Shima Shigeo was furious and pointed a finger at Ooka Shin. "Bastard! How dare you be so disrespectful to Lord Hanzo!"
It seems you want to have a debate! Shin thought.
In an instant, the classic historical scene of Shokatsuryou scolding Ouro to death flashed through Ooka Shin's mind. He focused his breath, preparing to replicate Brother Shokatsu's legendary example.
Unfortunately, he completely lacked the eloquence. After hesitating for two awkward seconds, he couldn't figure out what to say to verbally destroy someone, and finally managed only one lame sentence.
"Bastard, how dare you be so disrespectful to me!"
Yahiko and the others had no idea what chaotic thoughts were swirling in Ooka Shin's head. Seeing him trade insults with the opponent, they suddenly had an epiphany.
Oh! Shin is provoking a conflict to showcase our strength!
Since Ooka Shin clearly had everything prepared, they decided to just watch quietly. Thus, Yahiko and the others stood motionless like statues in the heavy rain.
Shima Shigeo, having been insulted back by this brat, reached his boiling point. He pulled out a Kunai and threatened him directly.
"Seeing as you're young and ignorant, I'll give you one chance. Kneel and apologize, or I'll kill you!"
Ooka Shin met him head-on, drawing the short sword from his back. A fake, provocative smile spread across his face.
"Yo, are Rain Ninja ranked by age? No wonder you're so weak despite seemingly having a pretty high status."
"You're asking for death!"
Shima Shigeo jumped down from the palace eaves, burst through the curtain of rain, and instantly arrived in front of Ooka Shin.
Just as Ooka Shin was about to swing his blade, Shima Shigeo's figure vanished, reappearing directly behind him.
"Such speed!" Ooka Shin's expression turned serious.
He immediately pivoted to counterattack, but Shima Shigeo vanished again, appearing at his side. In just a few seconds, Shima Shigeo launched five or six rapid attacks from completely different angles. Ooka Shin could only barely defend himself.
Seeing Shima Shigeo's eerie and ever-changing attack patterns, Konan frowned. "What Ninjutsu is this? It looks a lot like Taijutsu, but the speed is too absurd!"
Nagato, possessing the Rinnegan, quickly saw through Shima Shigeo's movements and answered her.
"This should be a type of Ninjutsu that combines the Body Flicker Technique with Water Release. It allows for multiple rapid transfers within the rain, which is why it looks like pure Taijutsu."
Konan looked worried. "Should we step in? Shin seems to be completely suppressed."
Yahiko, however, was highly optimistic, completely misunderstanding Shin's intentions.
"It's fine. Shin must be brewing a powerful counterattack to intimidate the Rain Ninja in one go. Let's just wait and watch the show."
Meanwhile, Ooka Shin was internally panicking. This enemy was incredibly troublesome!
The attacks were too fast, giving Shin absolutely no time to use Ninjutsu. In terms of pure Taijutsu, no matter how hard he had practiced as a child, he simply couldn't compete with an elite Rain Ninja Jonin.
Save me, Nagato! Don't just stand there staring! There are so many people in the Akatsuki Organization; it can't just be me doing all the work!
In a brief gap during the intense clash, Ooka Shin desperately winked at Nagato and the other two, giving them a pleading look.
"See, I told you Shin would be fine," Yahiko whispered confidently. "He's telling us not to worry. He's definitely brewing a counterattack. Keep it up, Shin!"
Seeing Ooka Shin's wink, Yahiko felt a surge of happiness, truly believing he and Ooka Shin were of one mind.
Oh! Nagato and Konan thought Yahiko's words made perfect sense. They smiled warmly at Ooka Shin and gave him encouraging nods.
Go for it, Shin! Start your performance!
Seeing their response, Ooka Shin was entirely dumbfounded.
Huh? What kind of expression is that?! Nagato, hurry up and make a move! Why do you all have 'watching the spectacle' expressions on your faces?!
During the fast-paced battle, Ooka Shin didn't have time to overthink. He cursed the three of them for being disloyal in his heart, while simultaneously leaving an intentional opening.
He slowed his reaction by a fraction of a second and was kicked away heavily by Shima Shigeo.
Using the distance, Shin formed seals rapidly. "Lightning Release: Grudge Wave!"
The sprayed water, carrying a strong electric current, swept violently through the surrounding curtain of rain.
The entire ground area was instantly covered in crackling electricity. Shima Shigeo couldn't move quickly through the electrified rain and was forced to pause his assault.
"Humph, the lightning will dissipate soon," Shima Shigeo sneered. "Your Chakra is definitely not enough to use a second Ninjutsu of that scale. Kid, your Taijutsu is good to have blocked so many of my attacks, but it won't change the final result!"
In Shima Shigeo's view, for someone of Ooka Shin's age to use a decent Ninjutsu alongside such excellent Taijutsu already made him an outstanding Genin. He was spent.
"As expected, the Rain Ninja rank strength by age," Ooka Shin mocked, forming Hand Seals again with an arrogant smile. "They don't understand what a true genius is at all!"
"Witness a genius's way of fighting! Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Just as the electricity on the ground dissipated, twenty solid Shadow Clones poofed into existence beside Ooka Shin. They all formed Hand Seals together in perfect unison.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!" "Lightning Release: Thunderbolt!"
Enhanced by the heavy, pouring rain, the numerous Water Dragon Bullets became exceptionally massive. They roared toward Shima Shigeo, crackling with fierce lightning.
"Damn it, is this kid a monster?!" Shima Shigeo cursed, his eyes widening. "He can still use powerful Ninjutsu after using that many Shadow Clones? His Chakra reserves are too massive!"
The electrified Water Dragon Bullets swept across a huge area. Shima Shigeo knew he couldn't block them alone and could only jump back desperately toward the palace eaves.
Seeing the Water Dragon Bullets about to crash into the palace, ten Rain Ninja guards stepped forward and formed Hand Seals together.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
One sturdy earth wall after another rose from the ground, combining into a thick, towering barricade that violently intercepted all the Water Dragon Bullets.
"See, didn't I tell you? Shin had a plan all along," Yahiko said proudly as Ooka Shin walked back to stand beside him. "You were worried for nothing and wanted to rescue him. Tsk tsk tsk, as expected, I understand Shin's thoughts best. Isn't that right, Shin!"
Hearing Yahiko's words and seeing his self-satisfied expression, Shin almost punched him in the face.
No wonder nobody helped me; it was you! You thick-eyebrowed, big-eyed idiot, you sabotaged me! Ow, that kick from the enemy hurt so much. I really want to crouch down and yell in pain!
Ultimately, facing the numerous members of the Akatsuki Organization and the staring Rain Ninja, Ooka Shin was too embarrassed to cry out. He endured the sharp stomach pain and forced a strained smile through gritted teeth.
"Yes, yes, yes... everything is under my control!"
Hearing this, Yahiko smiled reservedly, while Nagato and Konan also breathed a sigh of relief.
At that exact moment, a slow round of applause rang out. The group looked up and saw Hanzo clapping from the balcony.
Humph! What are you posing for! Shin grumbled internally. In such heavy rain, the sound of applause can still travel this far? You must have used some kind of clapping Ninjutsu! You face-saving, shameless old man!
Ooka Shin was in a terrible mood. He cursed Hanzo relentlessly in his mind but didn't dare say a word out loud, fearing that if he actually angered Hanzo, he might be killed on the spot.
"Your strength has exceeded my expectations," Hanzo's voice echoed out. "My apologies for the earlier rudeness. Please, come inside to discuss the specifics of our cooperation."
After the brief clash, Hanzo saw that even a young boy from the Akatsuki Organization displayed the combat strength of a Rain Ninja Jonin. This organization was indeed worth cooperating with.
Hearing Hanzo's invitation, Yahiko nodded and was the first to enter the palace, with the others following closely in single file.
Inside the warm, dry room, Hanzo and Yahiko officially began their negotiations.
According to Hanzo's initial plan, the members of the Akatsuki Organization would all join the Rain Ninja, becoming an entity similar to a Ninja Clan. They would maintain strict loyalty to Amegakure while keeping their own internal power base.
However, after Yahiko and Shin discussed it prior to the meeting, they proposed a very different structure.
The Akatsuki Organization would join the Rain Ninja as a whole, but its members would only obey Yahiko's orders directly.
If Hanzo wanted to mobilize members of the Akatsuki Organization, he absolutely had to obtain Yahiko's consent first. The two parties were merely in a cooperative relationship; although the Rain Ninja were the primary party, the Akatsuki Organization would still maintain significant, unyielding autonomy.