Chapter 48: Three Years
The Land of Rain. As its name suggests, it rains for seventy percent of the year. The unique climate has shaped a unique landscape. The buildings are mostly built against the sides of cliffs to shelter them from the constant downpour.
The harsh environment has prevented it from ever becoming prosperous. Since the Warring States Period, no great powers or ninja clans have emerged from this land. Until Hanzo of the Salamander.
During the First Great Ninja War, Hanzo made a name for himself. Over the next decade, he became known as the "demigod" of the ninja world, his fame spreading far and wide. But this legendary figure ruled over a pathetically weak village. For years, Hanzo had led the Hidden Rain, navigating the treacherous politics between the great nations, hoping that one day they would be recognized as the sixth great hidden village.
Because of its small population, the village was not very large, just a few dozen buildings clinging to a mountainside. The sound of Hanzo slamming his fist on his desk was barely audible over the wind and rain.
"How dare they! How dare the Hidden Sand!"
The so-called demigod pounded his desk in frustration. Though he had always faced pressure from the lands of Wind, Earth, and Fire, in recent years, the great villages had become increasingly aggressive, especially the Hidden Sand. They had pushed him to his limit. Every time they sent an envoy, the man was arrogant and demanding. Hanzo could have killed him in a single breath, but he had to endure being addressed by his first name and listen to their outrageous demands.
This time, they had gone too far. They had demanded that the Hidden Rain grant the Sand's ninja unconditional and permanent free passage through their country. For a hidden village, this was equivalent to handing over your lifeline to another. It was a national humiliation.
Of course, Hanzo could not agree. But the Sand had made such an absurd demand knowing he would refuse. Even the weakling of a messenger they had sent was likely just a pawn, a pretext for a future conflict. So, Hanzo had to endure. The Hidden Sand surely had another move planned. He had to prepare.
"Has our guest from the Cloud arrived yet?" he asked his deputy.
"He arrived earlier, but we had him hide to avoid running into the Sand's envoy."
"Bring him to me. No, take him to the tea room."
Hanzo of the Salamander was not a man without cunning. He calmed himself in a few breaths, forcing his mind to be clear. In recent years, the ninja world had grown increasingly unstable. The Land of Rain was sitting on a volcano, surrounded by greedy, malicious eyes. The only bright spot in his life was the occasional visit from the Hidden Cloud.
Several figures, cloaked and hooded, were led into the tea room. Hanzo was already waiting.
"Lord Hanzo," the leader of the group said with a bow as he removed his hood, "it has been a long time."
The title "Lord Hanzo" soothed his frayed nerves. Look at the difference, he thought. Look at the people from the Hidden Cloud. The Sand ninja are a bunch of thugs in comparison.
"Darui," Hanzo replied, returning the courtesy. "It has been a long time." He had no desire to offend this envoy from the Cloud.
"The supplies have been delivered. Here are the sealing scroll and the manifest." Darui took two scrolls from his sleeve and handed them to Hanzo.
Hanzo impassively opened the manifest. Seeing the long list of supplies, he felt a sense of relief. He carefully put away the other scroll, which had the character for "seal" written on it. He was familiar with these. They were the Cloud's special, oversized sealing scrolls, capable of holding a massive amount of supplies.
About three years ago, the Hidden Cloud, the only one of the four inland great villages that did not share a border with the Land of Rain, had sent an envoy. With great sincerity and determination, they had offered a secret alliance, or more accurately, their support for him personally. Ninja tools, weapons, explosive tags, various other supplies, and even ninjutsu scrolls were all on offer, at prices so low that Hanzo could have resold them for a huge profit. Most importantly, he could pay with an unlimited number of IOUs.
Their support had never wavered. Through wind and rain, through the threats of the other great villages, through rising prices, he could always count on the Cloud. With their secret backing, the Hidden Rain, now flush with resources and funds, had gradually grown stronger. It was starting to look like a real hidden village. Though still a far cry from the five great villages, they now had a foundation.
Hanzo's initial disbelief had turned to caution, and then to gratitude. When the entire ninja world was against him, only the Cloud had stood by him. Even if it was in secret, their support was invaluable, both for the village and for him personally. It had given him a glimmer of hope, a hope that he could one day lead the Hidden Rain to greater heights.
But the longer their almost unconditional support continued, the more unreal it felt. He almost wished they would make some outrageous demand, just to put his mind at ease. To his disappointment, this time they had asked for nothing. In fact, they had given him even more.
"Lord Hanzo," Darui said, "the Lord of my village asked me to remind you that the situation in the ninja world is growing more unstable. The Hidden Rain is an important ally, but we are a thousand miles apart. If war breaks out, we will be unable to intervene, even if we wish to. Ultimately, the Hidden Rain must be strong enough to stand on its own. In addition to the supplies, I have brought two of my comrades. They are the finest instructors, skilled in ninjutsu, taijutsu, assassination, intelligence analysis, and team combat. If you wish, they can stay for one year to help you train your ninja. Of course, you may also refuse."
Darui gestured to the two figures behind him. They removed their hoods. Neither of them wore a forehead protector. Hanzo guessed they carried nothing that could identify them. The Cloud was always careful about such things.
The "Lord" Darui spoke of was the head of his department, likely a powerful advisor in the Hidden Cloud. Over the years, they had communicated from afar, and Hanzo had benefited greatly from his wisdom. In his heart, he considered this person a kindred spirit. But for security reasons, he still did not know his real name.
"The Lord also said," Darui continued, "that if the Hidden Rain is to rise from the ashes, it must have the ability to cultivate its own talent. Since you have no ninja clans, you must build a Ninja Academy. These two are the very people you need. Lord Hanzo, I hope you will consider it seriously."
Hanzo took a sip of tea, his face unreadable, but inwardly, he marveled at how his old friend always knew exactly what he needed. He had always thought the Hidden Rain was weak because it was poor. But with the Cloud's support, their lack of resources was no longer a problem. Now, their inability to train new talent was the bottleneck. Hanzo was strong, but a great warrior does not necessarily make a great teacher. And he couldn't spend all his time teaching students. So far, he had only been able to personally train one or two of his most talented subordinates. There was no way to bring in new blood. Most importantly, his own expertise was in taijutsu and Water Release. He was not a master of everything, especially non-combat skills like code-breaking.
Hanzo looked at the two ninja instructors, a new fire in his eyes. They might only stay for a year, but if they could leave behind the foundation of a Ninja Academy, then in a few years, the Hidden Rain would have a heritage of its own. As for the matter of trust, he still trusted his old friend. Besides, what trouble could two instructors cause? He would just have to keep an eye on them.
My old friend, he thought, you truly understand me.
"Hanzo is being naive. The Hidden Rain doesn't have much time left."
In the 37th year of the Hidden Cloud (the same as Konoha), his "old friend," Dana, was now ten years old. He was tall for his age, looking more like fourteen or fifteen, with a handsome face that still held a trace of childishness. He was currently on the roof of the Hidden Cloud Ninja Academy, listening to a report from one of his subordinates.
Even as the son of the Raikago, Dana had to attend the Academy, even though he could probably beat his teachers in a fight. (Not that that had ever happened.) But he didn't have time to attend school every day for six years, so he had simply enrolled in the final year. Since it was just a formality to graduate in a year anyway, he had joined Hiroto's class.
Returning to school after so many years was a novel experience, even if the subjects were killing, destruction, and infiltration. And the kids at the school were remarkably precocious, especially the girls.
In just a few months, he had acquired the nickname "The Noble Prince of the Hidden Cloud," and there were duels fought over the right to be his girlfriend almost every week, in places he didn't even know existed. "Duel me! The loser can't go near Dana anymore!" And so on. At this point, the "right" to be his girlfriend had probably changed hands several times.
Skipping class was a necessity. His "advisor" duties had grown heavier over the years, and he often had to listen to reports from the Special Strategy Division on the school roof. This had given rise to the legend of the "Noble Prince's Lonely Rooftop," which was very popular among the female students.
"The Noble Prince of the Hidden Cloud is actually a lonely person. He often skips class to embrace the morning dew, the sunlight, and the evening breeze on the rooftop. If anyone can find him there at the right time, he will open his heart to them."
If you can even get up here, I'll lose, Dana thought. Every time I have a report, there are at least two Jonin guarding the roof, and a barrier jutsu. If a little girl who hasn't even graduated can get up here, I'll call you the strongest.
But that wasn't his most impressive achievement. A week ago, he had just sent his dean and his homeroom teacher to the Land of Rain. That had to be a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment. It was absolutely not a personal vendetta. They were simply the most suitable candidates.
"I hope the dean and my homeroom teacher can adapt to the climate in the Land of Rain," he said with a sigh.
The ninja giving the report wiped a bead of cold sweat from his forehead. The dean and the homeroom teacher must have been rogue ninja in a past life to have ended up with a student like this.
In recent years, the situation in the ninja world had grown increasingly unstable. The imbalance of power between the lands of Wind, Earth, and Fire had led to escalating conflicts, with the Land of Rain as the focal point. It felt like a storm was brewing. The Cloud, on the other hand, was far from the center of the conflict, and had been quietly digesting its recent gains. For now, they could remain on the sidelines.
It had been ten years since his reincarnation, and Dana could no longer remember what role the Cloud had played in the Second Great Ninja War. But in this life, he hoped they could weather the storm, and not be dragged into the conflict, especially not passively. After all, the Third Great Ninja War was right on its heels.
After listening to the report, Dana leaped from the roof. This was why no one could ever catch him up there. He had long since welded the door to the roof shut. He just jumped up and down. Not many of the Academy students could do that.
"School should be out by now. Let's go, Hiroto. Where's Kayo?"
Hiroto's sister, Kayo, was also a student at the Academy, a year below them.
The red-haired boy, who had been waiting for him, was unfazed. "She said she had something to do. She's not coming with us today."
Hiroto was a well-known figure at the Academy, partly because he was Dana's friend, but mostly because he was the top student, consistently ranking first in every subject. (With Dana not participating in any of the exams, of course.)
As the two of them left the school, they were unaware that in the woods behind the Academy, nine-year-old Kayo Uzumaki had just taken a pair of fingerless gloves from her pocket.
"Same rules as always," she said, adjusting her glasses as she faced a group of older girls. "We duel. The loser is not allowed to go near Onii-chan Dana anymore!"
"Shut up! You're not allowed to call Lord Dana 'Onii-chan'!" one of the girls shouted. "If you want a fight, you've got one! Let's go!"