Unlike the future when Pain controlled the Village Hidden in the Rain, with rain falling once every seven days within its borders, the rain in the Land of Rain now had no discernible pattern.
Perhaps it did, if an unending downpour counted as a pattern.
The annoying, rainy weather, the rushing sound of water flowing down from the tower along the pipes, only made Hanzo feel more irksome.
Upon returning to the Village Hidden in the Rain and after dealing with the mess caused by the foolish actions of the Salamander God, and severely reprimanding him, Hanzo received news that greatly agitated him.
The Third Kazekage of the Village Hidden in the Sand had submitted a peace proposal to the Leaf!
The Village Hidden in the Sand had surrendered!
Hanzo no longer cared about any underhanded dealings or power struggles that the two great nations might engage in after the ceasefire. The greatest challenge facing the Village Hidden in the Rain was now laid bare before him.
Should they fight, or should they, like the Village Hidden in the Sand, surrender to the Leaf?
The news of the Sand Village's surrender to the Leaf was forcefully suppressed by him. The ninjas below were still basking in the excitement of their demigod's return.
But Hanzo knew it wouldn't remain a secret for long.
The news from the Sand battlefield was too shocking: Elder Chiyo of the Sand Village, who had defeated Hanzo the Salamander, had been defeated by a Leaf ninja.
Hanzo understood the implications of this perfectly.
Once the ninjas in the village learned of this, a fear of battle would gradually take root in their hearts.
Even if their leader was the Demigod of the Ninja World, it would be useless.
But for Hanzo, the dignified Demigod of the Ninja World, surrendering to the Leaf would be more unbearable than being killed outright.
Then there was only one path left!
Before the news of the Sand Village's defeat and surrender spread, the Village Hidden in the Rain would take the initiative. With a surge of momentum, they would capture the Leaf's front-line forces and severely dampen the Leaf ninjas' morale.
"Defeating the puppet old hag means nothing. To defeat me in the Land of Rain..."
"Hmph!"
Hanzo let out a cold snort, his eyes filled with confidence.
After making this decision, Hanzo's heart felt suddenly clear. He and Chiyo were ultimately different. A ninja who could defeat Chiyo might not necessarily be able to survive under his scythe.
With the belief of a Demigod of the Ninja World restored, Hanzo no longer had any hesitation. He rose abruptly and issued orders to the guards behind him.
"Go deliver a message to the Leaf ninjas. Tell them that I invite their commander to a battle ten miles outside the Village Hidden in the Rain to decide the fate of both nations!"
"If they dare not come, then let the Third Hokage of the Leaf surrender to the Village Hidden in the Rain!"
The guard ninja stood straight with excitement.
"Yes!"
...
"Heh heh!"
Orochimaru looked at the Rain ninja before him and nodded with a cold smile.
"Lord Demigod displays the spirit of a samurai from the Land of Iron, openly challenging the Leaf to a fight to the death!"
"Impressive!"
The Rain ninja looked at Orochimaru with arrogance, not to be outdone, and snorted.
"Hmph!"
"The challenge from the Village Hidden in the Rain has been delivered to you. Whether to fight or surrender is for your Leaf to decide."
"As the Leaf commander, if you have already made a decision, perhaps you can convey it to Lord Demigod through me!"
Orochimaru shook his head indifferently, not considering killing the messenger for his arrogant words.
"The Leaf accepts Lord Demigod's challenge!"
"Go back and tell Hanzo that Leaf ninjas never fear war."
"It is time to end this unjust war that you have instigated!"
The Rain ninja snorted coldly, sweeping his gaze over everyone in the tent with disdain, and walked out swaggeringly.
"Hiss..."
Jiraiya gasped, shaking his head like a rattle drum.
"This kid looks even more arrogant than I, Jiraiya-sama!"
"Orochimaru, how about I go find someone to kill him?"
"Too detestable!"
Orochimaru let out a contemptuous cold laugh and shook his head at Jiraiya.
"Just the ignorance of a minor character!"
"No need to bother with him!"
"If Hanzo only has such individuals under him, then the destruction of the Village Hidden in the Rain is likely not far off."
Tsunade nodded in agreement, indicating that he was right.
Orochimaru did not expect this increasingly less thoughtful woman to offer any constructive opinions. He shook his head helplessly and asked Jiraiya,
"Jiraiya, Tsunade told you about the power of the Salamander's poison before. In your opinion, can your Fire Release handle the threat of the poisonous mist to the Leaf ninjas?"
Jiraiya rubbed his chin, looking somewhat troubled.
"The poison released by a powerful figure like Hanzo is likely much stronger than what that Sand ninja unleashed. Ordinary Fire Release probably won't be able to incinerate it easily."
"The temperature and coverage of Fire Release are limited. To eliminate it all..."
"Difficult!"
Orochimaru nodded slightly, his fingers tapping slowly on the table.
"If ordinary methods won't work, then you must have an extraordinary solution, right?"
Jiraiya chuckled and gave Orochimaru a thumbs-up.
"Orochimaru, you truly understand Jiraiya-sama the best!"
"However..."
Jiraiya slowly shook his head, sighing with regret.
"Alas!"
"It may sound laughable to you and Tsunade, but when you went to Ryuchi Cave and Tsunade to Shikkotsu Forest, I wasn't idle either."
Orochimaru nodded, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? So you went to Fuzuko Village and brought back Mao, didn't you?"
Jiraiya's expression was awkward, and he waved his hands, chuckling sheepishly.
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
"That was later!"
"Orochimaru, you're getting worse and worse, always looking for an opportunity to see me embarrassed. Are we still brothers?"
Orochimaru chuckled and gave Jiraiya a look that said, "Figure it out yourself."
"Seriously."
"Seeing that both of you were working hard, I asked Sage Fukasaku to pull me to Mount Myōboku using a Reverse Summoning Jutsu."
"Then I learned Sage Mode for a while from Sage Fukasaku..."
Jiraiya gave a wry smile, looking ashamed.
"However, compared to your Sage Mode, it's probably still lacking a bit."
Orochimaru nodded slightly.
"Mmm, do you now have the confidence to enter Sage Mode on your own?"
Jiraiya shook his head embarrassedly.
"No!"
"I've only just begun. I need to summon the two great Sages first, and use the Symbiotic Jutsu to help me condense natural energy before I can barely enter Sage Mode."
"And..."
"It requires a very long preparation time..."
Jiraiya lowered his head guiltily. Compared to a genius like Orochimaru who could refine senjutsu chakra at any time, he felt like he was lagging behind.
"Tsunade and I will buy you enough time to enter Sage Mode. You'll handle the Salamander's poison. Do you have confidence?"
Jiraiya's eyes lit up. He pondered for a moment, stroking his chin, and slowly nodded.
"Working with the two Sages, I can barely use Sage Art: Goemon."
"That flame, which can burn everything tangible, should be able to deal with the Salamander's poison without much issue."
"However, after summoning the two Sages, my chakra probably won't be enough to use any other ninjutsu."
Tsunade, finally finding her area of expertise, immediately patted her chest and took charge.
"Don't worry about the chakra. I'll have Katsuyu provide you with continuous support and healing."
"As long as your body can contain it, I'll give you as much chakra as you need."
Jiraiya's eyes lit up, and he nodded excitedly.
"That's great!"
"Orochimaru, let's have a competition then. Which is more powerful, your Ryuchi Cave's Sage Mode, or my Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode, what do you say?"
Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya with disdain and sneered.
"Heh heh!"
"To compete with me, who hasn't learned Sage Mode, while bringing two Sages, you're truly shameless!"
Jiraiya, without a shred of shame, put his hands on his hips and burst into laughter.
"Haha, Orochimaru, Jiraiya-sama finally has one aspect that surpasses you!"