Chapter 136 : Participating In The Battle Of Sannin
After Riku confirmed that Tsunade had finally overcome her hemophobia, he smiled and said, "Lady Tsunade, it’s your turn to fight now."
Tsunade, who had been clutching Riku tightly while tears streamed down her face, was brought back to her senses by his voice.
As she pulled away from him and saw his calm smile, the image of the blood-covered Riku from the illusion still lingered in her mind—the one who had fought to the death against Kabuto and Orochimaru for her sake. That person no longer stood before her... and yet he did.
The tears that had once flowed uncontrollably now stopped.
Snapping out of it, Tsunade’s expression hardened. She looked at Riku with narrowed eyes, then suddenly stepped away and stood up. Her voice turned sharp.
"You used genjutsu on me?"
Riku stood as well and smiled. "Yeah. So? Wasn’t it realistic?"
Tsunade clenched her fist, joints cracking audibly. Riku suddenly had a bad feeling.
"If you dare use genjutsu on me again, I’ll send you flying."
Relieved by her reaction, Riku exhaled. Honestly, if it came to a real fight, Tsunade wouldn’t be his match. But he never had any intention of killing her—how awkward would that be?
Best if neither of them made a move.
Tsunade glanced at the blood all over Riku’s body—most of it belonged to Yakushi Kabuto. This kid had actually stabbed himself to produce so much blood just to scare her. Brutal.
Now recovered, Tsunade turned her attention back to Orochimaru and Kabuto. She moved to Jiraiya’s side. "Jiraiya, your chakra should be almost recovered by now."
Jiraiya nodded. "I’m nearly good to go... though I’m still pissed you drugged me."
He grumbled with clear irritation.
Tsunade didn’t react at all, speaking flatly. "If it weren’t for that kid, I’d still be frozen from the sight of blood."
Looking at Orochimaru, her mind replayed the illusion—Riku being run through by Orochimaru’s blade, dying before her eyes.
It refused to leave her thoughts.
"I won’t let that happen. Summoning Jutsu!"
Tsunade quickly weaved hand signs and slammed her palm down.
A huge puff of smoke exploded outward.
Seeing this, Kabuto also began forming hand seals. Drawing a line of his own blood along Orochimaru’s arm, he activated his own summoning.
Simultaneously, Jiraiya pressed his hands together and shouted, "Summoning Jutsu!"
Three massive clouds of white smoke erupted in succession.
When the smoke cleared, Katsuyu, Manda, and Gamabunta stood tall on the battlefield.
The legendary Sannin had officially gathered.
Riku stood atop Katsuyu, behind Tsunade.
Shizune and Naruto were nearby.
Jiraiya perched alone atop Gamabunta’s massive head.
Opposite them, Orochimaru and Kabuto stood on Manda’s head, the enormous snake coiled with menace.
It was a scene of titanic confrontation—three massive summoning beasts spread across the battlefield.
Tsunade turned to Shizune and Naruto. "You two, get out of here and find a safe place to hide."
"The upcoming battle is too dangerous. You can’t be part of it."
Naruto looked like he wanted to protest, but seeing the three giant beasts looming before him, he knew he had no place in this fight.
So he obediently followed Shizune and leapt down from Katsuyu’s back.
Riku, observing the scene, already had a good idea of how things would unfold. Unbothered, he moved to jump down as well and followed Shizune.
But just as he was about to leap off, Tsunade grabbed his arm.
"Where do you think you’re going?"
Riku froze for a second and looked back at her serious expression. "I was going to head down with Miss Shizune. Isn’t this a battle between the three Sannin?"
Down below, Shizune and Naruto looked up at them from the ground.
Naruto asked, "Miss Shizune, why isn’t Riku coming down?"
Shizune, uncertain herself, tried to reason it out. "I think Lady Tsunade wants him to join the fight. After what he just did... his strength really might be on par with the Sannin."
Naruto couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. "One day, I swear I’ll catch up to Riku..."
But oddly, there was no jealousy in his voice. The gap between them felt too vast now for envy to even take root.
Shizune led Naruto away from the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Riku found himself stuck beside Tsunade.
Staring across at Orochimaru, she spoke to him without looking. "This is a battle between the Sannin—but Orochimaru won’t go down easily. You’re strong enough. Stay here."
"Thinking of running away again?"
Tsunade turned to look at him, eyes sharp.
Riku scratched his head. "But... this is your fight. What’s it got to do with me?"
She didn’t back down. "Then just stand here and watch. Observe how the three of us fight. Consider it hands-on training."
"...Fine," Riku muttered with a sigh.
Tsunade didn’t say it aloud, but ever since that genjutsu, she’d had a strange fear gnawing at her—that Riku would die suddenly, meaninglessly.
But with his strength, this battlefield wouldn’t be fatal. And it would give him much-needed experience.
With all three summon beasts present, Gamabunta looked across at Manda and Katsuyu with a half-grin. "So this is what a Sannin reunion looks like, huh?"
Manda hissed, clearly annoyed. "Orochimaru, why the hell did you summon me again? I’m not your pet. I should just eat you right now."
Orochimaru said nothing, letting Kabuto do the talking.
"Lord Manda, we’re up against the other two Sannin. We need your strength."
It wasn’t that Manda actually intended to leave. He was just temperamental and aggressive by nature.
"Tch... Fine. But when this is over, Orochimaru—you’d better prepare a hundred human sacrifices for me."
Orochimaru didn’t bother responding.
Kabuto, on the other hand, frowned deeply. If Manda finds out Orochimaru can’t use ninjutsu right now... he’ll definitely turn on us.
Meanwhile, Katsuyu spoke in a gentle, echoing voice, eyes fixed on Riku. "Lady Tsunade, who is this beside you?"
She had sensed the immense chakra inside him—more than even Tsunade or Jiraiya possessed.
Of course, Tsunade had the Strength of a Hundred Seal, which stored away most of her chakra, making her reserves immense. But even so, Riku’s chakra exceeded hers.
If she hadn’t been so attuned to chakra, Katsuyu might not have noticed at all.
Tsunade replied, "Riku. He’s my disciple."
Riku glanced at her, stunned. Sure, she’d taught him a fair bit of medical ninjutsu, but calling him her disciple felt like a stretch.
But Tsunade returned his look with absolute seriousness.
He gave up on arguing and let it slide. At the end of the day, what did it matter? He didn’t lose anything by having more teachers.
Still, Tsunade’s actions weren’t just impulsive.
Somewhere deep inside, that illusion had shaken her far more than she’d admit. And now, something told her that if she didn’t keep Riku close... she might lose him for real.
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