Hanzo of the Salamander, leader of Amegakure (Hidden Rain Village), was a figure both feared and revered throughout the shinobi world.
Renowned for his mastery of the Body Flicker Technique and his contract with the deadly Ibuse, a giant salamander capable of exhaling poison, Hanzo earned his fearsome reputation not only through his strength but also his ruthlessness and extreme caution.
Those who had faced him in battle acknowledged his skill and even compared him to the Kage of the Five Great Nations.
That July, an unusual rumor began to spread across the shinobi world—its source unknown. It claimed that Hanzo had fought both the Third Hokage of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure at once along the border... and held his own.
The story ignited speculation and awe. And because no major village stepped forward to officially deny the rumor, it only gained traction.
Soon, the title "Demi-God of the Shinobi" began circulating across all the Great Nations. For many, Hanzo became a symbol of a new era—a post-Hashirama peak of shinobi power.
Meanwhile, Konoha's relative inaction, even as conflicts between the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass simmered, led many to believe that a shift was coming—the rise of a six-nation shinobi order, with Hanzo at its center.
In Konoha, inside the Hokage's office, Koharu Utatane sat in a chair, clearly unsettled. Despite being known for her composure and strategic thinking, recent developments had thrown even her off balance.
She stared out the window toward the Hokage Rock, deep in thought. A glass vial of purple liquid—most likely poison—sat untouched before her.
"What did the Third Kazekage say?" asked Homura Mitokado, seated nearby.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, still recovering from a recent skirmish, coughed lightly. His pallor revealed lingering injuries.
"As expected, he denies any involvement. Claims neither the poison nor the two shinobi teams originated from Sunagakure."
"And Hanzo?" Koharu followed up.
"He says the letter we intercepted was a forgery. Claims Amegakure never sent anyone to Konoha to infiltrate our gold mine project."
Danzo slammed a palm against the table. "Of course they deny it. But are we really going to let them trample over our territory like this? As the strongest of us, do you still demand proof?"
Hiruzen sighed, weary. "Hanzo has already agreed to send an apology delegation. The Kazekage promised to pull his border units back. Peace is still possible, Danzo."
"You're still too soft, Hiruzen."
Danzo leaned in. "The Kazekage's forces have been positioned at the border for months. You think a word from him makes them withdraw? His shinobi won't tolerate retreat, and neither will the Wind Daimyō."
"And once the machine of war begins to move," Danzo said gravely, "not even the Kazekage can stop it."
He pressed further. "If Hanzo truly wanted peace, where did these 'demi-god' rumors come from? Who's spreading tales of him fighting two Kage singlehandedly?"
Hiruzen bristled. "You think I spread them?"
"Don't play innocent," Danzo said, anger flaring. "I'm not the one who coined that title."
Homura added, "Very few even knew about the border meeting. If it wasn't from us, then the leak must have come from the Kazekage or Hanzo."
"What really happened at that summit?" Homura asked, sharp-eyed.
"You said it was a diplomatic meeting. Why did it erupt into battle?"
Hiruzen leaned back, wearied by memory. "Both denied wrongdoing. Neither admitted to provocations, and both accused me of fabricating the evidence. Tensions exploded. We clashed. Sand lost two jōnin. Though the Kazekage won't admit it, he left that fight angry."
"Fighting was inevitable. We were all on edge. The accusations around the gold mine setup by Hanzo—everyone came loaded with suspicion."
Danzo tapped the table again. "This is our moment. Hanzo may be strong, but he's wounded now. The Kazekage will not pass up this chance. Why should we?"
But Hiruzen remained hesitant. "War should be the last resort."
Danzo shook his head. "Hanzo set a trap with that gold mine. He then fed rumors to make himself a symbol. He wants to elevate Amegakure to the level of a great nation. Can't you see it? He's laying claim to the authority of a Kage."
"He wants to become the Rain Shadow."
As the room fell into tense silence, Koharu still hadn't spoken. Her mind wasn't solely on war strategy—it was with a young boy she'd recently visited in the hospital. Uchiha Tatsumi.
Everything seemed to be unraveling. Not just politics—but friendships she'd held for over 30 years.
Danzo finally growled, "Then let's vote."
Both he and Homura raised their hands in support of action.
"Koharu, what's your position?" Hiruzen asked, his voice sterner now.
Koharu stood slowly. Instead of answering directly, she walked toward the door. Before leaving, she turned her head slightly.
"The boy—the Uchiha child—barely survived. I want answers."
And with that, she left.
Hiruzen exhaled heavily. The vote had passed. Three to one.
He rapped his knuckles against the table.
"Summon the jōnin commanders. Convene a council of war."
"I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Third Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village—declare war on the Land of Rain!"
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