Kin clicked his tongue as he looked at the unconscious Rain ninja.
Thanks to the enhancements from the Heavenly Demon Art, his Conqueror's Haki was far stronger than usual. Yet, some of these clearly weaker ninja had actually resisted his spiritual pressure.
Their willpower was impressive.
If given the right opportunities, people like this could become formidable—no weaker than many renowned shinobi.
But the monopoly on ninjutsu ensured that even those with potential would fade into obscurity.
Then again, only a nation teetering on the brink of ruin could forge such unyielding resolve.
Only those who endured suffering and despair without breaking could possess such unimaginable will.
"These Rain ninja aren't really worth keeping alive," Hizure remarked.
"So why did you spare them?"
In his eyes, these people lacked even a single Kekkei Genkai. They held no value. To surpass the Sannin, mere ninjutsu wasn't enough.
And these Rain ninja? They couldn't even compare to average Konoha shinobi. At best, they were cannon fodder—unless they traded their lives for something greater.
Against the major villages, the Rain had no chance of resistance.
But the Rain's desperation... Hizure shuddered, recalling how their ninja would strap explosive tags to themselves and charge into crowds.
Surviving that had been a close call.
Still, that was all the Rain was good for.
"Don't just focus on the present. Look further ahead," Kin said, patting Hizure's shoulder.
Some people remained unnoticed not because they were weak, but because they never got an opportunity.
Look at the minor villages across the shinobi world. Aside from the Land of Rain, which had produced a Kage-level fighter like Hanzo?
Even Hanzo was an anomaly.
If Kin gave these people a chance to grow stronger, he was sure many would rise to the occasion.
Hizure remained unconvinced. The turbulent shinobi world wouldn't wait for them to mature.
"While we plan for the future, we can't ignore the present either."
Kin glanced back at Kakuzu and Hyuga Kiyoshi, who followed silently behind him. One cared only for money, the other was too rigid.
He missed the old, ambitious Hyuga Kiyoshi.
These people were no fun at all.
"Let's go. Time to pay Lord Hanzo a visit."
Kin grinned, baring his teeth.
After searching for so long, they'd finally pinpointed his location.
And who would've thought?
Hanzo had been hiding near the old battlefield all along. Even the Bounty Exchange probably had no idea they'd been neighbors for ages.
Hanzo awoke from his slumber.
The dim light of an underground chamber greeted him.
"Lord Hanzo."
A Rain ninja knelt respectfully beside him.
Hanzo exhaled deeply, trying to ease the lingering pain in his body. A distinct fist mark was imprinted on his chest—a parting gift from Tsunade.
That woman might've been the strongest of the Sannin.
At least against Orochimaru, he'd never been this battered. Her single punch had left him reeling for half a year. Though it didn't hinder his combat ability, the damage persisted, gnawing at him.
He still couldn't fathom what Tsunade had done. He could sense her chakra coiled inside him, relentlessly eroding his body.
And removing it wasn't simple. Expelling it all at once would risk his life.
So, he'd been forced to purge it bit by bit.
Absurd.
Since when did ninjutsu inflict lingering damage?
After six grueling months, only the fist mark remained. At least the pain had dulled.
"A terrifying woman."
If he hadn't opted to stall that day, he'd have died by her hands.
Donning his robes, he stepped out of the room.
The Rain ninja shadowed him as he emerged on the second floor. Through the railing, he watched his men moving below.
"How fares the Land of Rain?"
Hanzo's voice was heavy. His recovery had left him no time to tend to his nation.
"Few cities remain intact. Only three marketplaces still function, supporting about a thousand survivors."
"Fifteen other markets exist outside our control, totaling fewer than five thousand people. But their numbers dwindle by the day."
Hanzo closed his eyes, anguish twisting his features.
His country—once a nation—now clung to life with less than ten thousand souls.
The Second Shinobi World War had ravaged others, but none had suffered like the Land of Rain. The Five Great Nations' combined losses paled in comparison.
This was a devastation far beyond what history had ever recorded.
"Why are the numbers still falling?"
Hanzo's voice was a low growl.
With so few left, this decline would erase the Land of Rain entirely.
"Resources in those markets are scarce. They can't sustain the population. Gangs control access, restricting movement."
"We've tried to intervene, but we lack the manpower—unless we strip supplies from our three markets."
The Rain ninja's explanation was grim.
Their controlled markets could enforce order. The others? Lawless.
Human nature was unpredictable.
The darkness bred by chaos was far more horrifying than the stability of peace.
Too many cared only for themselves, heedless of their dying nation.
"Gather everyone. Kill those who resist."
Hanzo's order was a blade of necessity. To reunite the Land of Rain, the rot had to be excised.
His life's dream had been to protect his country.
But now...
He felt a pain deeper than Tsunade's fist.
Heart-wrenching.
Every breath was a struggle. He didn't even know if the Land of Rain could recover.
Before his subordinate could respond—
"Enemy attack!"
A shrill cry pierced the air.
Hanzo watched as bodies flew through the entrance, crashing to the ground.
One figure slammed into the wall beside him, sliding down limply.
Four cloaked figures, their faces hidden by wide-brimmed hats, stepped through the doorway.
The remaining Rain ninja retreated step by step.
The leader removed his hat and tossed it toward Hanzo.
A Rain ninja intercepted it, kunai flashing, slicing the hat in two before it could reach his leader. The halves thudded against the wall.
"Took me forever to find you, Lord Hanzo."
Kin's grin was razor-sharp.
Hanzo stared at him, expressionless.
"Who dares seek death here?"
His voice was ice. With a wave, the Rain ninja withdrew.
If these intruders had come for him—
He'd show them despair.
...
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(End of Chapter)