The rain fell harder.
Raindrops, as large as beans, pelted Hiroki's straw hat, creating a dense, crackling percussion.
At the Fire Nation border, inside a makeshift command post disguised as ordinary rock, the air was thick, almost suffocating.
In the center, a sand table displayed the deployments of both armies in vivid detail. Red flags marked Konoha's defensive positions, drawn back and cautious, while the blue flags of Amegakure stabbed forward like knives, their sharp points aimed straight at the heart of the Fire Nation.
Orochimaru stood before the table, his golden eyes as deep and unreadable as the ocean. He was the commander of this operation.
At his sides, Jiraiya and Tsunade mirrored his seriousness, their expressions unprecedentedly grave. Behind them, Konoha's top jonin gathered—Aburame Ryoma, the Inuzuka clan, the Hyuga clan, and the combined Ino-Shika-Cho team—each studying the map with meticulous attention.
In the shadows, quiet and still, stood Hiroki.
During the past month, he had absorbed knowledge like a sponge.
Compared to when he faced Tsunade, Hiroki now wielded five new ninjutsu:
Fire Style: Phoenix Fire, Great Fireball, Shuriken Manipulation TechniqueWater Style: Water Dragon Bullet (44-print version)Wind Style: Great Breakthrough
The Fireball and Flame Bomb were almost identical—consuming roughly 380 calories per shot. Phoenix Fire was multiple fireballs, ideal for pairing with the Vacuum Jade technique. The Wind Breakthrough required 800 calories but outperformed the Vacuum Ball when combined with a Fire Bomb. Shuriken manipulation was almost useless—only suitable against low-level Genin. The Water Dragon Bullet… Hiroki hadn't yet figured out its full use.
At the table, Orochimaru's pale fingers traced the enemy's movement."Hanzo's main force is advancing on Outpost 84," he said coldly.
Nara Shikazo leaned in, whispering, "It's too obvious. Hanzo always mixes brute force with illusion. This showy attack on 84? Likely a decoy. His real target is probably our supply lines in the rear."
Shikazo's gaze drifted across the room and fell on the silent boy.
"And Lord Orochimaru… even if Hanzo attacks 84, can we truly entrust the core of this 'God-Killing' plan to him?"
The room fell silent. All eyes turned to Hiroki.
Aburame Ryoma's insects buzzed louder in anticipation, the Inuzuka jonin tightened the grip on his ninja dog, and everyone felt the weight of the moment.
A ten-year-old Genin, mediocre chakra, not even a Chunin… and yet the fate of Konoha rested on him.
"It's absurd," someone muttered.
Orochimaru's voice cut through like a snake's hiss."Nara Jonin, are you questioning the Sandaime's decision?"
"I wouldn't dare," Shikazo replied, bowing. "But facing the Salamander Hanzo… a single mistake means total annihilation. Entrusting a child we barely know with the core of this plan is… risky."
Voices rose in agreement. Doubts like a tide swept through the room.
"Enough!"
Tsunade slammed her palm onto the sand table, spiderweb cracks radiating across its surface. She stood, scanning the room with icy precision."He defeated me head-on. Does anyone here still doubt him?"
Silence. Absolute.
The top jonin stared at her blankly. At ten years old, he had bested Tsunade, the Third Hokage's disciple, an elite Jonin. And yet the Third Hokage had chosen him for this mission.
No one dared question it.
Orochimaru's voice finally broke the quiet."Since there are no objections, let's review the plan one last time."
"Jiraiya, Tsunade, lead the main force and feint an attack on Outpost 84. Draw Hanzo's attention and force him to summon the Salamander Ibushi."
"The Pig, Deer, and Butterfly clans handle battlefield control and open paths for the assault teams."
Orochimaru's gaze shifted to a silent white-haired jonin."You will protect Hiroki and bring him close to Hanzo. Create the opportunity for him to act."
Then all eyes returned to Hiroki.
"Even half a second of contact is enough to activate the ninjutsu?" Orochimaru asked.
Hiroki nodded calmly."Yes."
A collective breath was drawn. Half a second… that was all.
Even in this tense, life-or-death moment, some instinctively stepped a fraction further from him.
The rain, the mud, the enemy—they all mattered less than the knowledge that if Hiroki was touched, the outcome could change in an instant.
Suddenly, a Hyuga jonin burst through the curtain of the command center. Veins pulsing, Byakugan fully activated, his voice sharp with urgency:
"Hanzo has been spotted! He's separated from his main force, southeast of Post 84, heading toward Post 61—likely planning a surprise attack!"
"What?!" The room erupted into shock.
Is it a trap… or an opportunity?
"No time to hesitate!" Orochimaru ordered, voice cold and decisive.
"Yes!" The jonin dispersed like falcons, melting into the rain.
Hatake Sakumo remained silent, snatched Hiroki onto his back, and disappeared into the muddy forest floor.
Through the rain-soaked mountain forests, they ran like thunder incarnate—relentless, precise, unstoppable.
Then—
Boom!
The earth shook violently, as if a titan had struck it.
Jiraiya's face drained."It's a trap!"
Too late.
Ahead, a massive, uneven head blocked the sky. Its eyes, like dim moons, glared down mercilessly.
A figure sneered atop it.
Sansho Fish—Ibushi.
And behind him, Sansho Hanzo.
"Did you think your Hyuga ninjas would prevent an ambush?" Hanzo's voice carried over the storm."Pride like yours will lead to destruction! Die, Konoha ninjas!"
The salamander opened its enormous maw, unleashing a torrent of fishy, poisonous purple mist—a flood breaking free of its dam.
The battle had begun.
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