"What is the meaning of this!?"
Hanzo stood at the highest point of the Hidden Rain Village, his expression dark to the extreme. He could not understand why the village he had meticulously built was suddenly covered in smoke and facing collapse in a single instant.
Why did these people suddenly have the courage to challenge him, the Demigod?
Standing behind him was Ueno, a Hidden Rain Jonin whom Hanzo considered a trusted confidant, along with the support he had requested from Danzo Shimura of the Leaf—two Root squads.
These Root ninjas wore various masks and the standard uniforms of the Leaf Anbu, exuding a terrifying sense of mystery. Despite Hanzo's rage, they remained motionless. Only Ueno narrowed his eyes and spoke calmly. "Lord Hanzo, now that we have support from the Leaf, combined with your own immense strength, perhaps we can take this opportunity to clear out the unstable elements within the village..."
Indeed, this was a perfect chance to consolidate power. In such a violent upheaval, those dissatisfied with Hanzo would surely be unable to resist joining the chaos. As long as Hanzo could defeat the enemy, a terrifying purge would inevitably follow. Of course, this was based on the premise that Hanzo could emerge victorious.
As a veteran politician, Hanzo naturally understood this logic. He gripped the handle of his special scythe tightly. In an instant, the lion whose will had been corroded by time suddenly erupted with a staggering aura. It was like a terminal lucidity. This surge of power made Ueno daze for a moment, almost believing the Demigod who once dominated the battlefield had returned.
Unfortunately, terminal lucidity is just that.
Ueno immediately heard Hanzo's command. "Ueno, take the Root ninjas and meet the enemy first. You must draw out intelligence on their abilities."
Intelligence is a vital component of ninja combat. Only by collecting data on the opponent's fighting style, jutsu, and weaknesses can a tactical counter-plan be properly arranged. While seeking intelligence isn't wrong, the enemy had already breached the village center. Sending subordinates to use their lives as fodder while the leader waits to choose his moment?
Wasn't that a bit too much?
Though Ueno was mocking him internally, his face remained unchanged. He simply said, "Indeed, the once-mighty lion has been so eroded by time that he no longer has the confidence to face his enemies."
"What did you say?"
Hanzo turned his head slightly, a terrifying killing intent brewing in his eyes. However, the moment he turned, Ueno acted. One of the Root ninjas beside him charged toward Hanzo without hesitation. During the assault, the ninja's body suddenly swelled like an overinflated ball. Countless scorching flames exploded outward from his body!
"Boom!"
The violent explosion and fire swallowed a large portion of the Hidden Rain office building. Ueno and the three remaining Root ninjas landed on the ground amidst the shattered walls, watching the figure slowly emerge from the flames.
"Ueno, you really did betray me."
Hanzo's icy voice rang out. A sudden wave of water extinguished the sea of fire, creating a thick white mist. Facing Hanzo's interrogation, Ueno showed no hint of guilt.
"When a lion king loses his courage due to old age, he is naturally replaced by a stronger, braver young lion from the pride."
This remark drew a sneer from Hanzo. "A strong and brave young lion? Tell me, who in the Hidden Rain Village is this young lion?!"
If the village had anyone strong enough, Hanzo wouldn't have had to endure such isolation and powerlessness during the Second Shinobi World War.
Ueno did not argue. "Perhaps you are right. The pride no longer has a leader strong enough..." He paused, a hint of madness flashing in his eyes.
"Therefore, we need to seek refuge with an even more powerful existence—the great Lord Jashin. Only a deity can protect the Hidden Rain Village!"
At this point, the remaining five Root ninjas removed their masks simultaneously. Without exception, all five wore Hidden Rain headbands.
"Praise Lord Jashin."
The moment Hanzo saw these five, his pupils contracted violently. Unconcealable shock leaked from his eyes.
"Taken Ame, Aoa Ame, Buyuren..."
That was right. These five were all famous ninjas from the Hidden Rain Village. Among them, Taken Ame was an elite Jonin and, like Ueno, one of Hanzo's trusted subordinates.
"Why? Why have you all betrayed me?!"
Hanzo's expression was hideous. The hand gripping his scythe trembled slightly as the uncontrollable rage of betrayal radiated from him.
The Jonin Taken Ame pulled a necklace featuring a triangle within a circle from his pocket. "Since Lord Hanzo can no longer continue to fight for the Hidden Rain, it is time to change to a god who can."
With that, the five ninjas performed jutsus together, launching an assault at Hanzo. Though the lion king had lost his courage, his skill remained. Hanzo used a Water Wall to block all incoming attacks. Then, using only three hand signs, he unleashed a Water Dragon Jutsu to sweep the traitors away.
"Since you chose betrayal, be prepared to die!"
Full of fury, the chain at the end of Hanzo's scythe lunged out like a venomous snake, binding one of the Rain ninjas. He then used a Water Body Flicker to appear instantly before the man, decapitating him with a single stroke! This was the strength of a Demigod.
"The lion king may be old, but he is not someone you can provoke!" Hanzo displayed his majesty from his high vantage point.
Looking at him, Ueno's face showed a hint of mockery. "As expected of a Demigod. We are indeed no match for you. However, our goal has already been achieved."
Hanzo's pupils shrank as a terrifying sense of crisis locked onto him.
"Almighty Push!"
A sudden repulsive force sent Hanzo flying. The powerful impact caused him to crash through several buildings before he finally came to a halt. High above the Hidden Rain Village, Pain hovered in the air, his pale purple Rinnegan looking down on everything like a god!
This was Ueno's true purpose. Everything they had just done was merely to buy time. Pain glanced at the Rain ninjas below and then refocused on Hanzo. Although this man was old, his strength was still not to be trifled with.
In the next second, numerous giant summoned beasts appeared throughout the Hidden Rain Village. Every single beast possessed a pair of terrifying Rinnegan.
"Those who submit to me shall live."
"Those who follow Hanzo shall die."