https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-412-Hanzo-s-Conspiracy-Mu-Yue-s-Suicide-Part-1-/12558536/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-413-The-Strongest-Fire-Style-Ninja-in-the-Ninja-World-Part-1-/12558538/
Chapter 412: Hanzo's Conspiracy, Mu Yue's Suicide? (Part 2)
Chapter 412: Hanzo's Conspiracy, Mu Yue's Suicide? (Part 2)
At the entrance of the valley, Mu Yue and her companions met Hanzo, who had been waiting for them.
Hanzo had brought even fewer ninjas than they had, with only two accompanying him.
"Greetings, Hanzo-senpai," Mu Yue said with a smile.
"I never expected that in such a short time, you would accomplish so many surprising things," Hanzo replied calmly.
Hanzo remembered that not long ago, he had specifically warned Mu Yue to be cautious of the Black Market ninjas, but now it seemed that Mu Yue had quickly turned against him.
Noticing Kakuzu beside Mu Yue, Hanzo was a little surprised.
It wasn't strange that Kakuzu was still alive, as he had traversed the Black Market for decades and it was normal for him to have multiple means of survival.
However, Kakuzu's stance seemed to suggest that he had joined the Ninja Sect.
Hanzo's expression remained unchanged, and the addition of Kakuzu didn't affect his plan to kill everyone present.
With a large number of explosive tags and traps, along with his own prowess as a top-tier ninja in the ninja world, leading a hundred elite Rain Ninjas, Hanzo was confident that he could take down anyone in the current ninja world.
In fact, he had originally intended to be even more prepared and capture a Ninja Sect ninja to threaten Mu Yue and her group. But as Mu Yue was cautious and kept the Ninja Sect ninjas together, Hanzo abandoned his plan to avoid alerting them.
Moreover, as the Rock Ninja Village was also going to be present as observers, Hanzo had to regrettably decline Danzo Shimura's offer of assistance to avoid exposing their collaboration.
"Your achievements are even more surprising, Hanzo-senpai," Mu Yue replied with a faint smile.
The two sides exchanged pleasantries as they walked into the valley.
Concealed in the shadows, Danzo Shimura also smiled as he watched this scene unfold.
He had expended a lot of effort to drive a wedge between Hanzo and Mu Yue, and even sacrificed a batch of Root Organization elites to achieve this.
At this point, Danzo had modified his plan numerous times.
He had originally intended to kill Nagato and frame the Rock Ninja Village, but Nagato's strength exceeded his expectations, and he instantly killed Danzo's Root Organization elites.
Hidden on the other side, a Rock Ninja also silently observed everything.
After all, this was a confrontation between Ninjutsu Master Sou Yuukei and the demigod Hanzo, and even without a mission, Huang Tu was interested in witnessing the outcome.
Sou Yuukei had only risen to fame recently, but his record was impressive, including a decisive victory over Kakuzu.
"It's a pity that this isn't a fair confrontation," Huang Tu remarked, certain that Hanzo would emerge victorious.
In his opinion, this was a conspiracy against Mu Yue and the Ninja Sect, and Hanzo had made all the preparations beforehand, while Mu Yue and her companions were still unaware.
Kakuzu glanced around, noting the high cliffs on both sides and the narrow entrances to the valley, which were ideal for ambushing their targets.
"Hanzo-sama, what are your thoughts on the current situation in the Rain Country? What do you think is the best way to achieve long-lasting peace?" Yahiko asked eagerly.
The Rain Country was filled with legends of Hanzo, and Yahiko had long admired him. Now that he was finally meeting the man in person, he restrained himself from asking questions earlier out of respect for Mu Yue.
"Developing the strength of our ninjas is the key to resolving the chaos in the Rain Country. As for long-lasting peace, that depends on the situation in the major countries. Additionally, eliminating ninja organizations within our country that seek to incite war is also crucial," Hanzo replied, his chakra surging as he answered Yahiko's question.
"Is there anything else?" Yahiko asked, his eyes shining with anticipation as he looked at Hanzo, eager to hear more about his views on peace.
However, Hanzo didn't continue. Instead, he signaled to the two ninjas accompanying him, and his chakra erupted as he used the Body Flicker Technique to appear above the valley.
The two Rain Ninjas understood Hanzo's command and quickly retreated, triggering the traps.
Boom!
The deafening explosions reverberated through the valley, and the smoke from the blasts enveloped Mu Yue and her companions.
"Hanzo sure is thorough," Huang Tu remarked, feeling that the real Hanzo was quite different from the legends.
He didn't dislike Hanzo's methods—ninjas weren't samurai, and they didn't have a code of honor. A successful ninja was one who achieved victory, regardless of the means. However, the legends surrounding Hanzo were a bit too idealistic.
"I wonder if the Rinnegan can be transplanted and used like the Sharingan," Danzo Shimura thought, contemplating the recovery of the Rinnegan from Nagato's body.
It was crucial that their enemies didn't possess the Rinnegan, and it was equally important for Danzo himself to have it.
After all, these were the eyes of the Sage of the Six Paths, imbued with a mysterious power.
"Is there a problem with the traps? The explosion didn't occur in the right place," Hanzo observed from above, noticing a critical issue.
He had intended to lure Mu Yue and her group to the center of the explosion, but now they were merely affected by the blast.
As the smoke cleared, a flowing water shield became visible, protecting an unharmed Mu Yue and her companions.
When the explosive tags detonated, Mu Yue had quickly gathered her chakra and used the Water Barrier Technique to perfectly block the aftermath of the explosion. Not a speck of dust had landed on them.
Hanzo's brow furrowed. According to his plan, the explosive tags should have killed all the ninjas except Mu Yue and Kakuzu, and even they should have been injured.
But due to an unknown variable, his trap had only forced Mu Yue to use a single Water Barrier Technique, which made Hanzo feel that something was amiss.
However, Hanzo remained unperturbed. With a hundred elite Rain Ninjas and his own prowess as a top-tier ninja, he was confident that they could defeat Mu Yue and her group in direct combat.
"What's going on?" Yahiko asked, his face filled with confusion as he surveyed the valley, now ravaged by the explosions.
He didn't understand what had happened, or perhaps his subconscious didn't want to understand.
"What else could it be? Of course, Hanzo-sama, whom you admire so much, is trying to kill us," Kakuzu said without an ounce of sympathy, his tone filled with ridicule.
In Kakuzu's opinion, Yahiko was being ridiculously naive.
"As I expected, there's a problem," Chouzaya sighed.
Having seen the specific terrain of the meeting place, he was almost certain that Hanzo had ill intentions. Before they entered the valley, he had warned Mu Yue in a barely audible voice.
At that moment, the usually overcast sky of the Rain Country began to pour rain, with large raindrops falling evenly on everyone.
"Even the heavens are aiding me. It seems there won't be any more accidents," Hanzo said, a slight smile appearing on his face.
For Hanzo, who excelled in Water Release jutsu, the rain was a favorable condition. On the other hand, it was the worst possible weather for Mu Yue, who specialized in Fire Release jutsu.
"Why... Why has it come to this?" Yahiko asked, his eyes filled with confusion as he looked at Hanzo.
"Didn't we agree to work together for the peace of the Rain Country? Why are you doing this?" Yahiko shouted at Hanzo, his voice filled with accusation.
At that moment, Yahiko deeply regretted his impassioned speech before the vote. If not for his words, perhaps there would have been more opposing votes.
Undoubtedly, this collaboration had been a plot to annihilate the Ninja Sect.
But Yahiko was truly puzzled. He couldn't understand why Hanzo would do this, as their destruction would bring him no benefit.
"Am I not working towards the peace of the Rain Country?" Hanzo replied calmly.
"If you truly wish for peace in the Rain Country, then you should all die. Only by eliminating the Ninja Sect can there be true peace."
Yahiko clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on Hanzo, unable to believe that the man he once admired was so treacherous and malicious.
After this incident, Yahiko resolved never to trust rumors so easily again. Hanzo had taught him a harsh lesson.
"It's nothing more than a boring power play. You only seek peace and nothing else, but others may not see it that way. They only believe what they want to believe," Kakuzu said sarcastically.
Watching Mu Yue and her disciples betrayed and in danger, Kakuzu felt as though he were seeing his younger self.
Although the circumstances were different, the nature of the situation was similar.
"Teacher, I'm sorry," Nagato apologized to Mu Yue, feeling responsible for the current situation.
He, too, had supported the collaboration and felt that he shared the blame.
"How can this be your fault? You are all victims," Mu Yue shook her head and gently patted Nagato's head.
If anyone was to blame, it was Mu Yue herself, as she had known everything but chose to stand by and watch the events unfold without intervening.
Preventing this incident would not have been difficult for Mu Yue. She could have simply avoided the meeting.
However, doing so would only have postponed the conflict. As long as the Ninja Sect continued to grow, a confrontation with Hanzo's Rain Ninja Village was inevitable, unless Hanzo and his followers were willing to join the Ninja Sect.
But based on Mu Yue's understanding of Hanzo, that was unlikely. Hanzo had his own beliefs and pride, and unless he underwent a transformative experience, he would not humble himself to join a sect founded by someone he considered a junior.
Mu Yue's current actions were driven by the same logic as when she had watched her disciples fight the Kirigakure jonin during the Chunin Exams.
As long as she could ensure their safety with absolute certainty, she would use such opportunities to temper and train her disciples. And now, the Rain Country had provided another opportunity for the Ninja Sect to grow stronger.
Since the conflict was unavoidable, Mu Yue aimed to resolve it while maximizing their gains.
She believed that after this incident, Yahiko and the others would mature and the entire Ninja Sect would undergo a transformation.
Under Mu Yue's guidance, the Ninja Sect had always enjoyed smooth sailing and had never encountered any setbacks, which had led some members to become overly optimistic.
Shhiiing!
Hanzo brandished a sharp kunai, aiming it at Mu Yue.
"Sou Yuukei, as the founder and leader of the Ninja Sect, if you are willing to take your own life, I can spare the others," Hanzo said indifferently.
Hanzo wanted to end the battle swiftly, so he wouldn't pass up any opportunity to reduce the pressure of the fight.
Of course, even if Mu Yue sacrificed herself, Hanzo had no intention of letting the others go. But with Mu Yue out of the way, he could conserve a lot of energy.
Hanzo's words shattered any remaining admiration Yahiko had for him.
The Hanzo of Yahiko's imagination had been a noble and idealistic ninja, but the real Hanzo was deceitful and despicable.
"Uncle Mugen, don't listen to him! We'll fight him together!" Yahiko gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with determination.
He wanted nothing more than to rush forward and punch Hanzo in the face.
Although Hanzo was powerful, Yahiko believed they still had a chance. Even if Mu Yue couldn't defeat Hanzo alone, with Kakuzu's help, she would surely win. And the seven of them working together could easily handle two Rain Ninjas.
"Perhaps we can collaborate with Hanzo further in the future." As he watched Hanzo's actions, Danzo Shimura found himself increasingly pleased.
A true ninja was one who achieved victory by any means necessary, and Danzo admired Hanzo's ruthless pursuit of success.
"I don't recommend you make that choice, as it would be akin to seeking your own death," Hanzo said expressionlessly.
As soon as he finished speaking, a hundred elite Rain Ninjas emerged from their hiding places on the mountain, looking down at Mu Yue and her companions.
Seeing the sudden appearance of the Rain Ninjas, Yahiko was stunned.
He had never imagined that Hanzo would go to such lengths to deal with them—from traps to ambushing them with a large number of ninjas.
Chouzaya and Kakuzu were not surprised, as they had expected Hanzo to have more tricks up his sleeve than just bringing two subordinates.
For a moment, Mu Yue and her group seemed to be in a dire situation.
"I'm the one who understands your teachings the best among the Ninja Sect, Teacher. Let me die in your place," Yahiko said, picking up a kunai from the ground.
If his death could save Mu Yue and the others, Yahiko was ready to make that sacrifice without hesitation.
After all, he felt a great deal of responsibility for the current situation, as his admiration for Hanzo had clouded his judgment.
"You're not qualified. Only the leader, Sou Yuukei, has that qualification," Hanzo rejected Yahiko's proposal.
Among the eight people present, only Kakuzu and Mu Yue were worthy of Hanzo's attention. The others were insignificant and could be disposed of easily.
"Teacher, please don't even consider suicide. Even if you do, Hanzo won't let us go," Chouzaya said anxiously, worried that Mu Yue might do something impulsive.
Chouzaya didn't believe Hanzo's words for a second. To eliminate the Ninja Sect, Hanzo had resorted to deception and ambushes, and he certainly wouldn't let them leave the valley alive.
Putting himself in Hanzo's shoes, Chouzaya knew that he would opt for a clean sweep—killing everyone in the valley and then hunting down any remaining Ninja Sect members.
"Sou Yuukei, you may be naive, but you're not stupid. Don't let me lose my respect for you," Kakuzu taunted, his eyes fixated on Mu Yue's body.
Kakuzu believed that with Mu Yue's demonstrated intelligence, she wouldn't consider suicide. However, he couldn't be completely certain, especially since she had still come to this obviously staged collaboration meeting.
"Ninja Master Sou Yuukei, how do you plan to break out of this situation?" Huang Tu, the observer from Iwagakure, wondered curiously.
Putting himself in Mu Yue's shoes, Huang Tu knew that he would be doomed.
Suicide wouldn't save his companions, and even if he didn't, they wouldn't stand a chance in a direct confrontation. Either way, it seemed like a certain death.
(End of Chapter)
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