Countless raindrops fell from the thick, accumulated clouds, forming a curtain of rain across the sky. This small nation, wedged between three major countries, had been plagued by continuous rain for years. Even after the great wars ended, its unique geographical conditions kept it mired in conflict.
Ninja remnants roamed unchecked here, engaging in plundering and aimless attacks with no one to stop them. It wasn't until the very early Akatsuki organization emerged that the chaos was somewhat suppressed.
Peace is something that many long for...
Years ago, when Jiraiya took in three children, he could never have imagined that they would grow to this extent.
Fighting for peace, gathering together for peace—this was Akatsuki, an organization that grew from obscurity to the point where even Hanzō of the Salamander could not ignore them. Their relentless pursuit of peace was the result of their united efforts.
In many people's eyes, the so-called peace is just a joke. This includes Hanzō, who saw this organization, born from a joke, grow to a level where it couldn't be ignored.
The rise of Akatsuki made Hanzō worried. With such worries, solutions needed to be found. Thus, Hanzō reached a cooperation agreement with Danzo of Konoha. Hanzō would assist Danzo in his bid for the Hokage position, and Danzo would help him deal with Akatsuki.
Today, under the pretense of a shared pursuit of peace, Hanzō lured Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan to an agreed-upon location for negotiations, while Konoha's ninjas lay in ambush.
Raindrops fell steadily, and a shadow emerged, splashing the raindrops into mist.
Through the holes in his mask, Ye Zi looked up to see the rain falling from the gloomy clouds. He still did not know the mission involved cooperating with the Rain Village's leader.
The group moved through the rain to a rocky mountain area, where the rocks formed irregular basins.
Hanzō climbed to the top of the highest rock, raising his fist. Ninjas spread out from both sides: to the left were Rain ninjas, and to the right were Konoha ninjas.
"Danzo, it's up to you to capture the hostages," Hanzō said, looking at Danzo.
Danzo nodded slightly.
"Hide and wait for the targets to arrive." Seeing Danzo nod, Hanzō issued the order coldly. He then concealed himself, followed by the Rain ninjas.
Rain Country ninjas were skilled in assassination and concealment, particularly in the ever-rainy terrain of their country.
With the Rain ninjas hidden, Danzo looked at Ye Zi and said coldly, "Three targets will arrive here soon. You go and hide, wait for the right moment to capture the woman, and then return here."
Ye Zi nodded silently.
"Go." Danzo said coldly.
Following the order, Ye Zi jumped down the rocky mountain and concealed himself in the ground.
Danzo then issued a similar concealment order to the rest of the Root members, who also hid effectively.
Rain ninjas were adept at concealment, but the Root ninjas, as Anbu, were equally skilled. Even in the barren rocky terrain, they managed to hide well.
Ye Zi lay silently in the earth, waiting for the targets to arrive.
After a while, Ye Zi sensed three presences approaching, two of which felt very familiar. They seemed to be…
His indifferent expression suddenly shifted to one of intense excitement. The chakra he recognized was that of the Rinnegan.
"Is the target him? Then, is it the Rinnegan?" Ye Zi thought, his brow furrowing. He had long coveted the Rinnegan, and if he could obtain it today, it was not something he wanted to miss.
Yahiko and his companions, absorbed in their vision of peace, arrived at the agreed location.
"Are they not here yet?" Yahiko looked around.
Konan said, "There's still a little time before the agreed meeting."
Yahiko nodded slightly and then looked at the silent Nagato. "Nagato, if this negotiation goes well, the first step is to end the war and give this country a chance to rest."
"Mm." Nagato looked up, his long hair shifting to reveal his eyes with concentric circles.
At that moment, a shadow suddenly emerged from the ground near Konan's feet.
"Watch out!"
Yahiko and Nagato immediately sensed the danger and shouted, rushing toward Konan, who was only a few steps away.
Konan, slightly slower to react, frantically drew a kunai, but before she could attack, the shadow appeared suddenly and swiftly locked her hands.
As Yahiko and Nagato closed in, the attacker ignored them, controlled Konan, and swiftly moved to the top of the rocky mountain.
"Konan!" Yahiko and Nagato looked at the captured Konan with regret, not expecting that an important teammate would be so easily taken right before their eyes.
"Who are you?!" Yahiko glared at the white fox mask on the attacker's face, which had strange, irregular lightning patterns etched on it.
Ye Zi tightly controlled Konan and looked down at the two, remaining silent.
"You, it's you!" Konan, though initially shocked by the attack, quickly regained her composure and recognized Ye Zi's identity.
Ye Zi glanced coldly at Konan before turning his gaze away.
Even through the mask, Konan could feel the coldness emanating from it.
"Why capture…?"
Before Konan could finish her sentence, numerous figures suddenly appeared on the rocky mountain, spreading out from around them, totaling nearly a hundred.
Seeing the sudden appearance of so many ninjas, Yahiko, and Nagato's expressions changed, and they felt an ominous premonition.
Hanzō approached Konan, and Ye Zi looked at Danzo, who nodded slightly. Ye Zi then handed over Konan and stepped back into the crowd of Root members.
After securing Konan, Hanzō looked down at Yahiko and Nagato, his expression cold.
"Hanzō!"
Realizing what was happening, Yahiko and Nagato understood everything. They had been deceived, misled by the illusion of peace they had yearned for.
"Damn it." Nagato clenched his fists in anger, struggling to understand why this was happening.
"Why do this? If we cooperate, we can definitely change the situation and give this country a peaceful environment!" Yahiko said, glaring angrily at Hanzō.
Hanzō drew a kunai and pressed it against Konan's neck, causing Yahiko and Nagato's hearts to tighten.
"Peace? It's just a joke. Besides, I have no interest in changing the status quo." Hanzō's voice was calm and slightly cold, like the rain. His eyes were as cold as ice. "The long-haired one, if you don't want this woman to die, then you must kill your companions."
His icy words mixed with the cold rain, slowly reaching the ears of Yahiko, Nagato, and the captured Konan.
The things one yearns for are often beautiful, but some things are just this cruel.
Like a blood-stained paper flower, silently falling into the mud, raindrops falling on it, the blood spreading, and the paper tearing.
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