Perhaps due to the atmosphere.
For the next few days, the Land of Rain experienced seven consecutive days of heavy rain, covering an astonishingly large area.
Looking out from indoors, it was like a steel curtain, with visibility as poor as in a heavy fog.
Moreover, Sunagakure switched from fighting on two fronts to a single front. With Bunpuku arriving at the border base to guard it, a large number of troops were transferred to the White Fang battle line.
To deal with the surge in troops from the Land of Wind, Konoha had to transfer troops from the other two battle lines to support the White Fang battle line.
This situation, and this climate, were simply a godsend for Amegakure.
Rain ninjas skilled in assassination techniques had already begun to act.
Four-man squads approached the Land of Fire's border base, seemingly blending into the rain.
Although the rain washed away scents, rendering the Aburame and Inuzuka clans' sensing ineffective, their tracks were still discovered by the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan.
"Orochimaru-sama, Jiraiya-sama, Yoru-sama, Amegakure's combat units are approaching us."
The news quickly reached the ears of Gojo Yoru and the others.
Looking at the rain curtain covering the forest outside the window, Orochimaru murmured, "Couldn't hold back after all, huh?"
"Has Hanzo mobilized?" Jiraiya asked.
"The Sensing Squad didn't detect Hanzo the Salamander's Chakra."
The reporting ninja answered truthfully: "No massive energy fluctuations were detected underground either, but it's not ruled out that the Salamander dived deeper underground or set up a barrier in the underground space in advance to block sensing."
Gojo Yoru looked at Orochimaru and asked, "Orochimaru-sensei, do we fight?"
"Fight, but not here."
Orochimaru analyzed calmly: "With Hanzo's strength, he has more than one way to avoid the Byakugan's long-range vision and X-ray vision. No one knows if he will suddenly appear. The current weather gives Rain ninjas a unique advantage; fighting them here is like cutting off one of our own arms."
After speaking, Orochimaru issued instructions: "Have the support unit retreat with supplies to the forest area where it's not raining. The combat units will escort them. If the Rain ninjas pursue relentlessly, we will fight them on our home ground."
"We will stay to guard the border base. If they don't dare to chase, they will definitely attack this place, wanting to destroy and loot our base camp." Orochimaru said to Gojo Yoru, "Yoru, create a few Flying Thunder God kunai and give them to the support and combat units. We can go support at any time."
"Yes."
Gojo Yoru nodded.
Soon, the border battle line began to move.
The support unit left the central tower-like base with supplies, retreating towards the forest area unaffected by the Land of Rain's weather and not covered by the rain curtain.
The combat units scattered. One group was responsible for escorting the support unit's retreat, and another group set traps in the forest, responsible for stalling any Rain ninjas that might catch up and buying time for their companions.
The retreat of the entire battle line caused too much commotion and was soon discovered by Rain ninjas skilled in the Sensing Technique, who immediately reported to the captain of the surprise attack squad.
"Sakawa-sama, should we chase?"
"No, our mission is complete."
Sakawa didn't seem surprised by the retreat of the Land of Fire's battle line.
Ninja battles required not only mastering enemy intelligence but also considering terrain and environment; the latter was even the top priority.
Why did Hanzo the Salamander use the Land of Wind to measure the gap between the Land of Rain and the Five Great Nations?
Not only because the Land of Wind was the weakest among the Five Great Nations, but also because the Salamander was equally at home in the desert.
The Land of Earth's target was clearly the Land of Fire, yet why did they launch a surprise attack on Amegakure without fearing Hanzo the Salamander?
Because the Land of Earth was full of rocks and high mountains, and the burrowing Salamander had no advantage there.
Similarly, Rain ninjas in heavy rain possessed assassination techniques on par with Kirigakure ninjas in perpetual thick fog.
Fighting in the Land of Rain, Hanzo the Salamander would receive an epic boost, easily unleashing lake-level Water Release.
This was the home field advantage!
And the home field of Konoha ninjas was the dense forest area.
The reason the probing period lasted for months was that no one dared to easily start a war on the opponent's home field.
The Amegakure surprise attack squad dared to press forward at this time not only because of the godsend opportunity but also because their mission wasn't really to start a war with the Land of Fire.
Skilled in assassination techniques, they were assassins who killed with one blow, not reckless Nintaijutsu users like those from the Land of Iron and Land of Lightning.
Sakawa took down the super-large scroll from his back and opened it.
A formula was inscribed on the scroll.
"Shield me from the rain."
Sakawa shouted, and a paper umbrella immediately appeared above his head.
Taking out a small bottle from his ninja tool pouch, Sakawa pulled out the stopper and poured the contents onto the center of the formula.
Bright red liquid fell on the scroll... it was blood.
Sakawa formed seals rapidly, slammed his hands onto the scroll, and shouted softly: "Ninja Art... Summoning Technique!"
With a loud boom.
A massive cloud of white smoke appeared out of thin air, only to be dispersed by the heavy rain.
Then a massive Salamander resembling a gecko with a broken tail appeared in the eyes of all Rain ninjas.
Looking at this giant beast, the Rain ninjas' eyes were filled with fervor and adoration.
It was its existence, along with Hanzo-sama, that kept the Land of Rain free from foreign invasion for years and even capable of declaring war on major powers.
In the eyes of Rain ninjas and residents of the Land of Rain, the Salamander was their guardian beast.
"Thank you for your hard work. This old man will take over the battlefield from here."
Hanzo the Salamander's figure emerged from the Salamander's mouth.
Leaving just one sentence, the man and beast turned into a huge mass of water and disappeared into thin air.
In the entire Ninja World, only Hanzo the Salamander could perform the Water Body Flicker Technique while carrying a summoning beast.
The Amegakure surprise attack squad didn't turn and leave either but used Body Flicker to enter the rainforest, heading towards the outskirts of the forest around the border base.
"My lords, the Sensing Squad detected Hanzo the Salamander's Chakra approaching rapidly, less than three kilometers away."
The location where Sakawa summoned the Salamander happened to be within the range of the sensing barrier.
As soon as the Salamander appeared, it was discovered by the Sensing and Barrier Squads maintaining the sensing barrier, who hadn't retreated.
A voice appeared out of nowhere in the minds of Gojo Yoru and the others.
Jiraiya's expression changed, and he said in disbelief: "So close? How did he avoid the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan sensing?"
"It's the Reverse Summoning Technique."
The voice appeared in their minds again.
"It seems the surprise attack was just a cover; Hanzo's real goal is to destroy this place."
Orochimaru wasn't surprised. The border base was not only the headquarters of the battle line but also the signal tower, sensing radar, and supply depot.
With the assistance of the signal tower and sensing barrier, even if Rain ninjas had superb assassination techniques and used the Hiding in Mist Technique that spread Chakra, they couldn't escape the eyes of the sensing barrier.
With the assistance of communication devices and barriers, the Yamanaka clan's voice could appear out of nowhere in the mind of any Konoha ninja.
Plus, located in the forest area, Konoha ninjas occupied an absolute home field advantage, making it easy to defend and hard to attack.
If Sunagakure attacked this battle line, Konoha wouldn't need to transfer troops from the other two battle lines at all; just sending a batch of high-level combatants would be enough to contend with the Sand troops.
The reason the Land of Earth and Land of Wind didn't enter the Land of Fire from the Land of Waterfalls and Land of Rivers was not only because of the buffer zones but also because the border base served as the final line of defense.
A few months ago, Orochimaru and Jiraiya entered the Land of Rain to intercept Hanzo the Salamander because they didn't want to fight at the border base, trying to prevent Hanzo the Salamander from destroying it.
Because Hanzo the Salamander was the only existence on the three battle lines who could ignore human wave tactics and destroy the border base.
If not for the pouring rain, the border battle line, now equipped with several bottles of antidote per person, would dare to fight the Rain ninja troops and Hanzo the Salamander on their home ground.
Unfortunately, even the heavens were helping Amegakure.
This level of heavy rain severely affected signal transmission and visibility, and the enemy was a first-rate assassin.
Except for sensing ninjas and Water Release ninjas, other types of ninjas were no different from lambs waiting to be slaughtered in front of Rain ninjas.
Orochimaru would rather abandon the border base than lose so many troops.
Thus, he said very decisively: "We can't hold this place anymore. Everyone retreat backward. Jiraiya, Yoru, and I will stay behind to cover you."
"Yes!"
The Sensing and Barrier Squads disconnected, turned into blurs, and caught up with the main force.
The huge border base was left with only Gojo Yoru and the other two.
"Are we really giving up this place?" Jiraiya asked.
"It's a matter of time." Orochimaru said calmly, "Even if we save it this time, there will be a next time, and a time after that... Unless this place is destroyed, Hanzo will never mobilize his army to attack; he will only launch surprise attacks on us again and again."
"If Amegakure's military strength could contend with ours, he wouldn't still be fighting alone in this situation."
Jiraiya looked somewhat unwilling: "Even after developing the antidote formula, being forced to flee in embarrassment by him alone is really frustrating."
"Don't worry, it's just temporary frustration." Orochimaru sneered, "The border base is both a great guarantee and a huge burden for us. With the border base providing shelter, we only dared to probe and defend timidly before. Now without this layer of protection, we don't need to turtle up in the forest area anymore."
"When the rain stops or lessens, our troop advantage will show. We'll march directly into the Land of Rain. When offense and defense switch, let's see if this Demigod of the Ninja World can withstand our offensive and how long he can stall with us."
After speaking, Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya with a confident smile: "Besides, we haven't been stagnant these past few months. It's a good time to experience the strength of this pinnacle of the Ninja World again."
"Hehe, fits my intentions perfectly." Jiraiya seemed to think of something and grinned as well.
Gojo Yoru suddenly asked, "Should I go bring Tsunade-sama and Sakumo-sama over for support, or maybe even Hokage-sama?"
Both Orochimaru and Jiraiya widened their eyes. The former asked, "Can your Chakra support it?"
Gojo Yoru thought for a moment and said, "Tsunade-sama and Sakumo-sama are possible; this distance will just exhaust my Chakra. As for Hokage-sama, I don't know; I haven't tried yet, so I can only choose one of the two options."
Orochimaru pondered for a moment, finally shaking his head to refuse: "No, the impact is too great. The enemy's reconnaissance teams and Anbu aren't pushovers. If Sakumo-senpai and Tsunade come over, it will give the Land of Wind an opportunity."
"Sarutobi-sensei absolutely cannot come. The Hokage and the village are not only the last line of defense but also the greatest deterrent."
"Once Sarutobi-sensei takes action, it means we have deployed our final trump card. The Land of Lightning and Land of Water, who were originally watching, might have other ideas and invade our northern and eastern borders, causing our Land of Fire to face the situation of the First Great Ninja War again."
"Unless absolutely necessary, we cannot activate the two trump cards: the Jinchuriki and the Hokage."
"More critically, Hanzo's Body Flicker Technique is unrivaled in the Ninja World. Even if Sarutobi-sensei comes in person, it will be hard to keep him here."
Gojo Yoru understood slightly.
"This rain curtain might not be a bad thing for us." Orochimaru smiled. "Our vision is restricted, and unless Hanzo uses the Sensing Technique and Water Release, the same applies to him. But such an environment is very beneficial to your ability."
"Just like last time, Jiraiya and I will create opportunities for you. See if you can kill the Salamander or Hanzo."
Rumble...
Before Gojo Yoru could nod, a loud noise suddenly reached their ears, and the ground beneath their feet trembled slightly.
"Came really fast. Let's act." Orochimaru sighed, then nodded to Jiraiya and Gojo Yoru.
Then the three simultaneously took out the gas masks and goggles they carried and put them on.
Looking closely, one would find that the gas masks of the three were no longer ordinary versions but specially made masks like Hanzo the Salamander's.
On the entire battle line, only they possessed the power to fight Hanzo the Salamander.
Having experienced the opponent's Water Release in the last encounter, Orochimaru and Jiraiya naturally wouldn't be unprepared.
The subsequent scene proved their preparation was correct.
Splash...
The sound of huge waves crashing rang out, and astonishing water surged in from outside, submerging an unknown number of floors in the blink of an eye.
Looking from the outside, one would see a very spectacular scene.
In the forest area with pouring rain, a lake appeared out of nowhere.
This lake didn't scatter but formed an ellipsoidal water prison, enveloping part of the forest and half of the border base.
And this water prison was still absorbing the pouring rain, continuing to grow.
With the water prison blocking the rain curtain, the scene outside could finally be seen clearly.
In the lake-level water prison, the massive Salamander was like a small fish in water, and Hanzo the Salamander was the size of a fish scale.
The man and beast floated at the top of the water prison. Instead of using the rain curtain to maximize assassination techniques, they consumed a large amount of Chakra to create such a water prison scene.
Naturally, it wasn't just to destroy the border base, but mainly to guard against Gojo Yoru, this old schemer.
Just as Tsunade said, Hanzo the Salamander, having suffered a loss once, would definitely make ample preparations before acting again.
Only an assassin understands an assassin best.
Hanzo the Salamander, who was of the same type as Gojo Yoru and even more cautious, feared not the meteor that almost killed him and the Salamander back then, nor the Flying Thunder God Technique and Flying Thunder God Slash, but that weird... Chakra concealment, which had even more advantages on rainy days than him.
Without this ability to hide Chakra, Gojo Yoru couldn't have instantly killed those fifty-five Sand ninjas.
A few months ago, Hanzo the Salamander also suffered a loss in this aspect.
This time, he wouldn't make the same mistake.
Looking at the border base in the water prison, Hanzo the Salamander said in a deep voice, "Partner, do it."
"Roar..."
The Salamander, who had long wanted revenge, immediately let out a roar in the water.
Then that mouth capable of swallowing a giant beast of the same size acted like a vortex, sucking in countless tons of water.
The next second, a huge water column shot towards the border base.
Gojo Yoru and the other two, who swam out of the border base, didn't even think of using techniques to block it. Instead, they dispersed and swam towards the edge of the water prison.
Fighting Hanzo the Salamander inside the water prison was simply seeking death.
With a loud boom, the water column carrying unknown tons of impact force blasted a huge gap in the border base with one hit.
Another hit would break the border base in half.
The terrifying power made even the Water Dragon Bullet Technique look weak in comparison.
To block it, one must use an S-rank Water Release Secret Technique.
Because they dispersed, it gave Hanzo the Salamander a chance to defeat them one by one.
Hanzo the Salamander shot towards Jiraiya like an arrow.
But he didn't attack at close range. Instead, from far away, he used Water Release to control the surrounding water flow, turning it into several high-speed rotating water columns attacking Jiraiya from all directions.
It was exactly the Water Release: Water Fang Bullet that Tokiya used on Gojo Yoru back then.
Jiraiya, with the special mask providing oxygen, wasn't as powerless as a few months ago. He similarly formed seals to cast Water Release: Water Fang Bullet, creating the same number of water columns to intercept.
Several high-speed rotating water columns collided, exploding in the water into invisible giant hands, pushing Hanzo the Salamander and Jiraiya apart.
But the next second, a scene with even stronger pressure appeared.
Hanzo the Salamander increased his underwater movement speed again, as if stepping on a skateboard, quickly circling to the edge of the water prison where Jiraiya was fleeing. He threw kunai covered in flowing water with explosive tags attached to the ends one after another.
The throwing speed of these kunai, covered with Water Release nature transformation and shape transformation, was no weaker underwater than outside.
With Jiraiya's speed, even if he could dodge the kunai attacks, he couldn't dodge the explosions of the explosive tags.
Just as Jiraiya was about to use his hair Hiden technique, Gojo Yoru appeared out of thin air and teleported away with him.
Hanzo the Salamander turned to look at Orochimaru's side, his gaze deep.
This was exactly why he didn't dare to attack Jiraiya at close range.
<><><><><
Read Advaned Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247
~ Evey 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]