"There's no way. In a small country like this, even if the war has been over for six or seven years, recovery is impossible... In fact, the chaos hasn't diminished at all since the war."
"The 'little girl' oppressed by the larger countries, barely covering herself, struggling to survive on the ground..."
One of them let out a sigh with a bitter smile.
Many years ago, he was also one of this country's people.
To be honest, even though he was once a member of this country, he hated it, detested the system here.
Every day, there are struggles, battles, looting, and death.
"By the way, what was our objective coming here?"
"Akatsuki."
"Ah, that new organization that's become quite famous in the Land of Rain recently. I heard they want to liberate the Land of Rain and achieve true peace."
One of them showed an expression of appreciation.
"They are like a reckless bull, although they are young people with beautiful dreams, they underestimate the cruelty of this Ninja Realm. Still, their determination is commendable, and their dreams are very good. Bringing Akatsuki into our organization is the leader's directive to us."
The leading ninja did not wear a headband, but his sharp eyes had penetrated the layers of rain to see the people they were looking for not far away.
Crossing this dilapidated village that resembled a hell on earth, they walked towards an isolated path surrounded by mountains, heading toward the barren hilltop.
They wore straw raincoats to shield them from the wind and rain, with pale yellow bamboo hats, only their eyes exposed.
"Found them."
"Let's finish the task quickly. The organization is in urgent need of new blood. After Akatsuki, there are others to recruit."
On the mountainside, seven or eight people gathered together, resting inside a cave.
They were the organization called 'Akatsuki.'
Established two years ago within the Land of Rain, the ninjas in the organization were also from the Land of Rain but did not belong to the official Hidden Rain Village.
The members of this organization were mainly young people in their teens.
Within the organization, they freely discussed their beautiful dreams for the future. They wanted to change this weeping country and bring true peace to it.
But ending the various upheavals caused by war within the country is not an easy matter.
Even Hanzou of the Hidden Rain Village didn't have that ability.
Because the opening battlefield of the Second Great Ninja War was set within the Land of Rain, to this day the country's economy has not recovered, instead, it has become more severe than a few years ago.
Moreover, they also had to consider living issues to solve basic food and clothing.
They were determined to change the country, so they had to lead by example, without killing, burning, and looting.
So they could only look for Rain residents who needed help, but due to the poor domestic economy, the rewards from those residents were very little, sometimes only a few steamed buns.
But the people of Akatsuki did not refuse because of that.
They always did the hardest work for the cheapest income.
This country already had too much darkness, so bringing a little warmth and light was good.
"Yahiko, we're at the end of our resources now. When will there be a mission?"
A member of Akatsuki cried pitifully to the leader—a teenage boy named Yahiko.
"You guys, listen up. Ninjas not only have to endure pain but also hunger. What's a little hunger? Look at me, I don't feel hungry at all."
After saying this, the young boy named Yahiko's stomach growled, louder than the others' stomachs.
Yahiko immediately blushed.
The others laughed heartily, and the somewhat grim atmosphere was dispersed quite a bit.
They weren't genuinely unable to hold on; after all, when Akatsuki was first founded, times were much tougher than this.
At least now they have a skill and have made a name for themselves, helping their country more.
One day, the rain would clear, and the sky would brighten.
They all firmly believed that day would come.
This country would be bathed in light.
This belief taught them to be strong and to endure; by then, Akatsuki would surely resound internationally, truly changing this impoverished country.
Let the people here no longer be numb, no longer in pain, no longer shedding tears.
Such trivial hunger...
Immediately, the sound of growling stomachs arose in waves inside the cave.
"Brother Yahiko is right, ninjas have to endure everything; a little hunger is nothing!"
"Oh!"
The others all agreed, getting along harmoniously.
A cute girl with blue hair was folding paper while looking at her companions with pretend smiles, and she also smiled.
A red-haired boy sitting silently in a secluded spot, unnoticed by others, also smiled genuinely.
To change this country and bring true peace was not only their dream but also their born mission.
No matter how poor or difficult this country was, it was their homeland.
They would never abandon this country.
No matter how painful the days, there would be a day of relief.
While they were talking and laughing, footsteps echoed into the cave.
The ninjas of Akatsuki all looked serious, watching the entrance of the cave.
Being able to approach here silently, only now being discovered... No, it was on purpose, revealing the footsteps.
The arriving person's strength was very powerful.