Crossing most of the Land of Rain, the Fox Squad finally reached the northern bank of the Yoshimizu River.
The Yoshimizu began from a great lake in the northwest, gathering tributaries as it flowed along the southern side of the basin, before bending eastward into the Land of Rivers.
From here, Yako could see the sudden rise of the grand Yoshigane Mountains in the distance, their vast ridges towering like walls.
That mountain range split the Land of Rain from the Land of Wind.
The river itself stretched more than a hundred meters across, a broad and surging current.
Yako sheltered beneath a large tree, unfurled his map, and studied the terrain.
The Yoshimizu River wasn't of much strategic value. A hundred meters of water could serve as a defensive line if Water Release users were stationed here. But most Sand shinobi relied on Wind Release. Even if they took the river, they could never hold it.
His eyes traced the map until he found the largest nearby settlement—Teigu Town.
"Let's go. We'll check Teigu first, see if anyone there has spotted Sand shinobi."
Approaching the town, Yako ordered the others to remain hidden outside. He and Purple Cat donned the guise of travelers before stepping inside.
She slipped off her mask, her frame draped in a long rain cloak. Beneath the hood, her smooth chin peeked out, delicate and pale.
Together, they walked the near-empty streets. Rain kept most townsfolk indoors.
After a short while, they sat on a bench, resting while observing their surroundings.
From the rain, a small figure approached—a girl, no older than eight or nine, carrying a basket.
"Big brother, is this lady your girlfriend? Do you want to buy her a blue flower? They only grow along the Yoshimizu embankment—rare and beautiful!"
Purple Cat lifted her hood slightly, her eyes lighting up as she saw the tiny blossoms.
Yako noticed her interest and said, "I'll buy all your flowers for my girlfriend."
He paid her, and the girl beamed with joy. Purple Cat looked even happier.
Casually, Yako asked, "What's your name, little one? Have you seen anyone unusual around here lately?"
"My name's Lan. The most unusual people are you two."
"Alright… but besides us, anyone else?" Yako pressed. "We lost our friends in the storm. We're desperate to find them."
Lan thought for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, I'll take you to them!"
First, she led them to an umbrella shop.
"The uncle who owns this place is special—he always fixes old umbrellas and gives them to us orphans."
Seeing the look in her eyes, Yako had no choice but to buy two umbrellas.
Next came the bakery.
"The baker lady is special too—she always gives us bread that's nearly expired, but still good to eat."
Again, that expectant gaze. Yako bought two loaves.
And so it went—shoes, gloves, dried fish. Even paper and ink, since the stationery shopkeeper taught the orphans how to write.
It was clear this town cared well for its orphans.
"Alright, Lan, no more. My hands are full."
Burdened with packages, Yako firmly refused her next plea.
"Please, big brother, just one more person. The man who patrols the riverbank—he always takes us to do little chores and pays us a few coins."
"The man on the riverbank?"
Something clicked in Yako's mind. The only thing worth note in this town was the embankment to the north.
"Fine. Let's meet this last 'special' person."
Leaving the town, Purple Cat gestured discreetly toward the distant squad members, signaling them to stay put.
They followed Lan down to the riverbank.
The patrolman descended the slope and spotted them. Two strangers loaded with bundles, led by a little girl.
"Forgive me," the man said at once."Lan is always like this. Because we take care of her and the orphans, she insists on sending travelers to our shops. Did she trouble you? I can reimburse you."
Lan's lip trembled, about to cry.
Purple Cat hurriedly said, "No, no. The bread she recommended was delicious—I already finished it all on the way."
Yako stepped forward."Uncle, we're travelers from the Land of Grass. We don't know much about this place. Can the Yoshimizu really be held back by this embankment? Isn't it dangerous?"
The patrolman explained:"A hundred years ago, the Yoshimizu changed course. That left a breach here, and the daimyo ordered an embankment built to block it.
Teigu's people are descended from those conscripted to build it.
Luckily, this place is poor, so few shinobi come. If the embankment were ever destroyed, Teigu and more than a dozen villages behind it would be drowned."
Yako looked at the embankment, then at the looming Yoshigane Mountains.
Could the Sand be plotting something with this river?
That night, he and Purple Cat lodged at an inn.
Drying her hair, she hesitated. "Captain… our squad is standing outside in the rain, while we stay warm inside. Isn't that wrong?"
"What's wrong with it? Just tell them we booked two rooms. No one needs to know it's one."
Switching White Ram from a Hyūga to an Aburame had freed Yako—given him more space to maneuver.
Purple Cat blushed. "But stressing it like that… won't it make them think worse?"
He swept her up in his arms, carrying her toward the bed.
Her towel slipped, revealing long, pale legs.
"Let them think what they want tomorrow. Tonight, your only mission is to stay quiet. We're ANBU. We never reveal ourselves. Isn't that so?"
"I won't make a sound. Never!"
And so, through the night, she bit down, face flushed crimson, stifling every sound—because she was ANBU, and ANBU never break cover.
Days passed. Their search turned up nothing.
Instead, Lan began bringing three or four other orphans, trailing Yako and Purple Cat, eating bread or rice balls every day—growing plumper by the meal.
Even when Yako split the squad into three to scout nearby villages, they still found nothing.
He began to suspect—had Hanzō merely sent ANBU chasing shadows, while he struck Konoha's front lines with full force?
Another night came. Full moon—but hidden behind a ceiling of dark clouds.
Yako stood by the window. Purple Cat, shy, asked:"Captain… don't stand too close to the window... What if someone sees us?"
"As your squad leader, I have to criticize you now. We're here to gather intel, not to enjoy inns. Of course we'll watch from the window. What if something vital happens while we're asleep?"
She let her towel slip again, eyes smoldering as she joined him by the window, pressing herself to the side.
The next morning.
Yako stood staring out at the Yoshigane Mountains. Beyond them lay deserts and wastelands, a world apart from the rain at his feet.
Suddenly, Lan came running through the street, crying that the river patrolman had been captured by shinobi!
Mask snapping into place, Yako barked, "Purple Cat—move!"
The two vaulted from the window, landing on the tallest rooftop.
Outside town, Sand shinobi clashed with a dozen local samurai.
It was a massacre—the samurai had no chance.
And more Sand shinobi were appearing from the distance.
Where had they all come from?