Watching the Battle

The next morning, while eating breakfast, Qing Si took the initiative to ask Yuan Shi, "Grandfather, I'll be leaving for the mainland shortly. Hanzō of the Salamander from Hidden Rain has challenged the Hokage. What do you think?"

"Hanzō of the Salamander... an ambitious man." Yuan Shi let out a soft sigh. "Just stay safe and gather as much intelligence on Konoha as you can. Once a great war breaks out, if we join it, Konoha will definitely remain our primary target."

"Hidden Rain has developed rapidly in recent years, but the Land of Rain, being a small country, has nearly reached its limits. If Hanzō wants to lead Hidden Rain into becoming the sixth great ninja village, he will have to expand his territory. The Land of Rain borders the Lands of Fire, Earth, and Wind, so he will definitely choose at least one of them to wage war against," Yuan Shi continued.

"By challenging the Hokage this time, he is surely testing his strength. Easily forcing back the Kazekage proves that he is far stronger than the Third Kazekage. If he finds that Hiruzen Sarutobi is roughly his equal or stronger than him, then his target will definitely be the Land of Wind and Hidden Sand. But if Hiruzen Sarutobi is weaker than him, then he may also make a move against the Land of Fire and Konoha," Yuan Shi added.

As expected of an old fossil who had lived through the Warring States era and personally established a ninja village, Yuan Shi's analysis hit the mark. That arrogant and self-confident Hanzō later truly did strike at both Konoha and Hidden Sand at once.

"I've learned a lot, Grandfather. Then I'll be off!" Qing Si was deeply shaken after hearing Yuan Shi's analysis. He had guessed some of Hanzō's intentions himself, but nowhere near as thoroughly as Yuan Shi had.

After bidding Yuan Shi farewell, Qing Si arrived at the first training ground of ANBU Headquarters. Yagura, Qian Nai, and the others were already waiting for him.

"Squad Captain!" everyone greeted him together.

"Gather at Passage One in ten minutes. Prepare to depart!" Qing Si told them, then headed straight for Jian's office.

"Commander, we are about to depart. Do you have any further instructions?" Qing Si asked.

"The Mizukage has issued you an additional secret mission. This is the mission scroll." Jian handed Qing Si a sealed mission scroll.

"Open it after you finish watching the battle," Jian added.

"Yes!" Qing Si acknowledged, then turned and took his leave.

At Passage One, everyone had already assembled. At Qing Si's command, the sounds of Body Flicker Techniques tearing through the air rang out one after another.

Since this mission was not a combat mission, Qing Si brought Kuriarare Kushimaru, Munashi Jinpachi, Biwa Jūzō, and Ao—the four newcomers—along with Yagura and Qian Nai to broaden their horizons.

Who was this Ao? He was none other than the man who would later earn the title of Byakugan Killer. At present, he was the final member of Yagura's Sixth Squad.

Ao, who possessed sensory abilities, was a talent discovered by Yuan Shi. Qing Si had specifically asked his grandfather Yuan Shi for him to fill out Yagura's Sixth Squad.

Name: Ao

Age: 15 (born August 1, Hidden Mist Year 18)

Height: 180 cm

Weight: 70 kg

Ninja Registration Number: 003800

Ninja Rank: Special Jonin (Chakra Capacity: 1.8 Ka)

Mission Experience: 54 D-rank missions, 38 C-rank missions, 20 B-rank missions, 10 A-rank missions, 3 S-rank missions

Chakra Nature: Water, Yin

Mastered Ninjutsu: 18 Water Release ninjutsu, 3 Yin Release ninjutsu

The group of seven boarded a merchant ship bound for the Land of Fire. Since they were merely going to watch the battle, and relations between the Land of Water and the Land of Fire were not currently tense, there was no need for them to conceal their identities. They could go openly.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was July 7th, the day Hanzō of the Salamander and Hiruzen Sarutobi had agreed to battle.

At the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire, a large number of ninja had already gathered. Every one of them had been sent by their respective factions to observe the battle and gather intelligence.

From the direction of the Land of Rain came a powerful chakra presence. In the distance, a tall figure slowly approached, draped in a dark blue cloak, wearing a breathing mask, and carrying a massive short-handled scythe with a chain on his back. It was Hanzō of the Salamander, leader of Hidden Rain.

"Heh! Leader Hanzō is quite confident in his strength. He actually came alone," someone among the spectators said with a laugh.

At this moment, from the direction of the Land of Fire, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly approached as well, wearing a Hokage robe and Hokage hat. He was accompanied by his two companions, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, as well as two ANBU squads assigned to protect them.

Sensing Hanzō's domineering aura rising, Hiruzen Sarutobi refused to be outdone. An equally powerful chakra presence erupted from his body.

Their chakra presences charged directly at each other and collided viciously in midair.

The battle erupted in an instant.

Hiruzen Sarutobi formed a hand seal with one hand, summoning an enormous shuriken before hurling it forcefully toward Hanzō.

Ninja Art: Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!

The enormous shuriken flew at Hanzō at tremendous speed, constantly releasing white smoke as it traveled. One became two, two became four, four became eight—countless massive shuriken filled the sky.

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi attack, Hanzō of the Salamander decisively accelerated. His right hand seized the scythe from his back while his left continuously spun its chain, and he charged into the dense swarm of shuriken.