In the late 36th year of Konoha, the times were turbulent.
The sky across the entire ninja world was overcast and gloomy, shrouded in thick dark clouds, foretelling an approaching storm.
In recent years, the uneven economic development among nations had exacerbated the gap between rich and poor, leading to the rise of militaristic factions in ninja villages across all countries.
Claiming to pursue justice, these factions actually sought to expand their influence through military might and plunder resources to satisfy their greedy desires.
Among them, the competition between the Land of Wind, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Earth was particularly fierce.
From Sunagakure, after the failure of their plan to acquire members of the Uzumaki clan, the Third Kazekage had no choice but to accept Chiyo's suggestion to vigorously promote puppetry, a method that could rapidly enhance the overall strength of their ninja in a short time. This led to a frantic consumption of the already meager internal resources of the Land of Wind, creating an urgent need for external territorial expansion to alleviate economic pressure.
From Iwagakure, after Onoki ascended to the position of Tsuchikage, he received strong support from the Daimyo of the Land of Earth. Their aggressive hoarding of military power in previous years resulted in an excess of Iwa ninja. To streamline their forces, they desperately needed a war to consume the surplus troops.
As for Konohagakure, thanks to the policies of the Third Hokage and the unremitting efforts of its ninja, this once preeminent ninja village finally emerged from the shadow of the First Great Ninja War after a full 22 years, restoring its former prosperity.
Faced with the constant encroachment of Suna and Iwa ninja on the Land of Rain, Konoha naturally could not stand idly by. Although the territory of the Land of Rain was small, it held crucial strategic importance for the three great nations and could not be lost.
Thus, the three powers used the Land of Rain as a chessboard, continuously dispatching forces to garrison within its borders, engaging in open and covert struggles, and intricate schemes.
Initially, these were mere skirmishes and tentative probes. However, as each side silently increased their military output, the scale of battles gradually escalated, becoming more intense and often affecting innocents, throwing the entire Land of Rain into chaos and misery.
Rain poured incessantly, and this weeping small country became increasingly ravaged.
Facing this situation, Amegakure naturally could not sit by, but their efforts had little effect. Their attempts to drive out the invaders not only failed but also drew them into the chaotic conflict. Squads of Amegakure ninja on missions were annihilated one after another, like moths drawn to a flame, a regrettable sight.
The reason for this was that, although Amegakure had Hanzō of the Salamander, possessing Kage-level combat power comparable to the Five Great Ninja Villages, the overall strength of the Amegakure ninja was uneven, still relatively weak.
Unless Hanzō personally entered the fray, the situation could not be turned around. But if Hanzō were to genuinely intervene, it would undoubtedly signal the start of a Great Ninja War.
Perhaps the three great ninja villages were counting on Hanzō not wanting to easily break the peace, which is why they acted so recklessly.
During this unrest, Kumogakure and Kirigakure remained remarkably quiet.
The former, for unknown reasons, chose to bide its time and maintain its distance;
The latter, having successively lost the Second Mizukage, the Kaguya clan, and the Third Mizukage, was in a weakened state. Even the selection of the Fourth Mizukage had been delayed, and the two Tailed Beasts within the Land of Water's borders had not been properly controlled...
In short, the Land of Water was preoccupied with its own affairs. If its geographical location hadn't been relatively far from the center of the unrest, it might have been attacked by all sides and become the first great nation to be destroyed in the war.
...
The rain was torrential, drumming on the leaves of the forest, the sky dark and gloomy, with occasional flashes of lightning providing the only light.
"Is the weather always this bad here?"
Nawaki extended his hand, watching the raindrops shatter into glistening splashes in his palm, and asked softly.
This was his third day since leaving Konoha, and it seemed the rain hadn't stopped since they entered the Land of Rain.
"Otherwise, why would it be called the Land of Rain?" a carefree voice drifted from beside him.
Jiraiya walked ahead leisurely, his hands clasped behind his head.
Nawaki glanced at him and sighed slightly, "Sensei, our comrades up ahead are fighting desperately. Is it really okay for us to be so relaxed?"
"You're quite spirited, kid, but unfortunately, in war, spirit alone is useless."
Jiraiya was unconcerned, smiling as he said, "Our mission this time isn't direct support. When you're in someone else's territory, it's best to keep a low profile. Being too flashy will backfire."
Nawaki hesitated and then smiled, "I... I'm just worried about our comrades... I heard the base was destroyed."
"Don't worry," Jiraiya patted his shoulder. "If you can think of it, wouldn't the village think of it? The elite squad dispatched to support the front lines already left before us."
"Really!" Hearing this news, Nawaki felt a slight surge of renewed spirit.
Just then, Jiraiya suddenly stopped, his brow furrowed, his previously relaxed expression instantly turning serious.
"What's—wrong—"
Nawaki was about to speak but was abruptly held down by Jiraiya's hand on his head. A whooshing sound passed over his head.
In a fleeting glimpse, Nawaki saw it was a kunai with an Explosive Tag attached. The burning flame illuminated his eyes.
"Ninjutsu: Hair Needle Jizo!"
Jiraiya immediately hugged Nawaki, and his silver hair grew wildly, instantly encasing both of them like mummies. Each strand of hair was as tough as steel, forming an impenetrable barrier.
"Boom!"
A flash of fire appeared, then quickly extinguished in the heavy rain. The thick layer of long hair absorbed the impact of the explosion, leaving Nawaki completely unharmed inside.
At that moment, the ground cracked slightly, and four figures simultaneously leaped out of the fissure. They wielded ninja swords, their moves sharp and precise. As soon as they appeared, they struck fiercely at the silver hair mass around Jiraiya.
"Ninjutsu: Wild Lion's Mane!"
The surface of the long hair rippled, and suddenly several silvery-white spears shot out, like a giant sea urchin.
These were entirely formed by hardened strands of hair, sharp, swift, and in a blink of an eye, they pierced through all the attackers. Blood quickly stained the ground as it was washed away by the rain.
Jiraiya's secret technique was a combination of offense and defense, very effective in combat. Even against small ninja beasts, it was more than sufficient.
A synchronized shout came from around them: "Earth Release: Splitting Earth Palm!"
The ground trembled slightly, and several cracks split the earth like lightning. The ground within dozens of meters around Jiraiya instantly collapsed inward, with large and small clods of earth and debris falling.
Jiraiya immediately retracted his silver hair, and at the same time, grabbed Nawaki's collar and threw him upwards with force.
"Sensei!" Nawaki exclaimed. As he flew up, the surrounding situation came into view.
Nawaki was slightly startled to find that they were surrounded by a squad of ninja, identified by their headbands as Iwagakure ninja.
"Don't worry!" Jiraiya showed a confident smile, stepping rapidly on the falling debris to ascend quickly. As he stabilized himself, he formed hand signs:
"Fire Release: Great Flame Bullet!"
He took a deep breath, simultaneously rotating his body, and exhaled a flame mixed with countless oil droplets from his mouth, forming a scorching, bright ring of fire that swept across the surrounding enemies like a mighty force.
The flames roared, dyeing the rainy night crimson. The powerful firepower was immense, even in the rain!