47

The Land of Rain border – a misty rainforest shrouded in perpetual drizzle. After ten days of travel, Jiraiya's squad finally reached the edge of the Fire Country.

"Stay sharp, everyone," Jiraiya warned, his voice echoing through the damp vegetation as he navigated the rainforest canopy. "This rainforest is a shelter for rogue Rain shinobi known for ambushing Konohagakure patrols."

Several figures, cloaked in black raincoats, followed Jiraiya's lead, their pace quickened by the constant downpour. Hurrying through such treacherous terrain risked exhaustion, and Jiraiya wasn't taking any chances.

"Understood!" Aizen and the others acknowledged in unison.

Suddenly, a subtle shift caught Aizen's observant eye. Jiraiya's movements, ever so slightly, had become sluggish.

"A worthy display for a near-Kage level fighter," Aizen murmured, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Tsunade, as he learned from her, had revealed the truth – the current Sannin were all formidable ninjas, but not quite Kage-level. This explained Tsunade's dominance over Danzo two years ago.

Danzo's reliance on implanted Sharingan masked his true weakness. In the original story, it was almost comical – a Hokage killed by a single shuriken!

Aizen, maintaining his pace, spoke softly to the group. " Jiraiya sensei, I believe I've noticed something."

"Hmm?" A flicker of surprise crossed Jiraiya's eyes. He wasn't surprised Aizen detected an anomaly, but rather the speed of his discovery.

Jiraiya had estimated they wouldn't sense anything until within a hundred meters of the ambush point. Yet, here they were, still two or three kilometers away.

"Aizen, your perception is impressive," Jiraiya admitted with a hint of admiration. He himself honed his sensory abilities through years of training at Mount Myoboku, granting him an exceptional awareness of the natural world. Aizen, at such a young age, exhibiting such a keen perception was undeniable talent.

Of course, this was precisely Aizen's intention. Hiding his true strength necessitated demonstrating value in other ways. Standing out with his perception could gain him and his team Jiraiya's trust and foster a smoother integration.

"Jiraiya sensei," Aizen spoke, "I believe I've detected two Rain ninja teams – two elite Chuunin and six elite Genin – lying in wait for an ambush. They've also set up several traps along the path ahead."

Aizen's absorption of natural energy had further enhanced his spiritual web. His range of perception had increased, and he could even perceive specific details of his surroundings. His sensory abilities had undergone a significant transformation.

A silent nod of approval from Jiraiya followed Aizen's detailed explanation. With a sly smile, Jiraiya then posed a question, "So, how do you propose we handle this?"

It was clear Jiraiya had no intention of personally dealing with such a minor obstacle. He intended for Aizen and his team to tackle it themselves.

After exchanging glances, Minato spoke up first. "We believe..." Minato outlined a plan, receiving nods of agreement from Aizen and Kushina.

"Very well," Jiraiya boomed, a hint of amusement in his voice. "If you believe your plan can handle it, then by all means, proceed."

Aizen and his team acknowledged his words with a determined nod.

.....

Ahead lay the Rain shinobi's ambush site. Several figures clad in black raincoats gathered amidst the dense shrubs – the very picture of concealed menace. Invisible wires laced the bushes before them, rigged with countless detonation charms dangling overhead.

This specialized ambush unit, a thorn in Konoha's side, spent long time here, waiting for unsuspecting shinobi to stumble into their trap. Weeks could pass without a single catch; their success relied heavily on just a sliver of luck.

Suddenly, the sound of rustling leaves broke the tense silence.

"They're here! Those damned Konoha fools!" A surge of bloodthirsty excitement coursed through the Rain shinobi, momentarily erasing the bitterness and boredom that gnawed at them.

With gleeful anticipation, they watched as the Konoha shinobi fell victim to their meticulously crafted trap. A noise of explosions erupted, smoke and fire engulfing the entire area.

"Victory!" The two elite Chuunin leading the ambush unit exchanged victorious grins, charging ahead to cut off any potential escapees. However, their happiness was short-lived. A blur of movement caught their eye – Aizen and Minato materialized from behind, a deadly glint in their eyes.

"Water Style: Water Severing Wave!"

Aizen roared, unleashing a torrent of water that surged towards the unsuspecting Chuunin.

"Wind Style: Gale Whirlwind!"

A swirling vortex of wind erupted from Minato, mirroring the torrent of water launched by Aizen's "Water Style: Water Severing Wave."

These B-rank jutsu, renowned for their speed, destructive power, and single-target focus, were ideal for surprise attacks. The unsuspecting Rain ninja Chuunin stood no chance. Caught off guard, they fell prey to Aizen and Minato's coordinated assault.

Swiftly closing the distance, Aizen and Minato unleashed a flurry of attacks. Aizen brandished his katana, its cold steel flashing as he expertly dispatched one opponent. Minato, a blur of yellow, utilized his exceptional Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique) to outmaneuver the other Chuunin, delivering a decisive blow with a kunai strike.

Kushina wasn't far behind. Joining the fray, she unleashed her taijutsu, her fiery red hair whipping around her as she quickly subdued the remaining Rain shinobi.

In a whirlwind of action, Aizen and his team had dismantled the enemy squad with impressive efficiency.

Jiraiya, materialized from the shadows with a smirk, surveyed the scene. "Excellent work, everyone! You displayed remarkable teamwork."

Aizen and the others offered polite smiles, unfazed by the praise.

After disposing of the Rain shinobi bodies by fire, they resumed their journey. The path ahead was peppered with further ambushes by Rain ninja squads, but none posed a significant threat. Seemingly blessed by luck, they never encountered Jonin-level opponents. The most formidable enemy they faced was a Jonin-led team, which Jiraiya effortlessly handled.

The journey through the Land of Rain was surprisingly smooth, ruined only by the grim reminder of war – the scattered corpses of fallen ninja. This grim spectacle served as a stark awakening for Aizen and Kushina, war veterans in the making. Even the usually calculating Aizen couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

Two or three days later, Jiraiya's squad finally reached the heavily guarded base camp on the Land of Rain battlefield. Under Jiraiya's leadership, they secured entry and made their way to the designated rest area. Upon arrival, a figure emerged from the shadows near Minato's tent, their presence sending a jolt of recognition to Aizen.