From a distance, Tsunade saw the gates of Konoha and a flicker of emotion—nostalgia, perhaps—passed through her eyes.
"Back then, it was Raigomaru on gate duty…"
"He died on a mission," Jiraiya explained. "Now it's Haneda and Tsuchihara—both recently promoted to Chūnin."
"No wonder I didn't recognize them."
She'd been away for over a year, and while Konoha still looked the same, those guarding its gates had changed. A sigh escaped her lips.
The anticipation that had once shone on her face gave way to a trace of melancholy. Her excitement dulled.
However—
"Lady Tsunade? Lady Tsunade has returned!"
"What?!"
The two gatekeepers exclaimed in shock.
And then—
Every passing shinobi and villager froze in place, then rushed forward.
"Lady Tsunade!"
"Lady Tsunade, you're back!"
"Where is she? I want to see her!"
Amidst the excited crowd, some parents lifted their children onto their shoulders so they could get a glimpse of the village entrance.
Most of these children were born within the past year or two—they had no memory of Tsunade.
But clearly, influenced by their parents, they knew her name. And they revered it.
In the blink of an eye, the once-spacious gate was packed tight with villagers and shinobi alike.
Tsunade was stunned.
A flood of emotion swelled inside her, words caught in her throat, unspeakable.
"Don't block the road. Make way!" Haneda waved his hand.
Only then did the crowd part, forming a narrow path.
Jiraiya walked behind Tsunade as their group entered the village.
Even the usually composed Kakashi looked so excited that his forehead had turned red—clearly the mask was hiding a very expressive face.
Kurenai was no different.
But honestly, few people could stay composed under such attention.
This generation—many had been saved, protected, or healed by Tsunade. Even in Naruto's era, many still deeply admired her. That was the extent of her influence.
As they approached the Hokage Building, the crowd gradually dispersed under the direction of the ninja on duty.
Once inside, Tsunade leaned against a wall and looked to Jiraiya.
"You go report in. I'm not going."
"Got it."
Jiraiya didn't press her.
"It was just a C-rank mission. No need for a full debrief. Kakashi, Kurenai—you two can take the rest of the day off. Meet up tomorrow for training."
"I'm going to rest too."
Tsunade yawned.
Kyōen quickly stepped forward.
"Lady Tsunade, does what you said before still count?"
"Hmm?" Tsunade blinked, then recalled and chuckled. "You really want a beating?"
"Shinobi like you are rare. We Genin don't get many chances to learn from someone at your level—how could I not want that?"
Kyōen's words were straightforward and bold.
Shizune couldn't help but admire his courage.
If she hadn't seen Tsunade's overwhelming strength with her own eyes, she might've thought this was just naive bravado.
But—
He had seen it. He knew how wide the gap between them was. Yet he still asked for it anyway.
That took guts.
Tsunade gave a bright grin. "Brat's got guts."
She glanced at Kakashi and Kurenai.
"What about you two?"
"We'd love to train under you too!" they said in unison.
Hands on her hips, Tsunade smirked. "Alright, I've got time to kill anyway. Be at Training Ground 10, Forest of Death, tomorrow morning at 7. Don't chicken out!"
"We'll be there!"
They shouted in unison.
Shizune felt a wave of envy but didn't volunteer to join. She'd already traveled and trained under Tsunade, practically a student in her own right. Getting more instruction now wouldn't mean much.
Hokage's Office
Jiraiya reported what happened on the road and released one of the corpses by unsealing it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi examined it gravely.
"What's your take? Were they targeting Tsunade?"
"Hard to say."
Jiraiya shook his head.
He hadn't been at the scene when it began, and a lot of information was missing.
But—
"One thing's clear—the enemy wanted captives. Could've been Tsunade, Shizune, or maybe Kyōen and the others. Their initial attack used unpoisoned tools, so it wasn't an assassination or framing attempt."
"I see…"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.
Then he turned to Jiraiya. "So what do you plan to do next?"
"I promised Matsuyama Kōji I'd head to the Land of Waves. I'll investigate further, but I'd appreciate some support from your end."
"I'll see to it."
"Then I'm off."
"And Jiraiya…" Hiruzen called out. "Tsunade's back now. Don't cause any trouble, understood?"
Jiraiya froze. He gave a dry cough and waved as he leapt out the window.
The Next Day – Training Ground 10, Forest of Death
This wasn't a formal exam, and it wasn't going to be three-on-one either.
It was one-on-one.
Tsunade stood leisurely in the clearing.
"So, you guys want to come at me one at a time, or all together?"
She pointed at the three of them.
Kakashi and Kurenai hesitated.
All together would test teamwork. One-on-one tested individual skill.
"Can we do both?" Kyōen asked quietly.
He was still a kid—but mentally, an adult.
"I want it all."
Tsunade burst into laughter. "You greedy little brat. Careful you don't end up bedridden."
"I'm not afraid!"
Kyōen braced himself.
Of course he was afraid.
But a free sparring session with a Kage-level shinobi? Backing out now would be pure stupidity.
A ninja should know no fear!
Kakashi and Kurenai nodded in agreement.
"Fine by me," Tsunade said with a shrug. "Three one-on-ones it is. Who's first?"
"I'll go!"
Kakashi stepped forward without hesitation.
Kyōen quietly stepped back in defeat.
Guess that's the difference in our reaction speeds, he thought.
Kakashi's still a notch above me.
"Good," Tsunade smiled, then drew a circle on the ground with her left foot. "I don't feel like moving too much, so I'll only use one hand. If you can force me out of this circle—you win."
Kakashi focused, analyzing the battleground.
The circle was small—very little room to maneuver.
"Can I use explosive tags?"
"Of course. Ninja tools are part of a shinobi's strength," Tsunade replied with a smirk.
"Then I'm ready."
"Begin."
The moment the words left her lips—
Tsunade locked eyes on Kakashi, her stance relaxed.
But—
Cold sweat broke across Kakashi's forehead.
His lips trembled. His hands shook. He stood frozen in place.
Kurenai was stunned.
"Is this genjutsu? But… I didn't sense any chakra fluctuation!"
"It's not genjutsu," Kyōen said solemnly.
"It's just pure killing intent."
In the anime, Orochimaru once paralyzed Kakashi with sheer killing intent—twice—and that was when Kakashi was already a Jōnin.
Right now—
Kakashi was only a Chūnin.
Facing Tsunade's Kage-level pressure?
The weight was unimaginable.