Sakumo Hatake, stationed at the Konoha Ninja Force headquarters in the Land of Rain, was enduring immense pressure.
After arriving at the frontlines and inspecting his forces, he came to fully understand just how dire the situation had become.
Sanshouo Hanzo had launched a lightning-fast surprise attack on Konoha's main camp, decisively defeating the core units led by Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya. Despite scattered Konoha shinobi retaliating fiercely against the Rain forces—and aside from the Command Post being utterly destroyed—Konoha's overall casualties remained surprisingly low. Yet, defeat was still defeat. Even though the Rain forces sustained heavy losses and Konoha suffered relatively few, the Konoha Ninja Forces were still forced to retreat from much of the southeastern Land of Rain, now holding only several small border towns where rainfall was less frequent.
The long-term repercussions of losing their command center and retreating were nearly irreversible. Particularly with Kumo opening its front along the northern border of the Land of Lightning, the "Sannin" were urgently reassigned to lead the Northern Front, replaced by Danzo—who clearly lacked experience commanding large-scale ninja battalions.
Setting that change aside, if they could set up a new command structure, maybe those Konoha shinobi hardened by the brutal conditions of the Land of Rain might regain their fighting edge. However, the key problem lay in the fact that the northern campaign against Kumo progressed too smoothly. Wanting to secure as much credit as possible from this victory, the Hokage faction quickly appointed Danzo as a special envoy to the Land of Lightning, rushing him away for peace negotiations.
As a result, the reconstruction of the military command system stalled once again, leaving decisions to be made collectively by experienced Jonin—men who could barely maintain the current status quo.
Even worse, as the importance of the Kumo campaign grew within Konoha's hierarchy, all reinforcements and logistical supplies for the Ninja Force received top priority, indirectly reducing the resources available to support the camp in the Land of Rain. Especially after Tsunade's transfer to the Northern Front, there were tragic incidents in the Rain camp where poisoned ninjas died due to insufficient medical Ninjutsu expertise among local personnel.
Although basic living supplies never ran short for the troops, under these continuous pressures, negative effects on staffing, supply reserves, and morale had become deeply entrenched.
This was the mess Sakumo Hatake had been left to clean up.
"It's gotten too far…"
Sakumo sighed deeply, raising his head toward the sky.
No matter how vast his battle experience, he couldn't turn around the predicament currently crippling the Ninja Force.
While he departed the village amid preparations underway to resupply the Rain headquarters, gathering those materials would take at least three to four days before reaching the front. By then, the Rain forces would likely launch their next offensive within three or four days.
There also remained an extremely thorny problem—he had no way of countering Sanshouo Hanzo and his deadly poison!
This wasn't just about being stronger or weaker—it was a matter of fundamental incompatibility in their abilities.
Sakumo's strength lay in his lightning-fast Shifting Body Technique and unbreakable swordsmanship, but his defensive capabilities were notably lacking.
The Sanshouo Hanzo, revered as a demigod across the Ninja World, is famous not only for his peerless swordsmanship and unmatched mastery of Water Release techniques but, more crucially, for the deadly poison naturally secreted by his very body—a toxin unrivaled in the ninja world.
Even in this current stage of the Great Ninja World War, no one has yet found a complete cure for Sanshouo Hanzo's unique poison. Although Tsunade successfully created a specialized Antidote Pill targeting this toxin using her extraordinary medical ninjutsu, its production cost remains prohibitively high, making mass distribution impossible. As a result, this highly effective antidote is only available to elite Jonin forces. Meanwhile, the standard-issue general antidote pills provided to regular Konoha ninja are only able to alleviate symptoms rather than fully neutralize Sanshouo's poison when faced with diluted—but still dangerous—traces used by Rain ninja.
Under these conditions, despite Konoha ninja having superior combat strength compared to the uneven quality of Rain ninja, their advantage is greatly diminished by the harsh environmental conditions of the Land of Rain. Combined with the widespread use of poisoned weapons among Rain ninja, if both sides engage in hand-to-hand combat, Konoha ninja gain little actual benefit.
However, during a recent battle, the large-scale deployment of toxic mist executed jointly by Sanshouo Hanzo and his summoned beast Ibuse Poisoning strongly confirmed this: against such indiscriminate wide-area attacks, deploying numerically superior but unevenly skilled troops proves practically useless.
Furthermore, the situation currently facing the camp in the Land of Rain involves not only inferior individual qualities among their ninja—it is further worsened by a serious shortage in overall troop numbers.
"Have we really fallen to the point where we can't even gather basic intelligence?"
What troubled Sakumo Hatake the most was that after the command post was destroyed, they had retreated in such haste that the original intelligence network was almost completely lost. At present, he was practically blind to any movements within the Rain Village, making it nearly impossible to plan any countermeasures.
"All senior intelligence officers directly under military command were killed in the last battle."
A Konoha Jonin softly replied.
"In that case, how exactly did we conclude that the Rain ninja are about to launch an offensive?"
Sakumo was referring to the intelligence suggesting an imminent large-scale attack.
"This conclusion was derived from analyzing the Rain ninja's recent reconnaissance movements along our borders,"
another Jonin responded. "According to previously collected intelligence, before launching a major assault, the Rain Village typically sends waves of small infiltration teams. Their ninja use the rain as cover to sneak into our defenses, gradually mapping out the exact layout and defensive tactics of our positions. Notably, their main attacks usually come at times when we're adjusting our defenses, striking during our moments of change."
"If that's true, does that mean the village's Intelligence Division and Anbu have nothing useful to report either?"
Sakumo rubbed his temples, clearly frustrated.
All the gathered Konoha Jonin shook their heads in unison.
Before this, since there were still quite a few Hyuga Clan ninjas possessing the Byakugan within the Ninja Force, even if the Rain ninjas launched a sudden attack, they wouldn't have been able to approach the camp unnoticed. However, after the war against Kumo broke out, those elite ninjas, including the Hyuga, had largely been reassigned elsewhere. As a result, the Rain Country's military camp had effectively lost its surveillance over the entire nation.
"If we currently lack the intelligence capability to predict the movements of Rain ninjas," one advisor suggested, "then for now we should pull back our defensive lines, temporarily abandon the outermost positions, and instead choose a strategically defensible mountain town along the border within Rain territory as our new stronghold for concentrated defense. Meanwhile, we should deploy the main force of the Ninja Force as strategic reserves in depth within the homeland, ready at any moment to respond to whatever unexpected situations might arise."
With no better options, Sakumo Hatake had no choice but to play it safe.
"But Lord Sakumo," the Jonin assembly voiced their concerns, "if we do this, what about the village..."
"The control zones in the southeastern part of the Land of Rain have practically all been lost already. What use are those insignificant little border towns left?"
Sakumo Hatake let out a cold snort, "Rather than dispersing our forces and getting defeated piece by piece, we should concentrate our strength, keep sufficient reserves, and react flexibly as needed!"
"Understood, sir!"
With that, the Jonin naturally had no objections and immediately dispersed to carry out their assigned tasks, beginning the reorganization of the Ninja Force deployment.
Soon afterward, only Sakumo Hatake remained inside the tent, staring blankly at the large map of the Land of Rain.
The sky above the Land of Rain, as always, was gloomy, continuously pouring down frigid rain—just like the endless pain and sorrow flowing through this tragic land, trapped between powerful nations.
Within the Rain Ninja Village, rows of iron-cast watchtowers still stood tall and firm. Their rust-streaked surfaces and visible repair marks were like the countless scars etched into the nation's very body. Despite its attempts at self-healing, fresh wounds kept piling on top of old ones, never allowing true recovery.
The greatest blessing for the Rain Ninja Village was having a leader as extraordinary as Sanshouo Hanzo.
This half-god who suddenly emerged became the pillar supporting both the Rain Ninja Village and the entire Land of Rain itself. Through his might and wisdom, he upheld the dignity and glory of the village and nation. Under his leadership, once-mediocre Rain ninjas rapidly grew in power, actively sweeping away internal dissent and repelling external threats, even launching campaigns against nearby small nations to seize resources and expand their territory.
Yet, tragically, this same powerful leader also brought doom upon the Rain Ninja Village.
Sanshouo Hanzo, with his unmatched strength and unbending pride, dedicated his life to raising the Rain Ninja Village from obscurity to greatness, earning absolute authority across the Land of Rain. But this inevitably drew the close attention and malicious scrutiny of three major nations: Fire, Earth, and Wind.
The great nations refused to let the Rain Ninja Village rise from being a mere pawn into a true threat, let alone tolerate Hanzo's relentless aspiration of elevating the Land of Rain into the Sixth Great Nation.
Thus, war arrived inevitably.
The three major nations, long at odds with one another, chose the Land of Rain—clearly unfavorable to all—as their battlefield, unleashing fierce battles upon its already barren land.
Sanshouo Hanzo's dream—a dream shared by every Rain ninja and civilian alike—of becoming a great nation was utterly shattered amidst endless war and bloodshed.
Though they won most critical battles, their homeland continued to fall time and again. Capable Rain ninjas dwindled in numbers, and even essential Ninja Tools became scarce due to blockades imposed by greater nations.
"They have arrived," Sanshouo Hanzo boomed, "bringing cold blades and malicious intent!"
Standing atop the tallest tower in the Rain Ninja Village, Sanshouo Hanzo's powerful voice echoed through every corner.
In the Rain Ninja Village where rain fell endlessly, Sanshouo Hanzo, known as "The Half-God," shone like brilliant sunlight piercing through gloomy clouds. His ideals blazed a path forward for the Land of Rain, and his leadership continuously expanded and strengthened the village.
It was precisely because of him that generations of Rain ninjas endured hardships fearlessly, boldly standing tall beneath the shadow of powerful nations' shinobi and wielding tridents standing for both resilience and fighting strength.
"Whether it's the Sunagakure Ninjas amidst boundless deserts, Iwagakure warriors from endless mountains, or even Konoha ninjas living on fertile lands, all keep their eyes fixed hungrily upon us!" Sanshouo Hanzo emphasized once more.
Driven by greed and scheming, these mighty nations constantly sought to break the will of the Rain ninjas, devour the vitality of the Land of Rain, seize resources, and enslave its people.
On the sorrowful faces of the gathered three thousand Rain ninjas, water droplets mixed tears with rain.
The suffering endured by the Land of Rain came from countless atrocities committed by powerful nations' ninjas upon native soil—too much to be fully expressed in writing.
"Brave Rain ninjas, would you accept such a fate?" Sanshouo Hanzo's voice grew more impassioned.
"Never compromise!" the Rain ninjas fiercely responded, filled with deep hatred and sorrow, swinging their weapons high, their furious cries sending tremors through the crowd.
They recalled villagers gritting their teeth through hardship, enduring hunger and heavy taxation just to supply food to the frontlines; even when rations were barely edible or spoiled, these were portions saved painstakingly from their own mouths.
Countless parents sent their beloved children off with heart-wrenching pain, placing upon them great hopes, wishing they could fight bravely for the future of the Land of Rain. Yet cruel reality showed that those young, promising youths perished early on battlefields drowned in smoke before even throwing a single kunai.
Parents who had lost their children held each other tightly; silent sobs spread among the crowd. Their tears mixed with rainwater flowed across the battered earth of the Land of Rain, bearing silent witness to unending suffering and sorrow.
Even merchants normally facing accusations and criticisms couldn't help shedding tears, letting drops freely slide down their calculating faces. That blacksmith master usually full of anger now stood silently, releasing his grip weakly as the hammer he depended upon dropped quietly into dust, covering his face with calloused hands, letting out quiet, stifled sobs.
Despite unbearable poverty, the Rain ninjas never gave up fighting back.
The floodwaters destroyed painstakingly cultivated farmlands and damaged hard-built factories. Espionage repeatedly obliterated precious weapon stockpiles, yet they always rose from the ashes with unyielding determination.
Even under a joint blockade by the Three Great Nations, merchants from the Land of Rain still risked everything to smuggle food through secret channels—just so the Rain ninja on the front lines could swallow even the moldy Military Rations Pills; hot-tempered Ninja Tool Forgers, although lacking in skill, poured their hearts into forging every Ninja Tool that passed through their hands.
The Land of Rain had bled nearly dry, yet the Rain Ninja Village held on with fierce determination.
Gazing at Sanshouo Hanzo—the Half-God himself—shouting passionately atop the Tower, the rain ninjas' chests swelled with emotion, their blood boiling.
Every single one among them knew clearly—the battle about to come would be extremely perilous.
Yet it would also be profoundly significant!
If they could defeat the Konoha invaders in this desperate last stand, then the rain ninjas could proudly proclaim that they had successfully protected every inch of the Land of Rain, driving out the Allied Ninja Forces from the Three Great Nations! The Second Great Ninja World War, which began here in the Land of Rain, must also end here—proclaiming to the world their determination and fruits of sacrifice!
"Although our enemies wield superior Ninja Tools, and despite their Ninjutsu possessing extraordinary power—even if their logistical supplies as an invading force far exceed ours as defenders on our own soil—what of it?!"
Sanshouo Hanzo, almost delirious with passion, gripped his legendary chain-sickle tightly and let out an earth-shaking roar toward the heavens: "What is there to fear?!"
"Fight!"
Morale across the entire Rain Village instantly surged to its peak. The rain ninjas wildly waved their weapons, unleashing deep, heart-wrenching cries of vengeance.
"Brave fellow rain ninjas, will you choose cowardly survival—or die standing proud?"
"Fight to the death!"
A deafening battle cry shook the heavens and earth.
"Faced with well-equipped, veteran Konoha ninja—are you afraid?!"
"You may not have mastered your skills perfectly; you may silently fall within some unknown ditch—will you retreat?!"
"Your children, your loved ones might all perish amidst endless warfare—are you terrified?!"
That soul-piercing shout seemed poised to shatter the storm clouds above.
"We may all face death—including myself, The Half-God."
As soon as these words left Sanshouo Hanzo's lips, the entire Rain Village fell into solemn silence.
All gazes focused upon this hero of the rain ninjas.
"But that eternal, unceasing Will of Rain shall guide us until the final moment of battle!"
An elderly rain ninja, missing one leg, threw away his crutch and slammed to his knees with a loud *bang*, ignoring the water rushing beneath him as he deeply bowed before Sanshouo Hanzo atop the Tower.
One by one, the rain ninjas dropped to one knee, expressing the highest reverence for Sanshouo Hanzo—"The Half-God".
"In the name of the Rain Ninja"
Sanshouo Hanzo raised high his legendary chain-sickle, its sharp aura piercing straight into the heavens, as if about to break through the sky itself in the next instant.
"Eastward Campaign!!!"
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>