"If I die and lose, Rain Village is yours. You can merge them into the Ninja Sect or disband them, it's all up to you."
This was the best plan Hanzo could think of. No matter who wins, the conflict between Rain Village and the Ninja Sect would be resolved, without losing the ninja power of the Land of Rain.
Moreover, the problem with Konoha could also be solved.
If Sosuke dies, there would be no more Ninja Sect in the Land of Rain, just a stronger Rain Village. If Konoha dares to attack the Rain Village right after a collaboration, their credibility would be gone.
If Hanzo dies, Rain Village would join the Ninja Sect, solving the problem of lack of lower and middle-tier power within the Ninja Sect, gaining strength that Konoha would fear.
Mokgetsu understood Hanzo's thoughts.
No wonder Hanzo came over to leak the information and yet claimed it as "not helping".
"Actually, this battle can be avoided." Mokgetsu denied Hanzo's claim of an inevitable battle.
Mokgetsu organized lectures with the motivation to resolve the situation with Rain Village without bloodshed.
He always tried to find a way for the Rain Village ninjas to recognize the benefits of the Ninja Sect, letting Rain Ninja know that the Ninja Sect could make the Land of Rain better.
As long as all Rain Ninjas join the Ninja Sect, there would naturally be no need for war.
"It cannot be avoided." Hanzo stared at Sosuke and said slowly.
Surrendering to the Ninja Sect and becoming Sosuke's subordinate? What a joke, Hanzo's pride would never allow him to do such a thing.
If he would do such a thing to survive, he wouldn't have come to the Ninja Sect.
"Declared war on me alone, Hanzo, as expected of someone with the title of a demigod." Mokgetsu stood up and poured Hanzo a cup of tea.
If everything Hanzo said was true, at least at this moment, Hanzo is still that respectable demigod, Hanzo.
"It won't be long before it's your turn." Hanzo said faintly.
He actually found it a bit unbelievable himself, the always cautious him came to Six Paths City alone and said those things to Sosuke.
If Sosuke had any murderous intent, he wouldn't be able to escape.
Even Sosuke alone made him a bit overwhelmed, let alone the Ninja Sect also had Kakuzu and Nagato.
"When the time comes, I won't let you down, senior." Mokgetsu poured himself a cup of tea, and picking up the teacup, he said.
If things were as Hanzo said, then Mokgetsu would definitely show up.
According to Hanzo, he was helping Shimura Danzo.
With the allure of the Ninja Sect's legacy and the Rinnegan, there is a high probability that Shimura Danzo himself would show up.
Therefore, this would be a rare opportunity to eliminate Shimura Danzo.
Shimura Danzo was too keen on causing trouble; most of the bad things in the original work could be linked to Shimura Danzo.
Mokgetsu thought that Shimura Danzo committing suicide would be a great deed, after all if Shimura Danzo committed suicide now, it would save a lot of malicious things from happening.
Causing trouble on Mokgetsu's account, Mokgetsu wouldn't mind sending Shimura Danzo on his way, letting him end his sinful life.
"Can that battle really not be avoided?" Mokgetsu took a sip and then put down the teacup, saying.
For Hanzo, Mokgetsu didn't have the intent to kill him; if Hanzo joined the Ninja Sect, Mokgetsu could even offer Hanzo a high position in the Ninja Sect.
Hanzo finished the tea in one gulp, "As long as I live, it cannot be avoided."
He understood Sosuke's meaning, but that was impossible.
Mokgetsu didn't ask further. Asking again would be a bit insulting to Hanzo.
Hanzo stood up and walked towards the door of the office.
When he grasped the doorknob, Hanzo suddenly asked, "Sosuke, how's your Water Release?"
"Slightly weaker than my Fire Release, I guess." Mokgetsu replied.
Although both were at a perfect level of nature transformation, the proficiency of Fire Attribute Chakra Nature Changes was a bit higher, and Mokgetsu had mastered more master-level Fire Release Ninjutsu.
"I see..." Hanzo's footsteps paused slightly but he didn't say more, soon stepping out of the office building, blending into the darkness.
Mokgetsu activated the Byakugan and quietly watched Hanzo leave.
Hanzo said he was not helping the Ninja Sect but declaring war on him, yet in Mokgetsu's view, Hanzo was actually helping him and the Ninja Sect.
Because Hanzo couldn't possibly win against him, even without Mokgetsu showing all his strength.
Mokgetsu believed that Hanzo would really try to kill him, but Hanzo couldn't do it; the gap between them couldn't be closed with effort alone.
Using fire to suppress water, any ninja with a bit of understanding of nature transformations would know what that signifies.
Saying Hanzo was determined to die wouldn't be overstating it; in the life-and-death battle between him and Mokgetsu, Hanzo was destined to fail.
As a modern transmigrator, Mokgetsu actually had a bit of trouble understanding Hanzo, knowing that there could be a way to solve the problem while living yet choosing to face death.
Even though Mokgetsu didn't understand, he chose to respect it.
...
"What's happening to me, doing such reckless things." On the way back, Hanzo reflected on his actions, asking himself.
Whether it was breaking into the Ninja Sect alone or arranging a fight with Sosuke, both were extremely dangerous actions, the latter being almost certain death.
Knowing that this was an issue unrelated to Rain Village.
Was it because he wanted to preserve the power of the Land of Rain? Or was it because of his pride, wanting to exhibit the demeanor of a demigod senior in front of Sosuke? Or did he subconsciously believe that Sosuke could make the Land of Rain better?
Hanzo even doubted if Sosuke had secretly inserted private information during his lectures, causing his thinking patterns to go astray.
"However, it's not a sure loss for me." Hanzo shook his head.
He didn't believe he had no chance of winning; maybe he wasn't Sosuke's match in Ninjutsu, but Ninjutsu isn't everything a ninja has. He still had Kenjutsu and poison.
The next day.
Hanzo still hadn't agreed to the cooperation with Shimura Danzo, convening a high-level meeting to arrange various affairs.
Both on Sosuke's side and on his side, more time was needed, so agreeing too early wouldn't work.
Five days later, Hanzo watched Danzo flustered with urgency, finally giving a response.
"Rain Village can assist Konoha in dealing with the Ninja Sect."
Shimura Danzo was outwardly calm but internally pleased, not regretting his personal trip to the Land of Rain to pressure and entice Hanzo, finally succeeding.
Shimura Danzo seemed to see Wood Release, the Ninja Sect's legacy, and the Rinnegan beckoning to him.
"A correct decision; Hanzo, you're still as peace-loving as before." A pleased Danzo said casually.
Hanzo maintained an expressionless face and said nothing, really still as daring as before.
If time were to rewind to that night, Hanzo might not have had the spirit to go to Six Paths City again.
Shimura Danzo didn't mind; after all, Hanzo had always worn that expression.
"We've already thought of a plan on Konoha's side for you. You can use the pretext of inviting Sosuke and Nagato to an event to bring them to Rain Village, and then..." Shimura Danzo started explaining his ambush plan.
As a qualified plotter, Shimura Danzo certainly wouldn't wait for Hanzo to agree before thinking of a plan; he prepared several plans before heading to the Land of Rain.
Hanzo nodded; the plan wasn't anything special but very practical.
As Hanzo had just agreed to the Ninja Sect's unrestricted lecture requirements, Sosuke refusing Rain Village's event invitation would be somewhat unreasonable.
Once Sosuke arrived at Rain Village, things would be simple: just kill.
The plan had progressed to the stage where getting Wood Release was the focus, making Shimura Danzo both nervous and excited.
After all, this was Wood Release, the unique Kekkei Genkai of the God of Ninjas.
"How will he let me wield Wood Release?" Shimura Danzo was very curious.
The Wood Release ninja from Root was dependent on Hashirama Cells, but Hashirama Cells should only be available to Konoha.
"If it's him, having Hashirama Cells isn't impossible." Shimura Danzo recalled Uchiha Madara's demonstrated intelligence capabilities and his expression darkened.
"Uchiha Madara" entering and leaving the Root Base as if no one was there frustrated Shimura Danzo greatly.
Even at his Root, he could come and go freely; stealing a bit of Hashirama Cells wasn't a difficult task.
Just as Shimura Danzo was pondering about "Uchiha Madara," a black and white figure quietly appeared behind him.