But you guys just had to doubt me."

"Yes, yes…"

Everyone thought to themselves: Looks like Tsunade actually does know what she should and shouldn't do.

"At most, I might have taught him just a tiny bit of our clan's Water Style techniques…"

Everyone else: "???"

(End of Chapter)

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