Unlike the obscure Salamander Genda or the secretive Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, the renowned Salamander Hanzō had always been a major focus of every ninja village's intelligence network.
His personal records, growth trajectory, personality, ninjutsu, summoning beast, and even an analysis of his close relations—every intelligence division had extensive data on him.
Although Yamanaka Shinno hadn't personally reviewed those files, he had carefully sifted through Danzō's memories.
Root had thoroughly investigated every detail about Salamander Hanzō. His summoning beast, Ibuse, didn't reside in a remote sanctuary like Mount Myōboku or Ryūchi Cave but instead lived in a poisonous swamp on the outskirts of Amegakure.
Due to their highly toxic nature, the Ibuse species had difficulty reproducing. Moreover, because their abilities were overwhelmingly lethal to ordinary ninjas, they were heavily targeted during the Second Shinobi World War. Now, only a few of them remained.
So, theoretically, capturing Hanzō's summoning beast shouldn't be too difficult.
"Poisonous swamp, summoning contract scroll…"
As soon as Shinno spoke, his two shadow clones immediately understood. One transformed into an Amegakure ninja and rushed toward the central tower, while the other headed straight for the poisonous swamp where the Ibuse lived.
If Clone One could find the summoning contract scroll in the central tower, a contract seal could be applied, allowing Clone Two to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport the entire species away.
If the scroll wasn't there, Clone Two would have to manually apply contract seals one by one before forming a new pact later.
...
"Everyone, stand back!"
As soon as Hanzō arrived in the mist-covered area, he barked a sharp command, ordering his subordinates to withdraw.
With a swift motion, he ran his fingertip along the blade of the scythe on his back. His hands formed seals, and in an instant, he summoned Ibuse!
Hanzō channeled his powerful chakra into his summon. Having worked together for years, Ibuse immediately understood his intent and expelled a deep purple toxin from its poison sacs.
With Hanzō's precise control, the dense mist quickly became saturated with a deadly poison capable of killing with a single breath.
Water Release: Water Body Flicker Technique!
Shinno's figure flickered through the water, avoiding the all-encompassing poison mist. In the blink of an eye, he appeared at Hanzō's side.
Clang!
His sword, reinforced by Water Release: Water Blade Slash, clashed against Hanzō's scythe, sending sparks flying.
At the same time, the counterweight at the end of Hanzō's scythe whipped toward Shinno's head.
Splash!
Water splattered everywhere as the counterweight struck. Hanzō narrowed his eyes, immediately realizing that this wasn't a mere Water Clone—it was the Hydrification Technique of the Hōzuki Clan!
His scythe swung horizontally, the hooked blade aiming to cleave through Shinno's body while the counterweight launched a follow-up attack.
Meanwhile, Ibuse, reacting to its master's intent, quickly redirected its poisonous mist, enveloping the battlefield in deadly fumes.
Using the Water Body Flicker Technique, Shinno swiftly retreated.
Raising his left hand, he aimed his fingers at the incoming scythe and counterweight.
Water Release: Water Iron Cannon – Rapid Fire!
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Small but incredibly powerful water bullets continuously struck Hanzō's scythe and counterweight, forcing him to defend instead of closing the distance.
With no choice but to hold his ground, Hanzō could only watch as his opponent retreated.
Shinno distanced himself by several dozen meters, landing on the protruding steel wall of a nearby structure.
His sword's blade was now marked with deep purple corrosion spots.
Glancing at his right arm, which had slightly discolored from the poison despite the Hydrification Technique, he quickly expelled the toxins and replenished his lost fluids using Water Release: Rain Cutter.
Looking at Hanzō standing proudly atop Ibuse, Shinno finally understood the frustration that Tsunade and her team must have felt during the Second Shinobi World War.
This old man wasn't just poisonous—his entire being was a walking biohazard!
If he wanted to take Hanzō down without exposing his identity, he would have to use the inherited techniques of the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu.
Perhaps a small Steaming Danger Tyranny explosion would do the trick?
Wait…
Why was he suddenly considering wiping out Amegakure?
Noticing the faint bloodlust stirring within him, Shinno's expression darkened. With a surge of powerful Yin Release energy, he forcibly expelled the unknown influence affecting him.
Sweeping his sensory abilities across a ten-kilometer radius, an influx of information flooded his mind.
Thanks to the [Seeker of Origins] trait, he quickly identified the source of the abnormality.
Deep underground, within a three-kilometer radius of the Akatsuki's base, three figures—entirely wrapped in White Zetsu's parasitic bodies—were maintaining a strange formation. Outwardly circular, yet internally structured as an equilateral triangle.
"The Jashin cult?"
Shinno's heart sank.
Uchiha Madara would never resort to such lowly tactics, but Black Zetsu? That cunning old schemer would do anything if it meant reviving his mother!
Observing the Amegakure ninjas who had arrived earlier, he noticed that most of them were breathing heavily. Some, especially the weaker-willed ones, had reddened eyes and were showing signs of emotional instability.
Shinno cursed internally.
Connecting the dots, he immediately understood Black Zetsu's true objective.
That bastard had meticulously orchestrated everything to divert Konoha's attention toward Akatsuki.
First, he likely wanted to trigger the Transcription Seal left on Akatsuki members for an unknown purpose.
Second, he intended to drag Amegakure back into war!
No matter which faction from Konoha engaged Akatsuki—whether they disguised themselves as another village's ninja or not—Black Zetsu could manipulate the situation, drawing large numbers of Amegakure shinobi, including Hanzō, into the conflict.
By utilizing the Jashin cult's forbidden techniques, he would spark a brutal massacre.
Did it matter if Akatsuki's opponents were truly strong enough?
Not at all.
Black Zetsu had no shortage of expendable soldiers!
Amegakure, positioned in a critical location, had already been a battleground during the Second Shinobi World War. If Hanzō were to fall, the major villages wouldn't know who was responsible, but they would recognize the signs of an impending war.
War was always about striking first. Any village that hesitated would be at a disadvantage.
The moment Hanzō died, Amegakure would be seen as vulnerable. The great nations, fearing they might be next, would immediately prepare for battle.
Even if Hanzō survived, once evidence surfaced of foreign ninja slaughtering Amegakure's forces, he would have no choice but to retaliate.
And once retaliation began, the already tense situation—escalated by the Kumogakure and Kirigakure conflict—would push the other villages over the edge.
The Third Shinobi World War would become inevitable.
And in the chaos, Black Zetsu's plan to collect the Tailed Beasts and revive his mother would only accelerate.
"Capture them alive. Destroy that formation."
Using Mind Transmission, Shinno relayed his command to his shadow clones.
Since the war was unavoidable, he might as well gain something from it.
If he was going to kill Hanzō, he'd at least take the system's reward.
As for the war…
Heh.
Once he showcased his overwhelming power to the other villages, let's see how Black Zetsu planned to manipulate them then!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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