Obito suddenly noticed something keenly.
"What is it?"
Pakkun asked.
"That."
Obito pointed at a certain spot—a strand of hair tied to a blade of grass.
"This is Lin's hair! Look, it's exactly the same color as hers!"
Obito was one hundred percent certain, his face lighting up with joy.
Pakkun: "..."
To be able to identify who it is based on just the color of a hair, this kid… isn't your everyday pervert!
But Pakkun also understood now why he was able to track the route so precisely.
Because within his range of smell, at regular intervals, there were similar scents, forming a complete trail to follow.
"Looks like we're on the right path. Lin definitely stayed here, leaving clues behind on purpose while the enemy wasn't paying attention, waiting for rescue. No wonder she's the one I like."
Obito clenched his fist, hope flaring in his eyes.
"Let's hope that's the case."
Pakkun let out a sigh, feeling as if the sense of a trap was growing thicker. That this kid could be grinning so cluelessly—how blind can you get?
Leaving behind signals even idiots could understand… No matter how you look at it, it's suspicious as hell.
Of course, it was also possible that girl named Lin was really that sharp, deliberately leaving signals for her own people to rescue her.
"Then let's follow the trail. But let me say this up front, I don't have any combat abilities, so the actual rescue is up to you, alright?"
"Of course, I stake the honor of the Uchiha Clan of Konoha on it!"
Obito adjusted his Konoha ninja headband, a confident smile on his face.
"Follow me."
Pakkun took the lead.
"Wait, that's not toward the Land of Earth."
Obito said.
"Who told you we're going to the Land of Earth next? According to the scent trail, we're heading that way. Go another three kilometers in that direction and we'll find the next strand of hair."
Pakkun raised a forepaw, pointing a direction.
Obito was surprised.
"That direction is…"
◎
Rumbling.
The gray sky seemed to split open, a huge abyss from which rain as large as beans poured down, roaring and streaming, cutting crisscrossing trenches into the earth.
The wind carried the muffled sound of thunder.
Streaks of lightning split the darkness, illuminating the world.
With the thunder, the rain seemed to grow even heavier and more violent.
Nearly a thousand Hidden Rain Ninja, under Hanzou's command, started their march.
Facing the torrential downpour that fell like arrows, each person's face wore a different expression.
Fear. Tension. Excitement. Bloodlust.
You could read all of it in their faces.
But not a single one of them shrank back.
Last night, each of them wrote their wills, leaving them to family, lovers, children, friends…
Abandoning everything to head for the battlefield.
They fought for their village—for their country.
In the past, the Land of Rain had no ninja village concept; every ninja in this country was a true Rain citizen.
To resist, to bring peace to their country, they endured bloody strife to establish a ninja village.
They loved this nation, now falling apart, with all their hearts.
Lightning flashed, painting the ground white.
The Hidden Rain Ninja forces proceeded solemnly.
Hanzou stood at the very front of the formation.
Today was the day, as agreed with Konoha, to launch an all-out assault on Hidden Sand.
But his mind was not on the battlefield.
Because he was afraid.
Afraid of death.
Afraid of losing his undefeated demigod legend.
Afraid of losing his supreme authority over Hidden Rain Village.
Afraid he wouldn't be able to protect his family.
Afraid…
In short, there were many reasons for his fear, and many regrets he wanted to make right.
He didn't want to die… didn't want to fight, either.
But now that the decision was made, there was no room for him to run.
Because if he backed down now, his reputation would be ruined forever. That was far more terrifying than death.
He recalled old man Katasuke, whom he'd rescued thirty years ago. Because of that, Katasuke, as village head, had donated all the village's remaining food to him, despite everyone's objections.
Because Hanzou… is the great hero admired by everyone in the Land of Rain.
That faith in heroes had not wavered, even after thirty years.
Hanzou remembered the people who hadn't yet left the Land of Rain—were there others like Katasuke, who couldn't bear to abandon their homeland because of him?
He himself was hazy on these memories, unable to recall every name, but for those he had saved, those memories must have been etched into their souls.
Finally, Hanzou also thought of that red-haired boy called 'Nagato'.
They'd only met once, yet that youth had left a deep impression on him.
All because of those eyes he could not afford to take lightly.
The Rinnegan… the ultimate power wielded by the legendary Six Paths Sage.
Ranked with the Sharingan and Byakugan as the three great pupil techniques.
"Lord Hanzou."
His thoughts were interrupted.
Kanzo's voice spoke beside his ear.
Hanzou looked up, the killing intent from ahead conveyed down with the cold rain.
On the high rocky cliffs ahead, a figure stood in the rain.
Chiyo, the Hidden Sand advisor.
The greatest Puppet Master of Hidden Sand, who had assisted two generations of Kazekage.
The moment their eyes met, Hanzou knew: there would be no escaping this fight.
The Land of Rain could retreat no further.
He himself had no way out.
Hanzou gripped his scythe tightly, his heart suddenly becoming calm.
As expected, for an old relic of a past era, he had to set an example for the new generation—a true hero's model.
Tear asunder the false peace built by the great nations!