[85] : The Great War Begins

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Shin watched as Sakumo Hatake rescued Danzō, a strange expression on his face. Sakumo's death, though a suicide, was ultimately caused by Danzō.

Now Sakumo had saved Danzō? He had saved his future enemy.

"Shin, what's wrong?"

Mikoto had been observing Shin and noticed his odd expression.

"Nothing. It's just that Sakumo Hatake saved Danzō, but it will cost him his life."

Shin shrugged.

Even though Sakumo had saved Danzō, Danzō wouldn't hesitate to destroy him in the future.

Sakumo was too strong, too popular, a potential candidate for Hokage.

Shin had sensed the salamander's emergence, but he hadn't warned anyone. He wouldn't have minded if Danzō had died.

But it seemed good people died young, while villains lived long lives. Danzō had been saved.

The Third Kazekage clenched his fists in frustration. He had almost eliminated Danzō.

Killing Danzō would be a major blow to Konoha.

"Danzō-sama, are you alright?" Sakumo asked.

"Release the seal on me," Danzō said calmly, though inwardly, he was still shaken by his near-death experience.

Sakumo hesitated. It wasn't that he didn't want to release the seal; he simply didn't know how.

He was a powerful Shinobi, but his expertise lay in Kenjutsu and Lightning Release. He knew nothing about Fūinjutsu.

He looked at Uzumaki Shin and Kushina, who were standing near Tsunade. The Uzumaki Clan were masters of Fūinjutsu.

"Danzō-sama seems to be in trouble. I can release the seal for you, but I have a condition," Shin said, looking at Danzō.

Tsunade frowned. Why was Shin helping Danzō?

"What condition?" Danzō asked, his face dark.

If anyone else dared to set conditions with him, he would destroy them.

But he was wary of Shin, wary of his Genjutsu.

He was certain that the Genjutsu he had been trapped in wasn't Tsunade's, but Shin's. It explained how Shin had been able to repel the Third Kazekage, the Suna forces, and even capture the One-Tails Jinchūriki.

"I can't tell you the condition now."

Shin wasn't going to help Danzō out of the goodness of his heart. He had a condition, but he would discuss it privately.

"Fine."

Danzō agreed without hesitation. The Third Kazekage was about to attack. If he couldn't use Chakra, he was as good as dead.

Without Chakra, even a Genin could kill him. His life was at stake.

"I hope you won't forget your promise, Danzō-sama. Otherwise..." Shin trailed off, his threat clear.

He then dispelled the seal. Suna's seals were child's play to him.

That was why he had offered to help. Even the Konoha Sealing Team could dispel this seal.

He had used this opportunity to gain leverage over Danzō. It was a good deal.

Danzō looked at Shin, remembering his threat.

"Hanzō, it's time." The Third Kazekage said.

Hanzō nodded. He had agreed to cooperate with Suna; he wouldn't back down now.

The salamander croaked and charged towards the Konoha forces.

"That ugly thing has such an annoying voice! Adamantine Sealing Chains!" Kushina yelled, using the Jutsu to bind the salamander.

But she wasn't strong enough. Hanzō's summon was powerful. It broke free from the chains and lunged at Kushina.

"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!"

Mikoto unleashed a massive fire dragon. It was a B-rank Jutsu, but its power rivaled that of an A-rank.

This was because the constant rain in the Land of Rain had weakened Fire Release Jutsu.

If they were elsewhere, Mikoto's Jutsu would be even stronger.

The fire dragon collided with the salamander. The dragon dissipated, but the salamander was thrown back, leaving a trail in the ground.

The burns caused by the fire made the salamander shriek in pain.

Kushina had failed to restrain the salamander.

"Kushina, don't be so reckless," Tsunade scolded her.

"I know, I know." Kushina stuck her tongue out sheepishly. She had just wanted to test her strength against the salamander.

She had seen Shin bind Shukaku with the Adamantine Sealing Chains and wanted to try it herself.

"Hanzō's summon is strong. He is a renowned Shinobi partly because of this summon," Tsunade explained.

"Mikoto, that was impressive! You managed to repel the salamander!" Shin praised Mikoto.

"Hey, Shin, what about me? I helped too!" Kushina complained.

She might have failed to restrain the salamander, but she had slowed it down, allowing Mikoto to land her attack.

"Attack!"

Sakumo Hatake gave the order.

The Konoha and Suna forces exchanged Ninjutsu attacks. The explosions were loud, but neither side suffered any casualties.

Shin saw it as all bark and no bite.

These attacks were just probes, attempts to gauge the enemy's strength and deplete their Chakra.

Shin didn't see the point.

"Be careful, especially of Suna's poison," Shin warned Kushina and Mikoto.

"Don't worry, I'll protect them. You be careful too," Tsunade said to Shin.

She was a quasi-Kage now, her strength comparable to a Kage. Protecting Kushina and Mikoto wouldn't be a problem.

Besides, Kushina and Mikoto were both strong, their strength surpassing that of most Jōnin. They could handle themselves.

And Shin had also given them his Mangekyō Sharingan abilities with the Transcription Seal. That was why he had allowed them to come. They were strong enough. This battlefield experience would help them grow.

The Third Kazekage led the Suna forces in a charge.

Sakumo Hatake met him head-on. The two commanders clashed.

Hanzō directed the salamander to attack the Konoha forces again. Chiyo also joined the fray with her repaired Human Puppet.

The battle between the three villages had begun.

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