Betrayal

While Shangguan Yue was busy with his constant challenges, over on Tsunade's side...

"Orochimaru, what is the specific mission this time? You can tell us now, right?"

Hearing Tsunade's question, the few of them moving through the forest slowed to a halt and gathered in a hollow tree.

"Tsunade, the teacher did this for the sake of safety; only I know the details. We are infiltrating the Land of Rain. Intelligence suggests that Hanzo of the Land of Rain shows signs of starting a war. We must rendezvous with our intelligence officers, and the specifics will depend on what they have to report."

"War?"

Tsunade froze, falling into deep thought. The memory of her Second Granduncle and many other clansmen who had left because of war caused her heart to ache.

"What is our battle plan?"

"Jiraiya, we may have to split up when the time comes. Together, we are too big a target, but we must not stray too far from one another."

"Fine, then let's go! This Great One is already impatient. A mere Hanzo dares to start a war? Let this Great One go and meet you."

Tsunade was snapped out of her thoughts by Jiraiya's shouting and retorted irritably, "Just you? You're a combat-five weakling. The man is a Kage—don't go crying for help when the time comes."

Ignoring Jiraiya's bickering, the group moved through the forest under the cover of night, advancing rapidly.

Tsunade's team arrived in the Land of Rain overnight. Once inside the borders, the three of them began to creep forward cautiously, dressed in straw rain capes and hats.

"Why are we the ones coming here?"

"Shut up, Jiraiya. Don't say things you shouldn't; stop being so unreliable."

"Oh, what are you afraid of? It's just a small country."

"Enough, enough. Tsunade, Jiraiya, stop arguing. The teacher sent us here to temper us, and furthermore, because of our Summoning Jutsu. We are the only ones who can use the Reverse Summoning Jutsu; if we don't come, who will? Let's go, the Amegakure is just ahead. Everyone stay quiet and don't expose yourselves."

"Understood!"

Orochimaru was, after all, the calmest and most capable of the group, and Tsunade and Jiraiya still listened to him.

Inside the Rain Shadow Building in Amegakure, Hanzo opened his eyes. "Sasaki, they have arrived. Go and follow them, but do not expose yourself."

"Understood."

Sasaki, wearing a gas mask, leaped several times to leave the Rain Shadow Building, arrived at a tall building in Amegakure, and scanned his surroundings.

"This place will do. Boar-Dog-Bird-Monkey-Ram, Summoning Jutsu."

"Poof!"

As the smoke cleared, a small Rain Swallow appeared.

"Little Cloud, please go and notify the others to seal off this building."

"As you command, Master."

The Rain Swallow took flight, moving with ease through the rain at high speed, and in a moment, it had flown quite a distance away.

It arrived at a stone forest and flew into one of the cave entrances, vanishing from sight.

Before long, people began to emerge from the stone forest one after another; some looked like wandering ninja, some like merchants, and others like young noblemen out for a tour.

The group split up, and soon they arrived at Sasaki's building, each pretending to go upstairs for a meal. In no time, the entire building was under their control.

With a "Closed for Business" sign hung on the door, the building fell into a deathly silence. Seeing that everything was prepared, Sasaki sat cross-legged on the top floor.

"Water Style: Rain Tiger at Will Technique."

Sasaki's chakra surged into the sky and merged with the clouds. Gradually, the light, drizzling rain became much denser, yet no one noticed.

These tiny raindrops contained an extremely faint trace of chakra. Sasaki closed his eyes; wherever the rain touched, he could see.

Before long, he discovered Tsunade and her team. After all, Amegakure was a small village, and the sudden appearance of three Jonin was quite conspicuous.

Not bad; this jutsu could even detect the level of the opponent's chakra. Sasaki remained on the roof, observing the movements of the three.

"Oh? I didn't expect this. You actually sensed it. Who are you? I am truly curious."

Orochimaru was seen looking around in confusion, having sensed something.

"What is it, Orochimaru? Is there a situation?"

"I'm not sure. I feel like someone is watching us, but I can't find their location. It's very strange. Do you two feel it?"

"No."

"Don't be paranoid, Orochimaru. Only a Kage could watch us without a sound. My toad hasn't warned me, so don't worry, let's keep moving."

Jiraiya had a toad on his shoulder; it looked around vigilantly, then shook its head.

"See? It's nothing."

Orochimaru set aside his doubts. "Fine, let's go. We're almost there."

The three of them walked in silence, following their intelligence to a secluded cabin, and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

"The leaves wither."

"Spring returns the following year."

The door opened from the inside, but no one appeared. Orochimaru frowned at the sight.

"Wait here for me. I'll go in and take a look first."

"Understood!"

Tsunade and the other pretended to chat outside to avoid drawing attention, while Orochimaru walked in alone.

A moment later, just as Tsunade was losing her patience and considering breaking in, Orochimaru rushed out, drenched from head to toe.

"Run! It's a trap."

Seeing that their cover was blown, Sasaki stood up. "Head to the village entrance. Intercept any suspicious individuals; do not let a single person escape."

Sasaki himself mounted a giant Rain Swallow and arrived at the Rain Shadow Building, where he knelt on one knee. "Lord Hanzo, the time is ripe."

"Very well, let us go."

Hanzo set down the file in his hand and walked out of his office. The drizzling rain did not touch him at all.

It was as if a protective film caused all the rainwater to avoid him. After a while, he voluntarily dropped the barrier, and the rain instantly soaked his clothes.

Hanzo spread his arms wide, looking utterly delighted. "Welcome my era."

On the other side, Tsunade and the others were sprinting toward the outskirts of Amegakure. The growing number of pursuers behind them tightened their nerves, and before long, they reached the gates of Amegakure.

"Damn it, there are people here too. What do we do, Orochimaru?"

"Turn this place upside down."

"Copy that."

Facing the surrounding enemies, the three of them bit their thumbs simultaneously. "Boar-Dog-Bird-Monkey-Ram, Summoning Jutsu!"

"Poof!" "Poof!" "Poof!"

Three massive figures appeared on the battlefield: Gamabunta, Katsuyu, and Manda.

"Orochimaru, where is my tribute?"

"You can eat whoever you want among these people."

"Gamabunta, help us out. Help us break through."

"Slug Sage, I beg of you."

"Understood!"

Manda charged into the fray first, his gaping maw snapping up snacks with every bite. In no time, the opposition suffered heavy losses.

Suddenly, a thunderous shout rang out: "All of you, stand down!"

Hanzo performed a flip in mid-air. "Summoning Jutsu!" With a "poof," Hanzo landed atop his summon, Ibuse.

"Ibuse, let's go. You three brats are unforgivable."

Hanzo's overwhelming aura made the three of them tremble. Knowing they were outmatched, Jiraiya slipped away, jumping off Gamabunta's head.

"Gamabunta, hold him off!"

Tsunade likewise jumped off Katsuyu's body and ran into the distance alongside Jiraiya.

"Manda, stop that Ibuse! I'll have a gift ready for you next time we meet."

Orochimaru also leaped off Manda and faced Hanzo, drawing the Kusanagi Sword from his mouth.

"Let me see just how powerful you, the demigod, really are."