Naruto: Fooling the Ninja World, I'm Hailed as a Savior

"..."

A dead silence descended upon the room, and the atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive.

For a long time, there was no reply from Hanzo. The Rain ninja, kneeling on one knee behind the screen, felt a fine sheen of sweat break out on his forehead.

"Shinda."

Hanzo's voice, calm to the point of being eerie, reached his ears. The Rain ninja, addressed as "Shinda," instinctively looked up, only to see the figure that had been behind the screen now stepping out.

Seeing that familiar, serene, and indifferent face, Shinda, as Hanzo's "right hand," suddenly felt that the old man before him was somewhat unfamiliar. Even though his posture remained tall, the weariness deep in his bones was impossible to conceal.

Lord Hanzo, has he really grown so old?

"Bring three Anbu squads and come with me to meet the Konoha people. Let's see what they want now." Hanzo's voice was cold and calm, its hardness like hammering a nail into a wall.

"Yes, Lord Hanzo!" The dazed Shinda suddenly snapped to attention, lowering his head to respond, licking his dry lips. At this moment, he was both surprised and delighted. Surprised by Hanzo's aging, and delighted by Hanzo's firmness.

Lord Hanzo is still Lord Hanzo; he's still the hero of the Hidden Rain Village.

Rumble!

As Hanzo led his people out of the high tower, a flash of lightning illuminated the desolate world, coinciding with a clap of thunder in the sky. The gloomy sky seemed to split open with a blue fissure, from which dense raindrops poured down, crisscrossing before Hanzo's eyes like the veins of a leaf.

He hadn't taken action in too long, had even been confined to the high tower for too long. Fear had kept him hidden in the tower, unwilling to let anyone see his aging.

However, since the Konoha people dared to come knocking, it meant they must have gathered a lot of information. Therefore, at this very moment, he could no longer afford to be timid or hesitant. The Konoha people had respectfully requested an audience with him, and he had no reason to refuse. Retreating now, showing any fear, would be his downfall. For the current Hanzo, this was more terrifying than death. Because, what he possessed now was already so little.

Moments later, Hanzo entered the observation tower in front of the Hidden Rain Village's main gate. The moment he stepped inside, the heavy rain curtain pressing down on his shoulders was cut off. He finally saw who Konoha had sent to meet him.

"Lord Hanzo." Kakashi bowed slightly, his attitude impeccable and humble. "We are deeply honored by your willingness to grant this meeting. Please allow me to convey Lord Third's regards to you."

This was to inform Hanzo that this meeting was with Hiruzen Sarutobi's consent, and was public and respectful. However, even with his humble attitude, the Rain ninjas following Hanzo still looked at them with hostility, even hatred. For these great nations that had brought disaster and suffering to their country, most of Hanzo's subordinates held deep-seated blood feuds, and naturally held no friendly feelings towards Kakashi and his group.

"..." Hanzo looked at the young Konoha genius ninja before him, feeling a renewed sadness for the gap between the Hidden Rain and Konoha. His gaze swept over the dozen or so Konoha ninjas behind Kakashi. A team of over ten people had entered the Land of Rain's capital, even staying for several days to gather information, completely mapping out the Hidden Rain's intelligence, and his Hidden Rain Village had been completely unaware.

Thinking of this, Hanzo's paranoia and lack of security flared up again. His tone became slightly cold. "Enough idle talk. This old man is here. What do you want?"

Kakashi ignored Hanzo's condescending attitude. He took a scroll from his pocket and, holding it with both hands, offered it to Hanzo. Shinda, behind Hanzo, stepped forward, about to receive the scroll on Hanzo's behalf, but Hanzo raised a hand to stop him. Even if he had to put on a brave face, he couldn't show the slightest hint of fear.

Hanzo himself reached out and took the scroll. Outwardly calm, he cautiously opened it. If this scroll had been sent by Danzo Shimura, he would never have been so open about it, as he had worked with Danzo and knew him too well. But Hiruzen Sarutobi was not Danzo Shimura; he wouldn't resort to insidious tricks in such a situation. Thus, it was merely a letter written with earnest words.

"..." Hanzo's gaze swept over the contents, his eyes narrowing slightly. Kakashi and the other Konoha members observed his expression and reaction.

They had received Lord Third's reply on the third day after sending their message. As they had expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not refused, allowing their operation. Only one point was ambiguous, even profound in Kakashi's eyes: the alliance condition of "Konoha helping Hanzo solve the Akatsuki remnants."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, old and astute, saw further than the young Kakashi. He deeply understood that only a "troublesome neighbor is a good, obedient neighbor." If they truly helped Hanzo solve the "trouble" of Akatsuki, then it would be Konoha's turn to become the "trouble." Even if an alliance with Hanzo and the Hidden Rain Village were to be forged, the Akatsuki organization must be kept around to constrain Hanzo. As long as the threat of Akatsuki remained, Hanzo would not turn his focus outwards.

Kakashi understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's meaning and had to admit that the Third Hokage was indeed more thoughtful than he had imagined.

But would Hanzo agree so easily?

"A declaration of intent for an alliance?" Hanzo lifted his gaze, looking at the Konoha group before him, his eyes slightly cold. "Even when you're overwhelmed with your own problems, you're still playing petty games. Konoha truly never changes its ways!"

At these words, the atmosphere in the tower suddenly grew heavy, becoming tense and oppressive. Most of the Rain ninjas present quickly realized the purpose of Konoha's visit.

An alliance? Heh, they clearly wanted to make these Rain ninjas their cannon fodder! Thinking of this, the Rain ninjas tightened their grip on their weapons. As soon as Hanzo gave the order, they would jump out and cut these damn Konoha ninjas into pieces.

"What do you mean, Lord Hanzo?" Kakashi asked, his expression unchanged.

"So-called alliances are just scraps of paper in the eyes of you great nations," Hanzo's tone held a hint of chill. "As soon as we lose our usefulness, you'll tear them up whenever you want."

If this so-called alliance truly had any effect, the Third Great Ninja War would never have happened. Therefore, Hanzo would not believe a single word of the "alliance" mentioned in Hiruzen Sarutobi's letter.

"Lord Hanzo, do I need to remind you?" Kakashi looked up at Hanzo, his tone still gentle, but his words made the faces of Hanzo and the Rain ninjas present change. "Once the Land of Fire goes to war with the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, the Land of Rain will inevitably become the optimal invasion route for the Hidden Stone and Hidden Sand. And I believe you are well aware of their character."

At this point, Kakashi paused, a slight smile on his face. "At that time, will you choose to grant them passage, allowing those desperate ninjas to burn, kill, and plunder, or will you choose to fight to the death?"

"If you fight back, where will you obtain food, weapons, and other resources to meet your logistical needs?"

This was the achilles' heel and lifeblood of Hanzo, the Hidden Rain Village, and the Land of Rain.

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