"O–what?"
Orochimaru was still unconscious, and Tsunade stared blankly in shock.
"The Senju clan only dies on the battlefield—never as captives!"
The moment Tsunade reacted and tried to rise, Hanzō chopped the back of her neck, knocking her out instantly.
"You don't get a choice in this."
Hanzō exhaled, looking down at the two unconscious Sannin with a complicated expression.
"When I return, I'll place a sealing jutsu on them. Otherwise I won't sleep well."
Logically, he thought, the "Three Sannin" would one day become Kage-level shinobi. They were enormous threats to Amegakure.
He should kill them right now.
But from his unique vantage point—knowing the future—they still held far greater value alive.
The future needs them.
Especially Tsunade. Eventually, he might need her help to treat his own poisoned body.
Orochimaru?
He would one day become the world's greatest researcher of forbidden techniques, the pioneer of biological science, and eventually a key figure in studying the Ōtsutsuki.
Jiraiya—though naïve—had a willpower Hanzō deeply respected. He also had an important role in the story.
"Looks like my memories of my past life still influence me more than I thought."
"This is their lucky day. But if they dare return next time, I won't show mercy."
He paused.
"Though… by the next time we meet, I might already be weaker than them.
Jiraiya's Sage Mode… Orochimaru's body modifications and forbidden jutsu… Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Seal…"
"I'd better raise my strength quickly. Can't forget that later Pain will come to assassinate me. And with Black Zetsu lurking, someone out there is bound to get manipulated. I just don't know who the target will be."
His eyes drifted to Tsunade's neck—then widened.
"Huh? This necklace… it's cursed."
Realization hit him.
He snatched the pendant off Tsunade in one swift motion.
"This thing kills people. I'm not gambling my life on whether my luck is good enough."
"But… something like this could buy two whole mountains."
Amegakure was painfully poor—this was a valuable windfall.
Hanzō sealed the necklace inside a scroll.
Even just touching it made him uneasy; the thing radiated danger.
"I need to sell this as soon as possible."
His butterfly-effect was getting bigger than he expected…
"I need to catch up with the troops. I've already wasted too much time here."
"My chakra is running low too. These battles have been nonstop… let's hope nothing else happens."
"Summoning Jutsu."
Ibuse surfaced from the ground. At Hanzō's signal, the giant salamander swallowed the two unconscious Sannin.
"Take them to Amegakure—and give this scroll to the patrol guards. They'll know what to do."
Hanzō tossed another scroll into Ibuse's mouth.
"Go."
The giant salamander obeyed, burrowing underground and speeding toward the village.
After Ibuse disappeared, Hanzō leapt onto his other summoned salamander.
It dove into the earth, carrying him rapidly toward the direction of Konoha's retreating forces.
---
Meanwhile...
Jiraiya finally regrouped with Nara Rokujin and Akimichi Torifu.
The moment Rokujin saw Jiraiya's wounds, his heart dropped.
"Jiraiya—what happened? Where are Orochimaru and Tsunade?"
"No time to explain."
Jiraiya wiped the blood from his mouth.
"We were ambushed by the Third Kazekage and Hanzō of the Salamander. The operation failed."
"Our remaining forces are right behind us. Orochimaru and Tsunade stayed to cover our retreat."
Rokujin and Torifu turned pale.
"We just received a message from Konoha—warning that the Third Kazekage might appear in the Land of Rain. I feared this would happen…"
Rokujin stroked his chin.
"You three go. I've set traps along the route, and we've already begun evacuating the camp supplies. From here on, I'll cover your escape."
"The Third Hokage is already on his way. Get to him as quickly as possible."
Hearing that Rokujin intended to serve as rearguard, Jiraiya immediately protested:
"Don't underestimate Orochimaru and Tsunade—they can handle themselves. Our troops will regroup any second now. You should go gather them first."
"And besides—night is falling," Akimichi Torifu added.
"That will make our retreat easier."
Only then did Rokujin look up and notice that the sky had darkened.
The Land of Rain was always gloomy; without paying attention, one could easily lose track of time.
"I should be the one to stay behind," Torifu said firmly.
"Rokujin, you're needed elsewhere. Everyone relies on you to survive this—we can't afford for you to waste your strength here."
Rokujin hesitated, but Torifu clapped him on the shoulder.
"Relax. I'm just gathering the stragglers, not fighting an army head-on. And we prepared the traps ahead of time."
Before anyone could object, Torifu shouted to the hundreds of exhausted Konoha soldiers behind them:
"Everyone—move with me!"
Jiraiya and Rokujin exchanged looks.
Rokujin nodded.
"…We're counting on you."
---
Land of Fire — Konohagakure
At that moment in Konoha, the three advisors were overwhelmed with reports.
"Kirigakure has begun their assault," Homura Mitokado reported.
"The Hyūga clan has engaged them, but the front line is struggling—they've requested reinforcements."
"Over in the Land of Fields, Kumogakure has increased troop numbers again. Even Hiruzen himself has joined the front!" Koharu Utatane added.
"And most of our forces have already been sent to the Rain border."
"We should send the Hyūga Clan's main family," Danzō said coldly.
"Every other clan has already sacrificed greatly. Their compounds are nearly empty. The Hyūga main house hasn't sent a single member. Give them some pressure. This is war—not a time for comfort."
"But their internal affairs are… complicated," Homura sighed.
"It's hard for us to interfere…"
"Then leak the message."
Danzō narrowed his eyes.
"Tell them the village is dissatisfied with their clan rules, and we are preparing to study the Caged Bird Seal."
"Danzō!" Homura scolded.
"It's fine," Koharu said flatly.
"They'll take the hint. And he's right. This is no time for them to stay sheltered."
Homura sighed again.
"Do as you see fit."
Koharu continued,
"Meanwhile, the troops originally stationed at Iwagakure's border have already been diverted to support the Fields front.
Iwa no longer poses an immediate threat."
"If the Third Kazekage really appeared on the battlefield, then our forces in the Land of Rain are likely already defeated.
Hiruzen will probably pull the frontline back to our borders."
"But if the Third Kazekage didn't appear," she added, "Hiruzen can quickly finish the war and crush Sunagakure."
"Then," she continued,
"he can swing north toward the Land of Lightning and change the balance of the war."
Danzō shook his head.
"You're assuming the Third Kazekage never arrived. And you're ignoring Kirigakure."
He then lowered his voice.
"As for Iwa… I have another idea.
While they're in chaos, I plan to invade the Land of Earth and completely eliminate the Iwa threat—remove them from the war entirely."
Both advisors turned white.
"Are you insane?! Only the Hokage can issue such a command!"
"Don't overstep, Danzō! Iwagakure is no longer offensive. We can't spare the forces for a full invasion!"
"This is not our decision to make—wait until Hiruzen returns!"
Their words were harsh, cutting down the proposal immediately.
Danzō's expression hardened.
"You fools. You don't understand Iwagakure's numbers. Even if Ōnoki is dead, they remain one of the Five Great Nations."
"They will choose a new Tsuchikage—and the new Tsuchikage will launch a war to secure power and glory."
"To stabilize their rule, they must wage war. And with Konoha fighting on all sides, we are the perfect target."
"And you expect us to wait until they attack first?!"
The advisors quietly froze.
"But shouldn't they go after Amegakure first?" Homura argued.
"Ōnoki died by Hanzō's hand…"
"And only the Hokage can authorize an invasion. If something goes wrong, who takes responsibility?"
Danzō smirked.
"Hmph. Amegakure is now allied with Sunagakure."
"If the Land of Fire weakens, Iwagakure will abandon revenge and seize easier gains elsewhere."
"Don't forget—Hiruzen is in the Land of Rain. Even if the front collapses, they won't get much."
"And reinforcements are already on the way. Their likeliest move is to sign a treaty with Amegakure and then seize land from the Land of Earth for greater benefit."
"They have no opportunity to attack the Rain."
"Only we can seize the initiative."
"Otherwise, the moment Iwa recovers—even slightly—they'll strike us."
"We must kill this threat in the cradle."
The two advisors exchanged a long, tense look.
Finally, Koharu said:
"No. The troops at the Earth border aren't enough for an invasion.
Even leaderless, Iwagakure is not to be underestimated.
If you invade, they will unite instantly and retaliate with everything they have."
"So many lives… Can you take responsibility for that?"
Danzō turned away.
"Root has its own methods. I won't give Iwagakure a chance."
"I alone will take responsibility."
The advisors were left speechless.
"…Then the forces at the Earth border will be under your Root's command," Koharu finally said.
Danzō strode out of the room.
"When the Land of Earth is dealt with, I'll reinforce the Fields front. Tell them to hold a little longer."
"I'll move quickly."
Only after he vanished did the advisors speak.
"This kind of decision… only he would dare make it."
"Yes. Hiruzen would never approve this plan.
Danzō can only act now because the Hokage isn't here."
"Sigh… He's already deep into darkness."