Chapter 203 : Tsunade’s Power
Apart from Konoha, there isn't a single Hidden Village capable of dealing with them.
Especially with Nagato—someone whose strength surpasses even the Kage level. The only person in the shinobi world who can stand against him is Riku.
Well, that is, unless Naruto has already mastered the Nine Tails' power.
The only reason Konoha can even consider standing against the Akatsuki is because of Riku. His presence alone guarantees the village's safety.
Tsunade looked at Riku and said, "I don't know the specifics yet, but based on Akatsuki's usual methods, it's probably a two-man team."
"In the beginning, the intel we received indicated two members in each Akatsuki cell, but I'm not sure if that's still the case."
As she spoke, Tsunade suddenly remembered that Riku had come to report on the Oni Clan mission.
"By the way, about that mission—what exactly happened?"
Riku gazed out the window and answered calmly, "There were indeed many members in the Oni Clan, but they've all turned to bones. It seems they activated a barrier and sacrificed their own clansmen."
"Their goal was to fully spiritualize a powerful member, but they never succeeded. The last of their clan attempted to sacrifice the Shinigami itself to achieve complete spiritualization."
"And the reason they slaughtered so many ninja villages was to harvest ninja souls. I have to say, this clan was truly vile."
"But the final member—the one hosting the ghosts of sixteen sacrificed clansmen—was immensely powerful. He even surpassed the Kage level… but he still died in the end."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade finally understood the level of threat Riku had faced.
It was even more terrifying than the average Akatsuki member. A force beyond Kage-level, fully spiritualized, immune to genjutsu.
The last time, Ghost Shadow had even borrowed power from the Shinigami itself, putting his strength far above any normal spiritualist.
Even Riku's illusion—stronger than Tsukuyomi—had no effect on him.
It was easy to imagine that even someone from the Uchiha clan, wielding the Mangekyō Sharingan, would be helpless against such a foe.
Tsunade nodded. "If it was as powerful as you say, then yes... that's definitely beyond Kage-level."
Riku turned from the window, smiled at her, and said, "But it was also my first time using Sage Mode in battle. It felt great."
Tsunade froze for a moment, surprised. "That guy actually forced you to use Sage Mode? He must've been incredibly powerful."
Even when Riku had suppressed the Three Tails or fought Orochimaru, he hadn't used Sage Mode.
That alone showed just how terrifying the Oni Clan's strength had become.
Thankfully, Riku had put an end to it. If someone that powerful had succeeded in their goal, the threat to Konoha would have been catastrophic.
Although the Uchiha clan had been exterminated, they were once Konoha's own. And before that, the Fire Daimyō had employed the Uchiha to wipe out the Oni Clan.
If the Oni Clan had retaliated with thousands of survivors and a fully spiritualized powerhouse leading them, Konoha might not have stood a chance.
If not for Riku, there would've been no way to stop such devastation.
In truth, Tsunade realized she might be overthinking. Without Riku's intervention, the Oni Clan's final ritual would've failed anyway.
But because of Riku's presence, they pushed themselves to the brink, rapidly escalating their power—creating a temporary super-Kage-level force.
After finishing the mission debrief, Tsunade gave Riku a long look and muttered, "You… honestly, I don't even know what to say to you."
Riku didn't hide the fact that he had treated Anko and Kurenai during the mission.
Tsunade wasn't the type to be petty. She knew Riku's character well and didn't blame him.
She only felt a bit sorry—especially for Kurenai.
"She's married to Asuma," Tsunade said quietly. "If you suddenly do something like that… how is she supposed to face him afterward?"
Riku leaned against the window sill, calm as ever. "Well, if she doesn't tell him, who would know? I didn't say anything with ill intent. Was I supposed to let her die?"
Tsunade knew he'd had no choice.
What else could he have done?
If Riku had one of his healing pills, he would've used it instead. But those were long gone. He'd only made a few, and after giving two to Tsunade, he was out.
Sighing, Tsunade leaned back in her chair and said helplessly, "Then let's not talk about it again. Otherwise, Kurenai really won't be able to show her face."
Riku nodded. "I'm not that cruel."
Then Tsunade smirked. "So… was it because of my figure, or because theirs were better?"
Riku turned to look at her. Tsunade expected him to get flustered—but instead, he just laughed.
"No one compares to you."
Tsunade paused, caught off guard. Riku was smiling at her, clearly seeing through her attempt to tease him.
She quickly changed the subject. "Why don't you head to Sunagakure? I've had this uneasy feeling lately."
Riku thought for a moment. He didn't have much to do at the moment anyway. "Alright."
Tsunade had already sent Guy's team to support Kakashi, but she remained concerned.
Sunagakure's stability was crucial to Konoha. If another Great Ninja War broke out—say, from the Third Kazekage's disappearance—it would be disastrous for them.
Right now, besides Riku, Konoha's high-level combat forces were limited to Tsunade and Jiraiya.
Kakashi still hadn't reached the Kage-level threshold.
Guy had the Eight Inner Gates, yes—but war isn't about killing one or two people. In a full-scale ninja war, that's not enough.
Even Minato Namikaze, the hero of the Third Great Ninja War, had to rush between multiple battlefields to make a difference.
Compared to him, Guy didn't have nearly the same versatility.
Neither did Kakashi.
So right now, Tsunade had no desire to trigger another war.
Whether Sunagakure started it or someone else attacked them—either way, it would be bad for Konoha.
The village still hadn't fully recovered. It needed time to heal and rebuild.
Fortunately, Tsunade had consolidated all the power in Konoha into her own hands.
Despite her bold, unrestrained attitude, her control over Konoha now was far stronger than it had been under Hiruzen Sarutobi.
ROOT had been disbanded. While some elements still worked for Danzō, their official authority had been stripped.
They no longer rivaled the ANBU in strength.
ANBU, on the other hand, was now firmly under Tsunade's trusted subordinate, Yamato.
The two Hokage advisors had also been mostly sidelined, their influence greatly diminished.
So in Konoha, Tsunade now wielded considerable power.
But thanks to Jiraiya and Riku supporting her—and the real progress she'd made in rebuilding the village—no one dared oppose her.
Not that anyone would try.
Tsunade was known to punch even the Hokage Advisors when provoked.
The advisors now were nothing like they had been during Hiruzen's time.
Still, Tsunade knew very well that starting a new Ninja World War would bring Konoha nothing but pain.
Even with Riku, the cost would be far too high.
In the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha had Namikaze Minato. They hadn't lost the war, but their casualties were devastating.
And Iwagakure, who'd lost on paper, came out with minimal damage.
That's why, despite technically winning, Konoha was still forced to negotiate a truce with Iwagakure afterward.
Konoha's losses had been far greater.
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