Naruto Bloodline Theory? It's Garbage, That's All

The four-man team of Hokuto Hyuga, Gekko Clan, Shinya Senju, and Kakashi Hatake would have no trouble taking down Hanzo's Granddaughter.

All four possessed outstanding bloodlines and Kekkei Genkai.

Even without transplanting the Sharingan,

Kakashi Hatake was still the son of the Konoha White Fang.

Before powerful bloodlines,

ordinary people were insignificant.

A petty trick like Ibuse venom sacs was effortlessly neutralized by the Universal Antidote in the face of Konoha's medical expertise.

This was, after all...

a world where Bloodline Theory reigned supreme.

Thinking of this, Shimura Danzō spoke. "Lord Hanzo, the Land of Rain has no hope left... unless Amegakure and Konoha join forces and become allies..."

Since they could not take down Hanzo of the Salamander anytime soon,

they would adopt a policy of force first, courtesy afterward.

Danzo analyzed the benefits and laid out the many advantages of an alliance between the two nations.

"If we can unite, we can win the Third Shinobi World War. This would be a win-win situation..."

As Hanzo listened to Danzo's analysis,

he glanced at the expressions on his subordinates' faces behind him.

Anger, hatred, despair, dejection...

All kinds of different expressions appeared on their faces.

It was not only his own will that had weakened, but also that of the subordinates who had followed him into battle for years...

"Lord Hanzo, please consider it carefully... If we keep fighting, when will peace ever come?"

Danzo took a step back.

This was the greatest concession Konoha could offer.

They would not annex Amegakure, but form an alliance with it.

"..."

Hanzo did not answer immediately.

Instead, he pondered for a long time in the rain.

"I need to think it over carefully..."

"Good..."

The corner of Shimura Danzō's mouth curled up.

"Rest assured, we will not harm the Demigod's Granddaughter..."

Since Hanzo had already shown signs of decline and begun to waver internally,

it would not do to pressure him too hard.

For now, they needed to stabilize him.

Capturing Hanzo's Granddaughter alive would not be difficult with the strength of Kakashi and the other three.

Once they returned, they would probably hear good news.

Then,

he would personally untie Hanzo's Granddaughter, explain the stakes to her, and send her back to Amegakure.

The alliance... would probably be settled.

"We will await Lord Hanzo's reply... Three days from now..."

After saying that, Shimura Danzō turned and left.

Minato Namikaze glanced at Hanzo. In the end, he still voiced what was in his heart. "Lord Hanzo, we share the same goal. I believe Amegakure and Konoha can join hands and welcome a better tomorrow."

That sincere, unfeigned statement

also added weight to the negotiations.

Hanzo said, "The Yellow Flash... Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya's disciple and the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's grand-disciple. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be a strong candidate for Fourth Hokage..."

Even while living in a neighboring nation,

Hanzo knew Minato Namikaze's name and story.

This young man's potential was in no way inferior to the Sannin whom Hanzo had named back then.

This was Konoha.

The foremost of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, with the foundation of the village that had produced Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi.

Compared to it, Amegakure

did not have any young people this formidable at all.

It gave the impression that there was no one to carry on the legacy.

That made Hanzo's heart grow ever older.

"Perhaps... an alliance with Konoha really is the only path left for Amegakure."

When Shimura Danzō, known as the Root of Ninjutsu, mentioned his granddaughter,

was that not also a warning?

Though he was the Demigod, he could not protect everyone.

His beloved son and daughter-in-law, loyal subordinates, old friends—they had all died one after another in the three Ninja World Wars.

If they kept fighting,

what awaited them was only the outcome of being mercilessly harvested by Konoha's outstanding younger generation, people like Minato Namikaze, until they were all dead...

Just as the subordinates began gathering the corpses,

a figure swift as the wind cut through the curtain of rain and arrived before Hanzo.

Ryu panted heavily. Traveling at high speed with the power of Swift Release Kekkei Genkai had consumed a great deal of his Chakra.

Seeing that he had returned alone, Hanzo's heart skipped a beat.

Yet that dignified face concealed the worry in his eyes well. "Ryu..."

But in the next instant, Ryu smiled. "Lord Hanzo, Young Lady Asuka and the rest of us forced back Sharingan Kakashi Hatake! The special Konoha squad that intended to harm Young Lady was also dealt with by a Medical Ninja named Shennong!"

Hanzo's Curiosity

A trace of astonishment flashed through Hanzo's heart.

He quickly processed the information.

Shennong?

Wasn't that Amakawa Mingren's master?

"Mm, I understand. Ryu, you've worked hard..."

Hanzo praised his subordinate.

Ryu gave a slight bow, then left with a delighted expression.

"Ha~."

Ibuse, whose body was as tall as a two-story building, let out a bored yawn.

Hanzo stood atop its head, thinking carefully.

He had originally believed

that his granddaughter had most likely fallen into Konoha's hands.

But now, it seemed things were somewhat different.

After a moment,

Hanzo summoned a subordinate.

"Chuan, investigate Shennong for me... Especially information on his disciple, the young ninja named 'Amakawa Mingren.' Remember, do not let him notice. Simply observe him and gather information."

"Yes, Lord Hanzo."

Chuan, barely over twenty years old, was an Amegakure ninja who had followed Hanzo since childhood.

His father and grandfather had both fought alongside Hanzo.

Thus, it would not be an exaggeration to say his entire family had been loyal martyrs.

Water Style: Water Body Flicker!

Wearing a diving respirator, Chuan formed hand seals, and his body swiftly vanished into the puddle beneath his feet.

"..."

Hanzo turned his gaze into the distance.

The Konoha side, having gathered their companions' bodies, had already completely withdrawn.

"That young man named Amakawa Mingren..."

A faint appreciation for talent arose in Hanzo's heart.

A peer who refused to join the Akatsuki Organization, yet had helped his granddaughter time and again.

He truly had become a little interested in him...

When night fell,

Asuka and her two companions returned.

"Whew... whew..."

Asuka steadied her breathing.

What should have been a full day's journey had been completed in half a day.

The reason she had first sent Ryu back to report was not only to reassure Grandfather that she was safe,

but also because she had another purpose.

Inside Amegakure's Tower,

Hanzo met his granddaughter.

He stood before the window, presenting Asuka with his back.

Then Hanzo turned around and examined his unharmed granddaughter.

"I am very interested in knowing the specific details of what Ryu reported..."

The grandfather and granddaughter sat down and began to talk within the tented chamber.

A moment later, Hanzo understood the general situation.

Hanzo said, "So in other words, it was that young man named Amakawa Mingren who acted again this time."

Ryu had mistaken Shennong for the one who acted.

But through Chakra Sensory Mode and her experience from last time, Asuka had identified Mingren as the one who had truly acted.

He had punched straight through the heart of a Hyuga Clan ninja.

He had directly smashed apart the body of a Transparent Release Kekkei Genkai ninja.

He had casually torn off the arm of a Senju Clan ninja...

Putting aside his still ferocious fighting style, one with an exceptionally distinct personal flair,

that extraordinarily immense strength... could it be some kind of Kekkei Genkai?