After disembarking from the train, Tsunade walked alongside the Daimyo and his entourage through the well-guarded urban perimeter. Despite her composed demeanor, she couldn't help but be surprised. Though she had already felt it faintly while aboard the maglev train, now it was unmistakable; there was a barrier in place. Not just any protective seal, but a full-scale, village-level barrier similar in complexity and scale to the one surrounding the Land of Lightning's capital.
As they moved further into the city, Tsunade subtly merged her chakra with Kurama's, allowing her to vastly expand her sensory awareness. She did not activate the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode outright; there was no need for combat right now, but instead kept the merged chakra within her body. Thanks to her exceptional control as a top-tier medical ninja, she was able to use Kurama's chakra without any outward change, enhancing her perception without drawing attention.
With Kurama's support and Katsuya's presence, the three of them could maintain a shared consciousness, speaking to each other mentally or gathering in the inner spiritual space where Kurama resided. This connection allowed them to scan the area with a subtle, yet powerful sensing method.
Kurama and Tsunade focused on expanding their perception using Kurama's Yin chakra, enhancing their spiritual senses rather than emitting an active sensing chakra. Katsuya Sage, meanwhile, synchronized with the natural energy in the environment through her innate spiritual sensitivity. It was a near-undetectable method, but not invisible to all; some individuals with refined sensory abilities and deep control over their physical and spiritual energy could sense the presence of their mental probing. Shinobi such as Marui, Razor, and Kohana noticed it. However, they did not react or raise alarms. After all, only public areas could be observed this way; anything critical was hidden beneath layers of more secretive seals and cloaking techniques.
The first thing to catch their attention was the massive tower rising near the city's center. Even without focusing, Tsunade, being a seal master, could feel the intricacy of the barrier-linked fuinjutsu engraved into the structure. The tower's network of seals extended through the ground and even reached the barrier itself above, linking it with the city's protective system.
Noticing Tsunade glancing in that direction while walking, Kohana explained. "Tsunade-sama, that tower is part of Kumogakure's latest development project. My brother-in-law is leading the effort, alongside the one in the capital. This one is called Heaven's Arena 'Tengoku no Arina.' As for the seals, it's being built to host high-level combat and tournaments. It isn't fully completed yet, though."
Tsunade nodded with understanding. Her interest grew when she suddenly sensed a powerful chakra presence in it, one comparable to her own in both volume and quality.
At the same moment, Kohana seemed to notice the same thing. With a slight smile, she said, "Ah, my husband is here."
From the side, the Daimyo perked up. "Ay is here as well?"
Kohana nodded. "Yes, Daimyo-sama. He's here for testing, evaluating whether the structure and its seals can handle full-scale shadow-level combat."
The Daimyo chuckled warmly and replied, "Kohana, we're family. You can just call me Uncle. No need to be so formal."
Kohana's tone remained politely firm. "This is official business, Uncle. I'm not as casual as Ay."
Up in the tower, Ay stood amidst a reinforced arena, his chakra pulsing steadily. He had already sensed someone lightly scanning his presence, but quickly recognized Kohana's spiritual signature scanning him, following Tsunade's. Realizing it was Kohana, he didn't react.
His current task was to evaluate whether the upper levels of Heaven's Arena could endure his full-force attacks. Ron had instructed him to avoid certain destructive techniques, especially those with piercing effects, but otherwise, the structure was expected to withstand tailed beast-level force. It could likely endure the blast of a tailed beast bomb, though not advanced techniques like his father's Hell Stab or Ron's created Spirit Sword Technique, which he also learned, after all, Ay felt it was easier than the Hell Stab technique.
As Ay unleashed a powerful burst into the reinforced chamber, he muttered under his breath, exasperated, "Why do Ron and Dad always make me do these repetitive tests? The village has plenty of capable shinobi now…"
Though Ay was grumbling, he knew why. His strength as a proven shadow-level shinobi made him the ideal benchmark. Besides, with Kohana escorting Tsunade, a legendary kunoichi who was at least ten years his senior, he felt it only right to treat her with a degree of reverence, and also send him here.
Unlike the version of Ay in the Anime, who developed respect for Tsunade after she saved him and his teammates from the exploding bugs, Ay now already held deep regard for Tsunade and other intellectuals in the village. The medical and technological revolution under Ron's leadership had transformed their worldview, making Ay more appreciative of non-combat personnel who quietly but powerfully supported the village's progress.
At that moment, across the city, many elite shinobi Jonins and above lifted their heads in unison. Tsunade, Katsuya Sage, Kurama, Kohana, Marui, Razor, and Ay, ninjas after all, can sense chakra that is in the open even without using sensory techniques. Their collective gaze turned instinctively toward the distant mountains, whose summits were wreathed in storm clouds and shrouded in thick mist.
Something was there.
Something powerful and fast was approaching at breakthrough speeds.