After gaining a clear understanding of the state of the Rain Country, Shinki wasted no time in leading his team straight to the Daimyo's residence. Unlike the chaotic outskirts, the Daimyo's palace was the only place in the Rain Country with some semblance of order and security.
Upon arrival, Shinki met with the young and ambitious Daimyo. Unlike most leaders of his status, the Daimyo of the Rain Country was known for his boldness and willingness to invest in the development of the Rain Village. Unfortunately, despite his efforts and the significant resources spent, all had come to naught. The Rain Village was now a remnant of its former self, and chaos reigned across the land.
After exchanging a few words with the Daimyo, Shinki left the palace. His immediate priority was to remain in the Daimyo's vicinity and lead the Anbu teams in cleansing the area of rogue and rebellious ninjas who had infiltrated the Daimyo's domain.
The presence of Shinki and the Anbu swiftly ended the "good days" for the rogue elements. The Anbu were thorough in their work, expelling any rogue or rebel ninja they found. Those wishing to stay in the Daimyo's territory had to provide proof of their identity and demonstrate they were harmless before being allowed to remain.
Anyone whose background couldn't be verified or who had a history of violence was shown no leniency. Within just a few days, the Anbu had stabilized the area, removing most of the unstable elements. The few wandering ninjas with clean records who chose to stay aligned themselves with the Daimyo's recruitment efforts. Shinki had no objections to this; the Anbu's focus was solely on protecting the Daimyo and maintaining order.
Once the Daimyo's residence was secured, Shinki set off to find Jiraiya. The puppets he had dispersed scouted various locations in the Rain Country, marking potential hideouts and suspicious areas for Shinki to investigate personally.
After clearing out several rebel ninja camps, Shinki arrived at a secluded valley surrounded by traps—Jiraiya's handiwork was unmistakable.
"Looks like he really knows how to stay hidden," Shinki muttered, tossing a few stones to trigger the traps.
"Boom!"
The sudden explosion echoed through the valley, catching the attention of Jiraiya and the three young orphans he was caring for. Alerted by the sound, Jiraiya rushed out with Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan trailing behind him.
Jiraiya's tense expression softened when he saw who stood outside the valley.
"Shinki?" He smirked awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "What brings you here?"
"Take a guess!" Shinki stepped over a trap and approached Jiraiya, glancing at the three wide-eyed children behind him. "Not bad, Jiraiya. You've really taken on the role of a caretaker. Maybe you should consider running an orphanage."
Jiraiya's face flushed as he shuffled his feet, embarrassed. "Cut it out! I'm just doing what I can."
Turning to the three children, Jiraiya introduced them with pride. "This is Yahiko—he's the oldest. This one with the red hair is Nagato, of the Uzumaki clan, and the little girl here is Konan. She's a sweetheart and full of energy."
Jiraiya looked at the children reassuringly. "This is my friend, Hyuga Shinki. Don't worry, he's trustworthy."
The trio, still wary but curious, stepped forward and bowed nervously. "Hello."
"Hello," Shinki replied with a kind smile, waving at them.
With introductions done, Jiraiya led Shinki into the valley. "We were just about to have dinner. You're just in time—come taste my cooking."
The valley's wooden house was modest but sturdy, with enough space to comfortably house the four of them. Inside, a long table held a large, roasted fish that exuded a tantalizing aroma. The house was warm and dry, thanks to the fire burning in the stove, a stark contrast to the dampness outside.
"Help yourself!" Jiraiya offered, cutting a piece of the fish and handing it to Shinki.
Shinki took a bite and nodded. "You've come a long way, Jiraiya. This isn't half bad. You really could be a full-time caretaker."
Jiraiya grinned, basking in the praise. "I knew it! My cooking's gotten better."
"Sit down, everyone!" Jiraiya called to his three students, who hesitantly joined them at the table. Shinki, noticing the plain meal, took out a scroll and produced a bounty of fresh fruit.
"Eating just fish can get a bit monotonous," he said, handing out apples and other fruits to everyone.
The children's eyes widened at the sight, and they swallowed audibly. In the Rain Country, staple food was precious enough, but fruit was a rare luxury, more valuable than meat.
"Go on, it's okay," Jiraiya encouraged them.
With tentative smiles, the children reached for the fruit, their small hands trembling with excitement. For once, in this war-torn land, they felt a brief moment of peace and comfort.
Jiraiya's eyes softened as he watched them. Moments like these reminded him why he stayed, even when it was difficult. The future, fragile as it was, depended on them.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 340 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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