They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 117 Who is truly the number one ninja in the world?

In terms of age, the first generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were actually five or six years older than Jiraiya and the other two.

However, according to the unspoken conventions of the ninja world, this age gap can be considered as being within the same generation.

Therefore, Suigetsu Hozuki and the others couldn't accept that they couldn't beat Jiraiya and the others in a six-on-three fight.

After all, they hadn't yet experienced the crushing defeat of being outnumbered seven to one and losing four of their opponents, so they still carried some of the burden of being the stronger team.

Furthermore, at this time, the three legendary ninjas had not yet proven themselves on the battlefield, nor had they been granted the title of "three legendary ninjas" by Hanzo of the Salamander. Instead, their titles mostly came from the "Ninja World Ranking" produced by Kirigakure.

But as for the authenticity of this stuff produced by their own company... Suigetsu Hobutsuki can only say that those who know, know; those who don't, there's nothing they can do.

After all, who in the ninja world doesn't know that Kirigakure is a "loyal" fanboy of Konoha, practically the number one Konoha fanboy in the ninja world, praising Konoha to the skies in everything he does?

It can be said that Konoha's current status as the number one ninja in the world is 99% thanks to Kirigakure.

Therefore, under these circumstances, Suigetsu Hozuki naturally found it difficult to accept being defeated by the three legendary ninja.

The thought of how they had confidently accepted the mission, successfully found the Uzumaki Orphan, only to be suddenly thwarted by that meddlesome white-haired ninja, and ultimately had to have Hozuki Shingetsu clean up the mess filled him with impotent rage.

However, what he didn't know was that at this time, other people were also feeling lingering fear about this incident.

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"Hozuki Shingetsu sent people to look for Uzumaki Nagato?"

Black Zetsu turned around in astonishment, looking at White Zetsu reporting behind him, and for the first time felt that things had developed beyond its expectations.

"He knows Nagato Uzumaki possesses the Rinnegan? He wants the Rinnegan?"

"No, that's not right, it must just be a coincidence!"

No sooner had Hei Jue uttered those words than he immediately contradicted himself.

The existence of the Rinnegan was only known to Nagato Uzumaki, besides himself and Madara Uchiha, when his parents were killed not long ago.

Even the four great nations of the Land of Rain, whose brains have been beaten to a pulp, don't know about this. How could Hozuki Shingetsu, who is far away in Kirigakure, possibly know about it?

"According to intelligence, Nagato's mother had a close relationship with Shingetsu Hozuki's fiancée before she got married. After hearing about the terrible situation in the Land of Rain, she asked Shingetsu Hozuki to send people to try to take them away."

White Zetsu shrugged and told him the information he had gleaned from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

"So that's how it is..."

Blackie understood perfectly and was quite convinced by this statement. Then, it immediately turned around and said decisively:

"Even so, we absolutely cannot let Hozuki Shingetsu obtain the Rinnegan!"

For Black Zetsu, it doesn't matter who has the Rinnegan, whether it's Madara Uchiha, Hiruzen Sarutobi, or Danzo Shimura.

Despite their strength or control over a region, these individuals still fall within the category of "traditional ninjas," so Black Zetsu remains confident in exploiting information asymmetry to manipulate them.

Compared to these people, he was more wary of rulers like Tobirama Senju or Shingetsu Hozuki, who were more adept at using their wits.

Thinking about all the actions Kirigakure has taken since he took over, even it sometimes feels compelled to dissect his brain to see what's inside and why he can come up with so many insidious schemes.

Once Hozuki Shingetsu gets his hands on the Rinnegan, it really doesn't have the confidence to fool him.

"No, anyone can get the Rinnegan, but he can't!"

The thought of what would happen after Hozuki Shingetsu obtained the Rinnegan sent chills down even through the thousand-year-old cunning Black Zetsu.

"According to intelligence, Hozuki Shingetsu seems to be in the Land of Tea right now, searching for the Tsuchigumo clan. He might rush to the Land of Rain as soon as he receives the news."

Despite the fact that Hozuki Shingetsu and his group of four had disguised themselves as much as possible, it was clear that it was still not difficult for White Zetsu, who could freely travel underground, to gather information about him.

"With Nagato Uzumaki now in the hands of Hashirama Senju's granddaughter, even for Shingetsu Hozuki, taking the Rinnegan from them won't be easy, will it?"

White Zetsu continued speaking, seemingly unconcerned about Black Zetsu's concerns.

"If she were Hashirama Senju or Tobirama Senju, I would definitely believe that Shingetsu Hozuki would not have succeeded, but Hashirama Senju's granddaughter... heh."

Black Zetsu didn't say it explicitly; everything was left unsaid.

"However, Hozuki Shingetsu is still somewhat useful for disrupting the ninja world's situation, so eliminating him would be a waste. It would be best to find a way to make him back down..."

Black Zetsu thought for a moment and immediately recalled the scene when Madara Uchiha saw those rumors about the Uchiha clan. A thought struck him and he had some ideas.

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"Jiraiya, I know you're not the sharpest tool in the book, but I never expected you to act up on the battlefield. Making an enemy of Kirigakure at such a crucial moment for three outsiders—you're really something!"

In a dilapidated village in the Land of Rain, Jiraiya and his two companions, along with Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko, were taking a break.

However, it is clear that despite their victory in the previous battle against the Six Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure, the Sannin are now divided on their opinions regarding this battle.

"Oh, Orochimaru, Kirigakure has been keeping its doors closed ever since the 'Blood Mist Rebellion,' clearly in a state of recuperation and has no intention of getting involved in this mess of the Ninja War. How could they possibly mobilize a large army just because of these three orphans?"

Jiraiya did not get angry in the face of his companions' sarcasm.

He knew this was just his comrade's way of showing concern for him; Orochimaru's earlier actions of fighting alongside him without hesitation had already explained everything.

"Besides, we've already defeated Iwagakure. With that victory in mind, why would Kirigakure dare to provoke us?"

Indeed, at this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi had taken advantage of the opportunity of the three-nation alliance fighting their own battles to secretly lead his elite troops to launch a surprise attack on Iwagakure. Within two days, he won a series of victories, completely driving the Iwagakure ninja back to the Land of Earth and formally signing a peace treaty with Onoki.

Konoha's pressure has greatly decreased, and it has officially shifted from a strategic defense phase to a strategic stalemate.

The three of them had just returned from the battlefield in the Land of Earth and were sent to deal with Hanzo of the Salamander, but they didn't expect to encounter Nagato Uzumaki as soon as they returned to the Land of Rain.

"Orphans? I doubt it! If I'm not mistaken, those eyes should be the legendary Rinnegan, right? Do you think Kirigakure will give up this power?"

"Or... do you still believe in that unrealistic prophecy?"

Orochimaru was completely immune to Jiraiya's banter, glancing sideways at Nagato Uzumaki cowering there, showing no respect whatsoever to his leader from twenty years in the future.

After being scanned by that venomous gaze, Nagato reflexively raised his head, revealing his purple eyes that were wrapped in circles of black lines.

Upon seeing those eyes, Jiraiya fell silent.

How could he not know the importance of this Rinnegan? Judging from the actions of that group of Kirigakure ninja, it was obvious that they were after this child, and they certainly wouldn't give up after this defeat.

However, this Rinnegan is so perfectly in line with the Great Toad Sage's description of the chosen one that it would be too much of a shame for him to give up.

Thinking of the horrific scenes he had witnessed in this war, he became even more determined to find the chosen one who was prophesied to end the war.

But on his own, there was no way he could stop the surging tide of Kirigakure ninja. And it wasn't convenient to trouble the village with the matter of the Child of Prophecy, so…

"Orochimaru, please help me."

Jiraiya bowed deeply to Orochimaru, his tone sincere.

"Huh? How can I help you with this Rinnegan thing?"

Orochimaru was clearly puzzled by Jiraiya's obsession and rationally rejected his request.

Orochimaru…

"This is a matter of life and death for the village. Are you trying to make me show favoritism?"

At this time, Orochimaru was still an outstanding young man from Konoha who had inherited the Will of Fire. In his heart, Konoha was definitely above all else.

He would stop at nothing to win, so how could he possibly be foolish enough to follow Jiraiya's lead on such an important matter?

"...Please help me!"

"Even putting everything else aside, do you really think the three of us can hold off those Mist Ninjas? Are you crazy, or am I?"

Snakes are cold-blooded animals, and Orochimaru, who is well-versed in the essence of snakes, has always advocated rational thinking. How could he be moved by such mere words?

"Hey bro, help me out!"

"...This is a one-time exception, and there will be no next time."

After all, the essence of the Will of Fire is to protect one's comrades, and isn't the dream of protecting one's comrades also a way to protect them from psychological trauma?

So, what I'm doing doesn't seem to be against the Will of Fire, right?

Orochimaru turned his head away, covering his face with his long hair.

Tsunade watched the scene unfold with a smile, having long anticipated this outcome.

"Tsunade, help..."

Jiraiya was overjoyed at the sight and quickly turned to look at his other companion.

"Can."

After the farce that just happened, Tsunade was willing to join her companions in going crazy for once.

"However, let's make it clear beforehand that if things become unavoidable, we must either report it to the village or deal with them on the spot. We absolutely cannot let the Rinnegan fall into the hands of Kirigakure."

She glanced at Nagato over there and whispered a reminder to Jiraiya.

Clearly, Tsunade, who has experienced the baptism of war, is definitely not a "saintly" figure. In handling key matters, she is in no way inferior to Orochimaru.

"Okay... I promise you!"

Jiraiya turned to look at the three little ones huddled there, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes, before he made up his mind.

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"Hot Mom in Harbin..."

Like the whispers of demons, the same voice, the same content, echoed in this remote underground land of grass an average of five times a day.

Besides the sound of water dripping from the stalactites, the most common sound heard here is this long, drawn-out sound from who-knows-where.

However, today, the demon's low murmur was suddenly mixed with noise.

"Lord Madara, there's some information I'd like to know if you'd be interested in."

"……explain!"

An aged voice then rang out, its tone tinged with displeasure at being interrupted in his recollection.

"Hozuki Shingetsu and his group of four have entered the Land of Rain. Judging from their appearance, they seem to be after Nagato Uzumaki, who possesses the Uzumaki bloodline. What should we do? Please advise."

"You inherently evil brat from the Hozuki clan, if you had stayed quietly in Kirigakure, I wouldn't have been able to do anything to you. But you dared to come here, foolishly attempting to steal the Rinnegan. I'll show you what the Uchiha are all about!"

In the dimly lit underground cave, a pair of scarlet eyes suddenly lit up, with three black tomoe spinning rapidly within them, eventually merging completely into a snowflake-shaped pattern, imprinted on that ominous eye whose lineage was unknown.

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Shingetsu Hozuki, unaware that the number one dancing king of the ninja world was about to rise from his coffin to challenge him, had just stepped onto the land of the Land of Rain.

Following the signals left by Suigetsu Hozuki and his companions, and after disguising themselves and maneuvering around numerous battlefields, Hozuki Shingetsu and his group finally reunited with them.

"Tell me, what happened?"

Hozuki Shingetsu sat imposingly on the rock, looking down at the six men below who looked like a defeated army, his tone unreadable.

However, he may not have noticed that since successfully completing Sage Mode, he has gradually exuded an aura that is different from others, or more accurately, a kind of pressure on a life level.

Under such pressure, the six people, who were already feeling guilty, were even more apprehensive and remained silent.

"The story actually goes like this..."

After a long while, the ambitious Suigetsu Hozuki finally overcame his psychological barrier and reported to Kurosuki Raiga under his envious gaze.

In fact, by the time the six of them arrived, Nagato's parents had already died at Madara Uchiha's behest.

Having suffered such a severe blow, Nagato Uzumaki naturally "awakened" his Rinnegan, and then, following the original plot, encountered Konan and Yahiko.

It was under these circumstances that they found Nagato Uzumaki.

However, Nagato Uzumaki, who had endured many hardships, clearly did not believe the claim that "the Uzumaki clan sent someone to pick him up."

After all, if he really cared about their family, he should have come here at the very beginning of the war. Now that his mother is dead, and he has no feelings for the Uzumaki clan, he naturally wouldn't believe the words of these ninjas.

The Six Ninja Swordsmen, preoccupied with completing Hozuki Shingetsu's mission, naturally disregarded the child's thoughts and immediately attempted to use force.

Nagato Uzumaki, who had just awakened his Rinnegan, was naturally not going to surrender easily. Although he couldn't defeat the six of them, he was caught off guard and still got a beating from the Six Ninja Swordsmen.

It was this delay that attracted the attention of Jiraiya and his two companions who were passing by. Jiraiya, who had noticed the Rinnegan, immediately joined in, and everything that followed was a natural consequence.

After listening to Suigetsu Hozuki's report, Hozuki Shingetsu showed no joy or sorrow, and was not surprised that the six of them had been defeated by Jiraiya and his two companions.

After all, as the top combat force of Konoha in the later period, the Sannin are indeed not someone that the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist can mess with, even if they are not in their complete form.

So aside from feeling angry when he first heard the news, he didn't actually feel much at the moment.

What he's thinking about now is...

"Fourteen years... Will we finally get to see this true powerhouse of the ninja world in person?"

"Is this script of 'Rebirth: Unifying the Ninja World' ultimately going to take the turn into a harem story in a foreign land?"

(End of this chapter)