Once he was certain that Tianyu and Kanzō had walked far enough away, the light faded from Hanzo of the Salamander's eyes. His shoulders slumped, and his imposing figure seemed to shrink in an instant.
Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan all turned toward the shadows behind him.
From within the darkness, Uchiha Jin slowly stepped forward.
"Brother Jin… did something happen?" Yahiko asked.
Hanzo's sudden change just now had been too abrupt—completely unlike him.
Jin's expression was solemn. He shook his head slightly while forming hand seals.
"Someone's contacting me through an emergency channel," he said quietly. "It looks like… it's time for me to leave."
He didn't yet know the full details—but he could guess enough.
"So soon…" Yahiko murmured.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Before they could say more, Jin slammed his palm to the floor. A puff of smoke burst forth—and a ninja cat appeared.
"Meow!"
It was a plump orange tabby wearing a blue vest. Though it couldn't speak human language, its eyes gleamed with unmistakable intelligence.
"Meow!"
The fat cat pulled a scroll from inside its vest—but instead of handing it over, it extended its other chubby paw expectantly.
Jin sighed.
He took out several banknotes and placed them on the paw.
The ninja cat clan was unique among summoning beasts. They traded intelligence, sold ninja tools, delivered messages—essentially a full-service business empire in fur.
Even though they had good relations with the Uchiha clan, business was business.
No discounts.
"Meow!"
After carefully counting the money and nodding in satisfaction, the cat finally handed over the scroll.
Jin opened it immediately and read.
By the time he finished, his expression had grown more serious.
"What is it?" Yahiko asked again.
Jin grabbed a blank scroll from Hanzo's desk and began writing while speaking.
"It's nothing critical. Konoha is rotating troops from the Mist front back to the village. The Uchiha are in the first batch returning."
He paused.
"I left the front lines without authorization. While they could cover for me out there, once we enter the village, identity verification will be strict to prevent enemy infiltration."
"I need to meet up with them before they reach Konoha."
Before he finished, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were already visibly tense.
Over the past days, Jin had taught them so much—ideas, strategies, visions for the future of the Land of Rain.
And now he was leaving.
Were they really ready?
Jin noticed.
He smiled gently.
"Don't look so nervous. I only gave you theories. I'm not necessarily right. Practice is the only true measure of truth."
"Just go forward boldly."
"Mistakes are fine. Mistakes bring you closer to the right path."
"As long as you never lose your original intention."
Their shoulders relaxed slightly.
Jin patted the orange cat, who had begun grooming itself.
"Three more summoning slots."
"Meow?!"
The cat's eyes sparkled instantly. It whipped out another scroll and, without shame, extended its paw again.
Three summoning contracts meant three long-term revenue streams.
Translation: endless dried fish.
Jin paid.
He handed the summoning scroll to Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan.
"Sign a contract with Fat Orange too. From now on, we can contact each other anytime."
"But remember—prepare payment first. His fees are not cheap."
"Meow!" The cat bared its teeth indignantly and produced a detailed price list scroll.
Clear pricing. Fair business. No scams.
If short on cash, dried fish accepted.
Yahiko couldn't help but laugh.
They might lack money in the Land of Rain—but fish? That they had plenty of.
One by one, they signed.
After finalizing his own message scroll and sending it off with payment, Jin dismissed the summoning.
He turned back to the three of them.
"Things are sudden, but overall stability in the Land of Rain is already established."
"For a while, Obito will continue controlling Hanzo and gradually transfer authority to you."
"The Land of Rain is small—but that's an advantage. Hanzo is both national leader and village head. No nobles. Fewer chains."
"But borrowed power is always unstable."
"Your priority is to secure your footing inside Amegakure. Only then can you act freely."
"The grand development plans can move slowly."
He paused.
"In Konoha, the Third Hokage will soon step down. The Fourth will almost certainly be your senior brother Minato."
"When Minato and I fully stabilize Konoha…"
"…things will become much easier."
"With your relationship, we'll be able to openly support each other."
Yahiko nodded firmly.
"Thank you, Brother Jin. We won't fail you."
Jin shook his head.
"I'm not just helping you. I'm helping myself."
"In my eyes, the Land of Rain and Konoha are no different."
"Don't forget our goal."
Nagato's eyes shone as he answered instinctively:
"Great unity under heaven. One family."
Jin smiled.
"Exactly."
"As long as we persist…"
"…a world of true unity will come."
He looked at them one last time.
"The Land of Rain… is in your hands now."
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