Night fell, and the rain continued to pour relentlessly, the steady patter severely impairing both visibility and sensory perception.
Under Mokuto Ei's orders, the convoy's carriages clustered together. Soon, rainproof tents were erected.
A kilometer away on the left side of the convoy, five ninjas clad in black raincoats crawled stealthily toward the group.
Their sharp eyes were locked onto the convoy, murderous intent evident on their faces.
"Uninvited guests, is there something you need?"
Suddenly, a voice broke through the sound of rain.
"Who's there?"
"Damn it! We've been discovered!"
"A kid?"
"Kill him!"
The five ninjas immediately spotted Hanekawa standing nearby.
Without hesitation, they sprang to their feet and charged at him.
One threw a kunai while another began forming hand seals.
Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!
Hanekawa stood still, clapped his hands, and spewed a massive water dragon from his mouth.
"What the—?"
"Watch out!"
"How is he this fast?"
Screams echoed as the enhanced Water Style technique, powered by the rain, unleashed devastating force.
But that wasn't all.
More crucially, Hanekawa's B-rank talent, "Kotoamatsukami's Speech" with its 150% hand seal speed boost, left the enemies no time to react.
Two ninjas in the center failed to dodge in time. Hit by the water dragon, they were swept away and hurled violently into the air.
"You bastard! I'll kill you!"
A middle-aged man used the Body Flicker Technique to appear right in front of Hanekawa.
Gripping his blade with both hands, he swung it down.
But the next moment, the man froze, his expression dazed, his movements stilled.
"Facing a genjutsu user, and you still dare open your eyes this wide?" Hanekawa mocked as he drew his Lightning Fire Sword and finished him off.
Blood sprayed out, mingling with the rain and dyeing it crimson.
Body Flicker Technique!
Hanekawa vanished from his spot.
Moments later, six kunai lost their target and embedded themselves into the ground.
"Where is he?"
"Where did he go?"
The two remaining ninjas stood back-to-back, scanning their surroundings with wary, fearful expressions.
In the dark, rainy night, a flash of cold light appeared.
Hanekawa's Thunder Fire Sword pierced through one ninja's chest before thrusting into the other's heart.
Blood gushed out.
The second ninja staggered a few steps forward, only to hear the sound of slicing wind.
Before he could turn around, two kunai struck his back with pinpoint accuracy, the force dragging his body several meters forward.
Hanekawa approached the two ninjas who had been knocked unconscious by the water dragon and ensured they were dead before sheathing his sword.
Confirming that all enemies were eliminated, he turned and left.
This marked the fourth ambush since they had entered the Land of Rain.
"How did it go?" Tsunade asked as Hanekawa returned to the tent.
Inside were Tsunade, Sakumo Hatake, Rin Nohara, and Shizune.
"It's handled," Hanekawa reported. "Just like the previous ambushes, they bore no identifying marks. Most likely, they were rogue ninjas."
"Damn it!" Sarutobi Asuma's voice came from behind him. "How is it you're always one step ahead?"
"You'll never surpass Hanekawa in anything," Kurenai Yuhi teased.
"Lady Tsunade, Sakumo-sensei, all enemies have been eliminated," Shisui Uchiha said formally, adhering to the ninja code with a calm demeanor.
"Good work," Tsunade nodded slightly. "But stay vigilant tonight. Pair up and take turns keeping watch."
"I'll team up with Hanekawa," both Kurenai and Asuma said in unison.
"I…" Shisui started but swallowed his words halfway through.
Rin Nohara, similarly hesitant, said nothing.
"Hanekawa sure is popular," Sakumo Hatake said with a laugh.
"I'll decide the pairs," Tsunade said, rolling her eyes. "Asuma with Shizune, Kurenai with Rin, Sakumo with Shisui. I'll team up with Hanekawa."
"What?" Kurenai blinked in surprise. "Tsunade-sensei, are you going to stand watch too?"
"We may be your teachers, but we're ninja first," Tsunade said seriously. "The Land of Rain is treacherous. With two more people on watch, you'll all get a bit more rest."
"Yes, Sensei," Kurenai sighed, disappointed.
She had hoped to pair up with Hanekawa, but since Tsunade had spoken, she didn't dare argue.
"Hanekawa and I will take the first shift," Tsunade announced, rising and walking toward the tent's entrance.
Hanekawa quickly followed.
The rain shelter built by the convoy was quite large, so the carriages were left outside.
Tsunade didn't hesitate, climbing into one of the carriages and leaving the door open. This way, she could stay dry while keeping an eye on the surroundings.
"Sensei, is there something you wanted to talk to me about?" Hanekawa asked as he sat beside her.
"Why do you ask that?" Tsunade turned her head slightly to meet his gaze.
"Because you usually don't take night watch shifts," Hanekawa replied, blinking.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tsunade's sharp eyes narrowed as she clenched her fist.
"I mean, staying up late affects your skin," Hanekawa quickly adjusted his tone.
"Is that so?" Tsunade's lips curved into a slight smile.
"Sensei, your skin is the best I've ever seen," Hanekawa said earnestly.
"Even better than Kurenai's and Rin's?" Tsunade asked, her expression teasing.
"They're younger and in the prime of their youth."
"They don't compare to you," Hanekawa replied without hesitation.
Tsunade froze for a moment, surprised.
She raised her hand and flicked his forehead. "You sure know how to flatter someone."
"I'm telling the truth, not flattering you," Hanekawa said seriously.
"You little rascal!" Tsunade burst into laughter, her shoulders shaking as she leaned back.
Hanekawa's eyelid twitched. He couldn't help but notice a raindrop sliding down her face, tracing the curve of her fair skin before disappearing into the depths of her neckline.
"Alright, I'll keep watch. You should rest," Tsunade said after her laughter subsided. She patted his head. "You've fought four battles today. You must be exhausted."
"I'm fine," Hanekawa replied after a moment's pause. "Those battles didn't take much effort. Sensei, you should rest instead."
"Enough!" Tsunade glared at him and then patted her thigh. "Sleep!"
"Yes, Sensei," Hanekawa said after hesitating for a few seconds. He lay down on the bench, resting his head on her lap.
His cheek could clearly feel the soft and warm sensation of Tsunade's thigh. It was... quite pleasant.
Closing his eyes, he caught a faint, subtle fragrance. Soon, his breathing became steady.
Tsunade looked out into the rainy night for a while before turning her attention back to Hanekawa.
Even from the side, his face was strikingly refined, almost too perfect.
This kid is unfairly handsome, she thought.
Tsunade reached out and gently stroked his hair.
Amid the persistent sound of rain, she felt an unparalleled sense of peace.
She didn't know how much time had passed before the sound of footsteps reached Hanekawa's ears, stirring him awake.
The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was Tsunade's figure, her clothing stretched to its absolute limit. For a brief moment, he worried about it giving way.
"It's time to switch shifts," Tsunade said, patting his head.
"Got it."
Hanekawa sat up and stretched. "Let's go."
The next pair, Sarutobi Asuma and Shizune, arrived to take their turn.
Tsunade and Hanekawa returned to the rain shelter.
Since the shelter was hastily assembled, it was naturally far from comfortable.
The two of them found a corner and slipped into their sleeping bags.
"Good night, Sensei," Hanekawa said, looking toward Tsunade, who wasn't far away.
"Good night," Tsunade replied, glancing at him briefly before averting her gaze.
She pulled her sleeping bag shut and closed her eyes.
The night passed uneventfully.
Hanekawa woke up naturally the next morning, pulling open his sleeping bag and stretching lazily.
Nearby, Tsunade was still asleep. Because of the sleeping bag, her face was obscured.
Looking around, Hanekawa realized he was the first to wake up, aside from the last pair on night watch, Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Shisui.
His early rising was habitual—he had long since adjusted his internal clock to get up early and prepare breakfast for Tsunade.
"This rain is so annoying," Hanekawa muttered, shaking his head as he listened to the patter outside.
It had been raining nonstop since they entered the Land of Rain. He was reminded of the rainy seasons in his previous life, where weeks of intermittent rain had nearly driven him mad.
In the Land of Rain, it rained all year round. No wonder the country was in such dire straits.
The most immediate problem was food production. In times of war, this issue became even more critical.
Nagato's parents had died because of this scarcity. During the Second Great Ninja War, two Konoha jonin broke into Nagato's home to steal food and ended up killing his parents.
Though the incident was later explained as a misunderstanding—they thought Nagato's parents were Hidden Rain ninja—it highlighted the Land of Rain's food crisis.
At that moment, Tsunade opened her sleeping bag.
She sat up, shaking her head slightly, her golden hair flowing as it caught the light.
"What are you staring at?" she asked with a smile, turning to face Hanekawa.
"Sensei, you're beautiful," Hanekawa said with a straight face.
"Go make breakfast," Tsunade said, suppressing the subtle emotion his comment evoked.
"Yes, Sensei," Hanekawa replied, nodding.
Although Mokuto Ei had invited them to eat together with the convoy, the ninja code and safety precautions made them decline the offer.
"This kid is getting better at talking," Tsunade muttered to herself, watching Hanekawa busy himself.
While she didn't dislike it, she couldn't shake the feeling that his words didn't seem like something a student would say.
The two ninja squads, eight people in total, gathered for breakfast.
"Someone's coming!" Hatake Sakumo suddenly tensed and spoke up.
"There's only one person. It might not be an enemy," Tsunade quickly added.
This calmed Hanekawa and the others somewhat.
"Don't worry, it's someone sent by my buyer," Mokuto Ei explained as he approached them.
"Is something wrong?" Hatake Sakumo asked, his instincts telling him there was more to this.
"The original plan was to meet in the Land of Rain's capital, but the buyer said it's not safe there anymore, so we need to change the location," Mokuto Ei admitted without hesitation. "The person sent by the buyer will guide us."
"Who is your buyer?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Anyone who can afford to buy this many ninja tools in one go shouldn't be part of an ordinary ninja organization."
"Normally, I wouldn't disclose that information," Mokuto Ei hesitated for a moment before answering, "but since the Princess of Konoha is asking, I'll tell you—it's the Akatsuki."
"It's the Akatsuki?"
Hatake Sakumo showed a look of surprise.
Hanekawa felt a jolt in his heart as well.
Only Kurenai and Shisui remained indifferent, as they didn't know much about the Akatsuki.
"The Akatsuki hasn't been designated as an enemy by the Land of Fire or the Village Hidden in the Leaves, so selling ninja tools to them isn't against the rules," Mokuto Ei explained.
"Lately, the Akatsuki and Hidden Rain Village have been at each other's throats, so the rendezvous location might not be entirely safe," Hatake Sakumo said, frowning slightly.
"That's why we're relying on the esteemed ninja of the Leaf Village," Mokuto Ei said with a smile.
"Finish breakfast, and then we move," Tsunade said casually. "We've accepted the mission, so it's our duty to escort you to the designated location."
"Thank you, Princess of the Leaf!" Mokuto Ei breathed a sigh of relief.
After breakfast, the convoy continued on its way.
Hanekawa soon met the Akatsuki ninja sent as a guide. He seemed quite ordinary—just a chunin.
In its early days, the Akatsuki hadn't adopted an elite-focused strategy, instead recruiting a large number of ninja dedicated to changing the Land of Rain.
Because of this, Hanzo of the Salamander eventually deemed them a threat. If left unchecked, they could effectively create a new Hidden Rain Village.
It's worth noting that Shimura Danzo played a role in this situation.
Hanzo hadn't paid much attention to the Akatsuki at first, but after being manipulated by Danzo, he decided to eliminate them.
Hanekawa stroked his chin, thinking about the timeline. By now, Danzo and Hanzo should have already made contact.
When the Third Great Ninja War breaks out, they'll seize the opportunity. Hanzo will propose a collaboration to end the chaos in the ninja world, using it as a ruse to trap the Akatsuki, capture Konan, and force Nagato and Yahiko into submission.
The result will be Yahiko's death, Nagato's transformation, the destruction of Root, and Hanzo's severe injuries before he escapes.
Hanekawa had another thought.
Danzo's dealings with Hanzo were personal initiatives. Perhaps this was an opportunity to have Tsunade undermine him.
It could reduce Danzo's influence while boosting Tsunade's.
As the convoy journeyed on, the heavy rain finally subsided, becoming a light drizzle.
Although the skies didn't clear, the group's spirits lifted significantly.
"We're here!"
The Akatsuki ninja guide shouted loudly.
Before them stood a seemingly ordinary village, devoid of any remarkable features.
The guide whistled, and several figures appeared.
Hanekawa's heart skipped a beat.
At the forefront was a young woman, around 17 or 18 years old. Her face was delicate and striking, framed by long blue-violet hair, with a light blue paper flower adorning the right side of her head.
Even though it was his first time seeing her, her distinctive features made her identity obvious—Konan.
While Yahiko was the Akatsuki's nominal leader, the organization was actually led by a trio: Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan.
As Hanekawa pondered this, Mokuto Ei had already stepped forward to speak with Konan.
Tsunade and Hatake Sakumo didn't join in.
As ninja, their only responsibility was to complete their mission. Anything else was none of their concern.
Tsunade's gaze lingered on Konan, a flicker of recognition passing through her. She couldn't shake the feeling that this girl seemed familiar.
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New entry: This Danzo Is Weird
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