The rain poured down in torrents.
The air carried a natural chill, influenced by the perennial rainfall, leading to the rapidly swelling waterways every year in the Land of Rain.
In this drab village, whether ninjas or commoners, anyone who stepped out of their house and walked outside had to wear a raincoat to prevent getting soaked and chilled by the rain.
"Hey, have you noticed, the food being distributed has been decreasing lately?"
In a tavern, several Hidden Rain Ninja whispered about matters of life and death.
For ninjas during wartime, money was important, but even more crucial was food to fill their stomachs.
They would rather exchange their mission rewards for food. This was especially vital for the not-so-wealthy Hidden Rain Village ninjas.
Originally oppressed by the great nation's ninjas, life had become very difficult for them. If the village didn't support them in such times, they would be very unhappy, even if they don't voice it.
Thus, the issue of food was indeed a matter of life and death for the Hidden Rain Ninja.
"You noticed it too? I'm afraid to add too much rice to my porridge now, fearing I might run out soon."
"I remember last year until November or December, the village's food supply was quite sufficient. I recall that was when Hidden Sand's envoys visited. They wouldn't have come to extort resources from the Hidden Rain Village, would they?"
A Hidden Rain Ninja, slightly intoxicated, spoke.
The rest of his companions immediately reacted with shock and shushed him quietly.
"You idiot, are you looking for death?"
His drinking companion angrily whispered to him.
"Ah, sorry, sorry, a slip of tongue..."
The drunken Hidden Rain Ninja quickly sobered up, his face turned pale as he began to apologize.
He cautiously looked around, discovering no one else had noticed, and started to keep quiet.
"Lord Hanzou, during the Second Great Ninja War, single-handedly defeated the great nations' ninja squads. How could he possibly compromise with Hidden Sand?"
"Right, right, Lord Hanzou is our Hidden Rain Village's god; Hidden Sand wouldn't dare act rashly here."
The drunken Hidden Rain Ninja nodded repeatedly.
But in truth, everyone already harbored doubts. They just feared the awe of Leader Hanzou, and were unwilling to believe that their leader, the Ninja Demigod who led their village to shine in the last ninja war, would lower their head to Hidden Sand.
After all, every achievement Hanzou earned for Hidden Rain Village was real, forged in blood and sweat.
Every battle, he led from the front, the countless scars on his body were the ironclad testament of a life of combat.
Only, in recent years his age has caught up, plus the hidden injuries accumulated when he was young caused some decline in physical condition, though his power was still feared by ninjas of the surrounding great nations.
"Don't worry, as long as Lord Hanzou is here, Hidden Sand won't dare make trouble. They'll only extort the Daimyo and those useless nobles."
"If they dare come, Lord Hanzou will defeat Hidden Sand until they're running for their lives. Lord Hanzou is a ninja hailed as a Demigod."
The admiration and awe for Hanzou were genuine and heartfelt among every Hidden Rain Ninja.
The reason this village could retain its sovereignty amidst the chaotic Land of Rain and become the sole safe haven was because Hanzou stood guard here.
As long as Hanzou was here, this place would be the safest in the Land of Rain.
Thanks to Hanzou's protection, even if they suspected some secret deal between Hanzou and Hidden Sand, they still believed Hanzou wasn't a coward.
If their leader Hanzou was a cowardly ninja, the last ninja war wouldn't have made all nations wary, becoming the insurmountable summit for ninjas.
After finishing their drinks at the tavern, the Hidden Rain Ninja left.
The drunken Hidden Rain Ninja came alone to a dark, deserted alley, transformed into a stranger ninja, and disappeared underground.
...
A few days later, numerous rumors emerged within Hidden Rain Village.
The reduction in food distribution from Hidden Rain Village was an observable fact.
Based on the food accumulated prior to and during the early stages of the war, it shouldn't have been consumed so quickly.
But the food they received was becoming less and less day by day.
Moreover, the rumors pointed towards Hanzou, claiming he appeased Hidden Sand by providing them with vital village resources, and Hidden Sand acquired them at a very low price. These included not only food but also medicine and ninja tools.
In the tower, guarded by dozens of elite Hidden Rain Ninja, Hanzou couldn't let such rumors gain a foothold.
Because he knew, if such rumors fully spread in Hidden Rain Village, even if false, they would be perceived as true, leading to his loss of prestige and creating numerous ninjas divorced from his will.
This situation wouldn't benefit his rule over Hidden Rain.
Most importantly, his transaction with Hidden Sand did truly occur.
Although it was very well concealed, only a few close confidants were aware.
Was it someone among the confidants who betrayed him?
Hanzou recalled the names of each confidant, but no matter how he speculated, he couldn't believe a confidant would betray him.
But if the confidants didn't betray him, then who revealed such a concealed message? Who directed the villagers' suspicions this way?