Chapter 31: Hanzō - Show Me the Money
The Aftermath
"Stand down."
Hanzō waved his hand dismissively, ordering the Rain shinobi to withdraw.
The Rain ninja hesitated briefly, but one cold glare from their leader sent them scattering obediently like startled birds taking flight.
"You can save those pointless little tests for someone else."
Hanzō's composure returned instantly. He reached for a teacup from the miraculously undamaged tea table and brought it calmly to his lips. "The shinobi world is on edge these days. Go back and tell Hiruzen Sarutobi that I expect this to be the first and last time he tries something like this. Otherwise, he should understand the consequences."
Despite their violent clash moments ago, the nearby tea table remained completely intact—not even a single drop of tea had been spilled from the collision's shockwave.
This demonstrated the terrifying level of chakra control that true Kage-level shinobi possessed.
Uchiha Kazuki silently compared himself to these legendary fighters. I still have a long way to go before reaching their level.
"I'll report everything truthfully to Lord Third."
Tsunade's contemptuous expression faded as she slowly rose to her feet. "Contact us once you're ready to deal with the seal situation."
Although their exchange had been brief, she'd successfully gauged the demigod's remaining strength.
Old and frail though he was, his power remained formidable.
"Let's move out."
Mission accomplished, Tsunade saw no reason to linger. She turned and gestured to Kazuki and Hikari. "We're leaving."
Hidden Wounds
The Rain ninja escort guided them back through the maze-like pipe network.
After returning to their quarters, Tsunade seemed to deflate with relief, dropping unceremoniously onto the floor cushions without concern for appearances. "That was exhausting. I should've known better than to accept the old man's request. Still, that bastard Hanzō is definitely not to be underestimated."
"Lady Tsunade, your hand..."
Kazuki's gaze fell on her right hand, his eyes narrowing behind his mask. "I didn't expect Hanzō the Salamander to be so skilled with poison. If it weren't for the Sharingan, I probably wouldn't have detected it."
In the split-second of their collision, Hanzō had used an imperceptible method to poison Tsunade.
"Heh, after all these years, he still hasn't learned any new tricks."
Tsunade glanced at her hand, then waved dismissively. "It's fine. I could neutralize his poison in my sleep at this point. Just needs a little medical ninjutsu."
The Demigod's Reality
After Tsunade's departure, Hanzō remained seated in silence for a long time.
Slowly, he withdrew his hand from inside his sleeve. His entire palm was grotesquely deformed, trembling uncontrollably despite his iron will.
The agony of shattered bones beneath his skin couldn't shake this demigod of the shinobi world—he'd endured far worse. He stared blankly at his ruined hand, and a profound sense of helplessness surfaced in his eyes.
No matter how desperately he tried to maintain the facade...
He couldn't hide the truth.
He was old.
Physical deterioration meant declining chakra reserves. His energy and stamina weren't what they used to be.
How much longer can I hold on?
A look of confusion crossed Hanzō's weathered features. He'd fought his entire life, yet still couldn't change Amegakure's fate.
The village remained subjugated by the Five Great Nations. His people still lived under the constant shadow of war. And he himself had become a monster—paranoid, ruthless, the very thing he'd once despised.
Footsteps.
The sound yanked Hanzō back to reality.
He suppressed all traces of weakness and doubt, transforming instantly back into the cold, calculating Hanzō the Salamander—absolute ruler of Amegakure.
"What is it?"
Hanzō's eyes remained lowered, his tone devoid of emotion.
"Lord Hanzō, his messenger has arrived." The Amegakure ninja knelt respectfully.
"Hmph. What day is it today?"
Hanzō's brow furrowed as he clenched his mangled fist, his wrinkled face twitching. He sneered coldly. "Even that rat hiding in the shadows can't resist testing me?"
"Fine. Send him to Chamber B."
Throughout this vast underground labyrinth, he maintained multiple residences. To prevent assassination attempts, he randomly rotated between them—never sleeping in the same location twice in a row.
A Root Connection
The Konoha ANBU operative wearing an animal mask was escorted to Chamber B by the Rain ninja.
The room's furnishings were sparse and identical to the previous chamber—simple tatami mats and minimal decoration. Hanzō sat facing the wall with his back to the entrance.
Even after hearing someone enter, Hanzō didn't bother turning around. "State your business."
Feeling deliberately slighted, the Konoha ANBU operative bristled with displeasure but couldn't show it. He spoke stiffly, "My name is Terai. Lord Danzō asked me to convey his greetings and, incidentally, to propose a deal."
"A deal?"
Hanzō's drooping eyelids lifted slightly, revealing a calculating glint. "Interesting. Continue."
"Tsunade and one of her accompanying ANBU operatives should have already arrived in Amegakure." Terai lowered his voice, not directly stating his purpose but mentioning Tsunade's group with clear implication.
WHOOSH!
A blade of wind chakra grazed Terai's mask, embedding itself deeply into the wall behind him.
CRACK!
His animal mask fractured. Terai's pupils contracted sharply, every hair on his body standing on end.
"I don't have time for your cryptic nonsense."
Hanzō's voice turned cold as winter frost. "If there's a next time, I'll take your head."
"Lord Danzō requests that you intervene and capture the ANBU operative accompanying Tsunade." Sensing the genuine killing intent emanating from the old man facing the wall, Terai didn't dare stall any longer. The words tumbled out rapidly.
If Hanzō says he'll take my head, even Danzō-sama himself wouldn't be able to stop him!
After a slight pause, terrified of further angering Hanzō, Terai quickly continued, "Lord Danzō also mentioned that if capturing him proves too difficult, obtaining his Sharingan alone would complete the request."
"Sharingan?" Hanzō paused momentarily, then asked with renewed interest, "What makes his Sharingan special?"
"I apologize, but I cannot disclose that information."
Terai's expression stiffened as he bowed his head deeply. "This is Lord Danzō's direct order. I wasn't given the details."
Hanzō, understanding how Root operations worked, didn't press the issue. After a moment's consideration, he spoke. "I can accept this request—provided Danzō can afford my price."
"Ten tons each of ore, military rations pills, explosive tags, medicinal herbs, and other war supplies."
Terai stated the terms directly. "Furthermore, Lord Danzō has promised to send Root's elite operatives to assist you in suppressing the resistance movements within Amegakure."
"Not enough."
Hanzō raised his eyelids slightly, his tone forceful and unyielding. "If I intervene personally, Tsunade will definitely discover my involvement. Openly antagonizing one of the Legendary Sannin carries significant risk. You'll need to pay more."
"That's..." Terai gritted his teeth, then countered, "Lord Danzō can provide a maximum of one hundred tons of supplies. That's the absolute limit. Any more and the Third Hokage will discover the operation!"
Hanzō finally nodded, accepting the hundred tons of supplies. "Very well. I, Hanzō, accept this contract."
"Tomorrow, I will accompany the investigation party."
Terai spoke respectfully. "I'll do my utmost to distract Tsunade. The rest is up to you."
"Understood."
Hanzō closed his eyes again, appearing to doze off.
Seeing the dismissal, Terai couldn't remain any longer. He carefully backed out of the chamber.
The Failed Spy
Shortly after Terai's departure, a tiny insect—barely the size of a grain of rice—suddenly crawled out from beneath the tatami mat where the Root operative had been sitting. It moved silently toward the crack beneath the door.
"Hmph."
A cold snort, sharp as thunder, erupted from Hanzō.
The insect was blown backward by the shockwave alone, slamming into the wall. It twitched twice, seemingly realizing it had been discovered.
Bzzzzzz.
The parasitic insect beat its wings frantically, flying toward the doorway at tremendous speed.
A kunai—swift as lightning—flashed across the chamber, its cold gleam catching the insect before it could react. The blade pinned it cleanly to the doorframe.
Hanzō, who had been sitting facing the wall, had turned around at some point. He stared at the impaled insect on the doorframe, a cold glint appearing in the depths of his cloudy eyes.
"A parasitic insect from the Aburame clan, hmm? Pathetic surveillance technique."
He shook his head slowly.
"No wonder Danzō is always outmaneuvered by Hiruzen Sarutobi."
[End of Chapter 31]
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