Chapter 94: I Just Wanted to Say Hello

Grass Country, Hozuki Castle.

"Lightning Cutter!"

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide!"

Thick mud and surging electricity intertwined, filling the air with the stench of burning. The two burly men locked eyes fiercely, each seemingly wishing the other dead in the next instant.

The son of the Third Raikage and the son of the Third Tsuchikage faced off at opposite ends of the battlefield. These two second-generation Kage had inherited the grudges between their fathers' villages.

Kumogakure and Iwagakure had constantly clashed since their founding, never ceasing in their hostilities.

During the First Shinobi World War, the death of the Second Raikage triggered a large-scale invasion by Iwagakure, resulting in heavy casualties among the Kumogakure ninjas. 

Near the end of the war, the Second Tsuchikage and the Second Mizukage perished together unexpectedly. Kumogakure seized the opportunity to strike back at Iwagakure fiercely, solidifying their blood feud that continued to this day.

"Iwagakure scum, we don't need your interference here. The matter of the Six Paths' Sacred Treasures is something we, Kumogakure, can deal with ourselves," stated the future Fourth Raikage, A.

"You bumbling fools of Kumogakure, don't think your vile ambitions are unknown to us. Kusagakure's request is to maintain peace in the shinobi world, not satisfy your selfish desires," retorted Iwagakure's Kurotsuchi, glaring back with equal hostility.

"Hey, hey, are you ignoring the presence of the ninjas from the Bloody Mist Village? You mainland bastards!"

At this moment, three oddly-shaped ninjas arrived at Hozuki Castle, shouting arrogantly.

Kurotsuchi and A frowned simultaneously, sighing inwardly, "Just how many villages has Kusagakure sent SOS messages to? Even Kirigakure from across the sea has shown up."

The wielder of the sword Samehada, renowned as the strongest among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Fuguki Suikazan, along with the duo Jinpachi Munashi and Kushimaru Kuriarare, representing Kirigakure, strode into Hozuki Castle, grinning arrogantly at Kurotsuchi and A.

This group from Kirigakure was at the peak of their ninja prowess, whereas A and Kurotsuchi were still in their youth, not yet displaying overwhelming strength equivalent to elite Jonin. In an actual fight, the trio with their ninja swords had a formidable advantage.

"Fish and shrimps soaking in dirty water dare to make waves on the mainland? Go back to your little island," A retorted hot-temperedly.

Confronting each other, Kumogakure's Dodai and Iwagakure's Bansai also stepped up, joining A and Kurotsuchi in forming a battle formation, preparing for the ensuing conflict.

"Ah, youngsters are so impulsive. Peace is still most valuable," came a voice as a shower of golden sand fell from the sky. Chiyo and Rasa from Sunagakure had arrived, further complicating the scene.

Sunagakure, having been nearly devastated in the last war by Hatake Sakumo and Hanma, was the only village to send its high-ranking members to Kusagakure. Having lost their Tailed Beast, Sunagakure was in dire need of the Six Paths' Sacred Treasures and cared little for appearances or unwritten rules.

Such was the tragedy of the ninja world; if Kusagakure's call for aid was genuine, they would be met not by rescuers but by wolves at the door.

The ninjas present from the four significant nations were not here to aid Kusagakure; far from saving the world, their goal was the Gokuraku no Hako (Box of Ultimate Bliss).

Tensions flared once again. The ninjas covertly summoned their chakra, preparing for combat. Puppets and explosive tags, lightning and large blades, earth pillars and golden sand, each drew their signature moves, eager to eliminate the weaker ones to clear their path.

High above in Hozuki Castle, Uchiha Madara watched the farce coldly, scoffing and reflecting, "This foolish ninja world can never escape meaningless strife."

"Yet to my surprise, Konohagakure ninjas haven't shown up. Indeed unexpected, this village must be entirely rotten by now."

Shaking his head in disappointment at Konoha, Madara lamented their missed opportunity, considering Hashirama's peace ideals too detrimental.

However, moments later, a familiar burly figure appeared at Hozuki Castle's gate, bringing a smile to Madara's lips. With White Zetsu morphing around him, Madara's face transformed into that of Mu, and he turned back into Hozuki Castle.

"What's going on, everyone?" 

"I just got here, and you're already sparring? Is this a warm-up for the Third Shinobi World War?"

Hanma Nonchalantly walked to the edge of the battleground, arms crossed, commenting dispassionately.

Seeing Hanma's arrival, A's heart skipped a beat, swiftly jumping out of the fray. A gave Dodai a covert look, seeking advice, to which Dodai responded seriously, shaking his head subtly.

The situation was now beyond their control, forcing them to watch and adapt.

Chiyo withdrew her seven white secret-puppet troops, shielding herself and Rasa. As a high-ranking member of Sunagakure, she knew Hanma's strength better than anyone present. Though she lacked detailed combat intelligence on Hanma, his feat of killing Jinchūriki Fū was enough to make her wary.

Only Fuguki Suikazan swaggered toward Hanma, his large blade in hand, arrogantly demanding, "Who the hell are you? You look pretty tough."

After scrutinizing Hanma closely and finding no hidden village markings, he sneered, "A wandering ninja? Get lost, don't meddle in the affairs of the Five Great Shinobi Villages!"

Hanma's daily attire consisted of loose martial arts clothes, rarely donning the typical ninja combat uniform or headbands.

For a ninja of his prowess, his attire was up to his preference, much like how Jiraiya and Tsunade dressed freely in their time.

But Fuguki Suikazan misunderstood, assuming Hanma was just another wandering ninja stirring up trouble. Seeing Hanma's serene smile made Fuguki more irritated, his catfish-like face twitching as he sneered, "I said move! My sword Samehada loves slicing through tough meat like yours!"

"Die!"

Standing over two meters tall with massive arms, Fuguki's combat style was all about brutal power. With a roar, he swung his sharkskin-covered Samehada down towards Hanma's head with ferocity.

"Clang!"

A sound akin to metal striking rung out. Hanma intercepted Samehada with his bare hand, unscathed, while a few of the sword's barbs broke and twisted aside. Fuguki, eyes wide in disbelief, could only think, "What is this guy's body made of?"

Before Fuguki could react further, Hanma's steel-like grip clamped around his throat. The large man floundered like a fish out of water, but the incredible strength at his neck cut off his air, numbing his limbs.

Hanma shook his head, tightening his grip. With a crack and a thud, Fuguki's head separated from his bulky body, leaving a fountain of blood where his neck had been.

This surreal scene left Jinpachi and Kushimaru from Kirigakure in stunned silence, retreating several steps in shock.

Hanma, examining his new prize, Samehada, with satisfaction, looked innocently at the remaining ninjas, calmly remarking, "I truly didn't expect Kirigakure's ninjas to be so weak. I merely wanted to say hello."