"This rain in the Land of Rain just won't quit, will it?"
"It's cold and damp—it's so uncomfortable."
A group of three men and one woman made their way through the dense forests of the Land of Rain, one of the men constantly grumbling.
The four wore raincoats and forehead protectors bearing the symbol of the Hidden Sand Village, making no attempt to conceal their presence.
Coming from the arid Land of Wind to the perpetually rainy Land of Rain was indeed quite a discomfort.
This time, they were sent by Fourth Kazekage Rasa on an official mission—to establish ties with the Hidden Akatsuki Village.
Ever since the end of the Second Shinobi World War, the Hidden Sand had been recovering and hadn't interfered in the chaotic affairs of the Land of Rain.
However, now that the Land of Rain had finally stabilized, it demanded attention.
Better to gain an ally than make another enemy.
The higher-ups in the Hidden Sand always thought—if only they hadn't fought those battles against Hanzō the Salamander during the war, things wouldn't have gotten this bad now.
"Just think about why it's called the Land of Rain," said the lone kunoichi, adjusting her hat brim as her frown deepened.
"I swear, I never want to set foot in this cursed place again."
All three squad members were full of complaints—why did they get stuck with such a terrible assignment?
"Alright, enough complaining."
"I'll treat you all to drinks and a hot spring soak once we're back."
The captain sighed helplessly; he didn't want to take on this thankless task either.
Even if the alliance negotiation succeeded, it would only be a verbal agreement. If something went wrong later, he might end up taking the fall for it.
Talk about rotten luck—what did they do to deserve this crap assignment?
"Captain's the best!"
"Captain really knows how to treat his men!"
"Captain's the handsomest!"
The three immediately broke into smiles and started showering him with flattery.
As mere chunin, they didn't consider things as deeply as their captain—they were just venting frustration.
"Keep moving forward," the captain said with a bitter smile. He wished he could be as lighthearted and carefree as them.
"Yes."
Their pace gradually quickened as they ventured deeper into the Land of Rain.
Along the way, most villages featured repaired houses and the occasional newly built hut.
Occasional passersby wore smiles too.
All of this showed that after years of chaos, the Land of Rain had finally found peace.
...
"Our teacher was right—someone's actually coming with money."
Nagato's lips curled slightly upward. Through the rain feedback, he sensed four unfamiliar chakra signatures.
This was his latest secret jutsu—the [Rain Tiger Tendril Technique].
By channeling his own chakra into the falling raindrops, each drop became linked to his sensory perception.
Once foreign ninja entered the Land of Rain, none could escape his awareness.
It was vital to watch out for those with malicious intent now that the Land of Rain had just begun to stabilize.
"But then how do you know they're not invaders?" Konan, ever innocent, asked. She couldn't believe anyone would willingly deliver money.
At least she herself would never do such a thing.
"Don't rush. We'll find out soon enough," Yahiko replied, smiling affectionately at Konan, his tone warm with indulgence.
Knock knock knock~
Hardly had Yahiko finished speaking when someone knocked on the door of the temporary Akatsuki Shadow office.
"Come in."
Yahiko still wore the Akatsuki cloak; the official Akatsuki Shadow uniform wasn't ready yet.
"Yahiko-sama, four Sand ninja are coming in a grand procession toward Akatsuki Village."
"Do we need to stop them?"
The right arm forehead protector of this ninja had a cloud engraved upon it—this marked him as a member of Akatsuki.
"No need. Send someone to welcome them."
"Treat them well. Let them feast before bringing them to see me."
Kawaki had already warned Yahiko and the others beforehand; those arriving now under the guise of an alliance were merely here to hand over money.
There's no reason to block the God of Wealth when he arrives.
"Yes, Yahiko-sama."
The Akatsuki ninja received his order and left, carefully closing the lab doors behind him.
"How about that? I was right."
Nagato only allowed himself to act smug in front of them.
"Yeah, yeah. Nagato's the best."
Konan pouted cutely, feigning disinterest.
"If you don't use your brain, donate it."
Kakuzu's offhanded remark immediately sparked conflict.
"Who said anyone has a bad brain?"
"Your brain is the one that's bad! Your whole family has dumb brains!"
Konan's verbal sparring skills were undeniably weak, but she made up for it with sheer fury.
She stood up, hands on hips, like a furious little fury.
"I didn't mention anyone. Whoever feels addressed is just talking to themselves."
Kakuzu couldn't be bothered to look at Konan.
He calmly added another sentence, successfully infuriating Konan further.
"Hahaha~"
"Sorry, sorry. I couldn't help myself."
Nonou burst out laughing—even after seeing this countless times, she still found it hilarious.
"Nonou Onee-san, why are you laughing at me too?"
Konan gave Nonou a wounded look.
"Erm... Erm~"
"I'm not laughing at you. I just remembered something funny."
Nonou tried to suppress her smile as she explained herself.
"I don't believe you! I won't talk to any of you anymore!"
Konan glanced at Nagato and Yahiko again, but neither came to her defense.
Her anger boiled over.
"Alright. Behave yourself later and don't speak recklessly."
"I'll ask for some extra cash and give you a share."
Yahiko shot Kakuzu a pointed look—don't pour oil on the fire.
"Not your problem. I'll end up dealing with it all anyway."
Kakuzu scoffed lightly but finally kept quiet.
"Well then, I'll reluctantly forgive all of you."
Konan's eyes lit up—she wouldn't suffer in vain after all.
"Sand ninjas have the worst tempers, no doubt."
"Too bad they're broke too."
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Nagato's tone carried a note of disdainful pity. He knew the Hidden Sand Village was the poorest among the Five Great Villages.
"You're wrong about that."
A single sentence from Nonou ignited Nagato's curiosity.
She paused before continuing.
"Fourth Kazekage Rasa might not measure up to the Third Kazekage in strength, but when it comes to money-making methods, he's second to none."
"In recent years, they've been striking it rich in the desert and have become incredibly wealthy."
"They just keep quiet about it and haven't spread word around."
Years of espionage gave Nonou access to quite a few secrets.
"So that's how it is."
Nagato suddenly understood. He'd never imagined Magnet Release could be used like this.
"Even a dead camel is taller than a horse."
"Even without that technique, the Sand Hidden Village is still stronger than us."
Yahiko had a point. The Land of Rain really was in ruins now.
Kakuzu simply didn't have the funds for large-scale reconstruction.
"That's true enough," agreed Nagato. After all, they were one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
"You're all talking too much."
"People are here. I'll just take them hostage right away."
Kakuzu, always the violent type, was already thinking about kidnapping for ransom.
Only someone like him would think of something like this.
"You're not exactly bright yourself," Nagato shot back immediately. How could you talk bad about someone else's intelligence?
"I..."
Kakuzu wanted to retort but decided better of it. He wasn't fully healed yet. A wise man doesn't take unnecessary risks.
"If you can't fight them, why provoke them?"
"Long ago said what was right."
Konan agreed absentmindedly before realizing she had basically sided against Nagato's intelligence.
Her previously cheerful expression soured instantly.
"There's no need to take hostages."
"Value aside, provoking the Sand Hidden Village is asking for trouble."
"You leave it to us," Yahiko added, worried Kakuzu would mess things up otherwise.
"Just leave me out of it then," Kakuzu grumbled harshly before walking off.
"What are you acting so smug for?" Konan muttered under her breath at Kakuzu's retreating figure.
This set off a round of laughter from the others.
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