The continuous drizzle for several days finally ceased, but the dark clouds hanging over the Hidden Rain Village showed no signs of dispersing. Instead, they grew even denser and deeper than before.
Occasionally, a resident of the Hidden Rain Village would cautiously peek out their window to observe the situation, only to quickly retract their heads. Their hurried retreat suggested they perceived a ferocious beast lurking outside, poised to devour them.
Suppression, anxiety, and fear permeated the air. The atmosphere within the entire Hidden Rain Village seemed to thicken, as if in anticipation of the impending decisive battle.
The streets were deserted, and the whole village was eerily silent. It felt as though the vitality and future of the Hidden Rain Village had departed along with the ninjas who had marched to the battlefield with Hanzo of the Salamander.
Ten li southeast of the Hidden Rain Village lay a settlement in ruins.
This area was practically the heartland of the Land of Rain. However, due to the recent back-and-forth attacks and probing actions between the ninjas of the Rain and Fire Countries, this small village, which had never been densely populated, was now completely abandoned.
As for the fate of the villagers who once resided here—whether they had relocated or had been mercilessly slaughtered by encountering ninjas—it remained unknown.
During wartime, apart from a few ninjas who adhered to the strict code, the act of killing civilians, besides the plundering of property and resources, provided a psychological satisfaction to the bullies, further invigorating those of lesser character.
Hanzo, as if oblivious to the desolation before him, his eyes, exposed beyond his gas mask, fixed intently on the Leaf ninjas opposite him through the rubble.
"They've prepared thoroughly!"
Hanzo grunted, his voice muffled, as he observed the gas masks worn by the Leaf ninjas.
"Lord Hanzo of the Salamander is a renowned figure in the ninja world. It's only natural that the Leaf would take some precautions. I doubt it would surprise you, Lord God of Shinobi."
Orochimaru, stepping through the muddy water, emerged side-by-side with Tsunade and Jiraiya from the ranks of the ninjas.
"Lord Hanzo, all ninjas of the Leaf who hold justice in their hearts have answered your invitation. We await your guidance!"
Hanzo's eyes narrowed slightly. The expression on his face, hidden by the mask, was unreadable, but he slowly lowered the scythe blade on his back.
"I do not strike down nameless individuals!"
"Which of you three is the commander of the Leaf, the disciple named Orochimaru by Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
Orochimaru stepped forward, his gaze calm as he looked at Hanzo.
"That would be me!"
"These two are my teammates, Jiraiya and Tsunade, both fellow disciples of my master."
"Do you have any further questions, Lord Hanzo?"
Hanzo let out a grunt and nodded slightly.
"They have indeed come in full force!"
"As I stated earlier, this battle concerns the future of two nations."
"Therefore, I will not show you any mercy simply because you are my juniors!"
Orochimaru responded with a cold laugh, slowly raising his right hand.
"Naturally!"
"I will not harbor any inappropriate thoughts due to your status as Lord Hanzo."
"Good!"
Hanzo raised his scythe, pointing at the three of them, and brought it down with force.
"Then let us fight!"
Orochimaru's right hand also swept out violently, issuing the command to attack to the Leaf ninjas.
With a simultaneous cry, the ninjas from both sides surged forward, avoiding the positions of their respective commanders, and clashed violently, engaging in fierce combat.
The elite Rain ninjas personally trained and nurtured by Hanzo were by no means comparable to the ragtag group previously led by Sanzuo the Salamander. From the outset, they displayed formidable Water Style ninjutsu and exceptional samurai prowess.
"Water Style – Water Shock Wave!"
"Water Style – Water Ripple!"
Mid- to low-level Water Style ninjutsu were employed in rapid succession. Utilizing the widespread rainwater, these seemingly ordinary water techniques demonstrated exceptional power.
Meanwhile, the Rain ninjas, adept at close-quarters combat, wielded a diverse array of weapons, combining chakra with swordsmanship and blade techniques, frequently executing swift, decisive attacks like true samurai.
However, the Leaf ninjas' performance was equally impressive.
The ninjas proficient in ninjutsu attacks from the Rain Village were met with a firm resistance from a group of Leaf ninjas specializing in Earth Style ninjutsu, handpicked by Orochimaru, and the parasitic insects of the Aburame clan.
The close-combat Rain ninjas skilled in sword and blade techniques were easily handled by the taijutsu masters of the Hyuga clan.
Furthermore, the Inuzuka clan, with their high mobility achieved through the union of man and beast, weaved back and forth across the battlefield, effortlessly maintaining the Leaf's advantage.
Orochimaru had meticulously considered the selection of personnel for the Rain, Fire, and Wind, Fire battlefields before their departure.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi has indeed taught a good student!"
"Orochimaru, your performance on the battlefield has earned my further respect."
Hanzo, observing the Leaf ninjas gaining the upper hand as soon as the battle commenced, offered a sincere compliment to Orochimaru.
"However..."
"The outcome of this war will ultimately be decided by the three of you."
"Therefore..."
Hanzo's figure vanished in an instant, and the sharp edge of his scythe appeared before Orochimaru.
"The Leaf's defeat is inevitable!"
"That remains to be seen!"
Orochimaru snorted coldly, and the three of them dispersed with a burst of speed. Jiraiya retreated to Tsunade's side, they exchanged a glance, and simultaneously began forming hand seals.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
With three consecutive explosions, two toad sages from Mount Myōboku and the slug from the Forest of the Slugs made their simultaneous appearance.
"Little Jiraiya, why have you summoned us both?"
"Your chakra reserves are insufficient to sustain our presence for too long."
Sage Shima, perched on Jiraiya's shoulder, glanced at Hanzo, who was currently locked in combat with Orochimaru, and shook her head with concern.
"Fighting against the God of Shinobi of the ninja world, I'm afraid neither your father nor I can be of much assistance."
Jiraiya's complexion paled slightly, but he forced himself to bring his hands together.
"Tsunade's slug will assist me with the chakra issue."
"Two sages, please help me refine Sage Mode chakra! I wish to enter Sage Mode!"
"I implore you!"
The two toad sages were taken aback and turned their gaze to the slug, which had just performed its Large-Scale Split.
The slug, cradled by Tsunade and brought to Jiraiya's side, let out a wail upon seeing the two toads perched on Jiraiya's shoulder.
"Waaah..."
"So scary, Lady Tsunade, there are toads from Mount Myōboku here!"
"I want to go back!"
Tsunade quickly patted the slug's head to comfort it, while simultaneously giving the two toad sages a pleading look.
"Be a good slug. The elder sages won't harm you. You just need to provide chakra to Jiraiya."
"After the battle is over, I'll let you go. Please help us..."
Sage Shima chuckled upon seeing the trembling little slug.
"Little one, this old woman is not like some of my sons. Your father and I never eat slugs."
"Your father, don't you agree?"
Sage Fukasaku, swallowing hard, nodded frantically.
"Yes, yes!"
Sage Shima, angered, slapped Fukasaku and yelled in a sharp voice.
"If you scare this little one like that, be careful the Great Slug Sage doesn't come looking for you at Mount Myōboku!"
Fukasaku, stung by the slap, regretfully withdrew his gaze from the slug and focused on gathering natural energy for Jiraiya.
"Sigh! What a pity..."
"The child's mother is such a good cook. If only we could catch a slug and cook it..."
"I heard from that kid Bunta that it tastes even better than the giant snails on Mount Myōboku when prepared with salt. I wonder if it's true..."
"Never mind, never mind..."