The architecture of the Land of Rain is highly distinctive. Because of the year-round drizzle and torrential downpours, buildings are constructed tall, covered in a vast network of drainage pipes that give the landscape a metallic, rock-and-roll aesthetic.
At the very summit of the tallest building in the Hidden Rain Village, Diarmuid sat cross-legged.
An aura fluctuated faintly around him, rising and falling in a rhythmic cycle. His hands were held in a circular gesture near his lower tanden. If someone proficient in Sage Mode were present, they would see massive amounts of Natural Energy being drawn into his body in a steady, continuous flow.
On Diarmuid's face, Sage transformation markings had begun to surface.
Two pitch-black streaks of eye shadow swept across his eyelids, lending him a somewhat eerie appearance. Between his brows, a diamond-shaped black mark seemed on the verge of fully forming.
Without a doubt, Diarmuid's development of Sage Mode had reached its final stage.
Two months had passed since Orochimaru went into seclusion to research the Living Corpse Reincarnation.
Just as the Sage mark on Diarmuid's forehead was about to solidify, his aura suddenly dispersed slightly. Diarmuid voluntarily ceased the absorption of Natural Energy and slowly opened his eyes.
"Who's there?" Diarmuid murmured softly.
He seemed to be sensing something. A moment later, a smirk played on his lips as he whispered, "Oh? Finally couldn't help yourselves? Black Zetsu..."
Rain Tiger at Will Technique!
It had not disappointed him. Over a month ago, Diarmuid had completely mastered this top-tier sensory ninjutsu. Since then, the entire Hidden Rain Village had fallen within his sensory range. As long as the rain fell and his chakra maintained the jutsu, he could clearly perceive any change in every area covered by the rainfall.
At that exact moment, he had felt a ripple. In a corner of the village, a figure had inexplicably emerged from the ground.
The chakra signature of that figure was extremely weak, virtually non-existent. A normal sensory ninja would likely never have noticed him.
But the Rain Tiger at Will Technique could.
Once he identified the target, Diarmuid cast his Observation Haki over the area, officially confirming the presence of Black and White Zetsu. At the same time, he realized he had previously misunderstood a certain condition.
It wasn't that Observation Haki couldn't sense them; rather, it was that one would naturally overlook their existence to a certain degree. Once their general location was determined, precisely enveloping them with Haki allowed for a clear perception of their presence.
Diarmuid stopped his training. Even though he was only one step away from perfecting Sage Mode, he stood up naturally and headed toward the door of the rooftop chamber.
…
Black and White Zetsu emerged from the ground of the Hidden Rain, observing the village with curiosity.
"Just as you said, the atmosphere here is quite oppressive," Black Zetsu whispered.
His other half, White Zetsu, followed up: "Indeed. From what I've gathered, the Yorozuya has implemented a tiered rule here. The Yorozuya rules the peripheral organization known as 'Akatsuki,' Akatsuki rules the shinobi of the Hidden Rain, and the shinobi rule the general populace. The entire Land of Rain is managed through this model. It ensures the Yorozuya's will is passed down through every layer. Everything here exists to serve the Yorozuya. Currently, the official policy of the Land of Rain is to announce to the world that the civil war isn't over, while internally, they collect and purchase massive amounts of rare materials to be sent into the village. Many shinobi are now being branded under the name 'Akatsuki' and sent abroad as mercenaries to earn commissions. Naturally, life here is under significant pressure."
"It seems this Diarmuid is a ruthless individual," Black Zetsu judged.
However, as they were exchanging information, a man carrying a massive blade suddenly appeared behind them.
"Oh? There really is one. A guy who looks like a pitcher plant," the man said with surprise.
Black and White Zetsu were startled. For this man to appear behind them using the Body Flicker Technique meant he must have discovered them long ago.
How is that possible? Our stealth capabilities... are supposed to be top-tier!
"Who?!" Black Zetsu spun around.
"Biwa Jūzō, one of the core members of the Yorozuya!" White Zetsu quickly identified him.
"So you've even gathered intel on our Yorozuya?" Jūzō grinned, his expression then turning stern. "Who are you two? Why have you infiltrated the Hidden Rain? If you don't want to die, answer quickly..."
As he spoke, his chakra surged. Black and White Zetsu could clearly feel the surrounding rainfall slowing down, as if the water itself were closing in on them. Simultaneously, arcs of electricity flickered across the Kubikiribōchō on Jūzō's back.
He's much stronger than he was before joining the Yorozuya... Black Zetsu thought grimly.
Though he was still baffled as to how they had been caught red-handed, he wasn't here to cause trouble. On the contrary, he was here to meet Diarmuid.
He refrained from any provocative actions that might enrage Jūzō, saying sincerely, "We apologize for the unannounced visit. However, we have come to meet the master of this place... the leader of the Yorozuya, Rodriguez Diarmuid-sama."
"Interesting. If you're here to see the Boss, you should have sent a formal request. Creeping in like this feels a bit suspicious..." Jūzō's grin widened. The lightning on his blade grew more intense.
Black Zetsu sensed that this brute was ready to strike at the slightest provocation. If a fight broke out, their first impression on Diarmuid would undoubtedly be terrible. It wasn't great now, but this was an "accident."
Originally, Black Zetsu had planned to infiltrate secretly and appear directly before Diarmuid, creating an aura of mystery and power to intimidate him and gain leverage. Instead, they were stuck in this awkward predicament.
Jūzō and Kakuzu had recently returned from the Land of Rainbows. Just as Black Zetsu suspected, Jūzō was significantly more powerful than he had been as one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. He had learned some Lightning Release Nintaijutsu, which perfectly suited his brutal, blade-swinging combat style. His speed, power, and defense had all seen massive upgrades.
Furthermore, Jūzō was adept at Water Release. Now that Hanzo of the Salamander, the man once said to have no equal in Water Release, was dead, he had left behind a room full of scrolls mostly related to that element. Given more time, Jūzō would only grow stronger.
"It was indeed our error. However, please refrain from violence. We come representing the will of a great figure in the shinobi world, hoping for cooperation and discussion with the master of the Yorozuya. We are willing to compensate and apologize for our rudeness, but surely, such matters should be decided by Diarmuid-sama himself, shouldn't they?" Black Zetsu said smoothly.
Jūzō hadn't actually planned on attacking. He was acting on Diarmuid's orders to give these intruders a "show of force." Seeing his goal achieved, Jūzō took the out. "You have a point. But don't underestimate the Yorozuya. If you dare infiltrate like this again, I'll use my blade to help you two part ways!"
Even without your help, we can separate, White Zetsu wanted to snark, but he held his tongue.
However, White Zetsu's personality was more erratic. Once he saw Jūzō wasn't going to attack, he asked boldly, "I'm curious. My stealth techniques are supposed to be unparalleled. How was I discovered?"
"That only proves you're seeing the world through a keyhole," Jūzō sneered, then added offhandedly, "In the entire Hidden Rain Village, no one can escape my Boss's perception."
Black Zetsu's heart skipped a beat. Diarmuid has sensory abilities this strong?Maybe he's noticed us many times before? He just didn't care to deal with us?
This man... is likely even more terrifying than imagined.
As Black Zetsu brooded, Jūzō said, "Follow me. And keep your eyes to yourselves."
…
Jūzō soon led them toward the tallest building. Along the way, they passed several patrolling shinobi and civilians. The civilians didn't react much, they likely didn't recognize Jūzō, but the shinobi greeted him instantly with titles like "Jūzō-sama." It was clear that the core members of the Yorozuya, wearing their black robes with red clouds, held an exceptionally high status.
Just as they were about to enter the main doors of the tower, Jūzō paused and bowed respectfully. "Ameri-sama."
A woman walked out. She was stunningly beautiful, with an air of noble grace mixed with a touch of cold elegance and charm. It was a complex blend of traits that felt perfectly harmonious. Black Zetsu was taken aback.
Who is this? Her status seems higher than Jūzō's? I've never seen her before.
Since Diarmuid took over the Hidden Rain, Black and White Zetsu hadn't dared to intrude, so they had never met Shiramu Ameri.
Ameri gave a helpless smile. "Jūzō-sama, I've told you, just call me Ameri. I can't accept being addressed as 'sama.'"
"No. Unlike those other guys, my respect and admiration for the Boss comes from the bottom of my heart. Therefore, please do not mind the address, Ameri-sama," Jūzō said seriously.
Kakuzu, Orochimaru, and Sasori wouldn't address her as "sama." However, they didn't look down on her either; everyone knew Ameri was currently living with Diarmuid. While they didn't know the exact nature of their relationship, it was a clear signal.
Jūzō was different. He might ignore or disrespect Orochimaru or Kakuzu, but his loyalty to Diarmuid was absolute, hence his deference to Ameri.
At that moment, a young girl who looked about seventy or eighty percent similar to Ameri ran out from inside, calling out "Onee-chan!"
Ameri nodded to Jūzō again and turned. "Rin, I'm here. Come with me..."
The two of them walked out of the building.
Black Zetsu's expression remained unchanged, but his mind was reeling as he looked at the girl who left with "Ameri-sama."
Though her appearance has changed... that was definitely Nohara Rin, wasn't it?
Inwardly shocked, White Zetsu asked directly, "Who were those two?"
"Shiramu Ameri-sama and Shiramu Rin-sama," Jūzō replied according to the script. Without another word, he led the bewildered duo inside.
They hadn't been in the village for fifteen minutes, and Black Zetsu felt like his head was spinning.
What the hell is going on here? Has my intelligence-gathering ability become this incompetent?