By the time Hyuga Yuto left the Land of Hot Water and traversed the entire Land of Fire, the New Year had already passed.
The air still held the joyful atmosphere of the New Year celebrations as the heavy snow gradually subsided. In the deserted forest, a tranquil and beautiful silence reigned.
A snowy year often heralds a prosperous harvest, and the heavy snow at the end of the year seemed to promise a bountiful future.
Unfortunately, Hyuga Yuto knew better. The Third Great Ninja War was brewing. The accumulated conflicts between nations had become irreconcilable, and a devastating war that would engulf everyone was about to erupt.
The year 48 of the Konoha calendar was a bloody beginning.
This time, he didn't rush his journey. It took him a full five days to cross the Land of Fire.
As he neared the border, several mountain ranges away, Hyuga Yuto felt the air becoming noticeably more humid. When he finally crossed the mountains and entered the Land of Rain, a light drizzle began to fall.
The climate in the Naruto world was unpredictable, and it was impossible to analyze it using meteorological knowledge from his previous life.
Situated in the heart of the continent, the Land of Rain had no high mountains except in the southeast. Logically, it should have been dry, hot, and prone to sandstorms.
However, the Land of Rain was perpetually overcast with rain. The sky was always a heavy leaden gray, damp, and cold. It could be said that the rainy season lasted all year round, making it an unsuitable habitat for humans.
To make matters worse, this unfortunate country was located between the three major powers of Fire, Wind, and Earth. Whenever a conflict erupted, the Land of Rain would become a battleground for the three Hidden Villages, leaving a trail of destruction and rarely allowing children to survive their childhood unscathed.
Amegakure struggled to survive in this precarious situation. Many of its ninjas were skilled in assassination and often worked as hired killers. The leader of Amegakure, Hanzo of the Salamander, had even earned the title of "Demi-God" through his prowess.
But this fighting strength seemed to be of little use in preventing the suffering of the Land of Rain and its people. The Land of Rain and Amegakure continued to suffer.
"The endless rain is the tears of the departed," someone once remarked.
After entering the territory of Amegakure, Hyuga Yuto altered his attire.
He didn't use a transformation jutsu. He simply put on dark goggles to cover his pure white eyes, then removed his forehead protector and tied a dark blue headband to conceal the Caged Bird Curse Seal.
At this time, Amegakure was still under the control of Hanzo of the Salamander. Although it wasn't as closed off as it would be during Pain's reign, it still didn't welcome foreign ninjas. Hiding the identifying marks of Konoha and the Hyuga clan was a wise precaution.
Within half a day, Hyuga Yuto arrived at Amegakure.
Under the leaden gray sky, the rain fell incessantly. Below, towering steel skyscrapers rose like monstrous, jagged pillars, with countless exposed metal pipes resembling roaring mythical serpents. Smoke billowed from chimneys, and electrical cables crisscrossed the air, creating a strangely beautiful, punk-like aesthetic.
"Even in the Naruto world, there's an appreciation for aesthetics," Hyuga Yuto thought as he stepped into Amegakure.
In a village perpetually ravaged by war and where assassination was prevalent, Hyuga Yuto, shrouded in a black robe with his eyes concealed, didn't attract much attention. The few pedestrians on the street wore thick coats, most with grim expressions and hurried steps, lacking the leisurely and relaxed atmosphere of Konoha.
Hyuga Yuto didn't wander aimlessly. He simply found a sheltered corner to stand in, calmly observing the street while regulating his body according to Tsunade's teachings.
He came to Amegakure to kill.
Earning quick money from the bounty exchange was far more efficient than completing village missions. Although there was no support or teammates, and the risks were high, after completing a job, he would be able to build another secret base.
Killing was no stranger to Hyuga Yuto. Despite being only 13 years old, the number of people who had died at his hands was already countless.
But this was the first time Hyuga Yuto had come to Amegakure to kill someone from Amegakure.
Without support or teammates, it meant he had no backup or sufficient intel. He couldn't ascertain the target's real-time location, nor could he learn the number of enemies or their preferred jutsu.
However, Hyuga Yuto knew that as long as he waited patiently, he would soon encounter his target.
His wait didn't last long.
At a certain moment, the sound of raindrops hitting the steel buildings became filled with noise.
Many people were approaching in groups.
"Stop the war! Stop the killing!"
"People need to communicate with each other!"
"Build a bridge of hope towards world peace!"
Hyuga Yuto looked up, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Marching through the rain, chanting slogans, were a group of people.
Most were dressed as civilians, their expressions impassioned, their voices hoarse. But upon closer inspection, one could see several individuals in standard high-collared black trench coats mingling among the civilians, their eyes vigilant, clearly protecting the protesters.
The Hyuga branch member crossed his arms, observing the individuals with interest.
These people all belonged to the Akatsuki!
The slogans chanted by the procession were the words of Yahiko, the current leader of the Akatsuki.
"Change the country, build a bridge of hope towards world peace through communication between people."
This was the principle established by Yahiko in the early days of the Akatsuki's formation.
Although naive, it wasn't laughable.
Young Yahiko's fervent vision was infused in these words. He inspired his companions with his passion and influenced more people through his words and actions.
Although the Akatsuki was initially a mercenary organization, it had already developed a distinct spiritual attribute. Now, in the Land of Rain, the Akatsuki's influence was growing, and people were joining the protest every day.
The name "Akatsuki" gradually appeared on the documents in the conference rooms of various powers.
Similarly, many of its members also appeared on the bounty lists of the exchange!
Hyuga Yuto tilted his head, gazing at the procession. He noticed that the expressions of the Akatsuki ninjas were becoming increasingly tense. Looking closely, he could see their fingertips rubbing against their kunai, ready to strike at any moment.
The branch member raised his head, murmuring "Skillful" to himself. This intersection was quite narrow, with four tall buildings blocking it off, making it an ideal location for an ambush.
Boom!
As expected, at that moment, a sudden change occurred.
Several bursts of fire erupted, the immense shockwaves and flames causing the rain at the intersection to vaporize, pushing the water hundreds of meters away.
More than a dozen figures suddenly appeared, emerging from the water or from the walls. Accompanied by sharp whistling sounds, they charged towards a specific point in the crowd.
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
The target of the attack roared, quickly forming hand seals. Chakra surged forth, forming a solid wall of water to protect himself and the civilians.
"Escort the civilians away, they're after me!"
The target showed no fear, clearly accustomed to such situations. He leaped forward, wielding two gleaming white daggers, and charged towards the attackers.
This person was Hyuga Yuto's target, the current fourth member of the Akatsuki, Takeda Segen!