Chapter 30: The Witch Tsunade

This is an extra chapter. Thank you all for your enthusiastic support!

Jinghang wiped the sweat off his forehead, muttering, "Your Mizukage really has it tough, huh?" His gaze instinctively shifted to Chiyo, who was seated nearby, and Pakura, who stood by attentively. Both women exchanged bewildered looks, their faces mirroring disbelief.

The young man in front of them, with his baby-faced demeanor and slightly awkward posture, might have seemed harmless at first glance. However, Jinghang knew better than to underestimate him. This was none other than Yagura Karatachi, a formidable warrior and a commendable soul willing to sacrifice himself for his village. As the future Fourth Mizukage, his strength was beyond question. His Coral Palm technique alone had given even someone as overpowered as Naruto Uzumaki a hard time. Moreover, he voluntarily became a Jinchūriki, successfully controlling the Three-Tails and achieving the status of a perfect host. Such feats spoke volumes about his capabilities. Unfortunately, he eventually fell victim to Obito Uchiha's genjutsu, becoming a puppet and ushering in the brutal "Bloody Mist" era in Kirigakure.

This time, however, Yagura's visit was neither to wage war nor to negotiate peace. He came to deliver a warning. After the failed assassination attempt by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Fuguki Suikazan and his faction of warmongers were attempting to provoke another conflict. They had rallied a group of rogue ninjas and mercenaries, planning a surprise attack on Sunagakure. Through his own channels, the Mizukage had uncovered this information and, in a bold move, decided to sell out Fuguki to the Sand Village. Such decisiveness was truly remarkable.

"The Mizukage indeed faces many challenges. He greatly values the friendship between Sunagakure and Kirigakure, but given the differing political systems of our villages, he is unable to prevent the actions of these rogue ninjas. Thus, he has entrusted me to come to Sunagakure and communicate directly. The Mizukage hopes the Kazekage will understand." Yagura Karatachi bowed deeply to Jinghang, his actions exuding humility and sincerity.

Jinghang raised his hand slightly, gesturing for Yagura to rise. However, his mind was racing, quickly piecing together the situation. The Third Mizukage was indeed a shrewd strategist. Constantly plagued by domestic opposition, he had intercepted intelligence about this cross-border attack but chose neither to oppose nor to publicize it. Instead, he handed the information directly to Sunagakure, effectively allowing the Sand Village to eliminate his adversaries for him while also earning goodwill from the Kazekage. All without mobilizing a single soldier—truly a masterstroke.

"Even the finest jade may have slight flaws; even the tallest tree may bear a few yellowed leaves. Please convey to the Mizukage that he need not trouble himself too much over this matter. On behalf of Sunagakure, I accept this gesture of friendship. I also hope that such incidents will not occur again. After all, there is no deep-seated enmity between our villages," Jinghang replied with a measured tone, his meaning clear: "Alright, I'll handle this for you. Friendship is possible, but you need to keep your house in order and stop causing trouble."

"The Kazekage is truly wise. Should you ever have the opportunity to visit Kirigakure, the Mizukage will surely offer you a warm welcome," Yagura responded courteously.

"Of course, of course." Visit Kirigakure? No, thank you. That would be like walking into an asylum full of lunatics. Not happening—not before the Fifth Mizukage, at least.

After seeing Yagura Karatachi off, Jinghang stayed behind with Chiyo, instructing Pakura to prepare two cups of tea.

"When you assign personnel later, make sure to call for Might Dai from the Leaf Village ninja academy."

"Oh?" Chiyo seemed to be searching her memory for this name.

"Heh, he has a technique that's the nemesis of Fuguki Suikazan. It'll take him down in one shot."

"Haha, is that so? Alright," Chiyo replied, not overly concerned about the upcoming attack. After all, Yagura Karatachi had already disclosed the time, location, and personnel involved in the ambush. This wasn't a question of whether they could win—it was a question of whether the attackers would be left dead or alive.

"By the way, I need to discuss something important with you." Jinghang's expression suddenly turned serious.

Sensing the gravity of the matter, Chiyo also straightened her posture.

"Ahhh! Ahhh! Ahhh!" In a secret underground chamber of Sunagakure's medical division, a horrifying scream echoed. Inside a glass containment room, a White Zetsu lay on the ground, its hands bound behind its back. Its eyes were bloodshot, and its face contorted in agony, as though enduring immense pain. Nearby, several individuals in white lab coats observed and took notes on clipboards. Leading them was none other than the Princess of the Leaf—Tsunade.

"Increase the pressure by two more atmospheres," Tsunade ordered, her face displaying an unusual excitement. Her eyes were fixed intently on the White Zetsu inside the glass room.

"Increase it again? No way! It'll explode!" one of the staff members cautioned kindly.

"Do it! It'll be fine," Tsunade insisted, licking her lips with excitement.

"Is this the place? What's that crazy woman doing here?" Jinghang asked as he entered the underground chamber with Chiyo.

"I was invited here by your Kazekage, you old hag," Tsunade shot back, never one to back down.

"What did you just say, you crazy brat? Say it again if you dare! I'll poison you mute!" Chiyo snapped, instantly enraged.

"Come on! Bring it on, you old hag! I bet your poison wouldn't even kill one of our chickens!" Tsunade retorted, equally fiery.

The two women began bickering, leaving Jinghang to stand between them awkwardly, trying to mediate. Suddenly, something caught his attention.

"Quiet! Stop!" Jinghang exclaimed, pointing in shock at a large jar of formalin containing a severed white head.

"Did you… turn this into a specimen?! How many are still alive?!"

Following his gaze, they saw a row of jars on a shelf, each containing various organs. It seemed that four White Zetsu had already met their demise.

"Only this one is left," Tsunade admitted sheepishly, pointing at the White Zetsu writhing inside the glass room.

"You… you're ruthless. Stop increasing the pressure for now. If this one dies, there'll be none left. These things aren't easy to come by," Jinghang quickly instructed the staff to reduce the pressure.

"Reduce it gradually. It's at sixty atmospheres now—dropping it too quickly will rupture its blood vessels. And remember to check its blood pressure afterward," Tsunade reminded them.

"Sixty atmospheres? That resilient? So this is what you call a White Zetsu?" Chiyo asked, pointing at the creature in the glass room.

"Resilient? That's an understatement. This thing's resistance to poison and physical attacks far exceeds that of ordinary humans," Tsunade said proudly.

"Resistance to poison?!" Chiyo's interest was piqued.

"Someone, bring me the data on Specimen C," Tsunade instructed.

"Look at this. It's the clinical report of Specimen #2, which ingested three times the lethal dose of Chiji Poison," Tsunade said smugly, handing a file to Chiyo.

Putting on her reading glasses, Chiyo carefully examined the report.

"What?! It only experienced spasms once every three minutes after ingesting triple the lethal dose? This… this can't be true!"

"Nothing is impossible. After administering the antidote, it recovered within two days. However, it couldn't survive twice the dose of Peacock Gall."

"That result, while surprising, makes sense. In terms of toxicity, Peacock Gall is far more potent than Chiji Poison."

"I don't think it's just about potency. This organism seems to have a higher resistance to plant-based toxins compared to mineral-based toxins or biological viruses."

"That would require tissue samples to confirm. We can't draw conclusions recklessly."

"Who's being reckless? Someone, bring me the tissue sample data!"

Watching the two women, who had been at each other's throats moments ago, now engrossed in a professional discussion, Jinghang could only shake his head in exasperation. The two had clashed once before in the Land of Rain—medicine versus poison, two paths converging. Their duel had been a meeting of equals, and they had come to respect each other's skills.

"Pakura."

"Yes!"

"Go to the Anbu and arrange the ambush. Have Sasori handle the personnel. Make sure to bring Might Dai. As for field command… hmm… you take charge."

"Understood! I'll make the arrangements immediately."