"It's Hanzō-sama!!"
Many ninja watching from a distance, having just witnessed the fierce confrontation between Kaede and Hanzō of the Salamander, were initially shocked, then quickly filled with excitement.
Though they were far away, Kaede's chakra was overwhelmingly powerful and extremely wild. It shone like a beacon in their perception, it couldn't be just a clone.
That meant…
Kaede's true body had been struck by Hanzō's Water Thorn Technique!
"Hanzō-sama has won!"
"As expected of Hanzō-sama, even against the Silver Flash…"
"Hanzō is truly the Demi-God of the ninja world!"
Watching Hanzō of the Salamander, many of the Rain ninja showed reverence in their eyes. To them, Hanzō was the god of the Amegakure, a man who single-handedly upheld the entire village, capable of standing against the great powers and keeping them at bay.
Hanzō did not linger in front of Kaede; wary of a last-minute counterattack, he decisively thrust his sword forward, using the momentum to leap back and create distance.
Both of them fell toward the ground.
Watching Kaede fall, Hanzō spoke calmly, "To have pushed this old man to such an extent, you should be proud. But unfortunately, your skill and experience are still lacking…"
But,
Almost immediately, his voice cut off.
His pupils contracted sharply, disbelief flashing across his face.
For just then,
The silver light bathing the falling Kaede did not fade. Instead, countless droplets of blood mixing with the rain all surged toward Kaede's body, merging into that silver glow!
"How is this possible?!"
Hanzō's expression changed drastically. Suddenly it dawned on him, no wonder Kaede wasn't harmed after the detonation formation he set off. The man possessed an incredible self-healing ninjutsu!
Just as Hanzō's face twisted in shock, Kaede swung the Kusanagi Sword downward, cutting a silver streak through the air straight at Hanzō's body!
This is bad…
Hanzō's mind screamed internally.
His Body Flicker Technique was a Water Body Flicker, requiring contact with moist soil or water flow to activate. Though it was raining, he couldn't use the technique mid-air!
Without the Body Flicker, he was nearly unable to dodge in mid-fall. Helpless, he was forced to parry with his dagger against Kaede's powerful strike.
"It really is over, Hanzō."
Kaede's gaze was calm as he pressed the attack. The Kusanagi Sword didn't pause, it swung again and again, countless strikes raining down on Hanzō's body.
"No... stop!!"
A flicker of terror crossed Hanzō's eyes.
He couldn't believe that Kaede not only possessed incredible speed and chakra, but also terrifying regenerative powers, almost like a monster!
If only he had fled the village from the start instead of trying to stop Kaede!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The fall from the sky to the ground lasted mere seconds, yet within that time, countless silver streaks completely engulfed Hanzō!
Neither Hanzō nor Kaede could fly. Falling through the air gave them little room to act. Kaede still managed to strike even while falling, but Hanzō couldn't dodge or hide like he could on solid ground.
So,
From the moment Hanzō was forced to unleash his triple-attack combo in a desperate attempt to kill Kaede, and failed, the outcome of the battle was sealed.
Seconds later,
Splash!
Kaede landed steadily on the water's surface.
Right before him, Hanzō crashed into the water, sending waves flying in every direction.
Among those waves, bright red blood spread, dyeing the nearby water.
In the distance,
The Rain ninja, still filled with hope moments before, were frozen in disbelief.
Looking at the spot where Hanzō fell, watching the blood rise on the water's surface, sensing Hanzō's chakra weaken until it vanished, they were overwhelmed with shock.
Dead?!
Hanzō of the Salamander, dead?
The very man called the Demi-God of the ninja world, who single-handedly guarded Amegakure and prevented even the three great nations from conquering it during the Second Great Ninja War?
A hush fell.
Amid the stunned crowd, Kaede stepped forward, treading lightly across the water to Hanzō's fallen spot. He lifted his foot, releasing chakra that rippled across the shallow water, revealing Hanzō's lifeless body amid the ruins.
Thunk!
Kaede gripped the Kusanagi Sword's hilt and threw it downward. The blade pierced through Hanzō's head, stabbing into the ground.
This scene shattered the last shred of hope in the Rain ninja's hearts, sending a chilling wave from head to toe as if plunged into an ice cellar.
Their gazes toward Kaede turned into pure terror.
Then, Kaede pulled out the Kusanagi Sword and turned to look at them.
"…Run!"
No one knew who shouted first, but instantly, the Rain ninja scattered like frightened birds, fleeing in every direction.
News of Hanzō's death spread rapidly throughout the village. Countless Rain ninja, still fighting Kaede's clones in shock and fear, immediately lost the will to fight.
The entire Rain Village broke apart and scattered!
….
Somewhere in the Land of Rain.
This was the hidden base of the Akatsuki, founded by Yahiko. Recently, the group's members had grown from nine to eleven, adding two new people.
The increase in numbers warmed the atmosphere in the once cold base. Both Nagato and Konan were pleased that so many had accepted Yahiko's ideals and joined the Akatsuki.
"In the blink of an eye, Akatsuki has grown," Yahiko said from the second floor, looking down at the members gathered and talking below. "We must take Hanzō as our model and goal. When we grow to the scale of Amegakure, we will have enough strength in this world to lead it toward peace."
One member asked, "Hanzō-sama was called the Demi-God of the ninja world. Can we really reach that level?"
"That's why we all need to work together," Yahiko smiled.
He knew becoming someone like Hanzō was extremely difficult, there was only one Demi-God in the entire ninja world, but hope was essential to keep striving.
Hearing Yahiko's words, Konan, Nagato, and others looked on with hopeful expressions.
Just then,
Bang!
The door suddenly burst open. A drenched ninja appeared in the doorway, rainwater dripping off him. He was breathless, eyes wide with fear and disbelief.
"Hanzō… Hanzō has, "
"What happened to Hanzō?"
Yahiko frowned. "Don't rush, tell us slowly."
The ninja took a deep breath, glanced around at everyone trembling in fear, and said, "Hanzō was killed. Amegakure… Amegakure was destroyed!"
The room fell silent.
Yahiko and the others stared at the newcomer in shock.
"What… what did you say?!"
"Impossible! Hanzō-sama was called the Demi-God of the ninja world. How could he be killed? How could Amegakure fall?!"
Someone couldn't believe it.
The ninja's voice trembled as he continued, "I've confirmed it. The one who killed Hanzō was... the Silver Flash from Konoha."
Silver Flash?!
Hearing this name, Yahiko and the others' faces instantly paled.
After their encounter with Kaede, they had been gathering intelligence. Though the Land of Rain was secluded, in this time of ninja wars, news spread among shinobi.
When they learned more about the Silver Flash, everyone drew a cold breath. He was only eleven years old, yet his record was terrifyingly unbelievable. Even the Raikage of Kumogakure, one of the Five Great Nations, was killed by him!
Thinking back to their encounter with Kaede sent chills down their spines.
He was a ninja of unimaginable terror!
"Is that guy the one who led Konoha's forces to crush Amegakure? I never thought even someone like Hanzō could be killed…"
Yahiko's mind flashed with Kaede's image, shaken deeply.
The ninja who had just entered heard Yahiko's voice but shook his head fearfully.
"No…"
"It's not like that… The Silver Flash didn't lead other Konoha ninja. He went into Amegakure alone, killed Hanzō and crushed the village single-handedly!"
When he said this, his face was filled with disbelief.
He had found it impossible to believe at first and confirmed the facts repeatedly from survivors who barely escaped.
Bang!
Yahiko involuntarily stepped back, hitting the wall behind him. He stared at the ninja in disbelief, his mind blank.
Others in the room were also overwhelmed, sinking into silence, with only the sound of breathing remaining.
…..
Year 44 of Konoha.
The second year of the Third Great Ninja War.
Silver Flash Hatake Kaede stormed into Amegakure alone, killed Hanzō of the Salamander, the village's leader, and completely crushed Amegakure!
The news sent shockwaves through the entire ninja world!
==========
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