The man sitting across from Hanzo was none other than Huang Tu, son of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.
He had been sent to the Land of Rain on a mission—
To investigate the mysterious Ice Release ninja.
Yet, before he could make progress, Hanzo's people approached him with an offer.
And so—
A deal was struck in the shadows.
Huang Tu's men would interfere in the battles between Konoha and the Rain Shinobi—tilting the odds in Hanzo's favor.
In return, Hanzo would capture Sand Shinobi's legendary puppeteer, Chiyo, during the inevitable conflict between Rock and Sand.
That was why Konoha's forces had been unexpectedly ambushed by the Rain Shinobi.
That was why Huang Tu now sat in Hanzo's residence, despite their villages being enemies.
Huang Tu took a slow sip of tea, his expression unreadable.
"Master Hanzo's word—I trust it."
But then his face hardened.
"However… my original mission remains."
"I was sent here to investigate the Ice Release ninja."
"And I heard he appeared on your battlefield against Konoha."
Hanzo paused mid-sip.
A single name surfaced in his mind—
Saigoji Youmu.
That young, terrifyingly strong individual.
A warrior beyond reason.
He had faced that ice-user personally—
And lost.
Setting his cup down, Hanzo exhaled slowly.
"Indeed, there was a ninja capable of using Ice Release."
"But according to his own words—"
"He is not from the Yuki Clan of Kirigakure."
Silence filled the room.
Huang Tu's brows furrowed.
"Impossible."
"Only the Yuki Clan possesses Ice Release. There's no precedent of anyone else using it."
Hanzo closed his eyes, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.
For a moment, the room was filled with nothing but the gentle rhythm of his fingertips.
Huang Tu watched in silence, confused but wary.
Finally, Hanzo stopped tapping.
His eyes reopened.
"Forget it. There's no point in hiding it."
"I'll tell you what I know."
Within days, news of the battle spread like wildfire.
Konoha had emerged victorious.
The world learned of how Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru had faced Hanzo—
And survived.
It was Hanzo himself who had granted them a title—
"Konoha Sannin."
But that wasn't all.
One name stood above even theirs.
Saigoji Youmu.
A mysterious ice-user who had turned the tide of battle.
Rumors swirled—
Some claimed he was from Kirigakure, an unknown survivor of the Yuki Clan.
Others whispered that he had no allegiance at all.
That he was simply a lone warrior, drifting between conflicts.
Speculation of an alliance between Konoha and Kirigakure surfaced—
But it was quickly dispelled.
Yet one fact remained—
Saigoji Youmu had shaken the ninja world.
Leaders across all villages now watched him carefully.
He was too strong to be ignored.
After several days of travel, the group finally arrived at Konoha's gates.
Konan's eyes widened in amazement.
The village was bustling with life—
Merchants shouting, children laughing, people moving freely through the streets.
It was nothing like the war-torn Land of Rain.
Konan could barely contain her awe.
"This is Konoha…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
A place where people lived without fear.
A place untouched by endless rain and suffering.
Tsunade noticed her reaction and smiled.
"Do you like it here, Konan?"
Konan nodded immediately.
"Yes… Konoha is so much better than Rain Shinobi Village."
Tsunade laughed heartily.
At the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at his desk, listening intently as Tsunade and Orochimaru reported their mission.
Jiraiya was absent—having chosen to stay behind in the Land of Rain.
Saigoji Youmu and Konan sat quietly in the room, observing.
Saigoji Youmu's presence alone carried weight.
Sarutobi's eyes flickered toward him.
This was the man who had defeated Hanzo.
The man everyone was now talking about.
And yet—
Was he truly an ally?
Or merely a visitor to Konoha?
The storm had passed—
But the ripples of change were just beginning.