War is inherently cruel.
As its brutality escalates, all other forms of order gradually crumble, leaving behind only one law: the law of the jungle.
The elderly, the children, the women—those without the means to protect themselves—inevitably become the first to be displaced, falling victim to the darkest facets of human nature.
The Second Shinobi World War was entering its second year. As the primary battlefield, the Land of Rain—led by Hanzo of the Salamander—had been locked in a fierce, back-and-forth struggle with both Konoha and Suna. Hanzo had even achieved the legendary feat of crushing Konoha's trio of the Toad, the Slug, and the Snake, granting them the title of "Sannin" as a mark of respect for their survival.
But despite Hanzo's personal strength, the Land of Rain's collective power was no match for two Great Nations. The country had been reduced to a wasteland. Countless civilians had either been slaughtered or had fled their villages and towns in a panicked exodus, wandering the ruins in a desperate struggle for survival.
Thus, Hatani and Nawaki—disguised as two orphans who had lost everything—blended into the landscape perfectly.
In just one morning of travel, they encountered two other groups of orphans in a similar state. These children, however, were paler and more emaciated. The youngest among them looked no more than seven or eight, scrambling on all fours to keep up with the older children. That child knew all too well that keeping up meant a slim chance of survival; falling behind meant certain death, just like the others who had vanished along the trail.
Seeing such misery for the first time, Nawaki's eyes instantly welled with tears. He moved to help them, but Hatani held him back.
Though it was also Hatani's first time witnessing such horror in person, his adult mind allowed him to harden his heart. He ignored the scene, choosing the safety of their mission over a futile gesture. After all, he and Nawaki were currently like "two mud statues crossing a river"—barely able to save themselves, let alone anyone else. In this land of perpetual rain, survival was hard enough; they had no energy to spare for others.
By noon, having traveled through the night and half the day, the exhausted pair chose another tall Umbrella Tree to rest.
"Are you blaming me for not helping them?"
Hatani finally spoke, breaking the silence that had hung over Nawaki since they had parted ways with the orphans.
"No."
To Hatani's surprise, Nawaki shook his head.
"I know you did it for our safety. If we had helped them, they might have realized we aren't just orphans, but ninja. If they ran into Ame ninja later, they might have reported us just to get a scrap of food or stay alive. I know we'd be in danger."
Nawaki's voice was muffled, his head buried in his knees.
"I... I just... I just feel..."
"Sigh."
Looking at Nawaki—who understood the logic but was still drowning in guilt and pain—Hatani didn't know how to comfort him. He simply reached out and patted the boy's shoulder.
"Someone's coming!"
Hatani was still searching for the right words to console him when the wind brought a new message. His expression sharpened instantly.
Nawaki snapped his head up, a hint of panic flashing across his face.
"Whew."
After focusing on the signals carried by the wind once more, Hatani let out a long breath, his posture visibly relaxing.
"They aren't ninja. Just a group of civilians, likely."
"Should we get down?" Nawaki asked, his worry lingering. "If they spot us, they might guess who we are. It's not exactly easy for a normal kid to climb a smooth Umbrella Tree."
"Too late for that."
Hatani's brow furrowed, a look of deep revulsion crossing his face. He stared toward the southwest, where a group of raggedly dressed but notably well-fed, ruddy-faced adult men had appeared.
"Besides," Hatani added, his voice dropping to a lethal edge, "dead men don't talk."
Nawaki froze, the words sinking in. His eyes widened in shock and disbelief. He clearly understood the implication behind Hatani's statement.
But before he could shout a protest, before he could tell Hatani not to be so reckless or to stop him from slaughtering "innocents," Hatani had already leapt from the tree. He charged like a violent gale toward the men, who were stunned by his sudden appearance.
Dumbfounded by Hatani's explosive speed, Nawaki watched with his mouth agape as Hatani tore through the group like a whirlwind. He didn't even slow down as he exited the cluster of men.
Two seconds later, the men—who had been laughing and talking moments before—collapsed into the mud like trees being sawn down simultaneously.
Snapping out of his shock, Nawaki leapt down as well. He roared in fury, charging toward Hatani. In his mind, Hatani had transformed from a talented ninja and a kind teammate into a cold-blooded monster who would butcher unarmed civilians without blinking just to cover his tracks.
"Namikaze Hatani!"
Nawaki lunged at him like a provoked lion, his speed even faster than usual fueled by righteous rage. He stood before Hatani, glaring with murder in his eyes.
"Shut up! Follow me!"
Before Nawaki could unleash his interrogation, Hatani barked a low command. He gave Nawaki a look cold enough to draw blood, the killing intent still rolling off him, and then bolted in the direction the men had come from.
"Stop right there!"
Flinching momentarily under that terrifying gaze, Nawaki quickly recovered. Fear, embarrassment, and a massive surge of rage warred on his face as he chased after him.
But even at his fastest, he was no match for Hatani, who was literally being carried by the wind. He could only watch as Hatani's silhouette pulled further away. Nawaki gritted his teeth, pushing his muscles to the limit.
He was a step too slow. By the time he caught sight of a small cluster of roughly a dozen makeshift shacks, the air was already filled with blood-curdling screams that made his skin crawl.
"How... how could he?!"
Looking at the humble dwellings, Nawaki realized this was likely the village where the men had lived. He was so overwhelmed by shock and fury that he momentarily lost his voice, his vision blurring with tears of rage.
He never imagined Hatani would go this far. It wasn't enough to kill those "innocent" civilians to protect their cover; Hatani had hunted down their home to pull the remaining survivors out by the roots.
Could those people, from such a distance, really have known their identities? Could they really have compromised them?
Nawaki's rationality snapped. He clenched his fists and sprinted into the village.
He had made a vow in his heart.
Even if he died here today, he would make this murderous maniac, Hatani, pay for what he had done!