"No, Kazuyama, we came here to take on a mission."
"Why are we going to a hot spring? If you just want to bathe, can't you find a river?"
"If that's not enough, I can use Water Release to help you out?"
Yahiko was still a pure and straightforward kid. Having grown up amidst war, he didn't really understand the idea of enjoying life.
But Kazuyama Gekkō wasn't like that. His head was full of cheerful thoughts—and there was a beautiful girl in their group. If not now, when else would be the perfect time for a trip to the hot springs?
"Come on, we're friends! It's just a bath!"
"My treat! Let's go, let's go!"
Kazuyama grabbed Yahiko and dragged him toward the bathhouse.
The rest of the group exchanged glances but followed along anyway. Amegakure was a place of constant rain, and a good soak in a hot spring was always welcome. It helped ease fatigue and soothe the mind—a perfect way to de-stress.
The only problem had been their previous financial situation... or lack thereof.
"But Yahiko, your team's been taking on missions together. Shouldn't the pay be decent?"
"Why are you all still so broke?"
Inside the bathhouse, Kazuyama paid the fee, all the while sneaking glances at Konan. To keep his real motive hidden, he started pulling Yahiko into conversation about their situation.
Everyone let out a collective sigh at his question.
That caught Kazuyama off guard. One person sighing was normal—but nine people at once? That was a sight.
"Kazuyama, you weren't in Amegakure, so you wouldn't know."
"After the Second Shinobi World War, the village was in a terrible state. The war had drained nearly all of our resources."
"After it ended, Hanzō cut mission rewards across the board to stockpile strategic supplies for the village."
"So now we're only getting half—sometimes even less—of what we used to earn from missions."
Yahiko's face clearly showed his dissatisfaction with the policy, but he had no choice. He and his team still needed to survive. And as ninjas, taking missions was the most stable way to earn money.
Kazuyama, now inside the men's bath area, could no longer see Konan, so he turned his attention back to Yahiko.
He'd already thought about the situation. After all, Amegakure had been the one to launch the Second Shinobi World War, and Hanzō had gone up against three villages at once—Sunagakure, the Land of Iron, and Konohagakure.
"Sigh... you really are a blockhead."
Kazuyama gave Yahiko a look of utter disappointment, leaving the boy stunned.
Why was he being called out like that?
"Why stick with Amegakure? Don't you get it? The moment you step out of the Land of Rain, with your skills, there's no shortage of places to earn a living."
"Look at me. On my travels, whether it's the Land of Birds to the west or the Land of Frost to the north, they're all good places."
"They don't even have formal ninja mission halls, but the daimyōs hire people directly. Saves a ton on commission fees too."
As Yahiko undressed, he answered, "We're Amegakure ninja. Leaving like that would be betraying our country. I can't do it."
"I want to use my own strength to change the Land of Rain and Amegakure."
"No matter how hard it is, I'll stick with it."
Kazuyama was completely speechless. He finally understood why Nagato and Konan had recruited others into the organization in the original timeline.
Sure, strength mattered—but Akatsuki had also been dirt poor. This kind of stubborn thinking? In a place as small as the Land of Rain? No wonder they struggled.
"Alright, you guys go ahead and soak. I'm gonna go buy some shōchū. I'll meet you later."
"Okay, Kazuyama. Thanks a lot."
Yahiko was genuinely thankful that Kazuyama was thinking about them. Even if he couldn't accept his advice, he appreciated the concern from the bottom of his heart.
Kazuyama waved it off casually, then slipped on a bathrobe and walked toward the counter.
Little did they know, the moment he stepped out, he ducked into a corner with a wicked grin on his face.
"Hehehe..."
With no one around, he activated Transparent Release and carefully made his way toward the women's bath.
By now, Konan and Yugito had already changed and entered the bath.
"Yugito, how long have you known your sensei?"
"It's been a while. Why do you ask, Konan?"
Since it was daytime, the women's bath wasn't crowded. Yugito tugged Konan along and claimed a nice spot for themselves. One big, one small, they eased into the warm water.
Kazuyama had also found a good vantage point. Through the thin veil of steam...
Wow. That pale blue figure radiated youthful energy. If only that little one next to her could just help out a little more—like accidentally dropping her towel or something...
At that moment, Kazuyama desperately wished he had the Mind Body Switch Technique. That kind of ninjutsu would be perfect for him.
Or better yet, the Byakugan... now that would be a dream come true.
Tch, no kidding—Konan might still be young, but her figure was already something else.
As expected, her usual outfit totally underplayed her looks. But here in the bathhouse, everything was on full display.
That aloof, icy look on her face just made the whole thing even better.
"It's nothing. I just think it's amazing you managed to become a student of Konoha's Ghost."
"Is he really that strong?"
Admiring strength was only natural, and Konan—having grown up in a war-torn land—was no exception.
Kazuyama wasn't that much older than them, but his power was already well known throughout the ninja world.
Yugito, feeling the warmth of the hot spring, tilted her head and smiled.
"He's only a little strong. When I grow up, I'll totally beat him!"
Watching her throw punches in the air as if she already had Kazuyama in a headlock, Konan couldn't help but laugh. With that movement, Kazuyama felt like he was being blessed by the heavens.
He thought to himself: Good student! Keep it up!
"But honestly, it won't be easy. Even if my sensei's a little unreliable, he's really strong."
"Take his Flying Thunder God Technique—most people don't stand a chance against it. And that's not even counting his other jutsu."
"Plus... whatever, I'll definitely surpass him one day!"
"Right, Matatabi?"
The last line was Yugito talking to Matatabi in her inner world. The Tailed Beast gave her a gentle smile, voice full of encouragement.
"Yes, Yugito will definitely become strong. One day, we'll crush Kazuyama and Chōmei together."
Konan's smile faded slightly. She really liked this little girl. Looking at Yugito was like looking at her younger self.
But she had to admit, Yugito was far luckier—getting to meet someone like Kazuyama Gekkō.