The convoy, laden with heavy goods, was slow and clumsy, unable to move with the speed of shinobi.
It took a full ten days of travel after departing from Konoha to reach the border.
Minato and Kakashi had already repelled two waves of ordinary mountain bandits by the time they escorted the merchant caravan to the frontier.
Once they crossed the border, the road quickly became wider and smoother.
It was like a docile, pale ribbon sprawling across the open fields.
Even with the continuous drizzle, the road surface was not muddy or difficult to traverse.
The carriages moved steadily, and the caravan's pace was even faster than it had been in the Land of Fire.
"Quite impressive," Minato observed, glancing down.
He noticed that a layer of fine gravel had been specifically laid over the flat, solid earth to improve drainage and prevent mud.
Under extremely limited conditions, the Akatsuki had indeed done everything possible.
As the merchant caravan delved deeper into the Land of Rain, the number of roadside shops, inns, and taverns grew.
Enthusiastic shopkeepers eager to attract business were a frequent sight.
If a passerby showed even the slightest intention of stopping, the locals would come forward with beaming smiles.
It made everyone feel that this perennially rainy country was becoming increasingly vibrant.
The Land of Rain is not large, and after just one more day, the merchant caravan arrived at the handover point.
Minato handed the documents to the opposing shinobi.
Upon receiving them back, he saw the Akatsuki insignia on the seal left by the other party.
"Forgive my impertinence, but are you with the Akatsuki? The organization that built this trade route?"
"Yes," the black-haired, short-haired shinobi replied with a smile.
"My name is Kasa, and we will be responsible for the second half of the escort mission."
Minato looked back at the smooth road stretching into the distance.
"This is truly an incredible undertaking."
Kasa felt a slight sense of nostalgia.
Although many days had passed, the memories of exhaustion and immense inner fulfillment remained vivid in his mind.
While the merchant caravan took a brief moment to rest, allowing for conversation, he began to explain to Minato how the road was built.
As a mid-to-high-level member of the Akatsuki, Kasa was intimately familiar with the details.
"Actually, the Akatsuki was in a very difficult situation back then and could barely offer any payment."
"However, our leader still mobilized many shinobi and civilians, and everyone worked together to complete it in a very short time."
"Since its completion, everyone traveling to and from the Land of Rain says it's very convenient."
"Large numbers of merchants and travelers pass through now, and everyone's lives have improved."
"Even the number of wanderers has been cut in half."
"The leader mentioned in a casual chat that this wasn't his idea; a friend proposed it..."
"What was his name again?"
Scratching his hair, Kasa frowned, struggling to recall.
Suddenly, a light bulb went off, and he tapped his right fist against his left palm.
"It was probably Naraku."
Kakashi, who was keeping watch nearby, suddenly looked up.
Although he wasn't looking directly at them, Minato knew he was listening.
Throughout the journey, whenever Naraku-related people or events came up, Kakashi reacted this way.
It gave Minato a strange and awkward feeling.
It was as if staying away from Naraku was a task deeply ingrained in the boy's mind—one he had to complete no matter what.
Yet, outside of that task, in the deepest part of his heart untouched by any "curse," his soul would always gravitate toward Uchiha Naraku.
Uncontrolled and unstoppable.
Minato tentatively asked, "Have you met this person named Naraku?"
"Unfortunately, only the leader and two other higher-ups have met him."
Kasa noticed that the merchant caravan had finished forming up and was preparing to depart.
He bid farewell to the two Konoha shinobi with a lingering sense of unfulfillment.
"We must go."
"I wish you a smooth journey," Minato responded kindly.
"Completely identical names, similar mission times. It can't all be a coincidence, can it?"
"So, did Naraku meet the Akatsuki leader during that mission to bring back Kana?"
Minato and Kakashi thought to themselves.
When their gazes fell upon the road again, their perspective had subtly shifted.
In the road they had traveled, they saw the phantom of countless shinobi and civilians working together.
And behind those people, they saw that familiar young man smiling at them.
It felt very strange.
A young shinobi from Konoha was actually able to leave such a significant mark within the Land of Rain, thousands of miles away.
The merchant caravan left with the Akatsuki shinobi, heading toward the distant Land of Wind.
They gradually became tiny black specks in the vast landscape.
Minato watched their receding figures until the very last person disappeared from sight.
He turned around and spoke softly.
"It's time for us to return."
While Minato and Kakashi were traveling to and from the Land of Rain, Konoha remained calm and peaceful on the surface.
Since moving in with Uchiha Mikoto, Naraku had lived a very disciplined life.
Every morning, he would leave on time for the hospital to care for Sakumo.
He accompanied him, talked to him, and used Medical Ninjutsu to maintain his physical condition.
After returning home, he would diligently read his books.
He practiced the Mystical Palm Technique and the Healing Seal, making noticeable progress each time.
In the evening, Mikoto would often pull him out for a walk.
They would pick up sweets that most Uchiha loved to eat, returning home at sunset for an extra meal.
The only minor trouble was that during their evening walks, the streets were full of clan members.
The combination of the gentle wife of the Clan Head and the reclusive genius youth always attracted attention.
This was especially true for Naraku.
Most ordinary clan members didn't know much about him.
They only knew he was a genius acknowledged by the Clan Head, who had promised the clan would fully support his growth.
Thus, many curious glances always fell upon him.
It wasn't that the clan members were to blame; it was simply that Naraku had very little contact with the Uchiha as a whole.
In his early years, Uchiha Shinji's residence was remote and he was introverted, only barely knowing a few neighbors.
Later, when he became Sakumo's disciple, Naraku hardly ever returned to the compound.
He was only occasionally called for private meetings by Fugaku.
By the time he began to stand out by awakening his two-tomoe Sharingan, the failed Land of Rain mission and the Sakumo incident had already followed.
In short, the clan members had never been able to spend extended time with him.
They were completely unaware of his true personality or what he had experienced in the past.
They didn't know why he possessed such extraordinary talent yet became the disciple of an outsider.
Now, their own genius shinobi had returned to the compound, temporarily residing in the Clan Head's home.
It finally provided an opportunity for the clan to get to know him properly.