Naruto: Kurotsuchi Mayuri

Ancor Vantian.

The fortress, which existed beyond the borders of the Ninja World War, was at this moment disturbed, breaking the tranquility.

Thick white mist spread across the sea, enveloping the entire Ancor Vantian. Shadows moved through the mist, using it as cover, landing on the Ancor Vantian.

In the areas not covered by mist, Hanzo, wearing the Hidden Mist headband and carrying a curved staff on his back, stood shoulder to shoulder with a short, young-looking Mist Ninja, his face appearing very youthful.

"Are you sure they are hiding here?" Hanzo's voice echoed from behind his mask, deep and muffled. Despite the mist covering Ancor Vantian's appearance, his gaze seemed to pierce through the fog, as if he could see the place clearly.

"Please trust the intelligence from the Hidden Mist Village," Karatachi Yagura replied calmly.

Although Yagura didn't understand why the information about the Healing Tags had been shared with Hanzo from Hidden Rain Village, the order came directly from Lord Mizukage. Despite his doubts, Yagura buried them deep within his heart.

Perhaps it was a strategy to involve the Hidden Rain Village?

After all, the Hidden Mist Village was currently at war with Konoha, with most of its elite forces inside the Land of Fire, engaging with Konoha's ninjas.

In this situation, it made sense to try and bring the Hidden Rain Ninjas into the fold, using their strength to achieve the goal, which would also serve Hidden Mist's interests.

The two stood in place, watching as the Rain Ninjas and Mist Ninjas they brought with them slipped into the mist.

Not only the environment but even the ninjas of both nations shared many similarities.

The Land of Water and the Land of Rain are both nations rich in water and prone to flooding. This environment gives ninjas who use Water Release Chakra a natural advantage and strength.

As a result, ninjas from both nations primarily focus on Water Release techniques.

Both nations' ninjas are also highly skilled in assassination techniques. Infiltration, locating targets, and then assassinating them is a task both nations are most familiar with.

There was no need for explanation; the ninjas of both nations had an unspoken understanding. 

Of course, compared to the Rain Ninjas, the Mist Ninjas were more professional and skilled in techniques like coordination, infiltration, and concealing their presence.

"If we can really find those three brats here, and obtain the method for making the Healing Tags from them, the Hidden Rain Village is willing to form an alliance with the Hidden Mist Village and share the benefits," Hanzō said, stepping forward first, crossing into the mist.

The situation of the Land of Rain and the Hidden Rain Village is extremely dire right now. 

Under the pressure from the Hidden Stone and Hidden Leaf, even though they know that cooperating with the Hidden Mist Village is likely just a temporary solution, like drinking poison to quench thirst, they had no choice but to agree.

Because the only potential allies who could offer support and assistance to the Land of Rain are the Hidden Mist, Hidden Cloud, and Hidden Sand.

But even though it seems like there are three choices, in reality, the only option in front of Hanzō is the Hidden Mist.

The Hidden Sand was severely beaten by the Hidden Cloud, and now it has almost pulled back all its forces, hiding away to lick its wounds and recover.

The Hidden Cloud, on the other hand, was tricked by both the Hidden Stone and Hidden Sand. 

Although their overall strength didn't suffer too much, they lost some ninja forces due to the war with the Hidden Sand. 

Additionally, the Third Raikage, while covering the retreat, died on the battlefield.

In terms of strength, the Hidden Cloud, still maintaining some vitality, could participate in the Great Ninja War, but due to various reasons—especially the death of the Third Raikage—they were too focused on managing their own village and selecting the new Raikage to care about deeply engaging in the war they had initiated.

For the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Stone, unless Hanzō hands over the Healing Tags and the three of them, there is no way they would be forgiven.

Therefore, the only village that the Land of Rain can turn to as an ally right now is the Hidden Mist, who came seeking them.

Even if the Hidden Mist has some hidden agenda behind their offer, Hanzō had no choice. He personally came this time to avoid any accidents.

As long as he could keep control over the three of them, there would be room for negotiation between the Five Great Shinobi nations.

Thus, he was determined to capture the three of them, but also needed to guard against the possibility of them falling into the hands of the Hidden Mist Village.

Inside the Ancor Vantian.

In the main control room.

Amid the blaring alarm, Yahiko and the others gathered here, staring in confusion at Hiroto and Hayato who triggered the alarm.

Hiroto formed hand seals with both hands, creating a screen of water that appeared before everyone.

On the water screen, there was a mist floating hazily. Only the occasional wave caused by the mist rising informed everyone that someone with incredibly fast movements had just passed by.

"The guards outside Ancor Vantian have lost contact. I went to investigate. The mist outside is filled with a large amount of chakra."

Hiroto stared at the swaying water screen, his expression serious as he spoke: "The method of invasion and the way they assassinated the guards—these are ninjas from Amegakure and Kirigakure! Using water, I checked the chakra I could sense, and there were at least over a hundred ninjas. I even felt the chakra of Hanzo of the Salamander from Amegakure."

As a former member of Amegakure, Hiroto never expected that one day he would be targeted by Hanzo and his ninjas.

Although he tried to remain calm, the inner turmoil he felt couldn't be shaken off. After all, Hanzo's name was terrifying to any ninja from Amegakure.

The only thing keeping him from fleeing immediately was the fact that their new leader wasn't an ordinary person, and he still had Kakuzu and Yahiko with him.

The guard force at Ancor Vantian was not very strong. Although there were some forces left behind by Kune, those were only meant to guard important places like laboratories. They couldn't mobilize them unless absolutely necessary.

Currently, the only ones capable of fighting at Ancor Vantian, aside from Yahiko and Kakuzu, were Hiroto and Hayato. As for Sango and Gatō, they were out on a mission, gathering resources and money for Ancor Vantian.

"Hanzo?"

After many days, hearing that name again caused a fiery rage to explode in the eyes of Yahiko and the others.

Especially when they thought of Hanzo coming for them, that rage became uncontrollably stronger!

"It's truly a rare fortress! What a pity." A deep voice echoed down the corridor and spread into the spacious control room.

As the voice settled, Hanzo's figure stepped out from the shadows, revealing himself to Yahiko and the others.

Right behind him was a young-looking person, with a babyface—Karatachi Yagura. The sound of hurried footsteps followed, and suddenly, shadows swished past the two, splitting into two groups of guards, standing before them.

"It seems you've really got unknown forces supporting you behind the Akatsuki! Even Konoha has been kept in the dark." Hanzo relaxed a little as he looked at Yahiko and the others on the scene. 

But as he gazed at the healthy Yahiko, his eyes narrowed slightly, his expression thoughtful.

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