Breeding House.
The room was filled with a mixture of herbal and floral scents, a faint bitterness hiding within the fragrance of fresh grass.
Shiroishi stood before the workbench, sleeves rolled up, rhythmically pounding a mortar with a wooden mallet.
The table was scattered with herbs and petals freshly gathered from the mountains, their varied colors shimmering in the humid air.
Eevee lay curled on a wooden crate nearby, tail gently swaying, round eyes watching Shiroishi's busy back.
"Eevee, come try this."
Shiroishi poured the ground herbal powder into a bowl, adding steamed Water Spirit Fruit juice, stirring it into a milky medicinal broth.
A subtle bitterness mixed with floral notes permeated the air.
Eevee sniffed, wrinkling its entire face, ears drooping.
"Ee—vee?"
It protested, trying to pretend it hadn't heard.
Shiroishi smiled faintly, bending down to pat its head.
"Don't worry, this is the best medicine for you. If even you won't drink it, how can I give it to Bulbasaur and the others?"
Eevee glanced at him, ears twitching, before reluctantly approaching and carefully extending its tongue for a small lick.
"Vee!"
The bitterness made all its fur stand on end, tiny paws frantically patting its mouth with a pitiful expression.
Shiroishi sighed helplessly, gently stroking its back. "Just endure it, it'll be over soon."
Not just Eevee—Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander were also lined up nearby.
Shiroishi prepared medicinal broth for each of them in turn, the temperature just right, blended with different pollens and fruit juices.
Bulbasaur was the most obedient, extending its vines to pull the bowl closer upon smelling the aroma, carefully tasting it;
Squirtle hesitated briefly but became energetic immediately after drinking;
Only Charmander frowned after drinking, spitting out a small spark as if complaining about the bitterness!
"Alright, all four of you need to get used to this."
Shiroishi smiled, wiping the water stains from the table.
The purple egg behind him seemed to sway slightly, clearly disliking the smell too.
"This broth helps balance your Chakra. When Yahiko returns, I'll have him drink some too."
Hearing Yahiko's name, Konan and Nagato happened to enter from outside.
Nagato spoke up, "Yahiko didn't return today. He went to the Second Common District."
Shiroishi set down the bowl, slightly taken aback.
"The Second Common District? That's quite far."
Konan nodded gently, her voice soft. "He said he wanted to check on the situation there. He heard they're facing food shortages and wanted to bring some improved seeds to distribute."
"Improved seeds?"
Shiroishi himself had been helping farmers in the Third Common District cultivate enhanced grains.
These crops could grow steadily even in the Land of Rain's damp soil, with yields doubled.
Where once there was only desolation from war, the Third Common District had become a relatively peaceful place.
Outside, instead of starving bodies, people could be seen farming, cooking, living.
Yahiko had been requesting large quantities of these crops from Shiroishi lately, clearly hoping to use them to help the people of the Land of Rain.
"...He really can't stay idle."
Nagato remained silent for a moment. "He always says if we don't work to change things, this world truly never will."
Shiroishi sighed softly, his gaze drifting to the rain-washed sky outside the window.
Sunlight filtered through gaps in the clouds, shining golden on the damp earth.
Konan lowered her head with a soft smile, gently stroking Squirtle's shell.
"That's Yahiko for you… always charging ahead."
Shiroishi turned around, tidying the medicine bottles on the table and carefully sealing several packets of medicinal powder.
"Someone's coming."
At that moment, Shiroishi's expression turned serious.
Outside Slum Three, rainwater cascaded down the rocky cliffs, filling the air with a damp, earthy scent.
Over a dozen ninja wearing Amegakure forehead protectors emerged from the mist, cloaked and moving silently across the muddy ground.
The squad was led by a middle-aged ninja, his forehead protector gleaming under the rain, his expression hardened by years of warfare.
Yet when they looked up and took in the scene before them, they froze in unison.
This was a civilian district unlike any they had ever seen.
Crude dwellings had been repaired neatly, and though the streets were narrow, not a trace of filth lingered.
Children chased each other through the rain-soaked mud, their laughter ringing clear; a few elderly women set up stalls selling dried food and cloth.
What was even more astonishing were the orderly crop fields on the outskirts.
Vibrant green rice shoots swayed in the wind, flourishing even under the Land of Rain's perennial overcast skies.
"This place… it's completely different from the others."
A young squad member couldn't help but mutter under his breath.
The captain frowned. Having served under Hanzo for years, he was accustomed to postwar ruins and famine.
In a place like the Land of Rain, finding a settlement so clean and orderly was nothing short of a miracle.
"Stay alert. Do not disturb the residents."
He issued the command in a low voice.
The squad moved through the narrow alleyways, rainwater dripping from the edges of their cloaks.
Along the way, many residents watched them with wary eyes, but none screamed or fled.
Though visibly tense, they continued with their tasks—some weaving straw sandals, others carrying firewood.
A few children peeked out from behind windows, curiously eyeing the sword-bearing ninja.
This calm atmosphere only deepened the captain's surprise.
"Let's go," he murmured, leading his team toward a simple shop.
"Pardon the intrusion."
He lifted the curtain, his tone less stern than usual.
Inside, the shopkeeper—a middle-aged woman—paused briefly at the sight of the Rain ninja,
then offered a cautious, polite smile. "Are you here to purchase supplies, sirs?"
"Yes. We're on a mission from Amegakure and are running low on food and medicine."
The captain set down his water pouch, his tone even.
"Do you have any grain or medicinal herbs for sale?"
The woman listened, then pointed respectfully toward a deeper alley.
"For herbs, you can go to the Breeding House over there. The owner knows how to prepare medicines.
Many villagers have been cured of their illnesses there."
"Breeding House?"
The Rain ninja captain was taken aback.
That name was uncommon in the Land of Rain.
"Thank you." He gave a slight nod and led his squad toward the alley.
Passing through a vine-covered path, they reached the deepest part of the civilian district.
Here, the rain and mist thinned, and a faint floral scent drifted in the air.
At the end stood a wooden house, a wooden sign hanging above its entrance:
Breeding House.
The three characters were carefully carved into the plaque, simple yet radiating warmth and tranquility.
Beneath the eaves hung a small paper lantern, raindrops sliding down its shade and casting soft, golden halos of light.
A few neatly planted medicinal herbs stood by the entrance, dewdrops clinging to their leaves and stems, emitting a faint herbal fragrance.
The captain observed the scene, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"In the Land of Rain, a place like this... is truly rare."
A young team member whispered, "Captain, shall we go in?"
He nodded, lowering his voice. "Mind your manners, no reckless actions. The residents here... seem to trust this shop."
They pushed the door open, the wooden door creaking softly.
Inside, a faint herbal scent filled the air, with rows of shelves neatly arranged with jars and medicinal herbs.
On the polished floor, a sleek-furred Eevee lay behind the counter, dozing with its eyes half-closed.
Hearing the door, it immediately perked up its ears, leaped onto the counter, and eyed the visitors warily with bright, alert eyes.
"...A Ninja Beast?"
A Rain ninja exclaimed in surprise.
Behind the counter, a bespectacled young man slowly looked up.
His expression was calm, his gaze clear, and his voice gentle and polite.
"If you're here for medicinal herbs, please wait a moment. I happen to have a fresh batch of herb packs."
The captain of the Amegakure team exchanged glances with his subordinates.
Years of mission experience sharpened his intuition, and he immediately sensed that this young man was unusual.
That composure, that serene presence—it didn't seem like that of a commoner or an ordinary merchant.
More akin to nobility?
But he didn't press further, merely nodding slightly and signaling his team to lower their guard.
Just then, the curtain outside was gently pushed aside.
Konan entered, carrying neatly wrapped bundles, carefully arranging herbs and supplies on the wooden table.
Her movements were clean and efficient.
In that moment, the entire Breeding House exuded a gentle, orderly atmosphere.
On the wooden table, several packs of herbs, purified water bottles, and a few dull yet razor-sharp ninja tools were neatly laid out.
When the Rain ninja captain's gaze fell upon those tools, his eyes lit up slightly.
He stepped forward, picking up one of the kunai.
The blade was finely polished, its edges gleaming coldly, with a perfectly balanced weight.
Though not forged from special metal, its grip was steady, the center of gravity flawless.
Just from the polishing alone, one could tell the maker's exceptional skill.
"This kunai... is very well made."
The captain murmured in admiration, giving a slight flick of his wrist. A flash of blade light sliced through the air with a soft whistling sound.
"Your village actually has someone capable of such craftsmanship?"
Shiroishi chuckled lightly. "Yes, but it's just for practice."
Naturally, it was Yahiko.
During his usual training in the Metal Hardening Claw Technique, Yahiko often practiced with Charmander.
Whenever his claws were coated with a metallic sheen, he would take the opportunity to sharpen kunai and shuriken by hand.
Shiroishi, adhering to the principle of making the most of resources, displayed them for sale—both to supplement supplies and support passing ninjas.
The Rain ninja captain eyed the weapons, tempted yet hesitant.
He reached for the money pouch at his waist and let out a bitter laugh.
"Ah... I can only take some herbs and dry rations for now."
His tone of resignation didn't sound like an excuse but more like the truth.
Though Amegakure, under Hanzo's leadership, possessed strong military power, frequent wars had strained their supplies.
These frontline ninjas, constantly on the move, often had to budget carefully even for a single pack of dry rations.
Shiroishi watched his slightly embarrassed expression and offered a faint smile.
"
If you're willing, come back in an hour. I can help you sharpen your own ninja tools again."
"Sharpen?"
The team leader froze for a moment, then instinctively looked at his ninja sword.
It was a weapon that had grown dull from prolonged battles, its blade covered with fine nicks.
Shiroishi nodded: "About one or two silver coins or 10,000 ryo in paper currency to sharpen one ninja tool."