Counterattack Against Amegakure

A ninja's strength had always been a highly private matter.

In the Shinobi World, probing someone else's limits was no different from asking, "Hey, if I wanted to kill you, what's your execution threshold?"

"Why do you ask?" Hanma's expression did not change, and he kept the same smile he had worn during their pleasantries.

"Sigh, the village is going to war. We'll be facing two ninja villages, after all. I'm worried we're not prepared enough."

It was no wonder he felt uneasy. The Third Hokage had reached fifty this year, yet this was the first time he would lead a village-scale war as commander.

Still, such concerns were not without reason.

Although the Second Shinobi World War had been far smaller in scale than the Third Shinobi World War, involving only Sunagakure Ninja, Konoha, Amegakure Ninja, and a few insignificant small nations, the outcome in the original story had been far from encouraging.

On the Land of Rain battlefield led by the Sannin, aside from the so-called "Sannin," Konoha's forces had been completely wiped out.

Only the Land of Wind battlefield led by White Fang had produced reasonably impressive results. He had killed the genius Puppet Master couple of Sunagakure Ninja—Sasori's parents.

But for Konoha, which held the position of hegemon in the Shinobi World, that could hardly be called a display of its true might.

Hanma had risen abruptly within the village, and his position was relatively flexible. His stance carried considerable political significance.

The five who would bear the brunt of this war were Uchiha Hanma, the Sannin, and White Fang.

Hanma did not answer immediately. He still believed that the Third Hokage did not truly trust him.

After all, while the Eight Inner Gates was called a Forbidden Jutsu, it had not yet displayed its tremendous power.

Its inclusion in the Scroll of Sealing was likely because training in it caused excessive harm to the body, much like the reason the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu had been recorded there.

The Third Hokage refusing to give it to him could only mean that Konoha's higher-ups had consciously begun to restrain his development.

Recalling the higher-ups' previous attitudes, Hanma dropped his smile and replied evenly, "I probably have the ability to protect myself against Hanzo of the Salamander."

The Third Hokage gave a bitter smile upon hearing that. What did he mean by having the ability to protect himself?

He already dared to fight a Mangekyo Uchiha and a direct Senju descendant alone. It was hard to imagine what more he would demand of himself in the future.

Putting on the expression of an elder, he spoke earnestly:

"Since the First Shinobi World War, Konoha's losses have been enormous. The village has yet to fully recover."

"Among those of your generation, Hanma, you have already walked ahead of everyone else."

"It is time for you to shoulder some responsibility for Konoha. We also want to place a little more burden on you."

Hearing those familiar words, Hanma sensed that this was probably the Third Hokage's stolen signature technique.

Culinary Ninja Secret Art: Pie-in-the-Sky Jutsu!

That sounded nice and all. His beloved disciple Jiraiya had been promoted to Jonin at fifteen.

Yet because of his Uchiha bloodline, his urgent early need for experience, and his extremely bloodthirsty nature, the Hokage Building had suppressed Hanma's ninja rank until now.

"You needn't say any of that. I will do my part for the village. After all, you know about Tsunade and me."

"This is also the decision our Uchiha Clan made after weighing the pros and cons."

Hanma quietly spoke on behalf of the Uchiha Clan. A clan was meant to be used.

The Third Hokage was visibly startled. He had only heard rumors about Tsunade and Hanma.

After all, neither his Telescope Technique nor the village's Anbu dared to monitor or approach the Senju Ancestral Residence and Uchiha Courtyard.

"Is that so? Then congratulations to the two of you," the Third Hokage offered stiffly.

The Second Hokage's policy of dividing the ninja clans had been the foundation of his governance. If the Uchiha and Senju truly joined together, it would not necessarily be good for the Third Hokage's faction.

"Then This Old Man will issue the order."

"At present, we need to respond to Amegakure's provocation, but we must keep the scale under control."

"After much deliberation, the Council of Elders believes you are the most suitable candidate."

This assignment was an exceptionally terrible mission. Retaliating against Hanzo, who had already shown hostility, carried a high degree of danger.

However, as a Konoha ninja, it was indeed difficult to refuse the Hokage's assignment.

After thinking for a moment, Hanma asked, "I need a specific mission objective."

The Third Hokage smiled, took out a scroll tube, and handed it to him.

"The main objective is to observe and map Amegakure again, marking important strategic points. If you can make contact with any of their important figures, kill them on the spot. There is no need to capture them alive."

That was precisely the sorrow of a small ninja village. If they had been ninja from a great nation, even if there had been friction between villages, they would still have had a chance of being kept as bargaining chips for negotiations.

Hanma said no more. Before he established his prestige and reputation before the entire village, he should not engage in too much wrangling with the Hokage.

The Third Hokage still wore that benevolent expression. "Be careful, Hanma. May fortune favor you in battle."

Konoha, Root.

Danzo leaned on his cane, his face grim as he looked at the visiting Hanma.

"Speak if you have business."

It seemed that because of Hanma's question a few days ago—"Why haven't you cut off your bloodline?"—the Shadow of Shinobi had suffered a profound blow.

Hanma glanced over the bare tabletop. This man was truly practical; he would not even offer tea anymore.

"The Third Hokage has sent me to scout Amegakure and retaliate against key personnel."

"I served in the Anbu for a long time as well. When it comes to intelligence, Root under Lord Danzo is still the most reliable."

It had to be said that although Danzo's character was terrible and his values were extreme and twisted, he truly possessed his own professional competence.

Danzo's expression eased slightly. He snorted, and a Root ninja stepped forward with a scroll of intelligence.

That bearing was hardly inferior to the Hokage's.

He pulled out a photograph from the intelligence report and placed it before Hanma.

"This is Hanzo's only son, Iga. His strength is nothing worth mentioning—at most, he is a Jonin."

"Killing him will be the best target for our response. This is the retribution Hanzo deserves for provoking us."

Hanma nodded in understanding and asked with a smile, "Is there anything else you need me to deal with?"

Danzo finally stopped wearing that sour expression. He laid out a map and pointed to the Land of Bears beside Amegakure.

"There is an underground Bounty Brokerage in the Land of Bears. Root had eighty million ryo stolen there by unidentified rogue ninja, and a squad was wiped out because of it."

"Help me investigate the situation. If they cannot compensate us for the money, destroy that Bounty Brokerage directly."

Hanma studied the map thoughtfully. The Land of Bears, funds stolen—

The unidentified rogue ninja who could kill a Root squad was probably the Master of Shuriken from 800 Li Away.

What truly interested Hanma, however, was Hoshigakure in the Land of Bears. What was hidden there might very well be the key to his breakthrough.

There was a reader named "Guyuran" who left several dozen comments last night. Thank you very much for your enthusiasm in reading~~

Honestly, when I woke up this morning and saw that pile of comments, I was stunned (_)