Chapter 1 — I'm Fighting Hanzō the Salamander?!
Ryusuke subconsciously rubbed his face. Just a second ago, he had been lying on his back reading a novel.
The next second, his phone smacked him in the face—and he arrived in the world of Naruto.
And what transmigrated along with him was a greatsword in his mind… and behind it, floating ominously… three coffins?!
He was very familiar with the sword's design. It was the only evolving Imperial Arm from the healing-type manga Akame ga Kill!—Incursio, the Demon Armor.
Once the release phrase was called out, he could transform into armor and experience what it felt like to be a true armored warrior.
But only if he could withstand the terrifying burden of the armor.
Otherwise, putting it on meant instant death.
As for the three coffins, he had no idea what was inside them.
Ryusuke sifted through the fragmented memories of his predecessor. It was now Year 34 of Konoha. He was an honorable civilian chūnin of Konoha.
In short: cannon fodder.
Eighteen or nineteen years old, clad in a loose hood and wearing a white fox mask.
At this moment, he stood with four other ninja, listening to a similarly dressed woman speaking before them.
As he listened to their conversation, information flowed rapidly through his brain. Their movements even seemed slightly slowed in his vision.
Perhaps after absorbing the original body's soul, he had gained a talent: extraordinary comprehension and rapid reaction ability.
"I wonder how my reaction speed compares to the fastest man in the ninja world—Minato Namikaze," Ryusuke thought, multitasking in his mind.
"Our mission this time is to investigate unusual movements in Amegakure."
"If the leader of the Hidden Rain, Hanzō the Salamander, shows any intention of launching a war, you are authorized to assassinate him and eliminate the threat."
The woman spoke lightly, her voice carrying a natural boldness, as if killing Hanzō were something simple.
But Ryusuke immediately snapped to attention at the key words.
"Hanzō the Salamander? The one who ignited the Second Great Ninja War?"
"The demigod who bestowed upon Konoha's 'Yellow, Gambling, and Pervert' the humiliating title of the Three Sannin?"
"You're asking a mere chūnin like me to fight Hanzō the Salamander? Are you kidding me?"
Aside from the protagonist, the ninja wars were meat grinders that crushed every small fry with dreams—body and soul alike.
With zero sense of belonging to Konoha, all he wanted right now was to grab a bucket and run.
"Number Six, you seem to have some concerns."
The woman's words drew the gazes of the other four toward Ryusuke.
"N-No… none at all. Of course not."
With everyone staring at him, Ryusuke realized they were calling him.
He forced a calm expression, though inwardly he was shocked.
"Is this woman a demon? She could even tell that?"
The woman glanced at him and continued, "We'll split into three teams. Two per group. Number Six, you're with me."
"Numbers Three and Four together. Two and Five together. Enter Amegakure separately at two-hour intervals."
After agreeing on code phrases and rendezvous signals, the team leader turned sharply and stepped into the curtain of rain ahead.
Ryusuke's heart sank.
"Damn it. I've been marked by the captain."
"How am I supposed to run now… I mean, conduct a strategic withdrawal?"
If conditions allowed, he would have loved to light up a cigarette to calm himself—but the captain was already moving, so he hurried after her.
The closer they drew to the Land of Rain, the heavier the downpour became. Raindrops striking the trees created a unique white noise.
It helped Ryusuke focus as he frantically calculated how to survive.
Thanks to his extraordinary comprehension, streams of intelligence flashed through his mind.
First, he seriously doubted whether his current physique could withstand the release of Incursio.
Against the armor's immense burden, he would most likely "try it and die."
Thus, Incursio could only serve as a last-ditch, life-or-death measure.
As for relying on his ninjutsu and taijutsu? If the captain truly chose to assassinate Hanzō, he would be cannon fodder without question.
Should he just tell the captain that Hanzō was going to start a ninja war?
Even worse idea.
How would a civilian ninja obtain such intelligence? He'd immediately be suspected as a spy from another village trying to stir up conflict.
Even if they believed him, once verified, he'd probably be dragged off by Konoha's Shadow for slicing and research.
The situation seemed locked in a vicious cycle.
Completely doomed.
"Hey, Number Six. Put away your mask. This time we'll be posing as a married merchant couple coming to purchase Rain Country specialties."
The captain's voice cut through his thoughts. She had already removed her white mask.
A refined yet heroic face was revealed.
She looked around twenty-two or twenty-three. Golden bangs swayed gently in the rain-laced wind.
"You're… Lady Tsunade?"
Ryusuke recognized her at once—and absolutely not because her ample chest still stood out even beneath the loose cloak.
Absolutely not.
At that moment, Ryusuke felt a bit more at ease.
Finally, a piece of good news.
With the team's healer present, their safety was at least somewhat assured.
"So, you recognize me."
"Then what's your name?"
Tsunade asked in a clear voice.
Ryusuke removed his mask.
"Lady Tsunade, my name is Ryusuke."
"A chūnin. I specialize in genjutsu, reconnaissance, sensory techniques, and interrogation ninjutsu."
Tsunade nodded, briefly drawn in by his ruggedly handsome appearance.
After a moment's thought, Ryusuke asked proactively,
"Lady Tsunade, to be honest, I'd like to know why a chūnin like me was selected for this S-rank mission."
Konoha had strict regulations regarding mission ranks. Chūnin could only take on B-rank or below. A- and S-rank missions required jōnin-level strength.
He truly couldn't understand how a small fry like him had slipped into this S-rank operation.
Tsunade glanced at him, a trace of disappointment in her eyes.
"What? Afraid?"
She didn't mind insufficient strength. What she despised were those who gave up before even trying.
"Of course not. I'm just worried that I'm too weak and might hold my comrades back."
"Even if I die, that's fine. But if my weakness causes the mission to fail and brings loss to Konoha, my soul would never rest in peace."
His survival instincts flared as he launched into a flawless display of the Will of Fire.
It was safe to say Ryusuke delivered that patriotic speech with impressive skill.
Tsunade studied his sincere gaze and instinctive reply, acknowledging his Will of Fire.
She lowered her voice.
"I don't know why you were chosen either."
"You should know that ninja files are sealed."
"The missions you've completed in the past aren't meant to be known to outsiders—even if you've done plenty of dirty work."
"Beforehand, even I, as team leader, only knew your specialties and the number of missions you've completed."
Ryusuke scratched his head tactically, thinking,
"Great. That damn confidentiality system. Even teammates don't know each other's real abilities or character."
Silence fell between them until the outline of Amegakure appeared ahead.
Tsunade shed her earlier casual demeanor. She slipped her arm through Ryusuke's and pressed close against him.
Feeling the softness and warmth against his arm, Ryusuke froze for a moment.
"Tsunade, you're playing it this big?"
This wasn't the Tsunade he remembered from the anime.
But then again, she was only in her twenties now—and currently on a mission.
That explanation satisfied him.
When they reached Amegakure's gates, she smiled and presented two travel permits, acting like a loving wife before the guards.
"Merchants here to purchase Rain Village specialties? That must be quite the journey," one of the Amegakure guards said with a friendly smile.
Amegakure was situated between the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth—a buffer zone constantly trampled by all three.
Like a public latrine, squatted on in turns.
The village maintained a very friendly—almost ingratiating—attitude toward merchants who could stimulate the economy.
The two walked through the quiet rain. Patrol squads' footsteps echoed intermittently, breaking the stillness.
From time to time, patrols dragged suspects out of taverns and inns.
Some were even detained just as they were about to leave the village, escorted straight to interrogation rooms.
The two exchanged glances, their hearts sinking.
Amegakure was far from relaxed—it was loose on the outside, tight within.
"Damn it. Looks like I really need to cling tightly to Tsunade's thick thigh," Ryusuke thought.