"Release."
Hanzo formed a single hand seal and dismissed the summoning.
With a sharp bang, Ibuse dissolved into white smoke and vanished.
The battlefield lay in ruins—charred earth, cracked stone, and faint traces of lingering toxin hanging in the damp air.
Hanzo gave it one final glance, then turned and walked back toward Amegakure.
Minutes later—
A series of sharp whistles cut through the air.
More than a dozen figures appeared before him and dropped to one knee.
They were elite Rain shinobi who had waited at the perimeter, wary of Hanzo's poison.
"Lord Hanzo, is the battle over? Who was the enemy?"
The leading ninja couldn't conceal his urgency.
"Rise," Hanzo said calmly. "The enemy has been dealt with. Seal this area and prevent civilians from approaching. The rest can wait."
"Yes!"
No one questioned him.
Whenever Hanzo fought, residual toxins would linger for hours. Sealing off the site was routine.
Orders were issued immediately.
Hanzo did not stay.
He walked back to his estate without another word.
After washing and changing into plain robes, Hanzo entered his office and summoned the captain from earlier—his most capable subordinate.
Ameyu.
"Ameyu," Hanzo began evenly, "any irregularities on the Konoha and Iwa fronts?"
Ameyu considered.
"Nothing major. Though their small-unit clashes have intensified. Casualty rates have nearly doubled compared to last week."
A faint light flickered in Hanzo's eyes.
"And our surveillance teams?"
"Two squads lost contact recently. Evidence suggests they were dragged into a Konoha–Iwa skirmish and killed."
Hanzo fell silent.
So it had begun.
According to Jin's words—and now confirmed by the battlefield pattern—Danzo had started moving.
Perhaps the "visit" would not be long in coming.
Seeing Hanzo's quiet, Ameyu ventured cautiously:
"Lord Hanzo… is there more to this? Today's intruder—"
Hanzo cast him a brief glance.
"That man attempted to assassinate me. He bore Konoha markings. The intention was likely to draw Amegakure into open war."
Ameyu stiffened.
He was no fool. Hanzo's earlier questions suddenly made sense.
He spoke gravely.
"Then… does that mean a fourth faction has entered the Land of Rain to ignite conflict between us, Konoha, and Iwa?"
Hanzo shook his head slightly.
"Not necessarily a fourth."
Ameyu's face paled.
"You mean… someone from within Konoha or Iwa themselves?"
Hanzo nodded.
"Every village has its restless elements."
Ameyu's expression darkened.
"Should we inform them?"
Hanzo's response was cool.
"Would they believe us?"
"More importantly—would they listen?"
Silence filled the room.
In the eyes of the Five Great Nations, Amegakure's opinion had never carried weight.
Hanzo continued:
"If we can sense irregularities, so can they. Especially if the disturbance originates from their own ranks."
"Whether they fight or negotiate depends on their interests—not ours."
"We cannot dictate their choice."
"All we can do is restrain our own."
He paused.
"Recall all surveillance teams except those maintaining visible posts outside the Konoha and Iwa camps."
"Do not let hatred consume our shinobi."
"Yes."
Ameyu bowed.
Then Hanzo added casually:
"And that group… the Akatsuki. Are they still active?"
Ameyu nodded.
"They've grown to over a hundred members. Their ideals resonate with many."
Hanzo's voice carried faint reflection.
"They are naïve."
"But they believe."
"And they act."
"That is rare."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"Send word. I will meet their three leaders—Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan."
Ameyu blinked.
It was unusual.
Hanzo rarely wasted time on idealistic youths.
Why now?
Perhaps sensing the question, Hanzo spoke more openly than usual.
"Ameyu."
"I am over sixty."
"How long can this village continue relying on me alone?"
"Their ideas are immature. But they are ideas."
"And they have the courage to pursue them."
"Amegakure needs fresh blood."
Ameyu trembled.
For the first time, he truly saw it.
Hanzo was aging.
For decades, this man had borne the entire burden of the Land of Rain—fighting through two Shinobi Wars, standing between giants.
And now—
The weight showed.
"Lord Hanzo…"
Ameyu's throat tightened.
He could not finish.
"Go."
Hanzo dismissed him gently.
"Yes."
Ameyu turned and left, eyes reddened.
He did not notice—
That the moment he stepped out—
Hanzo's eyes shifted.
Scarlet.
Three tomoe rotating slowly within each pupil.
The mark of the Uchiha.
And far away, beneath the steady rain of Amegakure, Jin Uchiha smiled faintly.
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