Chapter 64: Hanzō Fails to Catch His Prey

Orochimaru immediately sent ninjas to summon the earlier - arrived intelligence agents according to a special information transmission method.

Now that they had just arrived, they didn't know if Hanzō had sent Rain ninjas to keep an eye on them.

After resting on the spot for a short while, some Konoha intelligence agents who had arrived earlier came to report.

"Konoha ninja Hayato Yamanaka has come to..."

This person was the leader of Konoha's Intelligence Division for this mission and also a Jonin of the Yamanaka clan.

"Skip the formalities. Tell me what intelligence you've gathered," Tsunade interrupted Hayato Yamanaka's greeting.

"Sure."

Glancing at their expressions, Hayato Yamanaka started to report the situation.

"It's impossible to hide the news of our large troop's arrival. The Rain ninjas are already monitoring the border."

"These days, the number of Rain ninjas has significantly increased, and there have been several skirmishes."

"We learned from the Rain ninjas that Hanzō of the Salamander is aware of the impending arrival of our Konoha large troop."

"Currently, he's sitting tight in his base without making any moves."

"I suggest clearing out the Rain ninja spies before making further plans."

True to the Yamanaka clan's reputation as intelligence masters, this clan member clearly presented the intelligence and proposed a course of action.

After hearing this, Kawaki had a bad feeling.

"We can't all stay together."

"Split up immediately. Otherwise, if Hanzō attacks, it'll be a disaster."

Although he believed he could hold his own against Hanzō, the Salamander's poison was extremely lethal to the large troop.

In case of an accident, Tsunade's antidote pills can only delay the inevitable outcome. Such losses would be unbearable for Konoha.

"Kawaki-kun makes a good point," Orochimaru agreed without hesitation, having witnessed the tragic slaughter of Konoha ninjas in the Salamander's Poison Mist.

"Hanzō didn't dare to ambush us in advance. He's probably wary of the Third Hokage," Jiraiya analyzed.

[In the Naruto - world wars, if one side's leader remains unopposed, half of the battle's outcome is already determined. Hanzō is afraid that the Third Hokage can stop him, which would lead to defeat for the Rain ninjas.]

[During the Third Great Ninja War, the Third Raikage could single - handedly fight off ten thousand enemies, which shows how terrifying some powerful individuals can be in combat.]

"But things could change once the spies report back."

"Since we're splitting up, I suggest that Jonin lead small groups."

"Advance from all four directions towards the heart of the Land of Rain. Once Hanzō loses his temper, we'll regroup and take him down at once."

Jiraiya, also a master of intelligence in Konoha, had been silent until now. After integrating the intelligence, he finally voiced his opinion.

"Retreat if you encounter Hanzō. Our main target is the Land of Rain ninjas," Orochimaru's cold voice sounded. He would never say such a thing if he were able to defeat Hanzō.

"I have no objections," Kawaki said, seeing Orochimaru looking at him, indicating his support.

"Alright, it's settled then."

Tsunade made the final decision. Since there were no disagreements, they dispersed quickly.

The large troop scattered soon after.

Dai's strength was unanimously recognized. So, even as a Chunin, he led a team independently. Orochimaru thoughtfully assigned him a quick - witted Chunin as well.

"I'm not feeling well. I need Tsunade to treat me."

Kawaki came up with an extremely lame excuse and stubbornly followed Tsunade with the two young ones.

Everyone was too lazy to expose him and just pretended not to hear. Even Tsunade gave him a disdainful look.

Couldn't he come up with a more reasonable excuse?

Tsunade's team became the most powerful one, leading the largest number of ninjas towards the heartland of the Land of Rain.

Meanwhile, the Rain ninja scouts sent the news back to the base.

"Lord Hanzō, the Konoha ninjas have reached the border."

"The whereabouts of the Third Hokage have not been found."

The scout told Hanzō what he cared about most.

"Good. Come with me to battle and wipe out all the Konoha people."

With the Third Hokage absent, Hanzō didn't even put two more ninjas of Orochimaru's level in his eyes.

The order was passed down, and the ninjas of Amegakure Village began to act.

Hanzō took most of the troops and left some ninjas to patrol around.

But when they rushed to the border, they didn't find a single Konoha ninja.

They only found the bodies of many Rain ninjas deep in the forest. No wonder no one had reported any news along the way.

Hanzō guessed that the Konoha troops had hidden themselves and quickly led the large troop back to defend.

Just in case the Konoha ninjas took the opportunity to raid the base.

Hanzō's back - and - forth journey wasted several more days.

The Konoha ninjas had killed all the few Rain ninjas they encountered along the way.

Even when they met a large number of Rain ninjas, they would contact the nearest Konoha troops to jointly wipe them out.

As they got closer to the heartland of the Land of Rain, the number of times they encountered Rain ninjas increased.

Kawaki and his group had just wiped out a thirty - man Rain ninja troop, and neither he nor Tsunade had made a move.

The Rain ninjas were dealt with by the Konoha ninjas under them. Without the participation of high - end combat forces, the large gap in numbers meant a one - sided slaughter.

The two young ones had also gotten used to their current life. After being tempered by blood, they became more and more mature.

Their hands were also stained with the blood of many Rain ninjas.

"Looking at the map, we're not far from Amegakure Village."

Kawaki was sitting on a Taiseki away from the team, holding a map in his hand, with Tsunade beside him.

"It'll take about four or five days to get there."

Tsunade also leaned over and roughly estimated based on the current speed of progress.

After several days of traveling and fighting, even the most beautiful women would look a bit sloppy, and Tsunade was no exception.

"Don't worry. Everything is going smoothly so far."

Kawaki felt a bit sorry for Tsunade when he saw her appearance. He reached out to lift her bangs and wiped the stains on her face.

Tsunade didn't avoid Kawaki's actions and there was tenderness in her eyes.

It seemed that Kawaki was getting closer and closer to her.

"Teacher, Teacher's wife..."

Minato came over with roasted rabbits at this time, breaking the ambiguous atmosphere.

"These are freshly roasted rabbits."

Knowing that he came at a bad time, Minato held up the two roasted rabbits and his speech became incoherent.

No wonder Nawaki sent him here. He's really sneaky.

"Ahem."

"I'm just hungry."

Kawaki gave a tactical cough and called Minato over.

Tsunade also recovered from the embarrassment.

"Thanks, Little Minato."

Then, he reached out his hand and touched Minato's head.

"I'm leaving."

Minato quickly left after delivering the food, eager to stay away from this troublesome land.

Only the image of Kushina emerged in his mind. He thought he and she would be as sweet as his teachers were in the future.

Kawaki and Tsunade were munching on the roasted rabbit and once again fell into silence.

Only the faint sound of chewing could be heard.

After finishing his food, Kawaki was the first to break the silence.

"According to the information provided by these Rain ninjas, Hanzō led a group to the border, aiming to decide the outcome in one battle."

"I guess he didn't spot us. When he returns to Amegakure Village, he'll probably stay put and defend."

"When that final fierce battle comes, remember to stay behind me if it becomes dangerous."

Kawaki remembered that in the original plot, Tsunade was hit by Hanzō's Fire Release: Exploding Flame Formation. If it hadn't been for Jiraiya's long hair, she would have been severely injured.

"Got it."

Tsunade swallowed the meat in her mouth and couldn't bear to refuse, so she replied in a low voice.

But there was no way she would do that.

Kawaki also underestimated Hanzō. With just brute force, how could he be called the Demi - God? (i.e., Hanzō)

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