CH - 133 Sand Village Retreats.

Upon receiving the news that the Grass Village had successfully repelled the ninja from the three major villages, Hanzo's face displayed a hint of shock. His muffled voice seeped out from beneath his mask as he exclaimed, "I never anticipated... this small ninja village could actually pull it off!"

Despite the fact that the main battlefield wasn't in the Grass Village, and therefore the number of dispatched enemy ninjas wouldn't have been too high, they were still from the Five Great Ninja Villages, the most powerful ninja villages in the ninja world.

Hanzo chuckled heartily after this brief moment of contemplation, his eyes shifting towards the Rain Village ninjas under his command, who also bore smiles. "They emerged victorious just like that? It seems my judgment was spot on!"

He grumbled slightly, "I was meant to stand guard, as we agreed - one in defense and four in attack. But it seems I've been outwitted once again by this sly individual, hasn't he?"

Despite his satisfaction, Hanzo muttered under his breath. "I was meant to be on standby as part of our 'one attack while four defend' strategy, but it seems I'm just being used once more, isn't he tricking me again?"

Naturally, being able to hold their ground was also a significant achievement. The puppetry jutsu employed by the Sand Village was exceptionally vexing. These puppet creations were impervious to poisons, reducing the effectiveness of the Rain Village's toxic attacks by half. Furthermore, the puppets possessed an array of peculiar abilities, and without ample intelligence, one could suffer substantial losses. Particularly, the puppets fashioned by that Sand Village elder, Chiyo.

These ten puppets were each equipped with unique weaponry, ninja tools, and combat tactics. Not only were they formidable, but they also boasted impressive durability. During the Second Great Ninja War, Chiyo had already outwitted Hanzo regarding his poison techniques and was well-versed in his strategies. If they were to engage in a full-fledged conflict, it would prove to be a headache.

If it weren't for his prowess in Water Release jutsu, it would have been quite challenging to keep the old woman, Chiyo, at bay.

At that very moment, a Rain Village ninja rushed in with news. "My Lord, the Sand Village's Commander, Chiyo, has requested an audience with you!"

"An audience with me? It seems the Sand Village has gotten wind of the information," Hanzo chuckled sarcastically. "Very well, I shall see what this Chiyo wishes to discuss!"

…

"Elder Chiyo, have we truly lost?" inquired a somber Sand Village ninja.

Chiyo, her visage deeply etched with the passage of time, exhibited a touch of remorse as she responded, "Yes, we have indeed lost. The Sand Village must retreat. The conflict at Kikyo Pass takes precedence over the events here."

The war between the Sand Village and Konoha had persisted for many years, making it exceedingly difficult to bring an end to the hostilities. The battle wouldn't conclude until one side emerged victorious or one party surrendered. Furthermore, the ongoing war with the Mist Village had no foreseeable conclusion in sight. As long as the animosity endured, the war would persist. Hence, the forces at the current front could no longer be squandered. In truth, compared to the other three major ninja villages, the Sand Village had relatively fared better. While Hanzo had remained stationed in defense rather than taking the offensive, the Mist Village, on the contrary, had even lost a Kage like Mizukage.

Chiyo released a heavy sigh, her eyes reflecting a multitude of complex emotions, as she peered in the direction of the Grass Village protected by the Rain Village. "Akihiko Kusano... everyone underestimated this Grass Village leader!"

As soon as she finished her sentence, a voice filled with hearty laughter rang out from a Rain ninja who stood some distance away. "Chiyo, you old hag, what's the matter with you? Hahaha! Are you telling me you're ready to surrender to the Rain Village?"

Upon hearing this, Chiyo raised an eyebrow and directed her gaze upward to the Rain ninja leader who stood atop a massive salamander, his arms folded, exuding an air of arrogance. After a moment of contemplation, she replied with an air of calm assurance, "Yes, we have indeed lost due to insufficient information. However, I must emphasize that the Sand Village has not been defeated."

"Defeat is defeat. As long as I hold my ground, you are the losers. Who would have thought that one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, the Sand Village, would resort to excuses, even to a small village like, Rain Village!" Hanzo declared with a mocking tone as he ridiculed Chiyo.

Chiyo stared at Hanzo with a mixture of disbelief and exasperation. Had this man grown old? Although he had shed the arrogance he once held as a demigod of the ninja world, he now appeared to be acting as a shameless villain.

With narrowed eyes and a wry smile, Chiyo addressed Hanzo, "Very well, you're correct. Defeat is defeat. I suppose I have become rather outdated."

As she delivered her warning, Chiyo's gaze bore into Hanzo with an intense, piercing quality, and she added with a chilly smile, "But the Five Great Ninja Villages have taken notice of the Hidden Grass Village. The Uzumaki Clan, the Chinoike Clan... It appears the Grass Village is harboring many secrets, doesn't it? Are you planning to blindly follow them? Such a choice may lead to your ultimate downfal just like the Second Great Ninja War. Negotiating with the Sand Village is the path to hope for peace in the Land of Rain. Hanzo of the Salamander, do you intend to make the same ill-fated decision as during the Second Great Ninja War?"

Upon hearing her words, Hanzo, who now stood atop the Ibuse, peering down at the Sand ninja below, responded without hesitation, "Is it another one of these warnings?" With a casual, relaxed manner, he extended his right foot as though he were looking down upon the Sand Village. Then, he broke into hearty laughter. "Whatever path I choose is my own decision. It doesn't concern your Sand Ninja Village. Don't forget, I am the demigod of the ninja world!"

With a hint of disdain on his curled lips, he continued,"Furthermore, 'wrong choice,' you say? What's wrong with openly declaring war against the Five Great Ninja Villages? In fact, I find it quite exhilarating. So where's the wrong in that?!"

"Foolish!" Chiyo's face darkened upon hearing Hanzo's unwavering reply. Nevertheless, she opted not to engage in further argument and merely waved her hand, commanding, "Retreat!"

Upon her command, the Sand ninja, though inwardly furious, obeyed and withdrew from the scene.

At long last, after gazing down at the retreating Sand ninja and waiting until they were out of sight, Hanzo finally recalled his salamander. He looked out over the war-torn Land of Rain and sighed, muttering to himself, "Kid, you better keep your word this time!"

…

On the other side, Yahiko's team was patrolling the border with the Land of Fire when they received the news. A heavy silence fell upon the group. They were taken aback; it had ended so swiftly, without them having a chance to take any action.

"Damn it, I was eager to show the Five Great Ninja Villages what we were made of!" Hato clenched his fists in frustration. "I should have stayed back in the village."

"Akihiko-sensei is just too sharp and cautious," Yahiko added with a touch of disappointment. "The Akatsuki didn't even get a chance to do anything. Is this it? Oh, by the way, what do we do with Danzo now? Should we send him back to the village?"

Nagato was at a loss for words at Yahiko's remarks and sighed internally, 'Aren't you the only remaining Akatsuki member now?' Rolling his eyes in exasperation, he grumbled, "Without orders from Akihiko-sensei, we can't head back. As for Danzo... for the time being, let's keep him here. We don't know what Konoha might do next!"

…

As the news of the failure of the Four Great Ninja Villages' siege on the Grass Village and the defeat and death of the Third Mizukage spread, the entire ninja world was once again plunged into shock.

The Grass Village, a relatively small and less prominent village, had been utterly destroyed at the end of the First Great Ninja War. It had only been rebuilt during the final stages of the Second Great Ninja War, and now, just a few years later, it had successfully fended off the combined might of the Four Great Ninja Villages.

Many had initially assumed that the Grass Village would eventually compromise or be overwhelmed after being encircled by the Four Great Ninja Villages. But the rapid conclusion of the war in favor of the Grass Village had left them astounded.

As the shocking revelations about the Grass Village's strength and the reappearance of the Uzumaki Clan spread throughout the ninja world, many were left both amazed and deeply worried by these secrets. The return of the Uzumaki Clan, long thought to be extinct, was a revelation that raised many questions and concerns, especially considering their historical ties with Konoha.

Naturally, there was keen anticipation regarding how Konoha would react to this information. The relationship between Konoha and the Uzumaki Clan had always been unique and complex.

Within the walls of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat in his office, the air thick with tension. He took a long drag from his cigarette, letting the smoke curl around him. Leaning back, he rested his clasped hands under his chin, his eyes scanning the faces of those gathered. After a moment of silence, he broke it with a question, "What are your thoughts on this matter, everyone?"

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