Flames shot into the sky, smoke and dust filled the air, and rubble hammered the Rashomon gates like a torrential downpour, each impact booming dully! The entire valley shook violently!
Before the smoke from the explosion had cleared, countless cold glints suddenly flashed atop the towering cliffs on either side!
Over a hundred fully armed elite Amegakure ninja appeared, radiating murderous intent, their kunai, shuriken, and crossbows all aimed at the hollow below!
Like a black tide, they instantly sealed off every escape route at both ends of the valley!
The dust slowly settled, revealing Yahiko and the others, protected by Triple Rashomon. They looked battered, but none had suffered serious harm.
Yahiko stared blankly at the grotesque demon-faced gates before him, then looked at the densely packed Amegakure ninja on the cliffs. Finally, his gaze fell on Hanzō, who stood coldly a short distance away.
The hope and reverence on his face flaked away like shattered porcelain, leaving only disbelief and... the agony of utter betrayal.
"Wh... why?"
Yahiko's voice was dry and hoarse, trembling.
"Lord Hanzō... didn't you say we would... work together? Didn't you say we would bring peace... to the Land of Rain together?!"
Hanzō looked at him coldly, as though watching prey caught in a trap, still struggling in vain.
"Peace?"
Hanzō scoffed. "Your ideals are far too naive. They will only bring more chaos and powerful enemies to the Land of Rain! Look at what you've done! You've brought demands for an explanation from Iwagakure! True peace requires order, stability under absolute power! Eliminating restless idealists like you is the greatest contribution I can make to peace in the Land of Rain!"
He raised a hand and pointed at the eight people surrounded below. "Yahiko, I'll give you a chance. So your companions can