Ōnoki had never underestimated Tsunade. However, he had also never believed she could defeat him.
Tsunade's most famous battle had been against Sunagakure, where she became renowned for her expertise in poisons and antidotes, completely suppressing the puppet masters of Suna.
However, Ōnoki had never thought highly of puppet masters. While they were nightmares for mid- and low-level ninjas, they were virtually useless in high-level battles.
In Kage-level combat, puppeteers rarely had a place. In fact, neither the Third nor the Fourth Kazekage were known for their puppet techniques. Even now, Gaara was famous for his Sand Release, not puppetry. When even Sunagakure's leaders refused to rely on it, it spoke volumes about its limitations.
Tsunade's abilities were well-documented across the ninja world. She was known for her exceptional physical strength, massive chakra reserves, unparalleled medical ninjutsu and of course her gambling addiction and legendary bad luck.
Ōnoki believed that with his Light-Weight and Heavy-Weight Rock Jutsu, which allowed him to fly freely, he was already in an undefeatable position against a taijutsu specialist like Tsunade.
"Everyone, fall back."
Tsunade did not allow Konoha's army to swarm the battlefield. Instead, she prepared for a one-on-one fight against Ōnoki. That was her purpose for coming here.
War was inevitable, but if she could defeat Ōnoki herself, Iwagakure's resistance would be minimal, significantly reducing casualties.
She was here to conquer Iwagakure, not to massacre its people.
"Kitsuchi, have our men retreat. This is a battle between Kage."
Ōnoki likewise dismissed his subordinates, facing Tsunade alone.
Both of them were well past their youth. However, while Tsunade still looked like she was in her thirties, Ōnoki appeared every bit his advanced age.
They locked eyes for a moment. Then, they struck at the same time.
Ōnoki quickly formed hand seals.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow River!"
Earth Style was particularly effective against taijutsu users. Large-scale terrain-changing jutsu like this could instantly cripple an opponent's ability to move.
But against an opponent of Tsunade's caliber, this was merely a probing attack.
Without hesitation, Tsunade raised her right fist and smashed it into the ground.
The earth instantly cracked and surged forward like a tidal wave, completely neutralizing the Earth Flow River.
"It's not just brute force. She injected chakra into the ground at the moment of impact. But just chakra alone shouldn't have completely negated my jutsu. Her taijutsu has some kind of special property."
His initial probe had served its purpose, Tsunade was hiding something.
That meant he absolutely could not let her get close.
One punch from her, and he couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen to him. He would probably be reduced to a smear on the ground.
"Earth Style: Light-Weight Rock Jutsu!"
Activating his signature technique, Ōnoki took to the sky, immediately unleashing a barrage of attacks.
For a ninja who could fly, this was the most logical tactic.
"Earth Style: Rock Cannon!"
Hundreds of rock projectiles rained down from above, each infused with the power of a Kage-level ninja.
However, Tsunade did not move. Instead, she calmly raised her left arm.
At that moment, the armored bracer on her left forearm shifted and expanded, transforming into a shield.
The incoming rock projectiles smashed into the shield, but none got past it.
She didn't even flinch.
Ōnoki frowned.
He knew Konoha's research division had been developing strange ninja tools for years.
But a handheld device that could casually block his jutsu? That was something else entirely.
Normally, shinobi didn't use shields. Ninja combat was about speed and flexibility, lugging around a shield was more suited for berserkers than assassins.
Tsunade, however, was an exception.
And Konoha's shield wasn't just a piece of armor, it was retractable, meaning it had zero impact on mobility when not in use.
But that wasn't the only surprise Tsunade had prepared.
As Ōnoki momentarily hesitated, Tsunade slightly adjusted her arm position.
Ōnoki's instincts screamed danger. He immediately ascended higher.
The next second, three specially-designed kunai shot past his feet.
The sheer speed of the projectiles left razor-sharp wind trails in their wake, proving they were far faster than any ordinary ninja's throwing techniques.
Cold sweat ran down Ōnoki's back.
Tsunade had clearly come fully prepared for him.
He could no longer afford to hold back.
"Earth Style: Earth Prison Dome!"
Four walls of stone rose around Tsunade, rapidly closing in to trap her.
Unlike the Earth Style Wall, Earth Prison Dome formed an enclosed barrier designed to completely seal off an opponent.
The walls were reinforced with chakra, allowing them to self-repair if damaged. Even more dangerously, they could absorb an opponent's chakra upon contact.
For taijutsu users, this technique was a death sentence, once trapped inside, escape was virtually impossible.
However, Tsunade did not panic.
She simply punched the wall.
And the entire structure shattered.
More importantly, it didn't regenerate.
Ōnoki was shocked.
His Earth Prison Dome was supposed to self-repair. But after Tsunade's punch, the chakra within the walls dissipated entirely.
"Earth Style: Iron Prison!"
Ōnoki immediately switched tactics.
Unlike the Earth Prison Dome, Iron Prison created a deep crater beneath the opponent's feet, restricting their movement.
He knew this wouldn't defeat Tsunade, but it would momentarily trap her.
And that was all he needed.
Pressing his hands together, he activated his ultimate technique.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
If you would like to read more...
The novel has be completed (Chp. 362) on the patreon -> SaintXI