Puppet Granny from Hidden Sand?
"Lord Hanzou, how should we deal with these rumors?"
The Hidden Rain Ninja who came to report asked quietly.
After all, if this kind of thing isn't handled properly, it could cause serious discord within our ranks.
"Relax, the reason for the cut in rations earlier was a delay with our rice supplier. The food supply will return to normal the day after tomorrow. By then, these rumors will collapse on their own."
Hanzou spoke with absolute confidence.
"Yes, sir."
The messenger also let out a sigh of relief.
It seems those rumors were just exploited by people with an agenda. As the leader of Hidden Rain, how could Lord Hanzou possibly stoop so low as to compromise with Hidden Sand?
"By the way, Lord Hanzou, there is another matter requiring your discretion."
"What is it?"
"According to reports from our agents outside the village, lately a large number of villages within the Land of Rain have suffered utter massacres. All supplies within those villages were robbed clean. According to the tally, there are 2,400 dead, and many more villages haven't been accounted for yet. Otherwise, the number would be even higher."
"What did you say?"
In the closed room, upon hearing the death toll, Hanzou stood up in shock at once.
He opened the door and stepped outside, his face showing both surprise and anger.
"Is this information accurate?"
"Absolutely certain."
The Hidden Rain Ninja reporting the news looked serious.
Hanzou's expression turned stormy and unsettled.
"Any clues?"
"Although someone carefully cleaned up the scene, it's not hard to tell that ninjas were behind it."
"Has this news been sealed?"
Hanzou asked.
The messenger gave a wry smile and shook his head.
Seal it? With this many deaths and such a major incident, how can we possibly keep it secret?
In just a few days, this will inevitably spread throughout all Hidden Rain. It's even more serious than the previous rumors.
Hanzou sighed.
Indeed, how can this be covered up?
Oppressed as they are by the great nations' ninjas, now with this happening, those Hidden Rain Ninjas are bound to suspect that it was those great nation ninjas who did this.
But what's the point of such an act?
Hidden Sand shouldn't have any reason to do this.
Puppet Granny wouldn't just target the Land of Rain out of the blue and drag Hidden Rain into the war—it would only hurt Hidden Sand's interests.
If it's Konoha...
Konoha!?
Hanzou's face shifted.
Then, regaining his composure, he waved his hand for the messenger to leave.
Returning to the room, Hanzou's face was dark and gloomy.
He picked up a secret letter from last December, sent to him by Hidden Sand's Puppet Granny Chiyo.
The letter stated that Konoha Root Leader Shimura Danzo had led Root Ninja into the Land of Rain for reasons unknown.
It also warned Hidden Rain not to fall into a Konoha-crafted trap and turn against Hidden Sand.
"Danzo!"
Hanzou clenched his fist tightly.
A murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
Though he lacked solid evidence, if Hidden Rain got pulled into this war, Konoha would be the one to benefit most.
The only way for the Land of Rain to quickly return to peace now is to secretly aid Hidden Sand and drive the war into the Land of Fire, so that he, as Hidden Rain's leader, can swiftly stabilize his nation's situation.
In all of this, Konoha stands on the opposite side from both Hidden Rain and Hidden Sand.
If the war drags on inside the Land of Rain, it's the worst case for Hidden Rain and Hidden Sand both.
Hidden Rain can't stabilize the country, Hidden Sand can't achieve their strategic goals.
The only one gaining is Konoha.
And now, standing against Hidden Sand, Konoha is worn thin; to turn their disadvantage around, they'll simply drag Hidden Rain into the war, forming an alliance with Hidden Rain to fight Hidden Sand Ninjas.
"No wonder you're called the Dark Ninja. I really underestimated you in the past, Shimura Danzo!"
No one but Root Leader Shimura Danzo would employ such despicable, high-risk tactics and stop at nothing for Konoha's gain.
Hanzou smashed his fist on the ground in fury.
But it was all just speculation—he had no solid proof.
He believed that Root's schemes wouldn't end here. They would orchestrate more mass killings in the Land of Rain and pin it all on Hidden Sand.
If he could get irrefutable evidence it was Danzo's Root doing this, he wouldn't mind partnering with Hidden Sand and rampaging through the Land of Fire in revenge.
Even facing the Ninja Professor himself, as the Ninja Demigod, he had nothing to fear.
What he truly dreaded were Konoha's endless parade of elite ninjas and those ninja clans with Kekkeigenkai and Secret Techniques.
"Call Kanzo here!"
Hanzou commanded those outside.
Soon, a Hidden Rain Ninja arrived outside Hanzou's room, dropping to one knee.
"Lord Hanzou, what are your orders?"
The man called Kanzo was an aging middle-aged Hidden Rain Ninja.
His right eye was covered with a black eyepatch, and his Hidden Rain Ninja Headband was a bit worn.
But his voice was still full of vigor, and his presence was something few ninjas could match.
As Hanzou's trusted right-hand man, Kanzo was not only solid in his work but stood as one of Hidden Rain's most renowned Jonin in terms of strength.
"I need to personally investigate some matters. You'll accompany me on this mission."
Hanzou stepped out of the room, wearing his Anti-Poison Mask, a chain wrapped around his waist connected to a scythe with a razor-sharp blade slung across his back.
"Yes, sir."
Though confused why Hanzou would personally venture out at such a time, as a subordinate, all he had to do was obey orders.