On the streets of Hidden Rain Village, cold rain was falling.
The hostile gazes of Hidden Rain villagers and ninjas were focused on the Hidden Sand Ninja.
Towards the Hidden Sand Ninja who brought disaster and pain to their country, they naturally wouldn't show any kindness.
If it weren't for the desire to avoid escalating the situation, this Hidden Sand Ninja wouldn't be able to walk out of here safely.
Because there were many families here who had lost loved ones, and they held an undying grudge against Hidden Sand Ninjas.
The standoff continued for a short while until a team rushed over from the street ahead.
The leader, wearing an anti-poison mask, had long pale yellow hair cascading down, and hands exposed to the air were scarred from battles, the skin not as smooth as a young person's.
With eyes that conveyed a cold arrogance, he stared directly at the Hidden Sand Jonin.
Originally glaring back at the Sand Jonin with fury, Hidden Rain villagers and ninjas suddenly felt like prey being stared down by a terrifying beast from the forest, shivering.
It was an oppression never felt from anyone before, impacting his mental world with a violent and ruthless posture.
He stood dazed in the rain, only waking up from his stupor when the accompanying Hidden Rain Jonin shouted at him again, with raindrops on his face, or perhaps sweat from fear.
"Hidden Sand, Lord Hanzou is asking you a question."
The Hidden Rain Jonin beside Hanzou questioned impatiently.
For the Hidden Sand Ninja who caused great destruction to the Land of Rain, he equally had no goodwill.
The Sand Jonin finally steadied himself, swallowing hard, he took out a letter from his ninja tool bag, ready to personally hand it to Hanzou.
The Hidden Rain Jonin was about to step forward to take the letter on behalf of Hanzou.
"I'll do it myself."
Meeting the Hidden Sand envoy in front of so many people, it wouldn't be fitting for him to let a subordinate take the letter, demeaning the title of 'Demigod'.
The title he fought for after countless near-death battles couldn't be demeaned due to such trifles.
Noticing the villagers and ninjas around him looked on with admiration and respect, Hanzou once again became proud of the title 'Demigod'.
Indeed, the people of this village only needed to look up to him with such gazes.
This was the honor of his lifetime of conquest, even in death, it must be brought into the grave with glory.
This honor must not be destroyed by anyone.
"Lord Hanzou, this letter was jointly sent by the Hidden Sand and the Land of Rain Daimyo. The letter has been delivered, and I now take my leave."
After speaking these words tremblingly, the Sand Jonin dared not meet Hanzou's eyes, which seemed as deep and unfathomable as an abyss, and fled in panic, as though escaping.
It drew laughter from Hidden Rain villagers and ninjas.
Ninjas from the great nations didn't seem so extraordinary.
In front of the guardian deity of their country, they could only flee disgracefully.
Having calmed the villagers, Hanzou led his team back to the top of the tower.
He had quickly browsed through the letter jointly sent by the Hidden Sand and the Land of Rain Daimyo, and then fell into contemplation in his private room.
The letter's content was simple, the Daimyo's resources were insufficient, hoping Hidden Rain Village could generously assist Hidden Sand, so they could quickly drive out the despicable Konoha Ninjas from the Land of Rain and restore peace to the country.
Hanzou took a heavy breath, his fist clenched tightly, eyes aflame with anger yearning to burn everything.
Yet, thinking of Hidden Sand's nearly full military mobilization, his eyes soon filled with hesitation, pondering whether to assist Hidden Sand.
Honestly speaking, Hanzou understood the sinister intentions of Hidden Sand very well.
Initially, deliberately positioning troops in the Land of Rain without directly invading the Land of Fire, only starting the battle when Konoha's forces gathered within the Land of Rain's borders.
The purpose of Hidden Sand was indeed the Land of Fire, but weakening the Land of Rain was likely a forward-looking strategy by Hidden Sand.
Afterward, the battles with Konoha in the Land of Rain became increasingly fierce, but each time deliberately allowing Konoha to barely hold off the offensive, unwilling to immediately abandon the opportunity to exploit the Land of Rain while also weakening Konoha Ninja numbers in the Land of Rain, finally gathering strength to break through Konoha's defenses and invade the Land of Fire.
By then, the Land of Rain would likely be worn down due to Hidden Sand's excessive exploitation.
The ruthless tactics left one speechless, and Hanzou suspected the entire affair was masterminded by that puppet elderly woman, Chiyo.
Only that elderly woman would be so cunning and calculating, probing the limits of him, the Demigod.
The cost of intervening in the war was too great, even potentially leading to Hidden Rain Village's destruction, his power was showing signs of decline compared to the last Ninja Realm war.
Should failure occur, the name 'Demigod,' which followed him throughout his life, would dim and fade away. The control of Hidden Rain Village would fall into others' hands.
A defeated Demigod no longer remains a Demigod.
Thus, Hanzou made a decision he could never bear to face.
"I hope that elderly woman will be satisfied with this."
War, best to stay away from the Land of Rain.
◎
Mid-October in the Land of Rain marked the start of colder weather, and ninjas' fighting passion gradually dwindled.
In this country where rain fell year-round, entering winter would be colder than in many other countries.