Chapter 110

In Ame no Kuni, a fierce battle raged between Rain Ninja and Konoha Shinōbi. The Konoha Shinōbi wielded Chakra cold cutting tools, unleashing lightning and fire in their attacks. Rain Ninja were pushed back and forth, dodging strikes from Konoha Chunin wielding electric lightsabers and countering with Water Release jutsu to take out surrounding Shinōbi.

Hanzo, filled with anger, was taken aback by the overwhelming power of Konoha's Chakra weapons. He summoned his own Salamander Summoned Beast to support the battlefield, while Orochimaru and Jiraiya also summoned their respective beasts, Manda and Bunta. The sight of the three-headed Summoned Beasts and the surrounding Shinōbi forced them to retreat, clearing the battlefield.

Both sides' Shinōbi fell back, leaving the stage to their experienced combatants.

"Konoha's juniors, do not be so arrogant," Hanzo coldly snorted as he stared at Orochimaru and Jiraiya standing atop their Summoned Beasts.

"Hahahaha! Hanzo-senpai, you underestimate us. What can you do?" Orochimaru glanced excitedly at the battlefield below. He was ecstatic, having successfully obtained Sunagakure's Chakra cold weapon technology. With the help of these weapons, Konoha's battle strength had soared. Even Genin had the potential to defeat Jonin as long as they seized the right opportunity. Orochimaru's prestige in Konoha would be unmatched if they emerged victorious in this battle. And with that, he could secure ample research funding.

Hanzo's expression turned cold as he unleashed a large-scale Ninjutsu specifically tailored to the local conditions: "Water Release - Ame no Senbon." Rain droplets in the air multiplied into thousands and flew towards Jiraiya and Orochimaru.

"Ninjutsu - toad oil bombs!" Jiraiya and Bunta launched a series of attacks, releasing sprays of oil.

"Wind Release - Thousand Faces of Wind!" The power of the wind prevented the rain from extinguishing the flames. The Ame no Senbon was engulfed by the raging fire, hurtling relentlessly towards Hanzo.

In their first clash, Hanzo of the Salamander was defeated. With the approaching flames, Hanzo found himself unable to avoid them due to the hundreds of Rain Ninja positioned behind him.

"Water Release - Water Wall!" Water collided with fire, creating a cloud of water vapor.

"Wind Release - Daitoppa!" Orochimaru, a Wind Release user, wrinkled his brow and blew away the water vapor.

To their surprise, Hanzo and his Salamander stood unaffected before them, while the Rain Ninja had vanished.

"All Konoha Shinōbi, retreat!" Orochimaru's resolute voice reached the ears of the Konoha Shinōbi behind him. The leaders among them, riding atop Manda, pushed back the remaining enemies.

What transpired in the subsequent battles was unknown to the general public. All that was known was that after the fighting, the land lay in ruins. It would take several decades to restore it to its former state. Trees were reduced to debris, the earth was ravaged by wind blades, water release craters covered the area, and remnants of earth release jutsu lay scattered.

In the aftermath, the names of the Sannin spread even further throughout the Shinōbi World. Orochimaru and Jiraiya had gained the upper hand by defeating Hanzo.

At the border between Tsuchi no Kuni and Ame no Kuni, Lao Zi and Kitsuchi stood, peering into Ame no Kuni.

"Lord, what should we do? Konoha is advancing too quickly, and they possess numerous Chakra weapons," Kitsuchi asked with a troubled expression.

Lao Zi disdainfully snorted, finding the impatience of youth bothersome. Such matters require haste if one aims to achieve great accomplishments.

"Advance! Issue the order to immediately enter Amegakure. This time, let Amegakure pay the price," Lao Zi declared with a fierce glint in his eyes.

"But what about our agreement with Konoha? Shouldn't we honor it?" Kitsuchi hesitated.

"What agreement? I haven't received any such thing. All I know is that Ame no Kuni has violated our territory, and Amegakure needs to face the consequences," Lao Zi scowled at Kitsuchi.

The notion of mentioning an agreement was ridiculous. Now was the time to seize the largest piece of the pie.

Kitsuchi lowered his head, feeling a deep sense of guilt. He realized he was still too young and inexperienced, and needed to continue his growth.

"Kitsuchi, you still have a long way to go. Let me ask you, what is the will of our Iwagakure village?" Lao Zi turned to Kitsuchi, adopting the demeanor of an experienced mentor.

"It is the Will of Stone, which represents tenacity, an unstoppable spirit, and unwavering determination," Kitsuchi replied, lifting his head with a glimmer of hope. Was his senior about to teach him some secrets? He nervously stammered out his words.

"Yes, it is the Will of Stone, the epitome of tenacity. We, the people of Iwagakure, move forward with unwavering determination. We will claim the benefits that belong to us. We must continue to grow stronger. Tenacity means moving forward without retreat," Lao Zi patted Kitsuchi's shoulder, his voice filled with emotion.

Face? What does that matter? Reto, the shameless Kazekage, obtained Sunagakure's initial funding. Sarutobi Hiruzen, equally shameless, secured the position of Sāndaime Hokage. Hitoshi, shameless in his negotiation tactics, successfully elevated Sunagakure. Hōzuki Gengetsu, also shameless, destroyed Uzu no Kuni, claimed valuable land, and reaped numerous benefits. Senju Tobirama, in his shamelessness, outwitted Madara, allowing his older brother to become Hokage and himself the heir to the Hokage position.

These examples demonstrated that in the Shinōbi World, those who prioritized their reputation suffered setbacks. Only by being shameless and ruthless could one smoothly rise to power. And the more one valued their reputation, the more misfortune would befall them.

Kitsuchi looked at Lao Zi with a dumbfounded expression. In this moment, his worldview completely shattered. The Will of Stone, the explanation was astounding. He had learned something significant.

After Iwagakure attacked Amegakure, Kumogakure also swiftly mobilized troops to the border between Fire and Lightning, displaying a readiness for direct conflict. Kirigakure also maintained a similar posture at the border between Wind and Fire. Shinōbi from various villages patrolled these border regions. Orochimaru and the others had achieved a victory in the first battle at Ame no Kuni, and the stance taken by Lao Zi and the others towards Amegakure sparked an immediate escalation in the Shinōbi World. Everyone's actions clearly indicated their positions.

War could break out at any moment.

In Kazekage's Office, Hitoshi, Ebizo, Shamon, and others gathered around a map, analyzing the situation in the Shinōbi World.

"It's highly dangerous. Everyone has the same stance. They won't allow anyone to grow stronger alone. Konoha's covert tactics are impressive. I wonder if it was Sarutobi Hiruzen's idea," Ebizo lamented with a somber expression.