Rain Country, Central Region
The ground, shattered into a mess during the battle four days ago, had just been repaired by Rain shinobi, only to be blasted into rubble once again.
Hearing the sounds of fighting, several Rain ninja who hadn't gone far doubled back to investigate.
"Who are you people? Where is the Chief?"
This time, Yahiko, Obito, and the others didn't retreat. They exchanged glances, and Yahiko stepped forward.
"My name is Yahiko, leader of the Akatsuki. I will lead the Rain Country out of war."
"Akatsuki…"
Among the Rain ninja here, a few had survived Hanzo's ambush on the Akatsuki years ago. Only now, hearing Yahiko speak, did they realize
that had been five or six years ago. Back then, Yahiko was still a boy not even twenty.
"So it's you… you actually dared to return? And our Chief?!"
"Salamander Hanzo was killed by us four days ago. Starting today, I will be the new leader of the Rain Country."
"Killed?"
"Four days ago?"
"Ridiculous!"
"We just saw Chief Hanzo ourselves! What do you mean killed four days ago? Utter nonsense!"
Ringo Ameyuri finally lost patience and sneered.
"That 'Hanzo' you saw earlier was a fake. And whether he was real or not doesn't matter, this time, he's dead for good."
Yahiko remained calm. These people might become his subordinates in the future.
He glanced back
the smoke and dust were finally starting to clear.
"If you don't believe us, come take a look at the fake Hanzo's corpse. Later, gather all Rain shinobi, and we will show you the real Hanzo's body as well."
The Rain ninja exchanged conflicted looks, then cautiously stepped toward the edge of the massive crater. Peering through the thinning dust
"Huh? Why are his eyes still open? Died unwillingly?" Obito, who still had his Sharingan active, had the best vision.
"You brat, why are you still calling him Hanzo? He should've reverted to his real appearance after dying. Is he a ninja you don't recognize?"
Obito was stunned.
"But he still looks like Hanzo…"
Inside the crater, over ten meters deep Akio finally stood up, sighing helplessly as he brushed the dirt off his clothes.
"He stood up!" Obito shouted, and the others instantly grew wary again.
Akio rotated his slightly sore shoulder, speechless.
He had only planned to give his two students a small lesson, then Transform into Hagoromo to surprise them…
but instead Obito startled him, Rin kicked him, and the whole situation flipped upside down.
If he transformed now, he would probably have to endure Obito bragging:
"Sensei, sensei! Rin and I have surpassed you!"
And if he returned to his true appearance
Ringo Ameyuri would definitely laugh at him:
"Hahahaha! You old fossil, look at you! A little girl kicked you into a hole!"
"Careless… way too careless." Akio grimaced. He hadn't taken the fight seriously at all.
The dust finally cleared.
Akio locked eyes with Yahiko's group and the Rain shinobi.
"Chief!"
"What are you standing around for? Take them down," Akio ordered.
"Hyah!"
Rin reacted instantly and punched the Rain ninja beside her into oblivion.
The other three followed suit. They still didn't fully understand what was happening, but clearly the Rain ninja around them were enemies now.
Akio didn't interfere, quietly watching as Yahiko's group eliminated the remaining Rain shinobi. Then he slowly walked out of the crater.
"Looks like I'll need to be a bit harsher," he murmured. "Otherwise my dignity as a teacher, and as an elder is going to evaporate."
His gaze swept around, then settled on Yahiko.
"Kid, bad luck for you. You're the only one here who has nothing to do with me."
Yahiko had just finished off his opponent. When he turned toward Hanzo, his eyes narrowed at the dent in the armor on the man's right shoulder.
His armor is dented… meaning he really took Rin's hit head-on. Even if not fatal, that would be a severe injury. Yet he didn't even drop his Transformation…
Could he really be the real Hanzo?
Yahiko was deep in thought
"Yahiko! Look out!" Ringo shouted.
In the next instant, agony exploded across his back, and he lost consciousness.
"You spaced out too," Akio said behind him, fist still extended, feeling a little vindicated.
"You little girl"
"I know!"
Rin sprinted toward Yahiko's body, trying to heal him in time.
Akio moved to follow, but Ringo and Obito blocked his path.
"Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"
Obito unleashed Madara's signature fire jutsu.
"Lightning Release: Thunder Fang!"
Ringo crossed her twin blades and released a surge of lightning that merged into Obito's flames.
Akio chuckled and tossed his scythe aside.
"Water Style: Gale Vortex!"
A massive whirlpool of water erupted before him, absorbing and dispersing the fusion of lightning and fire.
"No Rinnegan? Then I'll create my own conditions to absorb ninjutsu."
He kept weaving signs:
"Water Style: Heavenly Cry!"
Tobirama's original technique, countless high-speed water needles jetted from Akio's mouth, targeting vital points. Akio always thought its best feature was its cool name; the power was… fine.
Ringo struggled to defend, while Obito charged straight through the needles, space-time techniques ignored such things.
Akio tested him with a punch
and his fist passed straight through Obito's chest.
Obito swung a kick at him.
"I taught you that," Akio smirked. He immediately countered with a heel drop that cratered the ground.
Obito broke into a cold sweat.
Good thing he'd phased in time, otherwise he'd lose that leg.
Akio paused.
Without going all-out, hitting Obito's glitchy intangibility really was impossible.
But he had special methods.
Ignoring the kunai Obito stabbed through him, Akio suddenly reappeared behind Rin, who was desperately healing the unconscious Yahiko.
He feinted a punch.
Obito panicked and intercepted with his arm to protect Rin.
At the last second, Akio redirected the blow
hitting Obito squarely in the chest with a reinforced Loving Fist of the Master.
Obito was launched like a fired cannonball, this time in solid form.
"Hyah!"
Rin reacted, delivering another full-power kick.
Akio ignored her and instantly chased Obito.
In midair, Obito's Mangekyō spun wildly.
"Kamui!"
"Oh no you don't." Akio twisted his waist midair, curving away from the vortex.
Ringo finally caught up, shielding Rin and Yahiko.
"Rin, keep healing!"
Obito landed, clutching his aching chest, teeth gritted.
"So strong… Is this really the real Hanzo?"
He steadied himself, glancing at the battered Ringo and the gravely injured Yahiko.
"Looks like it's time to use that move…"
"SUSANOO!"
Akio blinked at the blue skeletal frame that erupted around Obito.
"You can already use Susanoo?"
He grinned.
"Fine. Then you're worthy of the upgraded Loving Fist of your master."
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