"It's a simple and crude method."
Orochimaru looked at Yuta and Nagato's ninjutsu and couldn't help but feel envious.
One used Wood release to cover the entire Amegakure at once, instantly subduing most of the ninjas.
The other used repulsive force to clear the clouds over Amegakure with ease.
Both were large-scale ninjutsu that were powerful enough to overwhelm an entire village.
In the face of these two, ordinary ninjas were practically meaningless.
If it were him, he would never have chosen to invade Amegakure so openly.
Even setting aside Hanzo, if he were to be surrounded by multiple Jōnins and further pressured by waves of Chūnins and Genins, he would be in trouble.
It had been the same when he had defected from Konoha.
Most of the Konoha Anbu who pursued him were just Chūnin-level, with a few Jōnin mixed in.
But even so, they had chased him relentlessly, and he had barely escaped.
After all, there was a limit to one's stamina and chakra reserves.
No matter how strong an individual is, sheer numbers can wear them down.
Even the Five Kages can't afford to ignore an overwhelming force of regular ninjas.
Now, the towering trees of Wood release had already subdued Amegakure.
Without hesitation, Yuta and his group of four walked straight through the main gates of Amegakure.
"Who?! Damn it, there's an intruder!"
"They used this ninjutsu?!"
"Damn it, report to Lord Hanzo immediately!"
Along the way, Amegakure's ninjas were restrained by Wood release, and could only cry out in anger and frustration.
Meanwhile, the village's civilians hid in their homes, terrified.
If even their trained ninjas had been taken down so easily, what could mere civilians do?
...
Center of Amgakure
A heavily guarded residence
"Lord Hanzo... something's happened!"
One of Hanzo's subordinates rushed in with an urgent report.
For unknown reasons, massive trees had erupted throughout the village.
Any ninja who came into contact with them was instantly bound and suspended midair.
Some had tried to rescue their comrades only to be ensnared themselves.
"I see."
For once, Hanzo stepped outside, gazing at the towering trees.
"This chakra… Could it be the legendary Wood release?"
His brows furrowed.
Wood release was the bloodline limit of Konoha's First Hokage.
It should have been lost to history. And yet, here it was, appearing suddenly in Amegakure.
Why?
Why had the wielder of this bloodline limit targeted Amegakure?
Amegakure held no secret techniques or tailed beasts. There was no reason for an enemy to covet this land.
But despite all logic, Hanzo felt deeply uneasy. He felt like something terrible was about to happen.
Nagato coldly said, "Long time no see, Hanzo-san."
Four figures emerged from the sea of trees.
"Who?!"
"Intruders! Protect Lord Hanzo!"
"Only four people?"
One of Hanzo's guards scoffed, "Tch, I thought Konoha or Iwagakure had launched an attack."
Hanzo's elite bodyguards rushed forward, forming a defensive line.
More than twenty ninjas layered their formation, shielding Hanzo.
Seeing that the intruders numbered only four, they felt relieved.
Since it wasn't one of the great hidden villages attacking, this would be easy to handle.
How could just a few people be a threat to Hanzo, the demigod?
"Are you from the Akatsuki?"
Hanzo's eyes narrowed as he realized something.
Red hair and Rinnegan.
A blue-haired woman at his side.
He remembered them.
These were the two who had escaped and they were from the Akatsuki.
It had been a decade ago, during the Third Great Ninja War.
Danzō of Konoha had allied with him to destroy the original Akatsuki. He had pretended to negotiate peace while setting a trap.
He ambushed them with both Amegakure's forces and Danzō's Root. Konan had been taken hostage, forcing Akatsuki's leader to commit suicide.
But then, Nagato had awakened the power of the Rinnegan.
He summoned the Gedo Statue, and slaughtered both the Amegakure and Root's forces.
Hanzo had barely escaped, thanks to his mastery of the Body Flicker Technique and Nagato's injuries slowing him down.
"Orochimaru... and..."
Hanzo's gaze shifted.
He recognized Orochimaru.
After all, he was the one who had bestowed the title of "Sannin" upon him, Jiraiya, and Tsunade.
But the last figure…
He had never seen him before.
Hanzo's expression tensed as he studied the group's dynamic.
Among these four, this young man was the leader?
Who was he?
He is so young but his standing is above even Nagato, who wields the power of the Rinnegan?
"Uchiha Yuta!"
Hanzo's face darkened as he realized.
Despite his reclusive nature, he wasn't entirely ignorant of the world affairs.
The young Uchiha who had defeated Konoha's Third Hokage, Kumogakure's Fourth Raikage, and Iwagakure's Third Tsuchikage.
The same one who had single-handedly crushed both Kumogakure and Iwagakure's forces.
Despite living in seclusion, Hanzo had heard the rumors.
His own greatest feat had been defeating thousands of Konoha ninjas, including Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade.
But at that time, the Sannin's strength had not yet reached its peak.
Moreover, his victory had been achieved by largely relying on poison.
And even that had been enough for people to call him a "demigod".
But!
Yuta had destroyed entire armies through sheer, overwhelming force.
Compared to him, Hanzo felt that his title of "demigod" was laughable.
"You're here for revenge, aren't you?"
Hanzo's voice was low, and his gaze shifted to Nagato and Konan.
Amegakure had nothing of value to these people.
That meant their target was him.
"Revenge?"
Nagato let out a cold chuckle.
"If all I wanted was to kill you, you'd already be dead."
Hanzo's face tensed.
"Hanzo, Hanzo… There was once a time when you fought against the great hidden villages for the sake of Amegakure."
Nagato's voice was filled with contempt.
"But now? You're old. Weak. You don't even dare leave Amegakure. You're terrified that someone will kill you and take away what little power you still have."
His Rinnegan glowed.
"I'm completely disappointed in you."