Chapter 54: The Land of Rain
The caravan Ishiro accompanied traveled for over twenty days before finally entering the Land of Rain. According to the plan, they would spend at least another ten days traversing the country. Given Rain's current instability, the journey might even take longer.
Upon entering the Land of Rain, scattered refugees started appearing in small groups of three or four, sometimes gathering into crowds of a hundred or more.
Their eyes lit up greedily when they saw the caravan's supplies. If not for Ishiro and his teammates clearly displaying their ninja headbands, many would have tried to rob the convoy.
Shironeko whispered to Captain Shiden, "Captain, it seems Rain's situation is even worse than we expected. With refugees everywhere, public order seems near collapse. What on earth is Hanzo doing?"
Ishiro knew well the troubles Hanzo faced. The massive losses during the Second Ninja War had severely damaged Hanzo's authority. With many loyal subordinates killed, he could no longer firmly control the Land of Rain.
Yet the leaders of other ninja villages hadn't realized this yet. Everyone still believed that the legendary "Demigod" Hanzo held absolute power and control. They merely found his inaction puzzling, failing to understand that he was actually unable to act.
Only one person had recognized this: Danzo. While other nations still feared Hanzo, Danzo had begun secretly supporting various small factions within the country.
Ishiro had to admit Danzo's foresight and cunning surpassed Sarutobi Hiruzen's. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on his side. Ultimately, his plans would be shattered by the awakening of the Rinnegan.
Though Ishiro had speculated about Danzo's rising power, he didn't believe even an expanded Root division would fare better against the Rinnegan.
Still, perhaps he could exploit Danzo's eventual failure to gain some benefit for himself and Iwa. But with the event still years away, Ishiro felt no urgency. At present, Akatsuki was merely one of many small factions in Rain. He'd wait and observe any changes.
Yet Ishiro didn't expect a significant change would happen so soon.
One day, while Ishiro practiced ninjutsu during a caravan rest, he realized how abundant water was in Rain compared to Earth Country—making water ninjutsu practice much easier. Not wanting to waste the chance, he often practiced Water Line and Water Pressure Line jutsus away from the caravan.
As he finished practicing a Water Line jutsu, he pondered a problem: he had always used his mouth to emit a water stream, but with only one mouth, how could he emit multiple water streams simultaneously?
Lost in thought, Ishiro suddenly heard footsteps approaching. He immediately became alert. This wasn't safe Iwagakure—it was the unstable Land of Rain, and he'd allowed someone to approach unnoticed.
He quickly jumped back, creating distance while preparing to weave hand signs. But when he clearly saw who was approaching, he nearly gasped aloud. Three youths with distinctive yellow, red, and blue hair—had he actually run into Akatsuki?
Seeing Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, Ishiro's first instinct was absurdly to use sensory ninjutsu to check for White Zetsu. Fortunately, rationality quickly returned, stopping him from taking such a dangerous action.
Yahiko, noticing Ishiro's tense reaction, quickly raised his hands and called out, "Wait! Don't be alarmed! We're not here to harm you; we just want to talk."
Ishiro's mind raced as he pretended to carefully examine the trio before calmly responding, "I'm a ninja from the Land of Earth, just escorting a merchant caravan. Our village values peace and has no intention of conflict with Rain ninja."
Hearing the word "peace," Yahiko immediately brightened. "We're members of Rain's Akatsuki. My name is Yahiko, and our organization also aims to protect peace."
Feigning relief, Ishiro relaxed and smiled slightly. "Really? I never expected to meet others in Rain who share my dream of peace. Akatsuki, you say? I've never heard of it. Aren't you affiliated with Rain Village?"
Yahiko shook his head honestly. "We're not Rain Village ninja, though we wear Rain headbands to simplify things. It's natural you haven't heard of us—our organization was established only recently, and we're still spreading our message."
Ishiro put on a disappointed expression, as if saddened that this seemingly like-minded group was merely a newly founded organization.
Then, as if remembering his teammates behind him, he turned and waved, shouting loudly, "Captain! Everything's fine here. It's just three Rain ninja asking some questions. They mean no harm."
Shiden and the others, assuming Ishiro was trying to gather intel, withdrew slightly but remained alert, continuing to watch.
Turning back, Ishiro said apologetically, "Sorry about that. My team is just cautious."
Yahiko immediately expressed understanding.
Ishiro then spoke warmly, "So, Yahiko, right? My name is Ishiro. Was there something specific you wanted?"
Yahiko looked a bit embarrassed. "Actually, we're helping refugees find homes, but we're short on food. We saw your caravan carrying supplies, so we hoped you'd be willing to provide some assistance."
Seeing Ishiro's hesitant expression, Yahiko quickly added, "We can pay, though we don't have much." He took out all the money he had, roughly several hundred thousand ryō.
Clearly, it wasn't much—far too little to buy significant supplies.
Ishiro sighed, "It's not about money, Yahiko. I'm just a hired ninja; I don't make decisions for the caravan. But I can take you to meet our leader."
Yahiko, hopeful, eagerly followed Ishiro to meet the caravan leader. Predictably, the leader dismissed Yahiko's request, uninterested in such a small deal, especially at a discounted price.
Seeing Yahiko's disappointment, Ishiro pretended to struggle internally before saying, "Yahiko, can you take me to see where you're sheltering the refugees?"
Though slightly suspicious, Yahiko immediately agreed. Ishiro quickly asked Captain Shiden for permission to leave briefly, which Shiden granted, trusting Ishiro's judgment.
They soon reached an abandoned village being rebuilt by refugees. Ishiro noticed people actively fishing and hunting nearby.
Ishiro genuinely admired Yahiko's practical, hands-on approach. "This is amazing, Yahiko. These refugees look completely different from those I've seen elsewhere. They actually have hope."
Turning to Yahiko, he asked, "Is this your organization's base? Your Akatsuki is impressive."
Happy to receive acknowledgment, Yahiko laughed brightly. "Haha, really? Is it that good? But this isn't our base; it's just one of our refugee shelters. We have many like this."
This genuinely surprised Ishiro. No wonder Akatsuki expanded rapidly; Yahiko was truly building goodwill through real, practical efforts.
Feigning determination, Ishiro said, "Yahiko, let's go back to the caravan."
Yahiko was puzzled, while Nagato and Konan appeared cautious. Without explaining, Ishiro returned quickly, confident Yahiko would follow—and indeed, Yahiko convinced Nagato and Konan to come along.
Back at the caravan, Ishiro openly gave the caravan leader several million ryō from his own savings. "Take this. When you return to Iwagakure, I have a few million more ryō waiting. Exchange it all for food."
The leader hesitated, wary of offending an Iwa ninja, but eventually agreed. Ishiro negotiated fiercely, obtaining supplies at a significantly reduced price, and gave all of it to Yahiko.
Pretending to be moved, Ishiro sincerely said, "Yahiko, thank you. You've strengthened my resolve to pursue peace. Everyone always mocks me as naive, and sometimes I almost gave up. But seeing you actually turning ideals into reality here in Rain has inspired me profoundly. I have little, just money my late parents left me—but please take it."
Touched, Yahiko and his friends were speechless. Before they could respond, Ishiro waved farewell, rejoining the caravan.
After Ishiro left, Yahiko addressed the refugees, inspired. "Today is an important day. Through effort, we made a real friend from Iwagakure. I believe someday, we'll build bridges of understanding across the ninja world."
Nagato and Konan nodded, eyes shining.
Yahiko then said, "With these supplies, people here will finally settle down. Before we move to the next shelter, we must properly thank Ishiro. Earlier, we were too moved to even speak."
Konan smiled gently, adding softly, "Yes, and I want to give him a paper flower."
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