"The intelligence reveals that Putian Yilang is an elite Chunin from the Intelligence Department of the Rain Village. He excels in water escape and swordsmanship and is known for his cunning and meticulous nature."
"Would such an adversary, knowing he's being pursued, truly let his guard down in a place like a casino?"
Back in his hotel on Tance Street, Fang Yuan closed his eyes, hoping for a restful night. Yet, his mind was racing with thoughts. Compared to the minor ninjas he had dealt with earlier, an elite spy like Putian Yilang, trained by a major ninja village, would undoubtedly be a far more formidable opponent. It was possible that the casino was just a cover and that Yilang had already escaped.
"No, those who can evade Konoha's pursuit often possess a certain pride. It's this very pride that drives them to retaliate."
Fang Yuan pondered over the possibility that the seemingly exposed Hanawan Town might be part of Putian Yilang's plan for revenge against Konoha. For a spy, losing one's identity means losing one's worth. From the perspective of the Rain Village, Yilang was expendable.
"What does one do when there's nowhere left to go? Do they cling to their final ounce of defiance or seek to prove themselves?"
Fang Yuan's eyes snapped open as he gazed at the full moon outside the window, a chilling thought crossing his mind.
"Damn Konoha! I swear I'll bring ruin to that detestable place!"
In a dimly lit basement, Putian Yilang slumped against a cold wall, gasping for breath. His face was etched with fury, his body swathed in bandages, stained red and continuously bleeding. He was in a dire state, having been relentlessly pursued and attacked by a young, masked ANBU agent. His flight from Konoha to Tance Street had been fraught with peril.
Fortunately, he had managed to hold on long enough to meet his contact, Kanon Putian. She was his cousin and the owner of Hanawanichi-cho, an establishment that had been set up to infiltrate Konoha. The Rain Village had grown increasingly impatient due to the Yamanaka clan's surveillance, which had prevented the casino from opening in Konoha.
Now, with Putian Yilang's exposure, everything was in jeopardy—his sister's future, their property, and their very survival. The looming threat of Konoha's watchful eye meant that their time was running out.
As Yilang pondered their grim situation, the iron door to the basement creaked open. A striking woman in a cheongsam, her movements graceful and her scent of rouge pervasive, stepped inside.
"Yilang, we need to leave. Konoha's forces are closing in on us. Tomorrow, I'll hide you in the carriage and split us into three teams. If we can evade detection, we can cross Kikyo Mountain and head north to the River Country border to escape."
Putian Kanon approached her brother, her once-proud demeanor now marred by tears and weariness. She had spent twelve years living in fear since leaving their homeland, longing for the peace she had once known.
The Land of Rain, plagued by endless conflict, had been transformed by the legendary Salamander Hanzo, who had brought stability and hope to their war-torn country. Kanon had believed in Hanzo's vision of a peaceful future, a belief that had sustained her through the years.
"Leave? I won't leave."
Putian Yilang's gaze was steely as he looked at his sister's hopeful eyes. His decision was firm.
"Yilang, Konoha is hunting us down. This is no trivial matter! We're all at risk!"
Kanon's voice grew frantic, her concern evident.
"There's no hope left for us. Whether it's Konoha or the Rain Village, we are abandoned. Returning would only result in Hanzo-sama viewing us with suspicion. We'd face a grim fate."
Yilang's voice was laden with resignation and sorrow. He had once revered Hanzo, but the reality of his situation had shattered his illusions.
"I would gladly give my life for the country I love, but I refuse to die for a baseless conspiracy."
His voice took on a resolute tone. Kanon watched in silence, tears streaming down her face, as Yilang pulled out a letter hidden beneath his bandages. It contained invaluable intelligence—secrets about the Uchiha clan, Konoha's forbidden scrolls, and experimental bases.
Kanon took the bloodstained letter, her hands trembling. Yilang's final wish was clear: she was to pass on the information to their village or escape to the Land of Hot Springs if she chose to abandon Hanzo.
As Yilang made his final preparations, he staggered towards the exit. The flickering candlelight in the basement dimmed, leaving only his voice in the darkness.
"Hatake Sakumo's son is pursuing me. I leaked my location deliberately. He'll be here soon. I'm prepared to risk everything to teach Konoha a painful lesson. This time, I will ensure that country no longer inflicts suffering."
With those words, Yilang set off, his determination burning fiercely even in the face of certain doom.