Hanzo Makes a Move

Time rewinded to one hour ago.

Inside Amegakure.

As the leader who personally established Amegakure, Hanzo of the Salamander had many affairs to handle daily.

While he was busy with work, he suddenly received a report from his subordinate that Jiraiya had killed his subordinate Aonosuke.

Hanzo of the Salamander's first reaction was disbelief.

As a former opponent, he understood Jiraiya's character.

In his opinion, Jiraiya was not the type of person who would kill his own subordinate for no reason.

Especially someone as high-ranking in Amegakure as Aonosuke.

This was undoubtedly a provocation to Amegakure, and it could easily trigger a war.

However, when he saw Aonosuke's corpse with his own eyes, he began to doubt his own judgment.

Although the death was gruesome, with his head even destroyed.

Still, the mighty "Demigod" was not so incompetent as to not recognize his own subordinate.

Since Aonosuke was truly dead, the only ones capable of killing him in the current Land of Rain were Jiraiya and Uchiha Mikoto.

After all, Aonosuke was a Jonin of Amegakure, and being a leader of the Radical Faction, his strength was naturally not weak.

"Lord Hanzo, you must seek justice for Lord Aonosuke, for us."

The other Radical Faction Rain Ninjas quickly pleaded and begged, crying.

"We were merely following your orders to monitor Jiraiya and the others, and we never expected Jiraiya to suddenly kill Lord Aonosuke. This is a provocation against Lord Hanzo!"

"That's right, Lord Hanzo. Jiraiya's actions are a provocation against you, and also a provocation against the entire Amegakure!"

"If we ignore this, it will not only chill everyone's hearts but also make the ninja world look down on our Amegakure!"

Although Hanzo of the Salamander knew that these Radical Faction members were trying to provoke him, their words did have some truth to them.

For his own reputation, and for the reputation of Amegakure, he had to step in personally.

Therefore, even though the Moderate Faction tried to dissuade him, he paid them no heed and directly led his team out of Amegakure.

And then came the current scene.

When Hanzo of the Salamander and his team arrived, they saw Qingshui and his group preparing to flee, while the ground was littered with dead Rain Ninjas.

Before he could even speak, he was questioned first.

Hanzo of the Salamander was beyond furious, to the point of laughing.

"You Konoha Ninja killed my subordinates, and you dare question me about provoking a war with Konoha?"

Hearing this, Mikoto's expression sank.

Although it was true that these Rain Ninja had died by their hands, it was the Amegakure who had made the first move.

Hanzo of the Salamander saying this meant he had no intention of admitting fault and was shirking responsibility.

After all, these Rain Ninja had been mobilized under Aonosuke's orders, and Aonosuke was a subordinate of Hanzo of the Salamander, so he must have received his directive.

Otherwise, how would Aonosuke dare to provoke Konoha?

However, before Mikoto could say anything else, the enraged Hanzo of the Salamander had already given the order to attack.

In an instant, the Rain Ninja, who had the geographical advantage, simultaneously threw a large number of Shuriken and Kunai, mixed with Explosive Tags.

Facing this dense attack, which was like a heavy rain, Mikoto's face changed drastically.

Under such an assault, there was nowhere to escape, and she could only protect herself, unable to protect the others.

Of course, with Qingshui's strength, she didn't need to protect him, and Minato should also be able to protect himself.

But Sasaki Ayami and Mukai Yuki were in danger.

What was worse, her specialties, Genjutsu and Fire Style Ninjutsu, could not counter such an attack.

Just as Mikoto didn't know what to do, Qingshui stepped forward.

He quickly formed Hand Seals, and instantly, the rainwater condensed into a circular water wall that protected everyone within.

Water Style: Water Formation Wall!

This was a defensive Water Style Ninjutsu that Qingshui had learned from Kosuke when he was in Konoha.

"Well done!"

Seeing this, Mikoto couldn't help but praise him.

At the same time, she leaped up, guarding the only gap above the Water Formation Wall, and threw over a dozen Shuriken with both hands, shooting down all the remaining attacks.

"I almost died. Luckily, Teacher Mikoto and Big Brother Qingshui were here."

Mukai Yuki patted his chest, still feeling the lingering fear, and Sasaki Ayami nodded repeatedly.

As for Minato, he did not relax because of this.

This was only the first wave of attacks from the Rain Ninja, and the matter was far from over.

Qingshui and Mikoto had the same reaction.

"Hmph, you do have some skill."

Hanzo of the Salamander, having witnessed everything, snorted coldly. He then waved his hand, ordering his dozens of subordinates to charge forward.

Given his status, he didn't need to personally deal with a group of unknown Leaf ninja.

This wasn't Hanzo of the Salamander being arrogant, but the reality of the situation.

After all, among the five, only Mikoto, who had activated her Three Tomoe Sharingan, had some renown in the ninja world.

In his opinion, his dozens of subordinates were enough to deal with Qingshui and the other four.

He would only need to act personally when he met Jiraiya later.

Although he was a defeated opponent, Hanzo of the Salamander acknowledged Jiraiya's strength.

"Mikoto, use your fire style ninjutsu with the largest range. I'll support you with wind style."

Seeing the dozens of Rain Ninja charging at them, Mikoto didn't have time to think and immediately did as Qingshui said.

Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!

Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!

With Qingshui's wind style support, the sea-like flames spewed from Mikoto's mouth became even more terrifying, the intense heat evaporating the rain directly.

Under Mikoto's control, the Great Fire Annihilation, enhanced by wind style, expanded its range and dispersed, engulfing all the Rain Ninja.

"What a terrifying fire style, quickly use water style to defend together!"

Even though the Rain Ninja managed to combine their defenses in time, nearly half of them were still hit.

After being swallowed by the terrifying sea of flames, they were either dead or crippled.

Fire style ninjutsu wasn't truly incapable of killing!

Standing on the high ground, Hanzo of the Salamander's expression turned grim as he witnessed this scene.

He hadn't expected that just two people could unleash such a terrifying ninjutsu together.

Such a powerful fire style was something only he himself could block with water style.

And the Hidden Rain Village was not comparable to the Hidden Leaf Village; the number of ninja in the village was already limited.

He certainly couldn't just watch his subordinates charge to their deaths.

"Everyone, retreat!"

Hanzo of the Salamander spoke in a deep voice, and the Rain Ninja who were still alive immediately retreated behind him in a sorry state.

The arrogance on their faces had vanished, replaced by fear and lingering dread.

But upon seeing Hanzo of the Salamander preparing to personally take action, they calmed down again, reverence appearing on their faces.

Lord Hanzo was a "Demigod," these Konoha Ninja would surely not survive.

Seeing this, Mikoto's expression also turned grim.

As a Uchiha Jonin who had awakened the Three Tomoe, she naturally possessed her own pride.

But this pride would not make her blindly arrogant.

Facing the "Demigod" renowned throughout the ninja world, Mikoto knew she was absolutely no match.

"I will hold off Hanzo, Qingshui, take them and escape quickly!"