"Stand down."
Hanzo waved a hand, dismissing the Rain Ninja.
The Rain Ninja hesitated, but when an icy gaze fell upon them, they all lowered their heads and obeyed, scattering like frightened birds.
"Put away these pointless little games of testing me."
Hanzo regained his composure. He reached for the still-intact tea table, lifted a teacup to his lips, and said, "The Shinobi World is far from peaceful these days. Go back and tell Hiruzen Sarutobi that I hope this is the first and last time. Otherwise, he should understand the consequences."
Despite their fierce clash just moments ago, the nearest tea table had not been damaged in the slightest. Not even a drop of tea had spilled.
That alone showed just how terrifying a true Kage Level expert's control over their strength was.
In the heart, Uchiha Sōgetsu silently compared himself to them. He was still quite a distance away from those Kage Level experts.
"I will report this truthfully to Teacher."
Tsunade put away her contempt and slowly rose. "Once you are ready regarding the sealing matter, notify us."
Though their exchange had been brief, she had successfully gauged the foundation of the demigod before her.
Though old and frail, the tiger's might remained.
"Let's go."
Since their purpose had been achieved, Tsunade did not linger. She turned, called for Sōgetsu and Hikari, and walked out of the room.
A Rain Ninja still led them on the way back.
After returning to their lodging, Tsunade seemed to let out a breath of relief. Without any concern for appearances, she dropped onto the floor and said with an unhappy expression, "I'm exhausted. If I'd known, I wouldn't have agreed to that old man's request. Still, that old thing Hanzo really isn't so simple."
"Lady Tsunade, your hand."
Uchiha Sōgetsu's gaze fell upon her right hand, and he frowned. "I never expected Hanzo of the Salamander's poisoning techniques to be so refined. Without the Sharingan, even I might not have noticed."
In that instant when they had exchanged blows, Hanzo had used an imperceptible method to poison Tsunade.
"Heh, after all these years, he still hasn't improved at all."
Tsunade glanced at her hand, but she did not seem concerned. She waved dismissively. "It's fine. I've been able to neutralize his poison for a long time. It'll just take a little effort."
After Tsunade left, Hanzo remained silent for a long time.
The hand hidden in his sleeve slowly emerged. His entire palm was grotesquely twisted and trembling uncontrollably.
Even the agony of shattered bones beneath his flesh and skin could not move the demigod of the Shinobi World. He stared at it expressionlessly for a moment, until deep helplessness finally surfaced in his eyes.
No matter how stubbornly he kept up appearances, he could not hide one fact.
He... was old.
The aging of his body meant his Chakra reserves were declining, while his energy and stamina were also fading.
How much longer could he hold on?
A trace of confusion appeared in Hanzo's eyes. He had struggled his entire life, yet he still could not change the current situation.
Looking around, Amegakure was still beneath the Five Great Ninja Villages. Its people remained shrouded beneath the rainy gloom of war, while he himself had been forced to become a monster that even disgusted him.
Tap, tap, tap.
Footsteps pulled Hanzo back to reality.
He put away all weakness and helplessness, becoming once more Hanzo of the Salamander—the cruel and ruthless man who held Amegakure's power in his grasp.
"What is it?"
Hanzo's eyelids were lowered, his tone betraying no emotion.
"Lord Hanzo, his people have arrived." The Rain Ninja knelt on one knee and spoke respectfully.
"Heh, what day is today?"
Hanzo frowned slightly and flexed his knuckles. The wrinkled flesh of his face twitched as he sneered. "Even that stinking sewer rat can't resist coming to test me?"
"Fine. Take him to Room B."
Within this vast underground maze, he had more than one residence.
To prevent assassination attempts, he randomly changed residences every so often.
The Konoha Anbu wearing an Animal Mask was led by a Rain Ninja to Room B.
The room had the same furnishings, with plain tatami mats and no trace of extravagance. Hanzo sat facing the wall with his back to him.
Even after hearing someone enter, Hanzo did not turn his head. "What is it?"
Being treated so lightly made the Konoha Anbu somewhat unhappy, but he could not show it. He could only say stiffly, "My name is Terai. Lord Danzo asked me to convey his greetings and make a deal with you."
"A deal?"
Hanzo's drooping eyelids lifted slightly, revealing a sharp glint. "Interesting. Go on."
"Tsunade and one Anbu traveling with her should have already arrived in Amegakure." Terai lowered his voice. Rather than stating his purpose outright, he meaningfully brought up Tsunade's group.
Whoosh!
A cold flash grazed Terai's mask and buried itself deep in the wall behind him.
Crack. A fissure split across the Animal Mask. Terai's pupils suddenly contracted, and every hair on his body stood on end.
"I have no time for your nonsense."
Hanzo's voice was cold, like the bitter wind of midwinter. "Do that again, and I'll take your head."
"Lord Danzo hopes you can act and capture the Anbu accompanying Tsunade." Feeling the faint but palpable killing intent emanating from the old man facing the wall, Terai no longer dared beat around the bush. He spilled everything at once.
If Hanzo said he would take Terai's head, then even Danzo himself would not be able to stop him!
After a brief pause, afraid of provoking Hanzo further, Terai quickly added, "Lord Danzo also said that if capturing him proves impossible, taking his Sharingan will count as completing the commission."
"The Sharingan..." Hanzo pondered briefly before asking, "What is special about his Sharingan?"
"Forgive me... I cannot say."
Terai's expression stiffened as he deeply lowered his head. "That is Lord Danzo's order. I do not know the reason either."
Hanzo understood the Root Division well enough, so he did not make things difficult for him. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I can accept this commission, but that depends on whether Danzo can afford the price."
"Ore, Ration Pills, Explosive Tags, medicinal herbs, and other war supplies—ten tons of each."
Terai directly stated the terms. "Furthermore, Lord Danzo has promised to send Root Division elites to help you suppress Amegakure's rebellion."
"Not enough."
Hanzo slightly raised his eyelids and said forcefully, "If I act, Tsunade will definitely discover it. Making an enemy of a Sannin directly is not worth this little. So... it'll cost you more!"
"This..." Terai gritted his teeth, then said, "Lord Danzo can give you no more than a total of one hundred tons of supplies. That is already the limit. Any more, and the Third Generation will discover it!"
One hundred tons of supplies. Hanzo finally nodded. "Fine. I, Hanzo, accept this commission."
"Tomorrow, I will go with you."
Terai said respectfully, "I will do my best to draw Tsunade away. I'll leave the rest to you."
"Mm."
Hanzo closed his eyes again, as though he had fallen asleep.
Seeing this, Terai could not remain any longer. He slowly moved backward and withdrew from the room.
Not long after Terai left, an extremely tiny black insect, no larger than a grain of rice, suddenly crawled out from the tatami mat where he had been sitting and quietly headed toward the gap beneath the door.
"Hmph!"
A cold snort boomed like thunder.
The black insect was blasted away by the airwave and smashed into the wall. It fluttered twice, seemingly realizing it had been discovered.
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
The black insect beat its wings and flew toward the door at tremendous speed.
A kunai flashed through the room like lightning. The insect had no time to evade before it was pinned directly to the side of the doorframe.
Hanzo, who had been seated facing the wall, had turned around at some point. Staring at the black insect on the doorframe, a chill surfaced in the depths of his cloudy eyes. "Kikaichū... Heh. Such a boring trick. No wonder he has always been kept beneath Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Before you continue