In a dim hut deep within Amegakure, three figures sat in tense silence. The steady drip of rain outside was the only sound until an abrupt, harsh clang of metal echoed.
"Zzzzzi!"
"Hey, shark-face."
At that, Hoshigaki Kisame narrowed his eyes, the corner of his lip twitching into a sneer as he turned to glare at Yuta Kaguya. His grip on Samehada tightened. Just a moment ago, this iron sheet had been rusting in the sewer of Amegakure. Now, it bore the mark of tension rising between two proud warriors.
"Drink!"
Hanzō of the Salamander finally spoke, his voice slicing through the air like his famed scythe.
"This is no longer just another war."
"Amegakure must win."
He was clear. This wasn't a conflict dictated by the Five Great Nations. This time, Amegakure would seize its own fate.
Kaguya Yuta flinched but stayed silent. A few seconds passed before a loud screech echoed the iron plate had been split into three precise sections by Hanzo's flying scythe.
"This war is no longer about survival."
"It's about dignity."
The man who stood at the center of it all Hanzo of the Salamander was now ready to make Rain Shinobi a force to be reckoned with again.
"I understand, Hanzo-sama."
Rain Shinobi nearby responded with a tremble in his voice, half from awe, half from fervor. He had been part of the failed pursuit Ryōsuke had left with Tsunade for Shikkotsu Forest, but only he had returned. Neither Yuta Kaguya nor Zabuza Momochi had voiced blame directly, but their eyes told another story.
Without another word, the Rain Shinobi turned and disappeared into the shadows to execute Hanzo's command.
"Transmit my orders…"
"Should Ryosuke be caught in danger, even if it costs our lives he must be protected."
Kaguya Yuta narrowed his eyes. A flash of hostility sparked as he looked at Kisame across the table.
At that moment, another elite Rain Shinobi entered, bowing deeply.
"All the spies have been secured. Three escaped; two were captured."
These weren't just ordinary Rain Shinobi they were the most loyal under Hanzo's command, handpicked from the Hidden Rain's elite. Fanatics, some said. Weapons, Hanzo called them.
Kisame, meanwhile, stood as stiff as a post, frustration brewing in his gut. He and Yuta were currently arm wrestling neither willing to yield, both unwilling to show weakness. Zabuza Momochi simply sighed and moved to a corner, pulling his cloak over his face.
"Idiots," he muttered. "Better to conserve energy than waste it."
"This time," Hanzo declared as his scythe slashed again, "Rain Shinobi will reclaim all that was lost."
In Amegakure, where every shinobi had known betrayal and ruin, unity mattered more than personal grudges.
"Lord Hanzo!" the elite ninja called. "We've located the Three-Tails Isobu!"
The three in the hut Yuta Kaguya, Hoshigaki Kisame, and Zabuza Momochi were the ones left behind in Rain while Ryosuke was sent to Shikkotsu Forest. Under Hanzo's orders, the entire village operated like clockwork. War preparations intensified.
"What now?" Zabuza asked flatly.
"Dispatch three messengers," Hanzo instructed. "Deliver these iron tablets to the Hokage, Kazekage, and Tsuchikage."
This time, the war was their choice. Amegakure had chosen to act not react.
"All units, mobilize to the Wind Country border. Prepare rations for three days," Hanzo commanded.
All across the village, Rain Shinobi glanced at one another with grim determination.
Kisame and Yuta continued their silent duel of strength. The mood was electric. Each had their pride, their own belief in what should be done. Yuta's eyes glowed with resentment, while Kisame's face remained stoic.
"This fight," Yuta snarled, "is for freedom, dignity… and dreams."
Hanzo scanned the shinobi gathered before him fanatics, loyalists, warriors. He saw the hunger for glory, the yearning for redemption in every gaze.
"But…"
Though Kisame's heart questioned the plan, he gave no sign of doubt. He chuckled coldly, then met Yuta's glare with equal fire.
Zabuza remained detached, watching the two with silent disdain. In his mind, their antics were childish. As he curled under his cloak again, his raspy voice broke the silence.
"Waste of time."
"The order stands," Hanzo barked. "Begin at once."
Another Rain Shinobi entered and whispered, "The three spies only two were caught. The third vanished."
At that, a younger ninja shuddered. He had gone with Ryosuke and failed. Now, regret gnawed at him.
Yuta's hand trembled part fury, part humiliation. "Wait!" he shouted.
"Wait!" Kisame echoed.
Hanzo, ignoring them both, turned his attention to the iron sheet. With his scythe, he carved three large, sweeping kanji into the metal 戦 (War).
"Prepare yourselves," Hanzo declared. "The time is near."
A shinobi with his face half-covered in bandages clenched his fists and growled at the pair in front of him. His protests were quickly silenced by Kisame's cold gaze and Zabuza's unblinking stare.
The young female Rain operative assigned to Ryosuke had vanished too. Now, these three "confidants" were left behind in the mud and rain ashamed and bitter.
"Bored, are you?" Yuta growled. "Let's test your strength."
"Fine by me," Kisame said, his grip tightening.
Neither had monstrous strength like Tsunade or Ryosuke, but both were seasoned killers. Their contest now would be one of spirit.
In the drizzle outside, a spark of revolution crackled to life.
Within Hanzo's residence, he stood quietly, gazing at the remnants of battle in his once-pristine war room.
"Yahhhhh!"
A guttural shout echoed from within the base. A young Rain Shinobi had been training furiously.
With spies from the Leaf, Sand, and Stone villages compromised and the enemy in the dark, Amegakure had its best chance yet.
Though their leader had run off chasing a woman, the fault wasn't his. Still, the blame lingered.
Standing stiffly, a nervous Rain Shinobi reported, "Hanzo-sama, the mission has begun."
Outside, dozens of elite shinobi raised their fists toward the rain-soaked skies.
"FOR DIGNITY!"
"FOR FREEDOM!"
"FOR THE DREAM OF RAIN!"
Their unified cry tore through the storm, as the war drums of Amegakure began to beat.
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