Hanzo's expression hardened immediately upon hearing the proposal. Allowing Sand and Rock Ninja troops to march through the Land of Rain posed an immense risk to his nation. If these forces, after subduing Konoha, turned their attention back to the Rain Ninja, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Sensing Hanzo's hesitation, the Third Raikage leaned forward, his tone calm but firm. "Once the front line within the Land of Rain is broken, the armies of the Sand and Rock Ninjas will advance into the Land of Fire's territory. At that point, all your Rain Ninja need to do is seal off the borders."
The words seemed calculated, each carrying the weight of careful deliberation. The Third Ninja World War had taken its toll. Sand Ninja forces had been thrown into disarray by Minato Namikaze's ingenious tactics, rendering them incapable of full participation in the war. This had exposed the Sand Ninja's vulnerabilities, causing other nations to question their strength. The consensus was clear: dividing and conquering the Sand Ninja would not yield significant challenges.
The Third Raikage had meticulously weighed the risks and benefits, ultimately crafting this strategy. To him, the Land of Rain held no strategic value for long-term occupation—its resources were meager, and its geographical advantages limited. Even if the Rain Village fell, it wouldn't guarantee Konoha's defeat. A protracted battle awaited, and the Raikage knew better than to overestimate their odds. Victory against Konoha would demand unity and focus, leaving no room for opportunistic strikes against the Rain Ninjas.
Hanzo's brow furrowed in thought. The reality was clear: if he refused, the Third Raikage could easily rally the Sand and Rock Ninjas to force their way through the Land of Rain. Resistance would only lead to destruction. After a long pause, Hanzo met the Raikage's gaze, his voice cold. "I hope you will honor your promise."
A faint smile played on the Raikage's lips. "Of course. A pleasure working with you." Without further ado, he turned and walked away, exuding the air of someone entirely unconcerned with objections.
Outside the Rain Village, the Third Raikage gave a curt command. "Prepare the Heaven's Sending Technique and send me back to the village."
The Cloud Ninja standing beside him nodded. Without hesitation, he formed a series of hand seals, summoning crackling lightning that enveloped the Raikage's imposing figure. The electrical hum grew louder, the air itself vibrating with energy. Even the Raikage, known for his unparalleled resilience, winced slightly as the lightning surged around him.
In a flash, the Third Raikage transformed into a streak of lightning, shooting into the sky and vanishing into the horizon. Watching this, the Cloud Ninja couldn't help but murmur in awe, "As expected of the Third Raikage"
The Heaven's Sending Technique wasn't designed for human teleportation. Unlike the Flying Thunder God Technique, it relied on extreme high-speed movement. Ordinary bodies would be shredded by the immense friction. Only someone as durable as the Third Raikage could endure such a feat. With a faint sigh, the Cloud Ninja vanished into the shadows, leaving the Rain Village behind.
Moments later, three figures approached the Rain Village gates, their attire unmistakably marking them as Akatsuki members.
"We're walking straight into the lion's den," Nagato warned, his Rinnegan glowing faintly as he surveyed their surroundings. In Hanzo's eyes, Akatsuki was nothing more than an illegal organization. Their presence here was a provocation.
"Hanzo won't hesitate to attack us," Konan added, her tone cautious.
Yahiko's expression remained resolute. "Even so, we must try. The Land of Rain stands at a critical juncture. Turning a blind eye would betray everything Akatsuki stands for."
Nagato and Konan exchanged a brief glance, their protests silenced. Yahiko's determination was their anchor, and they would follow him without question.
At the gate, a Rain Ninja appeared, his posture wary. Yahiko stepped forward. "Please inform Hanzo that the leader of Akatsuki wishes to discuss urgent matters concerning the Land of Rain."
The Rain Ninja's expression darkened at the mention of Akatsuki but, after a moment's hesitation, he retreated into the village to deliver the message.
Inside the Rain Village, Hanzo listened to the report with a derisive sneer. "Akatsuki wants to discuss important matters with me? Naïve fools."
As the Rain Village's leader, Hanzo had little patience for threats to his authority. Akatsuki's emergence had not gone unnoticed, but he had dismissed them as insignificant upstarts. The idea of negotiating with them was laughable.
"Arrest them," Hanzo commanded coldly. His subordinate bowed and left to carry out the order.
Outside the village, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan waited in tense silence. The first to sense danger was Nagato. His Rinnegan focused sharply, and his voice rang out. "We're surrounded!"
In an instant, dozens of Rain Ninjas emerged, encircling them. Yahiko frowned but stood firm. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
The Rain Ninjas offered no reply. Instead, a flurry of shurikens and kunai flew toward them.
"Konan!" Yahiko called.
Konan stepped forward, her hands moving gracefully as sheets of paper unfolded from her sleeves. The seemingly delicate paper intercepted the projectiles, deflecting them with surprising force.
The Rain Ninjas weren't finished. Several completed their hand seals, unleashing a blazing fire jutsu aimed directly at the trio.
"Water Style: Water Wall!" Nagato countered, expelling a torrent of water that surged upward to form a protective barrier. The flames fizzled out upon contact, leaving the three unharmed.
"Hanzo clearly has no intention of meeting us," Nagato observed grimly.
But the Rain Ninjas pressed their attack. More hand seals were formed, and a new wave of offensive jutsu was unleashed. Nagato moved with precision, his fingers weaving faster seals. "Wind Style: Suppress!" A massive gust of wind exploded outward, scattering the attacking Rain Ninjas while ensuring none were seriously harmed.
Yahiko clenched his fists, his expression pained. "We need to retreat," he said at last. He performed his own hand seals, unleashing a high-pressure water jet that pushed back the remaining attackers. "Let's go!"
Konan and Nagato nodded, and together they made their escape. Though dozens of Rain Ninjas had tried to stop them, their combined skill ensured a clean getaway.
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