While the villagers of Konoha were enjoying the first snowfall of the year, the Land of Rain was still filled with the endless, monotonous sound of rainfall. The lead-gray clouds in the sky hung heavy and low like a massive shroud, firmly covering the land, refusing to let even a sliver of sunlight through.
Compared to the earlier drizzle, the rain had now turned cold and relentless, as if it intended to wash the entire country into mud.
Only stray dogs without homes crouched in corners, gnawing at something unknown.
Patter… patter…
Hearing something, the dogs pricked up their ears, baring their teeth as they stared into the hazy curtain of rain.
In the distance, amidst the desolate scenery, several figures dashed out of the rain mist, stepping through puddles. Their faces beneath their rain hoods were briefly illuminated.
At the front, Kakashi Hatake suddenly raised a hand, and the people behind him stopped in unison.
"We've already entered the Land of Rain. Make sure to conceal your identities," Kakashi said, his gaze sweeping over Hyuga Arata in the middle of the group. "Next, we'll head to populated areas to gather intelligence. Remember, listen more, speak less."
Arata naturally understood that this senior Kakashi was reminding him. He nodded seriously in response.
"Disperse."
At Kakashi's command, the team split into groups of three and scattered to collect information.
Arata remained by Kakashi's side, this had been instructed by Hiruzen Sarutobi, and in a sense, it was also a form of protection.
The four of them, including Kakashi and Arata, infiltrated the capital of the Land of Rain without drawing any attention. No one cast them a second glance for their attire or behavior.
There were few pedestrians on the streets, and even those present moved hurriedly, wrapped in dark raincoats with their heads lowered, drifting like ghosts through the rain.
These civilians exuded a numbness and vigilance forged by suffering. Occasionally, Rain ninja in dark uniforms and strange gas masks could be seen. Hidden among the crowd, Arata's group looked no different and attracted no notice.
This was Arata's first time in the Land of Rain. Beneath his hood, his eyes quietly observed his surroundings.
What he saw was a forest of steel, pipes of varying thickness crawled across buildings also made entirely of metal.
These structures didn't resemble ordinary homes but were angular constructions full of welded seams. Their windows were narrow, giving off a cold, unwelcoming gloom.
Rainwater streamed down the frigid metal surfaces, gathering in rust-filled grooves before flowing into the puddles scattered across the ground.
The entire city felt like a massive industrial ruin, soaked in rain, silently weeping in pain.
Gray skies, dark steel, murky water, and pedestrians clad in dark clothing…
"That place is actually the capital of the Land of Rain," Arata murmured, his tone heavy as his eyes flickered with a faint light.
It was the complete opposite of the prosperity of Konoha and the Land of Fire.
Kakashi heard him but merely glanced sideways before looking away.
'Pity?'
'What a naive junior.'
Jingle.
Kakashi pushed open the door to a tavern. The bell above the door rang, and droplets slid down the glass, leaving damp streaks behind.
Following him inside, Arata immediately smelled the thick mixture of moisture, rust, and alcohol in the air.
The rain didn't just shape the environment; it seemed to seep into the very soul of the country.
The four sat near a window, a spot that allowed them to observe outside while also offering a quick escape if needed.
"Boss, another drink!"
"Ha! That hits the spot!"
At a table in the distance, several men dressed like ninja were drinking heavily. No one dared sit near them, clearly avoiding them.
They were obviously Rain ninja. Kakashi's dead fish eyes narrowed slightly as he listened carefully to their conversation.
"Sigh, the wife's complaining again," a scar-faced ninja said after taking a swig. "Says the food rations keep shrinking. At this rate, we won't even be able to cook. Keeps asking me what to do."
Bang!
He slammed his cup on the table and cursed, "What the hell am I supposed to do?!"
"Yeah," another long-haired ninja said, his expression just as grim. "And food prices are rising like crazy, basically doubled."
Ninja didn't engage in production. During wartime, while money mattered, food mattered even more.
For a country like the Land of Rain, which had almost no agriculture, food was an extremely precious resource.
As for where the food distributed to ninja came from?
Naturally, from the Daimyo of the Land of Rain.
If war broke out and trade was cut off, and they also lost the Daimyo's support, then the Hidden Rain Village would be in serious trouble.
And where did the Daimyo get the food?
No one cared.
Even if everyone knew, it came from the common people.
"Have you heard?" someone suddenly lowered his voice. "The Land of Fire declared war on the Land of Lightning. Could that be why?"
The moment those words came out, the group fell silent.
After a moment, the long-haired ninja hesitated. "It probably doesn't have much to do with us, right? It was the same during the Third Great Ninja War…"
"Bullshit it doesn't!"
Before he could finish, the scar-faced ninja, seemingly drunk, interrupted with a curse. "We weren't affected last time because of Lord Hanzo. But he hasn't shown himself in ages, hiding all the time. Who knows if he's even dea, mmph!"
The others' expressions changed instantly as they covered his mouth.
"Shut up!"
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
"If you want to die, don't drag us with you!"
They hissed angrily.
But who was truly angry at him for insulting Hanzo, and who was just afraid of the consequences, was another matter.
The scar-faced ninja sobered up, realizing what he'd said, his face turning pale.
The Hidden Rain also had its own ANBU. If those words were overheard, he'd be lucky to escape with his life.
Panicked, he instinctively looked around, and locked eyes with a pair of dead fish eyes that hadn't withdrawn in time.
"What are you looking at?! Dead fish eyes! What the hell are you staring at?!"
Fueled by anger, he shot to his feet. A passing server dropped his tray in fright, spilling several cups of alcohol onto the floor.
Crash! Clatter!
The sharp noise and his killing intent silenced the entire tavern.
Regular patrons of such places knew what would happen next. But unless things escalated, ninja typically wouldn't attack civilians, so they merely looked at the four by the window with pity.
Just bad luck.
Rather than pure anger, the scar-faced ninja's reaction was more like panic turning into rage.
"… "
Arata, who had kept his head lowered and avoided eye contact the entire time, tilted his head slightly to glance at the "dead fish-eyed" senior beside him, Kakashi.
Understanding the meaning behind that glance, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.
He hadn't expected that he, the senior, would be the one to slip up.
But now wasn't the time to dwell on mistakes.
Because the scar-faced Rain ninja was already striding toward them aggressively.