Spectating

The next morning, while eating breakfast, Seiji took the initiative to ask Genji, "Grandfather, I'll be setting off for the mainland shortly. Hanzō of the Salamander from the Hidden Rain Village has challenged the Hokage to a battle. What do you think?"

"Hanzō of the Salamander, huh? An exceedingly ambitious man." Genji sighed softly. "Just be careful. Gather as much intelligence on Konoha as you can. Once war breaks out, if we get involved, Konoha will undoubtedly remain our primary target."

"Hidden Rain Village has developed rapidly over the past few years, but for the small Land of Rain, it has nearly reached its limit. If Hanzō wants to lead Hidden Rain Village into becoming the sixth great ninja village, he will have to expand his territory. The Land of Rain borders the Lands of Fire, Earth, and Wind, so he will certainly choose at least one of them to wage war against," Genji continued.

"This challenge to the Hokage is surely meant to test his strength. The fact that he easily forced back the Kazekage shows that he is far stronger than the Third Kazekage. If Sarutobi Hiruzen proves to be roughly equal to him or stronger, then his target will certainly be the Land of Wind and Sunagakure. But if Sarutobi Hiruzen is weaker than him, then he may also make a move against the Land of Fire and Konoha," Genji added.

As expected of an old relic who had lived through the Warring States Period and personally helped establish a ninja village, Genji's analysis hit the mark. That arrogant and self-confident Hanzō later truly attacked both Konoha and Sunagakure at the same time.

"I've learned a great deal, Grandfather. Then I'll be off!" Seiji was deeply shaken after hearing Genji's analysis. Though he had guessed some of Hanzō's intentions himself, he had never seen through them as thoroughly as Genji had.

After bidding Genji farewell, Seiji arrived at the First Training Ground of the Anbu Main Base. Yagura, Chino, and the others were already waiting for him there.

"Squad Captain!" everyone greeted in unison.

"Gather at Passageway No. 1 in ten minutes. Prepare to depart!" Seiji told them before heading straight for Jian's office.

"Captain Commander, we're ready to depart. Do you have any further instructions?" Seiji asked.

"The Mizukage has issued you an additional secret mission. This is the mission scroll." Jian handed Seiji a sealed mission scroll.

"Don't open it until after you've finished observing the battle," Jian added.

"Yes!" Seiji answered respectfully before taking his leave. Though curious about the secret mission, he adhered well to the rules of being an Anbu.

At Passageway No. 1, everyone had already assembled. At Seiji's command, the sounds of Body Flicker techniques cutting through the air rang out one after another.

Since this was not a combat mission, alongside Yagura and Chino, Seiji had brought four newcomers—Kushimaru Kuriarare, Munashi Jinpachi, Juzo Biwa, and Ao—to broaden their horizons.

Who was this Ao? He was none other than the man who would later earn the title of Byakugan Killer. At present, he was the final member of Yagura's Sixth Squad.

Ao, who possessed sensory abilities, was a talent discovered by Genji. Seiji had specifically asked his grandfather Genji for him to fill out Yagura's Sixth Squad.

Name: Ao

Age: 15 (born August 1, Kirigakure Year 18)

Height: 180 cm

Weight: 70 kg

Ninja Registration Number: 003800

Ninja Rank: Special Jonin (Chakra Capacity: 1.8 cards)

Mission Experience: D-rank 54 times, C-rank 38 times, B-rank 20 times, A-rank 10 times, S-rank 3 times

Chakra Attributes: Water, Yin

Mastered Ninjutsu: Water Release Ninjutsu 18, Yin Release Ninjutsu 3

The group of seven boarded a merchant ship bound for the Land of Fire. Since they were merely there to observe the battle, and relations between the Lands of Water and Fire were not currently tense, there was no need for them to conceal their identities. They could go openly.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was July 7, the day Hanzō of the Salamander and Sarutobi Hiruzen had agreed to fight.

At the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire, a large number of ninja had already gathered. They had all been sent by various factions to observe the battle and gather intelligence.

From the direction of the Land of Rain came a powerful Chakra presence. In the distance, a tall figure clad in a dark blue cloak, wearing a breathing mask, and carrying an enormous chained kusarigama on his back slowly approached. It was Hanzō of the Salamander, leader of the Hidden Rain Village.

"Hehe! Leader Hanzō is quite confident in his own strength, coming here alone," someone among the observers remarked with a laugh.

At that moment, from the direction of the Land of Fire, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, approached slowly as well, dressed in a Hokage robe and wearing a Hokage Hat. He was accompanied by his two companions, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, as well as two Anbu squads assigned to protect them.

Sensing Hanzō's rising, tyrannical aura, Hiruzen Sarutobi refused to be outdone. An equally formidable Chakra presence erupted from his body.

The Chakra auras of the two men surged toward each other and collided violently in midair.

The battle erupted in an instant.

Hiruzen Sarutobi formed hand seals with one hand, summoned a massive shuriken, and hurled it forcefully toward Hanzō.

Ninja Art: Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!

The enormous shuriken shot toward Hanzō at high speed. White smoke continuously billowed from it as it flew—one became two, two became four, four became eight—until countless massive shuriken filled the sky.

When Hanzō of the Salamander saw Hiruzen Sarutobi make his move, he decisively accelerated. His right hand seized the kusarigama from his back while his left continuously spun its chain, and he charged straight into the dense swarm of shuriken.