Chapter 197: The Sannin Skirmish (11)

Chapter 197: The Sannin Skirmish (11)

Tsunade doesn't know the exact use of 'Hero Water' or if the drug that Utsu and Sanma downed is even the rumored 'Hero Water' that Orochimaru is after but observing this drug being used the second time and coupled with her honed chakra control, Tsunade can note the benefits of the item clearer.

To a layman's eyes, the visible coils of chakra oozing around Utsu will let them conclude that his chakra reserves at the moment are off the charts!

To Tsunade's eyes, however, she confirms a few things as her water and earth clone continue to cooperate and weave corresponding Jutsus to give Tsunade the necessary breather to observe Utsu in such a manner in the first place.

'As noted before... roughly 10 times increase in chakra reserves. Kushina's chakra mode and Sage Mode both provide a 10 times increase, too. But the difference lies in the manner of increase in Kushina's strength. Chakra being an intimate child of physical strength and mental fortitude means that a direct increase in chakra in such a manner gives Kushina appropriate physical and mental capabilities to wield said the increase in chakra.'

Dodging Utsu's catfish released a sharp and titanic jet of water which even Kakuzu did not wish to block against constantly, Tsunade continues to observe Utsu calmly.

'Meanwhile, in Sage Mode, the chakra reserve does not change in quantity but quality. And this qualitative change again provides reverse feedback to the body and mind, providing ten times the strength and mental fortitude if one is blunt about it.' Even without Kai's trait, Tsunade has enough understanding of chakra to understand that as ger base strength grows, the 'ten times' multiplier will provide relatively fewer benefits but no matter what, the sheer expansion of senses in Sage Mode makes it better in Tsunade's eyes when compared to Kushina's chakra mode.

Of course... it may just be because Kushina is only learning to use it and that, too, against Kai which makes that mode seem a little lackluster except for its bright colors.

'So, for a similar boost to come from a product...' Tsunade narrows her eyes and recalls something, 'When Sanma used it... it wasn't evident at a glance but his body aged. I have a part of his body so determining his age later wouldn't be hard... and Utsu is significantly older looking than what his rumored age suggests. Could that be the side effects of this drug?'

'After all, even Kai grew by three years when the Kekkei Genkai for that Sage Transformation was planted on him. If his body wasn't already strong, he would have died... Interesting. So interesting.' Her gaze flickers oddly and after coming out of her short internal monologue, Tsunade, too, steps her game up.

A boost like this will not threaten her. Not after she has sparred with Kushina a few times to measure her strength and how this growth translates to skill efficiency. Seeing blue arcs of chakra constantly seeping out of Utsu, Tsunade is 80% sure that the cost of lifespan is not the only drawback of this method.

But the benefits clearly outweigh the drawbacks lest Utsu would not have resorted to this means.

'Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullets!' Tsunade's earth clone forms a seal rapidly before transferring the chakra from her feet. Two brilliantly carved earth dragons rise from the ground in swift, roiling motion as their sharp jaws snap wide open and they bite onto the floating Catfish's fins.

"Hmph!" Meanwhile, two water dragons rush to devour Kakuzu as he scoffs and slaps the ground to raise a wall of sturdy earth.

At the same moment, dozens of thick dark-grey threads tear out from under the Catfish and stab through the layer of clouds keeping the fish afloat. The threads, however, fail to pierce the scales of the fish.

*Slam*

*Boom*

The water dragons slam into the wall of earth and disperse into a massive wave while the two earth dragons explode as the innumerable shrapnel bounce away from the fish. Meanwhile, a dome of chakra bursts out of Utsu to protect him from the attack, too.

"Woah!"

The water clone jumps as grey threads dig out from under her, too, and chases after the clone.

'Just kidding~!' The clone grins and forms a seal with her right hand before letting the threads stab into her.

*Poof*

The clone disperses into a puff of smoke to reveal a splintered piece of log.

"You gave your clones seals to store substitutes!" Kakuzu snarls and for a good reason, "Just how rich are you!"

The two clones gather beside Tsunade and all three of them reveal short smirks. But talking smack is beneath her. After all, there is no need to talk smack when she intends to kill... IF she wanted them alive, she would have pulled open her mental diary of insults so that her enemies never forget the scars born from her words.

This moment of breather is not wasted by any of them. Kakuzu by now fully understands that catching Tsunade off-guard is going to be harder than he initially expected.

Utsu is the one to make a move this time and as for a ghost of a moment, Tsunade watches Utsu age significantly. His body grows thinner, too...

The large plume of smoke that filled the forest at Utsu's command made it harder for Kakuzu and Tsunade to observe what Utsu is up to until...

"Yes, it's usually the smaller beings with better defensive jutsus that are harmful to my main body." One of the main reasons why the Earth Clone did not give her all to keep Kakuzu around.

"Thanks," Tsunade hums, and with another burst of smoke, the massive slug disappears to reunite with its main body and alongside Utsu in his dragon transformation.

Landing on her feet, Tsunade exhales heavily once more.

The easiest way to deal with Utsu, unfortunately, came at a disastrous price for her chakra reserves. Not that Tsunade regrets her actions.

Utsu may have many more trump cards. Dealing with him before he can reveal his true strength is, of course, the most efficient way.

Her actions, however, also left a lasting cover of smoke in the forest.

'Huh?' Tsunade frowns, 'My earth clone got destroyed.'

She readies herself and as expected, she senses four sources of extremely... rotten chakra.

The best way to explain it would be to compare regular chakra to fresh food and this rotten chakra to a platter of ruined peels and leftovers of many different kinds of food mushed together into a slimy paste and then let to rot beside a puddly of gunk...

*Swish*

*Swish*

*Swish*

*Swish*

Aside from Kakuzu, Tsunade senses the four sources of rotten chakra surrounding her. And at this point, Kakuzu's voice echoes forth.

"While your grandfather has my undying respect... I admit that your crafty methods are somewhat respectable, too. Denying the code of shinobi, I'll tell you that you will die or get captured by my hands. And the cause of all this... is my Kinjutsu. It is called Earth Grudge Fear, and that is all you need to know."

Perking up slightly, Tsunade's cool facade slips for a moment and she jokes, "How about explaining the content of your Kinjutsu and earning my respect?"

"That... will not be needed."

'From Third Raikage's Son and a team of Iwa to Kakuzu, Sanma, Utsu, and now Kakuzu again... where the hell are those two stupid sons of bitches!' Tsunade moans and whines inwardly but she quickly recollects herself. Her own actions have shown how it only takes a moment of weakness to lose... so falling to such vices will not do.

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Alternate Title: The Legendary Dragon 'Rider'; Poor Dragon...; Katsuyu Goes Suckity Suck!; Probably Kai's True Weakness The Dragon Sucker Katsuyu!; This Battle Simply Never Ends; The Loss of a Kage; Respectful Mercenary; Kakuzu's Undying Respect; Chonky Katsuyu!

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A/N: Maybe two or three chaps and the panel on the Sannins will end. Hope you all enjoyed the battles until now. I just wanted Tsunade to use a few more jutsus other than taijutsu so that's where the two clones spun in.

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