Chapter 302: Hanzo Returns
Masahiko and Akatsuki had a long history of grievances and grudges.
Back when Madara's Rinnegan was taken, the Six Paths of Pain attacked Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools. Masahiko pursued them, and in the end... lost track of them.
Learning that an intermediary had entered Akatsuki, Masahiko pursued, found the Jashin cult base, and then... lost track of them.
Controlling the Third Mizukage to launch a surprise attack on Konoha and ignite the Third Great Ninja War, Masahiko pursued, and afterward... lost track of them.
This was the history of grievances and grudges between Masahiko and Akatsuki.
During his five years of secluded training, Akatsuki hadn't come out to cause trouble, which surprised Masahiko greatly.
Hearing the news of Hanzo's disappearance this time, Masahiko felt he had likely "sacrificed" himself, and it was definitely Akatsuki's doing.
To avoid losing track again and making a wasted trip, Masahiko decided to use his brain before acting.
Of course, when he eventually learned the truth, tears might fall from his eyes.
It just so happened that Haku needed to take care of Zabuza for two days. He told Kimimaro and Karin to train on their own for a few days, asked Kushina to look after them, and then Masahiko left the Land of Whirlpools alone, heading straight for the Land of Rain.
This time he traveled at full speed, arriving in the Land of Rain in less than half an hour.
Naturally, he couldn't use his original appearance; he was afraid Akatsuki wouldn't run away fast enough. So, Masahiko disguised himself.
At this moment, he had shoulder-length white hair, wore the standard armor of the Land of Rain, had two layers of bandages wrapped around both wrists, a sickle and chain slung diagonally across his waist, and a gas mask over his face...
That's right, he was currently: Hanzo of the Salamander!
"Hanzo's disappearance means his body was likely taken by the Akatsuki organization, and no one else found it. By disguising myself as Hanzo and taking control of the Land of Rain, the Akatsuki organization will most likely send someone back to investigate the situation. Catching just one will be enough."
This was the plan Masahiko had come up with after careful consideration.
"I am truly too smart!"
'Hanzo' set out from the border of the Land of Rain, not hiding his figure, and headed straight for the center. He wanted everyone to know that he, 'Hanzo', was still alive, and he had returned!
Over these past few days, the situation in the Land of Rain had also been treacherous. Hanzo's disappearance after battling unknown ninjas had caused the war to temporarily pause.
Although Hanzo was over sixty and his strength and stamina were declining, he was still a ninja known as a demigod. In the current ninja world, there were still only a handful of people who could defeat him, and the only one who could make it impossible for him to even escape was probably Masahiko.
Therefore, the ninjas from the Rock Village, Konoha Village, and the Land of Rain were all quietly observing. Reconnaissance ninjas roamed freely but didn't engage each other.
Of course, based on the battle traces, Konoha did suspect Obito and Rin, who had been rescued by a 'mysterious person', but it was hard to explain in terms of strength. No one could guess that Obito had awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, let alone such a broken spatial ability.
Masahiko's 'Hanzo' traveled onward, continuously being discovered by various reconnaissance ninjas. Furthermore, from their fluctuating chakra, he could tell they were very unsettled. They basically left immediately after seeing him, likely going back to report.
However, there were also ninjas who kept following him. Masahiko pondered slightly, waved his hand in that direction, and spoke with a hoarse voice, "Come out!"
A moment later, three armored Rain ninjas appeared beside him.
The one in the middle looked excited. "Is it really you? Leader!"
"Is there anyone else who dares to impersonate me?!"
"No, no, no, it's wonderful that you are safe and sound!"
Masahiko pondered for a moment. Adhering to the 'say less, make fewer mistakes' principle he learned in the Mist Village, he chose to... nod!
Of course, just that wasn't enough. Masahiko squeezed another sound out of his nose. "Mm."
The three opposite him didn't find it strange; Hanzo had always had a taciturn and cautious personality.
The atmosphere quieted down. Masahiko thought for a moment and asked another question: "During the two days I was recovering from my injuries, how has the situation in the Land of Rain been?"
"You were injured? Who could possibly injure you?"
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."
The leading ninja froze, looking terrified, and repeatedly said, "I apologize, Leader. I spoke out of turn."
Masahiko chuckled inwardly. It seemed the original Hanzo was quite harsh on his subordinates; this made it easier to disguise himself.
Seeing that Masahiko didn't pursue the matter, the ninja breathed a sigh of relief. "We haven't engaged in battle with Konoha these past few days. Everyone has been... searching for your whereabouts."
"Searching for me? Hoping for me to die?"
The ninja opposite him was startled, showing a look of incomprehension. "Why would you think that? We already survive in the cracks between great nations. Without your leadership, we..."
Masahiko waved his hand. "You are not bad. Come back with me and be my guard."
"Yes!"
Masahiko secretly breathed a sigh of relief, muttering inwardly, Say less, make fewer mistakes; say more, make more mistakes.
He had taken things a bit for granted just now, thinking that with Hanzo missing, the various Jonin of the Land of Rain might fight for power and the position of leader. He overlooked the current reality of the Land of Rain and almost exposed himself.
For the rest of the journey, Masahiko didn't say a word, and the ninjas following him didn't dare to ask more. They just walked silently toward the central area of the Land of Rain.
...
Konoha camp, several leading ninjas looked at each other in silence.
After a long while, Jiraiya broke the silence. "I told you that old geezer Hanzo wouldn't die so easily!"
He still felt lingering fear from the battle of the Sannin back then.
"Not dead..." Kagami's brows knitted tightly.
Shikaku Nara sighed slowly, overturning the various combat plans he had previously formulated.
"Since he's not dead, we'll wait and see for now. The identity of the ninja who fought him is unknown and will likely act again."
The others looked at each other and nodded. "Agreed."
...
Rock Village camp.
Onoki breathed a long sigh of relief, muttering inwardly, Good thing he's not dead, otherwise I'd have to f*ing 'plead for peace' again.
"Kitsuchi, send someone to contact him, and casually ask who his previous enemy was. This guy even lost his salamander in that battle; his strength has probably weakened quite a bit."
"Yes, Father."
...
On the other side of the Land of Rain.
Yahiko, Obito, and the other two looked at each other in bewilderment.
After a long while, Ameyuri Ringo spoke slowly, "The one we killed... was a fake Hanzo?"
Obito was stunned. The space in front of his eyes distorted slightly, and Hanzo's corpse appeared before them. "This is real. There couldn't be two Hanzos, could there? Twins?"
Rin hesitated for a moment. "It should be real. He was so strong... Could it be that what we killed was just a special clone, and um, he actually escaped back then?"
"No way, I kept my eyes fixed on him the whole time," Obito spoke slowly, very confident in his eyesight.
"No," Yahiko interrupted them. "The one we killed was definitely the real Hanzo. The one out there now is a fake!"
"Fake? What's the benefit of impersonating Hanzo?" Obito looked completely confused.
Yahiko glanced at him. "Hanzo can control the regime of the Land of Rain. He took advantage of us recuperating to appear impersonating Hanzo and seize control of the Land of Rain's ninja forces. Who knows what he will do next."
"Hmph, overestimating his capabilities." Ameyuri Ringo snorted coldly.
Yahiko nodded in agreement. "If we could kill the real Hanzo, we're even less afraid of a fake one. Let's go again, kill him, and see who still dares to target the Land of Rain!"
The four set off on their journey once again...
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