Hearing Hanzo's words, Nagato was taken aback.
"So, I've been discovered after all… As expected of Hanzo the Salamander, the man once revered as the Demigod of the Shinobi World. He truly possesses extraordinary perception…"
Nagato collected his thoughts, his expression resolute, and responded loudly:
"Since you've extended such a warm invitation, we won't refuse."
"Be cautious," Kana's voice echoed in Nagato's mind. "About thirty meters underground, there are dozens of distinct chakra signatures. Likely some kind of creatures…"
"They're his salamanders," Nagato replied, his Rinnegan faintly glowing.
"They can burrow freely underground and carry potent poison. But don't worry—against the Rinnegan, my 'Shinra Tensei' can render any attack ineffective."
His gaze firm, Nagato stepped forward, stopping about twenty meters from Hanzo. He scrutinized the man with curiosity.
"Rain Village has been destroyed, yet Hanzo survived, hiding here and doing nothing. What could he be plotting?"
The more Nagato thought about it, the stranger it seemed. As a former village leader carrying the weight of an entire village's blood on his hands, how could Hanzo remain idle, as if nothing had happened?
"Could he have abandoned thoughts of revenge? Impossible. Absolutely impossible. Hanzo must have some other scheme…"
Hanzo, still concealed within his hood, spoke calmly, his voice devoid of emotion.
"You two, though I don't know why you've come here, this is my private territory."
He flicked his wrist, and two fat silver fish were caught by the chains attached to his sickle. He offered them to Nagato.
"Take these fish and make yourself a nice soup at home. Consider it a token of my goodwill. After that, please leave."
Kana narrowed her eyes, sensing the danger. "What precision and speed… Truly a master," she thought, wary of Hanzo's skill.
Nagato accepted the fish, placing them into his sleeve with a faint smile. "Why the rush to part ways? A chance meeting is fate, is it not? Let's sit down and talk. Is there something inconvenient about that?"
Hanzo raised his chain blade, pointing it at Nagato.
"I am but a wandering ghost of the Shinobi World. I have no desire to be disturbed by others. Please leave. This is my final warning."
Nagato raised an eyebrow, his gaze playful as he studied Hanzo's strange appearance. The purple rings in his Rinnegan shone brightly, his powerful ocular energy spreading throughout the vast valley, exuding immense pressure.
"What a pity… If I must say, we are indeed uninvited guests. We've come here to extend an invitation for you to join our organization."
"Hanzo the Salamander of the Rain Village…"
The moment Nagato unleashed his Rinnegan's power, Hanzo retreated swiftly, his mind churning in turmoil.
"That ancient whirlpool-like pattern… It really is the legendary Rinnegan…"
"To think the mythical eyes I heard of in childhood stories would one day appear before me…"
Seeing Hanzo's reaction, Nagato took a confident step forward.
"It seems you recognize these eyes. With the Rinnegan, I am the one destined to bring peace to the Shinobi World. I am here to recruit you!"
Hanzo frowned. Even knowing Nagato possessed the Rinnegan, he was not one to be easily intimidated.
In the original timeline, upon learning of Nagato's Rinnegan, Hanzo did not kneel in submission. Instead, he sought Danzo's help to eliminate this threat.
"So, you intend to force me into submission?"
"If you know my name, then you should understand the price of arrogance. Let's see if your eyes are worthy of the power they claim to hold."
In the blink of an eye, Hanzo appeared behind Nagato, his chains slicing through the air with deadly precision. With his free hand, he formed a single hand sign.
*Boom!*
Suddenly, the silver fish in Nagato's sleeve exploded violently, engulfing the area in flames and thick black smoke.
"Nagato!"
Kana shouted in anger, golden chains erupting from her back. The chains shot toward Hanzo, aiming to strike him down.
"Oh, an Uzumaki? So the red hair wasn't a coincidence…"
Hanzo smirked as he vanished into a puddle of water, leaving only ripples behind.
"So fast! I couldn't even follow him with my eyes!" Kana muttered, activating her sensory abilities to locate Hanzo.
A deep voice suddenly sounded behind her. "Are you looking for me?"
Emerging from a puddle beneath Kana, Hanzo swung his sickle at her neck. Kana barely managed to dodge, but her shoulder and arm were slashed deeply, blood gushing from the wound.
"You bastard! How dare you hurt Kana!"
"Shinra Tensei!"
Nagato's roar echoed through the valley as a powerful repulsive force dispersed the smoke and rushed toward Hanzo's position.
The attack struck with devastating force, shattering the pond into fragments. But once again, Hanzo disappeared without a trace.
Kana glanced at Nagato, concerned, but then noticed his comical appearance. Despite her worry, she couldn't help but chuckle faintly.
"Don't worry about me," Nagato reassured her. "This kind of superficial injury doesn't affect me."
"What about you? Are you okay?"
Kana raised her pale arm, showing Nagato how the wound was rapidly healing before his eyes.
Thanks to her perfect integration with the original cells of Hashirama, Kana's regenerative abilities were formidable. While not as fast as Hashirama's instant healing, it rivaled the Hundred Healings technique.
Nagato sighed in relief, though he couldn't help but feel annoyed as he patted the remnants of his burned sleeve.
The explosion had caught him off guard. Despite his quick use of 'Shinra Tensei,' the flames had scorched his once-smooth red hair, leaving him with a ridiculous afro.
"I underestimated him… Hanzo the Salamander, the man who once protected the Rain Village, still retains such formidable power…"
Nagato silently reflected, his chakra surging as he spoke coldly:
"Quite underhanded of you, hiding such a treacherous weapon in a gift. Don't you think, Hanzo?"
Facing the seemingly empty valley, Nagato tossed a small black orb into the air and clasped his hands together.
"Chibaku Tensei!"
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