Konoha: Tsunade, I am the Hokage

Chapter 216: The free stuff is the most expensive!

"Perhaps, I can defeat you."

Hanzo the Salamander looked around, and at Kyohiko's position, he was certain that although Kyohiko was powerful, he was not yet immune to poison.

but.

When he said "maybe" and "defeat," it already showed that Hanzo had no confidence at all.

He is very clear.

Kyohiko's speed was too strong, and although his chakra seemed to be greatly depleted, as someone capable of inheriting the name of Hashirama Senju, having more chakra was not a problem at all.

That was just an example—

This guy clearly exhausted his Sage Mode chakra, but suddenly it was restored, which shows that he has his own way of recovering.

If war were to break out, it would be a terrible catastrophe for Amegakure.

Regardless of winning or losing...

Amegakure will suffer huge losses.

Jingyan understood this point, which is why he smiled.

"Medical ninjutsu cannot completely negate poison, which is indeed my weakness. Moreover, I may have already exhausted my chakra. Perhaps you could attack me now without lifting a finger?"

He stood atop the wall created by the earthen ramparts.

After those words, the atmosphere fell silent for a moment. Kakashi gripped his blade tightly and stood in front of Kyohiko.

Although he didn't understand why Kyohiko hadn't chosen to back down at this moment, but instead stubbornly confronted Hanzo of the Salamander, he knew that since Kyohiko had said that...

At this moment, he had no way to retreat!

Kakashi gripped the blades with both hands, refining and condensing his chakra, ready to be the first to charge forward once the war began.

Even if Hanzo the Salamander is powerful, he will not back down an inch!

Hanzo the Salamander wore a mask, so no one could see his expression.

He looked ahead at the deep chasm.

Prior to this, he had always had some doubts about Jingyan's abilities, believing that the outside world was exaggerating the abilities of a child.

How could a teenager reach a level close to that of Tobirama Senju or even Hashirama Senju at such a young age?

but.

Having witnessed this battle...

Hanzo had already given up on the idea of ​​competing.

The Hanzo of today is not the same person he was a few years ago. He deeply realizes that he cannot change Amegakure by himself, nor can he do anything.

not to mention.

Before them stood an even more talented youth, while the strength of those in Konoha was steadily increasing...

A hint of worry flashed across Hanzo's brow.

Looking at Kyohiko, he vaguely sensed that the other party might bring about tremendous changes to the entire ninja world in the future, leading the ninja world to an unimaginable state.

That kind of change...

He wasn't sure yet whether it would be good or bad for Amegakure.

The scene fell silent for a moment, as if the two sides were locked in a stalemate.

under.

The pine trees withered one by one, all the amber had been sealed away, and Sasori's true form had been destroyed by his own self-destruction, leaving no trace of his physical body.

Or rather, Sasori's physical body had long been transformed by himself into a peculiar puppet.

Unfortunately—

With Sasori's death, this puppetry technique can no longer be reproduced.

The rain in the Land of Rain never stops.

Yahiko stood at the other end, together with Kyohiko and Kakashi, sandwiching Hanzo the Salamander in the middle.

Afterwards, the insects multiplied and spread.

Aburame Shiki blocked a group of Amegakure ninjas, but he did not kill them. Instead, he used parasitic insects to absorb their chakra, leaving most of the ninjas unable to move.

The sky was filled with swarms of insects, like clusters of black clouds.

This is what makes the Aburame clan's secret techniques so terrifying; when facing the weak, their abilities are at a strategic level, and ordinary ninjas simply cannot withstand them.

in particular.

Parasitic insects absorb the opponent's chakra without consuming much of their own, except for a small amount when reproducing.

Continuing the standoff will not benefit either side.

Hanzo sighed.

"I don't want to fight a meaningless war. The people of both the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire need peace to recover, and as you said..."

"If I wanted to fight, I would have already done so."

"That puppet kid is not afraid of poison at all. If I release the salamanders and fill the entire battlefield with poison gas, even you will not be able to completely avoid it."

Hanzo said calmly.

His words seemed more like an attempt to save face for himself.

of course.

To some extent, this is true.

If Hanzo summons a salamander and releases a large amount of poisonous mist, then Kyohiko's best option is to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to leave.

Scorpion can fight anytime.

You only have one life!

but……

Hanzo wouldn't do that.

Protecting Sasori of the Red Sand would do him no good at all; as the leader of a village, how could he possibly make such a choice?

Hanzo looked at Yoshimine Kyohiko.

"However, your entry into Amegakure was announced by Sunagakure, but it was too hasty. You should at least give us an explanation."

"Of course, you can negotiate with Sunagakure. Also, please testify that Sasori of the Red Sand died by self-destruction, not that I intentionally killed him or left his body."

Jingyan nodded.

Hanzo's lips twitched. Sasori was indeed not killed by Kyohiko intentionally, but all those puppets were taken away by this kid. He thought he didn't see it.

He paused for a few seconds, then said, "We can talk about that again."

"Can."

A polite smile appeared on Jingyan's face.

He was happy with it.

If they really fight Hanzo, neither Konoha nor Amegakure will gain any advantage; it will only allow Iwagakure to benefit from the situation.

after all.

Konoha is not yet capable of taking over Amegakure. If Hanzo is killed, this area will become a vacuum, and it is very likely that Iwagakure, which still has the strength, will take over.

You'll regret it then.

After the two finished their conversation, Hanzo looked at Yahiko.

"I know you. You used to be a ninja from our Amegakure village. Later, you led a group of people to the Land of Birds."

Yahiko gave a slight bow as a sign of respect.

He greatly respected Hanzo.

Although he failed to lead Amegakure to power and completely transform the village, Hanzo did try his best.

in particular.

After Yahiko took charge of a village himself, he realized more and more that it was not easy to lead a group of people well.

For a village or a country to become powerful, it needs strength in all aspects. One or two heroes alone cannot bring about substantial change to Amegakure.

"Any thoughts of coming back?"

Hanzo looked at the young man in front of him.

He still admired Yahiko quite a bit. This young man was capable and talented, and if he could return to Amegakure, he could become a pretty good deputy for him.

In addition, Hanzo also knew that Yahiko had two very good companions.

Those two are also talented.

Amegakure is desperately short of manpower!

Yahiko thought about it and did not immediately refuse.

"Lord Hanzo, I respect you and admire your contributions to Amegakure, but we are currently employed by the Daimyo of the Land of Birds and cannot give you an immediate answer."

"It's okay, as long as you remember what I said."

Hanzo nodded slightly.

"If you're not afraid, come to the building. I'll take charge of things between you and Sunagakure."

Then, he vanished in an instant.

Kakashi and Yahiko breathed a long sigh of relief as they watched Hanzo the Salamander leave.

The opponent was, after all, a "demigod." Back then, Hanzo single-handedly withstood the siege of three countries. Although Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure suffered losses among themselves, ...

In the small ninja village, only one person can do this.

Hanzo the Salamander!

Even now, his influence remains strong, and no one dares to underestimate him, including Yahiko and Kakashi.

Jingyan chuckled softly.

"What are you afraid of? If a fight really breaks out, I can take you away. We could even be ruthless and unleash a large-scale Wind Release ninjutsu before we leave, sweeping the poison towards Amegakure..."

"Does Hanzo dare to bear such consequences?"

Jingyan countered with a question.

Yahiko's cheek twitched: "Kyohiko, don't say such terrifying things. If the poisonous fog is blown over there, a lot of people will die!"

"Yes, that's why Hanzo didn't dare to fight."

Jingyan nodded.

Kakashi seemed to be deep in thought.

He hadn't thought of it this way before, but now that Kyohiko brought it up...

I've figured it out now.

In comparison, Hanzo actually had more things to be wary of, and it was Hanzo who was hesitant to act rashly.

Hanzo wasn't confident he could defeat Kyohiko.

On the contrary, it was Kyohiko's speed that worried Hanzo. If he made a move, the entire Amegakure might be in danger, and he might not be able to kill Kyohiko, thus needlessly offending Konoha.

If one remains rational, there is virtually no possibility of taking action.

Unless Hanzo has gone mad!

Kakashi sighed and said, "I thought we were going to have to fight tooth and nail this time, but I didn't expect..."

"I still need to practice!"

He thought to himself...

Yahiko's expression was complicated. To Kyohiko and Kakashi, the people of Amegakure and the Land of Rain were outsiders, even enemies. This was something...

In a war, perhaps it would actually be possible to do such a thing?

"Kyohiko, your strategy just now..."

"I'm just thinking from Hanzo's perspective. Don't think that he seems easygoing now. In fact, based on the information I've gathered, he's a rather suspicious person."

Kyohiko instantly appeared beside Yahiko and spoke in a low voice.

"You're in the Bird Country now, so he's definitely keeping an eye on you. You'd better be careful from now on."

"No way..."

Yahiko's pupils contracted.

He had never met Hanzo before, but judging from what had just happened, the other party seemed to be a good man who cared for his country and people, not as despicable as Kyohiko had described.

"To the Land of Rain, he is a hero, but that doesn't excuse his character flaws. These are two separate things. It's better to be cautious, especially..."

Jingyan patted the other person on the shoulder.

Yahiko will surely understand what he means—

Nagato!

Even Nagato coveted the Rinnegan, let alone Hanzo the Salamander.

and.

Yahiko's goal is to change the entire Land of Rain!

If you can't get it, how can you change it?

After cleaning up the scene, he walked towards the Yuyin Building.

At this moment, Hanzo's voice echoed throughout Amegakure.

Hanzo the Salamander was explaining the current "misunderstanding" to keep both sides restrained and rational, while Shiki Aburame and Hizashi Hyuga on Konoha's side quickly stopped their attacks.

even.

Hizashi even went so far as to treat the ninjas he had injured—

Although his medical ninjutsu was rather average, it was more than enough to treat them.

Yahiko stared blankly at the torrential rain.

He had just begun to feel a slight liking for Hanzo when Kyohiko's words plunged him back into a state of doubt.

Nagato...

He pursed his lips.

"Thanks."

In the rain, Kyohiko waved.

Faintly, one could still hear the other person's voice.

"Kakashi, let's go. Let's go over there and talk to the Sand Village!"

"It's coming right away."

Kakashi instantly caught up.

Yahiko exhaled, then hesitated.

original……

His goal was simply to kill Sasori of the Red Sand, avenge his fallen comrades, and protect his territory to prevent more people from being injured or killed.

The scorpion is dead now.

Simultaneously.

He also received information that Sunagakure and Amegakure had already begun to take notice of them.

Think about it too.

How could a force of this size possibly go unnoticed?

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

"Perhaps this is an opportunity."

Yahiko thought to himself.

Kyohiko and Konoha, who have demonstrated formidable strength, may become the ones they can rely on.

He took a step, ready to catch up with Kyohiko, but then hesitated.

If they express their stance now and completely side with Konoha, they may have no choice but to continue cooperating with Konoha in the future.

Yahiko weighed the pros and cons, and finally gritted his teeth and chased after him.

do not care!

They are already unable to shake off Konoha's influence, and even if they don't follow along, Sunagakure will probably still regard them as Konoha's "informants" or partners.

If that's the case, why not take it a step further?

They are still too weak!

……

Rain Hidden Building.

Luo Sha had rushed over and, after receiving permission to pass along the way, arrived at the Rain Hidden Building.

Just as he arrived, Hanzo returned.

After that, he heard the news of the "misunderstanding".

And now.

"Kyohiko-kun, you mean Sasori of the Red Sand self-destructed, and nothing was left?"

Luo Sha's face showed a look of astonishment and disbelief.

He wasn't shocked that Scorpion had died at Kyohiko's hands, but rather astonished—

How can this young man have such a thick skin to say such shameless things?

They're all dead?

How is that possible!

Whose puppets can all self-destruct completely?

Jingyan shook his head, then patted his head: "Right, there are still some left, but you might have to try to piece them together and repair them yourselves."

"After all, it was affected by the explosion."

Kakashi, understanding perfectly, added from the side, then explained the situation at the time, describing the battle as extremely intense.

In fact, he wasn't lying.

"If you don't believe me, you can go to the east now and see the traces of the war there."

Luo Sha, of course, refused to believe it.

He couldn't help but look at Hanzo.

Compared to Konoha's Kyohiko, Kakashi, and Yahiko, who was suspected of having a cooperative relationship with Konoha, he definitely trusted Hanzo, the leader of Amegakure, more.

Hanzo was silent for a moment, then said, "Kyohiko's ninjutsu is extremely destructive. Most of those puppets were destroyed by Kyohiko's ninjutsu, and a small number were damaged by the blast wave."

"What he's referring to now is probably that part."

Hanzo looked at Kyohiko.

Kyohiko nodded: "What wasn't destroyed were the three puppets that Sasori used for defense, as well as the Chikamatsu Ten Ninja of your Sunagakure Village, but they need repair. Take them and have a look."

With that, he threw the sealing scroll over.

Luo Sha took it, his expression complex.

He had already realized—

Free things are often the most expensive!

(End of this chapter)