Not just food, but also many medicines and high-quality Ninja Tools.
For the Akatsuki, this was undoubtedly a timely assistance.
"Brother Yahiko, how should we distribute them?"
"Take some for ourselves, and distribute the rest to those who can't afford food."
Yahiko was also tempted by these supplies, but compared to them, there were more people who needed these resources to get through the year.
The others did not oppose; they were already used to such tough times. If it were for comfort, they would have left this Country long ago to find stable work in another Country, without any worries about food and clothing.
◎
After parting with the Akatsuki, the five people walked down the mountain along the circular path.
None of them spoke on the way. Although they had anticipated that the members of Akatsuki would, in all likelihood, not join their organization, they still felt a lot of regret.
They also wanted to change this Country, but nothing could be achieved with just passion.
Moreover, merely making this Country peaceful was far from enough.
Peace was just the foundation for development.
The power of the Akatsuki was too fragile.
Hopefully, being hit hard by reality would make them realize this truth.
Helping them to this extent was already going above and beyond.
"They will probably distribute most of the resources to the people of the Land of Rain."
One person broke the silence.
"Ah, temporary charity won't change anything. After surviving this year, what about the next? They haven't realized what truly needs to change in this Country. Instead of patching up the current issues in the Land of Rain, they need to calm down and learn, awaken the numb hearts of the people of the Land of Rain, rather than indulge in temporary charity and pity."
The Insect Man exhaled and passed a ruthless judgment.
"A Country that relies on others' mercy and charity won't become prosperous but will only become weaker and its people even more frail. Their current perspective, their limit, is just here."
As they walked, they exchanged thoughts.
Suddenly, one among them stopped abruptly, extended a fist, and shattered the rock wall beside them. Amidst a scream, a strange humanoid creature, seemingly covered in white paint, was forcibly pulled out from the wall and its throat was tightly gripped.
"You, how could you possibly detect me—"
The white humanoid creature looked in shock at the ninja who had pulled it out from the wall and seized its throat like lightning.
Before it could finish, with a cracking sound, its throat was crushed, and it died.
"What is this?"
"Who knows, this guy has been eavesdropping on us all along… no, eavesdropping on the Akatsuki. Are they an enemy of the Akatsuki?"
The male ninja who dragged the white creature out of the rock wall was also unsure of the identity of this strange humanoid creature.
"It doesn't seem like a normal human, a modified human? It resembles some of the Doctor's modified creatures, but this substantial Life Force remains even in death within the body..."
The Insect Man squatted down, his gaze carried a scrutinizing flavor.
"Let's take it back to show the Doctor, he has always been interested in such modified humanoid creatures."
The Insect Man's suggestion received nods from the other four.
At this moment, the ground ahead started to bulge, revealing a mound like a human head with a pair of dark eyes akin to black holes.
A soft, golden light glowed within the black hole-like eyes.
The sticky mouth and the head were made of mud, emitting a deep, heavy sound from its mouth.
Seeing this more peculiar mud creature, the five did not display fear but knelt on one knee, saluting this creature.
The head that emerged was just a part of a complete creature.
The Insect Man smiled and spoke to the mud entity before them, "Long time no see, Lord Earth General. Does the Doctor have any new instructions?"