When Salamander Hanzo raised his head to look at everyone, his heart couldn't help but jolt.
What kind of eyes were these?
Eyes filled with bloodthirst and killing intent—completely consumed by madness!
Putting away the sickle-shaped ninja tool behind his back, Hanzo sneered coldly:
"Ants are still ants! You dare touch the bottom line of a god?"
"You don't know your place!"
Worshipped as a "demigod," always standing above others, Hanzo had long become used to deciding who lived and who died.
Just like a deity!
And yet—he had first been thwarted by some unknown upstart who hijacked the Daimyo and ruined his plans, a direct challenge to Hanzo's authority.
He had been suppressing a raging fire of fury in his chest.
Then, at this critical moment, the Daimyo had dared to slap him in the face to vent his anger. Hanzo snapped on the spot.
He killed the Daimyo right then and there!
"The reason Amegakure can't prosper is because of parasites like you!" Hanzo spat contemptuously onto a puddle of blood.
"Since that's the case… why shouldn't I just take over as the Daimyo of the Land of Rain—controlling both the country and the village!"
"Hanzo! You've been blinded by power!"
"Your eyes are full of greed!"
"With the Daimyo dead, how many people in the Land of Rain and Amegakure will suffer and die because of it!? Have you even thought of the consequences?!" Yahiko shouted angrily.
Splurt!
Hanzo burst out laughing.
His face twisted in a vicious sneer.
"If I kill the four of you, who would be left to spread the news that I killed the Daimyo?"
"Then I'll just blame his death on you lot!"
"Yes, war will break out across the nation—but the foolish ants who believe in the Akatsuki will start hating you, one by one, until your organization collapses!"
"And I… will wait until the chaos spirals out of control, then crush it all with overwhelming strength!"
As he spoke, Hanzo seemed to already envision himself ascending as the new Daimyo of the Land of Rain.
Even his voice rose with excitement.
"With my godlike prestige and strength, both the country and the village will be mine! Hahaha!"
"My rule—will be unshakable!"
"Salamander Barrier!"
His laughter suddenly stopped. Hanzo's face turned cold and stern as he quickly formed hand seals, then slammed his palms into the ground.
In the next instant, purple light shot up all around them, forming a visible barrier meant to trap Shippu, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan inside.
This sudden change shocked everyone present.
"Run!"
Three chakra chains shot out from Shippu's back, wrapping around Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan's waists and violently flinging them away.
Before they could regain their footing, the barrier completed formation—trapping Shippu inside.
"Young Chief!"
Nagato shouted, leaping forward to try and break into the barrier. But the moment he touched it, a terrifying force burst out and slammed him into the ground.
Crimson blood oozed from the corner of his mouth.
This barrier… was terrifying!
"Nagato, don't act recklessly! This barrier is laced with salamander poison—it's extremely toxic!" Yahiko shouted in alarm.
"Kill them! Don't let a single one escape!" Hanzo ordered.
In an instant, a large group of Amegakure shinobi surrounded Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan outside the barrier.
The three's expressions turned grim. They stood back-to-back, ready to fight.
The situation was dire!
However, inside the barrier, Shippu's face was slightly flushed, his expression even a bit excited—completely calm and unshaken.
> "Congratulations to the host for triggering a God-level Choice."
Choice 1: Surrender to Salamander Hanzo — Reward: A-rank Ninjutsu Rasengan
Choice 2: Betray Akatsuki and assist Hanzo in killing its members — Reward: A-rank Ninjutsu Lightning Style: Chidori
Choice 3: Kill Salamander Hanzo — Reward: Wood Style: Cutting Technique
Without hesitation, Shippu chose the final option.
> Ding!
Congratulations to the host for learning Wood Style: Cutting Technique!
Feeling the new jutsu's memory surface in his mind, Shippu curled his lips.
"People obsessed with power? The ones around them never even know how they'll die—they could be sacrificed at any moment."
There was no way Shippu would ever side with someone like Hanzo.
For power and reputation, Hanzo didn't hesitate to kill even the Daimyo. There was nothing he wouldn't do.
As for the rewards? Both Rasengan and Chidori were indeed powerful.
But they'd only matter if Shippu managed to stay alive to use them.
Hanzo's gaze narrowed into a needle-thin glare. His voice was icy:
"You're clever… I'll allow you to become my follower. Otherwise, hmph—"
"Hmph your damn self!" Shippu snapped. "An old man like you still acting all tsundere?"
He gave Hanzo his answer in the most direct way possible.
"Secret Technique: Adamantine Sealing!"
A metallic dragging sound echoed through the air as multiple chains appeared behind Shippu, rushing straight toward Hanzo!
"Hmm?"
Hanzo instantly formed hand seals, bit his finger, and slammed his palms onto the ground.
Boom!
Thick smoke burst forth—and a giant figure appeared, cutting off and rebounding the chains.
"You don't know your place. Then die!"
"Summoning Jutsu: Salamander!"
A massive salamander, dripping with slimy poison, let out a bone-chilling roar.
With Shippu's rejection, the battlefield erupted.
The Amegakure shinobi, without hesitation, launched a fierce assault on Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan.
The clanging of steel rang loudly in their ears.
Whoosh!
Yahiko wielded a kunai, his speed unmatched, knocking away a flurry of incoming shuriken.
"Can the Young Chief really fight Hanzo?"
Nagato asked as he and Yahiko fought back-to-back.
"Even Jiraiya-sensei, Orochimaru, and Tsunade once lost to him… That's someone called a demigod!"
"Can the Young Chief—"
"Quit talking and beat these guys—go support him!" Konan barked, cutting them off.