93 CH - 91 Akihiko vs. Hanzo

In the midst of the relentless downpour in the Land of Rain, a duel of formidable figures unfolded. The atmosphere crackled with palpable tension, a symphony of weapons colliding echoed in the air, each strike a testament to the expertise behind it. Their distinct powers, formidable and unique, imbued the battleground with an electrifying energy.

The first combatant, Hanzo, brandished a kusarigama, a chain-sickle, with a wicked elegance that showcased his prowess. As the Demigod of the Ninja World and the leader of the Amegakure, his strikes were calculated and precise, the chain-sickle dancing like a lethal serpent, striking with deadly accuracy and controlled power.

On the opposing side stood Akihiko, unyielding and resolute, the very leader who had quelled the chaos that once gripped the Land of Grass. Without a trace of fear, he met Hanzo's onslaught head-on. No words were exchanged, only the clash of metal and the unspoken understanding of their battle dance.

Akihiko's mastery over paper-style jutsu was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Sheets of paper transformed into razor-sharp blades, honed to perfection, materializing at his command. With an almost casual grace, he parried Hanzo's onslaught, skillfully deflecting the poisoned strikes with uncanny ease. His control was so adept that hand seals became redundant, the very paper element seemed to yield to Akihiko's unwavering will.

Abruptly, as if by pure instinct, Akihiko's figure wavered and morphed, his physical presence replaced by a paper clone that intercepted Hanzo's intended strike. The Demigod, momentarily caught off guard, realized the deception as the clone shattered into fragments before him.

Seizing the advantage amidst Hanzo's momentary confusion, Akihiko used his 'Paper Style: Body Flicker Technique,' his form dissolving into paper-thin fragments. In the blink of an eye, he traversed the battlefield at a speed that defied comprehension, a feat made possible by his mastery of the unique paper-based Body Flicker Technique.

At that precise moment, amid the rain-soaked battlefield, Akihiko executed his next strategic move. He uttered, "Paper Style: Rain of Blades," causing a lethal array of weapons to appear in the Sky. An array of katana, kunai, and weapons of deadly shapes descended from above, forming an almost inescapable barrage that rained down upon Hanzo, creating a near-impenetrable curtain of threat.

Responding with a surge of lightning-swift movement, Hanzo evaded Akihiko's relentless assault. He executed flips, spins, and evasive maneuvers, with grace and precision, each motion a calculated effort to escape the onslaught.

Akihiko's mastery over paper was unparalleled, and his paper weapons mirrored Hanzo's every move. The battlefield transformed into a maelstrom of chaos, with one evading while the other pursued, and weapons flying everywhere. As the jutsu reached its climax, the battlefield was left in shambles, with dust and debris swirling in the air as a testament to the power of the technique used.

Gradually, as the haze of destruction began to dissipate, a transformed landscape came into view. Standing amidst the aftermath, Hanzo stood unscathed. His eyes locked onto Akihiko with a mixture of awe and respect.

"Of all those who have faced my poisonous techniques, none have endured as long as you and still stood firm!" Hanzo's laughter echoed like a resounding clap of thunder across the battlefield. "Hahaha~ I, the Demigod of the Ninja World, am prepared to acknowledge you as the strongest!"

Despite their torn and battered clothing, their unwavering gazes indicated a fierce confrontation that had taken place. Their unyielding spirits were evident, proving the intensity of the battle they had fought through rain and destruction.

A group of ninjas surrounded the performance that was taking place. There were members from different ninja villages such as Grass, Rain, Sand, Leaf, and Rock, all watching the two figures on the battlefield. These two ninjas were considered to be the best in their field.

The leader of Grass Ninja Village was particularly impressive. While stories of the Demigod of the Ninja World had been told since the Second Great Ninja War, it was now clear that the leader of Grass Village had the same level of power. The other ninjas whispered in amazement, "It seems that Grass Village has produced an extraordinary shinobi."

However, the Five Great Ninja Villages were not too concerned. They had already defeated the Demigod of Rain Ninja Village before. Furthermore, this display of power was only coming from one leader of Grass Village, not the whole village. While it was impressive, it triggered only a fleeting sense of awe among the ninjas from the other villages.

As for the ongoing conflict between the two, it had become almost routine for everyone involved. Since Rain Village's declaration of war against Grass Village, these two forces had been locked in a pattern of minor skirmishes every three days, followed by major battles every five days. This cycle persisted for about two weeks, only to retreat amidst the heart of combat.

Naturally, such confrontations were expected. The complexities of war between nations were anything but straightforward, conflicts of this scale could stretch over several years. Hence, the frequent clashes between Rain Village and Grass Village could be seen as a relatively common occurrence within the larger context.

As expected, the Demigod of the Ninja World let out a dismissive snort, signaling the conclusion of the day's bout. Behind his mask, his eyes remained locked on the Grass Ninja Village leader. "Hmph, let's conclude this for today!" he declared icily. "In a matter of days, I shall ensure the annihilation of your Grass Village!"

With this fierce proclamation, he turned and departed, effectively marking the end of today's fight. Observing this development, ninjas from various villages also dispersed, each preparing to convey the intelligence garnered from this latest confrontation.

…

Meanwhile, following today's staged fight, Hanzo made his way back to his village. Indeed, It was a fake fight. Throughout his life, Hanzo had been embroiled in countless battles, but none quite as peculiar as the ones he had experienced in these recent days. Truly, who could have foreseen such an unconventional turn of events?

Speaking of this situation, the Grass Village had taken measures to secure a portion of its territory, effectively prohibiting the entry of ninjas from other villages. It appeared that they were earnestly progressing with their plans to establish factories and hire workers. In the meantime, occasionally, these staged fake skirmishes between the two ninja villages will continue to unfold.

This strategy served a twofold purpose, not only did it allow them to trick the watchful eyes of the Five Great Ninja Villages, but it also provided a distraction from their true intentions. Of course, the Five Great Ninja Villages were deeply embroiled in their own high-stakes conflicts, leaving them with little attention to spare for the war between the smaller villages.

Hanzo couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. If circumstances were different and the Land of Rain's unique geographical position wasn't a factor, perhaps a semblance of peace could have found its way into existence. This somber reflection weighed heavily on his heart.

"Hanzo-sama," at that moment, a Rain ninja with a scar across his face hurriedly approached and addressed Hanzo, "I want to express my gratitude for your relentless efforts."

"Hmm," Hanzo nodded, extending his wet outer coat toward the ninja named Aso, who had been assisting him with various village matters for some time.

Removing his coat, he accepted the towel that Aso handed over, using it to dry himself off. His brow furrowed slightly as he surveyed the vacant surroundings. "Where is everyone? Why is the place deserted?"

Hanzo's confusion deepened as he wondered, Despite the staged nature of their confrontations, it was unusual for the village to be so unoccupied, especially after a fake fight. Why were the villagers scattered about instead of convening here?

However, as he finished speaking, He detected an unusual expression on Aso's face. an awkward smile appeared on Aso's Face, as if seemingly uncertain about how to explain the situation.

"Hanzo-sama, well..." Aso hesitated, trying to find the right words to explain the rather peculiar situation that had unfolded.

"Yes?" Noting Aso's uneasy demeanor, Hanzo's brows slightly furrowed. He regarded Aso with an imposing gaze, his tone tinged with impatience. "What's the issue? Is there any trouble or any emergency, Speak up! Why all this hesitation?"

"No one's in any trouble, and there's no emergency. It's just that..." Recognizing the growing displeasure in their leader's eyes, Aso steeled himself and continued, "Everyone has gone out to work."

Hanzo's expression shifted to one of perplexity and bewilderment upon hearing Aso's words. Work? What kind of work? They were all skilled ninjas, why would they involve themselves in ordinary jobs?

Before Hanzo could respond,Aso hastened to provide further clarification, his expression carrying a sense of helplessness "Actually, everyone has been hired by Grass Ninja Village. They're referring to it as work, like regular employment."

As Aso's explanation lingered in the air, it was Hanzo's turn to fall into a contemplative silence. His mind traveled back a few days, recalling the visit of the Grass Ninja Village leader who had expressed an unexpected interest in hiring some Rain ninjas.

At that time, Hanzo had been taken aback. While the war between them might not be a real, Rain Ninja Village and Grass Ninja Village were still in a state of conflict, to say the least. The idea of hiring ninjas from what could be considered a 'rival' village, on the surface, was utterly perplexing.

Initially, Hanzo had been inclined to reject the offer outright. However, matters had shifted when the issue of compensation was broached, the proposal coming with a standard mission reward. Eventually, he had given his consent, albeit reluctantly. There seemed to be no other option. Rain Ninja Village's specialty lay in assassination missions, and given the ongoing turmoil, Hanzo had imposed limitations on the village's activities.

Therefore, Rain Ninja Village had found themselves subsisting on their existing reserves or one could argue, so had the entire Land of Rain, especially since there was no reigning daimyo left. Their resources had dwindled considerably. Moreover, Rain Ninja Village was grappling with a dire financial predicament. Thus, Hanzo had reluctantly acceded. Technically, the hiring procedure was still being followed, albeit in a covert manner.

As of now, Rain Village had abstained from entangling itself in the ongoing battles among the Five Great Ninja Villages. As for their confrontations with Grass Village, the number of participants hardly mattered. A larger group could set the stage for a grand spectacle, whereas a more modest assembly would witness Hanzo and the Grass Village leader engage in a smaller-scale confrontation. Hence, It was possible to dispatch some ninjas.

"Nonetheless, I distinctly remember that only a handful of ninjas agreed to undertake the mission," Hanzo's brow furrowed as he struggled to comprehend the situation. "So why are there so many absent today?"

"In the beginning, only a small group of ninjas had signed up for the mission. However..." Aso's face contorted, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his expression before he continued, "After the last team of ninjas returned and shared their experiences, news spread that Grass Ninja Village is providing not only work but also meals, accommodation, and even overtime compensation. Since there wasn't much else to occupy them, many decided to give it a try."

As Aso's explanation sank in, Hanzo found himself utterly dumbfounded. Were they all seeking employment with Grass Village now? It was rather ironic, considering that at present, Grass Village was effectively their "foe" in the ongoing scenario. How were they supposed to engage in the planned mock confrontations in a few days like this? And why was such a large portion of their ninjas opting for this employment opportunity?

Hanzo's thoughts took a more absurd turn as he considered the potential continuation of this trend. He couldn't shake the idea that in the coming days, he might actually witness Rain ninjas assuming the roles of Grass ninjas, staging a fake attack on Rain Village. The sheer absurdity of such a scenario left Hanzo baffled, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "What on earth is happening!"

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