Chapter 31: The Stalemate

Hanzo hid in the water, his face grim as he looked at the massive crater in the distance, clutching his chest and spitting out large mouthfuls of clotted blood.

"Why does he show no signs of being poisoned? Could it be that my poison has been neutralized? Impossible. I should stall for more time."

"That stance—isn't that the legendary Uchiha clan's Susanoo?"

"But it's not as large as described in the records. I need to verify this information. Perhaps Ohnoki would know."

"With such speed and power, the only way to kill him is with that move."

Hanma sensed the chakra carried by the blood flow and locked onto a stream, surprise flashing across his face. "Hanzo, do you have Hozuki clan blood? Why not return to the Mist and claim your heritage?"

The heavy punch moments ago took advantage of Hanzo's unfamiliarity with Hanma's increased speed.

Normally, it would have hit him squarely.

Yet, when Hanzo used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge, he turned into water.

Utilizing the abundant water in the environment and his exceptional Flicker Technique, Hanzo managed to avoid most of the impact.

Hanzo looked at Hanma with a sullen expression, his body still numb.

Hanma's powerful Lightning Release chakra greatly restrained his Hydration Technique.

Hanzo needed to calm down, analyze Hanma's abilities, and find a weakness.

"Why don't you become the Mizukage in the Mist Village? They respect the strong. The Third Mizukage there is just a figurehead; you're better!"

"You're fighting us to the death here in Konoha, but do you really have the strength?"

"Don't be confined to your current village. Go straight to the Mist Village; that's the right move."

"Step out, and you'll have a better future. I'm giving you a way out; think about whether I'm right!"

"Why not conquer the Five Great Nations and make a name for yourself? What's the point of plotting against other people's vassal states? You lack ambition!"

Hanma used his years of banter and small talk at the market to bombard Hanzo with trash talk, attempting to unsettle him.

It wasn't that Hanma forgot the trope of "villains dying because of too much talking"—he was also struggling with Hanzo's highly potent poison.

His body, bolstered by "savage growth," was slowly developing resistance to the poison.

The toxin from Hanzo's salamander affected him less and less, but close contact with such a large dose was still taxing.

The Lightning Armor provided defense against Hanzo's chain scythe and explosive tags, which he ignored.

Hanzo's effective means of harming Hanma were limited to the salamander's poison.

He needed to stall longer, as his poison resistance was increasing over time.

Hanzo fumed as he listened to Hanma's half-true suggestions about attacking the Land of Water.

Occupying the most prosperous lands of the ninja world, Konoha controlled many small countries that produced food.

Hanma coldly observed Hanzo as he used his Hydration and Flicker Techniques to dodge Hanma's attacks, opting to escape into craters when evasion wasn't possible.

Hanma's attacks came with terrifying sonic booms, forming a long white line of mist behind him as he struck.

"Boom—!!!"

Another heavy punch landed. The battlefield was full of deep craters from their clashes.

Hanma's powerful blows were enough to threaten Hanzo, ensuring victory if he landed a solid hit.

Hanzo ignored his pride and used the Flicker Technique to avoid the attacks.

When evasion wasn't possible, he turned into water, sliding into craters to absorb most of the damage.

Hanzo's attacks became simple: he used Poison Form to enhance his Water Release, continuing to permeate Hanma with poison.

Hanma sought a killshot opportunity, while Hanzo waited for the poison to take effect. Once again, they were at an impasse.

Hanzo's face turned an unnatural deep purple, his ribs and arm broken.

His left hand dangled uselessly, and his internal poison sacs throbbed with pain.

Hanzo's perfect blend of Hydration and Flicker Techniques could dodge almost any physical attack, yet Hanma's monstrous power made his wind deadly even when blocked.

Hanma held his breath to avoid inhaling more poison, but couldn't stop it through his pores, worsening his reactions.

The battlefield's poison fog became so dense it obscured the ground, deteriorating the environment of the Rain Village even further under Hanzo's actions.

"Who would have thought this assassination mission would lead me to Hanzo so soon? Such bad luck."

"His son's self-explosion technique must have been taught by him."

"Hanzo shouldn't be able to self-detonate, right? He has ambitions, so it shouldn't be possible."

"But if Hanzo forces a close-range self-detonation, it's a big problem."

Hanma pulled back, observing Hanzo; he had no compelling reason to kill him now.

His body felt increasingly heavy.

If Hanzo self-destructed, leaving Hanma half-dead, he couldn't expect any compensation from Konoha.

After all, when his father Uchiha Kagami died, his family only got a few crates of fruits.

Hanzo harbored similar thoughts.

"This guy's body is extraordinary; my salamander's poison barely affects him. This is troublesome."

"I can't avenge Iga today, but I will remember this, damn Konoha."

"Konoha's power is swelling uncontrollably; this is bad."

This duel had created ripples in the world, subtly altering the course of the Second Ninja War.

Originally, Hanzo aimed to flex his muscles and annex the Bird Country under the Land of Wind and the River Country under the Land of Fire, becoming one of the Six Great Ninja Villages.

But faced with the additional threat of Hanma, a Konoha ninja capable of killing him, his plan was futile.

"To rip a piece from Konoha, I'll need to enlist the Sand Ninjas and other starved hounds."

(End of the Chapter)