101-105

Chapter 101: Plotting Against a Nation

Merely drawing a symbol on one’s body was enough to become a follower of the Cult of the Evil God and avoid being killed.

This kind of deal instantly tempted all the Sand Shinobi, including Yuri, the temporary leader of the squad.

“What do you say?”

Kaneki asked calmly, appearing to have no intention of forcing them.

“Fine, I’m willing to become a follower of the Cult of the Evil God.”

Yuri agreed almost without hesitation. He had initially thought this mysterious man would place some kind of troublesome curse mark on them, but it turned out to be nothing more than painting a symbol. What harm could there be in that?

After all, his life was far more important.

Seeing Yuri agree, the others had no reason to refuse. One by one, they let Kaneki mark them with the cult’s symbol and pledged allegiance to the Evil God.

“Forever follow the greatest and only Master. Betrayal will doom your soul to eternal damnation in hell.”

After this simple ritual, all six members of the squad officially became followers of the Cult of the Evil God.

True to his word, Kaneki let them leave immediately after their vows.

As he watched their retreating figures, a strange smile appeared on Kaneki’s face.

“You’re really something. All you do is play these games every day,” said Hidan, who had finished his own ritual at some point and now stood beside Kaneki, looking resigned.

While Hidan wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, his time spent with Kaneki had taught him one undeniable truth: Kaneki never showed mercy without a reason.

Whenever Kaneki wore a gentle smile and displayed angelic compassion, it meant the devil was already targeting you.

Kaneki sighed as he glanced at Hidan. “This time, I genuinely wanted to let them go.”

Hidan rolled his eyes. “You let them go, but give it a few days, and the entire Land of Wind will probably become a stronghold for the Cult of the Evil God, right?”

Hidan wasn’t sure what method Kaneki planned to use, but based on past experience, it seemed the fate of Sunagakure was already sealed.

Kaneki shook his head with a wry smile. “I didn’t think I had such a reputation with you, Hidan. How disappointing.”

His gaze shifted toward the vast sea of desert sand beyond the mountains, and a faint smile crossed his lips.

“This time, I really do want to help this strong yet fragile nation.”

His expression sent chills down Hidan’s spine.

This man wasn’t just scheming against people this time—he was scheming against an entire nation.

In truth, Kaneki was deeply curious. If a vast but harsh land like the Land of Wind gained sufficient power, what kind of change would it bring to the world?

---

Meanwhile, in the Kazekage Building in Sunagakure, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, slammed his fist heavily onto the table after listening to his subordinates’ report.

The squad that had returned to Sunagakure had come from the Land of Rain, and all of them were now followers of the Cult of the Evil God.

Their report claimed they had encountered Konoha ninjas in the Land of Rain.

Rasa, having served as Kazekage for many years, was an expert politician. If what Yuri’s squad reported was true, then the Land of Fire was undoubtedly planning something major.

First, they covertly absorbed Amegakure. What would they do next? Invade the Land of Wind? Or the Land of Earth?

Or perhaps... join forces with the Land of Earth to attack the Land of Wind together?

Naturally, Rasa didn’t fully trust Yuri’s squad. He immediately dispatched Sunagakure’s Anbu to gather intelligence in the Land of Rain to confirm the truth.

Even so, the news cast a heavy shadow over Rasa’s heart.

“Damn it, why now...”

Rasa glared at the document on his desk. It was a draft proposal from the daimyo of the Land of Wind, officially reducing the military budget.

This meant the daimyo was increasingly dissatisfied with Sunagakure, believing the funds invested hadn’t yielded adequate returns. The budget cuts were coming.

The Land of Wind, already a nation with scarce natural resources and a small population, struggled to earn substantial rewards through mission commissions.

If the daimyo further reduced military spending, Sunagakure’s financial situation would spiral into crisis.

The consequences would cascade. A lack of funds meant insufficient resources for military supplies and reduced training for new shinobi, ultimately weakening Sunagakure’s overall strength.

Unless... Rasa, the Kazekage, personally resorted to his Magnet Release to mine gold from the desert.

But as the leader of a village, such an act would be humiliating, and Rasa would only consider it as a last resort.

---

After leaving the Kazekage Building, one of Yuri’s subordinates nervously asked, “Captain Yuri, are we really doing the right thing?”

Yuri turned to him, giving him a deep, meaningful look before breaking into a smile.

“You wouldn’t be thinking about betraying us, would you?”

The thought was absurd. They had already reported everything to Rasa. If this guy suddenly changed his tune, wouldn’t they all be labeled traitors?

Realizing his mistake, the man quickly shut his mouth. Before parting, Yuri reminded everyone, “Remember, don’t harbor any illusions.”

“Understood.”

The squad dispersed, each heading home.

---

That night, Yuri stood by his window, keeping a watchful eye on Sunagakure as if waiting for something.

Meanwhile, Kawanishi, a young shinobi, couldn’t sleep. He stared at the Cult of the Evil God symbol on his hand, locked in an internal struggle. Should he report this to the Kazekage?

What if their actions plunged the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire into another war? Wars claimed lives, leaving countless orphans behind in the village.

With these thoughts tormenting him, Kawanishi finally made up his mind. He jumped out of bed, opened his window, and prepared to head to the Kazekage Building to report.

Suddenly, an intense burning pain radiated from the symbol on his palm.

At first, Kawanishi thought the heat was a warning from the mysterious man, but he soon realized he was wrong.

In the distance, a massive explosion erupted in one of Sunagakure’s buildings, the shockwaves jolting the entire village awake.

Fortunately, the nearby Anbu quickly arrived to contain the situation.

As he stared at the rising smoke, a cold sweat drenched Kawanishi’s back.

Yuri, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes, as if finally confirming something.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 102: The Scorpion of the Red Sand*

As Kawanishi expected, the Village Hidden in the Sand (Sunagakure) reported the explosion from the previous night. Among the 56 unfortunate casualties was the male teammate who had expressed his intention to report the truth to the Kazekage.

Additionally, Sunagakure’s ANBU discovered numerous ritualistic items at the explosion site, including a faceless idol and blood-painted symbols of the Evil God.

This confirmed that the incident was a terrorist attack orchestrated by followers of the Evil God cult.

However, due to the explosion causing the entire building to collapse, the ANBU were unable to identify the individuals responsible for planning and executing the attack.

Hearing this news sent shivers down the spines of Kawanishi and his teammates.

They were not fools—they knew exactly what this meant.

As expected, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was once again enraged. He ordered the ANBU to thoroughly investigate the entire village, ensuring that not a single follower of the Evil God cult remained.

Furthermore, he forbade any villagers or shinobi from believing in such a terror-inducing cult.

While Kawanishi and the others worried about being exposed, a strange phenomenon occurred—the markings on their palms miraculously vanished.

To say they disappeared wasn’t entirely accurate; they had merely sunk beneath the surface of their skin.

Should they consciously wish to reveal them, the markings would resurface.

This brought Kawanishi and his fellow believers a sigh of relief.

After all, the Evil God symbols were distinct and conspicuous. Without a way to hide them, they wouldn’t have stood a chance during the ANBU’s inspections.

As for reporting details about the Evil God cult to the Kazekage?

After experiencing the previous night’s explosion, Kawanishi believed no one would dare take such a reckless chance again.

If it had been a simple explosion, it could have been dismissed as a coincidence. But the obvious traces of the Evil God cult in the incident made it clear: this was a warning from the cult to its followers.

Still, Kawanishi couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Was it worth exposing themselves further and prompting Sunagakure to crack down on the cult just to issue this warning?

---

Deep beneath the Kazekage’s administrative building, Rasa studied the object before him with a grave expression.

Beside him stood Baki, one of Sunagakure’s elite jōnin.

“Kazekage-sama, this was discovered at last night’s explosion site. To capture it alive, the ANBU lost one member, and two others were severely injured,” Baki explained concisely.

In front of them stood a massive iron cage, its occupant bound by numerous heavy chains—a grotesque creature.

The creature had a terrifying maw filled with sharp fangs, tattered flesh-wings on its back, countless erratically sprouting limbs, and vivid green compound eyes. It resembled a mutated insect with incomplete genetic expression.

Rasa’s face darkened as he observed it. “Is this thing truly that powerful?”

After all, Sunagakure’s ANBU were meticulously chosen, with even the weakest among them possessing special jōnin-level strength. Losing three such elite shinobi to one creature was a heavy blow.

Baki nodded solemnly. “While some losses were incurred in the effort to capture it alive, its strength indeed surpasses that of certain special jōnin.”

“First, its limbs are incredibly sharp, easily cutting through steel. Its body boasts remarkable vitality, and it possesses venom sacs capable of releasing toxic gas.”

As the Kazekage, Rasa quickly grasped Baki’s implication.

“You’re suggesting we research this creature and use it as… raw material?”

“You are wise, Kazekage-sama.”

Baki wasted no time in flattering Rasa.

Though the Land of Wind was one of the great nations, it was impoverished in natural resources, particularly high-grade materials such as specialized weapons and chakra-infused metals. Even with money, acquiring them in large quantities from other nations was challenging.

If they could successfully study and cultivate such creatures, it would provide Sunagakure with a new source of materials.

The creature’s exoskeleton could be used for weapons or puppet components, while its venom sacs could yield potent toxins.

Of course, for now, this was merely a concept that required extensive research to realize.

One major challenge would be discovering how to ensure the creature could reproduce.

After a moment of contemplation, Rasa gave his order. “If that’s the case, assemble a team from the research center to study this creature.”

“Yes, Kazekage-sama,” Baki replied, then hesitated slightly. “Kazekage-sama, Lady Chiyo’s expertise in medical ninjutsu and puppetry is unparalleled. If we could secure her assistance…”

Though Baki left his sentence unfinished, Rasa understood his meaning.

Chiyo, a former senior advisor of Sunagakure, had chosen to retire with her brother, Ebizō, after her grandson—Sasori, the Scorpion of the Red Sand—defected from the village. It had been over a decade since.

After some thought, Rasa shook his head. “For now, let’s not trouble Lady Chiyo. Once we have tangible results, we can inform her. She may not even agree to return at this point.”

Baki considered this and nodded. “Understood.”

---

After Rasa and Baki left, a shadowy figure silently appeared.

Shrouded in a heavy hood, the figure approached the cage and slowly removed their hood, revealing striking red hair and a face as delicate as porcelain.

Any elder of Sunagakure would have immediately recognized him as a former prodigy ninja, once a candidate for the position of Fourth Kazekage.

Now, however, he was an S-rank rogue ninja.

The Scorpion of the Red Sand—Sasori.

Sasori examined the creature closely, a glimmer of obsession sparking in his eyes.

“What an ingenious creation.”

He raised his hand, his fingers moving as if manipulating a puppet. The creature’s compound eyes rotated rapidly, and its limbs contracted, adopting a combat-ready stance.

This only heightened Sasori’s excitement.

To a genius puppeteer like him, this was no mere monster—it was a puppet, a brilliant and innovative one at that.

Its materials weren’t steel but flesh and blood. The chakra threads controlling it had been replaced by an even more fascinating mechanism: genes and instincts embedded deep within its biology.

“The Evil God cult?”

Sasori’s gaze lingered on the cult’s symbol on the creature’s forehead, and a smirk tugged at his lips.

“Interesting.”

(End of Chapter)  

Chapter 103: Wills Corroded by Time

*Land of Rain, Amegakure.*

Gloomy clouds perpetually shroud the village, and massive drainage pipes crisscross the landscape. Under such dreary skies, the hearts of its people inevitably feel weighed down.

Amid the constant patter of rain, a ninja wearing a Rain Village forehead protector pushed open the office door. With utmost respect, he addressed the man seated before him, whose face was obscured by a breathing apparatus.

“Lord Hanzō, according to frontline reports, we’ve lost contact with five more outposts today.”

“Five more…”

Hanzō, the leader of Amegakure, leaned back in his chair. His expression grew heavy as he regarded his subordinate, who looked at him with unwavering deference.

It had begun about half a month ago. A mysterious force systematically targeted the outposts Amegakure had established beyond its borders. Like an experienced gardener pruning branches, they methodically severed Amegakure's connections to the outside world.

Their ultimate target was clear: Amegakure itself.

Hanzō’s gaze turned somber. Despite the passing days, he still had no clue who the enemy was, leaving him only able to endure blow after blow.

Counterattacking had crossed his mind, of course. Even the most patient man has his limits, and as someone once hailed as a “Demi-God,” Hanzō couldn’t let his power be diminished so easily.

Yet, every elite squad of jōnin he dispatched vanished without a trace. No information, no survivors—nothing.

This gnawed at Hanzō’s resolve, instilling in him a growing sense of fear.

For someone like Hanzō, who had fought countless battles since childhood and risen to prominence in the Land of Rain—an endless war zone—fear was an alien sensation. His courage and mental fortitude had forged his legendary status.

But somewhere along the way, something had shifted. He no longer felt the same drive to fight or kill.

Shaking his head, Hanzō dismissed these unsettling thoughts and addressed the ninja in front of him.

“Relay this to Danzō: I’m willing to supply him with more materials. In return, he must immediately send an elite force to aid Amegakure.”

The ninja hesitated.

As one of Hanzō’s trusted aides, he was well aware of the clandestine dealings between Amegakure and Konoha’s so-called “Darkness of the Shinobi.”

Simply put, Hanzō provided Danzō with “materials” for his experiments—typically refugees or, at times, even captured ninjas from the Land of Rain. In exchange, Danzō used Root ninjas to eliminate Hanzō’s enemies, helping consolidate his rule and even sharing some research results.

But in this life-or-death situation, could those Konoha ninjas truly be relied upon?

“Lord Hanzō, at this point, only you can save Amegakure.”

The aide raised his head, looking at the leader they once revered as a demi-god.

Hanzō froze momentarily at the comment.

For an instant, images flashed through his mind: countless corpses strewn across battlefields, his aging body, and the endless enemies encountered during the ninja wars.

Then, as if something within him snapped, his eyes gleamed with a ferocious, cruel intensity.

“Of course, I know I must act. But how am I supposed to fight when we don’t even know who the enemy is?”

Slamming his hands on the desk, Hanzō’s voice trembled with rage. “Tell Danzō I’ll give him anything he wants if he uncovers the identity of our foes!”

“Yes, sir.”

With no other choice but to comply, the ninja took the scroll Hanzō handed him. As he reached the door, Hanzō called out.

“Ueno… You wouldn’t betray me, would you?”

Hanzō’s icy gaze bore into his back, as if ready to cleave him in two with a single stroke.

Ueno turned and bowed respectfully.

“Lord Hanzō, you are the hero who has safeguarded the Land of Rain and earned the title of Demi-God. Without you, I’d have died on some battlefield long ago. Whatever decisions you make, I will follow without question.”

Hanzō’s expression shifted, but after a pause, he waved dismissively.

“Go.”

“Understood.”

After leaving the office, Ueno headed to a nearby nightclub. Inside, he pushed open a hidden door in the restroom, revealing a concealed underground chamber.

“How did it go, Ueno?”

Two figures waited for him in the dimly lit room.

Smirking, Ueno replied, “Just as the Priest predicted. Lord Hanzō plans to rely on Danzō’s forces and has even offered ‘anything he wants’ in return.”

“Heh…”

A cold laugh echoed through the chamber.

“As the Priest said, time is the cruelest blade. Even the once-unbeatable Demi-God has been reduced to a groveling old dog.”

Neither of the others disagreed aloud, though their presence in the chamber spoke volumes.

“Proceed with the plan,” a woman’s voice commanded, ending the brief meeting.

“Understood. Praise the Evil God.”

“Praise the Evil God.”

“Praise the Master.”

As Ueno exited the hidden chamber, the dark sigil of the Evil God faded from his neck. Once again, he became Hanzō’s loyal aide, Amegakure’s elite jōnin.

With Hanzō’s secret scroll in hand, Ueno quietly departed the village.

Two days later, he returned with news that electrified Hanzō.

“Danzō has agreed to send two elite Root squads to assist, and he has also identified the enemy.”

Hanzō’s spirits lifted instantly.

Two elite squads, comprising six ninjas total. Given their status as elites, at least two or three of them were undoubtedly jōnin. And as members of Root, their combat training would make them invaluable.

However, what truly excited Hanzō was the information about the enemy.

He was sick of fighting blind and couldn’t wait to learn who they were.

Ueno’s expression was measured as he spoke.

“Does Lord Hanzō recall the Akatsuki?”

“Akatsuki…”

The name stirred faint recognition in Hanzō’s mind.

“So it’s them. But that doesn’t make sense. Didn’t we and Root already eliminate the Akatsuki?”

Though the methods used back then were less than honorable, Hanzō had indeed emerged victorious.

“Could it be those two survivors…?”

Suddenly, a wave of dread washed over Hanzō.

They had returned—for vengeance.

(Chapter End)  

Chapter 104: The Plan to Destroy Amegakure

"Stay alert, everyone! Lord Hanzō specifically ordered us to strictly monitor anyone entering Amegakure. Not a single mistake will be tolerated!"

A stern Amegakure jōnin was addressing the shinobi guarding the village gates.

Just days ago, Hanzō had issued a death order—if anyone carelessly let the enemy in, they too would face judgment.

After the jōnin left, the two squads on duty—six shinobi in total—began murmuring among themselves.

"Do you really think there’s anyone bold enough to attack Amegakure in broad daylight, especially with Lord Hanzō watching over us?"

It was hard to believe that anyone would dare challenge Hanzō, the man hailed as a demigod, who had led them out of the chaos of war with his overwhelming strength.

Lowering his voice, one shinobi added, "Do you know who the enemy is this time? I heard it’s an organization called Akatsuki."

"Akatsuki?" One of them scratched his nose, trying to recall. "I’ve heard that name before. Didn’t that group get wiped out years ago?"

"I heard Lord Hanzō joined forces with Konoha to destroy them. Now they’ve come back for revenge."

"Really? Lord Hanzō is so strong, he needed help from Konoha?"

Some of them clearly cared less about the enemy and more about their idol’s legendary power.

This was typical of the younger generation in Amegakure, who grew up admiring Hanzō's heroic deeds. However, amidst the harsh realities of recent years, some had begun to question his rule.

Suddenly, one of them raised a question. "Do you know why Lord Hanzō hasn’t dealt with the enemy yet?"

A Hanzō supporter immediately retorted, "He’s a demigod! Enemies like these aren’t even worth his attention."

"Hah! I think Lord Hanzō is just scared."

That scoffing remark caused an uproar.

"How dare you question Lord Hanzō?!" shouted one of the supporters, their face flushed with anger.

As tensions escalated and a fight seemed inevitable, a commanding voice rang out.

"Silence."

At the gate stood Mari Kohara, the jōnin overseeing Amegakure’s defenses.

Her sharp gaze swept across the group, immediately silencing them.

"What’s going on here?"

Exuding the authority of a seasoned leader, Mari calmly demanded an explanation.

The Hanzō supporters wasted no time pointing fingers. "It’s this guy! He insulted Lord Hanzō, saying he’s too afraid to confront the enemy and is letting them bring the battle to our doorstep!"

"Oh?"

Mari’s eyes fell on the shinobi who had spoken out. Strangely, instead of reprimanding him, a faint hint of approval seemed to flicker in her expression.

As the supporters clamored for punishment, two figures appeared in the distance.

"Are those enemies?"

Mari turned toward the approaching figures, noting their black cloaks adorned with red cloud patterns and the scratched-out Amegakure symbols on their headbands. The powerful chakra emanating from them left little doubt.

"It’s them," Mari said softly, her tone unreadable.

"Captain Kohara, should we report this to Lord Hanzō?"

The shinobi were tense, recognizing the intruders as formidable foes.

Mari nodded. "I’ll hold them off. You must report to Lord Hanzō immediately and request reinforcements."

"Understood!"

The two squads retreated toward the village to relay the information, leaving Mari behind.

Taking a deep breath, Mari formed hand seals, gathering her chakra.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

A massive water dragon surged forward with terrifying force—but to everyone’s shock, it was aimed at the retreating shinobi rather than the intruders.

Caught completely off guard, the shinobi were swiftly incapacitated, unable to comprehend why their superior had attacked them.

One, however—the Hanzō skeptic—was spared, suffering only minor injuries.

As the two cloaked figures approached, Mari stood calmly at the gate. Their black cloaks and the distinctive red clouds confirmed their identities.

Pain and Konan exchanged a glance, momentarily surprised.

While they had been informed by Simu that some of Amegakure’s shinobi had been turned, they hadn’t expected someone of Mari Kohara’s rank to have been swayed.

"Welcome, Akatsuki," Mari greeted them, as though she had rehearsed this moment countless times.

Pain nodded slightly. "Good work."

Suddenly, a thunderous explosion echoed from within the village, followed by the sounds of chaotic battle.

Pain and Konan looked toward the source, their confusion growing.

Mari quickly explained, "The rebel forces within Amegakure have begun fighting Hanzō’s loyalists. All you need to do is eliminate Hanzō, and the village will be yours."

"I see."

Pain’s voice was cold and decisive. He didn’t fully understand how events had escalated so quickly, but his objective was clear: Hanzō must die.

Clapping his hands together, Pain slammed them onto the ground.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

With a burst of smoke, two more figures appeared, both clad in the same black cloaks.

One was a stout man with black rods protruding from his nose, cheeks, and chin.

The other was a man with a ponytail, similarly marked with black rods.

Both shared the same distinctive eyes—the Rinnegan.

As Pain floated into the air alongside his summoned allies, he spread his arms wide.

"Vengeance begins now."

(End of Chapter)  

Chapter 105: Only the Evil God Can Protect the Hidden Rain Village

“What’s going on!?”

Hanzō stood at the highest point in the Hidden Rain Village, his expression darkening to the extreme. He couldn’t comprehend how the village he had painstakingly built could suddenly erupt in chaos and smoke, teetering on the brink of collapse in an instant.

Why did these people have the audacity to challenge him, a demigod!?

Behind Hanzō stood Ueno, an elite Rain ninja and one of his most trusted confidants, along with reinforcements Hanzō had requested from Konoha’s Danzō—two squads from the Root organization.

These Root ninjas wore various masks, clad in the uniforms of Konoha’s Anbu, exuding an eerie and terrifying sense of mystery.

Despite Hanzō’s furious outburst, the Root ninjas showed no reaction. Only Ueno narrowed his eyes slightly and said calmly, “Lord Hanzō, now that we have Konoha’s support and your own formidable strength, perhaps we can seize this opportunity to purge the unstable elements within the Hidden Rain Village…”

Indeed, this was a golden opportunity to consolidate power.

In the midst of such violent upheaval, those dissatisfied with Hanzō would undoubtedly leap at the chance to join this frenzy. If Hanzō could defeat the enemy, the Hidden Rain Village would inevitably face a brutal purge afterward.

Of course, this all hinged on one condition: Hanzō had to emerge victorious in this battle.

As a seasoned politician, Hanzō understood this logic well. He gripped the custom-made scythe behind him tightly, and in that moment, an astonishing aura erupted from this aging lion, ravaged by time.

It was as if he were experiencing a final burst of vitality.

For a fleeting moment, this aura left Ueno dazed, as if the demigod who once dominated battlefields had returned.

But alas, a final burst was just that—a fleeting resurgence.

Ueno quickly snapped out of it as Hanzō ordered, “Ueno, take the Root ninjas and engage the enemy first. Make sure to gather intel on them.”

Intelligence was a critical component of ninja warfare.

Only by collecting information first—learning the enemy’s fighting style, their ninjutsu, and their weaknesses—could one devise effective, targeted strategies.

Gathering intelligence before a battle wasn’t inherently wrong, but with the enemy already storming the village, sending subordinates to risk their lives for intel while Hanzō picked and chose his moments to strike… wasn’t that a bit too much?

Though Ueno inwardly grumbled, his expression remained unchanged. He simply said, “Indeed, the once-mighty lion has been eroded by time and no longer has the courage to face the enemy head-on.”

“What did you say?”

Hanzō turned his head slightly, a terrifying killing intent brewing in his eyes.

But as he turned, Ueno sprang into action. One of the Root ninjas beside him charged at Hanzō without hesitation.

Mid-assault, their body swelled violently, like an overinflated balloon, before countless scorching flames erupted from within!

Boom!

A massive explosion and searing flames engulfed half of the Hidden Rain’s administrative building. Ueno and the remaining three Root ninjas landed on the ground amidst the shattered walls, watching a figure slowly emerge from the fire.

“Ueno, you’ve truly betrayed me.”

Hanzō’s icy voice rang out as a sudden wave of water extinguished the sea of flames, creating a thick white mist.

Facing Hanzō’s accusation, Ueno showed no trace of guilt.

“When an aging lion king loses its courage, it’s only natural for a stronger, braver cub to take its place.”

Hanzō sneered at this. “A stronger, braver cub? Tell me, who in the Hidden Rain Village qualifies as this ‘stronger, braver cub’!?”

If there had been anyone in the village powerful enough, Hanzō wouldn’t have had to endure humiliation and stand alone during the Second Great Ninja War.

Ueno didn’t argue this point.

“Perhaps you’re right. There’s no leader strong enough left in the pride…”

Mid-sentence, Ueno paused, a flicker of madness glinting in his eyes.

“So, we must turn to an even greater existence—the great Evil God. Only a deity can protect the Hidden Rain Village!”

At that moment, the remaining five Root ninjas removed their masks in unison.

Without exception, all five bore the forehead protectors of the Hidden Rain Village.

“Praise the Evil God.”

The instant Hanzō saw them, his pupils constricted sharply, unable to hide the shock in his eyes.

“Toriyu, Seiyu, Fuyuto…”

Yes, these five were all renowned ninjas from the Hidden Rain Village.

Among them, Toriyu was an elite jōnin, a trusted confidant of Hanzō’s, just like Ueno.

“Why!? Why have you all betrayed me!?”

Hanzō’s face twisted with rage, his trembling hand gripping the scythe as uncontrollable fury radiated from him.

Toriyu pulled a necklace with a circular exterior and a triangular interior from his pocket and said calmly, “Since Lord Hanzō can no longer fight for the Hidden Rain Village, it’s time to let a new god protect it.”

With that, the five ninjas simultaneously unleashed their ninjutsu, attacking Hanzō.

Though the lion king had lost his courage, his strength remained. Hanzō instantly summoned a Water Formation Wall, deflecting all incoming attacks.

Then, with just three hand signs, he executed the Water Dragon Jutsu, sweeping the traitors away in one fell swoop.

“If you choose betrayal, be prepared to die!”

Fueled by rage, Hanzō swung his scythe, its chained end lashing out like a venomous snake to ensnare a Rain ninja. In a flash of Water Flicker, he appeared before them and decapitated them with a single strike!

This was the power of a demigod.

“Though the lion king has aged, you’re still not worthy to challenge me!”

Hanzō towered over them, exuding his authority.

Looking at Hanzō, a mocking smirk crossed Ueno’s face. “As expected of a demigod. We’re no match for Lord Hanzō. But our goal has already been achieved.”

Hanzō’s pupils shrank as an overwhelming sense of danger locked onto him.

“Shinra Tensei!”

A sudden repulsive force blasted Hanzō away. The sheer power sent him crashing through several buildings before he finally came to a stop.

High above the Hidden Rain Village, Pain hovered, his pale purple Rinnegan eyes gazing down like a god surveying all!

Indeed, this was Ueno and the others’ true objective.

Everything they’d done before was merely to buy time…

Pain glanced at the Rain ninjas below before shifting his focus back to Hanzō.

Though the man was old and frail, his strength was still nothing to scoff at.

In the next moment, countless giant summoned beasts appeared across the Hidden Rain Village, each bearing the same terrifying Rinnegan eyes.

“Those who submit to me will live.”

“Those who follow Hanzō will die.”

(End of Chapter)