Rain Country Border – Abandoned Outpost
Inside a derelict outpost hastily repurposed by Konoha ninja, Hanzō lay silently on a crude stone bed. Countless chains wrapped around his body, layered with complex sealing formulas that overlapped like a cage within a cage. He remained completely unconscious.
At the other end of the room, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Sakumo Hatake stood around a map, the atmosphere heavy and tense.
A summoned snake had just delivered a handwritten reply from the Third Hokage.
Orochimaru skimmed through it quickly. After a moment of silence, he raised his head and relayed their teacher's orders, his hoarse voice carrying a complicated undertone.
"Sensei's instructions are divided into three steps."
"First: Hanzō is strictly forbidden from being transported back to Konoha."
He paused, then explained calmly, "Sensei believes the risk of Hanzō committing suicide or being intercepted by another village on the way is far too high. Therefore, we are to establish a temporary black-site prison here. Tsunade will be responsible for maintaining his vital signs and ensuring he stays alive… and comfortable, as much as possible."
"Second: Interrogate him on-site and negotiate with the Hidden Rain."
Orochimaru turned his gaze toward Hiroki.
"Sensei orders Hiroki, along with the interrogation team arriving later from Konoha, to extract every piece of intelligence from Hanzō's mind."
Then his eyes slid toward Jiraiya, a hint of amusement flashing through them.
"At the same time, Jiraiya—your task is to cultivate a pro-Konoha agent while the Hidden Rain is leaderless. Use the living Hanzō as leverage for political negotiations."
"Konoha doesn't need a colony," Orochimaru continued. "But it does need an ally—one that is friendly and poses no threat. In the future, Konoha ninja will establish permanent garrisons in the Land of Rain. The people of Rain may also come to the Land of Fire and attempt to become ninja."
"However—"
His voice dropped.
"The Land of Rain will no longer be allowed to have an independent Amegakure force. All Rain ninja must obey Konoha's arrangements. They will either become Konoha ninja… or leave the country and become rogues."
"This responsibility falls entirely on you, Jiraiya. No mistakes."
"Ah?!" Jiraiya's eyes bulged.
Tsunade stared even harder. "Him?!"
Yet none of the other jōnin objected.
Jiraiya was the Third Hokage's personal disciple.If anyone was suited for this mission—it was him.
Orochimaru ignored their reactions and continued.
"Third: Core withdrawal."
His gaze finally settled on Sakumo Hatake.
"Once Konoha's interrogation unit arrives, Sakumo, you will execute an S-rank covert mission. Escort Hiroki back to Konoha immediately using the most hidden route possible. No delays."
"The three of us will remain here to oversee the power transition in the Hidden Rain until stability is achieved."
The room fell deathly silent.
After a long pause, Jiraiya sighed.
"Sensei really… knows how to give people headaches."
"The risk is enormous," Orochimaru murmured, a faint excitement hidden in his tone. "But if successful, the payoff will be unimaginable. The Land of Rain will become Konoha's permanent ally. We will never have to fight them again."
Sakumo said nothing. His gaze drifted toward the corner of the room.
That was where four more jōnin should have been standing.
Hiroki
While the others discussed strategy, Hiroki sat calmly beside Hanzō's bed. One hand rested lightly on Hanzō's forehead.
As expected—once a person fell unconscious, even the strongest willpower couldn't protect their "files."
Hiroki opened Hanzō's system.
Instantly, a massive directory unfolded—
Water Release techniques.Fire Release.Summoning contracts.Taijutsu.Weapon mastery.Secret arts.Poison sac modifications.Battle records.Strategic intelligence.Even personal beliefs and ideals.
It was absurdly vast.
Hiroki inhaled sharply.
So this was the reward.
Every risk he had taken—convincing Tsunade, throwing himself onto this battlefield, challenging Hanzō—it was all worth it.
A single strike.
Total harvest.
And that wasn't all.
Hiroki remembered the Third Hokage's promise.
The Forbidden Scroll.
Flying Thunder God.Eight Gates.Edo Tensei.
If he could choose even one of them—
No.
He shook his head.
Later.
Right now, he had work to do.
Copy.
[Copying files…]
Source: Hanzō (Memory Drive D)
Destination: Sawada Hiroki (Memory Drive D)
Folder: Ninjutsu Backup – Hanzō
Water Clone Jutsu.ee 15.2 MB ~15 min
Fire Release: Exploding Array 12.8 MB ~12 min
Summoning: Salamander.dat 25.1 MB ~25 min
Salamander Toxin.d11 7.3 MB ~7 min
Secret Art: Scythe Jutsu.zip 14.4 MB ~14 min
Total: 1.48 GB
Estimated time: 4h 37m
The progress bar crawled forward steadily.
No need to rush.
According to Sensei's orders, the interrogation team wouldn't arrive for several days.
Plenty of time to empty Hanzō's brain.
Strategy Discussion
Meanwhile, the debate outside intensified.
"Sensei's plan is bold," Jiraiya said, rubbing his temples. "But executing it will be hell. Rain Village is extremely xenophobic. Cultivating a pro-Konoha agent there will be nearly impossible."
"And Hanzō scattered his forces before he fell. They're still out there."
Orochimaru's golden eyes glinted coldly.
"Then remove the opposition."
Jiraiya immediately shook his head. "That'll only cause stronger resistance. The Land of Rain will collapse into civil war. That's not what Sensei wants."
"We need a peaceful Rain. Not a hostile one."
Before they could continue, a jōnin in charge of surveillance appeared.
"Jiraiya-sama, Orochimaru-sama. Two war orphans were found near the outpost. They seem to be searching for food. How should we handle them?"
"War orphans…?" Jiraiya froze.
"Let them go," he said quickly. "They're just kids."
Then he hesitated.
"Wait. Bring them in. Give them food and water."
The Children
Soon, two skinny, soaked children were led inside. They looked barely five or six years old, clothes torn, bodies trembling from cold and fear.
An orange-haired boy stood in front, shielding a blue-haired girl behind him.His eyes were afraid—but his back was straight.
Hiroki glanced over.
…Wait.
That looks familiar.
!!!
Yahiko and Konan?!
Then—
Where's Nagato?!
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