Naruto: The Senju Patriarch

Wind seemed to condense and swirl around Katsuro, covering him in a frenzied white armour. Katsuro pushed off with his legs, with the wind blasting off from his feet, almost making him glide across the surface. It also greatly reduced the air friction and drag acting on his body, making his theoretical top speed even quicker than the Thunderclap Impulse. 

The poison in the air was hindered by the Wind Chakra Mode, forcing most of it away from Katsuro, but not all of it. It still made its way into his system, and with how potent it was, that alone would be deadly. Katsuro had to finish the battle quickly. His slashes, slabs and punches carried the blades of wind chakra, greatly enhancing his penetration power and causing small nicks to appear all over Hanzo. The mode also allowed Katsuro to deflect smaller attacks like kunai or shuriken with just the dense wind covering him. Hanzo's weapon, being of top quality, saved him, stopping Katsuro's wind enhanced blade from cutting though it completely, but with targeted attacks along the chain and sickle, it was starting to break down. 

Hanzo continued to use his poison, being able to manipulate it to further seep into his opponent with Ninjutsu. They both didn't seem like they wanted to avoid the close range battle, but Katsuro would often create some distance to use the large repertoire of his Ninjutsu to attack from range. Despite the poison clearly affecting him, Katsuro fought through it, large parts of his body were turning purple, but if one looked closely, at slower and slower rates. His body seemed to be adapting, and with the occasional breaks, fighting back. Hanzo had initially planned to rely on his poison to slowly win the battle, but now had to use more underhanded methods. 

Using a momentary respite after barely managing to dodge a Wind Style: Air Bullet, which Katsuro had learned from Jiraiya, by using a substitution jutsu, Hanzo began to speak. "Senju Katsuro, you are even stronger than the rumors suggest. But, consider the situation carefully - even if you can kill me here, I am sure I will be able to use my poison to affect your comrades. They will not be able to withstand it like you can…"

Katsuro clenched his Katana even tighter, realising Hanzo was right, but soon released the tightness of his grip as the Demigod continued.

"You should ask them, I was actually planning to let them live, as I believe Konoha would win this war." 

Katsuro looked at the trio, who nodded at him in confirmation. Realising the stalemate, Katsuro sighed before sheathing his sword and releasing his Wind Chakra Mode. The battle had been draining even for him, even now the poison continued to wreak havoc throughout his body, causing unimaginable pain. Tsunade, recognising Katsuro had stopped fighting, ignored the possible danger and residual poison in the air, running towards him while healing him with tears in her eyes. 

"As I was telling them, the disciples of the Third Hokage are impressive, and Konoha's next generations seem secure. But with you as well, I don't see their position being challenged any time soon, boy. It seems that you, alone, will shake this Shinobi world."

Seeing a living legend, a man called the Demigod talked about them in such a way, the young Shinobi couldn't help but feel some satisfaction, even if he was an enemy. 

"I, Hanzo the Salamander, acknowledge you, Jiraiya, Orochimaru and Tsunade, and grant you the title of the 3 legendary Sannin. And you Senju Katsuro, the title of the Emperor of the Wind (Kaze no Sumeragi)."

"Tch - arrogant to think you can name me," Katsuro replied in mock arrogance, secretly liking the title. 

-

As Hanzo left, Tsunade continued to heal Katsuro, helping his body fight off the poison. 

"Suro… you idiot, why don't you take care of yourself," she said, realising he was out of the danger zone, but still filled with worry. Katsuro had been almost completely purple, with even his face starting to take that sickly, pale look with purple rising up his skin and veins. Even being near him was affecting the trio now named the Sannin.

"Hah, this is nothing! I should be asking you that. What were you guys thinking about facing Hanzo?" Katsuro asked, realising the reasons he had been fighting Hanzo in the first place.

"We were ambushed, and our force almost completely wiped out. We were winning comfortably until he got involved - the poison his Salamander spewed completely changed the battle. We held him off to allow some time for our Shinobi to retreat, but he had already taken out almost our entire battalion. At least 1500 of our men are lying dead here, nearly a 1000 being solely because of his poison." Orochimaru stated calmly.

"But, Katsuro, you came and saved us! Thanks!" Jiraiya said with gratitude, "honestly, I thought we might've died there!"

"I didn't do anything. You heard it yourself, he was going to let you live regardless."

"Yeah, but you still fought him off for us. Looks like you got even stronger, forcing Hanzo into a stalemate, hell, you probably would've won!"

"Yes, it was very impressive," Orochimaru said joining in, "even if Hanzo is getting old, he is still a relic of the Warring Clans era, a man called the Demigod even with Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara."

"And if I may ask Katsuro, what was that Jutsu? I don't believe I've seen you use that when you were with us, fighting Iwa."

"Yeah, it is something I came up with recently. I'd been working on my wind attribute chakra, and drew inspiration from the 4 Tails Jinchuriki. It took some time, but my experience creating my Thunderclap Impulse helped. I call it the Wind Chakra Mode - it should be an alternative to the Raikage's signature Jutsu." Katsuro explained.

"Suro, more importantly, how did you get here so fast? Did you finally manage to use Grand Uncle's Jutsu?"

Jiraiya and Orochimaru, who had momentarily forgotten that with their interest in Katsuro's original creation, looked at him with fervour, awaiting his answer to Tsunade's question. Katsuro nodded, "I managed to use it a few days ago, but it is still very fresh and not mature. I was worried about teleporting this far actually, if I messed up I would've just teleported into a tree or something and died instantly," he said, laughing. "Actually, I don't think I'm that talented with Lord Second's Flying Raijin - it took me a long time to be able to use it, and even then, it's still not combat ready." 

Hearing his jolly attitude contrasting the stark revelation of the danger he had put himself in before even getting there, Tsunade bonked his head. "Take this seriously!" She shouted.

"You could have died! And you even got completely poisoned by Hanzo when you didn't even need to fight!"

Watching her huff in anger, he was touched by her worry - to him, her nagging just showed him how much she cared. "But Tsuna, you were in danger! I had to come and beat up that old fossil!" he said with an innocent and sincere expression, but internally he was in glee at his words, knowing the effect they would have on his girlfriend.

As expected, Tsunade blushed slightly but harrumphed and turned her head to not show it, muttering "idiot," underneath her breath. Katsuro simply smiled at the reaction, and let her continue to heal him.

Despite the initially jolly mood, it soon devolved into more serious topics as the group discussed the deaths of their comrades, people they had fought alongside, befriended and knew. Among them were even a squad of Senju Shinobi who had gone with Tsunade. Katsuro, initially mourned every loss of his clan members, and he still did, but it came with an acceptance. He now knew that as a leader he couldn't control everything. He couldn't protect everyone without giving them an opportunity to live their lives, chase their dreams and fulfil their duties. He would continue to mourn and protect his people, but he would not cry over the lives lost. No, he would respect their sacrifice, and carry their hopes and dreams in his heart. 

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