"The Nine-Tails's Chakra was too powerful, and Kushina's too young to perfectly withstand it."
"Her chakra pathways were overstimulated and stretched, some even torn. She probably won't be able to use Chakra for several months."
Tsunade let out a slight sigh of relief. A few months without Chakra was nothing in her eyes.
It was better than losing her life. Kushina was still too young and not suitable for missions yet.
She could recuperate well in Konoha, repair her chakra pathways, and with subsequent rehabilitation, it would take at least a year.
During this time, Kushina should focus on her studies at the academy.
"Senpau, you need to clean up the mess here."
Tsunade turned to Sakumo, then paused and continued, "Come over later, I'll treat you."
"No need, we need to bring Bee back immediately." Sakumo said without hesitation.
After speaking, he looked at the Root members. Sakumo's emotions towards these Root members were very subtle.
He was from Anbu, not Root, but most of those who came out on this mission with him were Root.
Originally, Sakumo didn't care about such things. But when he left Konoha, the Third Hokage had instructed him that if there were any captives, he must hand them over to him.
"Understood. Be careful not to let them kill Bee."
Tsunade swept her gaze over the remaining Root members and said, "Bee is very important. We can use him to trade with the Raikage."
Sakumo instantly understood what Tsunade meant. Although his political sense wasn't very sharp, he wasn't foolish. The Second Great Ninja War could erupt at any moment now.
If Bee were killed, it would certainly cripple Kumogakure, but Kumogakure would likely initiate war with Konoha. It was better to use Bee to trade with the Raikage.
Sakumo stepped forward, hoisted Bee onto his back, and headed towards Konoha.
The other Root members exchanged glances and followed Sakumo's footsteps.
Kazuki watched this scene with a pensive expression.
"What's wrong? Are you worried?" Tsunade seemed to sense Kazuki's emotions and asked.
"I'm worried those Root members will harm Bee." Kazuki said, then looked worriedly at Kushina in his arms.
"Exposing such an ability might not be a good thing for Kushina."
"Don't worry, Grandma would never let anything happen to Kushina." Tsunade naturally understood what Kazuki was saying and reassured him dismissively.
"Later, you, I, and Nawaki will be enough to protect Kushina."
Although she didn't want to face the possibility of Mito's death, as a ninja, Tsunade easily confronted death. Moreover, Mito was already quite old, so even if she passed away, there wouldn't be too much to grieve over.
"Mmm." Kazuki pursed his lips, "If not for Kushina this time, we might have really been in trouble."
"To be honest, I haven't thought of an effective way to deal with Bee yet."
"Do you think I have one?!" Tsunade glared fiercely at Kazuki.
This was the first time she had felt such a complete crushing defeat since becoming famous.
Her strength was at best similar, and in terms of speed, Bee was even superior to her. Most importantly, his defensive capabilities were far beyond hers. She couldn't even break his defense.
Her fists couldn't do it, Sakumo's Wind Release and sword techniques couldn't, and Kazuki's Flying Thunder God Technique and Lightning Release certainly couldn't.
Although Chidori was powerful, it couldn't compare to Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Tsunade recognized her own weakness.
She had originally thought that with the Yin Seal and Strength of a Hundred Seal, her strength was sufficient to face many experts.
But this battle gave her a rude awakening. Her strength was still insufficient, she needed to continue working hard.
Otherwise, would she be unable to protect those around her in the future, forced to watch them die?
Most importantly, Kazuki's strength was growing rapidly. Now Kazuki was already complaining about her.
If his strength surpassed hers in the future, wouldn't she be bullied by this brat, Kazuki?
"Let's go, and meet up with Rinka first." Tsunade waved her hand, signaling Kazuki to follow her.
The nobles breathed a huge sigh of relief when they saw Tsunade and Kazuki arrive safely.
They didn't ask what had happened, or who Tsunade had been fighting.
After getting Tsunade's permission, they resumed their journey, though this time their speed was incomparably faster than before.
The leisurely sightseeing feeling was gone.
While Tsunade and her group were taking care of Kushina and heading towards the Daimyo's Mansion, Sakumo had already returned to Konoha with Bee.
Hiruzen had already learned what had happened through special channels, but when he saw the captured Bee, his heart still churned with turbulent waves.
Even he, at his current strength, would have difficulty dealing with Bee, yet now he was brought into his office.
He had never even dared to imagine such a thing before.
Then, when Hiruzen heard from Sakumo how Bee was defeated, he fell silent even more.
Why did such a thing feel so fantastical?
Bee was, after all, a top expert from Kumogakure, yet he was captured by Kushina.
More accurately, he was captured by Mito possessing Kushina.
This left Hiruzen at a loss for what to do.
Thinking darkly, Hiruzen even considered that if Mito could possess Kushina, then Konoha could still be invincible in the future.
Fortunately, he knew that Mito was not such a person, and the Will of Fire in his heart would not allow him to do such a thing.
Hiruzen took a couple of draws from his pipe, and his gaze deepened. Capturing Bee was definitely a good thing for Konoha.
"Oh, Mito-sama said she wants me to bring Bee to her, probably to delete his memories." Sakumo then added.
A glint flashed in Hiruzen's eyes. Mito told Sakumo to bring Bee to her, but Sakumo came to him first. It seems he still prioritized his attitude.