The world before Yagami's eyes blurred—and when it cleared, he was back several days in the past.
He had just received the mission, the one to leave the Hidden Leaf with Danzō and head for the Land of Rain to negotiate with Hanzo.
[Arc of the Moon activated!]
The host may revive only once per lunar cycle, returning to life on the night of the previous full moon.
Reward: One draw.
1. Sword Technique: Dual Chain-Scythe Strike
2. Toxic Mist Emission
3. A-Rank Water Release: Water Instant Technique (Beginner)
The first option—Hanzo's personal scythe art—combined the weapon with chains for sudden, unpredictable strikes.
The scythe would swing from behind, aiming at an opponent's exposed back.
That wasn't Yagami's style. He had no intention of carrying around a chained scythe at all times.
The second option, Toxic Mist Emission, didn't suit his abilities either—it clashed with his entire combat system.
The third option—A-Rank Water Release: Water Instant Technique—made his eyes light up.
That was Hanzo's signature move.
The Instant Techniques were among the rarest arts in the ninja world.
As they said: Of all ninjutsu under heaven, speed is unbreakable.
If you were even half a step faster than your opponent, you could dominate the fight completely.
No matter how powerful your jutsu was, if you didn't even have time to form seals, you'd die with a kunai through your throat before you could move.
The essence of a shinobi's battle—was to deliver the kunai to the enemy's heart in the shortest possible time.
Yagami chose the Water Instant Technique without hesitation—and instantly comprehended its mechanics.
He realized the jutsu could only be used when the ground was covered with water.
By infusing chakra into the surrounding water, the user could form a single hand seal upon sensing an attack—
then their body would instantly liquefy and disperse.
The water nearby would then reassemble into their form at a chosen location.
Ordinary Instant Movement techniques pushed downward, propelling the body forward in a burst of speed.
The Water Instant pushed upward, turning the user into liquid that dissolved downward into the ground, merging with the water there.
Not only did it provide instantaneous repositioning, but it also acted as a perfect escape technique.
Back then, Yagami's Earth Spears had pinned down Hanzo's salamander—
and Hanzo had used the Water Instant Technique to both evade the Fire Release and free his summon in the same motion.
The hardest part of the jutsu was the instantaneous liquefaction of the body.
Its brief effect resembled the Hydration Technique of the Hozuki Clan.
That secret art could maintain the water form for extended periods,
but the Water Instant Technique's transformation lasted only for an instant.
Rain-nin and Mist-nin were both renowned for their Water Release prowess—
and Hanzo's mastery stood at the pinnacle.
Fortunately, Yagami now possessed that same gift.
Another jutsu he couldn't reveal to anyone.
Only Hanzo's own flesh and blood could possibly wield this technique—
not even a personal disciple would be allowed to learn it.
Perhaps Yagami should look into Hanzo's past,
see if the "Demi-God" had ever left behind some unforgettable woman.
A shinobi's trump card was never handed out lightly.
He sighed in regret.
This jutsu was powerful—but it could never be used openly.
It was a hidden ace, reserved for desperate moments.
...
Heading toward the frontline base, Fox Squad received their new recruits, including White Sheep.
Soon after, Danzō led Captain Yellow Dog's unit into the Land of Rain.
Water pooled everywhere across the soaked terrain.
Yagami experimented, channeling chakra into the puddles at his feet.
If anyone attacked him right now, a single hand seal would send him instantly elsewhere—
perhaps even right behind his enemy.
In an environment filled with water, this technique was a poor man's Flying Raijin.
Just like before, Danzō found Hanzo outside the Rain Country's capital to negotiate.
Of course, Hanzo would never admit he'd been manipulated by Ōnoki.
Words failed quickly—and battle erupted once again.
Just like last time, Yagami's Earth Spears pinned the salamander,
and Hanzo used Water Instant to evade every Fire Release.
But this time, Yagami was ready.
Before Yellow Dog could even launch his fireball, Yagami had already formed the seal for Earth Substitution.
Hanzo and his salamander appeared behind him, the chain-scythe flashing toward Yagami's neck.
But the blade struck only a puddle of mud.
Yagami had swapped places with the ground beneath him,
and slipped underground using Earth Submersion Technique.
"Hm?"
Hanzo's eyes narrowed in confusion.
Even the salamander tilted its massive head, searching for the Leaf ANBU who'd turned to sludge.
Yellow Dog turned, spotting Yagami emerging from the ground.
"Nice work, Fox!"
Hanzo missing an attack lifted everyone's spirits.
Yellow Dog immediately unleashed another Fire Release, hurling massive fireballs at Hanzo and his beast.
But when the flames reached them, the salamander spewed another cloud of poison—
instantly killing an entire ANBU squad.
Yagami looked over—then exhaled in relief.
It was one of Hippo Squad's units, not his own.
He scrambled up and formed new seals.
"Earth Release: Earth Spear Barrage!"
But Hanzo and his salamander blinked in and out repeatedly,
using Water Instant multiple times.
Yagami's Earth Release couldn't even keep up.
Even Yellow Dog's Fire Release was too slow.
In less than ten seconds, three ANBU teams had been wiped out.
So this was the true strength of the "Demi-God of the Ninja World."
His Water Instant and poison were both overwhelming.
Danzō, standing at the rear, finally spoke:
"Use Lightning Release."
Three ANBU immediately stepped forward, forming seals.
"Lightning Release: Earth Current!"
Bolts of electricity crawled like a spider's web across the soaked ground,
shocking anyone who stepped within its reach.
The tingling underfoot made Yagami's heart steady again.
As expected—Hanzo and his salamander avoided the electrified area entirely when they reappeared.
The two sides drew apart, tension momentarily easing.
But then, without warning, Danzō leapt backward.
No one noticed until too late—the puddles beneath them were filled with hidden explosive tags.
"Explosive Flame Array!"
The chain of explosions tore through the battlefield,
instantly killing the three Lightning Release ANBU.
Hanzo's expertise extended far beyond poison and Water Release—
he was also deadly with explosive seals.
Danzō retreated to a tree branch, glaring down.
"Hanzo, you can't kill me—and I can't kill you either.
Think carefully.
Don't let your so-called 'power' blind you into arrogance.
To Ōnoki, you're nothing but a useful, foolish thug.
Call off your war.
Stop interfering with the Leaf's campaign against Stone Village.
If you come to your senses, send word—I'll listen."
With that, Danzō turned and leapt away.
"Wait."
Hanzo's voice cut through the rain.
Everyone froze.
Hanzo looked down at the bodies of his fallen Rain-nin.
He feared no Leaf ninja—but his own troops were another matter.
Compared to the Leaf's elite ANBU, Rain-nin were far less capable.
"My Leaf counterpart," Hanzo said coldly,
"your village is vast and powerful.
Even if your ANBU all died, you could rebuild effortlessly.
My Rain Village lacks such resources.
These men were my best, handpicked—and now all dead by your hands.
Danzō.
Their deaths will not be in vain."
He drew out a scroll and tossed it toward Danzō.
"This is my condition."
The scroll flew fast—but Captain Yellow Dog intercepted it midair.
If it had been an explosive tag instead, and Danzō were blown up—it would've been ridiculous.
Yellow Dog opened the scroll, checked it, then flashed beside Danzō to hand it over.
Inside, it stated that since Rain had declared war on the Leaf,
numerous Sand-nin had appeared in southern Rain Country.
They were gathering suspiciously near the Yoshimizu River.
Hanzo's message was clear:
Help him drive out the Sand-nin,
and Rain would withdraw from the war, no longer interfering with the Leaf's campaign against Stone.
The situation was getting messier by the minute.
Now even Sand village had entered the Land of Rain—
no wonder it was called the Crossroads of the Ninja World, the perpetual battlefield of the Four Great Wars.
Hanzo's core demand was simple:
expel the Sand-nin from his territory.
Danzō thought for a moment, then handed the scroll to Yellow Dog.
"You handle it."
***
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