On the mountain path shrouded in mist, rain fell in continuous threads, dripping through the leaves.
Jiraiya, draped in a cloak, had Mudkip quietly perched on his shoulder.
Along the way, he gazed at the valleys near the border of the Land of Rain, his brow slightly furrowed.
On both sides of the road, groups of ninjas occasionally darted swiftly past, wearing Hidden Rain Forehead Protectors, their figures brushing through the forest, stirring faint rustles of wind.
Their footsteps were crisp and decisive, their expressions cold and stern, devoid of any excess emotion.
"Sigh..."
Jiraiya let out a soft sigh, a trace of helplessness deep in his eyes.
Hanzo, oh Hanzo, are you truly pinning all your hopes on war?
He watched as the ninjas' figures gradually faded into the distance.
These people might have once been farmers, blacksmiths, or carpenters, but now they were forced to become mercenaries and assassins.
The Land of Rain had no resources and no trade; the only thing it could sell was its own armed assassination force.
Whenever Hanzo issued an order, the Hidden Rain ninjas would gear up and set out to carry out missions such as assassinations, escorts, and espionage in various countries.
Meanwhile, their families continued to struggle for survival on this rain-washed land.
"Relying on mercenaries and assassinations to keep a nation running... What a tragic cycle."
Shiroishi didn't actually agree with this line of thinking, as the Land of Rain's current national position left it no choice but to sustain itself this way; otherwise, it would be devoured and destroyed by the surrounding great nations.
Hanzo had no option but to survive through these means.
Jiraiya shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the distant valley where thick mist churned and faint sounds of fighting could be heard.
"Hmm?"
His expression sharpened, and with a tap of his toe, he transformed into a blur, vanishing instantly.
In the rain and mist, another figure quietly followed.
Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils narrowed slightly, a faint, elusive smile curling at the corners of his lips.
In the forest, four indistinct dark figures were surrounding a young boy.
Yahiko was panting heavily, rain and sweat beading on his forehead, his back torn in several places.
He clenched his fists tightly, but his eyes remained resolute.
"Heh, kid, you dare block our way?"
The leader of the rogue ninjas sneered, his voice hoarse and low.
The forehead protectors they wore bore the symbol of the Hidden Sand, but the slash marks across them revealed their identities as rogue ninjas from the Land of Wind.
Yahiko said firmly, "These villagers are from the Land of Rain. I won't let you plunder their food."
"You?" The rogue ninja snorted coldly, spinning a kunai in his hand. "Take him out."
Before the words faded, the three rogue ninjas moved simultaneously, their steps ghost-like as they fanned out to encircle him.
Sharp kunai sliced through the air, aiming straight for Yahiko's vital points.
"Hmph!"
Yahiko took a deep breath, Chakra surging within him, the muscles in his arms tensing abruptly.
In the next moment, a cold silver gleam shimmered across the surface of his skin.
Metal Hardening Claw!
As he shouted, his arms transformed completely into indestructible steel blades.
The rogue ninja's kunai slashed down toward him, but Yahiko barely retreated half a step, raising his arms to block it head-on.
"Clang!"
Sparks erupted from the clash of metal, the blinding light illuminating his determined expression.
In that instant, he harnessed the recoil force, his body rebounding like a spring.
"Haah!"
Yahiko twisted his right arm, his metallic fist tracing a blur as it slammed heavily into his opponent's abdomen!
The air emitted a low cracking sound as the rogue ninja grunted, forced back several steps by the powerful impact. He knelt on the ground, his face instantly paling, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
Yahiko steadied himself, his exhaled hot breath mingling with the rain and mist. The metallic sheen on his arms still flickered.
Orochimaru watched with some surprise. A rather unique combination release technique—could he be from a Bloodline Family of the Earth Country? That didn't seem quite right either. Because his fighting style felt somewhat familiar.
"Hmph." The lead Sand ninja's eyes turned cold. "Pity you alone can't stop the four of us."
Yahiko didn't respond. Instead, he dropped to one knee, pressing his right hand against the ground.
Summoning Technique!
Amidst billowing white smoke, a petite figure leaped out!
Charmander made its entrance, the flame on its tail burning fiercely. It landed with a proud roar, its eyes blazing with intense light.
Ember!
"Gah!"
Scorching flames sliced through the air, shooting toward the charging rogue ninjas. The men hastily dodged, but their clothes were still singed by the licking flames, leaving charred marks.
On a nearby tree, Orochimaru quietly observed the scene. His vertical pupils abruptly contracted as he watched the Charmander.
"As I thought…" he murmured softly.
This creature was the same type of life form as that Mudkip. That peculiar Chakra Wave, that life essence blending nature and another realm—it was unmistakably clear in his perception. This little thing must have some connection to that fool Jiraiya.
The battlefield air was torn by both rain mist and killing intent. The lead Sand ninja roared in fury, stomping his foot hard on the ground, sending mud splattering in all directions. He transformed into a gray blur, moving so fast he nearly exceeded visual tracking range.
A cold glint flashed as a kunai aimed straight for Yahiko's throat!
Yahiko's pupils contracted sharply, then emitted a scale-like cyan glow. Instead of dodging, he took a deep breath, his chest slightly swelling as Chakra wildly gathered and rotated within him.
"Dragon Release: Dragon Breath Technique!"
With a low shout, cyan Chakra erupted from his body, transforming into a roaring torrent of energy! The light stream whirled and churned through the air, forming a semi-transparent cyan energy mass shaped like a dragon! It roared through the wind and rain, charging forward with deafening thunder!
"Whoosh!"
A wave of scorching heat instantly swept through, the shockwave churning up layers of mud from the ground. Before the Sand ninja could react, he was completely engulfed by the dragon breath that resembled cyan flames.
"Aaaah!"
His piercing scream was drowned by the storm as his body was sent flying backward. He crashed heavily to the ground, rolling several times through the mud. His armor was completely scorched, blackened marks spreading along the cracks, the air filled with the scent of searing heat and burnt metal.
The wind howled as raindrops sizzled against the traces of extinguished cyan flames.
Yahiko remained half-kneeling, breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling unevenly. Faint remnants of cyan Chakra light still flickered at the corner of his mouth. He lifted his head, his gaze cold and sharp.
In that moment, his figure stood tall and straight as a spear amid the cyan flames. Not just a young ninja—more like a dragon awakening.
"What is this?" The remaining rogue ninjas stared in shock.
They could sense the rhythm of lightning and wind mixed within that power, yet it wasn't any known release type. This unfamiliar force sent chills down their spines.
The leading rogue ninja struggled to his feet, his body scorched by the terrifying azure flames, breathing with difficulty.
He could no longer continue fighting...
"Retreat!"
They were rogue ninjas—without backup, without a major hidden village as their rear.
Their only rule of survival was to stay alive.
Knowing they were outmatched, they turned without hesitation and fled into the forest.
The battlefield was left with only Yahiko and the panting Charmander.
He watched the enemies flee into the distance before letting out a sigh of relief.
As the flames dissipated, the air still carried the mingled scents of char and thunder.
"Thank you for the support, Charmander."
He chuckled softly, gently patting its head.
Charmander wagged its tail proudly, its flames reigniting with a soft orange glow.
"Hahaha! Well done, Yahiko!"
Accompanied by a hearty laugh, Jiraiya leaped down from the shadows of the trees, his cloak billowing as he landed steadily.
A familiar, bold smile was on his face.
"That Dragon Breath you released just now was much more stable than before—almost like a real dragon's..."
Yahiko looked at him with surprise.
"Teacher Jiraiya? What are you doing here?"
"Just passing by."
Jiraiya scratched his head, his smile a bit guilty.
From a distant treetop, Orochimaru continued to watch quietly.
He made no sound, merely narrowing his eyes slightly, a playful smile curling at the corner of his lips.
Mysterious Dragon Release...