Third Kazekage: Lend Me Your Head First

The Land of Rain, Hidden Rain Village.

It was a rare sunny day, but the atmosphere in the whole village was as gloomy as on a rainy day.

Especially the Hidden Rain shinobi coming and going, each of them had a solemn expression on their face, as if something bad was about to happen.

Just then, a figure swiftly crossed the street and leaped across the rooftops at incredible speed.

Although Ordinary People couldn't see clearly who was running around on it, the Hidden Rain shinobi noticed this scene clearly recognized that it was Anbu Ninja directly under the Hidden Rain Village leader.

Running so urgently towards the center of the village, it's easy to imagine that the matter he was reporting was no small thing.

"Hey, is this really going to be a war?"

"Don't speculate. It's just a routine work report from the Anbu. Besides, as long as Lord Hanzo is here, we have nothing to fear."

"That's right, Hanzo is invincible!"

Although many of the Hidden Rain shinobi were exchanging views expressed concern about the current situation, after all, they had previously provoked the Land of Wind, one of the Five Great Nations.

Even if the Land of Wind's overall national strength is at the bottom among the Five Great Nations, that is only in comparison to the other major powers.

This is similar to how, apart from the Land of Fire, the other four great nations are all barren lands lacking in resources.

But no matter how 'poor' or 'scarce' a country may be, a large country and a small country are not equal.

The difference is even more pronounced at the ninja level.

They didn't think that defeating a squadron of Hidden Sand Village meant they could truly be on equal footing with the Hidden Sand Village.

At most, this incident will let the ninjas of the surrounding major powers Doichi if pushed too far, Hidden Rain Village also has the power to bite.

However, these voices of concern were quickly drowned out by other voices of worship.

Many Hidden Rain shinobi held an almost blind admiration for their current leader, Hanzo, believing him to be invincible.

Leaving aside the debates and speculations of these people, the rapidly moving Hidden Rain Village Anbu arrived at the Central Tower of Amegakure, which was also the office and residence of Hidden Rain Village, Hanzo top speed.

"Hanzo, this is a letter from the Kazekage of Hidden Sand Village. Please take a look."

After landing in the Hidden Rain Village Anbu, he quickly took out the unopened letter he had received from the Hidden Sand Village and placed it in front of Hanzo's desk.

"Thank you for your hard work. Go and rest now."

Hanzo nodded, picked up the letter, and told the tired Anbu Ninja to go and rest.

"Yes."

The Hidden Rain Village Anbu solemnly acknowledged the order and left the office.

"Hanzo, has Hidden Sand Village made any demands?"

Besides Hanzo himself, there was another person in the office.

Slightly younger than Hanzo, this man was also Hanzo's confidant Kanzang, and had represented Hanzo in diplomatic activities on many occasions.

Two weeks ago, he still represented Hanzo's will and went to the Land of Night to purchase one hundred flying ninja tools.

"That's right. The Third Kazekage wants to negotiate with Hidden Rain Village and has asked me to travel to the border between the two countries to formally sign a contract and begin in-depth cooperation."

After reading the letter, Hanzo responded to Kanzang's question.

"Is this... really the Kazekage's own attitude?"

Kanzang was stunned for a moment, somewhat incredulous that Hidden Sand Village would be so easy to talk to.

Judging from the way this Third Kazekage has acted since taking office, he doesn't seem like the kind of person who is so soft-hearted.

"That's what Kazekage said in the letter, but we'll have to wait until we meet in person to determine his specific attitude."

After Hanzo put down the letter, a deep glint flashed in his eyes.

"Could the fact that they specifically requested your personal presence for the negotiations be a trap?"

Those Kanzang are concerned about this issue.

As a diplomat, he has dealt with major powers countless times, and he is well aware of their shamelessness to some extent and their complete lack of contractual spirit.

When core interests are involved, they take direct action, providing reasons only afterward.

Moreover, the reasons given for starting the war are often incredibly abstract, clearly come up on the spot, and are morally untenable.

"I don't know, but no matter what, I want to go and meet with them in person."

Hanzo's answer was quite decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

Given the level of infiltration capabilities of Hidden Rain Village's spies, they couldn't even access Hidden Sand Village's core secrets, so naturally they couldn't know the specific thoughts of Hidden Sand Village's higher-ups, let alone whether the other side was sincere in negotiating with Hidden Rain Village.

However, judging from the recent activities of Hidden Sand Village, they probably have no intention of starting a war.

Similarly, Hanzo was not prepared to fight a war.

The Hidden Sand Village forces that launched the surprise attack on the Land of Rivers had only the aim of expanding the trade routes of the Land of Rain and helping Land of Rain economy recover as quickly as possible.

Therefore, although Hidden Rain Village defeated a Hidden Sand Village squad stationed in the Land of Land of Rivers, the casualties were not significant. This was the result that Hanzo had deliberately requested beforehand, as he did not want to escalate the situation.

In this way, it would be very meaningful to use this incident to let Hidden Sand Village see Hidden Rain Village's attitude and to redefine the boundaries between the two Hidden Sand Village, allowing Hidden Rain Village and the Land of Rain to breathe a few more breaths of fresh air.

Seeing that Hanzo had made up his mind, Kanzang stopped talking.

If Hidden Sand Village is truly willing to negotiate, it would indeed be a good thing for the Land of Rain.

'But, is it really possible to successfully negotiate a deal?'

Kanzang was deeply worried. He was very concerned that these powerful ninjas would break their promises again and deliberately cause trouble under the guise of this peace talk.

As a high-ranking member of Hidden Rain Village, he could naturally see that the reason why Hidden Rain Village and the Land of Rain could maintain basic order was all thanks to Hanzo.

If something were to happen to Hanzo, the order that had been painstakingly established and maintained would collapse instantly, plunging them back into the dark abyss of being controlled by the surrounding major powers.

◎

One day later.

It is located on the outskirts of the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind, dozens of kilometers away from the nearest populated area.

However, although it is a border area, according to territorial division, this area still belongs to the Land of Land of Rain.

Only after traveling another ten kilometers or so will you officially reach the territory of the Land of Wind.

The location for the negotiations was not complicated; it was just a temporary Camp that Hidden Sand Village had casually set up.

Although the sky above was overcast, it was not raining.

Hanzo looked across the table in front of him, where the contract documents were placed, at the Third Kazekage standing opposite him.

Just now, the two of them signed their names on the documents and officially completed the exchange.

"As agreed, our Hidden Sand Village will withdraw Anbu members who have entered your country, and at the same time cease all blockade operations against Hidden Rain Village and the Land of Rain. Is that alright, Hanzo?"

The Third Kazekage placed the document signed by Hanzo into the hand of a Hidden Sand Village Jonin, then looked back at Hanzo.

The other party came alone, without any Hidden Rain Village guards by his side. His only weapon was the cold, hard Kusarigama that he carried on his back.

"Of course, we must also thank Kazekage for his tolerance and magnanimity in this peace talk. We hope that both sides can maintain this peace for a long time and prevent innocent people from bleeding any further."

Hanzo, having put away the contract documents, replied in a good mood.

"Yes, war is bad news for both sides. That's why I wanted to take this opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings that have accumulated. However, I didn't expect Hanzo to come alone. Aren't you afraid that Hidden Sand Village might suddenly change your mind?"

The Third Kazekage's sudden question instantly turned the previously relaxed atmosphere into a tense one.

"I trust your reputation."

Hanzo replied calmly.

The Third Kazekage smiled with satisfaction, it was unclear whether he was impressed by Hanzo's praise or by the man's astonishing courage.

Then, he stared intently at Hanzo moment and said:

"In that case, I would like to borrow something from Lord Hanzo. I wonder if you could do me that?"

Hanzo listening, Hanzo paused for a moment and asked in return:

What does Lord Kazekage wish to borrow?

The Third Kazekage continued to smile, but this time the smile was filled with a sinister chill, and his eyes were blazing with murderous intent.

"I wish to borrow Hanzo's head!"