"Mangetsu, don't cause trouble in Konoha!"
A voice rang out.
A Kirigakure ninja with two swords at his waist.
Definitely not Samehada. Judging by the scabbard, it looked more like the Thunder Swords: Kiba.
Mangetsu's expression was still dazed. He looked utterly disoriented, clearly not hearing anything.
"Mangetsu?!"
Raiga was growing impatient.
"Huh? Yes!"
Mangetsu snapped out of his shock.
The fear in his eyes faded.
Seeing Raiga, Mangetsu immediately bowed and apologized.
"Sorry!"
"Shouldn't you be apologizing to me? Or are Kirigakure ninjas allowed to attack others in another village without apologizing?"
Kyohiko glanced at Raiga.
Raiga frowned, his gaze sweeping over Kyohiko and Mangetsu. His emotions were hard to control, his expression growing fierce and cruel, with a faint hint of killing intent.
But.
Kyohiko stood firm, even countering, "You have killing intent toward me. Are you planning to kill me to silence me?"
Raiga was inwardly shocked.
When he got angry, his killing intent often intimidated even his fellow jonin. Yet this kid in front of him not only met his gaze without fear but even dared to challenge him.
What guts!
He looked at Hozuki Mangetsu, his dissatisfaction growing.
The Hozuki Clan had boasted endlessly about their so-called prodigy, claiming he could become the next Second Mizukage.
But what was the reality?
Just a pretty face.
Faced with a Konoha genius, he was completely thrown off balance, forgetting even the most basic rules of being a ninja.
Look at this kid!
Even under his killing intent, he didn't flinch.
Now that's a real genius!
He barked, "Mangetsu, are you waiting for me to apologize for you?"
"Yes, I... I'm sorry, Kyohiko. I just wanted to greet you, not actually attack you! I was just shocked by your reaction and forgot to apologize!"
Mangetsu knew...
This matter could be big or small.
At its smallest, it was just kids roughhousing.
At its worst, it could be framed as Kyohiko had said—
Kirigakure attacking a Konoha genin, with a jonin attempting to silence him.
It all depended on how Konoha spun it.
So.
Admitting he was scared out of his wits was better than giving them a bigger reason to escalate things.
However.
"What are you trying to do to our Konoha ninja?"
Tsunade's voice was icy.
A suffocating wave of killing intent swept over them.
Raiga stiffly turned his head.
This terrifying pressure, this aura!
For a moment, he thought he had fallen under a genjutsu like "Hell Viewing Technique," which induced fear.
But.
It wasn't an illusion.
Just pure killing intent...
His face turned pale.
Then, he saw Tsunade's figure, followed by another person landing behind her—a pale face with a seemingly gentle but terrifying smile.
Two of the Sannin—
Tsunade and Orochimaru had arrived!
This kid had some serious pull to have both Sannin show up!
Kyohiko was about to speak when Mangetsu suddenly dropped to his knees, performing a deep bow.
"Kyohiko, I really just wanted to greet you and challenge you again in the Chunin Exams. I had no intention of attacking! Raiga just loses control when he's angry. It wasn't directed at you!"
Mangetsu wasn't afraid of others, but Orochimaru...
Over the past fifteen days, he had spent ten of them with Orochimaru. Though his memories of that time were hazy, a deep-seated fear had taken root in his heart!
He had no doubt.
Orochimaru was probably considering using this as an excuse to keep him longer for more "research."
If the secrets of the Water Release Technique were uncovered, he would be doomed!
Orochimaru's face showed a hint of disappointment.
"So it was just a misunderstanding?"
"Yes, a misunderstanding! This kid from the Hozuki Clan is too arrogant. He's always been reckless in the village. I've already scolded him severely!"
Raiga quickly chimed in.
Two of the Sannin...
And he heard this kid's teacher was Jiraiya. If Jiraiya showed up, they'd have the full Sannin lineup!
He was no Hanzo of the Salamander.
"We're really sorry!"
Raiga's voice was strained.
"Don't cause trouble in Konoha, or there are plenty of people who can deal with you."
Tsunade wanted to make a grand gesture, but remembering this was Konoha, any damage would likely come out of her pocket, so she stopped herself.
She glanced at Mangetsu, then at Orochimaru behind her...
It seemed.
Orochimaru had left quite the impression on him!
Orochimaru chuckled softly. "Our villages are on good terms now. Everyone wants peace. Let's just call this a misunderstanding and move on."
"Yes!"
Raiga felt as if he had been granted amnesty and quickly left, not daring to linger.
If Jiraiya showed up, he might have to bow too!
Once they were gone.
Orochimaru licked his lips, his eyes scanning Kyohiko up and down before smiling. "Tsunade, this is Jiraiya's student, right?"
"Ryoho Kyohiko, pleased to meet you, Lord Orochimaru!"
Kyohiko stepped forward to greet him.
Might Gai stood beside him, frozen, not daring to breathe.
Tsunade.
Orochimaru.
Both legendary figures he rarely ever saw!
"Hmm."
Orochimaru's gaze was piercing.
After a moment, he smiled. "I have things to attend to today. We'll meet again."
"Understood."
Kyohiko nodded.
Tsunade, standing nearby, waited until Orochimaru left before turning to Gai. "You're Might Gai, right?"
"Huh? Yes, Lady Tsunade!"
Gai was nervous.
As a fresh genin, he had never been in such a situation before.
"Every day at the hospital, I see you running past. I've read your file. You're hardworking and talented."
Tsunade praised him sincerely.
Gai was surprised, overwhelmed with emotion, and quickly wiped away his tears. "Lady Tsunade!"
He was crying uncontrollably.
For Gai, Tsunade's praise was the highest form of encouragement.
Tsunade's lips twitched, and she glanced at Kyohiko.
Kyohiko shrugged.
That was just Gai—his emotions swung wildly when he got excited.
Tsunade was about to figure out how to comfort him when Gai suddenly stopped crying and said, "Lady Tsunade, I'll keep working hard! I'll prove that even with just taijutsu, I can become a great ninja!"
Tsunade's expression softened slightly, and she nodded.
"Good."
Her train of thought was interrupted, and she couldn't remember what she had wanted to say earlier.
Kyohiko and Gai waited, not daring to speak first.
After a moment, she finally remembered.
"Your training method pushes your body to its limits, breaking through barriers to improve. But it also puts a lot of strain on your body. You should get regular check-ups to avoid permanent damage."
"This..."
Gai hesitated.
He understood, but he and his father were just genin. A hospital visit would cost a lot.
Tsunade's expression softened. "Don't worry. I'll cover your medical expenses."
For her, this small amount was nothing compared to her gambling debts. But ensuring a promising ninja's healthy growth? That was invaluable.
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"
Gai was overjoyed and thanked her repeatedly.
Tsunade believed in him!
For Gai, this was the greatest affirmation, and he vowed to train even harder.