"Close the window, otherwise you'll freeze."
A lazy female voice sounded from behind, seemingly feeling the cold.
After all, it was only February, and although the snow had stopped, the weather was still cold.
"Ah, sorry."
Hakushi realized his mistake and closed the window.
The room quieted down, the sound of the wind blocked outside, unable to be transmitted inside.
A woman wrapped in a quilt with long black hair looked very young, her face small, her body and appearance akin to a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl, sitting on a bed still carrying a man's scent.
She removed the quilt from her body, exposing a bare physique, her hands covering her chest.
The size, shape, color, and resilient nature could drive many women mad with jealousy, a beautiful and sacred thing.
A faint blush and intoxication appeared on her face, adding limitless charm.
The act of creating life was more delightful than she imagined.
One might say it was to the extent of savoring the marrow.
Knowing it would drive her insanely wild, not like herself, that feeling of being completely possessed by a man wasn't bad.
Rather, it was exactly as she hoped.
She had never escaped this man's grasp from childhood.
Hakushi gazed at Ayane's body with an enamored look.
It was completely different from Ruri's. Ruri appeared cold outwardly but could really let go during life creation, while Ayane was the opposite. Despite her flirtatious speech and actions, she was internally conservative, exhibiting shy and slightly resistant reactions, which sparked a man's desire to conquer her.
"By the way, there's something I need you to do."
"What?"
Ayane, dressing, turned her head slightly.
"You have some collaboration with Hidden Rock, right?"
"That's true."
"I'd like you to cooperate with them again, to eliminate some nuisances."
"If it's against Konoha, I can't guarantee the task will be completed. During the last fight against Konoha, many of my abilities were exposed. They'll be more cautious against me."
Though knowing her intelligence and defeating her are two different things, if intelligence gets leaked and she goes against Konoha again, it won't be as smooth as last time.
During that mission, Konoha also exposed many intelligence and lost many Jonin from the Root.
But compared to Konoha's vast resources, numerous Secret and Forbidden Techniques, if no one supports her during another battle against Konoha, she must be careful.
"I'll have Raidenmaru act with you."
Hakushi said.
"If that's the case, then it won't be an issue. Even if surrounded by thousands of ninjas, as long as Raidenmaru manifests its Complete Form, I'll be able to safely retreat."
She had great confidence in Raidenmaru's Complete Immortal Technique form.
"It was originally created by me as a special clone for this purpose. Its restraining ability, unless facing a Space-Time Transfer Jutsu expert like Minato, even the Five Kage will take substantial time trying to escape Raidenmaru's grasp."
Hakushi nodded in agreement.
Though Raidenmaru's Complete Form had never been used in formal combat, Hakushi was extremely confident in its capabilities.
It matched well with Ayane's Byakugan.
As he spoke, Hakushi approached Ayane from behind, wrapping his arms around her warm body.
"Ah... what are you doing? I just finished dressing!"
"It's okay, you can undress again. Since we won't see each other for a while, I'll make up to you now."
He untied her kimono's belt, placing his fingers on her thigh-high white stockings, feeling their soft texture.
Ayane reacted awkwardly to his teasing.
A truly mischievous man.
She also longed to be on top.
Yet couldn't resist.
◎
Land of Rain.
This was a gray-white land lacking beautiful scenery and color.
It rained every day.
Surrounded by militarily powerful countries: the Land of Fire, Land of Earth, and Land of Wind, it was often drawn into wars among the great powers.
To the great countries, this land was a place they could humiliate at will, and lives on this land were subject to violence and trampling.
Countless lost their parents, their homes, their dignity; people starved and died from hunger.
The rain was continuing in this rather prosperous city in the Land of Rain.
Yet even this city was eroded by colorless torrential rain, turned to a dark hue.
"Stop looking around aimlessly; if you're not buying, get out of here."
The ninja tools shop owner spoke harshly to Yahiko.
His gaze unapologetically revealed disdain and contempt.
To him, Yahiko was just a down-and-out ninja, wearing a worn-out uniform, with a rusty edge on his headband, unable to afford even the cheap ninja headband maintenance fee, clearly not the esteemed customer he wished to serve.
Following Yahiko were Akatsuki Members who frowned one after another due to the shop owner's harsh words.
"What are you glaring at? You are Hidden Rain ninjas, right? Hidden Rain's poverty in this country is well known to everyone. If you want to cause trouble, Hidden Sand Ninja will come and handle you. I'd advise against violence in such places."