The Hidden Rain Village, located inland in the Shinobi World, is the ninja village of the small Land of Rain, wedged between the three great nations of Earth, Wind, and Fire.
Even though the Rain Village boasted Hanzo, revered as the strongest shinobi in the world, its precarious position inevitably dragged it into the war.
Today marked a pivotal moment in the Second Shinobi World War—a day that could be considered a minor victory for Konoha, though not a complete triumph.
Because today was the critical moment when the title of the "Three Ninja of Konoha" was born!
The rain showed no sign of stopping. Standing atop his summoned giant salamander, Ibuse, Hanzo looked down at the three exhausted Konoha shinobi—Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru—and spoke.
"To push me this far at such a young age... You are truly remarkable. This battle will likely be Konoha's victory, so I shall spare you."
"We don't need your pity!" Jiraiya, slung over Tsunade's shoulder, immediately retorted.
"We can still fight!"
"Enough, Jiraiya!" Tsunade warned.
"All three of you are strong. To survive against me and still prove troublesome... With more time, you could grow even stronger. Come challenge me again then. Tell me your names—as the price for your survival."
Hearing this, the three of them, realizing the futility of resistance and even sensing an insult, reluctantly gave their names one by one.
Then, Hanzo bestowed upon them the title of the "The Sannin of Konoha."
Of course, Jiraiya and the others knew this title was far from an honor.
"However..." Hanzo seemed to recall something, his masked face unexpectedly softening with affection as he glanced in a certain direction.
"Next time, your opponent might not be me, but my proud disciple."
"Disciple?"
Tsunade frowned, following Hanzo's gaze to a black-haired boy with a ponytail holding an umbrella.
Judging by his age, the boy couldn't have been older than ten.
"My disciple—this world's most unfathomable prodigy. Kotaro Katsura. One day, his name will eclipse even mine! If there is anyone besides me who can bring true peace to this world, it will be him!"
"What?!"
Jiraiya was stunned.
For Hanzo to praise a boy like this—he must be a genius among geniuses!
"Because he is my successor, I'll let you have a glimpse of him."
"Hanzo-sama! I found a frog leg! I'll have Elizabeth take it back for barbecue tonight!"
"That's my frog—" Jiraiya exclaimed, but Hanzo cut him off, his voice urgent and worried.
"No! Kotaro! That's poisonous! You can't eat it!"
Watching Hanzo—the man revered as the "God of Shinobi"—panic like a doting grandfather, the three of them fell silent.
Why was he making such an expression?!
They couldn't comprehend it at all! Since when did he have this side to him?
"Kotaro, listen. When we get back, I'll have my subordinates find you fresh frogs, alright?"
Watching Hanzo, who had just canceled his summoning technique and instantly appeared before the young boy, now speaking to him in a coaxing tone as if negotiating with a child, Jiraiya and the other two could only feel even more speechless.
Where had the solemn "Demigod" from earlier gone?!
If they were to recount this scene, not a single person in the Shinobi World would believe it!
Feeling that the more they knew, the more dangerous it became, Jiraiya and the other two exchanged glances before silently turning to leave.
Today's events had to be buried deep in their hearts!
*****
Gazing at the clean, seven-year-old boy named Kotaro Katsura before him, Hanzo's eyes were filled with adoration.
Seven years ago, the moment he saw the seemingly abandoned newborn Katsura, he had felt an inexplicable urge to take the child under his wing!
At that time, he had cast aside caution and ordered his subordinates to bring the boy back, carefully nurturing his growth.
This boy was extraordinary!
Not only was he precocious, but he was also a rare genius in the Shinobi World!
Regarding the state of the Shinobi World and how to achieve peace, he had proposed many ideas and visions that left Hanzo in awe!
A disciple... or perhaps he himself was the disciple.
This boy was a once-in-a-generation genius in the Shinobi World!
And it wasn't just his intellect—his ninjutsu skills were equally impressive.
With mastery over all five chakra natures, he could pick up any technique with ease.
The only oddity was his summon, a strange white creature that occasionally revealed glimpses of an old man's leg hair.
But that was hardly a flaw!
Of course, the peculiar white summon wasn't without its merits—it always managed to produce the perfect tools for his precious successor at any given moment.
"Kotaro, let's go back, alright? If this rain keeps up, you might catch a cold. Not to mention, this place is filled with poisonous gas..."
Hearing this, Katsura shook his head and said, "Hanzo-sama, I've decided to delve deeper into the suffering this war has brought to the civilians of the Land of Rain. Only by truly understanding the pain inflicted by war can we reflect and find a way forward."
"Wasn't the battle earlier enough?" Hanzo asked. "Didn't witnessing that count as understanding? Let's go back, Kotaro."
"No! Without immersing myself among the civilians, I can't grasp what this war has truly done to us! I must disguise myself as a commoner to understand the deepest desires of the lowest class! Surely, Hanzo-sama, you of all people understand that 'the water that bears the boat can also overturn it'!"
Listening to the boy's logical and resounding words, Hanzo once again marveled at his incredible luck in acquiring such a prodigy.
He not only saw the boy as his disciple but had also, without realizing it, come to regard him as his own son or grandson.
In many ways, the boy was even his half-teacher, as he had learned numerous principles from him.
This was why he didn't mind the boy addressing him by name instead of as "sensei"!
"That makes perfect sense, but it could be dangerous. How about we go back and discuss a concrete plan before taking action?"
"Dangerous..." Katsura's face showed a hint of reluctance as he clenched his fists and said, "But aren't the civilians of the Land of Rain also constantly in danger of losing their lives? They are people we should protect too! Hanzo-sama, my mind is made up! Please let me go!"
Watching the compassionate and benevolent Katsura, Hanzo felt inexplicably moved.
Such a person would surely bring true peace to this Shinobi World one day!
"Then I'll arrange escorts for you..."
"Having escorts defeats the purpose of going incognito! Hanzo-sama! To truly understand the refugees' plight, we must live among them as equals, sharing their hardships, learning their needs and sorrows, understanding their views on war and their deepest desires for happiness!"
"Absolutely not! The Land of Rain still has many foreign ninjas. A child like you would be in grave danger! You're the future revolutionary star of the Shinobi World, the hope I've recognized for its future. I won't allow anything to happen to you!"
"Hanzo-sama!" Katsura grew anxious.
"No negotiations!"
Hanzo was unusually stern.
How could he let this precious existence—whom he cradled like fragile glass and cherished like a pearl—venture out alone?
Absolutely unthinkable!
Eventually, after Katsura's "earnest pleas," Hanzo seemingly agreed to the no-escort request but insisted on regular updates about his location.
Why "seemingly"?
Because Hanzo had already decided to secretly dispatch fifty—no, a hundred—elite ninjas to protect Katsura!
Not a single scratch would be allowed on him!
Yes!
This was all for the sake of the Shinobi World!
Definitely not because of his personal (spoiling) feelings!