Shut Up! Don't Give Me a Nickname!

Hanma and Hanzo faced each other from afar. Both wanted the other dead, yet neither had any good way to deal with the other.

If this continued, even if Hanma successfully killed Hanzo, he would most likely suffer a desperate point-blank self-destruction from Hanzo.

That blow would not kill him, but the point was, it was not worth it.

Based on Hanma's twenty-three years of extensive experience in Konoha, killing Hanzo would most likely not be a merit, but a massive stain on his record.

Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Hiruzen Sarutobi had not been nicknamed "Konoha Internal Friction F4" by countless netizens for no reason.

The political acumen of these people could only be described with one phrase: I'd rather not say.

But when it came to making life difficult for their own people, these few truly had a knack for it.

If he killed Hanzo, Hanma could already picture them condemning him.

"The village's mission was to strike the Amegakure Ninja with restraint. As a ninja of the village, you disobeyed orders and should be punished."

That was Mitokado Homura, looking impartial and mild-mannered while harboring a pathological demand for obedience from shinobi.

"How dare you! This is an act that could provoke a war between two villages, even a war across the entire Shinobi World! You must take responsibility!"

That was Utatane Koharu, whose very face was irritating to look at, one of the rare outward-facing saintly types in the Shinobi World.

"Well done, Hanma."

That was Shimura Danzō. He would most likely not oppose killing Hanzo.

But afterward, he would definitely stir up public opinion and suppress any new Konoha star who rose to prominence.

"Sigh, this is difficult. How about this? Let's hold a meeting to discuss it. Go back and wait for word."

That was Hiruzen Sarutobi, who liked to smooth things over and always acted like a kindly old man, yet was forever indecisive while sitting in the Hokage's seat.

"The Uchiha Clan has grown too powerful to control. We must find a way to deal with them. Assemble the Anbu and closely monitor the Uchiha Territory!"

That was the four of them speaking in unison.

As Tobirama Senju's disciples, the four had indeed learned some things, but each had inherited only one part.

Shimura Danzō only knew force, Mitokado Homura only knew restraint, Utatane Koharu only knew conciliation, and Hiruzen Sarutobi only knew how to convene meetings and study matters further.

All of them claimed to have inherited Tobirama's will, yet they had never realized that their teacher had been a complex whole.

As the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju had dared to wage war and protect the village's dignity; dared to reform and establish the Ninja Academy; dared to forge diplomatic ties and establish a peace treaty with the Land of Lightning; and dared to sacrifice himself to cover the retreat of later generations.

As a politician, he had been an extraordinary figure in the world of Hokage.

But when Hanma thought of those four crouching dragons and phoenix chicks, more than half his fighting spirit instantly cooled.

There was no need. It was not worth it. Why bother?

Should he let Tsunade receive two boxes of condolence fruit and a huge tombstone?

The Blood Lightning Armor around Hanma gradually dispersed. His Blood Qi withdrew into his body and began blocking the poison inside him.

He sighed, looked at Hanzo, and spoke seriously.

"You also know that I'm just an ordinary Konoha ninja. I'm only carrying out my mission."

"This attack was a response to your Amegakure Ninja provoking Konoha. I was carrying out a mission too, and had no choice in the matter. But every grievance has its source, and there is something I can tell you."

Hanzo watched as Hanma's fighting spirit suddenly vanished, his face wary. What kind of strange tactic was this?

He replied coldly, "Speak."

Hanma scratched his head and said sincerely, "You know the Shadow of Shinobi, right? He told me to do it. He also told me it was only about killing Anbu from Amegakure."

"If I had known he was your son, I would never have accepted this mission. As an elder of the Shinobi World, I have always deeply admired you."

That was indeed the truth, though it contained the slightest trace of falsehood.

As for Shimura Danzō, there were already too many black pots and blood debts on his back to count.

What difference would a little more make?

Hanma waved his hand. This credit would all go to the esteemed Hokage's Assistant.

Hanzo narrowed his eyes and considered Hanma's words.

He absolutely did not believe that Hanma admired him. Hanma's ruthless skill in their battle just now had made his killing intent toward him obvious.

But Shimura Danzō, the Shadow of Shinobi... that did sound like something he would do.

This grudge, I, Hanzo, will remember for now.

Hanzo took several large steps backward, maintaining a guarded stance as he slowly spoke.

"Konoha's arrogance is known throughout the Shinobi World. There is no need to mention it again."

"Today's battle has left a deep impression on This Old Man. We will meet again on the battlefield."

"A ninja like you deserves the praise of the Shinobi World. This Old Man shall bestow upon you—"

Hanma's body jolted. Why was this old bastard so eager to give people nicknames?!

You did not even win just now, did you? And you still wanted to force a title onto someone?

One had to know that the endings of the "Sannin" he had named were truly thought-provoking.

Jiraiya had been buried in a fish's belly, Tsunade had spent her life lonely and miserable, and Orochimaru had died several times before eventually changing his nature.

Hanzo's praise was practically comparable to Hidan's curse technique. Seeing that Hanzo was about to speak, Hanma loudly stopped him.

"Don't!!"

"I'm just an ordinary Konoha ninja. As for flashy nicknames and the like, I suggest you give them to Senior Danzo instead!"

"Oh, and Senior Hanzo, you wouldn't want the entire Shinobi World to know that your Ibuse's poison can be neutralized, would you?"

Hanzo's expression darkened. Even now, he did not know how Hanma had neutralized Ibuse's poison.

He simply could not believe that a person's physical constitution could withstand Ibuse's deadly venom head-on.

In Hanzo's mind, Hanma had already been labeled a "terrifying medical and taijutsu ninja."

"Hmph. Countless people would kill for This Old Man's praise."

"Then we shall meet again on the battlefield, young Konoha ninja."

Though tearing pain came from his internal organs, his left arm hung limply at his side, and his entire body was in a sorry state.

Hanzo still maintained the final shred of dignity expected of a great elder of the Shinobi World. He spoke proudly, then quickly fled.

Hanma watched Hanzo's hasty retreat, a faint smile on his lips.

"Hanzo of the Salamander, what an interesting and powerful opponent."

After leaving that hellish battlefield, Hanma took out a Summoning Scroll and summoned his Black Hawk.

"Dahei, return to Konoha and tell Tsunade and the Third that I'm fine. I just need some time to recover on my own. I'll return in five days."

"Understood." The taciturn Dahei spread his wings and flew toward Konoha.

One day later.

Hanma lay leisurely in a bath at the Daimyo's Mansion in the Land of Bears, tending to his body. A post-battle vacation was always so wonderful.

Meanwhile, in Konoha, Tsunade, Danzo, and the Third were arguing fiercely, unable to reach any resolution.

"Danzo, you sent Hanma to face Hanzo alone. What exactly were you thinking, you bastard?!"

Tsunade demanded furiously.

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