Mission

"What did you say? Hanzō is dead? Is the report reliable?"

"The ANBU confirmed it, Lord Tsuchikage!"

Ōnoki stared at the intelligence that had been rushed to him, his brows drawn tight.

Hanzō's death should have been an opportunity for the Rock Shinobi.

They could try to lead their forces into the Land of Rain.

But by the time they received the news, Amegakure had already reached an agreement with Konoha.

"Konoha. What a clever move!"

Since the Second Shinobi World War, Amegakure had been a strategic stronghold.

But Hanzō had kept even the Four Great Shinobi Villages from taking it, and he had never shown the slightest interest in cooperation.

He had absolute confidence in his strength. He was the Demigod of the Shinobi World.

Yet now he had died at the hands of the Ghost of Konoha. Ōnoki refused to believe Konoha had played no part in it.

How could he have imagined that Hanzō, the so-called Demigod, would die at Kazan's hands?

First Chiyo of the Sand Shinobi, then the Third Raikage of the Cloud Shinobi, and now Hanzō of the Rain Ninja. Konoha's genius had become a force to be reckoned with.

Had Ōnoki known what Kazan would become, he would have stopped at nothing to kill him. But it was too late for that now.

Ōnoki flew out of the Main Camp.

The Rock Shinobi were fighting on two fronts, attacking Kumogakure and Konoha in tacit coordination with the Sand Shinobi. They had only just made some gains when this upheaval struck.

They could not delay any longer.

"Have the troops ready. Tomorrow, we launch a full-scale assault."

"Our targets?"

"The Cloud Shinobi and Konoha! I'll lead the attack myself this time. And tell the Sand Shinobi what we're planning."

"Yes, sir!"

With a whoosh,