Two days later.
An urgent authorization letter stamped with the seal of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was delivered by secret channels into Danzō's hands.
The authorization clearly approved and ordered the frontline command to execute the special operation code‑named "Decapitation."
Tsunade looked at the letter, her face ashen. "Damn it! What is the old man doing? Why would Hiruzen approve Danzō's plan?" She rubbed the seal with white knuckled fingers. To her, this completely violated Hiruzen's traditionally cautious style.
"You'll have to ask him! The old man must have his reasons…" Jiraiya scratched his head, attempting to smooth the situation, but his expression was heavy and confused. He instinctively sensed something was off.
"Shut up, I don't need your commentary!" Tsunade suppressed the urge to throw the letter in Jiraiya's face—after all, the mission was imminent. She turned to Orochimaru, her gaze sharp. "Orochimaru, your thoughts?"
Orochimaru's pale fingers traced the Hokage seal on the letter. A flicker of understanding and indifference passed through his golden snake‑eyes. A faint, nearly imperceptible curl touched his lips. "This… certainly doesn't align with Hiruzen‑sensei's typical style." He paused, his voice slick with calmness. "However, in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures can be understood. Konoha's stuck neck‑deep in the Land of Rain, losses severe. Danzō's plan is risky, but if by removing Hanzō the 'demigod' we can reverse the war and end this attrition… the sacrifice might be a rational choice." He knew the authorization was likely forged, but that suited his needs. He needed the change this mission could bring. He needed the power vacuum and chaos caused by Hanzō's death, those were the opportunities. Whether he'd take the blame? That was Danzō's problem.
"Enough talk! We don't need more discussion!" Ryo's voice cut in coldly.
He, too, did not believe the authorization came directly from Hiruzen. But the document was real, the order actual.
"Since it's come to this, let's discuss infiltration and the assassination specifics." Ryo's voice carried undisputed decision, dragging everyone back to the mission.
At Jiraiya's suggestion the infiltration plan was quickly set: Use the ninja‑toads from Mount Myōboku, infiltrate through the massive sewer system beneath Amegakure—network of rusted pipes and sewage labyrinths. The toad would first find a relatively safe hiding point, summon Jiraiya. Jiraiya carried Ryo's specially made Flying Thunder God kunai. Once Jiraiya confirmed safety and sent the signal (injecting chakra into the kunai), Ryo would activate Flying Thunder God‑jutsu, instantly teleport Tsunade and Orochimaru to Jiraiya's location. This infiltration method bypasses Amegakure's surface patrols and sensory barriers to the greatest extent.
"When we locate Hanzō, I lead the main assault." Ryo assigned roles briefly. "You three focus on his summon Ibuse. Eliminate that giant salamander, then together we take down Hanzō." Flying Thunder God is his ace. He must ensure his own maximum burst and suppress Hanzō early. Tsunade has unique strength against massive summons (brute force). Jiraiya's toad tricks plus Orochimaru's bizarre jutsu can restrain or even injure Ibuse.
No objections from the others.
Tsunade, though concerned about the camp, had no choice but to suppress her frustration, orders were given.
Before departure, Ryo sought out Mikoto and Nawaki.
"We're going out for a short‑term mission."
He deliberately omitted the danger and objective—they were classified. Only the executor and planner know the "Decapitation Plan."
Mikoto sensed the seriousness in his tone. Her gaze met his. "Is it dangerous?" She didn't ask what the mission was.
"A routine mission." Ryo didn't want her worrying, but he had to leave a safeguard.
He stepped closer, while Nawaki shifted uneasily. Ryo's fingers gently touched a hidden spot on Mikoto's neck, where he had earlier placed the Flying Thunder God mark.
"Remember," his voice low and clear, audible only to Mikoto and Nawaki, "If the camp is attacked by Suna on a large scale, no matter how things look, inject chakra into the mark on your neck immediately, with full power. Understand?" This was the only way he could guarantee she had a fail‑safe despite the distance.
Mikoto felt his finger, heard his words, tension tightened in her chest, but she nodded firmly: "Yes, I understand."
Ryo's gaze shifted to Nawaki; it grew sharp and icy. "Nawaki, during the camp situation, protect each other. If things get critical, get to a relatively safe area and buy me time." His tone was directive, not a request.
Nawaki, startled by Ryo's cold gaze, straightened despite his injured leg. "Understood! Ryo‑sama!" He swallowed, pounded his chest, assurance trembling in his voice. Though inwardly he thought "Who's really protecting who?", Ryo's trust still sparked a surge of responsibility.
Ryo gave Mikoto one last deep look. In that gaze the cold seemed to melt briefly, then hardened again. He said nothing further, turned, and his figure melded into the rain‑curtain.
Nawaki watched his departure, scratched his head, nudged Mikoto's arm. He whispered softly, "Hey, Mikoto, what the heck is Ryo going on about? So serious… and stressing the Flying Thunder God mark so much…"
Mikoto remained silent, eyes fixed on Ryo's departing direction, rain trailing down her cheeks. She didn't answer Nawaki's question. That word "routine mission" and the lingering touch on her neck made her worry swell, heavy as the downpour. Yet she simply unclenched her fist.
Land of Rain border, Suna frontlines.
Ryo, Tsunade, Jiraiya and Orochimaru were assembled. Cold rain washed over their cloaks.
"Let's begin." Ryo spoke quietly.
Jiraiya nodded, expression serious. He quickly formed hand‑seals. "Summoning Jutsu!"
Boom! A puff of white smoke dissipated. A small, slick‑skinned green toad from Mount Myōboku appeared on the damp rock. Its big round eyes looked alert.
"You're on point." Jiraiya's voice dropped. He handed the toad a plain kunai carved with a specialty jutsu. "Find a safe spot, then summon me."
The toad nodded, grabbed the kunai with its fore‑legs, croaked and with a "poof" transformed into a tiny wisp of smoke and vanished into a crack in the ground, that crack led into the vast sewer system of Amegakure.
The wait wasn't long, but every second seemed especially heavy.
Cold rain dripped from Tsunade's golden hair. Her brows remained tightly knit, hands crossed over her chest, her fingers tapped impatiently on her arms.
Orochimaru stood quietly aside, golden snake‑eyes half‑closed. He calculated the mission's success rate and potential chain reactions, lips curled slightly.
Jiraiya looked nervous, rubbing his hands as his gaze circled the rocks and rain.
"Boom!" Not long after, Jiraiya inverted summoning and vanished in a puff of white smoke.
Ryo stood like a rock in the rain, hood low, completely still. Only he sensed the power loudly boiling inside him yet tightly restrained.
Ever since obtaining the Earth Release: Weight Rock Technique scroll from the Tsuchikage's lineage he'd pushed his body in nonstop training, carrying multiple times gravity during every moment of fight or rest. The pain of carrying a mountain‑like burden honed his muscles, bones and organs. It was as if he walked forwards through suffering.
[Ding! Host status: scan complete]
[Shanks' Legacy Integration increased to: 59.9%]
[Shanks' Legacy unlocked to: 60%]
[Current strength level: Kage‑class]
[System evaluation: You have already firmly planted one foot in the Kage‑class threshold! Your edge is clear, the bottleneck is near! 59.9%! That last 0.1% feels as far as a thousand miles.]
At that moment.
A faint but clear chakra pulse travelled through space into the Flying Thunder God mark.
"Here!" Ryo's spirit sharpened, he whispered.
In an instant he looked up, hood‑shadowed eyes lightning: "Hold onto me!" He called out. Both arms extended.
Tsunade grabbed Ryo's left arm without hesitation. Orochimaru's cold hand took his right.
"Flying Thunder God Technique!"
The space around them seemed to warp and fold.
The three figures blurred, then as if erased by an invisible hand, disappeared into the rain‑shrouded sky, leaving no ripple behind.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)