One Hour Earlier — Amegakure
As the leader who founded Amegakure with his own hands, Hanzo of the Salamander had countless affairs to manage each day.
While he was immersed in work, he suddenly received a report from his subordinates: Jiraiya had killed Kinosuke.
Hanzo's first reaction was disbelief. As someone who had once fought against Jiraiya, he knew the man's character quite well.
In his eyes, Jiraiya wasn't the type to randomly slaughter one of his subordinates—especially not someone like Kinosuke, a high-ranking official within Amegakure.
Such an act was a blatant provocation, one that could easily trigger a war.
However, when he saw Kinosuke's corpse with his own eyes, Hanzo began to doubt his own judgment. Despite the gruesome state of the body—even the head had been destroyed—Hanzo, the so-called "Demi-God," could still recognize his subordinate.
And if Kinosuke was indeed dead, the only people within the Land of Rain capable of killing him were Jiraiya and Uchiha Mikoto.
After all, Kinosuke was a Jonin of Amegakure. To lead the radical faction, his strength was not to be underestimated.
"Lord Hanzo, you must give us justice for Kinosuke-sama!" The remaining Rain ninja from the radical faction cried out tearfully.
"We were only following your orders to monitor Jiraiya's group. Who would've thought Jiraiya would suddenly kill Lord Kinosuke? This is a direct challenge to your authority!"
"That's right, Lord Hanzo! Jiraiya's actions are not just an insult to you, but a slap in the face to all of Amegakure!"
"If we let this go unpunished, not only will our people lose heart, but the entire ninja world will look down on us!"
Although Hanzo knew they were trying to goad him into action, he couldn't deny their logic. For the sake of his dignity—and Amegakure's—he had to personally take charge.
No matter how much the moderate faction tried to dissuade him, Hanzo ignored them and led a team out of the village.
And thus, the current scene unfolded.
When Hanzo's group arrived, what they saw was Aoshi's team preparing to flee, with the ground littered with slain Rain ninja.
Before Hanzo could even speak, he was interrogated first.
At that moment, Hanzo's fury boiled over—he actually laughed aloud. "You Konoha ninja kill my men and then have the audacity to ask if I intend to start a war?"
Hearing this, Mikoto's expression darkened.
Yes, the Rain ninja had died by their hands—but it was Amegakure who attacked first.
Hanzo's words made it clear: he had no intention of admitting fault. He was trying to shirk responsibility.
Those Rain ninjas had acted on Kinosuke's orders, and Kinosuke was Hanzo's subordinate. That meant Hanzo had approved the mission.
Otherwise, how would Kinosuke dare provoke Konoha?
But before Mikoto could argue, the furious Hanzo had already issued an attack order.
In an instant, Rain ninja occupying the high ground rained down countless shuriken and kunai, many laced with explosive tags.
Faced with the barrage, Mikoto's face paled.
There was nowhere to run. She could only protect herself—she had no way to shield the others.
Of course, someone like Aoshi didn't need her protection. Even Minato should be able to fend for himself.
But Ayame and Tomoki were in danger.
Unfortunately, Mikoto's strongest techniques—Genjutsu and Fire Release—were ineffective against this kind of wide-area bombardment.
Just as Mikoto was unsure what to do, Aoshi stepped forward.
With lightning speed, he completed a series of hand seals, causing the surrounding rain to form a circular wall of water, shielding everyone inside.
Water Style: Water Formation Wall!
This was a defensive jutsu Aoshi had learned from Kosuke back in Konoha.
"Well done!" Mikoto couldn't help but praise. She leapt into the air to guard the only vulnerable opening above the wall, hurling dozens of shuriken to intercept the remaining projectiles.
"That was close. Thank goodness we had Mikoto-sensei and Aoshi-senpai!" Tomoki patted his chest in relief, while Ayame nodded furiously beside him.
Minato, on the other hand, remained tense. This was merely the first wave of attacks—the real battle was just beginning.
Aoshi and Mikoto thought the same.
"Hmph, I'll admit—they do have some skill," Hanzo snorted after witnessing the defense. He waved his hand, signaling dozens of his subordinates to charge.
Someone of Hanzo's stature didn't need to dirty his own hands dealing with a few no-name Konoha ninja.
That wasn't arrogance—it was just the truth.
Among the five, only Mikoto, with her three-tomoe Sharingan, had any real reputation in the ninja world. In Hanzo's eyes, his elite troops were more than enough to wipe them out.
Only when facing Jiraiya would he personally intervene.
Though he had lost to him once, Hanzo acknowledged Jiraiya's strength.
"Mikoto, use your most powerful Fire Style Jutsu. I'll back you up with Wind Style."
Without hesitation, Mikoto followed Aoshi's lead.
Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
With Aoshi's wind chakra fueling the flames, the sea of fire Mikoto expelled became a blazing inferno. The sheer heat evaporated the rain on contact.
Under her control and the Wind Style enhancement, the inferno's range expanded, engulfing every enemy Rain ninja.
"Such terrifying flames—everyone, use Water Release to defend!"
Despite their efforts, nearly half the Rain ninja were caught in the blaze. Those consumed by the flames were either dead or gravely wounded.
It has to be said, Fire Style is lethal.
From his perch above, Hanzo's face darkened. He hadn't expected two people alone to unleash such devastating power. To block that level of Fire style, only he himself could use Water style strong enough.
Unlike Konoha, Amegakure lacked large numbers of skilled ninja. He couldn't just stand by and watch more subordinates be slaughtered.
"Fall back, all of you!" Hanzo ordered grimly, and the remaining Rain ninja fled in panic, hiding behind him.
Gone were their earlier smug expressions, replaced by fear and dread.
But seeing Hanzo prepare to enter the battlefield himself, they regained their confidence, their faces filled with reverence.
Hanzo the Demi-God had arrived—these Konoha ninja were doomed.
Mikoto's face also turned grim. As a Jonin with a fully matured Sharingan, she had her pride. But pride didn't mean arrogance.
She knew full well—against the famed Hanzo, she didn't stand a chance. "I'll hold him off. Aoshi, take the others and run—now!"