Fire and Rain Are Incompatible
The border between the two countries is experiencing torrential rain.
In just a short time, small rivers formed, their turbid waters crisscrossing the smoke-filled battlefield, washing over the scorched and muddy land.
"Roar!"
The two giant beasts, each the size of a small mountain, endured the relentless pounding of the rain. They clashed, leaped, and burrowed into the ground to launch surprise attacks. With each movement, they shook the surrounding land and unleashed a violent storm.
These two colossal beasts locked in a fierce battle were a giant Ibuse with a bumpy back and a red monster with two curved fangs and a long nose— Baku.
The surrounding ninjas had no time to dodge and were swept up in the chaos amidst screams.
When the storm subsided, the bodies were nowhere to be seen; only a large amount of blood remained on the ground, mixed with the rainwater that had accumulated in the rivers, flowing in all directions.
The Ibuse moved nimbly across the land, and with a nimble flick of its tail, several Konoha Ninja who had ambushed it from behind were sent flying into the distance like kites with broken strings.
Then it opened its mouth wide, and a huge plume of purple mist shot out, spreading across the rain-soaked battlefield with lightning speed.
The Baku showed no fear. It simply took a deep breath, opened its mouth, and emitted a strange buzzing howl. A visible white gust of wind was generated there, drawing the poisonous mist sprayed by the giant Ibuse into its body and sealing it off.
However, the poisonous mist spewed by the Ibuse covered too wide an area, and even if the Baku tried its best to absorb it, it couldn't absorb it all.
Those Konoha Ninja who came into contact with the poisonous fog convulsed and collapsed to the ground, unable to move, in the blink of an eye.
Some Konoha Ninja tried to disperse the poisonous mist using Wind Release, but the results were disappointing.
These poisonous mists are mixed with the powerful Chakra of the Ibuse, resulting in an effect similar to the Hidden Mist Technique of Kirigakure, which cannot be blown away by conventional wind- Release Technique.
"Wind Release · Vacuum Great Sphere!"
At that moment, a black-haired man with white bandages wrapped around his forehead and right eye appeared. After Hand Seals, he blew out an enormous whirlwind, tearing a passage through the poisonous fog area, allowing the Konoha Ninja to escape.
"Your skills have improved, Danzo."
With a cold snort, a flash of sword light appeared before Danzo's eyes.
Without hesitation, Danzo stepped back, took another deep breath, and with a flick of his head, unleashed two incredibly sharp crescent-shaped wind blades that crossed to form a cross, slashing towards the attacker.
The attacker splashed water at his feet, using a superb Body Flicker Technique to escape, leaving a crescent-shaped wind blade that struck the ground, carving a narrow, cross-shaped path with a shocking depth.
The newcomer held a kusarigama (chain sickle), gripping the Kusarigama with his right hand, and stared down at Danzo, who was panting heavily in front of him.
It was Amegakure Hanzo.
A ninja known as the ' Ibuse ' who roams freely even in torrential rain.
"Why would a ninja like you associate with the Hidden Sand Village?"
Danzo was panting, rainwater streaming down his face.
Unlike most ninjas who were unaware of Hanzo's strength, Danzo was someone who had a deep understanding of his opponent's formidable power.
If possible, he didn't want Konoha to have to deal with such a troublesome enemy.
It wasn't out of fear, but because such a sacrifice wasn't worthwhile.
After all, in Konoha's strategic plan, Hidden Rain Village would be the best line of Hidden Sand Village Konoha Iwagakure.
A small country, surrounded by Fourth Shinobi World War, powerful yet not so powerful.
These characteristics undoubtedly align with the strategic partners that Konoha is courting.
However, faced with Danzo's regretful tone, Hanzo did not hesitate for a moment. He grabbed the sickle handle and charged forward, slashing vertically downwards.
Danzo could only dodge; Hanzo's Body Flicker Technique was too fast, and at this distance, he could hardly find a chance to Hand Seals.
"Don't speak so righteously, making it sound like Konoha is so innocent. Your Konoha Anbu has caused quite a stir in the Land of Rain; don't think I know nothing about it!"
While attacking, Hanzo made sarcastic remarks to Danzo, revealing his undisguised hostility towards Konoha.
If the evil of Hidden Sand Village is manifested in the open, then the evil of Konoha towards the Land of Rain is hidden in the darkness, leaving no trace.
But once something is done, it will inevitably leave a trace.
Did the actions of Konoha's Anbu in the Land of Rain result in the deaths of innocent people?
He knew very well that a significant portion of the Land of Rain who had mysteriously disappeared had become experimental materials to nourish the continued growth of Konoha.
All of this was Danzo by Danzo, a high-ranking member of Konoha's Anbu, and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, must have been aware of it as well.
Therefore, as a place of Fourth Shinobi World War, Konoha's oppression and poisoning of the Land of Rain is no different from that of Hidden Sand Village.
"And what about you? How many people from both countries will die from this attack on the Land of Fire?"
Danzo attempted to influence the other party's will through words.
"This is a pointless argument. You are stronger than me, so naturally you can take whatever you want from the Land of Rain. Just like you did before, letting your people do all sorts of dirty and shady things in the Land of Rain. But just as well... when I am strong, and your Konoha Ninja are killed, don't come here barking that you are innocent!"
A ninja's life consists only of fighting; nothing else matters but fighting! Come, let's plunder and slaughter each other to our hearts' content!
Hanzo remained unmoved, only responding to Danzo with a cold smile.
Over the years, the Land of Rain has been blockaded and oppressed by forces like Konoha, giving it a natural and legitimate reason to retaliate against any neighboring country!
For this reason, the morale of the Hidden Rain shinobi during this attack on the Land of Fire was soaring to an unbelievable level, even surpassing that of the Konoha Ninja defending their homeland.
Danzo was awestruck; this unwavering fighting spirit could only be extinguished by destroying the opponent.
A ninja with such a mindset, and so powerful at that, is far too dangerous for Konoha!
Konoha cannot have such a powerful yet out-of-control small country as a neighbor!
"Danzo, get out of the way!"
Suddenly, a sound like a torrent of water bursting forth descended from the sky, Danzo retreated without thinking.
Hanzo also put away his scythe and jumped backward.
Two enormous, fleshy palms descended from the sky and crashed violently to the ground.
Boom!
The soil and rock collapsed, and rocks and dust were swept away by the hurricane-like impact.
After the impact, the giant hand quickly shrank back to the size of a normal human.
A plump man, about the same age as Danzo, nimbly leaped to Danzo's side and landed.
Contrary to his appearance, his movements were exceptionally sharp and agile.
"A troublesome fellow has arrived..."
Hanzo's eyes narrowed as he recognized the other party: Torifu Akimichi, the commander-in-chief of Konoha's western border defense forces.
The head of the Akimichi Clan, a high-ranking commander at the level of a regional governor in Konoha, and also an absolute confidant of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen!
"In that case, let's finish this quickly."
Hanzo looked at Danzo and Torifu, his face showing no fear, but rather a surge of excitement. He suddenly removed the gas mask from his face.
The Hidden Rain shinobi fighting the Konoha Ninja around them all changed their expressions in shock and fled into the distance.
They knew all too well that Hanzo he removed his mask, would become a walking, deadly weapon.
It can spread poisonous gas into the surrounding area simply by breathing.
On the battlefield, this would be an absolute nightmare for the enemy.
"Get out of here, the farther the better!"
Torifu hand, signaling the nearby Konoha Ninja to retreat.
A ninja like Hanzo is someone only he and Danzo can deal with head-on here.
"Be careful, even with high poison resistance, he'll be knocked out if he inhales too much."
"Unfortunately, it will take some time before we can get the specially made gas masks."
Torifu sighed.
Hanzo's attack was too sudden, resulting in serious lack of preparation on the front lines.
Moreover, Hanzo's poison is so potent that ordinary gas protection equipment is ineffective; only specially designed gas protection devices can withstand it.
This is also why many Hidden Rain shinobi wearing gas masks suddenly retreated to a distance.
"Let's just get through this attack first."
Danzo to hold his breath and slow down his breathing.
Despite his and Chakra's powerful Torifu and high resistance to poison, he could not ingest too much of Hanzo's poison gas.
"Okay, time to go!"
Torifu heavily, then stomped his feet, shattering the ground. A visible stream of materialized Chakra erupted from his body, unfurling behind him azure wings constructed from high-density materialized Chakra.
Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, freeing itself from all constraints.
'This is... the Butterfly Mode Technique of the Akimichi Clan, isn't it? The Chakra is truly formidable...'
Hanzo narrowed his eyes, recognizing this secret Ninjutsu that instantly and dramatically amplified Chakra.
As Konoha High Command and one of its top combatants, Hanzo naturally also collected information about the ability to Torifu.
Moreover, although the Akimichi Clan is not Kekkei Genkai clan, it is still one of the top clans among clans that practice secret Ninjutsu.
Torifu and pulled out a scroll, which exploded with a bang, releasing white smoke, and a long staff appeared in his hand.
He gripped the long staff tightly with both hands, his eyes sharp, and with a powerful push off the ground, he charged straight at Hanzo from the front.
"Wind Release: Dust Storm!"
Danzo seized the opportunity, leaped into the air, and the strong wind he blew out of his mouth skillfully swept over the head of the Torifu, precisely sealing off the area around Hanzo.
A powerful storm whipped up dust, blurring Hanzo's vision.