Qingshui's performance was astonishing, and Pakura was no slouch either, managing to kill the ninja maintaining the barrier in such a short amount of time.
But Pakura's performance was still within expectations. Qingshui, however, as a Puppet Master, how did he possess such strong Swordplay?
You call this a Puppet Master?
"This time, it was my failure to properly vet the situation."
Hanzo looked at Pakura, then at Qingshui.
"I am not skilled in Wind Release or Fire Release. Only my Swordplay and Water Release are presentable. Jonin Qingshui, your mastery of the sword is exceptional. This scroll contains half of my life's experience in Swordplay. You can copy a portion of it; perhaps it will give you some inspiration."
"Additionally, I will compensate you both with an extra ten million ryo, but currently, Rain Village's finances are strained, so I can only pay half upfront."
Rain Village was already poor, and it had exhausted most of its resources during the Second Great Ninja War. Even a mere three million ryo was not something they could easily produce.
Qingshui took the scroll from Hanzo's hand and exchanged a glance with Pakura.
Their eyes quickly communicated, and then Qingshui stepped forward, addressing Hanzo:
"Lord Hanzo, thank you, but since Rain Village is experiencing financial difficulties, Pakura and I will only take half of the ten million ryo."
"If Konoha is truly behind this incident, then Konoha is our real enemy. I believe Lord Hanzo will also stand with us, right?"
Hanzo replied without hesitation, "Of course!"
Konoha's people had infiltrated Rain Village so deeply; what were they trying to achieve?
Hanzo was a hero who appeared once in a century in the Land of Rain. How could he tolerate such a thing?
The Third Kazekage looked at Qingshui, and his expression finally softened.
Qingshui's actions were very appropriate.
At a time like this, one should not be greedy, but rather try to win over Hanzo as much as possible. A joint effort to pressure Konoha was the most beneficial option.
If any animosity arose between them, their alliance would likely not be as close.
Capable and understanding of the bigger picture, he not only became a Jonin at a young age but also possessed Swordplay that astonished even the Third Kazekage, despite being an outstanding Puppet Master.
The Third Kazekage was very pleased with Qingshui's actions. He then glanced at Rasa.
Rasa's actions just now couldn't be called wrong, because the true cause was Rain Village being infiltrated by Konoha, and Rasa couldn't control the people of Rain Village.
But no matter what, as the deputy head of the Anbu and the security manager for this incident, with a key figure from Sand Village nearly assassinated, he was certainly responsible.
Rasa's true failing was his insufficient ability, as he couldn't uncover Konoha's plot in advance and only arrived belatedly after the assassination had concluded.
The Third Kazekage sighed inwardly.
Still hasn't truly matured, Rasa.
Rasa was now eighteen or nineteen years old, and his strength was decent. There was still a possibility for further improvement, but compared to the Third Kazekage himself at that age, he was three parts behind.
After Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law died, Rasa had been groomed by the Third Kazekage as his successor.
As his disciple, Rasa inherited Magnet Release, and with the close and capable assistance of Karura, he could have firmly held the position of Kazekage.
But that was before.
From the current perspective, Rasa's strength and cunning were only passable. He could be a competent leader in times of stability, but if Sand Village was to continue developing and growing stronger, he seemed to lack something.
In terms of displayed potential and intellect, Qingshui was undoubtedly more promising than Rasa.
Rasa had Karura assisting him, and Qingshui also had a close relationship with Pakura. Rasa had the Third Kazekage as his teacher, and Qingshui had Chiyo and Ebizo, two powerful elders, as his teachers.
Magnet Release was the Third Kazekage's signature technique for Sand Village, and Puppetry was also invented by the Second Kazekage.
From this perspective, both of them had strong legitimacy, and the forces behind them were sufficient for them to secure the position of Kazekage.
The Third Kazekage's concern was what would happen if Qingshui grew stronger in the future and fought with Rasa for the Kazekage position?
What if the struggle between the two factions went too far, causing a split within Sand Hidden?
His mind was filled with countless thoughts, and the Third Kazekage could only be grateful that he wasn't too old yet and could continue for a few more years.
As for the future, it would depend on whether Rasa could still make progress, or if Qingshui could surpass Rasa once he matured. With him present, the issue of Sand Village's future successor should be stably resolved.
If Salamander Hanzo, or Onoki, who also faced the problem of no suitable successor, knew of this worry, they would probably be green with envy.
The Second Great Ninja War had just ended, and the war mobilization capabilities of both Sand Hidden and Rain Hidden remained at a very high level.
On the second day after the incident, both villages sent envoys, delivering strongly worded condemnations.
Chiyo and Ebizo, upon hearing that their beloved disciple had almost been assassinated by Konoha's people, immediately fought tooth and nail to make Konoha pay the price.
After the Third Kazekage returned to the village to oversee things, the old man and old woman gathered their forces, leading several thousand Sand Hidden ninja to the Land of Rivers, which served as a buffer zone between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire.
Hanzo also scraped together a force of two thousand men from his remaining subordinates, approaching the border of the Land of Fire.
Inside Konoha Village, the Hokage's office was filled with smoke.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, known as the "Ninja Professor," was currently frowning, puffing on his pipe.
This incident felt a bit tricky to him.
"Danzō, were you the one who sent the assassins after the Sand Hidden ninja?"
Mitokado Homura looked at Danzō, questioning him on Hiruzen Sarutobi's behalf.
"Everything I do, I do for Konoha!"
Danzō pulled a scroll from his wide sleeve and tossed it out.
"Take a look at this intel on Qingshui and Pakura. One became a Jonin at thirteen, the other at fourteen. If these two are allowed to grow, they will undoubtedly become great enemies to our Konoha!"
"Especially Qingshui; the entire planning and coordination of the Sand Village's canal construction came from his hands. The existence of this river will inevitably boost the Land of Wind's national power!"
"The Sand Village's current strength can already threaten Konoha's position. If two more grave threats emerge, what will the village use to resist the Sand Village then? The position of Ninja World hegemon will no longer belong to Konoha!"
"And you, Monkey, will become the most failed Hokage in the village's history!"
Danzō slammed his hand on the table, yelling at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The sound of the scroll unfurling filled the air. Hiruzen Sarutobi had finished reading the information on the scroll while Danzō was speaking, and then handed it to Koharu Utatane beside him.
A few minutes later, the other two Konoha Village elders had also finished reading the scroll's contents.
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