Traveling through three generations: Making Konoha great again!

Chapter 171 Hanzo: I'm sorry I couldn't satisfy Hiruzen... (1.6 words long chapter!)

Hiruzen Sarutobi readily agreed.

This surprised both Tsunade and Hanzo.

Logically speaking, proposing a violent confrontation when cooperation is about to be finalized is somewhat offensive.

It's essentially still a contest of who has the bigger fist; the ninja's killing intent and the undercurrent of backstabbing are showing again.

And, is Hiruzen Sarutobi really that confident that he won't lose?

"The ninja world, huh—"

"In the past, everyone always thought about the winner taking all, and mutually beneficial things were not common, so I think it's good to use the old rules to transition our new cooperation."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, "Moreover, this is less of a sparring match and more of Hanzo's initiative to help Konoha verify the effectiveness of the Medical Chakra Scroll—"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not surprised that Hanzo said he wanted to fight.

Old-school ninjas always think about solving problems with their fists; otherwise, Hanzo wouldn't have been able to instigate the Second Shinobi World War and try to become the leader.

For military blocs to cooperate and avoid harboring disloyalty, demonstrating military force is absolutely essential.

This is a universal principle, not only in the ninja world.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi doesn't fight Hanzo, there will be trouble with the subsequent cooperation.

Given Hanzo's immense reputation in Amegakure, the Amegakure ninja held him in the highest esteem.

If no one could be clearly distinguished as superior or inferior, the Amegakure ninjas would inevitably feel that their cooperation with Konoha was facilitated by Hanzo's heroic act of single-handedly infiltrating Konoha.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't defeated Hanzo...

Given Hanzo's newly reinvigorated pride, it would be difficult for him and the Amegakure ninja to provide a detailed explanation.

They were the ones who truly benefited from the cooperation with Konoha.

Sometimes, being beaten can be a way out for both sides.

"The Hokage is truly kind!" Hanzo exclaimed sincerely.

In Hanzo's view, the sheer speed with which Hiruzen Sarutobi satisfied himself clearly indicated that he had ample confidence in defeating him.

However, characterizing this military negotiation as an "experimental medical reel" is a way of giving him face.

Although Hanzo didn't know why Hiruzen Sarutobi was so confident—

But he still appreciates this favor.

As a seasoned veteran, Hanzo was able to understand the unspoken meaning behind what others were saying.

"so--"

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment: "Tsunade, bring the extra-large medical scrolls and let the Anbu clear out that training ground in the Forest of Death."

""

"Lord Hanzo is skilled in poisons, so he can't use them effectively in the village's training ground."

Tsunade became increasingly puzzled. What was wrong with this teacher?

How could you create a favorable environment for the enemy!

Tsunade couldn't help but say, "Sensei, there's a lake in the training grounds of the Forest of Death—"

In environments with water, the power of Water Release techniques increases dramatically, while the energy consumption decreases and the release speed increases.

This is why, when the Third Mizukage brutally suppressed Kirigakure, most of the Kirigakure ninja did not immediately consider resisting.

Just as the desert is the home ground of the Third Kazekage, the ocean is also the home ground of the Third Mizukage.

Hanzo is widely recognized in the ninja world as a master of Water Release techniques, no less skilled than the Mizukage!

Where should we choose to spar with Hanzo?

Wouldn't that just increase the difficulty for no reason?

It's important to understand that the continent where Konoha and Amegakure exist doesn't actually have many waterways. It's only Amegakure's unique topography that gives it such an unusually high rainfall rate.

"Why would I have chosen that location if there weren't lakes?"

"Lord Hanzo came to Konoha alone, demonstrating his utmost sincerity. Our sparring is not about determining who is better, but about experiencing each other's will and beliefs in battle—"

"If I cannot get Lord Hanzo to give his all, it will be the greatest regret of my life!"

"Sarutobi Hiruzen said in a deep voice."

Tsunade paused, thinking to herself, "My teacher's demeanor and words are becoming more and more like my great-grandfather's, exactly like the great-grandfather in Mito's grandmother's stories!"

At this moment, Tsunade couldn't help but have doubts, feeling that her memories were becoming disordered.

Tsunade previously thought that Hiruzen Sarutobi always mentioned her great-grandfather Hashirama in order to win people's hearts and promote Konoha's new policies by leveraging his reputation.

But her great-uncle Tobirama was Hiruzen Sarutobi's true teacher.

"Have I been misunderstanding things all these years? Actually, the teacher is my great-grandfather's direct disciple, and my second grandfather is just a figurehead—"

"It seems that's really true. My teacher and my second grandfather don't look alike at all—" Thinking of this, Tsunade felt a deep sense of shame.

And they even claim to be the teacher's disciple!

She was also a relative of Hashirama and Tobirama—

After all these years, he still hasn't figured out his own teacher's lineage!

"I'm sorry, teacher—" Tsunade sighed and said softly.

"Why apologize?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tsunade with a puzzled expression. Why was she being so sensible today?

This doesn't suit her personality at all.

"You mean the matter of choosing a sparring venue? It's alright, Lord Hanzo won't mind. You're just worried that I, as your teacher, don't know the specific information. You've done what you should have done."

Hiruzen Sarutobi offered words of comfort.

Tsunade's lips twitched; she didn't care what Hanzo thought at all!

Hanzo, standing to the side, was also deeply moved after hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's powerful words.

Are we going to go all out in this battle?

Even though it was someone else's home turf, the Hokage still chose the best spot for himself—

This pattern—

"Even at my peak, my demeanor was slightly inferior to Hiruzen's—"

"No wonder Hiruzen was able to develop Konoha so well!"

Hanzo said in a deep voice, "Hokage-sama, I will do my utmost! Please do not hold back!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled slightly.

That's exactly what he wanted to hear!

He's been looking for a sparring partner for a long time, and lately he's been wanting to test his progress. He's been thinking about who would be suitable these past couple of days.

Unexpectedly, Hanzo himself ran into it.

As for the Death Forest and lake environment that Tsunade mentioned, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't care.

It's only fun when you make things difficult for yourself.

Besides, Hanzo knows Water Release, so he also knows it—

Especially regarding Water Release, Hiruzen Sarutobi possesses two effective counters: Lightning Release and Ice Release.

He doesn't care.

As for Hanzo's poison, Hiruzen Sarutobi also has a unique antidote—

Tsunade quickly relayed Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders.

They encountered Orochimaru on the way.

"Where are you going?" Orochimaru, who had just woken up after an all-night research session, greeted Tsunade, "In a hurry—"

"Hanzo has visited Konoha! He's going to fight the teacher—"

Tsunade stopped and quickly said, "Now I need to have the Anbu clear the area! The location is the Forest of Death—"

"Hanzo? He got into a fight with the teacher?"

Orochimaru frowned, and his last vestiges of sleep vanished in that instant.

Hanzo—

However, at the height of his youth and when he was most confident, he suffered a major blow!

As a genius who has been undisputed since childhood, Orochimaru's ninja career has been incredibly smooth.

But Hanzo told him.

Even if the three of them attacked together, giving it their all, they still wouldn't be able to defeat their opponent.

On the contrary, if it weren't for the fear of Konoha behind them, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade would have been in mortal danger.

"I'll go with you!" Orochimaru said decisively. "Hanzo comes to negotiate, but we have to fight? He's not worthy of our master's personal intervention!"

"No—" Tsunade shook her head: "The teacher said that I should only accompany them as a first aider, and no one else should come. He also wanted the Anbu to clear out the training grounds in the Forest of Death so that they could fight each other—"

Orochimaru was startled.

In his view, Hiruzen Sarutobi was undoubtedly extremely strong, but whether he could defeat Hanzo was another matter entirely.

It's understandable that Orochimaru thought this way, because Hiruzen Sarutobi rarely used his full strength in his sparring matches, and the only real fight he had with Orochimaru was when he first arrived in the ninja world.

Although his performance was as impressive as ever, the problem was that Hanzo was a ninja with a very underhanded fighting style.

Body Flicker Technique, Water Transformation Technique, Poison Mist, Sword Technique, Water Release—

These five elements are combined.

It can quickly break through the enemy's defenses, and its own mobility and defensive capabilities are also maximized.

In the ninja world, the determination of victory or defeat among ninjas has never been based on their strength on paper.

Knowing how many ninjutsu techniques is meaningless; what matters is being able to create a system on the battlefield that the enemy cannot break.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was a professor of ninjutsu, Orochimaru thought that the techniques he knew were too peaceful and moderate.

Even if he possessed forbidden techniques, he wouldn't be the type to use them in sparring.

"Is the teacher worried about being unwittingly harmed by Hanzo when they expelled others?"

Orochimaru pondered, "It's indeed a very embarrassing thing for the Hokage to lose in a sparring match—"

I don't think so—

Tsunade chuckled: "You're overthinking it. I think the teacher and Hanzo have a mutual respect and want to have a fight where they can go all out. It's going to be an exceptionally intense match."

"You might not know this, but Hanzo and the teacher have been wandering around Konoha all morning. They're practically calling each other brothers now—"

"They're probably worried that the ninjas might misunderstand the cooperative relationship between Amegakure and Konoha—"

Orochimaru's face darkened.

Tsunade immediately said that a fight had broken out, and then said she was preparing for first aid or something—

This sounds like the teacher and Hanzo are going to have a life-or-death battle!

Then he turned around and said he was overthinking it.

"You still need to learn how to speak, Tsunade—"

"Otherwise, with your mouth, you can escalate conflicts even when there aren't any. If you really become Hokage one day, you might bring enemies to Konoha that aren't actually enemies—"

Orochimaru retorted.

"How could that be?" Tsunade said, sounding a little guilty.

Does she really not know how to speak?

No way, she's clearly a student of the teacher too—

My second grandfather and my eldest grandfather were both quite eloquent.

"I'll go inform the Anbu, and I'll come with them later. The teacher won't stop me from coming—"

"I'm one of those damned 'Three Legendary Ninjas' too!"

Orochimaru waved his hand: "Go and prepare for emergency treatment! Whether it's the teacher being injured or Hanzo being seriously injured in Konoha and beyond saving, it will be a serious problem—"

Tsunade nodded, then turned and left in a hurry: "That's right!"

Orochimaru watched Tsunade's retreating figure, shaking his head and chuckling.

And this guy says he wants to compete for Hokage?

That's just too funny—

Let's focus on medical matters instead!

#

The Forest of Death.

The Anbu dispersed the few scattered ninjas here and stationed them at the four corners, forming a tight cordon.

Several Hyuga ANBU members activated their Byakugan, constantly scanning their surroundings.

A ninja's battle is, after all, a battle of intelligence.

If the Hokage doesn't explicitly state that they don't care, then their job is to ensure that no one sees Hiruzen Sarutobi's operations as much as possible, in order to prevent information from being leaked.

But in reality, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't really care.

Because compared to ninjas with their own unique systems, Hiruzen Sarutobi doesn't have any distinctive features; his advantages mainly lie in his stats.

There's not much to study about the numerical values; whatever the value, that's what it is.

His preferred techniques were indeed, as Orochimaru had expected, all standard, conventional ninjutsu, only he knew a few more than he should—

Hiruzen Sarutobi kept the fight a secret mainly to protect Hanzo.

He worried that Hanzo was also a psychopath in the ninja world.

Having finally regained some of his composure, he worried that if he lost too badly in a sparring match, especially in front of so many Konoha ninjas, he might go berserk because his opponent would lose face.

In a private setting, with few onlookers, losing is more acceptable.

Moreover, with this arrangement, the harder Hiruzen Sarutobi beats Hanzo, the more Hanzo will think the Hokage is a rare kind-hearted person.

Despite being so strong, he never thought of using his abilities to establish his authority or gain fame.

It was purely a friendly sparring match between brothers!

Wouldn't that create a bond?

Hiruzen Sarutobi no longer needs to establish his authority in front of the Konoha ninja through such means.

But he desperately needs a rain country that can transform into the shape of Konoha.

Moreover.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Tsunade, whose face was full of anticipation, and smiled slightly.

Isn't she here?

With such a brazen loudspeaker, it was only a matter of time before the Konoha ninja found out about this, and Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't bother to tell Tsunade not to—

"Long time no see, Mr. Hanzo—"

Orochimaru stood beside Tsunade and said in a low voice.

"Oh, it's Orochimaru—" Hanzo glanced at Orochimaru and nodded.

He's just a junior!

"Hmph—" Orochimaru snorted coldly, and said softly to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Master, may I take your place?"

"You, you, I told you there was no need to come—" Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand with a smile: "Look, Lord Hanzo didn't come to Konoha to set up a fighting arena, he came to test the belief in each other's strength. What's the point of having you come in my place?"

"You must remember that Konoha and Amegakure will become brothers by blood in the future. You need to broaden your perspective, because you will have to see things this way sooner or later."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said softly.

Orochimaru was taken aback; his teacher was once again subtly suggesting he become Hokage.

Danger!

Hanzo glanced at Orochimaru with considerable surprise.

So they've chosen a successor?

"Lord Hokage, although that's what I say, please give it your all—"

Hanzo said in a deep voice, "I humbly request the Hokage to correct my negligence over the years!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart stirred.

He wanted to hear those words—

What's the point of stopping there?

"Alright, you two, step aside!"

"Shall we begin?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Hanzo.

Hanzo nodded, and the two stood facing each other.

The dense shade of the Death Forest was impenetrable.

The thick ancient trees stretched out in a continuous expanse, their gnarled branches intertwining overhead to form a net. Only the central area had been cleared by human hands, creating a huge circular training ground.

Sunlight filters through the forest, dappling the deep lake beside it with its delicate patterns of light.

No one spoke or moved; only the occasional chirping of cicadas could be heard, but the atmosphere became tense and oppressive.

Tsunade and Orochimaru watched this scene in silence.

Even after several years of growth, the two of them still cannot be considered to be in the top tier of the ninja world.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hanzo were two highly respected and powerful figures in the ninja world.

Even just watching them fight seriously is very beneficial for one's cultivation and knowledge.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hanzo stared at each other.

He slowly raised his hand and formed the Mudra of Opposition.

This is a sign of friendly exchange.

And at the moment this seal is formed.

Hanzo suddenly moved!

Chakra erupted within him, gathering in his legs and feet, rapidly approaching Hiruzen Sarutobi along an unpredictable trajectory.

Hanzo held the sharp kusarigama in his hand, the blade silently pointing towards Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Orochimaru and Tsunade narrowed their eyes in unison.

It was precisely this strange gait and speed that had caused them so much trouble before—

Is ninjutsu powerful? Is superhuman strength a heavy punch?

But if you can't hit it, it's pointless.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained unmoved, undisturbed by Hanzo, and calmly took out a kunai.

"bass!"

The kunai and the chains collided, emitting sparks.

Hanzo paused for a moment.

To his surprise, Hiruzen Sarutobi was able to catch his attack so easily!

You should know that his swordsmanship is capable of breaking a ninja's hand seals!

"His speed is a bit faster than Minato's, but not by much. Minato is still a young man after all—" Hiruzen Sarutobi held a kunai and kept clashing it against Hanzo's chains.

The two people's movements created afterimages, and the sparks they generated were like the forging of iron, spreading everywhere!

Orochimaru and Tsunade gasped slightly as they watched this scene.

The teacher is still the same teacher.

Hanzo is still the same Hanzo.

The intensity of close combat remains extremely dangerous!

"What's going on? Isn't he afraid of my kusarigama? Why is he so relaxed—" Hanzo's heart skipped a beat, and with a slight flick of his wrist, the kusarigama suddenly changed direction at an odd angle.

Logically speaking, Hanzo's previous enemies, even if they could keep up with his reaction speed, would find it difficult to defend themselves due to the unpredictable attack direction of his kusarigama.

With the aid of chakra and exquisite swordsmanship, the kusarigama can easily sever the enemy's skin and cause them to bleed profusely if the enemy is not careful.

As Hanzo constantly changes the direction of his attacks with his kusarigama, he also changes his tactics, making it difficult for the enemy to predict his speed and power, thus putting pressure on them.

This pressure will gradually accumulate, and when it reaches a certain level, it will cause your movements to become distorted, creating an opportunity to injure the enemy.

Hiruzen Sarutobi still raised his kunai and blocked the kusarigama without blinking.

There was no fear in his eyes, only admiration for his opponent.

"That swordsmanship, that lightning-fast reflexes, and that seasoned experience—"

"Putting aside the boost from the Flying Thunder God Technique, it definitely stimulates my fighting spirit more than Minato's—" Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself.

But Hanzo found it increasingly strange.

Against a kusarigama, the kunai will always be at a disadvantage.

Because the kunai's contact area and attack range are far inferior to the kusarigama, and it is not a melee weapon, even the slightest mistake during contact will leave a wound.

"wrong--"

"Hiruzen is completely unaffected by my pressure!"

"He seems completely unafraid of getting hurt? This lack of fear leads to a lack of dread, and this lack of dread allows him to block my kusarigama with a kunai!"

Hanzo hadn't expected that Hiruzen Sarutobi would actually start fighting him with just a kunai—

Where's your ninjutsu?!

I originally intended to test the waters, but somehow I ended up following my own rhythm and even falling behind?

How eerie!

There's a sense that I'm treating him like a junior, and that sparring is just to accompany him in his specialized training.

In fact, Hanzo's idea wasn't wrong.

Because Hiruzen Sarutobi was a well-rounded character, the Hokage couldn't immediately pinpoint the point where his strength would truly undergo a qualitative leap, so he focused on improving all aspects simultaneously.

The talent Konoha bestowed upon him did not allow him to have any shortcomings; he had to develop in all aspects.

Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't bound by the form of sparring; as long as the opponent's skill level was high enough, it was always a good thing to hone his skills.

As for why Hanzo felt he didn't feel pressure.

It was because Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that even if the kusarigama were to strike him, it would probably only leave a slight mark—

If all else fails, I can just activate Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

When you have confidence, you won't panic.

The two exchanged a heavy blow.

Hanzo voluntarily retreated to a distance.

"Back then, Jiraiya lost his patience because Hanzo wore him down like this, and he got slashed in the abdomen—"

"Orochimaru, you still remember him, right?" Tsunade exhaled a long breath and said in a low voice.

"Of course I remember. Not only Jiraiya, but your shoulder was also cut off, wasn't it? That's why the release of subsequent medical ninjutsu was delayed, and the situation got worse and worse—"

Orochimaru's expression was complex.

Back then, the three of them fought Hanzo on a torrential rainy day. They were completely outmaneuvered by Hanzo's unpredictable Body Flicker Technique and Water Release techniques, unable to even touch the hem of his clothes.

"Can you feel it? It's like watching a teacher give us a demonstration lesson—"

Orochimaru said softly, "I'm teaching you and my two disciples how to deal with an enemy like Hanzo—"

Tsunade nodded slightly.

Hanzo, who captured the three members of Sarutobi's team and bestowed upon them the title of "Sannin"—

He fought against Hiruzen Sarutobi himself!

The master arrived after the disciple was beaten, to help the Sarutobi team get revenge.

This scene really does evoke that feeling—

Although nearly ten years have passed.

Orochimaru and Tsunade's voices, though not loud, were quite noticeable in the tranquil Forest of Death.

But Hanzo didn't care at all.

All his attention was now focused on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Lord Hokage, I shouldn't be engaging in these pointless tests with a powerful figure like you—"

Hanzo's bones and muscles cracked and popped, clearly indicating that he was performing some kind of technique that activated his body with chakra.

"Now it's time for us to show our true abilities!"

"Please don't hold back—" Hanzo felt that he was in a very good state at the moment.

He had never experienced this feeling of fighting with all his heart before the Second Shinobi World War.

To clash with the strong, to collide with opponents through strength and will.

After returning to Amegakure after his defeat, Hanzo became immersed in a so-called balance of power and intrigue, seemingly consolidating his own authority, but the deepest sense of unease within him was constantly deepening.

After all, when it comes to deceiving yourself, the hardest thing is to deceive yourself.

"Please dance freely, Lord Hanzo—"

Hiruzen Sarutobi also felt very good.

The fight with Hanzo, though ostensibly a friendly exchange, was essentially a contest of force to determine the right to negotiate and establish cooperation.

Go a little harder, just leave the opponent with a breath left. Tsunade is there to save them.

His daily sparring with village ninjas, such as Danzo and Minato, was a specialized, modular training exercise, not a real battle.

After all, how could a Hokage like him be so easily defeated by his own people?

But Hanzo is different.

Did he ask to be beaten, or was it a sign of disrespect not to hit him?

Hiruzen Sarutobi liked this request very much.

"Water Release: Rain Tiger Encirclement Technique!"

Hanzo quickly formed hand seals, drawing water from the nearby lake.

In an instant, the lake water seemed to be controlled by a pair of giant hands, but instead of forming an attack, it surged up and quickly spread across the land, like a large barrier.

The depth is approximately at a person's knee.

Orochimaru and Tsunade's expressions quickly turned ugly.

This was Hanzo using his Water Release skills to transform the battlefield into terrain most suitable for him, taking advantage of Amegakure's perennial waterlogging environment—

Given enough water, Hanzo's Water Body Flicker combined with his Water Transformation Technique allows him to seemingly teleport continuously—

Even if a flaw is occasionally revealed, it still has a very high tolerance for error.

As Orochimaru watched this scene, his thoughts drifted back to the battlefield in Amegakure.

"Right now, I don't seem to have any way to defeat Hanzo, but I won't lose—" Orochimaru thought to himself.

His Orochi-ryu Substitution Technique was partly inspired by Hanzo's Water Transformation Technique.

"I don't need to rush, time is on my side."

"If my research makes the village stronger, then my research environment will be more stable, and the iteration of technology will accelerate—"

"Whether it's the cursed seal or Hashirama cells, I can wait for the final product and tailor a special version for myself. This is the way to find the highest limit of my strength."

Thinking of this, Orochimaru smiled slightly, and his gaze toward Hanzo carried a hint of superiority.

Poor Hanzo—

From a young age, in pursuit of power, he risked everything to implant the venom sac of a salamander into his body; in his youth and middle age, he fought his way through countless battles without ever taking care of himself.

He relied solely on talent and willpower to charge ahead recklessly, only able to demonstrate his immediate combat capabilities, without knowing how to reach his full potential.

"Lament your tragic fate of not being born in Konoha—"

"I hope you can gain the teacher's approval."

"As the one who defeated me, you'd be a good experimental subject too—" Orochimaru turned his gaze to his mentor, Hiruzen, a sense of anticipation rising within him.

He was eager to know how his teacher would break through Hanzo's Water Release system.

"Hiruzen!"

Hanzo roared angrily.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was taken aback. Why was he being reminded before making a move?

Of all the people Hiruzen Sarutobi had done this in all these years, he only encountered one: Danzo. Before every sparring match, Danzo would shout Danzo's name with boundless enthusiasm, like he was on a high.

"Hanzo!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi had no other choice but to shout it out, otherwise he would have felt it would have been very impolite.

Hanzo's eyes narrowed, and sharp chakra coiled around his kusarigama, covering it with water-style techniques. The normally gentle water began to swirl rapidly at that moment—

"Does it exhibit similar morphological changes to a hard vortex water jet?"

"I think I'd have a lot in common with Tobirama-sensei—" Hiruzen Sarutobi squinted, watching Hanzo's kusarigama strike straight at him from afar—

This time, I can't use a kunai to block it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi forms hand seals.

His body turned pitch black as he used Earth Release: Earth Spear to protect himself.

"The Hardening Technique? The same technique as that Kakuzu—" Hanzo thought to himself, "As expected of the Professor of Ninjutsu—proficient in all five elemental jutsu!"

"But even the strongest defense will eventually be breached if it only takes hits and never fights back!"

Just as the water blade and kusarigama were about to be swung at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand, but Hanzo, along with his kusarigama, suddenly turned into water and scattered.

The next moment, using the accumulated water on the ground as a medium, it instantly appeared behind Hiruzen Sarutobi!

Clearly, he has mastered the techniques of water escape and water transformation to an unparalleled level.

The combination of these two techniques in Hanzo's hands was beyond description as a mere teleportation technique; it was more akin to spatial teleportation.

But to Hanzo's surprise, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still able to react—

The hardened black hand gripped the kusarigama, ignoring the grating sound of the water blade rubbing against his palm, and punched Hanzo in the abdomen!

Hanzo shattered into a puddle of water, which then reformed into a physical form in the distance.

Hiruzen Sarutobi cast an approving glance at Hanzo.

The combination of two water-style techniques, in this unique terrain, allowed Hanzo to achieve an effect comparable to the Flying Thunder God Technique.

In certain situations, it is even more advantageous than the Flying Thunder God Technique, because the medium for the Flying Thunder God Technique's kunai is too conspicuous, while Hanzo only needs water.

"No wonder Orochimaru and the others couldn't withstand it—"

"If we don't break through this water-style terrain, Hanzo will eventually gain the upper hand."

A strange feeling welled up in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.

It wasn't that he was targeting Hanzo—

But why does it feel like my skill set is so effective against the opponent?

Whether it's Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Ice Release, or even Boil Release, they all have a special effect against Hanzo.

As for his instantaneous attacks, Hiruzen Sarutobi handled them quite well.

Because Hiruzen Sarutobi often sparred with Minato Namikaze to improve their reflexes, he was already used to seeing the "True Flying Thunder God Technique," let alone the "Water Flying Thunder God Technique."

"Indeed, it was I who unexpectedly restrained Hanzo—"

"Or is it that my slight improvement has allowed me to handle more situations?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. No matter what, he would still take things one step at a time, steadily and practically.

The fact that the nameless powerhouse, the Eighth Hokage, served as a warning to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The world of ninjas is vast, full of hidden talents and powerful figures.

There may be more than just five hidden villages for chess players!

"Why doesn't the teacher use that move?" Tsunade whispered to Orochimaru.

She meant ice escape.

"When masters clash, they verify each other's moves, not engage in a life-or-death struggle."

Orochimaru glanced at Tsunade: "While you're studying technology, you should also learn some combat skills. Always thinking about using brute force to solve problems is certainly efficient—"

"But if you encounter an enemy that you can't defeat with superhuman strength, your methods will be very limited."

"Just watch how the teacher handles this; being Hokage isn't easy—"

Orochimaru was silently suppressing Tsunade's ambition to become Hokage.

This was partly out of personal considerations; after all, it would be quite troublesome if Tsunade were to actually run for office someday.

But it was also for the benefit of the village.

After all, Orochimaru knew Tsunade well; she was truly unsuitable to be Hokage.

"Hmph—" Tsunade snorted coldly, "Why are you just like my old teachers? Always lecturing!"

But Orochimaru's words do make sense.

The "brute force" fighting style is particularly effective when encountering enemies who are physically weaker than oneself.

However, if brute force cannot break through, it will be very awkward, and it will be difficult to even fight back.

Hanzo let out a soft breath.

He saw it—

Although the Earth Spear Technique temporarily blocked his Water Blade Chain Scythe, there is no such thing as mutual restraint between chakra natures.

As long as we seize the opportunity to launch a targeted attack, we can break through Hiruzen Sarutobi's defenses!

Once the first wound is inflicted, the second and third will quickly follow.

Moreover, while constantly teleporting, Hanzo was also laying out hidden formations on the ground in a water-like form.

Waiting for the right time to activate.

This is one of his killer moves: Exploding Flame Array!

"We can't let Hiruzen relax. A strongman like him has plenty of stamina and chakra—"

"We must keep tearing at him until we find a breakthrough!"

Hanzo was also puzzled as to why Hiruzen Sarutobi had only been defending and not attacking all this time.

But he quickly realized what was going on.

Its own combat system is difficult for a single person to crack.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for them to stand briefly at the pinnacle of the ninja world and be praised by everyone.

With each element interconnected, if multiple people combine their strengths, it is possible to break Hanzo's system.

One-on-one is almost impossible.

No one can master so many ninjutsu techniques.

This is also why Hanzo was somewhat disheartened after the Second Shinobi World War.

The Hidden Village is full of talented people, but he has no companions to help him.

"Hiruzen, feel my resolve and will!"

Hanzo merged with the water once more, plotting his next decisive offensive.

Gradually tearing and biting with a water sickle is one step.

The second step is the Exploding Flame Array, and the third step is to summon the Salamander!

His fighting style is based on his brain—

"Water Release Secret Technique: Great Water Arm Technique!"

Hanzo's arms looked as if they were filled with water, his muscles bulging and knotted.

Furthermore, the mobility of the Water Instantaneous Body technique compensates for this, completely eliminating the sluggishness of techniques typically used by Hozuki clan members.

Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly received Hanzo's attack.

At this point, he's reached his limit, using only an earthen spear to deal with Hanzo.

This was also intentional on Hiruzen Sarutobi's part.

He wanted Hanzo to put pressure on himself and forge the limits that came from growing up with Konoha into reality!

The two exchanged blows for another dozen or so rounds.

Orochimaru and Tsunade watched with slight anxiety.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi defended very well, his defensive approach without attacking was still worrying, and he was also prone to being caught off guard.

The water scythe slashed Hiruzen Sarutobi's arm, leaving several marks after breaking through the earth spear.

"That's about it—"

"I can see a little more clearly than before—" Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his nerve responses becoming smoother and his dynamic vision gradually becoming better able to anchor Hanzo's movements.

That concludes today's training!

Now, it's time to show off the Hokage's power!

Hanzo attacked again, and after being countered by Hiruzen Sarutobi, he still used the Water Transformation Technique to avoid physical damage, forming a cycle of his shameless tactics.

A sudden change has occurred!

Hiruzen Sarutobi grabbed Hanzo's arm, and at that moment, dazzling lightning erupted from his body!

Hanzo's small eyes suddenly widened into a wide stare.

His first thought was illusion—

The aura of this Lightning Release Chakra Mode is just too authentic!

He might not be as good as the Third Raikage, but he's definitely one of the best in Kumogakure.

"broken!"

Hanzo felt a tremor in his heart.

Lightning-style chakra is superior, capable of countering two types of ninjutsu.

It counters Earth Release by its elemental properties and Water Release by its physical properties.

A massive amount of Lightning Release chakra was channeled into Hanzo's body through the water flow, disrupting the structure of the Water Transformation Technique and preventing him from escaping once again.

Hanzo gritted his teeth and unleashed the full power of his Water Arm Technique. Despite his numb body, he used the teleportation scythe to tear his own arm apart, causing a large amount of blood to flow out.

Then, he caught the splattered blood and summoned it from thin air: "Spirit Summoning!"

But at this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi also mustered his strength, his arm muscles bulging like a heavy hammer—

He blasted at Hanzo's chest with all his might!

The salamander appears in the well.

But it didn't block for Hanzo. The punch landed squarely on Hanzo's chest. Lightning flashed, and Hanzo was sent flying like a ball at a violent speed, crashing into the lake and creating huge waves!

A look of human fear and confusion appeared in the eyes of the salamander-like fish, Ibuki.

Although it is not a top-tier summoning beast like the Three Sacred Lands or the Ape Demon, and does not possess the same communication abilities as humans, its intelligence is not low.

They cannot speak, but they have the ability to think and judge situations.

Why did Lord Hanzo fly away as soon as he appeared?

It seems a bit dead—

"You must be Hanzo's right-hand man, Ibuse? Don't move, I'm Hanzo's brother."

"We're just sparring, we won't do anything to you—"

Taking down the salamander Ibuse from this distance wouldn't be difficult, but it's an important summoning beast for Hanzo. Losing this king of salamanders would significantly reduce his fighting power.

He still needs Amegakure as Konoha's northern bulwark, and reducing Hanzo's fighting strength would not benefit Konoha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi leaped up and stood atop the salamander's head, curiously bending down to touch the strange creature's skin; it felt rather slippery.

He wasn't worried about the salamander's toxins; Hiruzen Sarutobi already knew how to counteract them.

The salamander, feeling a tingling sensation from the lightning above its head, froze completely.

"Go, go, go see how your master is doing—"

Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Ibuki on the head.

Orochimaru and Tsunade exchanged a glance, both of them stunned.

They weren't unaware that Hiruzen Sarutobi was practicing Lightning Release Chakra Mode—but they all assumed it was just a superficial attempt, merely for physical fitness; none of them expected it to reach this level.

Only Danzo and Minato experienced it firsthand.

The problem is, Danzo would never casually tell anyone how he was beaten by Hiruzen—

Minato's idea was that he wouldn't say anything either!

Firstly, it was to protect the Hokage's information from being leaked; secondly, he felt that his master wouldn't only spar with him, and others should experience the pressure of this information gap.

It wasn't that he was cunning; it was to better simulate a real combat environment for his other companions!

In the lake.

Hanzo coughed up mouthfuls of blood, staining the surrounding area red as he went deeper into the water.

That punch almost blew up the poison sac inside his body!

"Whoosh—" Hanzo absorbed the surrounding moisture.

When the art of water transformation is mastered to a high level, it becomes incredibly versatile.

In a watery environment, it can replenish fluids and alleviate injuries.

However, its drawback is that it becomes ineffective when encountering Lightning Release techniques or other techniques that disrupt chakra flow.

"Ibushi——"

The salamander, its body swam around Hanzo, its face revealing undisguised worry.

It hadn't seen Hanzo for a long time since the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War and missed its master dearly.

"Hiruzen is indeed merciful; he didn't lay a hand on you—"

"Go, lie in wait underground, and be ready to act on my command—"

Hanzo took a deep breath.

In his view, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaving him a summoning beast meant that the battle could continue!

Pain coursed through Hanzo's body, but it also fueled his fighting spirit.

Hanzo leaped out of the lake.

"Hiruzen! Continue!"

This time, Hanzo did not get close easily. Instead, he used a combination of mid-to-long-range Water Release and Water Instantaneous Body to force Hiruzen Sarutobi to cancel his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

Thunder is effective against water in offense, but conversely, water is also effective against thunder in offense.

It all comes down to who can hit whom.

"Lightning Release Chakra Mode, Hiruzen was, after all, only a half-baked practitioner—"

"This technique consumes an extremely high amount of energy; only a monster like the Third Raikage could keep it active for an extended period of time—"

"And thanks to the terrain, my water-based escape techniques consume very little energy—"

Hanzo analyzed the current situation.

His thinking was certainly not wrong, but it was based on normal logic.

Hiruzen Sarutobi is clearly not that normal.

"Is this a way to make me cancel my Lightning Release Chakra Mode?!"

"Okay." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled to himself.

Since we've already started fighting, we should make the most of it and subdue Hanzo.

There's no need to let him keep his tricks hidden; he can just go back and realize he simply didn't perform well.

Hiruzen Sarutobi dodged the Water Release techniques and, in accordance with Hanzo's plan, retracted his Lightning Release armor.

At that moment, Hanzo's eyes gleamed.

Suddenly, he formed a hand seal, and a hidden mark was triggered beneath Hiruzen Sarutobi's feet!

Dozens of explosive tags tightly wrapped around Hiruzen Sarutobi's lower body.

This move first has a physical sealing effect, and then it can accurately strike the enemy's body—

One of Hanzo's signature ninjutsu is the Exploding Flame Formation!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart stirred.

This level of sealing technique naturally couldn't contain his chakra flow.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not reactivate the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

Demonstrates fault tolerance!

Tolerance for mistakes is the most effective way to exert pressure on an opponent.

The primary source of damage from explosive tags is compressed fire-style chakra.

Leaving aside Hiruzen Sarutobi's fire resistance, the instantaneous effect of the Ten Thousand Seals Body Seal is enough for him to instantly absorb a large amount of fire-style chakra using it as a medium.

"That trick again!" Tsunade gritted her teeth; she had been tricked by Hanzo before.

Orochimaru's expression was also grim; this move was like planting invisible landmines, impossible to defend against.

The detonation tags exploded!

Behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Salamander Ibuki burst from the ground, spewing out a large amount of poisonous mist from its mouth!

"Hiruzen, this is my strongest combination attack!"

"Feel my will!"

Hanzo roared, "I can still fight a strong opponent like you! I can still dance!"

"Teacher!" Tsunade exclaimed instinctively.

Orochimaru frowned deeply; he sensed that Hanzo seemed even more tenacious than before.

After being hit so hard by the teacher, are you still stubbornly trying to find a solution?

But the scene turned out differently than they had imagined.

The detonator did not explode at first.

The moment the fire-attribute chakra was released, it flowed into Hiruzen Sarutobi's body as if it had withered away.

Hanzo, Orochimaru, and Tsunade were all taken aback.

What a bizarre scene—

What kind of technique is this?

But the salamander Ibuki didn't care about any of that. Its little fish brain couldn't understand the overly complicated ninjutsu game, and under Hanzo's command, it spewed out the most violent poisonous mist.

There was just some confusion in his eyes:

"This human and Lord Hanzo both said they were brothers, so why did they have to do this?"

"Humans are such strange creatures!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's figure was shrouded in a purplish-black mist.

Hanzo, Orochimaru, and Tsunade awaited Hiruzen Sarutobi's next move.

Logically, the first thing to do after being poisoned is to escape.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi did not react.

"Could he have been poisoned and knocked unconscious? Impossible—" Hanzo rejected the idea.

Although not every strong person has poison resistance.

However, Hanzo didn't believe Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't perform such a basic maneuver as using chakra to combat poison.

"What's going on—" Hanzo was still pondering when his eyes suddenly narrowed.

An even stranger scene unfolded.

The originally sticky and stagnant purplish-black poisonous fog, like a neutralized reagent, saw its deep, almost blackish purple color fade away at a visible speed, condensing into fine, grayish-white flocculent matter.

Like ashes from burnt paper, they fell down in large swathes.

Centered on Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Boiling Release acid mist forcefully pushed back against the poisonous mist. The boiling acid liquid came into contact with the water surface, creating a series of crackling and piercing sounds.

"You can do that too—"

Tsunade muttered to herself, "I was still wondering if the teacher used an antidote—"

"This looks like the deactivation reaction of a toxic substance!" Orochimaru's eyes widened. "Yes—"

"The toxin in salamander is a biological toxin. Its active ingredient will rapidly denature and become inactive in a high-temperature, highly acidic environment. This corresponds to the boiling-escape acid mist developed by the teacher."

Orochimaru's gaze involuntarily filled with heartfelt respect.

It is not only a disciple's admiration for his teacher, but also an affirmation of like-minded people.

What is a research ninja?

Scientific research isn't just about developing new ninjutsu; applying scientific principles in battle also falls into this category, in Orochimaru's view!

"Teacher, you truly agree with my ninja way—" Orochimaru felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude towards scientific research and the support he received.

Not only did they offer verbal support, but they also invested funds and personally put it into practice!

Hiruzen Sarutobi did acknowledge the importance of science, even though the ninja world possessed extraordinary powers like chakra.

Because the essence of science is the method and attitude of constantly approaching the truth, which is universally applicable.

Hanzo's face was filled with disbelief.

Clearly, Hanzo had never seen his poison mist solidify.

In the past, even when the poison failed, the enemy would barely manage to withstand it using antidotes.

"Haven't you fought against the Hidden Mist's Boil Release ninja?"

"That's true, after all, it's too far away—"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled inwardly. He wanted to end this sparring match in a way that would leave a deep impression on Hanzo.

Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi moved!

The Lightning Release Armor was re-donned on his body, and the situation shifted from defense to offense. He rapidly approached the area where Hanzo was located, dodging the layers of poisonous mist from the Salamander.

Hiruzen Sarutobi leaped up and descended from the sky, using his leg as an axe to cleave Hanzo!

"Such speed—"

Hanzo instantly felt the pressure. From then on, he was left with only the Water Transformation Technique and the Water Instantaneous Body Technique to deal with the situation.

Clearly, his water-style speed was insufficient to hit Hiruzen Sarutobi.

To win, the only way is to find an opportunity to get close and strike Hiruzen Sarutobi with chains enhanced by Water Release, causing his lightning and Water Release chakra to react.

"I can't get too close yet; the lightning has interfered with my water transformation technique—"

Hanzo reacted with lightning speed, using his Water Instantaneous Movement to teleport away once more.

But at that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to have anticipated this, and he withdrew his Lightning Release ninjutsu in mid-air, the furious lightning subsiding in an instant.

Upon landing, Hiruzen Sarutobi dropped to one knee and pressed his palm directly into the still bubbling water.

"Ice Release: Ice Age!"

The intense ice-style chakra surged from his palm into the water!

The extreme cold spread wildly along the water's surface.

The toxic acid that was sizzling just moments before was instantly frozen solid.

The purplish-black foam, the churning bubbles, and even the patterns of underwater pebbles were frozen solid in the ice.

Hanzo was the same; his liquid body had just condensed into a complete human form—

The limbs and torso were welded to the surrounding ice, the fluidity of the water was completely locked, and even the flow of chakra was frozen and sluggish by the ice.

He was like a specimen embedded in an ice coffin, unable to move an inch.

A fighting spirit flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes as he formed hand seals once more.

"Earth Release·Earthquake Core!"

The earth beneath the solid ice surged and bulged up instantly, then shot upwards with a roar.

Hanzo was like a boulder thrown by a catapult, carrying ice shards as he was lifted dozens of feet into the air.

Almost at the same moment Hanzo took off, Hiruzen Sarutobi's body steamed with mist, using the brute force of the steam to propel himself straight into the sky, instantly catching up with the weightless Hanzo.

When they reached mid-air, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly tightened his arms, embracing the frozen Hanzo and locking him completely in his arms.

At the same time, dazzling lightning exploded from his body once again, piercing into Hanzo's body!

At this moment, Hanzo's limbs convulsed uncontrollably, and he was completely paralyzed, with no chance of escaping using the water transformation technique.

"Hanzo, feel my determination and will to pursue peace within my power!"

"Use your chakra to protect your internal organs and venom sacs as much as possible, or you'll die!"

Holding the ice sculpture of Hanzo in his arms, Hiruzen Sarutobi used the momentum of his fall to roar, "Lightning Release: Lightning Self-Explosion Bomb!"

A deafening roar erupted!

The two men slammed heavily onto the solid ice.

The terrifying impact erupted instantly, and the originally thick and flat ice layer shattered with a roar centered on the point of impact!

Countless ice blocks the size of washbasins and tiny ice shards, accompanied by violent lightning, flew out in all directions.

The ground beneath the ice was violently shaken and churned, with spiderweb-like cracks spreading dozens of meters along the surface!

The impact whipped up a fierce wind that shook countless thick tree trunks in the forest, causing the branches to rustle loudly.

Orochimaru and Tsunade raised their hands to shield themselves from the strong wind, forcing them to squint.

The two looked at each other and saw the shock in each other's eyes.

First, he broke the Exploding Flame Formation with a strange ninjutsu, then he used Acid Mist Boiling Release to neutralize the Salamander Poison Mist, shocking Hanzo's mind with his impeccable performance.

Then, using Lightning Release to get close to Hanzo, he controlled the Water Transformation Technique with Ice Release, which he had been hiding all along, and also showed another form and nature change of Boil Release chakra, finally achieving victory with a single blow!

The logic and strategy behind this battle, even upon re-examining, still leave Tsunade and Orochimaru with much to ponder.

This is the best practical lesson!

The problem is that there are a lot of techniques involved.

Multiple bloodline limits, secret techniques, and close-combat skills.

It's a bit difficult to replicate.

All I can do is learn the thought process.

"Tsunade, come and save them!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's shouts came from afar.

Tsunade was taken aback and quickly rushed over with her enhanced medical chakra.

Hanzo lay in the depression in the earth, his face covered in blood, seemingly unable to move at all.

But his eyes remained fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi, unmoving.

His voice was like a broken gong: "Hiruzen, Hiruzen—"

"I have felt your unwavering belief and strength in pursuing peace! It is so steadfast—" Hanzo said, coughing up blood, "Hiruzen has already conveyed his will to me, but because of my negligence over the years, I have failed to convey my part to him—"

"I'm so sorry I couldn't let Hiruzen have his fill and use his full strength!"

Hanzo looked regretful.

His words were not solely based on Hiruzen Sarutobi's martial prowess.

Rather, he deeply understood how devastating it is for a person to fall from grace and be forced to confront the vast gap between reality and dreams—

They were both participants and losers in the Second Shinobi World War.

One believed he could mediate between the ninja worlds, the other believed he could surpass the previous Hokage—

So in Hanzo's eyes...

Hiruzen Sarutobi's power is indeed formidable, but what is even more astonishing is his willpower to endure the torment of predicaments and cultivate step by step to this point when faced with major setbacks!

It is not possible for anyone who does not have great perseverance in pursuing their ideals.

As for what that ideal is—

Having thoroughly explored Konoha, Hanzo understood that it was peace and the Will of Fire!

"I'll treat your injuries directly! Don't use this medical scroll—"

Tsunade stared at Hanzo, her feelings were complicated as her former rival was beaten like this by her teacher.

What's even more amazing is that Hanzo actually sensed the "will within power" from his teacher's violence, appearing completely willing and even accepting it!

Tsunade was able to understand some things vaguely, and she also gained a deeper understanding of concepts such as bearing the burden of an entire village and beliefs.

This is no joke.

"No--"

"I know my situation; the venom sac hasn't ruptured yet—"

"Just use that scroll. I already told Hiruzen that this sparring session is mainly to test its practicality in real combat—"

Hanzo raised his head slightly, looked at his limbs covered in wounds, and actually laughed.

Although he was no longer able to move, his injuries were not fatal.

The ice release sealed him away, partly to imprison him, but also to protect him. Hiruzen Sarutobi even specifically instructed him to use his chakra to protect his internal organs.

Simply put, it's powerful and refreshing without harming your health!

The enhanced special medical chakra scroll opens.

A deep green fluorescent light adhered to Hanzo's body surface, penetrating deep into his body to quickly relieve pain, stop bleeding, repair his wounds, and replenish a certain amount of chakra.

Hanzo's expression turned to surprise, and his breathing gradually became even.

Without the precise control of a medical ninja, the effect is naturally far from perfect.

However, as an emergency response tool on the battlefield, it is already a revolutionary battlefield tool!

"That's amazing!"

"If such medical reels could be mass-produced, it would be enough to turn the tide of battle! It's practically a second life for ninjas on the battlefield—"

"Did you develop it?" Hanzo asked Tsunade.

Tsunade nodded, then shook her head: "You could say that, but you couldn't really."

Hanzo looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"It is me, and also the teacher, Orochimaru, and the result of the collective efforts of all the Konoha ninja—"

"It's impossible for me to do it alone."

"Technology, funding, preliminary preparations, mid-term adjustments, and the still unrealized mass production all depend on everyone's efforts—"

Tsunade said seriously.

Orochimaru couldn't help but glance at Tsunade, his expression one of surprise.

What happened?

Wasn't it Hanzo who was thrown by the teacher?

It seems like Tsunade's mind has been completely disrupted!

Hanzo stared at Tsunade for a long time, then looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, exhaled a breath of stale air, and said in a low voice, "Konoha, what a remarkable village—"

He shifted his body, trying to stand up.

Tsunade's eyes were also on Hanzo, but not in direct eye contact; she was recording the effects of the medical chakra scroll.

"Welcome to the Will of Fire family, my brother."

Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out his hand to Hanzo.

Hanzo paused, then laughed, grasping Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand in return: "Very well! Konoha and Amegakure will be brothers forever! I swear to the Sage of Six Paths that if I break this oath, may I be struck by lightning!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand: "Why bother?"

He has never believed in oaths.

Even if the Sage of Six Paths existed, he might not be able to hear it—

Hanzo stood there shakily: "Let's talk about cooperation between the two villages, Hiruzen—"

"No rush—"

"Tsunade, Orochimaru, you two take Hanzo to Konoha Hospital for the most comprehensive treatment. Make sure to help him recover from his injuries."

"If there are any old injuries, help treat them as well; don't be stingy with resources."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said this.

"Yes, teacher!" Orochimaru and Tsunade replied with heartfelt admiration.

"Hiruzen—"

"If we are truly brothers, then please stop calling me Lord Hanzo—"

"If it's alright, may I take the liberty of calling you 'Big Brother'?" Hanzo stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said in a deep voice.

"Maybe you're older than me?" Hiruzen Sarutobi joked.

Hanzo shook his head: "Age doesn't matter, the most accomplished comes first!"

, 7

"Brother, take good care of your injury. We can sit down and talk things over when you're better."

"Send someone to inform Amegakure first, so the Amegakure ninjas don't get impatient." Hiruzen Sarutobi gently patted Hanzo's shoulder.

"Good!" Hanzo was taken aback. His older brother had even considered this point.

Orochimaru looked at his teacher with a deep, unsettling gaze.

Alright—

Not only the Fire Country's daimyo Kujo Gen, but even Hanzo from Amegakure calls his teacher "big brother"—

"If things continue like this—"

"There may be many big shots in the ninja world," but they all have to call their teacher "big brother."

Orochimaru thought to himself.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched their retreating figures, pondering what he had learned from the battle.

And the specific details of the upcoming cooperation with Amegakure.

Hanzo was clearly sincere.

Since we're going to cooperate, let's wait until we've calmed down and sign an agreement that's acceptable to both parties in the long run.

Logically speaking, negotiating under this pressure would be more cost-effective.

They can haggle the price down really hard.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi's ambitions were far greater.

Therefore, I don't mind making a show of it and offering some benefits.

Cooperation between Amegakure and Konoha alone is not enough.

They need to deeply understand the Will of Fire, develop a desire to join Konoha, and make it their dream.

Of course, before that, you have to pay your dues in sweat and blood.

As for the ninjas of Amegakure, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already devised an unprecedented way for them to completely overcome their inevitable feelings of unease.

Amegakure is a village of ninja from the Land of Rain.

If the Land of Rain were to be incorporated into the Land of Fire, then Amegakure would naturally also be part of the Land of Fire, belonging to Konoha and subordinate to him, the Hokage and the Shogun.

This is a very interesting phenomenon.

The reason why ninjas have always been in a subtle confrontation with nobles is largely due to the scarcity of ninjas, who had to rely on a large number of nobles and their subordinate grassroots management organizations.

Hidden Village is merely a special military force of a country; in essence, it is a mercenary group that earns commissions.

The legal sovereignty of the Rain Country belongs to the daimyo and nobles of the Rain Country.

The nobles of the Rain Kingdom, who desperately crave a safe and stable environment and the sacred land of Dan, are clearly not an insurmountable obstacle.

"I can walk on two legs—"

"I have legal grounds to represent both ninjas and nobles."

The true annexation of Amegakure into Konoha was a feat of territorial expansion.

This will obviously greatly enhance Hiruzen Sarutobi's reputation and redefine the landscape of Konoha.

"It just needs time—"

"Haste makes waste; let's take it slow and proceed gradually."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.

Even when no one was around, his smile was as warm as the sun.

#

When Hiruzen Sarutobi was working on Amegakure.

Madara Uchiha was also working diligently in Kirigakure, finding one opponent after another for Konoha.

To prove that the chains of hatred cannot be broken, one must allow the enemy to attack relentlessly.

Empty Hidden Village was just an appetizer.

Even the Hidden Void Village dared to attack Konoha, wasn't that also proving Konoha's weakness to the closed-off Hidden Mist Village?

Toying with a large hidden village, though Madara Uchiha still felt it was beneath him—

But it's barely worth his effort!

"Ah Huo!"

Madara Uchiha waved his hand and said, "Let's get to work!"