Amegakure, Land of Rain — Hanzo's Office
"Continuous rainfall saturates the soil," Hanzo said, standing before a large topographic map of the Land of Rain.
"The roots suffocate. Crops rot."
"Rain washes nutrients away. Fertility declines."
"Humidity breeds fungi and bacteria. Pests multiply."
"Flooding drowns fields. Erosion destroys the soil structure."
"These are the core reasons our agriculture cannot develop."
Below him, Yahiko, Nagato, Konan, Ame, and Kanzō listened intently.
Hanzo tapped another point on the map.
"Our country lies at the center of the continent. We border the Lands of Fire, Earth, Wind, Bird, Grass, and River."
"By geography alone, we should be a commercial hub."
"But beyond the blockades imposed by the great nations… our own terrain is our enemy."
"Moist air spoils goods. Endless rain and mud delay caravans. Most merchants would rather take the long way around than cross Rain."
He turned.
"So no matter the angle—if we want to change the Land of Rain, we must first change its environment."
Yahiko and Nagato leaned forward eagerly, scribbling notes.
But Ame and Kanzō's expressions grew heavier with each sentence.
Hanzo continued, pointing across the map.
"Here—we plant forests to regulate the local climate."
"Trees absorb water. Reduce flooding. Through transpiration, they balance humidity."
"Here, here, and here—three major reservoirs."
"And canals—divert excess rainwater into controlled systems."
"Infrastructure to manage water. Reduce flood disasters."
He moved his finger again.
"Then roads. Radiating from Amegakure. Connecting all six neighboring nations."
He spoke of arteries, of trade routes, of transformation.
To Yahiko, it sounded like a blueprint for rebirth.
To Ame and Kanzō, it sounded like ruinously expensive fantasy.
When Hanzo finally sat down and took a sip of water, he asked calmly:
"Well? Questions?"
Ame and Kanzō exchanged a glance.
"Hanzo-sama… we do have concerns."
"Speak."
Ame chose his words carefully.
"Our people can barely afford food. If we launch so many large-scale projects at once…"
He didn't finish.
He didn't need to.
Forced labor. Tax pressure. Civil unrest.
Yahiko and the others remained calm. Jin had already explained the solution to them days ago.
Hanzo shook his head faintly.
"I never said we would begin everything at once. Even I know you cannot swallow hot food in one bite."
He paused.
"And when did I say we would conscript civilians?"
Ame and Kanzō blinked.
No civilians?
Then who?
Hanzo looked at them.
"Ame. Kanzō."
"What is a shinobi?"
They hesitated.
The textbook answer was obvious.
A shinobi is a tool.
It was written in doctrine. Repeated endlessly.
But both men knew that wasn't what Hanzo wanted to hear.
Hanzo sighed softly.
"You might say shinobi are tools."
"But to me… a shinobi is simply a person who has mastered special skills."
"A cook masters culinary arts."
"A physician masters healing."
"A musician masters sound."
"A shinobi masters ninjutsu."
He lifted his gaze.
"Remove the skills, and they are just people."
"People who learn abilities to improve their lives."
"Shinobi should be no different."
He paused, letting the words settle.
"But their abilities should not exist solely for war."
Silence filled the room.
Ame and Kanzō looked more confused than ever.
Hanzo picked up the sickle resting beside him.
"This," he said, raising it slightly, "is a weapon I use to kill."
"But in a farmer's hands… it harvests grain."
He set it down gently.
"Do you understand?"
Ame nodded slowly.
"So… you want shinobi to build these projects?"
Hanzo smiled faintly.
"Of course."
"Who better to split mountains? Channel rivers? Move earth and stone?"
"Our village rarely receives outside missions in times of peace."
"Then the village will create its own missions."
"Real missions."
"Ones that improve our land."
"Ones that strengthen our people."
Yahiko's eyes shone.
Nagato's fingers tightened slightly.
Konan's gaze softened.
For the first time, they were imagining a future where shinobi were not merely instruments of death—but architects of renewal.
Hanzo was midway through expanding on labor rotations when his expression subtly changed.
He felt it.
A presence.
He stood.
"That's enough for today. I'm tired."
"Dismissed."
Ame and Kanzō bowed and withdrew without question.
The room quieted.
The rain continued to fall outside.
But somewhere beyond the office walls… something else had just arrived.
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