Chapter 76: Compromise
A massive crack erupted from the ground where Tsunade's fist struck, snaking its way toward the Takigakure ninja.
"Ah!"
The weak Takigakure ninja were caught off guard, several of them tumbling into the fissure while only a handful managed to avoid the devastating blow. It was painfully clear that this group of ninja lacked the strength to pose any real threat.
"Help!" the lead Takigakure ninja cried out, scrambling for support. One of his subordinates fumbled to retrieve a firework from his robes and quickly lit it, sending a signal into the sky.
Kawakaze made no move to stop them. This suited him perfectly—it would save the trouble of searching through the village one by one.
Tsunade, standing beside him, quickly discerned his intent. She straightened and watched coldly as the situation played out, daring any of the Takigakure ninja to attack.
Moments later, reinforcements arrived from deeper within the village. Leading them was a middle-aged man with a commanding presence, his expression dark and his posture tense. He was likely the current Village Head.
"Ninja from Konohagakure," he began, his tone laced with barely restrained anger, "it's not right for you to come to Takigakure and harm my people."
His fury was palpable, though tempered by the knowledge that his village was too weak to mount a meaningful retaliation.
"You even sent someone to kill my grandfather!" Nawaki snapped, unwilling to let the man speak as though Takigakure were innocent.
"Your grandfather?" The Village Head's brows furrowed in confusion before realization dawned on him. Could this be about that incident? Fear crept into his mind—had Konoha come for revenge? That assassination attempt had occurred more than two decades ago, and back then, he had only been a mid-level ninja with no authority.