Chapter 394: Iwagakure retreats, Hanzo wins over! 1st update!
Ōnoki's full-scale assault, launched in a fit of rage, ended abruptly.
Perhaps it was to prevent the Four-Tails from completely going berserk, which would cause Iwagakure to lose a high-end combat force like a Jinchuriki.
Or perhaps he had recognized the truth: even if Roshi and Han heavily wounded Fujiwara Tetsuya and Orochimaru, as long as they failed to defeat Hiruzen Sarutobi, they couldn't achieve their goal in one fell swoop, completely driving Konoha out of the Land of Rain, and opening a path to attack Konoha.
Watching Ōnoki, who had dropped threats and departed, as well as Roshi and Han, who had already returned to human form!
Fujiwara Tetsuya was somewhat silent... After a long battle, although he had just used Kirin to heavily wound the Four-Tails, in the system's judgment, it couldn't be called a defeat.
To quickly defeat Roshi, aside from using his Sharingan, he would need his Chakra level to rise another tier.
Just like Kisame in the storyline, who immediately went all out and used terrifying Water Release to suppress Roshi, who was proficient in Lava Release.
"It seems I need to consider creating an alternate identity," Fujiwara Tetsuya murmured as the rain grew heavier.
It seemed to be displeased with the wounds these tiny humans had inflicted upon the earth, diligently washing and smoothing everything away.
"Orochimaru, Tetsuya-kun... you two have worked hard."
"The Land of Rain is secure!"
Not far away, the moment Hiruzen Sarutobi's resonant voice spread, the Konoha Ninja who had retreated to the Konoha Camp suddenly erupted in cheers, like a mountain roaring and a sea surging.
This war had finally given them hope of victory... The day after the battle ended, the Iwagakure Camp, which spanned directly in front of the Konoha Camp, began a full-scale retreat... It only stopped near the northern border of the Land of Rain, where it rebuilt its defenses.
At the same time, Hachimangu and Torifu, two Iwagakure elders who were still confronting Hanzō in the central region of the Land of Rain, also received a message from Ōnoki. Although unwilling, after another round of scavenging along the way, they also rushed to the northern part of the Land of Rain to rendezvous with the main force commanded by Ōnoki.
Undoubtedly, the contraction of the two front lines also meant that in the coming period, Ōnoki would focus on clearing out Kumogakure from the eastern coast of the Land of Earth.
As for how long this period would be? It entirely depended on the Third Raikage's attitude.
However, in Fujiwara Tetsuya's opinion, given the Third Raikage's shrewdness, after plundering a large amount of money and resources from the eastern coast of the Land of Earth, he would not choose to fight Iwagakure to the death.
But to flee in disgrace also did not align with the Third Raikage's arrogant personality.
He would still need to fight Ōnoki a few times, establish the Raikage's prestige, and then depart calmly.
Therefore, the period before the Iwagakure main force would refocus on the Land of Rain should be between one and a half to two months.
When the Iwagakure main force returned again... Konoha would face a truly decisive battle, a battle that would determine the fate of Iwagakure, Amegakure, and Konoha... In the northern Land of Rain, as the Konoha main force moved forward, Hanzō also led the remaining Amegakure Ninja back into the northern region of the Land of Rain, and established a new camp in a valley several tens of miles away from the Iwagakure Camp and Konoha Camp.
"Tetsuya-sama, Hokage-sama requests your presence. Hanzō has arrived..."
Inside the tent, Fujiwara Tetsuya stretched his lazy body, glancing at the empty seats on either side. At some point... Uchiha Mikoto and Torune Ryoui had already gotten up and left.
But it must be said, barriers are indeed useful... at least the soundproofing and visual blocking effects are maximized.
"I understand... You go report back first, I'll be there shortly!"
After the new camp was rebuilt, Hiruzen Sarutobi's living conditions clearly improved significantly.
At least, compared to Fujiwara Tetsuya and Orochimaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi was already living in a wooden house... Although the space was a bit small, it was much better than Fujiwara Tetsuya's makeshift tent, which required several layers of bedding to avoid feeling the cold.
When Fujiwara Tetsuya arrived at Hiruzen Sarutobi's tent, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hanzō, two old foxes, were already chatting with laughter... As for Orochimaru, he stood silently to the side, his pupils somewhat unfocused, clearly thinking about something else.
It wasn't until he saw Fujiwara Tetsuya that his eyes regained some color... and his attention returned.
"Hokage-sama, Hanzō-dono!"
Although Hanzō was still in his prime, his aura was at its peak.
But Fujiwara Tetsuya still keenly sensed a subtle difference in Hanzō... an indescribable sense of powerlessness.
Even with combat power surpassing the Five Kage, being confined to the small Land of Rain had worn down all of Hanzō's ambitions and fighting spirit.
"Kid, long time no see!"
"Although I had a premonition, I truly didn't expect you to reach this stage in such a short time."
Looking at Fujiwara Tetsuya's extremely youthful face, Hanzō felt an endless bitterness in his heart.
Konoha's older generation had Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo... and the retired Old fellows of various Shinobi Clans.
The middle generation had Orochimaru, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Sakumo Hatake, who was active on the battlefields of the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind.
And the new generation... had little monsters like Fujiwara Tetsuya!
As for the current Amegakure? Inmemaru was dead, Saito was dead... The middle and new generations had no one capable of shouldering Amegakure's future.
Only he, an Old fellow with one foot in the grave, was struggling to hold on!
"While I appreciate the sentiment, I still have a considerable distance to go before reaching the level of a top-tier expert like Hanzō-dono."
Facing Hanzō's praise, Fujiwara Tetsuya accepted it with a clear conscience, without any burden.
Among the new generation of the Ninja World, who else at this age?
Fought the Eight-Tails, then the Ichibi?
Fought the Ichibi, then the Four-Tails?
Even Nagato at the same period wouldn't have that qualification!
Now, he was fully qualified to stand tall in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hanzō... this small group of top-tier experts in the Ninja World.
"What an interesting kid!"
"If only you were a junior from my Hidden Rain Village?"
"With a powerful kid like you, I could completely entrust the future of the Hidden Rain Village to you..." Hanzō said with a sigh, amidst his hearty laughter.
However, these seemingly casual words caused Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression to completely darken the moment he heard them.
Even his gaze towards Hanzō took on a hint of vigilance.
An excellent junior like Fujiwara Tetsuya, with extraordinary talent and infinite possibilities for the future.
Surpassing these Old fellows was only a matter of time.
If they could win Fujiwara Tetsuya over before he reached his peak, it would be worth any price.
That would at least extend the glory of a Ninja Village for decades!
While Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind was active, thinking about how to deepen the bond between Fujiwara Tetsuya and the Village, Fujiwara Tetsuya's heart was incredibly calm!
Let alone entrusting the future of the Hidden Rain Village to him, even if Hanzō immediately abdicated and handed him the title of Amekage (Rain Shadow).
He wouldn't even bat an eye, let alone be tempted.
Confronting Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu, that old schemer, too early did not align with his expectations.
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