Naruto: Starting with Tsunade

Chapter 255 Tata Open

The next day.

Early in the morning, Aokiji was summoned by a henchman to meet the Third Hokage: "Hokage-sama, you wanted to see me?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and got straight to the point: "Aokiji, there are some things I need to discuss with you regarding our future work."

Following his words, Aokiji asked, "Yes, please go ahead."

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his pipe: "It's about Tsunade."

"Tsunade?"

"Yes, Tsunade is the most medically skilled ninja in our village and a valuable asset to the village. She will inevitably attract the attention of various countries and be added to their assassination lists in the future."

"To protect Tsunade's safety, she should be accompanied by a highly skilled bodyguard when she goes to the battlefield to carry out missions."

Upon hearing this, Aokiji suddenly understood, and then, feigning competence, volunteered: "I am not very capable, but I believe I am perfectly suited for this position."

"you?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at him, his gaze deep.

Aokiji said frankly, "I'm not bragging, but in terms of my current strength, I think there are very few people in the village who could beat me head-on."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked troubled: "This is difficult. The Senju clan has also recommended suitable candidates."

Aokiji paused, realizing something, but he didn't bother with further explanation and stated directly, "In that case, let's have a fight."

"A fight?"

"Yes, since they are Tsunade's bodyguards, their strength must be up to par. The winner will serve as Tsunade's bodyguard, and the loser will eat dust. What do you think, Hokage?"

After a moment's thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement: "You like to let your strength speak for itself; that's quite in line with the Uchiha clan's principles."

"I was originally a member of the Uchiha clan."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze became meaningful: "That's true... Alright, then let's go with your method. I'll communicate with the Senju clan."

Aokiji nodded his thanks, then exchanged a few more symbolic words with the other party as a closing remark before leaving the Hokage's office.

Looking in the direction Aokiji had left, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a drag of his cigarette, the wisps of white smoke dissipating before his eyes. He decided to take this opportunity to test how much the Jinchuriki had grown in strength over the past three years.

Aokiji left the Hokage's office, and not long after, he received a new message: the match would be held at a designated time and place the next day.

A day later, Aokiji arrived at a building that was circular on the outside and open-air on the inside, as scheduled.

This building is Konoha's arena, and sometimes the Chunin Exams are held there. Since it's currently unused, it's been used as a venue for two-on-one matches.

"This is such a hassle..."

Aokiji muttered something to himself and went inside.

This wasn't his first time here; Aokiji would come here to watch the drama unfold during the Chunin Exams.

He entered the tunnel with ease. At first, his vision was somewhat dark due to the light, but this did not last long. Soon, Aokiji saw light and instinctively quickened his pace. In no time, he left the tunnel, and his vision became bright and clear.

Ahead was flat ground with a few small trees nearby. A high wall was built along the edge to protect the spectator seating area from being affected. Through the wall, one could see rows of seats and spectators.

Looking from his direction, he saw a group of strangers on the other side.

"Hey, found it..."

Aokiji's gaze fell on the blonde girl among the strangers. He didn't know when it started, but finding Tsunade in a crowd at a glance had become one of Aokiji's specialties.

From the moment he stepped into the venue, Aokiji felt several eyes watching him from behind. Turning around, he saw a few scattered spectators sitting in the seats behind him. Unlike the people in front of him, the people here were all familiar faces, and he even saw Fugaku among them.

"It seems that both sides are paying close attention to this battle, as they have both made time to watch it."

Aokiji chuckled, turned his head, and glanced at the half-black, half-white-haired youth opposite him, raising an eyebrow: "Right?"

Recalling his potential opponents, Aokiji, based on the information he knew, revealed their identities: "If I remember correctly, your name should be Senju Asakura, right? No, it should be Asakura, since your clan has even disbanded now. Hmph..."

Aokiji's words were clearly barbed, hoping to provoke his opponent and force him to reveal a weakness.

Asakura: ...

Judging from the results, Aokiji's tricks were unremarkable, which left him feeling quite embarrassed: "Looks like he's a quiet type..."

Asakura opened his eyes briefly and said, "Give up..."

???

Aokiji was completely baffled.

"You and Lady Tsunade are not a good match."

"None of your business..."

Aokiji suddenly fell silent halfway through his sentence.

Seeing the strange and unusual behavior, Asakura was slightly puzzled.

He could clearly sense that Aokiji had wanted to argue with him for a moment, and had even said half of what he was going to say, but then suddenly stopped, which made him wonder.

"Forget it, it's just a verbal argument."

Aokiji shook his head to himself, then threw a kunai at him.

Further words are pointless; force is the simplest and most effective way to achieve one's goals.

The shuriken moved with incredible speed, making a "whoosh" sound as it pierced the air.

Asakura jumped to the side, easily dodging the direct attack aimed at his face.

"Wow...not bad speed."

Aokiji narrowed his eyes and uttered a sound of admiration.

The kunai I just used was merely a test of the opponent's abilities.

Because it was a 1v1 battle, Aokiji had ample time to plan carefully.

Chakra should be conserved as much as possible.

Among them, the shuriken, which does not require chakra, naturally became the first choice.

Anyway, you can pick it up after you're done using it, unlike shuriken and kunai which just disappear when you throw them away...

As Aokiji sized up his opponent, Asakura was also sizing him up. He leaned slightly forward, threw out several kunai as a feint, and then sped off.

Aokiji stepped back, turned around, and barely dodged the shuriken.

Meanwhile, Asakura seized the opportunity and used his Body Flicker Technique to close in.

Aokiji's pupils constricted sharply, reflecting a figure diving downwards. In the instant the arm pulled back, it bent each finger inwards, starting with the little finger, then held them with its thumb, placed them at its waist, and turned away.

This seemingly ordinary straight punch is actually imbued with superhuman strength, extremely powerful and fierce, unmatched in its sharpness.

If you try to take the hit head-on without knowing the situation, you'll suffer greatly. Using his heel as a fulcrum, he rotated his body halfway around, barely dodging the attack, while simultaneously raising his right leg and kicking down on the opponent's knee.

Caught off guard, Asakura's knee was kicked, causing him to lose his balance slightly. Aokiji pressed his advantage, pushing his jaw with his palm.

Not very harmful, but extremely insulting; Asakura choked on it.

Taking advantage of the opponent's momentary lapse in concentration, Aokiji grabbed the opponent's knee with his foot, stomped hard, and used the momentum to jump, performing a backflip in mid-air to create distance while quickly completing hand seals.

Asakura recognized that this was a ninjutsu ending with the Tiger Seal, clearly a signature Fire Release ninjutsu of the Uchiha clan. He countered with a clap of his hands, shooting water guns from his mouth that struck the ground in a circular motion, forming a turbulent wall of water that blocked the oncoming fireball.

"Sizzle sizzle..."

The water wall and the fire wall collided, hissing and emitting thick white smoke.

On the stands, Fugaku's eyes were serious. "This guy named Asakura is really strong. He can actually use such a powerful water jutsu in a place without water."

Water Release is a technique that allows one to manipulate nearby water to perform. Only skilled Water Release ninjas can perform it in the absence of water.

The Uchiha clan, skilled in Fire Release, least wanted to face ninjas proficient in Water Release.

Seeing Fugaku boosting the morale of others and diminishing their own, the Uchiha clan leader couldn't help but sneer: "It's just a mere Water Release technique. Don't forget what Aokiji's bloodline limit is."

Reminded by this, Fugaku chuckled: "That's true. Aokiji's ability is the least afraid of water-style jutsu. After a brief test, he should probably use his ice-style jutsu."

Unfortunately, he guessed wrong.

Aokiji didn't seem to have any intention of using Ice Release. Using the cover of the white mist, he directly circled around to behind Asakura.

By the time Asakura realized it, it was too late; his suddenly contracted pupils reflected the fist.

Such speed! When did this happen?

The change in voice hindered him, and he hastily raised his arm to block, but he was still a step too slow. The fist passed through his arm and struck Asakura's face mercilessly.

Aokiji's punch not only slapped him in the face, but also slapped the face of the entire Senju clan.

With this level of understanding, you dare to break up a couple?

Go back and practice for two and a half years.

Asakura, his body as tattered as cotton, flew and crashed into the wall, kicking up thick smoke.

(End of this chapter)