As I stepped into Amegakure, known as the land of rain, I whispered to myself, "So, this is the hidden rain village." I pulled my hoodie tighter around me, my mind set on one goal: finding Pain. It seemed like it should be easy, or at least I hoped it would be.
I moved stealthily through the village, careful to avoid the watchful eyes of the guards. The rain poured down heavily, soaking everything around me as I passed by busy shops and people who were simply living their lives.
But there was something different about this place. I couldn't quite figure it out, but there was a strange vibe in the air, a feeling I had never felt before.
The villagers seemed normal enough, working and going about their day just like anyone else. Yet, I could sense a hidden tension. There was an underlying fear that hung over them, as if they all knew about something dangerous lurking just out of sight.
Guards seemed to be everywhere, standing at nearly every corner and keeping a close eye on everything that happened in the village. I was glad I had taken off my Leaf Village headband and managed to blend in. If they had spotted me, I could've handled it, but I wanted to avoid causing any trouble. The air was already filled with tension, and I didn't want to make it worse.
While walking down the village road, I saw an elderly woman struggling to carry some items into her shop. Feeling concerned, I decided to go over and see if she needed help.
"Hello, ma'am! Can I give you a hand with those?" I asked, leaning down a bit so I could look her in the eye.
"Help? Who are you?" she asked, her face showing a mix of confusion and caution.
"Let me give you a hand first, and then I'll explain," I replied, gently taking the heavy items from her grasp and lifting them effortlessly. "Where would you like me to put these?" I asked. She nodded, still a bit suspicious, and directed me to her nearby shop. I followed her inside.
"All set!" I said, placing everything exactly where she wanted. When I looked up, I noticed she still had that puzzled expression on her face, as if trying to figure out my intentions.
"I've some questions, may I ask !?" I said
"You're not from this village, are you?" she inquired, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Maybe not," I responded with a slight grin.
"I don't know why you're here or how you got here, but I'd advise you to leave. If anyone else finds out, you'll be in great danger," she warned, heading towards a room in the back of the store.
"Hey, wait !" I called out to her, but she didn't stop as she entered the backroom without turning around, "I'll remember your advice," I assured her. "Goodbye, and see you soon," I added as I walked out of the shop, thinking to myself, "When I leave this village, I'll make sure you all can live free from fear and pain."
As I stepped back onto the street, I started evaluating the security around me, noting the guards and their positions.
Looking up, I saw a massive tower in front of me. I could feel a powerful presence at the top, along with several strong chakra signatures in between. It seemed like I'd have to face them all to reach my destination.
As I began walking in that direction, I suddenly heard someone calling out to me from behind. "It's not a good idea to go there, if you ask me," a woman's voice said. I turned around and saw a young woman with short, jet-black hair and deep violet eyes that seemed to see right through me. She was wearing a black kimono.
"What do you mean?" I asked, curious about her warning.
"Not everything needs an explanation," she replied, her tone serious. "Trust me, there are dangers in that part of the village that you can't possibly understand. Only a select few are allowed to go there. If you value your life, it's best to stay away." Her eyes held a mix of concern and urgency, as if she had seen too much of what lay ahead.
"I understand," I said, "but I'm going to go anyway. If things get dangerous, I have the strength to face it." As I spoke, she looked at me with a curious expression.
"What?" I asked, noticing her gaze.
"You just reminded me of someone," she said softly
"I see, but I doubt that's possible. There's only one me in the entire universe," I confidently replied. "By the way, what's your name?"
"You're quite full of yourself, just like him," she remarked with a small smile as she started to walk away. "It is Rukia Kuchiki by the way," she added.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki," I introduced myself. "I hope we meet again soon!" I called out as she left. "Rukia Kuchiki... Why does that name sound familiar?" I thought to myself. But I brushed it off, reminding myself to focus on the mission I was here for.
[A. N: Thanks for reading, drop Powerstones that will help a lot and drop reviews if you like the story and add to your library]