After seeing off Kakuzu, Rinjin returned to his quarters and began writing a letter.
"Honorable Lord Hanzo,
The person you asked me to investigate has yielded some interesting findings:
Shimura Dandan, the younger brother of Shimura Danzo.
A Jonin from Konoha, based on the intelligence I've gathered, this individual possesses exceptional strength and is skilled in ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu.
He appears to be around twenty years old and is extraordinarily handsome—far beyond the level of an average person. Truly a heartthrob for housewives!
According to an ANBU informant, this person is extremely low-key, helpful, kind, and approachable."
With no shame whatsoever, Rinjin continued to write, his face devoid of even a trace of embarrassment.
"Furthermore, this Mr. Dandan is also a strong candidate for the position of the Fourth Hokage.
Even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, has praised him as a once-in-a-century genius.
What's even more remarkable is that he has shown no arrogance despite his talents. Instead, he often helps widows and orphans in the village with tasks within his ability, earning universal praise from everyone."
At this point, Rinjin paused, tapping his chin thoughtfully with the pen.
"That should do it," he mused. "It's enough to provoke Lord Hanzo while modestly portraying myself as a paragon of virtue. Brilliant!"
Putting down the pen, Rinjin proudly patted himself on the shoulder, muttering, "Humble yet heroic—true greatness!"
He handed the letter to Maiko, instructing her to deliver it to an Amegakure operative in Konoha. Then, Rinjin donned his ninja attire and left the village.
Takigakure, the Hidden Waterfall Village, concealed behind a massive waterfall.
Although surrounded by four nations, its unique geography had kept it safe from invasions.
Today, Takigakure welcomed a special guest.
Dressed in a long-sleeved black outfit with matching pants, a short cloak over his shoulders, and the signature oxygen mask of Amegakure on his face, Rinjin had arrived in disguise.
Guided by Cat's sensory connection to Chōmei, the Seven-Tails, Rinjin soon found himself standing before a small, low courtyard in the center of Takigakure.
Suddenly, a massive cloud of white scales surged out from the courtyard, rushing toward Rinjin.
Narrowing his eyes instinctively, Rinjin muttered to himself, "Cat, it seems Chōmei has noticed you."
In his mind, Cat's stammering yet defiant voice retorted, "T-this is all your fault! If only y-your slippery little tricks weren't so useless!"
Rinjin rolled his eyes at Cat's stubbornness.
Though tempted to argue, the swirling scale powder wasn't the time for idle chatter.
"Retreat!" Rinjin barked, turning to flee.
But just then, a nimble figure burst forth from the white mist, moving with incredible speed toward Rinjin.
Fixing his gaze, Rinjin saw a man with a scruffy beard and wings on his back, flapping furiously. The man's hands moved in rapid seals, his chest puffing up as if preparing for something formidable.
Rinjin froze mid-step, then pivoted instantly.
"Lightning Release Chakra Mode, activate!"
In the blink of an eye, electricity crackled around Rinjin's body. His figure vanished, transforming into a streak of lightning that appeared directly in front of the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki.
In that split second, Rinjin's hand pressed down on the Jinchūriki's shoulder.
A moment later, the world spun.
When the two reappeared, they were standing on a lake.
The sky was overcast, with a light drizzle falling, creating ripples across the lake's surface.
In the distance loomed a towering forest of steel.
The Seven-Tails Jinchūriki quickly leaped away from Rinjin, scanning the surroundings. His eyes widened as he gasped, "Amegakure!"
"Correct, but no prizes for guessing," Rinjin quipped, electricity once again sparking to life around him.
The Jinchūriki's forehead beaded with cold sweat as he instinctively assumed a defensive stance. The oppressive aura radiating from this masked man was overwhelming.
Inside him, Chōmei, the Seven-Tails, was frantically sounding the alarm.
"Stay vigilant!" the beast warned.
Rinjin, noticing the Jinchūriki's hesitation, smirked. His four fingers aligned, and he swung his hand forward.
At the same time, the Flying Thunder God Technique mark he had left on the Jinchūriki glowed faintly.
"Hell Stab: Four-Finger Thrust!"
With a low growl, Rinjin's figure appeared behind the Jinchūriki in an instant, his razor-sharp hand strike slicing through the air.
In the next moment, a dark red tail sprouted from the Jinchūriki, flying off into the distance.
"Impressive speed on the tailed beast transformation," Rinjin remarked, his tone calm. "But how about this?"
Before the Jinchūriki could react, Rinjin vanished again. When he reappeared, a severed arm, accompanied by a spray of blood, flew through the air.
Outside Amegakure, a deafening hum echoed across the sky.
Simultaneously, a massive insect with seven tails emerged, radiating terrifying pressure.
"Shit, it's already gone berserk?" Rinjin cursed, immediately turning and sprinting toward Amegakure.
The chase was on. Rinjin dashed across the water, narrowly evading miniature Tailed Beast Bombs that exploded behind him.
Before long, the gates of Amegakure came into view.
Standing guard was a familiar face—the ninja who might have been surnamed Cao.
There was no time for greetings. Rinjin dove headfirst into the village, slipping into a deserted alleyway where he formed a single hand seal.
In an instant, the world spun again.
When he reappeared, Rinjin found himself in the Land of Wind's Sunagakure. Holding an official decree from the Daimyō of the Land of Wind, Rinjin passed through without obstruction, arriving at the Daimyō's residence.
Inside, he was greeted by a plump Daimyō, who looked at him with eager anticipation.
"Daimyō-sama, we can begin now," Rinjin said, removing his oxygen mask to reveal his true face.
The Daimyō's eyes lit up with excitement as he nodded vigorously.
He had been waiting impatiently for this moment.
Unlike the other Daimyōs of the Five Great Nations, he lacked a city under his direct control. The Land of Wind was too barren, covered in endless deserts.
Occasional oases couldn't sustain even a moderately-sized settlement.
Thus, diverting water was an urgent necessity.
The Daimyō dreamed of building a city along the newly excavated river.
And so, the ninja forces of Sunagakure mobilized.
A large contingent of Sand ninja, laden with supplies, stormed into the borders of the Land of Rain.
When confronted by Amegakure's ninja, the Sand ninja had a unified response:
"We were hired by the Daimyō of the Land of Rain, as clearly stated in black and white. What right do you, the rogue ninja of Amegakure, have to interfere?"
"And besides," they added smugly, "Amegakure is no longer recognized by the Daimyō of the Land of Rain. You're no different from bandits occupying a mountain. How dare you block our path!"
Their arrogance was palpable.
The Amegakure ninja were furious but could only grit their teeth in silence.
The main reason? They couldn't win.
As Sunagakure's forces openly entered the Land of Rain, rescuing civilians on a large scale, the surrounding smaller nations, militant groups, and even Iwagakure collectively erupted in excitement.
This was their chance!
Months of pent-up anger exploded into action.
If wars between the Five Great Nations were contests of military and economic strength, these small-scale conflicts were chaotic free-for-alls.
Behind these militant factions were financiers, merchants, and lords who had suffered immense losses during the "Iron Crisis."
Their motives were entirely different from those of the great nations.
If possible, these troublemakers would drag all five great villages into the quagmire of war. Only then could they sell their stockpiled iron at inflated prices.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
"8 amazing fanfics available on my Patreon.
Support for 200+ advance chapters:
patreon.com/DarkGolds"