Chapter 38: Observing the Battle
The next morning, while eating breakfast, Kiyoshi proactively asked Elder Seiji, "Grandpa, I'm about to leave for the mainland. Hanzo of the Rain Village has challenged the Hokage. What do you think about it?"
"Salamander Hanzo, an ambitious man," Elder Seiji sighed softly. "Just be careful and try to gather as much information about Konoha as possible. Once the great war breaks out, if we participate, our biggest target will definitely still be Konoha."
"The Rain Village has developed rapidly in recent years, but for a small country like the Land of Rain, it has almost reached its limit. If Hanzo wants to lead the Rain Village to become the sixth great ninja village, then he will inevitably have to expand its territory. The Land of Rain borders the Land of Fire, Earth, and Wind, so he will definitely choose at least one of them to launch a war against," Elder Seiji continued.
"This challenge to the Hokage is definitely with the intention of testing his strength. Easily repelling the Kazekage shows that his strength far exceeds that of the Third Kazekage. If he finds that Sarutobi Hiruzen's strength is similar to or stronger than his, then his target will definitely be the Land of Wind and the Sand Village. If Sarutobi Hiruzen's strength is not as good as his, then it's possible he will also make a move against the Land of Fire and Konoha," Elder Seiji added.
As expected of an old veteran who had lived through the Warring States Period and personally established a ninja village, Elder Seiji's analysis hit the nail on the head. The arrogant and confident Hanzo would indeed attack both Konoha and Sunagakure simultaneously later.
"I understand, Grandpa. Then I'll set off now!" After listening to Elder Seiji's analysis, Kiyoshi was greatly shocked. Although he had guessed some of Hanzo's intentions, he hadn't been as thorough as Elder Seiji.
After saying goodbye to Elder Seiji, Kiyoshi arrived at the First Training Ground of the Anbu Main Base. Yagura and Senno and the others were already waiting for him there.
"Squad Leader!" everyone greeted together.
"Assemble at Gate 1 in ten minutes, prepare to depart!" Kiyoshi said to everyone, then headed straight for Ken's office.
"Commander, we are ready to depart. Are there any further instructions?" Kiyoshi asked.
"The Mizukage has given you an additional secret mission. This is the mission scroll," Ken handed Kiyoshi a sealed mission scroll.
"Open it after you've finished observing the battle!" Ken added.
"Yes!" Kiyoshi replied respectfully and turned to leave. Although he was a bit curious about the secret mission, he adhered well to the code of an Anbu member.
At Gate 1, everyone had already assembled. With Kiyoshi's command, the sound of the Body Flicker Technique breaking through the air immediately rang out one after another.
Because this mission was not a combat mission, Kiyoshi, while calling on Yagura and Senno, also brought the four new recruits—Kurare Kushimaru, Munashi Jinpachi, Biwa Juzo, and Ao—to broaden their horizons.
Who is this Ao? He is none other than the one who would later be known as the Byakugan Killer. Currently, he was the last member of Yagura's Team 6.
Ao, who possessed sensory abilities, was a talent discovered by Elder Seiji, and Kiyoshi had specifically requested him from his grandfather to supplement Yagura's Team 6.
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Name: Ao
Age: 15 (Born August 1st, Hidden Mist Year 18)
Height: 180cm
Weight: 70kg
Ninja Registration Number: 003800
Ninja Rank: Special Jōnin (Chakra Capacity: 1.8 units)
Mission Experience: D-Rank 54, C-Rank 38, B-Rank 20, A-Rank 10, S-Rank 3
Chakra Nature: Water, Yin
Mastered Ninjutsu: Water Release Ninjutsu 18, Yin Release Ninjutsu 3
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The group of seven boarded a merchant ship heading towards the Land of Fire. Because they were going to observe a battle, and the relationship between the Land of Water and the Land of Fire was not tense at the moment, they didn't need to conceal their identities and could go openly.
Half a month passed in a hurry, and the time quickly arrived at July 7th, the day of the agreed battle between Salamander Hanzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
At the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire, a large number of ninjas had already gathered. These ninjas were all sent by various forces to observe the battle and gather intelligence.
From the direction of the Land of Rain, a strong Chakra aura came. In the distance, a tall figure wearing a dark blue cloak, a breathing mask, and carrying a giant short-handled scythe with a chain on his back was slowly walking over. It was none other than Salamander Hanzo, the leader of the Hidden Rain Village.
"Hehe! This Leader Hanzo is quite confident in his own strength, coming here alone," someone among the observers chuckled.
At this moment, from the direction of the Land of Fire, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wearing his Hokage robes and hat, also slowly walked over with his two companions, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, as well as two squads of Anbu protecting them.
Feeling the rising domineering aura of Hanzo, Sarutobi Hiruzen was unwilling to be outdone, and an equally powerful Chakra aura erupted from his body.
The Chakra auras of the two went straight towards each other, colliding fiercely in mid-air.
The battle erupted in an instant.
Sarutobi Hiruzen formed a hand seal with one hand and summoned a giant shuriken, forcefully throwing it towards Hanzo's direction.
"Ninja Art: Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
The giant shuriken flew towards Hanzo at high speed, constantly emitting white smoke as it flew. One became two, two became four, four became eight, countless giant shuriken blanketed the sky.
On Salamander Hanzo's side, seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen make his move, he decisively sped up, grabbed the scythe on his back with his right hand, and continuously spun the chain with his left hand, charging towards the dense swarm of shuriken.
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