Hanzo's strength was beyond doubt.
But Chiyo was no slouch either.
Even more than twenty years later, when she had completely declined from her peak, Chiyo had still retained combat power at the level of a "Kage." Now, at the height of her power, as long as she did not let an enemy get close enough to seize her, the strength she could display ranked among the best of the Kage level.
The two had clashed many times, each winning and losing in turn. They knew each other's methods inside out, so this battle would not be decided anytime soon.
The ones who would truly determine victory or defeat were the ninja below.
Unless they were powerhouses like the First Hokage or Madara Uchiha, no one could simply ignore a large, organized ninja army.
Even the current Five Kage, if surrounded by several thousand ninja and unable to find an opportunity to break through, would ultimately exhaust themselves and die in battle.
The Sunagakure of this era was not yet the weakened bottom-dweller among the Five Great Shinobi Villages that it would become more than twenty years later, after its powerful ninja had dwindled away and its funding had been cut.
The average quality of the Sand Ninja was currently very high. Though the Rain Hidden Ninja were quite formidable, Sunagakure still held a firm advantage.
Shimizu stood beside Kazakami Senran, using the fat man's shoulders to prop himself up for a better view of the battlefield.
"Something seems off. Why do I feel like these Rain Hidden Ninja aren't fighting at full strength?"
After watching for a while, Shimizu asked curiously.
"The Rain Hidden Ninja know they can't beat us, so naturally there's no need for them to risk their lives."
Baki looked as though it were only natural.