Chapter 495: The Flower Thief

Chapter 495: The Flower Thief

Just as Tsunade was considering whether to find an opportunity to refurbish the place, a suspicious individual wearing a black robe and hood, not daring to show his true face, walked out carrying something on his back.

The two parties almost bumped into each other at the doorway.

Perhaps feeling guilty like a thief, Aoba, who had spent a long time finding a wall of masks in this secluded spot, was startled upon seeing Tsunade and Shizune there and, without hesitation, turned and ran!

He always knew his luck was terrible, constantly scraping by with the bare minimum.

But to run into Tsunade in such a remote place, it was hard to tell if it was simply bad luck or a twist of fate!

If it weren't for the fact that he had delayed some time by deciding to take all the masks because he didn't know which was the real "Death God Mask," he might have missed crossing paths with Tsunade.

What rotten luck!

"Who's there?!"

Just as Shizune shouted, she realized the suspicious individual had already fled.

Hesitating whether to chase after him, a figure leaped past her, "Trying to run?!"

"Tsunade-sama! Be careful, and it might be a trap. Wait for me!"

Seeing Tsunade chase after him without a second thought, frustrated, Shizune stomped her foot and hurried after her.

Aoba, running ahead and hearing the noise, looked back and couldn't help but curse under his breath. Why chase after a few masks? They're not even your property!

Before Aoba could finish cursing, a shadow on the ground rapidly approached him.

Damn!

He tightened his grip on the items he had packed to take and activated the "Body Flicker Technique," darting away instantly!

"Painful Sky Kick!"

With a boom!

Using her explosive strength, Tsunade, falling straight from the air, landed heavily on the ground, causing a large area to crack instantly as if she had stomped on a cookie.

Aoba felt a chill run down his spine; this was too violent. How did Jiraiya survive under Tsunade's hands back in the day?!

In reality, brute strength wasn't a very sophisticated technique; it was merely precise control of chakra, concentrating it on any body part, then unleashing powerful destructive force.

This move was used by Itachi years ago in a duel, and he later taught it to him.

But like everything, it requires talent, just like cooking. Everyone can cook, but to make it delicious, or even the best, only a few people can achieve that.

The same principle applies to brute strength. Itachi could use it proficiently, but it wasn't astonishing or terrifying.

However, this ability on Tsunade seemed like it was from another dimension!

To put it in perspective, Tsunade's level of brute strength would be LV9, as if she had completed a "Limit Break"!

After changing concepts, Aoba felt a relief in his heart.

It's hard to tell which of these two meanings sounds nobler...

Uh, it's probably kidnapping, sounds better and avoids misunderstandings.

When Aoba changed his mind, Tsunade stopped pursuing, realizing she couldn't catch up with his speed.

What surprised Tsunade was that the person suddenly stopped running and turned around with a desperate stance, attacking her!

At the same time, a highly intense aura of murderous intent and the smell of blood violently erupted!

Tsunade's expression immediately became severe, recognizing that someone with such a terrifying murderous intent should not be underestimated.

But little did she know, this was just the skin effect of the "Crimson Swordsman"...

"Die!"

Tsunade was ready to face a formidable opponent, gathering her strength. The ground beneath her feet collapsed layer by layer as if someone had repeatedly crushed an Oreo underfoot...

"Ha!"

Tsunade concentrated an incredibly fierce chakra into her right fist, and then, when the opponent attacked, she punched out!

You could even see a white ring spreading out from the center of her fist—the air being blasted apart.

So violent!

However, the next moment, Tsunade's eyes widened.

Because her punch hadn't hit anything solid, it had passed right through her opponent!

"Afterimage?!"

Tsunade was startled, then calmed her mind to search for her opponent's location while guarding against a possible sneak attack using speed.

But no matter how she sensed, she couldn't find the opponent's presence nearby.

This made her heart sink...

However, after a tense second passed and she hadn't been attacked, Tsunade finally realized something was amiss.

Then, suddenly, a cry of alarm came from behind!

"Not good, Shizune..."

Tsunade turned around and immediately saw the guy who had just posed as if ready to fight to the death was merely feinting.

After luring her into the trap, he dashed towards Shizune, who was still behind?!