Battle Under the Gloomy Rain

Since stepping into the Land of Rain's territory, it had been raining incessantly for days.

Tsunade wrapped her raincoat tighter and glanced at the overcast sky through her hat, unable to suppress her grumbling, "It's been many years since I last came, and the Land of Rain is still so detestable. This damned rain never stops. I really don't know how the people here live."

"Lady Tsunade, do we really not need to be stealthy?"

Uchiha Sōgetsu put his Anbu mask back on, warily observing their surroundings, deliberately lowering his voice, "What if Hanzo of the Salamander finds us? I'm afraid..."

The reason they were in the Land of Rain...

was purely because the final sealing location marked on the scroll was within the Land of Rain's borders.

As ninja from another country, stepping onto Amegakure's territory was a rather dangerous affair.

One had to remember that Hanzo of the Salamander, the leader of Amegakure, had once overpowered the younger generation's Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade.

If not for the immense disparity between the ninja villages, those three might have all died here back then.

Furthermore, Hanzo's bestowal of the title 'Konoha's Legendary Sannin' had made them famous throughout the ninja world, accompanying them for the rest of their lives.

"Hmph, no need to be stealthy," Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, not caring one bit. "Besides, stealth is useless. From the moment we stepped into the Land of Rain, being discovered by Hanzo was only a matter of time. Rather than that, it's better to walk in openly. It might even make the old man hesitant to make a move."

"Are you sure?"

Uchiha Sōgetsu expressed his doubt.

"What else?" Tsunade glanced at him and sneered, "If Hanzo were really that tough, he wouldn't have let the three of us leave back then."

Her tone clearly conveyed a hint of resentment.

Seemingly aware that her credibility with the Uchiha brat was questionable, she added, "Don't worry. There are no direct conflicts between Konoha and Amegakure now. Hanzo is a seasoned politician; he won't rashly start a war. Us appearing openly in the Land of Rain is actually the safest course of action."

Uchiha Sōgetsu knitted his brows. "But if we're out in the open, how will we avoid Hanzo's notice to inspect the sealing location?"

"Why should we avoid him?"

Tsunade took out a milk candy from her pocket and, after unwrapping it, handed it to Hikari beside her. "Here~ have a candy to warm you up."

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!" Hikari accepted the milk candy with both hands and carefully put it in her mouth.

The sweet taste seemed to seep into her heart, making her eyes involuntarily narrow.

"We'll just tell Hanzo directly," Tsunade clapped her hands and chuckled. "Even if he knows, what can he do? Give him ten times the courage, would he dare touch the seal? It's not that I'm looking down on Hanzo. Precisely because he's a seasoned politician and knows Amegakure's current situation, he'll be even less likely to offend us."

Uchiha Sōgetsu, the seasoned politician, looked at Tsunade strangely. He felt as if her words were not just a jab at Hanzo.

"Look~" Tsunade gestured forward with her chin. "See? Someone's coming to greet us."

As soon as she spoke, they could see people approaching from the opposite direction, wearing Amegakure's forehead protectors and respectfully coming before them.

"Lady Tsunade, Leader Hanzo sends his regards."

The ninja leading them appeared very respectful, but a deep hatred was hidden in their eyes. He said nervously, "To avoid diplomatic issues, please tell us your purpose in Amegakure."

Although it wasn't wartime, the sudden appearance of Konoha's Legendary Sannin, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, in Amegakure was enough to agitate the small village's nerves.

The Second Great Ninja War had not been over for long, and they still clearly remembered the pressure exerted by the Five Great Ninja Villages.

"We are carrying out an important mission on the Hokage's orders,"

Tsunade completely ignored their hateful gazes and said indifferently, "It's also related to Amegakure. Have Hanzo come talk to me; you are not worthy."

Whether from the perspective of strength or the backing of their ninja village, she had the confidence to say such things.

However, for the ninja of Amegakure, this was undoubtedly a humiliation.

To demand the leader of a nation's ninja village to come in person, and with such an unequal status between them!

"You!"

The leading ninja's face contorted, his eyes filled with obvious hatred.

"Instead of wasting time talking to me here, you'd better hurry back."

Tsunade took a step forward, arms crossed, and her oppressive gaze swept over the Amegakure ninja one by one. "Don't blame me for not warning Hanzo in advance. We can choose not to complete this mission, but... his days might not be so easy."

Hearing the threatening tone, the Amegakure ninja were unsure how to react.

Finally, the leading Amegakure ninja glared at them resentfully, and said with great indignity, "You few follow them. Do not act rashly. I will report to Lord Hanzo!"

"Kid, let's go."

Tsunade completely ignored the Amegakure ninja beside them, treating them as if they were air. Holding Hikari's hand, she said to him, "Since we're finally here in Amegakure, we should take a good look around."

The remaining dozen or so Amegakure ninja followed behind them like bodyguards, feeling utterly humiliated.

They disliked it, but what could they do?

No matter how wronged they felt, they had to endure it.

Caught between two behemoths, even Hanzo, who was known as the master of Water Style, could only choose to swallow his pride.

At this moment, not far away, an explosion suddenly rang out.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Amidst the dazzling flames, huge explosions erupted, clearly visible in the rain.

"Someone's fighting!"

As soon as the Amegakure ninja finished speaking, they saw a person in a black robe charging towards them.

"Damn it, it's those damned traitors!" one of the Amegakure ninja instantly recognized the enemy ninja, "Akatsuki, it's someone from Akatsuki!"

The Akatsuki member, branded as a 'traitor,' had spiky orange hair and determined eyes. Gripping a kunai, he lowered his stance and sprinted towards them.

Akatsuki?

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Sōgetsu, who had remained silent to maintain the Anbu's external image, showed a hint of interest in his eyes.

Orange hair, spiky style... this must be Yahiko?

That iconic symbol made him recognize at a glance that this suddenly appearing ninja was none other than Akatsuki's founder--Yahiko!

"Quick, stop him!"

Before the Amegakure ninja could even finish speaking, Yahiko had already reached them.

BOOM!

With just one encounter, the Amegakure ninja was kicked away by Yahiko.

The force was so great that it made the man spit up blood, his chest caved in, and it was clear he wouldn't survive.

"Ninjutsu: Senbon Shower!" another Amegakure ninja seized the opportunity, condensing water into dozens of senbon and whistling them towards Yahiko.

In mid-air, Yahiko formed hand seals: "Ninjutsu: Water Wall!"

The Land of Rain's constant rainfall greatly enhanced and facilitated Water Style ninjutsu, making Amegakure ninja proficient in it, and Yahiko was no exception.

A giant water wall appeared out of nowhere, blocking the incoming senbon.

"Konan!"

Yahiko called out softly.

At the same time, paper cranes suddenly flew up from all around, fluttering like butterflies.

The next moment, the paper cranes flapped their wings and arrived before the Amegakure ninja.

Swoosh.

A burst of flame burned intensely.

"Damn it, it's an explosive tag!"

The Amegakure ninja's eyes widened in horror, but it was too late.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A series of violent explosions engulfed them.

In just a few seconds, over a dozen Amegakure ninja were wiped out. Yahiko, the perpetrator, then turned his gaze towards them.

"Long time no see, Lady Tsunade."

Yahiko gazed at Tsunade, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "Is Jiraiya-sensei doing well?"

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