Chapter 79: First Meeting with the Akatsuki
In front of a wooden house by a river, just outside a small town in the Land of Rain, Kinoshita Genichi watched Uzumaki Ina spar with his shadow clone and secretly nodded in approval.
After a month, Uzumaki Ina finally looked a bit like a genin. Most importantly, her pale complexion had become rosy, making her look even more beautiful. Her originally timid disposition had also gradually faded, replaced by a more spirited and capable air.
Of course, techniques like the Adamantine Sealing Chains (Kongō Fūsa) and the Mind's Eye of the Kagura (Kagura Shingan) were completely absent. The special constitution could be inherited, but the secret techniques needed to be taught. Uzumaki Ina had been wandering with her father since she was a child before arriving in the Land of Grass and entering the Grass Village. Her father had not taught her any secret techniques, so naturally, she didn't know the Adamantine Sealing Chains or the Mind's Eye of the Kagura. She didn't know any medical ninjutsu either; the Grass Village had not treated her like a person, so they certainly wouldn't have nurtured her.
Over the past month, Genichi had treated Ina like a student at the Ninja Academy, giving her systematic instruction. Of course, this was all done by a shadow clone. Genichi himself was still carrying on with his own training. Only during his leisure time would he use Ina to pass the time. In a proper way.
Bringing his gaze back, Genichi continued his own thoughts.
He still had no inspiration or ideas for a powerful water jutsu. There were not a few ninjutsu he could use as a reference. For example, Kisame's Great Shark Bullet Technique (Daikōdan no Jutsu), the Second Mizukage's Steaming Danger Tyranny (Jōki Bōi), and even the Toads of Mount Myoboku's Water Gun (Mizudeppō).
But people always have ideals. As a self-proclaimed genius of Water Release, how could he not develop a powerful water jutsu that was uniquely his own?
"Water Release, Water Release... I shouldn't actually be fixated on 'water'," Genichi's thoughts diverged. "Water Release nature transformation isn't just ordinary water. There's also oil, certain viscous fluids, and so on..."
"Perhaps I should understand Water Release nature transformation in a broader sense."
"For example, as 'liquid'!"
It was one of the common states of matter. Genichi didn't know if it was feasible, but it was worth a try.
"I'll try it step by step first. Can't be hasty, take it slow." Genichi soothed his inner thoughts.
"Hm?" Genichi suddenly frowned, his train of thought interrupted.
The shadow clone that was instructing Ina also stopped and looked towards the town. Several figures were rapidly approaching.
"Ninja are coming!" the shadow clone said.
Genichi stood up, a little helpless. "The Land of Rain is really unstable." In just one month, this was the third time they had encountered rogue ninja causing trouble. The first time, they had been purely after food. The second time, some ninja had seen Ina training alone and had wanted to abduct her.
Although these ninja wore the forehead protector of the Village Hidden in the Rain, one look and you could tell they weren't real Rain ninja. Ever since the end of the last Great Ninja War, the number of ninja organizations within the borders of the Land of Rain had become as numerous as hair. All of them used the banner of the Land of Rain's ninja and wore the same forehead protector as the Village Hidden in the Rain.
Genichi guessed that many of them were surely ninja from other villages in disguise. Maybe there were even some from Konoha's Root!
Compared to the Land of Fire, the Land of Rain was truly like a hell. The "weeping country" wasn't just because it rained all year round.
As he was thinking, Genichi looked up and saw that a light rain had begun to fall from the gloomy sky.
"You really can't even mention it," Genichi sighed to himself.
Soon, four ninja rushed to their location.
"Take them hostage!" the middle-aged ninja in the lead shouted.
Genichi was speechless. What unprofessional ninja!
The shadow clone had already clapped its hands together. The next moment, the water in the nearby river shot up into the sky, forming a water dragon.
"What?"
"Watch out!"
Cries of alarm rang out one after another. The four ninja were just about to leap and dodge when they found that their bodies could no longer move.
Genjutsu: Temporary Paralysis Technique (Kanashibari no Jutsu)! It was cast by Genichi's real body.
Rumble!
The water dragon plunged down, crushing the four ninja on the spot.
But the matter was not yet over. The ninja who had been chasing these few had also drawn near.
"Huh?" the shadow clone let out a sound of surprise. Under the eaves of the wooden house, Genichi also looked over and couldn't help but narrow his eyes. "What a coincidence!"
The newcomers were very familiar to him. The Akatsuki trio!
Poof!
The shadow clone was dispelled. Genichi walked out from under the eaves and came to Ina's side.
The three people opposite them stopped in front of the corpses, their gazes somewhat wary as they looked at Genichi and Ina.
At this moment, Genichi was also sizing up the three of them. Yahiko in the middle, Konan on the left, and Nagato on the right. Especially Nagato's unique eyes.
"There aren't any White Zetsu watching nearby, are there?" Genichi wondered. His heart was already regretting not having mastered a sensory ninjutsu. Although, a normal sensory ninjutsu was probably useless against a White Zetsu hidden underground.
By the way, if I snatch the Rinnegan now, Madara won't come to kill me, will he?
But...
Genichi suppressed the thought. "If I really try to take the eyes, I might not be able to win!" He knew that in a crisis, Nagato could power up. For example, by unleashing an Almighty Push (Shinra Tensei). Or by summoning the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path (Gedō Mazō).
Or could I take Yahiko and Konan hostage?
...
"The two of you, I'm very sorry to have disturbed you," just as Genichi's thoughts were churning, Yahiko stepped forward and bowed in apology.
After straightening up, Yahiko's gaze fell on Genichi. "The situation has been a bit chaotic recently. It's best not to live alone outside the town."
"Although, with your strength, it is not very dangerous."
Hearing this, Genichi's impression of him improved. He smiled slightly. "We are just traveling through here. We will be leaving soon."
Yahiko's expression suddenly became a little sad. "The Land of Rain is indeed not a very good place to stay."
Genichi smoothly changed the subject. He asked, "I see that you don't seem to be ninja from the Village Hidden in the Rain."
Yahiko immediately composed himself and said in a clear voice, "That's right, sir. We are from the Akatsuki, an organization dedicated to bringing peace to this country."
Genichi nodded slightly. "A very respectable goal. You can take the bodies of those people."
"I hope you can succeed."
A smile appeared on Yahiko's face. "We will definitely succeed and bring hope to this weeping country!"
"Thank you very much for your encouragement and understanding, sir!"
"My name is Yahiko!"
"This is Nagato, and this is Konan."
Konan and Nagato nodded at Genichi and Ina.
Genichi said, "My name is Genichi, and this is Ina."
"If you three have time, why don't you come inside for a chat?"
Konan and Nagato both looked at Yahiko.
Yahiko hesitated for a moment, then nodded and smiled. "Then we'll be imposing!"
And so, the five of them entered the wooden house together.
Genichi invited the three of them to sit at the wooden table, while Uzumaki Ina got busy. She boiled tea and served the fried small fish from the morning, along with some fruit.
Looking at the simply but warmly furnished house, the three of them couldn't help but be reminded of their time with Jiraiya.
"I wonder how Jiraiya-sensei is doing now," Yahiko couldn't help but think.
"Yahiko, you want to bring peace to the Land of Rain, but I'm afraid your strength alone is not enough," Genichi proactively started the conversation.
Yahiko immediately collected his thoughts and nodded. "That's right. Our strength is too weak."
"But we are gathering comrades who share the same ideals."
"We adhere to the philosophy of achieving peace without resorting to military force. Only in this way can we avoid falling into the mire of war and hatred."
Genichi nodded. "That is indeed a very noble idea. But if you don't use military force, how will you convince others?"
Before Yahiko could speak, the silent Nagato said, "Mutual understanding!"
Yahiko nodded. "We believe that people who have suffered from war can understand each other's feelings and will eventually be able to let go of their prejudices and even their hatred."
"We will unite everyone, and then we will gain the recognition of Lord Hanzō. At that time, we can negotiate with the other great nations..."
Yahiko proclaimed his ideals and plans, seeming to be completely unguarded against Genichi and Ina.
Genichi would sometimes raise a question, and sometimes express his agreement.
Before they knew it, more than an hour had passed.
Yahiko and his group stood up to leave. Genichi stood up and saw them out.
Watching the three of them leave with the bodies, Uzumaki Ina, who was standing behind Genichi, couldn't help but ask, "Lord Genichi, do you think they can succeed?"
"Without using military force, without using war and slaughter!"
(End of Chapter)
❃❃❃
⤑ Show your support with Power Stones!
⤑ Unlock a Bonus Chapter every time we hit 400 Power Stones!
❃❃❃
♕ Get early access to 20+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
🔗 https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to open the link!)
💬 Enjoying the story? Drop a review!
Your support really helps the series grow—thank you!