Only Amegakure had an opening in the middle.
Hanzo had already made up his mind.
He would form an alliance with Konoha.
Then he would sit down and have a proper talk with the Akatsuki Organization, recruiting a group of outstanding young people.
Naturally, that included Amakawa Mingren.
The inheritance of the new generation, passing the flame onward, was Amegakure's only way out.
For this.
He was willing to bear any consequences and trade time for space.
He would temporarily compromise with the Five Great Nations in exchange for the next generation's chance to grow.
Forty-Four. Half-sonic speed
On Mingren's side...
Hanzo's Water Clone continued, "Common sense is common sense, but many things in the real world do not follow common sense. Or rather... new things are always replacing old things, just like the development of human society."
An ordinary Water Clone might only be able to act within ten meters.
Once it strayed too far from the original body, it would become nothing more than useless water flow.
Nor could it imitate the original as perfectly as a Shadow Clone.
But in his hands, unrivaled in Water Style, things were entirely different.
Even an unremarkable Water Clone could be turned from something rotten into something miraculous.
This was the strength of the Demigod.
The next second, Hanzo opened his collar, raised his right hand, and formed the Opposing Seal.
This gesture was one used by ninjas during a fair spar.
It meant that no personal grudges were involved before or after the match.
Win or lose would not affect their emotions or relationship.
With authority in his gaze, Hanzo possessed immense confidence. "Amakawa Mingren, let us make a bet. If I defeat you, you will join Amegakure. And... tell me what you truly think. You have not told me yet."
"What if you lose?" Mingren looked at him, with not the slightest hint of retreat on his face.
"Hm?"
Surprise appeared in Hanzo's eyes.
He seemingly did not believe he could lose at all.
Even if this was merely a Water Clone with one-tenth of his strength...
"If you can defeat this clone of mine, you may make any request you wish."
"Good!"
Before the words had even faded.
Hanzo's ears were filled with the howling wind.
Mingren had already vanished from the point Hanzo had been watching and charged over at high speed.
With the eyesight of an ordinary ninja.
They likely would not even be able to see an afterimage.
It was even more outrageous than Rock Lee beating Gaara after removing his weights in the Original Work.
More precisely, it was as swift as when Might Guy first appeared in the Chunin Exam arena and silently moved behind Sasuke, Sakura, and the others.
Then a fist had already arrived before Hanzo's face.
It rapidly enlarged in his eyes, filling his entire vision.
Boom!!
With an explosion.
The clutter behind Hanzo exploded apart.
Hanzo himself appeared in another location.
Whoosh!
Hanzo flicked both hands, sending ten Kunai flying at Mingren from the side.
Bang!
Mingren stomped the ground and twisted his body.
The instant he turned around, he threw a punch at the incoming Kunai.
The tremendous force directly knocked the Kunai away.
Then, the shockwave from his fist's wind blew all sorts of debris away.
"Such great strength... it seemed to have grown even stronger than before..."
Hanzo silently watched the scene.
It was not just his strength.
His speed also surpassed that of ninety percent of ordinary ninjas.
His punching speed had even reached half-sonic speed, one hundred seventy meters per second... meaning fifty punches in a second was no problem, which was why he could knock Kunai aside barehanded.
What an incredible young man.
If Hanzo had not been following him all along, secretly observing his movements and already familiar with and wary of them.
This Water Clone would likely have been blown apart in an instant.
The next second.
Mingren clenched his fist and looked at the Water Clone again. "Use whatever tricks you have."
A few minutes later...
The entire abandoned warehouse was choked with swirling dust and smoke.
Debris was scattered everywhere.
"I have no interest in your position, so you need not worry about me taking your authority..."
Mingren laid out his thoughts.
Ruling only Amegakure could not truly change this world.
His ambition was far greater than a place like Amegakure.
He would begin with the Land of Rain and rule this country.
Then he would unite and ally with other small ninja villages and small nations.
Finally... he would overthrow the entire old world where Bloodline Theory reigned supreme.
"As for Amegakure, I will go take a look. After I settle everything at hand..."
His true ideals, his vision.
"Once I go there, you will understand."
After saying that.
Without giving Hanzo a chance to speak further, Mingren turned and walked out of the warehouse, his figure vanishing into the boundless night...
Leaving only Hanzo, wearing a bitter smile, to look at the body that had lost both arms.
One punch had shattered both of its arms...
"The clone is about to reach its limit..."
That was not the important part.
"Next, he will kill many more people. I just hope he does not cause even greater trouble..."
To make him restrain himself somewhat.
And to learn about his circumstances and whereabouts.
What should Hanzo do?
"I will have Asuka make contact with him... They are the same age, so they should have something to talk about..."
Having made that decision.
Hanzo's Water Clone immediately collapsed, turning into a puddle of useless water...
Early the next morning.
Mingren and his Master Shennong sat in a bun shop, wolfing down breakfast.
"If this keeps up, food alone will become a problem."
Shennong let out a sigh.
Dark Chakra did indeed have side effects.
That was, a powerful body and regeneration consumed more energy.
Whether Chakra was conserved or not.
They still had to consume more energy to replenish it.
"If we do not leave the Land of Rain quickly and go to the Underground Exchange in another country to sell the corpses in the Scroll, we will not even be able to live decently..."
Then they could only go down to the river and catch fish.
But they had eaten fish for five years in the Land of Rain. Eating fish every day after that would not be appropriate, would it?
"..."
Mingren swallowed half a bun in one bite and remained silent.
Clearly, Master Shennong was hinting that he should quickly join Amegakure, since at least someone would feed him there.
They could also take the opportunity to infiltrate Konoha and steal back the Zero-Tails Scroll.
Just as Mingren continued silently eating his bun.
The light before him shifted slightly.
He looked up and saw a familiar figure.
Black sclera, scarlet pupils, and a lovely porcelain-doll-like face made her unforgettable.
"Is there something you need?"
Looking at Hanzo's Granddaughter, clad in a raincoat.
Mingren asked calmly.
"During the time before you go to Amegakure, I will act together with you."
Asuka nodded slightly.
The few attendants behind her were nowhere to be seen.
Mingren's brow furrowed slightly.
Hanzo really was bold, sending his granddaughter over just like that?
Not a single subordinate accompanied her.
Did that mean Hanzo was trying to show trust in him? Believing he would protect his granddaughter?
And at the same time, learn Mingren's whereabouts?
"Heh heh..."
Before you continue