Mingren suddenly realized.
Could it be...
Had Hanzo been waiting for him to go to Amegakure before making his final decision?
He shook his head, driving the thought from his mind.
He was not the sort of person who was arrogant and narcissistic enough to think that was possible.
Splat.
He casually crushed a head, bringing the slaughter in this small town to an end.
Mingren slowly lowered his blood-dripping right arm.
"...Aren't you afraid?"
Mingren turned his head slightly and looked at the girl behind him.
Over the course of a week, they had eliminated quite a few unsavory people.
Every time, his methods had been brutal, and intact corpses had been rare.
Either their heads exploded, their chests were pierced through, or their bodies were folded in half.
In short, he did it in whichever way was most vicious.
After watching seven days' worth of different deaths, Hanzo's Granddaughter should have known when to back down, more or less.
Especially since every single dead person had been found at his request, using her sensory abilities or investigative skills.
"..."
Asuka shook her head slightly.
She did not think there was anything wrong with it.
Because...
"The people you killed were all evil. You'll make this country better, so its people can live and work in peace, won't they?"
Asuka's question and affirmation represented the approval of someone his own age, someone who shared his values.
At that moment.
An idea arose in Mingren's heart.
Perhaps he could start recruiting companions with Hanzo's Granddaughter.
Then, he could unite more and more people, and ultimately, through everyone's efforts, hasten the realization of his dream.
"Let's go."
After washing his arm clean, Mingren turned and put on his raincoat.
Where were they going next?
Asuka asked with her eyes.
"To Amegakure..."
Mingren gave the answer she had been hoping for.
"It's about time." Shennong nodded slightly and smiled. "Once we get to Amegakure, let's have a feast first. My mouth's been so bland I could spit feathers..."
The three of them vanished into the curtain of rain, setting out for Amegakure...
Faraway Amegakure.
At the entrance to a bridge swaying amid wind and rain.
An envoy from Konoha presented a diplomatic Scroll.
For seven days.
Although Hanzo had replied several times, his responses had mostly been stalling tactics.
This had left the Konoha High Command somewhat impatient.
For every day the troops remained stationed, they had to eat for another day and spend money for another day.
So they sent another envoy, intending to make one final diplomatic submission.
And this time.
They had sent the most suitable people.
"So this... is Amegakure's headquarters."
The square-faced Konoha Ninja stared solemnly at the opposite shore.
Waiting for the other side to relay the message.
Behind him stood two companions, a married couple.
Their black hair and black eyes, along with the flame fan crests embroidered on their clothing, revealed their identity.
The three of them belonged to Konoha's renowned noble clan, the Uchiha Clan.
Several Amegakure guards watched the three Uchiha with tense expressions.
Not only because the clan they belonged to was so famous, its strength feared throughout the Ninja World.
But also because of the identity of their leader... the head of the Uchiha Clan, Fugaku Uchiha.
"These Amegakure Ninja don't seem to mean us any goodwill..." The clansman standing behind Fugaku Uchiha frowned slightly as he swept his gaze over those weathered faces.
"We've invaded them for years. Of course they'd react like this," his wife said.
The Konoha High Command had even issued a forceful diplomatic ultimatum.
If Hanzo still failed to give an answer this time.
Then the three of them would directly declare that Konoha would continue its war against Amegakure.
Their confidence came from Konoha's large force, already gathered nearby under the command of Danzo.
It could be said.
The war between the two countries would likely be clarified by Hanzo's decision today.
It would also determine the final direction and outcome of the Third Shinobi World War.
"Wait calmly. It's the only thing we can do now."
Fugaku Uchiha replied.
This diplomatic mission was extremely thorny.
If negotiations broke down, never mind whether the two nations actually went to war.
The High Command's decision to send the Uchiha on this mission clearly meant they wanted someone to take the blame.
Fugaku Uchiha could only bite the bullet and accept it.
After all, he was an Uchiha, and he was also a Konoha Ninja.
No matter how absurd the High Command's orders were, as a ninja of the village, he had to obey them.
Talks Between Two Nations
Whoosh...
Rain continued to pour down.
"This weather... really is irritating..."
He raised his head and glanced at the sky.
This was already the third day since the three of them had arrived in the Land of Rain.
For three consecutive days.
The Land of Rain's rainfall had not stopped.
And according to common knowledge in the Ninja World, rain fell in the Land of Rain all 365 days of the year without interruption.
"By the way, Captain Fugaku, I heard from the clan that you sent Itachi to the battlefield..."
The married couple looked at Fugaku Uchiha.
While the Amegakure Ninja went to deliver the message, the three standing at the bridge entrance began chatting about family matters.
"Mm." Fugaku Uchiha nodded.
"But Itachi is only four years old. Even if he needs to witness the reality of the Ninja World, isn't that too early..."
What if it severely affected his mental state?
The couple asked.
"Don't worry. That boy is my son, after all. He can adapt."
At the mention of his son, Fugaku Uchiha's expression instantly turned solemn.
"Still, Shisui... I heard that child has already awakened the Sharingan."
Fugaku Uchiha had just come off the battlefield and had not even had time to return home.
The Konoha High Command had immediately assigned him another diplomatic mission to Amegakure.
So he had only heard from the clan that the couple's child, Shisui Uchiha, had awakened a One-Tomoe Sharingan.
"Shisui told us he awakened it only after his good friend got hurt..."
The couple could not help smiling as they thought of their son awakening the power in Uchiha bloodline.
Even without the Sharingan, one could still be an Uchiha.
But only by awakening those eyes could one truly bring out the power of the Uchiha Clan.
"A good friend..."
Fugaku Uchiha's thoughts drifted for a moment.
During the previous great war.
His friend had died.
And because of that, he had gained the power known as the Mangekyō Sharingan.
But if it were possible.
He absolutely would not have wanted his friend to die before his eyes.
"Then do you plan to let Shisui take part in this Chunin Exam?"
Fugaku Uchiha asked again.
Konoha's purpose in winning over the Land of Rain this time was nothing more than ending the Third Shinobi World War.
And regardless of whether Hanzo agreed to an alliance.
Konoha would hold a Chunin Exam, hoping to display Konoha's strength at the end of the Third Shinobi World War and draw a final line under the conflict.
The Chunin Exam was a microcosm of war.
Inviting Genin from every nation was meant to reduce the scope of the war.
With the Chunin selection as the board and Genin as the pieces.
They would wage a miniature strategic war, making the other ninja villages submit willingly.
The Third Shinobi World War had lasted five years.
Countless people from every ninja village had died, and there were no true victors.
Presumably, the Kage and leaders of the other ninja villages would agree to these terms.
Taking into account those of suitable age.
Before you continue