Hanzō formed a water clone and moved swiftly toward the approaching figure.
Naraku's Shadow Clone finally reached the Amegakure Shinobi army and clearly saw the man leading them. He wore a gas mask, had long golden hair, a half-cape-like shoulder pad, and held a chain in one hand.
Naraku instantly recognized him.
"I am Uchiha Naraku, Jōnin of Konoha. Hanzō of the Salamander—do you intend to make yourself an enemy of Konoha?"
"Hmph. And Konoha dares to speak so arrogantly in Amegakure?"
"Then I take it there's nothing to discuss?"
Naraku's purpose had been simple: to confirm who was commanding the Ame Shinobi. If it turned out to be Hanzō himself, Naraku was prepared to retreat.
But if it had only been a regular Ame Jōnin, Naraku wouldn't have hesitated to act more aggressively.
Hanzō of the Salamander was a legendary figure in the shinobi world. Even during their brief encounter, it was clear Hanzō hadn't shown his full strength.
"You Konoha shinobi entered Amegakure uninvited and killed our men. Are you trying to provoke a war?"
"Hmph. Your Ame Shinobi ambushed and murdered Konoha shinobi—especially from my Uchiha clan. As captain of the Konoha Guard Force, I came here to investigate. And now you attack us? Hanzō, have you forgotten the pain of the previous war?"
Hanzō's expression turned grim. He hadn't expected the visitor to be the leader of the Konoha Guard Force—an important figure and an Uchiha no less. It now made sense why Naraku had come: he was investigating the disappearance of Uchiha shinobi.
Shimura Danzō, that old fox. Hanzō had eliminated many Uchiha for him and handed over countless Sharingan eyes. Yet Danzō hadn't managed to keep the fallout contained. Now Konoha had sent a force into Amegakure.
Hanzō didn't know the full political landscape of Konoha, nor that the Guard Force's captain was also the Uchiha clan leader.
He knew about Konoha's internal power struggles—particularly Danzō's feud with the Uchiha—but smaller nations like Amegakure lacked the intelligence capabilities to track the details.
Now, faced with Naraku's open threat, Hanzō's tone lost its earlier confidence. He stood silently, thinking.
As a leader, projecting strength was essential. Naraku's tone was cold and firm, full of warning.
Yet Naraku had come without official backing from Konoha. If a localized war between Konoha and Amegakure broke out, it would be Naraku himself who'd bear the consequences.
"Uchiha Naraku, these so-called attacks are nothing but your own claims. Amegakure has always been peace-loving and respected for our high-success missions around the world."
Amegakure's assassination squads were indeed known for precision and professionalism. Their reputation was widespread.
"If there was any conflict, it was likely an unfortunate clash during a mission—not an attack. Naraku-kun, perhaps you're reading too much into it."
Killing Uchiha might be something Hanzō had done—but not something he could admit publicly. These were not things to be spoken of in the open.
"In the past two years, over a dozen Uchiha shinobi have died within Amegakure's borders. More than from every other country combined. Mr. Hanzō, do you truly believe this had nothing to do with Amegakure—or with you?"
"That such a thing occurred... I must have been negligent. So then—how do you propose we resolve this?"
Hanzō's voice was calm but cold. His blank expression left Naraku unsure whether he was compromising—or threatening.
"Hand over the culprit. Or pay 200 million ryo."
Naraku's face stayed neutral. He knew Hanzō would never hand anyone over. What he really wanted was the money.
"Hahahaha. What a bold demand. It's been years since anyone dared speak to me that way."
Naraku stayed alert. If talks fell apart and Hanzō attacked, even as a Shadow Clone, being torn apart wouldn't be pleasant.
"You've got guts, boy. I actually respect that. But I, Hanzō, will give you no more than 100 million ryo. Take it—or fight me."
Hanzō remained impassive, as though bestowing a favor upon Naraku.
It's not easy wringing 100 million out of Hanzō... Naraku thought. If that's all I get, I might just start a fight anyway.
"One hundred million ryo is barely enough to cover the families of our fallen. But for the sake of peace—we'll accept it. Let's end this here."
Naraku's tone was slow and steady, almost compassionate.
Hanzō performed a few hand signs, summoned a scroll, and tossed it to Naraku.
"I'll look into any internal misconduct. Peace is hard-earned—it should be protected."
As the scroll flew through the air, Hanzō's form dissolved into water and vanished.
Naraku opened the scroll. Inside, the summoning seal had two large characters at its center: "One Hundred Million."
The word "yi" (billion) dominated the scroll, and the calligraphy was styled like a decorative painting.
Naraku rolled up the scroll and began walking back.
"Master Hanzō, should we pursue them?"
One of the Ame Shinobi asked. The soldiers had seen the two leaders speak in the distance, and then Hanzō vanish. It was clear the meeting had ended.
"They came to investigate missing shinobi. Many were family of the deceased. I respect their resolve—and I have forgiven them."
"Huh?"
The surrounding Ame Shinobi were baffled. This Konoha unit had killed numerous Ame Shinobi within their borders—yet they were being let go?
But no one dared question Hanzō's orders.
"Return."
With that single command, Hanzō disappeared into water once again. His mastery over water-style ninjutsu had kept him untouchable in countless battles.
Back at Amegakure's central building, Hanzō reviewed the day's events. He found nothing he would have done differently. Spending 100 million ryo meant little to someone who controlled Amegakure.
If money could fix it, was it ever really a problem?
…
"The great Hanzō of the Salamander—turns out he's not that fearsome after all. These 500 million ryo are what he offered in compensation. Use it to provide more support to the families of our dead. Dismissed."
"Mr. Naraku is mighty!"
"Master Patriarch, even a so-called demigod is nothing in the face of Uchiha!"
In truth, Hanzō had given 100 million. But Naraku claimed it was 500 million.
He didn't need to lie about his success—but boosting his reputation within the clan never hurt.
Naraku hadn't expected Hanzō to actually pay anything. He'd only made the demand on a whim. Yet the so-called demigod had paid up.
Both sides had found a way to step down without losing face—and war had been averted.
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