"It doesn't affect me."
Ryujin's gaze settled calmly on the man standing ahead, his tone indifferent, as if he weren't facing a legend capable of crushing entire armies.
There was no tension in his voice.
No hesitation.
As though everything unfolding before him—
Was already beneath his concern.
Inside the guild chat, however, the atmosphere was anything but calm.
Eriri was the first to react, her excitement bursting through the screen as she replayed the earlier scene in her mind. That massive creature, the overwhelming presence—it had left a deep impression on her.
Her questions came rapidly, asking whether Ryujin also knew Summoning Jutsu and whether he could summon something equally powerful.
The curiosity spread instantly.
Everyone had seen it.
That giant salamander.
That suffocating pressure.
Naturally, they wanted to know what kind of creature their Guild Master could summon.
Ryujin's reply came casually.
"I know the technique."
"But I haven't formed a contract with any summoning beast."
Simple.
Direct.
He didn't elaborate further.
The truth was far less impressive than they imagined. He had seen many summoning beasts—powerful ones, rare ones—but in his eyes, they were all lacking.
None of them were worth his time.
Back on the battlefield—
"Ryujin!"
Orochimaru's voice cut sharply through the rain.
"Take the others and retreat! We'll hold them off!"
His tone left no room for debate.
That was the only option left.
Against that man—
There was no victory.
Not even a chance.
Even with Ryujin's strength—
Impossible.
At least, that was what they believed.
"Retreat?"
A cold voice echoed across the battlefield.
"You won't be leaving so easily."
The air itself seemed to grow heavier.
Killing intent spread outward like a suffocating tide.
Standing atop the massive salamander, a figure loomed over everything below.
Mask.
Armor.
Weapon.
And a presence—
That crushed the battlefield itself.
Hanzo of the Salamander.
"I sacrificed so many men… just to create this moment."
His voice was steady.
Unshaken.
"I will capture you."
"Then negotiate with Konoha."
His gaze locked onto Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
"You two…"
"…are valuable."
Future powerhouses.
Even now, their names had begun to spread throughout the ninja world.
Konoha would never abandon them.
Which made them—
Perfect leverage.
"So… we were the target all along," Orochimaru said coldly, his eyes narrowing.
"Exactly."
Hanzo gave a slight nod.
"Surrender."
"If you lay down your weapons…"
"I will spare everyone here."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Then—
"LIKE HELL WE WILL!!"
Jiraiya roared, his voice exploding through the battlefield.
"Do you want all those who died in this war to mean nothing?!"
Hanzo's killing intent surged instantly.
"This war…"
"…was started by your nations."
His tone deepened, carrying the weight of countless lives lost.
"If peace were so simple, it would have never come to this."
Interests, power, and resources—too many forces were intertwined.
Even a Kage could not escape them.
"This world is rotten."
Hanzo raised his weapon, his presence towering like judgment itself.
"As long as shinobi exist…"
"…conflict will never end."
His words echoed like a final verdict.
"So…"
"Let me measure your worth."
They moved.
At the same time.
No hesitation.
Because hesitation meant death.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Snakes burst violently from Orochimaru's sleeves, coiling around the massive salamander, binding it in place with ruthless precision.
"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"
Jiraiya exhaled a stream of oil, igniting it instantly.
"BOOM—!!"
Flames erupted across the battlefield, expanding outward into a blazing inferno that spanned over twenty meters, completely engulfing the giant summon.
The rain hissed violently against the fire.
Steam exploded into the air.
The battlefield became a storm of heat and water—
Chaos incarnate.
Inside the guild—
Silence.
Then shock.
"…This is a ninja battle?" Asuna's voice trembled slightly.
"Incredible…" Saeko said calmly, though her eyes didn't leave the scene.
Utaha's gaze sharpened with interest.
"…I suddenly have inspiration."
"I want to write a novel about this."
Eriri crossed her arms confidently.
"Hmph! No matter how strong they are…"
"They're still not as strong as my boss!"
Linglong nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah! Everyone looked at Guild Master first!"
"He must be super strong!"
Utaha smirked faintly.
"…I recently learned a new word."
Eriri blinked.
"…What word?"
Utaha replied calmly.
"Simp."
"…Someone who has no dignity, endlessly flattering another."
She paused slightly.
Then added—
"You fit it perfectly."
"Golden-haired simp."
"…???????"
Eriri froze.
Then—
She exploded.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME!?!?"
Meanwhile—
On the battlefield—
The flames roared.
The rain poured.
Steam rose in violent waves.
At the center of it all—
Hanzo stood unmoved.
Untouched.
Unshaken.
A true legend.
And yet—
At the very front—
Ryujin remained still.
Silent.
Watching.
Not a single move made.
Not a single technique used.
As if everything unfolding before him—
Was nothing more than a passing spectacle.
Because the moment he moved—
Everything would change.