As Rōshi's slightly mocking voice echoed across the valley, a tense silence fell over the gathering.
Many of the surrounding ninjas shifted uncomfortably. The air, already damp with the steady drizzle of Land of Rain, seemed to grow colder.
Hanzo's earlier words had carried the weight of arrogance befitting a demigod. Few in the ninja world dared to challenge him, and even fewer would risk his ire.
The Fourth Kazekage and Kitsuchi, aware of the tenuous alliance between their nations, had swallowed their pride and suppressed their anger. But Rōshi, the fiery-tempered Four-Tails Jinchuriki, had no such reservations.
His words had struck a nerve, laying bare the most humiliating Chapter in Hanzo's recent history—his defeat at the hands of Minato Namikaze.
The Rain Ninjas standing behind Hanzo visibly tensed, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads. They knew the volatility of their leader's temper. Ever since his loss to Minato, Hanzo's demeanor had been cold and unpredictable.
At the top of the valley, Hanzo's expression darkened, his anger barely concealed. Though his face remained composed, the air around him seemed to grow heavier, suffused with an icy chill.
Kitsuchi's muscles stiffened as he watched Hanzo intently. His mind raced. I hope Hanzo can consider the larger picture. We cannot afford infighting now.
But before Kitsuchi could intervene, a sharp clank rang out, and two blindingly fast arcs of light shot toward Rōshi.
"So fast!"
The leaders of the three nations—Kitsuchi, Rasa, and Rōshi—reacted with wide eyes. None of them had even seen Hanzo draw his blade.
Kitsuchi began forming hand seals, but Rōshi was already ahead of him.
"Lava Style: Burning Magma Technique!"
Fiery magma spewed from Rōshi's mouth, solidifying mid-air into a massive ball.
Boom!
The molten sphere collided with Hanzo's sword light. The intense heat melted the chakra-imbued slash, but not without consequence—the molten fragments of the attack scattered across the battlefield.
"Move!"
Rasa acted swiftly, summoning a wave of golden sand to shield his forces. The sand absorbed the heat, preventing injury but leaving charred streaks in its wake.
Kitsuchi's expression hardened. "Hanzo, was that really necessary?"
The normally calm and composed Kitsuchi could not mask his displeasure. While Rōshi's words had been tactless, Hanzo's retaliatory strike had threatened to unravel their fragile alliance.
Hanzo, still standing at the top of the valley, sheathed his blade with deliberate slowness. His gaze swept across the gathered forces, his tone laced with mockery.
"If we are to cooperate, I must know the caliber of my allies. If you cannot even handle this, how do you expect to survive against Minato Namikaze?"
Hanzo's words struck a chord. For all their bravado, none of the assembled leaders could deny the growing shadow cast by Konoha's Yellow Flash.
Rōshi, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, felt a pang of unease. He had dismissed the rumors surrounding Minato's prowess as exaggerations. But now, standing in the presence of a man like Hanzo—someone who had fought and lost to Minato—Rōshi began to reconsider.
Rasa's face darkened as he recalled his own encounter with Minato. That day, the Fourth Kazekage had faced death more closely than ever before. If Minato had intended to kill him from the start, Rasa knew he wouldn't have survived.
Kitsuchi spoke, his voice firm. "Minato Namikaze may be powerful, but even he is just one man. This is a war of nations. He cannot change the tide alone."
Hanzo smirked but did not respond. He knew better. He had seen firsthand the devastating effectiveness of Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique.
"He is not to be underestimated," Hanzo finally said. "Even I underestimated him once. That mistake cost me dearly."
The words left a chilling impact on everyone present.
Rōshi, despite his usual fiery demeanor, found his confidence shaken. Rasa's jaw tightened. Even Kitsuchi, a man of patience and practicality, felt the weight of what lay ahead.
Meanwhile, in Konoha, the gathered forces were preparing to march.
The plaza in front of the Hokage Building was packed with over 1,500 ninjas, each standing at attention.
The Third Hokage, clad in full military regalia, addressed the assembled troops. Beside him stood Jiraiya, Minato, and several other senior leaders.
Among them was Kato Dan, whose calm presence radiated assurance. Suzuka, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd, was a reminder of Konoha's legendary strength—even among its veterans.
Behind them stood the masked members of Anbu and Root, their faces hidden but their resolve palpable.
The Third Hokage's voice rang out clearly.
"This war demands sacrifices, but I remind you all: we fight not just for victory, but for the future of Konoha. Should the need arise, I will stand beside you on the battlefield."
"Yes!"
The collective response echoed, filled with determination.
Minato's gaze shifted toward the side of the Hokage Building, where a familiar red-haired woman stood. Kushina's eyes met his, her expression firm yet laced with worry.
Minato offered her a reassuring smile, his voice soft as he whispered, "I'll come back to you."
Kushina's lips moved silently, but he could read her words as if they were spoken aloud.
"You must come back safely. I'll be waiting."
"Sensei, let's go."
With a hand on Jiraiya's shoulder, Minato reached out with his chakra, connecting with the hundreds of shinobi around them.
Swish, swish, swish!
The air shimmered, and in a Yellow Flash, over 1,500 Konoha ninjas vanished from the plaza.
Kushina watched the empty space where Minato had stood moments ago. Her eyes glistened, but she refused to let any tears fall. Instead, she clenched her fists, determination burning within her.
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