"Yes!"
The Anbu operative's eyes flickered momentarily before he vanished. He understood the gravity of the Hokage's command. Deploying 80% of the Anbu forces—Konoha's elite protectors—was a measure of desperation.
Utane Koharu frowned, her unease evident. "Hiruzen, is it really necessary to weaken the Anbu's presence to this extent?"
The Third Hokage's expression was grave. "The forces amassed by the Sand Ninja, Rock Ninja, and Rain Ninja will likely number in the thousands. With nearly all of Konoha's elites already deployed, we have no other options."
The room fell silent. The names he mentioned weighed heavily on everyone present: Hanzo of the Rain, the Fourth Kazekage of the Sand Village, and Iwagakure's leader, Kitsuchi. Each was formidable in their own right.
But it wasn't just them. The Third Hokage continued, his tone grim.
"Some time ago, we received intelligence that a ninja named Roshi has returned to Iwagakure."
A sharp intake of breath came from Utane Koharu.
Roshi—known as the Four-Tails Jinchuriki—was a name that commanded respect and fear. A contemporary of the Third Tsuchikage, he had left the village in protest years ago but now reappeared, likely to bolster Iwagakure's efforts.
"Roshi's mastery over the Four-Tails' chakra makes him as dangerous as Killer B of the Cloud Village," Sarutobi explained.
"Between him, Kitsuchi, and the Fourth Kazekage, we're staring down a coalition of extraordinary power. And now, with Hanzo among them…"
His voice trailed off, but the implications were clear.
Homura broke the silence. "If things are this dire, perhaps we should join the battle ourselves."
The Third Hokage shook his head. "That would only escalate matters further. If we step onto the battlefield, it could provoke the involvement of others like the Third Tsuchikage or Third Mizukage. Such a move could spiral the war entirely out of control."
Koharu and Homura exchanged uneasy glances but nodded. The delicate balance of power among the major nations meant even a single misstep could ignite total chaos.
Sarutobi's gaze shifted to Danzo. "I need half of Root's forces mobilized. We can't afford to hold anything back now."
Danzo's face tightened. Root was his personal force, loyal only to him, and even the Hokage had no direct authority over them. Yet, after a tense moment, Danzo nodded.
"Konoha's survival takes precedence," he said, though his tone betrayed reluctance.
In the Land of Grass, the Konoha camp buzzed with activity. Hundreds of ninjas stood shoulder to shoulder, their preparations swift and disciplined.
Minato stood at the center, his hand resting on Jiraiya's shoulder. "Ready, sensei?"
Jiraiya grinned. "Always."
In a flash of yellow light, the entire battalion vanished.
In the Land of Rain's Valley of Tears, the air was thick with tension. This natural chokepoint, surrounded by steep cliffs, served as the perfect strategic location.
Hundreds of Rain Ninjas had already gathered, their eyes fixed on the man standing at the valley's highest point.
Hanzo.
The once-undefeated Demigod had been uncharacteristically silent since his loss to Minato. His presence, however, remained as commanding as ever, and no Rain Ninja dared disturb him.
A scout appeared at Hanzo's side, bowing deeply. "Chief, the Iwagakure forces have been sighted."
Hanzo turned his head slightly, his gaze sharpening as he looked toward the horizon.
The sound of marching footsteps grew louder, accompanied by the rhythmic patter of rain. Soon, black dots appeared in the distance—an advancing army from Iwagakure.
"Chief, the Sand Ninja have also arrived," the scout reported again.
Hanzo's lips curled into a faint smile. "Right on time."
Moments later, two massive armies converged in the valley, their leaders stepping forward.
Kitsuchi, the leader of Iwagakure's forces, stood at the forefront, his broad frame exuding strength. His eyes scanned the Sand Ninja ranks before locking onto their leader, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
Rasa met Kitsuchi's gaze, but his attention quickly shifted to the figure standing slightly behind him.
A red-haired old man with a powerful presence.
Roshi… the Four-Tails Jinchuriki.
Rasa's sharp instincts immediately recognized the aura of a tailed beast emanating from him.
The tension in the valley was palpable as all three leaders turned their attention upward, where Hanzo stood watching them.
It wasn't merely his reputation as a demigod that commanded their respect. His aura was overwhelming—a presence that only the most powerful shinobi could perceive and understand.
Hanzo's eyes swept over the assembled leaders, lingering momentarily on Roshi. The two had crossed paths before, but in Hanzo's time, Roshi had been a lesser figure.
Now, though, the power radiating from the Four-Tails Jinchuriki was undeniable.
A faint chuckle escaped Hanzo's lips. "Not bad," he murmured, his voice carrying an edge of condescension.
Rasa and Kitsuchi bristled at the remark but held their tongues.
Roshi, however, stepped forward with a smirk. "Hanzo," he called out, his tone laced with mockery. "I hear you've been keeping busy—like losing to a kid from Konoha."
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