Hanzō of the Salamander—hailed as the "Demi-God."
The outbreak of the Second Great Ninja War was heavily tied to Amegakure. In an attempt to expand its territory, the Land of Rain declared war on the Land of Iron, Konohagakure, and Sunagakure, triggering the second ninja world war.
During that war, he fought against the young Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade, completely dominating the three of them. But rather than killing them, he instead bestowed upon them the title of "Sannin."
Even though he had defeated the Sannin, the war still ended in defeat for Amegakure. While Konoha emerged victorious in that battle, they were ultimately unable to take down Hanzō of the Salamander—so their victory was far from absolute.
Shortly after the Third Great Ninja War, he was provoked by Danzō into launching an attack on the newly established Akatsuki. He killed Yahiko, which triggered Nagato's rampage, and ultimately sowed the seeds of his own downfall.
"You're this old and still coming out to wage war against Konoha?"
Kiyosuke frowned as he spoke.
Hanzō of the Salamander replied slowly.
"Because your teacher offered me something I couldn't refuse!"
He clenched his fist.
"The fertile lands of the Land of Fire!"
The Land of Rain existed in a perpetual rainy season. It rained every day without end. That kind of climate made farming incredibly difficult. Even water-loving crops couldn't survive in a place with no sunshine and unending rain.
On top of that, the Land of Rain was fractured by internal conflict and plagued by years of warfare, leading to a sparse population.
To a country like that, fertile land touched by sunlight was a rare and precious resource.
If Orochimaru was confident he could hold off Kiyosuke and kill Hiruzen Sarutobi, then offering the fertile lands of the Land of Fire as a trade was enough for Hanzō to risk everything on a gamble.
He had once started a war over territory—this time, he dared to act again. Though suspicious and cautious in his old age—rotating his guards every twenty-four hours—he still placed his bets on Orochimaru for the sake of his nation.
"This is going to be trouble. Sasuke, Genma—you leave too. This isn't something you two can handle."
Sasuke and the proctor, Genma Shiranui, withdrew together.
There was no way they could get involved in this level of battle.
Hanzō of the Salamander stared at Kiyosuke. His voice filtered through the breathing apparatus.
"Asakawa Kiyosuke... I've heard of you. Orochimaru's student. They say you're a hero who stands shoulder to shoulder with the Fourth Hokage. But how much stronger are you than your teacher?"
A scythe appeared in his hand. One end of it was attached to a chain.
"Let's find out."
"A teacher is a teacher. I'm me. Seriously... You're way too old to still be running around out here. You should've retired years ago."
Hanzō was at least in his sixties. Still fighting at that age? Impressive, in its own way.
"Hmph! The Third Hokage of Konoha didn't retire either. Why the hell should I? You cheeky brat!"
Suddenly, he moved.
The scythe in his hand reflected blinding cold light under the sun. He was fast—so fast that as the blade passed by, Kiyosuke's head flew off his shoulders.
It tumbled to the ground—
And burst into flames, reattaching itself.
Kiyosuke spoke.
"That speed... faster than some of the younger jōnin."
"Such a strange ability. Even the salamander's poison has no effect on you?"
Hanzō turned and asked.
"It works—but only if it can hurt me."
Kiyosuke turned his head toward the rooftop, where a violet cube had risen.
He snorted.
Looked like Orochimaru had made his move. The Four Violet Flames Formation was already in place.
"No need to look. The Third Hokage will die today."
Hanzō said coldly.
"Who knows? Otogakure and Amegakure joining forces? Hm, still within controllable range."
He glanced across the arena. The attackers were from both Otogakure and Amegakure. They might not be particularly strong—but there were many of them. Kakashi, Gai, Asuma, and others were protecting the villagers, all of whom had been trapped in illusions and fallen unconscious.
"Well then—I'll take you out in one go!"
He began stretching his limbs. His joints cracked loudly.
Demi-god or not—age weakens everything. He wasn't as strong as he had been in his prime.
If he didn't give Hanzō time to unleash his poison, he could win.
"If taijutsu won't work, then I'll use... Summoning Jutsu: Salamander!"
A giant salamander appeared in the arena.
Seeing that, Kiyosuke didn't hesitate.
He summoned something too.
"Black Snake—don't let that thing open its mouth! It's highly toxic!"
The black snake appeared and, following Kiyosuke's command, wrapped itself tightly around the giant salamander's gaping maw.
The salamander's poison was deadly—it could spray a toxic mist from its mouth. Inhaling even a little could cause paralysis at best, death at worst.
If it released poison here, very few would survive.
Black Snake bit down hard on the salamander's neck, felt the strength in the creature's muscles, and sank its fangs deep into its skin, injecting venom.
"You think I only have one salamander?! Summoning Jutsu!"
Hanzō summoned another salamander—this one darker in color, but no smaller than the first.
As soon as it appeared, it lunged at Kiyosuke.
Unfortunately for it, it chose the wrong target.
Seeing its wide-open mouth, Kiyosuke wasn't about to miss such a golden opportunity.
His arm ignited in blazing fire.
"Mirror Flame!"
The searing-hot flames shot straight into the salamander's mouth, scorching its throat and esophagus.
The salamander screamed in agony.
Black Snake took the opportunity.
With a powerful swing of its tail, it slammed the salamander on the top of its head.
Kiyosuke and Hanzō both heard a crisp crack—a bone snapping.
Boom!
The salamander slammed into the ground and didn't get back up.
Kiyosuke immediately charged toward Hanzō, a flaming spear in hand, and thrust it forward.
"Water Style: Surging Wave!"
Despite the area being dry, Hanzō effortlessly summoned a torrential wave that crashed toward Kiyosuke.
Kiyosuke leapt up, his feet sticking to the vertical wall of the arena.
Below him, Hanzō had conjured a massive pool of water.
And then—he disappeared.
Thanks to his special breathing apparatus, the man could move freely underwater. His control over water ranked among the best in the shinobi world.
Kiyosuke cursed under his breath.
He glanced upward at Hiruzen Sarutobi—currently lost in nostalgic reflection with Orochimaru—and then down at the hidden Hanzō beneath the water's surface.
He narrowed his eyes, then kicked off the wall and leapt toward the rooftop.
He rushed toward the Four Violet Flames Formation and shouted to the ANBU waiting below.
"You distract Hanzō—don't let him use his poison. I'll rescue the Hokage-sama. Fire Fist!"
In the next second—
A massive fire fist crashed into the Four Violet Flames Formation.