In The Village Hidden by Rain, there's this peculiar zone, stretching from the towering village spire all the way to its border, cordoned off from prying eyes and forbidden to approach.
Nobody knew the purpose of this expansive area. It was widely believed that Nagato and Konan deemed any attempt to encroach upon or inquire about it as the gravest of offenses.
Even discussing rebellion within The Village Hidden by Rain was somehow more forgivable than attempting to infiltrate this restricted zone. If caught trying to sneak in, it meant certain death, no questions asked.
The Village Hidden by Rain wasn't your run-of-the-mill village. Over the years, it had prospered, largely due to the benevolence of Konan, whom they regarded almost angelically, alongside a mysterious deity.
Their gratitude led them to strict obedience. Not only did they refrain from prying into or approaching the forbidden zone themselves, but they also kept a vigilant eye on any outsiders who happened to wander by.
Yet, on this particular day, someone emerged from the enigmatic confines of that forbidden area.
This individual cut a striking figure, tall and erect, with a hat shielding them from The Village Hidden by Rain's perpetual downpour. When they lifted their head, it revealed a white mask concealing their features.
Though the mask resembled polished jade, it was, in fact, crafted from wood. Despite its appearance, its defensive capabilities likely surpassed that of the precious stone.
This person was none other than Uzumaki Naruto, finally emerging after four years of relentless training within the secluded confines.
Unaware of the stringent security surrounding the area, Naruto found himself alone, with no one in sight.
Thankfully, starvation wasn't a concern within those bounds. Twice daily, either Konan or one of Pain's Six Paths would deliver sustenance, ensuring Naruto lacked neither food nor clothing.
While Naruto insisted he had no need for new attire, Konan persisted in providing him with fresh garments whenever she noticed his growth, even accommodating seasonal changes.
Naruto now sported a snug white suit, a departure from his usual athletic wear, tailored by Konan after discarding the idea of lavish kimonos, much to Naruto's discomfort.
Uzumaki Naruto found himself a bit perplexed. He couldn't quite figure out if Konan considered him like a brother or more like a son.
And then, there's the whole ninja thing. Why on earth would he strut around in such a flashy outfit, practically begging for trouble? If you didn't know any better, you'd mistake him for a runway model.
Adding to the mystery, Naruto was now sporting not one but two hefty swords strapped to his waist. When did he become a master swordsman, let alone a wielder of dual blades?
From the get-go, Naruto found it odd. Most of the samurai he crossed paths with favored single-handed swords, leaving him scratching his head. I mean, why waste that other hand? Just for half a handshake?
But Naruto eventually caught on. Turns out, some swordsmanship styles call for sudden switches, leveraging both hands for added strength and speed, all in pursuit of that one-strike victory.
Guess everyone's got their own fighting flair.
At this moment, Naruto had made his way from the outskirts to the tower. This was the usual haunt of Nagato and Konan, a restricted zone within the The Village Hidden by Rain.
Secrets were hardly a thing for Naruto. He stood there, gazing upward, then simply tapped his foot.
"Watch closely."
In what seemed like a blink of an eye, Naruto vanished into thin air, reappearing in the highest room tens of meters above ground. No fancy jutsu, just a casual leap that defied logic, reaching dizzying heights.
Even with the gravitational magnetic field cranked up to 500 times its normal strength, Naruto seemed unfazed.
As Naruto burst into the room, there were only two people inside, undoubtedly Konan and Nagato, deep in conversation.
"Naruto? Why'd you come out?" Konan asked, pleasantly surprised. She had been wondering what happened to Naruto's training, but seeing him brought her both surprise and joy.
They had known each other for four years now, with Naruto residing in the The Village Hidden by Rain during that time. Through daily interactions, they had grown close, almost like family.
Naruto had jokingly complained before, unsure whether Konan saw him as a younger brother or a son. But seeing how well-prepared everything was, from his clothes to his belongings, he felt a sense of belonging.
Naruto smiled at Konan and Nagato before removing his mask and explaining, "I hit a roadblock in my training, but I also feel like I've reached a milestone. So, I wanted to continue practicing and seizing opportunities."
"Congratulations," Nagato and Konan chimed in, smiling warmly.
Accepting their congratulations, Naruto then asked, "So, what's got you two looking so serious?"
Glancing at each other, Nagato and Konan shared their concern. "Konoha Village sent someone today, saying the Chunin exams between the allied nations are coming up. They hope we'll send participants."
"While we're allies with Konoha, we have our own plans to consider," Konan added. "We're debating whether to decline."
Naruto, now twelve years old, remembered in the original plot how he graduated from the ninja school at twelve and then embarked on the Chunin exams after missions in the Land of Waves.
Grinning mischievously, Naruto suggested, "Why not join in? I'm a shinobi from the The Village Hidden by Rain, a Genin. This could be my chance to become a Chunin."
He has plans for the upcoming exams, which he is sure that Konoha will love.
.....
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