Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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The front lines were momentarily still. Orochimaru had managed to allocate more manpower for support, and according to recent reports, the enemy had sent a force of five thousand ninja.

This was no small number, and more troubling, they had already crossed into the Land of Fire. The impact was severe, causing widespread alarm among various factions.

"Minato will need time to rest. Muzan, you'll lead the medical team and provide support," Orochimaru instructed.

The forces on the front lines would need careful redistribution. If too many were pulled away, the Sand ninja—who had recently retreated to their village—might see an opportunity to counterattack. Orochimaru was determined to avoid that.

The priority now was to defeat the Iwa forces. Doing so would mark a decisive turning point in the Third Great Ninja War.

"Understood," Muzan replied. "Once I've checked on the wounded, I'll lead the medical ninja to the border of the Land of Fire."

"Be cautious," Orochimaru warned. "The borderlands are a war zone. Iwa has sent some of their strongest ninja this time."

The situation was more dire than Muzan had anticipated. While Orochimaru lacked firsthand intelligence, the Hokage had provided key updates from the front.

"Onoki's son is among them," Orochimaru added.

The war with the Land of Wind had stabilized, leaving Iwagakure as the last significant threat. Defeating them could secure victory for Konoha, a result that would benefit the entire village.

Muzan's team would have to cross much of the Land of Fire. Orochimaru had initially considered suggesting they pass near the Land of Rain, hoping Hanzo, the "Ninja Demigod," would permit safe passage.

However, Muzan quickly dismissed the idea. Hanzo was long dead, his grave now neglected in Amegakure. The region was under the control of Akatsuki, a rogue organization that had steadily been gathering power. The last thing Muzan wanted was a confrontation with them.

Instead, he opted for a safer, albeit longer route through the Land of Rivers. They couldn't afford any more losses.

As they neared the border, the sky darkened, clouds rolling in as a light rain began to fall.

"Hm?"

Muzan's senses sharpened as he noticed the small puddles forming around them. Rain was common in this region, but something felt off. He sensed an ominous presence.

"Get down!" Muzan shouted.

He hurled several kunai fitted with explosive tags, targeting the puddles and nearby trees.

Muzan wasn't just here to support the front lines. As one of the strongest ninja on the team, his role included protecting the medical squad.

Several Anbu reacted quickly, though without any sensory ninja, they had been slower to detect the danger.

"That was close," Muzan muttered, scanning the surroundings.

Hidden within the puddles, a few Amegakure ninja had been lying in wait. These ninja were skilled at using their environment, specializing in ambushes during rainstorms.

Unfortunately for them, they had picked the wrong team to ambush. Muzan knew their goal—the medical squad. Medical ninja were invaluable, either as hostages or to heal the enemy forces.

Amegakure still bore a grudge against Konoha from the Second Great Ninja War, when the Sannin of Konoha had risen to prominence after their battle with Hanzo, humiliating Amegakure in the process.

"Amegakure ninja…" Muzan said, unfazed.

Suddenly, three Amegakure ninja emerged from the shadows, launching their signature jutsu.

"Ninjutsu: Raining Senbon!"

Three black umbrellas opened in the air, unleashing a barrage of steel needles.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

One of the Anbu responded swiftly, sending a powerful gust of wind that scattered the senbon before they reached the medical squad. Muzan didn't need to act—his Anbu team was more than capable of handling these Amegakure Chūnin.

A taijutsu specialist on Muzan's team blurred forward with incredible speed, delivering a crushing roundhouse kick to one of the enemies, slamming him into a tree. The impact shattered the tree, killing the rain ninja instantly.

Within moments, the ambush was over. The Amegakure ninja lay defeated. Just as the team began to relax, Muzan sensed a new threat approaching.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

Muzan formed quick hand seals, erecting a wall adorned with intricate carvings of dog heads—a technique attributed to the Hatake Clan. The eyes and grinning mouths on the dog heads seemed to mock their attackers.

The explosions that followed struck the wall, but Muzan's earth-style technique held strong. These blasts weren't enough to breach the defense—unless the enemy was at Kage-level, like the Raikage.

"Konan!" Muzan's eyes narrowed as he recognized the figure responsible.

Hovering in the air, surrounded by thousands of paper tags that exploded at her will, was none other than Konan, the deadliest bomber of Akatsuki.

Muzan always found it ironic. With Konan's ability to produce explosive tags on such a massive scale, Akatsuki could have become rich through arms dealing. They could have bribed daimyo instead of waging war.

But Akatsuki had chosen a different path—one that would inevitably lead to their own downfall.

Paper fluttered around them as Konan prepared another attack. Muzan stepped forward.

"We have no quarrel with you. This is the Land of Rivers, not Amegakure."

Konan paused, her cold eyes locking onto Muzan. He could see her weighing her options. Her abilities were highly destructive, and if the battle escalated, the medical squad behind him would be in grave danger.

He couldn't allow that.

"And once Iwagakure falls, the ninja world will finally see peace," Muzan added, his words deliberate.

Konan's gaze remained fixed on him, her decision hanging in the balance.

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