Konoha: The Honored One

(A/N: Delayed chapter—busy week, but here it is! Thanks for your patience!)

A blush appeared on Kurotsuchi's cheeks. A trace of shame and anger flashed in her eyes as she shouted, "Let go of me, you stinky rascal!"

Gojo held Kurotsuchi's ankle effortlessly, a smug grin plastered across his face. With a casual step forward, he raised her chin with one finger and said, in his signature cocky tone, "Running away? When you've practically handed yourself to me on a silver platter? Sweetheart, even if you scream your lungs out, no one's coming to save you. Let's get along, shall we?"

Kurotsuchi's current predicament was anything but dignified. Stretched into an involuntary split, her face turned a deep shade of crimson as she struggled against his unyielding grip. The indignity of the situation made her seethe.

"Bastard!" she spat, her voice laced with fury and embarrassment.

As an Elite Jōnin—and the granddaughter of the Third Tsuchikage, no less—Kurotsuchi had always commanded respect. Yet here she was, being publicly humiliated. And not just by anyone… Gojo! The nerve of this man was infuriating.

Worse still, Gojo's audacious antics unfolded before an audience. Her sense of shame and frustration was overwhelming.

Smirking, Gojo ran a finger along Kurotsuchi's leg, earning a sharp intake of breath from her. "Old man Tsuchikage," he called out, his voice dripping with playful malice. "Your granddaughter's legs are incredible! Honestly, better than Tsuna's."

From across the field, Onoki's face darkened like an impending storm. His lips twitched, barely containing his anger. "You brat," he growled.

Flirting with his granddaughter in front of him—in public, no less—was a blatant display of disrespect. Yet, it wasn't the first time Gojo had thrown decorum out the window. The man was a walking insult wrapped in charm.

Undeterred by Onoki's simmering rage, Gojo shrugged, feigning concern. "Now, now, old man, don't let anger get to you at your age. What if you keel over? I'd hate to feel responsible."

Onoki's nostrils flared. "Arrogant boy! When I was in my prime, you weren't even born yet!"

Meanwhile, Terumi Mei, observing from the sidelines, bit her lip in irritation. Her emerald eyes sparkled with barely contained ire as she muttered, "Despicable. Shameless. Nasty. Completely graceless."

Her anger only grew as Gojo compared her legs to Kurotsuchi's. Instinctively, she glanced down at her own. The scrutiny was involuntary, and yet she couldn't help but compare. In her own estimation, she found Kurotsuchi's legs slightly more slender.

Terumi Mei frowned. "Hmph. Who cares? Slightly fleshy legs are more attractive anyway."

Tsunade, standing nearby, watched the spectacle with a grim expression. Jealousy flickered in her amber eyes. It irked her to see Gojo so casually teasing someone else.

Breaking the tense silence, Tsunade's voice rang out like a whip. "Stop wasting time! If you're going to fight, then fight already!"

With an audible sigh, she balled her fist and delivered a powerful punch to Kurotsuchi's midsection. The impact sent Kurotsuchi flying, her body tumbling through the air before landing with a thud. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as she groaned in pain.

"Damn... what terrifying strength," Kurotsuchi muttered, clutching her abdomen. She struggled to stand, sweat dripping from her brow. There was no mistaking it: Tsunade had held back. A full-force punch would've been lethal.

Suddenly, Kurotsuchi felt the weight of several glares. Looking up, she found herself the target of three pairs of hostile eyes. Terumi Mei, Kurenai, and Tsunade herself were all staring her down with murderous intent.

Kurotsuchi blinked in confusion. "What did I do? Why are they looking at me like that?"

Tsunade's voice carried an edge of danger. "Enjoying yourself, are you?"

Gojo chuckled. "Just a bit. Couldn't resist riling up the old man. Besides, her legs are pretty nice." He added a wink for good measure.

Tsunade's glare intensified. "We'll deal with you later."

The air shifted as Onoki, who had been quietly stewing, finally made his move. His compact frame exuded a daunting presence as he raised a hand. A brilliant, milky-white cube of energy materialized, radiating destructive potential.

"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!" Onoki bellowed. The cube expanded rapidly, hovering ominously in his palm.

Kurenai's usually composed face twisted in shock. "What… what is that?"

Tsunade's tone was grave. "Dust Release. It's a bloodline trait even rarer than the Kekkei Genkai. It combines wind, earth, and fire chakra to obliterate matter on an atomic level. One wrong move, and you're history."

The sheer magnitude of the energy made everyone uneasy. Even Terumi Mei's usual confidence wavered.

"This isn't just sparring anymore," she muttered, eyeing the glowing cube warily.

Mifune, the dignified leader of the Iron Country, stepped forward, his face grim. "Lord Tsuchikage, I urge you to reconsider. Using Dust Release in a sparring match is reckless."

Onoki ignored him, his gaze fixed on Gojo. "You brash little punk, let's see if your arrogance can survive this."

Unfazed, Gojo grinned. "Alright, old man. One move to decide it all. Don't say I didn't warn you about respecting your elders."

Onoki growled in irritation and hurled the cube. It expanded mid-air, transforming into a barrier that encapsulated Gojo entirely.