Haruto Saito felt extremely wronged!
Although he was somewhat greedy and never allowed himself to suffer losses, running off with other people's money was something he would never do!
"Didn't you go to the First Bank of the Shinobi World, Konoha branch, to check?" Haruto Saito, who was pressed against the wall, asked.
"Huh?" Tsunade frowned. "Check what? What do you mean?"
"I deposited your money there!" Haruto Saito sighed. "You can withdraw it by just showing your face. Do you really think I'm short on money? Do you think I need those few billion ryo of yours? If you treat me like this, I won't help you make money anymore..."
"Uh..." Tsunade's expression changed.
"Let go of me! Still not letting go? I've made so much money for you, yet you're treating me so badly. I'm so wronged..." Haruto Saito howled.
Tsunade immediately let go of him, feeling a bit embarrassed. She gave him an apologetic smile, adjusted his collar, and even patted his head.
"Don't pat my head! I'm not a kid anymore!" Haruto Saito swatted her hand away angrily.
Indeed, he wasn't a kid anymore—at fourteen, he was already taller than Tsunade.
"Hehe, Haruto-chan, don't be mad. It was all just a misunderstanding..." Tsunade grinned. She became nervous when Haruto Saito mentioned that he wouldn't make money for her anymore.
Haruto Saito was a walking fortune!
Everyone knew that!
Although Tsunade had a bad temper, she wasn't stupid. If she really made Haruto Saito angry, he wouldn't care about anyone's feelings.
"Hmph! Fine!" Haruto Saito huffed and waved at Hattori Ryuya.
Hattori Ryuya bowed slightly to Haruto Saito before vanishing in a flash.
Haruto Saito sat down at the table and continued, "This money issue is just a misunderstanding. I wouldn't covet your money; it's too troublesome. Just go to the bank and withdraw it... Do you have anything else to discuss? If not, then I'll see you out."
Haruto Saito still looked angry.
However, Tsunade was suddenly unfazed. She sat down beside Haruto Saito, her expression serious as she tilted her head to look at him. "Kid, I think you should reconsider establishing a shinobi village. Now is not the right time... And the place you chose doesn't have many advantages."
In reality, the money issue was just a small part of why Tsunade came to Uzushiogakure. The main reason was that she was worried about Haruto Saito!
Her feelings for him were complicated.
After all, certain things had happened in the past!
Back then, Haruto Saito was only twelve, which made things extremely awkward for Tsunade. But as time passed, and now at fourteen, Haruto Saito had the appearance of a young man. As for his maturity and abilities, they were beyond fully developed.
Tsunade's feelings toward him had subtly shifted over time.
"You want me to return to Konoha?" Haruto Saito asked, squinting at her.
"Yes!" Tsunade nodded. "You're still young. You can continue accumulating experience... There's no need to rush."
"Even my teacher agreed to let me come here. What right do you have to stop me?" Haruto Saito scoffed.
Tsunade's temper flared instantly. She grabbed Haruto Saito by the collar, looking like she was about to hit him. "Not listening, huh? Are you rebelling now?!"
"I've been holding back against you, don't you realize?" Haruto Saito said, unfazed by the threat.
"What?" Tsunade didn't understand what he meant.
"Let's just fight!" Haruto Saito stood up abruptly. "You don't acknowledge my strength because you think I'm too young, too weak, and not capable enough. So let's have a match! If I lose, I'll return to Konoha with you!"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
Right now, she wasn't confident she could defeat Haruto Saito. Everyone knew that he had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique! That ability alone put him in an almost invincible position. Plus, she knew he had beaten Hattori Ryuya using that technique!
"I won't use the Flying Thunder God, or any ninjutsu that counteracts taijutsu... Actually, I won't use any ninjutsu at all. I'll only fight you with pure taijutsu. What do you say?" Haruto Saito added.
Tsunade was stunned, then burst into laughter, her chest shaking as she did.
"Hahaha! You're too arrogant, kid! If you don't use the Flying Thunder God, I can defeat you with ease. And now you're saying you won't use ninjutsu at all? You want to compete with me in taijutsu?!" Tsunade laughed uncontrollably.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru also had strange expressions.
Among the three Sannin, Orochimaru was the strongest, and Tsunade the weakest. But in terms of pure taijutsu—especially close combat—Tsunade could easily overpower both Jiraiya and Orochimaru at the same time!
The Senju clan naturally possessed vast chakra reserves.
On top of that, Tsunade was a medical ninja, meaning that even if she got injured using taijutsu, she could heal herself instantly.
More importantly, she had already mastered the Yin Seal, storing a massive amount of chakra in her forehead seal!
With all these factors combined, Tsunade was practically a taijutsu juggernaut!
Haruto Saito was undeniably strong, but his strength mainly lay in ninjutsu. Jiraiya and the others were also aware that over the past year, Haruto Saito had mastered Rashomon and chakra sensory techniques, both of which were forbidden jutsu!
But now, he was saying he wouldn't use any of those?
"You're backing out?" Haruto Saito asked coolly when he saw Tsunade still laughing. "If you don't agree, that's fine. I won't return with you anyway. If you try to force me, you'll only end up getting me killed."
"Fine! I agree!" Tsunade immediately stopped laughing and pinched Haruto Saito's cheek. "Kid! Since you're so confident, I'll grant your wish and spar with you in taijutsu... Hahahaha!"
"Then let's go!" Haruto Saito said quickly. "Let's find an open space outside the village—there's not enough room here."
"Alright!" Tsunade nodded.
*****
Ten minutes later, in a forest twenty kilometers south of Gutian Village.
In an open clearing!
Haruto Saito and Tsunade stood facing each other.
Three figures stood atop the surrounding trees, watching. They were Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Hattori Ryuya, who now went by the codename "Bonfire."
They were here to enjoy the show!
At the same time, they were also keeping watch to prevent any passing shinobi from interfering. After all, a fight between Haruto Saito and Tsunade would create a huge commotion, potentially attracting others!
Not that they were worried.
Haruto Saito, Hattori Ryuya, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru... With these five gathered, even if the Third Mizukage himself showed up, they would have a fighting chance!
"Kid, are you ready?" Tsunade asked, cracking her knuckles with a mischievous grin.
Finally, she could beat up Haruto Saito without restraint!
"Let's confirm the terms again," Haruto Saito said. "If I lose, I'll return to Konoha. If you lose, you won't interfere with my plan to establish a shinobi village."
"No problem!" Tsunade smirked. "One last chance—are you sure you're ready?"
"I'm ready!" Haruto Saito declared.
Boom!
The ground beneath Tsunade's feet shattered as her figure vanished!
A terrifying sense of danger engulfed Haruto Saito.
In that instant, it felt as if a mountain was crashing down on him!