Could you please show a little more restraint?

“That director Yamamoto is really persistent. Just to get me into his crew, he even brought out the Fuji family as leverage.”
In the corridor, Kisame mused to himself, his expression tinged with surprise.

The bad news was that Tsunade was also part of the crew.

So, in the end, he still couldn’t avoid that dreadful old woman.

Well, when the cart reaches the mountain, there’ll be a way through. Kisame decided to take advantage of his upcoming stay in the seaside town to visit the Yuki woman and her son. In passing, he would also look for ways to fleece Tsunade after the Thunder God Sword—her skills in poisoning and concocting toxins were undoubtedly among the best in the shinobi world, far superior to her apprentice Shizune. Moreover, the Senju Greatsword once wielded by the First Hokage was a treasure Kisame coveted; for all he knew, Tsunade might have hidden it somewhere.

Ten minutes later.

Kisame arrived in front of the hotel where the crew was staying.

The most luxurious hotel in town had been booked out entirely by the affluent Young Master Fuji.

At that moment, the director, actors, and crew members were all gathered in the hotel lobby, attending a lively launch party—the air was filled with noise and excitement.

Kisame pushed open the door, letting in a gust of chilly sea breeze that swept through the lobby.

In an instant—

Swish, swish, swish.

Many eyes turned toward him: some surprised, some curious, and some... filled with murderous intent.

Yes, murderous intent.

There was a sharp sound, and a figure shot out from the crowd like lightning. Before anyone could react, she was upon Kisame, raising her right fist and swinging it toward him.

“Lady Tsunade!”

From the crowd, Shizune cried out in alarm, wanting to stop Tsunade, but it was already too late.

Boom!

Tsunade’s fist, wrapped in a powerful gale, hadn’t even reached Kisame’s body before the force of it distorted his entire face.

Hmph.

Tsunade’s lips curled up, savoring Kisame’s ugly grimace.

But in the next instant—

Kisame suddenly raised his left arm to shield himself, blocking Tsunade’s monstrous strength with his wrist.

Bang!

With a heavy thud, Kisame’s tall form was sent flying on the spot, crashing through the glass doors behind him and out of the hotel.

At the same time, the entire row of gigantic floor-to-ceiling windows on the first floor shattered from the shockwave of Tsunade’s punch, raining shards of glass onto the ground with a chorus of clattering sounds.

“Ah!”

Many in the lobby screamed in terror—some dropped their wine glasses, others stumbled to the floor in panic, a complete mess.

Such was the terrifying might of a single punch.

It was hard to imagine what would become of Kisame, who had taken Tsunade’s blow head-on.

Could he have been killed outright?

Staggering through the air, Kisame landed and retreated over ten steps, skidding a long distance before finally dissipating the immense force.

But he did not fall.

At that moment, his entire left arm was numb, devoid of any sensation.

It was worth noting that he was naturally strong of arm, and his left arm had been fused with the Exploding Blade Shibuki, making it a true arm of steel. Even so, it had nearly been smashed to pieces by Tsunade’s punch.

So this is the power inherited from the bloodline of the “God of Shinobi,” Hashirama Senju?

Kisame couldn’t help but feel a chill in his heart.

In truth, Tsunade was even more surprised than he was.

This time, she had struck at Kisame in anger, using half her strength—enough to vent her fury and teach this bastard a harsh lesson.

After all, she was the best medical ninja in the world; even if she battered Kisame to the brink of death, she could always heal him afterward.

She hadn’t expected him to remain standing.

In that moment, she recalled that night when Kisame had used his iron head against her.

Was his body truly made of iron, so unyielding?

Just then—

Kisame vigorously shook his left hand, restoring feeling to his numb arm. In a flash, he used Body Flicker Technique to appear before Tsunade.

“Lady Tsunade, has your anger subsided?”

He looked down at her from above. From this angle, he could always glimpse some pleasing scenery beneath her loose gray shinobi robes.

Tsunade said nothing.

Her gaze roamed over Kisame, from his broad, upright shoulders, to his full, solid chest, to his powerful arms, and finally settled on his...

Her eyes lit up.

If she landed a “Heavenly Pain Kick” there, it would surely hurt, wouldn’t it?

She refused to believe that Kisame, this muscle-obsessed maniac...

“Lady Tsunade, you’re making me a bit embarrassed. Could you please be a little more restrained?”

Kisame stepped back, feigning a slight flush.

He had sensed Tsunade’s intention; she wanted to test his so-called “boy’s protection.”

Though Kisame worked out regularly and trained that area as well, to withstand Tsunade’s Heavenly Pain Kick... Well, that might just be fatal.

From an onlooker’s perspective, at that moment, Tsunade’s expression was that of a ravenous, predatory spinster ogling an honest, burly muscleman.

“Hmph!”

Tsunade snorted coldly, annoyed at the very sight of Kisame’s face. Without another word, she turned and strode back into the hotel, heading straight to her room.

Shizune hurried over.

“I’m sorry, I apologize on Lady Tsunade’s behalf. Are you alright? Let me check.”

She bowed to Kisame while examining his left arm, then immediately used medical ninjutsu to carefully treat his injuries.

Since becoming Tsunade’s apprentice, Shizune had gradually taken on the role of her caretaker—following her around, cleaning up her messes, and handling all sorts of aftermath.

Many of Tsunade’s troubles ended up on Shizune’s shoulders, burdening her with more than she ought to bear at such a young age.

Tsunade, of course, insisted it was to toughen her up.

Kisame felt a gentle, soothing chakra flow from Shizune’s palm, quickly dispelling the swelling and numbness in his left arm.

“Thank you, I’m fine now. As long as Lady Tsunade has calmed down, that’s all that matters.”

He spoke to Shizune with an air of magnanimity, then strode into the lobby.

After all, the medical bill for Tsunade’s punch could be offset by the Thunder God Sword he had “borrowed” from her family shrine.

On balance, he’d actually made a tidy profit.

Passing through the workers cleaning up the shattered glass, Kisame stopped in front of Director Yamamoto.

“Kisame Hoshigaki, we meet again,” Director Yamamoto greeted him warmly, offering a handshake.

After shaking hands, Kisame glanced at Young Master Fuji and smiled.

“You must be the famous Young Master Fuji. I’ve been assigned by the Third Mizukage to serve as your bodyguard. I look forward to working with you.”

“Hm.”

Young Master Fuji replied indifferently, giving Kisame a cursory glance before slapping the director’s shoulder.

“Director, now I’m fully convinced of your eye for talent. This guy’s face just screams villain—what a waste it’d be not to cast him as a bad guy, haha.”

He made no effort to hide his disdain and mockery, even in Kisame’s presence.

Kisame narrowed his eyes slightly at that.

Another infuriating employer.

“Er... Kisame Hoshigaki, your room is ready—right next to Young Master Fuji’s,” Director Yamamoto quickly interjected, trying to change the subject.

Young Master Fuji waved dismissively. “No need. I have my own bodyguards—two elite jonin from the Land of Fire.”

He clapped twice.

With a whoosh, two elite jonin appeared behind him, exuding an intimidating aura.

There were plenty of shinobi in the Land of Fire beyond just those from the Leaf Village. For example, the Daimyo’s personal guard—the Twelve Guardian Ninja.

Likewise, a scion like Young Master Fuji would naturally have his own protectors.

His two bodyguards were former members of the Guardian Twelve, now sworn to the Fuji family, each earning tens of millions a year.

With such loyal bodyguards, it was no wonder he looked down on Kisame, a recently promoted Chunin from the Mist.

“Put the shark-man somewhere else, but keep him far from my room. I think the hotel’s outdoor pool would suit him just fine,” Young Master Fuji quipped, eliciting laughter from his two bodyguards.

“That’s settled. You handle your business; I’m off to visit Princess Tsunade.”

With a final mocking glance at Kisame, he strode off, flanked by his guards.

A not-so-subtle warning for their first meeting.

“I’ll have someone arrange a new place for you right away,” Director Yamamoto said apologetically, clearly feeling guilty.

After all, it was he who had insisted on bringing Kisame into the crew. Yet since his arrival, Kisame had been punched by Tsunade and mocked by Young Master Fuji—hardly a warm welcome.

“No need, Director. Since my services as a bodyguard aren’t required, I have a place to stay elsewhere.”

Kisame declined politely, lifting his left arm. “My arm’s injured, so I’ll go to the hospital for a check-up. I’ll take my leave.”

“Ah, Mr. Kisame, wait!” The director, afraid Kisame might leave for good in a fit of anger, hurried after him, thrusting a script into his hand. “When you have time, please read the script. Don’t worry—your lines are few, your part is simple, and you can easily earn several million in fees!”

“I’ll report to the crew on time tomorrow,” Kisame replied with a faint smile, making his promise before leaving the hotel.

However, instead of heading to the hospital, he returned straight to the seaside villa he had purchased earlier.

Strolling along the palm-lined coastal avenue, Kisame enjoyed the sea breeze, spotting the gate of his villa from afar.

Wait—

As he drew closer, he noticed a man dressed in a suit, hair slicked back, trying to look dignified as he lurked suspiciously in front of his gate, clutching a bouquet of flowers.

Kisame approached silently.