Capítulo 40: **Chapter 40: The Raikage's Request**
The sudden appearance of two people surprised both Tsunade and Kimimaro.
"Tsunade, I have a request. I want you to save someone," the Raikage said bluntly, getting straight to the point.
"Hah, Raikage, you really dare to ask me for a favor, huh? Have you forgotten what you did a few years ago? You tried to steal the Byakugan from Konoha and caused the death of Hiashi Hyuga from the branch family. And now you have the nerve to ask for my help?" Tsunade sneered.
"Tsunade-sama, there were misunderstandings on both sides regarding that matter, but it was resolved satisfactorily," said Amayi, the Cloud ninja standing nearby, quickly trying to defuse the situation.
"Misunderstanding? That didn't seem like any misunderstanding to me."
"Enough, Tsunade. If you refuse, I'll have to use force. Whether you want to treat him or not, you *will* treat him!" The Raikage's tone was unyielding.
Seeing this, Kimimaro couldn't help but sigh. The Raikage was certainly living up to his reputation as a brute.
"Fine! I was just thinking about getting some exercise anyway. Let's see just how strong you really are, Raikage."
Tensions skyrocketed as the two locked eyes, sparks practically flying between them. Kimimaro, however, was worried for Tsunade. If a fight broke out, Tsunade wouldn't stand a chance against the Raikage right now. If she got injured, her hemophobia would kick in, and the Raikage would utterly crush her.
"Tsunade-senpai, don't be rash. If you two start a serious fight, it could easily lead to war," Kimimaro said, attempting to calm her down.
His words made Tsunade pause and regain some composure. Both of them had immense influence in their respective villages. If high-level forces like them fought, regardless of who won or lost, it would destabilize their villages. And right now, Konoha couldn't afford a war with the Cloud.
Tsunade was also painfully aware of her current condition. She could still handle opponents below Kage level, but against a Kage-level fighter, she wouldn't stand a chance. After thinking quickly, she came up with a plan.
"Raikage, you want to resort to force? Fine. If you can beat me in an arm-wrestling match, I'll help you. If not, then get lost!" Tsunade extended her right arm.
"Deal!" The Raikage, a massive man, wasn't about to turn down an arm-wrestling match against a woman.
They sat across from each other at a stone table. Tsunade's slender hand looked tiny compared to the Raikage's huge, dark-skinned hand, making the outcome seem obvious.
Tsunade smiled and glanced at Kimimaro. "Kid, come over and count us off."
"Alright."
Kimimaro stepped forward, placing his hands over theirs. The contrast between the two was striking.
"One, two, three! Go!"
*Boom!*
Both of them unleashed their chakra simultaneously! The Raikage's body surged with blue lightning, while Tsunade glowed with golden light. The air around them seemed to heat up.
"As expected of Kage-level ninjas—what powerful chakra, and such precise control," Kimimaro marveled internally.
Tsunade's chakra control needed no introduction; as the greatest medical ninja, her control was arguably the best in the entire shinobi world. What surprised him was that the Raikage, known for his brute strength, also had excellent chakra control. Kage-level fighters really were on another level.
Just as Kimimaro was processing this, Shizune returned after finishing her tasks.
Seeing the scene before her, she froze. "What's going on?"
Kimimaro chuckled. "Nothing major, just an arm-wrestling match."
"Arm-wrestling? Why are they arm-wrestling all of a sudden?"
Shizune was full of questions, but this wasn't the time to explain.
The match grew even more intense. The stone table was shaking as though it might shatter under the pressure of their strength at any moment. Tsunade's pale hand gradually began to push down the Raikage's large, dark hand.
"This woman… is stronger than me?" The Raikage's eyes widened in disbelief. He had never met anyone who could match his strength, let alone surpass it. And now, a small woman was overpowering him? If someone had told him this earlier, he would've laughed it off as a joke. But now, he was about to lose.
A confident smile appeared on Tsunade's face. When it came to raw strength, no one in the shinobi world could rival her. Her famed superhuman strength was no joke.
"No, I can't lose here!" A fierce look flashed in the Raikage's eyes.
Suddenly, he released the tension in his right hand. Tsunade's advantage instantly increased, but his unexpected move caused her to hesitate for a split second.
Now's my chance!
The Raikage surged with chakra again, using the small gap to accelerate. His speed and power doubled!
*Boom!*
Before anyone could react, the stone table shattered, sending dust flying everywhere.
"Did Tsunade-sama win?" someone asked.
"No… the Raikage won," came the reply.
As the dust settled, they saw the Raikage holding Tsunade's hand down firmly on the remnants of the table. Tsunade still looked shocked, clearly not expecting the Raikage to pull off such a trick.
"I won, Tsunade. Don't say I was underhanded."
Tsunade laughed it off. "It's fine. A loss is a loss. I'm not one to go back on my word. Shizune, let's go with the Raikage and see what we can do."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade then looked at Kimimaro. "Kid, you're coming too. Let's see if you've got what it takes to study medicine with me."
"Thank you, Tsunade-senpai!" Kimimaro was overjoyed. He knew Tsunade was giving him an opportunity. If he could prove his worth during this treatment, he'd have a chance to study under her.
The Raikage gave Kimimaro a serious look. Who was this boy? To get Tsunade to say something like that? His curiosity was piqued, but for now, he was more concerned with saving his subordinate's life.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at a run-down cabin. Inside, a Cloud ninja lay on a bed, his face twisted in pain, with a large, swollen lump on his stomach where a giant insect was lodged beneath his skin. The creature was ready to burst out at any moment.
"Karai, the Raikage has brought Tsunade-sama. You're going to be okay," Amayi said, walking over to the bed.
"Thank you, Raikage-sama," Karai said weakly.
"Enough of that. Tsunade, it's your turn now."
Tsunade, however, wasn't in a rush. She looked at Kimimaro. "Kid, help me with the examination."
"Yes, Tsunade-senpai."
The Raikage was annoyed. "Tsunade! I brought you here to save him, not to conduct medical research! What are you doing?"
"I'm doing this to treat him more effectively. Don't underestimate this boy. He's well-known in the ninja world."
"Well-known? This kid?" The Raikage looked skeptically at Kimimaro.
Amayi seemed to recognize him and quickly spoke up. "Could this young man be the traveling doctor known as Dr. Kim?"
Kimimaro nodded with a smile. "Just a minor reputation."
Seeing him confirm it, Amayi became even more excited. "It really is you! We've been talking about you a lot in the medical unit recently."
"Amayi, you know this guy?" the Raikage asked, still confused.
"Yes, Raikage-sama. Dr. Kim's medical skills are extraordinary. Not long ago, a strange disease broke out in Sugi Village, and no one could cure it. After Dr. Kim arrived, it didn't take long before he cured everyone."
"We've been studying that disease in the medical unit, but we haven't made any progress. If the rumors are true, Dr. Kim's skills are definitely above mine."
(End of chapter)
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