My world has you, and only you
Senyu ended the life of the second Special Jonin, leaving only Ouyouluo standing.
Ouyouluo's entire body trembled with rage as he watched Senyu's blade pierce his subordinate's neck.
Lightning crackled and sparked around Senyu's form.
"Breath of Thunder, Third Form: Swarm of Mosquitoes!"
Senyu spun rapidly around Ouyouluo, leaving a wave-like trail of lightning in his wake.
The electric energy instinctively gravitated toward the lightning chakra coursing through Ouyouluo's body, striking him repeatedly.
Yet, these lightning strikes barely fazed him.
Fury burning in his eyes, Ouyouluo tried desperately to lock onto Senyu's swift movements.
As if adapting to the lightning-fast assaults, Ouyouluo's vision sharpened, slowly resolving the blur into afterimages.
"Found you! Cloud Style: Crescent Moon Slash!"
Ouyouluo anticipated Senyu's landing point with precision.
He swung his ninja sword in a wide crescent arc.
From the sharp vibrations transmitted through his blade, Ouyouluo was certain he struck something—but it was Senyu's katana, not his body.
At that moment, Ouyouluo finally saw Senyu clearly.
To his confusion, Senyu wore a mocking smile.
The next instant—
Ouyouluo felt himself sinking.
His gaze dropped to the ground beneath his feet, which had transformed into a quagmire.
Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld.
"A feint—and you fell for it. I slowed down intentionally, so you'd see clearly. It's over."
"Breath of Thunder, Sixth Form: Thunderclap Flash!"
Senyu unleashed countless lightning-shaped slashes radiating outward from his position.
Rooted helplessly in the swamp, Ouyouluo could not evade.
Blades laced with crackling lightning tore through him.
His body bore charred sword wounds, and a guttural scream escaped his lips, mingled with the scent of scorched flesh.
He collapsed convulsively.
Without lowering his guard, Senyu's voice cut cold through the silence.
"Don't worry, more Cloud Village ninjas will come to join you. I've already set my sights on your village."
Senyu swung his sword in a clean arc, severing Ouyouluo's head.
Warm blood splattered across Senyu's face.
Ouyouluo's severed head rolled several times before coming to rest.
As his consciousness waned, sorrow filled his eyes.
Konoha had birthed another genius—one he was powerless to kill here.
He didn't know how many of his comrades would fall to Senyu's hands in the future.
With that final thought, Ouyouluo's eyes glazed over, and he died.
The battle was finally over.
Senyu wiped the blood from his face, breathing a heavy sigh.
The intense rush had drained his chakra almost completely.
Had it not been for this, Senyu would never have risked the feint.
He looked at his right hand—the muscles in his thumb torn, blood seeping through.
His physical strength was no match for Ouyouluo's, especially since Ouyouluo enhanced himself with Lightning Release chakra.
The fighting style of the Cloud Village shinobi—no, the majority of them—mirrored Senyu's own.
They excelled in swordsmanship and Lightning Release ninjutsu.
Senyu's signature Breath of Thunder Full Sword Style was similar in nature.
Though Senyu's speed exceeded Ouyouluo's, it wasn't overwhelmingly so.
In a direct confrontation, Senyu held almost no decisive advantage.
However, that speed ensured Ouyouluo found it difficult to land any significant hits.
Prolonging the battle was a risk Senyu couldn't afford—chakra depletion was imminent.
So Senyu made his move and won.
He retrieved a blank scroll and sealed Ouyouluo's head inside.
At the same time, Senyu sealed Atoui and the head of the first Special Jonin into the scroll.
Senyu approached Uzumaki Kushina's location.
She leaned against the White Snake, sleeping peacefully.
Having been forcibly abducted by the three Cloud Village ninjas and overwhelmed by despair near the border, Kushina was physically and mentally exhausted.
Upon Senyu's arrival, she relaxed, trusting him enough to fall asleep.
Gently, Senyu lifted Kushina by the waist and said to the White Snake, "Thank you, White Snake."
The White Snake's face seemed to soften, and it spoke.
"Lord Senyu, next time can you let me eat something fresh?"
Senyu's eyes flickered with amusement.
"Got it. Won't be long before you're well-fed."
A snake-like, almost human smile spread across the White Snake's face.
"Lord Senyu, you're too kind. I love you to death. From now on, if you say east, I'll never go west. If you let me eat living prey, I won't touch the dead!"
Senyu rolled his eyes.
"Okay, enough nonsense. By the way, what about those three ninjas?"
The White Snake's tail patted its swollen belly.
"Don't worry, Lord Senyu, I've got it handled."
"Good. Go back to Ryuchi Cave. I'll summon you again when needed."
"Goodbye, Lord Senyu."
The White Snake transformed into a cloud of smoke, disappearing back to Ryuchi Cave.
Senyu swallowed a soldier pill, restoring some chakra.
Then he carried Kushina toward Konoha.
The bumps on the path stirred Kushina awake.
She didn't say a word—only stared at Senyu's face.
Noticing the heat in her eyes, Senyu looked down.
"Kushina, how are you? Any injuries?"
She shook her head.
"Then sleep for a while longer. I'll try to be steadier. I'll wake you once we reach Konoha."
Suddenly, Kushina's hands wrapped around Senyu's neck.
She brought her face to his cheek and gently kissed it.
Senyu froze.
After the kiss, she buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing softly.
"Senyu, when I thought I might never see you again, I was so scared. I didn't know what to do… Thank you, Senyu, for always being by my side, for everything."
Senyu raised his right hand, gently wiping tears from her eyes.
With a smile, he murmured, "Kushina, I should be the one thanking you. After my parents passed, I was just existing—but now, my world has you, and only you…"