Although Tsunade's strength was overwhelming, Byakuya's dōjutsu ability proved to be even more troublesome.
Each time her earth-shattering punch was about to land, Byakuya would activate his Mangekyō Sharingan technique — Shinkōgan. Her powerful strikes phased harmlessly through his body, slipping into the void of another dimension.
"Tch..." Tsunade clicked her tongue in frustration. "So it is space-time ninjutsu…"
Before she could reposition, Byakuya reached out with a swift flick of his hand and snatched the band holding up her ponytail.
Her long, golden hair spilled down over her shoulders.
"Hm… Interesting look for you, Tsunade," Byakuya said with a smirk, holding her hair tie between two fingers.
"You bastard!" Tsunade growled. Her face flushed, not from embarrassment, but from boiling rage. "You think this is a joke?!"
Fueled by fury, Tsunade launched herself again with monstrous force, her fists shattering the ground beneath her as she missed — again. Shinkōgan let Byakuya slip away at the last moment, untouched.
"Tch tch… The famed Princess of the Senju, can't even land a single blow," he mocked.
Before Tsunade could respond, Byakuya appeared at her side and flicked her forehead lightly with a single finger.
Tsunade stumbled back a step, blinking in surprise. "You… You dare flick me like I'm some genin?!"
"That's what elders do to kids, right?" Byakuya grinned, pushing the line further. "Or have things changed in the Senju clan?"
Tsunade's chakra surged with fury. As the direct descendant of the First Hokage and leader of the Senju bloodline, being mocked — and toyed with — by a younger Uchiha was a humiliation she couldn't stomach.
"I'll kill you…" she muttered, her fists tightening, glowing with chakra-enhanced strength.
[Ding — Host has provoked Tsunade's anger. Gained: +1000 Negative Emotion Points, +50 Chakra]
[Ding — Tsunade's combat focus and emotional turmoil detected. Gained: Basic Medical Ninjutsu Insight]
[Ding — New ability acquired: Chakra Scalpel]
[Ding — Medical Expertise Level Increased]
Byakuya's eyes lit up in satisfaction. So it works... Negative emotions fuel the system. He had heard legends of Tsunade's unmatched medical prowess — the only ninja to develop a technique like Creation Rebirth. Now he was starting to tap into her field, simply by pushing her into an emotional storm.
"This is even better than I thought," he whispered. "Tsunade really is a treasure trove…"
As his gaze lingered, Tsunade narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"Where do you think you're looking?" she growled, chakra flaring again.
"Just appreciating talent," Byakuya shrugged. "It's not every day you meet someone with so many valuable abilities."
"You're disgusting," Tsunade snapped, lunging once more.
Yet again, her punches passed through thin air as Byakuya evaded with Shinkōgan. No matter how fast or strong she was, without space-time ninjutsu of her own, she couldn't hit him.
"I see now… it's Shinkōgan," she muttered. "A Mangekyō ability… Dammit."
Tsunade recalled her great-uncle Tobirama's Flying Thunder God Jutsu — the pinnacle of Konoha's space-time techniques. She had once considered trying to master it, but her affinity wasn't suited for the technique's complex chakra formulae.
"Without spatial ninjutsu… I can't counter this," she realized, biting her lip.
After a moment, she stepped back and withdrew her chakra. "I'll let you live today, Uchiha," she said coldly. "But don't think I've lost."
Byakuya tilted his head. "Oh? Giving up already?"
"This isn't over. Next time, I will crack that smug face of yours."
He grinned. "Looking forward to it."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. She needed to get out of here and find the right time to deal with Byakuya properly.
But as she turned to leave, Byakuya suddenly moved to block her path.
"Trying to run? Hah... did I say you could leave?" Byakuya said, his Sharingan gleaming.
"You damn Uchiha, what the hell are you doing!?" Tsunade snapped, fists clenched.
"I'm taking you back," Byakuya replied coldly. "You've caused enough chaos today."
His voice was calm, but there was a smug edge to it. This was the infamous Senju Tsunade — and today, he had the upper hand.
"What?! You're actually trying to arrest me?" Tsunade's eyes widened in disbelief. "I'm the heir of the Senju clan — one of the Legendary Sannin!"
Byakuya smirked and pulled out a badge from his flak vest. "And I'm part of the Uchiha Police Force."
"In the name of the Konoha Military Police, Senju Tsunade, you are being detained for unlawful destruction of property, gambling-related fraud, and disrupting the public peace," he declared theatrically.
"You bastard...!" Tsunade growled, her chakra flaring. "I never destroyed the village, and as for debts — who says I won't pay them back!?"
Seeing her rising fury, Byakuya added mockingly, "You've been warned. Now come quietly."
"Go to hell!"
Without another word, Tsunade lunged forward, fist cocked back. Her punch shattered the ground where Byakuya had stood a second ago.
He narrowly evaded, flipping backwards with swift reflexes. "Resisting arrest, are we?"
"You bet I am!" Tsunade shouted, unleashing another blow.
Seeing no other option, Byakuya formed hand signs. "Chakra Scalpel!"
White light surged from his fingertips as he dashed forward. Though the Chakra Scalpel was a medical technique not commonly used in combat, Byakuya had apparently learned to weaponize it.
Tsunade's eyes widened. "That technique—!"
Before she could react, Byakuya had ducked under her swing and made a precise slash at her leg.
The cut wasn't deep, but it disrupted her muscle movement. Her knee buckled.
"Tch... you're using medical techniques now?" Tsunade spat, trying to stay on her feet.
In a swift follow-up, Byakuya grazed both her arms, severing key tendons.
Tsunade collapsed, her limbs momentarily unresponsive. Chakra suppression and surgical precision — he had exploited her moment of rage perfectly.
As she hit the ground, Byakuya crouched beside her and grabbed her by the collar, hoisting her up just enough to look her in the eyes.
"You bastard…!" Tsunade hissed. "Let go of me, or I'll—!"
"You're not in a position to make threats," Byakuya cut her off. "But go ahead and scream, rage, curse — it only makes me stronger."
Tsunade gritted her teeth. "I'll make you regret this…"
"I'm sure you'll try," Byakuya replied, cool and composed.
But even now, he knew — restraining someone like Tsunade wouldn't last long. Her monstrous strength and regenerative abilities would kick in soon. If he didn't end this quickly, he'd be the one in real trouble.