Naruto: Fooling the Ninja World, I'm Hailed as a Savior

As the villagers of Konoha enjoyed their first snowfall of the year, the Land of Rain was still engulfed in the endless, monotonous sound of rain. The clouds in the leaden-gray sky hung heavy and low like a giant shroud, clinging tightly to the land, unwilling to let a single ray of sunlight through, stingy to the extreme.

Compared to the drizzling rain of earlier, the rain now was cold and continuous, as if determined to wash the Land of Rain into the mud. Only stray dogs, crouched low in corners, gnawed at something unseen.

Splish… Splash…

Seemingly hearing something, the stray dogs pricked up their ears, baring their teeth as they looked into the misty rain. In the desolate scene ahead, several figures emerged from the rain mist, stepping through puddles. Their faces, illuminated by the dim light, were visible beneath their raincoats and hoods.

Hatake Kakashi, who was leading, suddenly raised his hand, and the few individuals behind him stopped in unison. "We've entered the Land of Rain. Everyone, be sure to conceal your identities." Hatake Kakashi's gaze swept over Hyuga Kawa, who was positioned in the middle of the team, reminding him, "Next, we'll head to crowded areas to gather intelligence. Remember, listen more, speak less."

Hyuga Kawa naturally knew that Kakashi-senpai was reminding him, and he nodded solemnly in response.

"Disperse."

At Hatake Kakashi's command, the team split into groups of three and scattered, each going to gather intelligence. Hyuga Kawa remained with Kakashi, as Hiruzen Sarutobi had instructed. This was, in a way, a form of protection.

He, Kakashi, and two others infiltrated the capital of the Land of Rain without attracting any attention or suspicion throughout the entire process. No one cast a glance their way due to their attire or demeanor. This was because there were very few pedestrians on the streets.

Even if there were, most were hurrying along, heads bowed, wrapped in dark raincoats, moving like ghosts through the rain. These citizens mostly exuded a numbness and wariness honed by suffering.

Occasionally, Hyuga Kawa would spot Hidden Rain ninjas wearing peculiar gas masks and dark uniforms. The four of them, hidden among the crowds, blended in perfectly, drawing no attention.

This was Hyuga Kawa's first time in the Land of Rain. His eyes, hidden beneath his hood, surveyed his surroundings. As far as his sight reached, it was a forest of steel, with pipes of varying thickness climbing over buildings also constructed of steel. 

These buildings were unlike ordinary residences; they were sharply angled structures with numerous welding marks, their windows narrow, exuding a grim aura that kept people at a distance.

Rainwater flowed down the cold metal surfaces, collecting in rusty grooves to form muddy streams that ultimately merged into the omnipresent puddles on the ground. The entire city felt like a massive industrial ruin, steeped in rainwater, letting out silent, sorrowful cries. The gray sky, dark brown steel, murky puddles, and the dark clothing of pedestrians…

"This place is actually the capital of the Land of Rain."

Looking at a world where all colors seemed to have been washed away by the rain, Hyuga Kawa's eyes glimmered with a dim light as he spoke softly, his voice deep. It was truly the antithesis of the prosperity of Konoha and the Land of Fire. Hatake Kakashi naturally heard his words but merely cast a sidelong glance before looking away. Pity? He truly is a naive junior.

Ding-a-ling.

Kakashi pushed open the door to a tavern, and the brass bell on the door frame chimed. The condensation on the glass slid down, leaving behind a few wet streaks. Hyuga Kawa followed him in, immediately smelling a strong mixture of dampness, rust, and alcohol in the air. The rain had not only shaped the environment but seemed to have permeated the very soul of the nation.

Kakashi and his three companions sat at a table near the window. This spot not only allowed them to observe the outside but also offered an immediate escape route if anything went wrong.

"Bartender, another round!"

"Ha! Refreshing!"

At a distant table, several men dressed as ninjas guzzled their drinks. No one sat near them; everyone avoided them. Clearly, they were Hidden Rain Village ninjas. Hatake Kakashi's dead fish eyes narrowed slightly as he listened carefully to their conversation.

"Ugh, my old lady's been complaining again lately," a scar-faced ninja sighed, exhaling an alcoholic breath. "She keeps saying the food rations are getting smaller and smaller. If this keeps up, we won't have enough to eat. She asks me what we should do."

Thump!

He slammed his cup onto the table and cursed, "What should we do? How the hell should I know?!"

"Indeed." Another long-haired ninja's face was also grim. "And food prices are rising faster and faster now, directly doubling."

Ninjas didn't engage in production. For ninjas during wartime, money was important, but filling their bellies with food was even more crucial.

And for the Land of Rain, where agriculture was almost non-existent, food was an incredibly precious and vital resource. As for where the food rations for ninjas came from? Naturally, from the Land of Rain's feudal lord.

With ninjas not engaging in production, if war broke out, cutting off trade, and simultaneously losing the feudal lord's support, Hidden Rain Village would be in an extremely difficult position.

So, where did the Land of Rain feudal lord's food come from? No one cared. Even if they knew it came from the common people of the Land of Rain.

"Did you hear?" someone finally whispered. "The Land of Fire declared war on the Land of Lightning. Is that why?"

At these words, the voices of the few men instantly quieted. Finally, the long-haired ninja hesitantly spoke, "It probably doesn't have much to do with our Hidden Rain Village, after all, it was like this during the Third Great Ninja War…"

"Tch, what a load of crap about having nothing to do with it."

Before he could finish, the scar-faced ninja, as if drunk, directly interrupted and cursed under his breath, "We weren't affected during the Third Great Ninja War because of Lord Hanzō, but how long has it been since he showed his face? He's been hiding, who knows if he's dead… Mph, mph."

The others present instantly blanched, reaching out to cover his mouth.

"Shut up!"

"Are you trying to die?!"

"If you want to die, don't drag me down with you!"

Several people couldn't help but curse in low voices. However, it was uncertain who was truly angry about him cursing Hanzō, and who was shocked and enraged by his bold words. The scar-faced ninja sobered up, realizing what he had said, and his face turned pale. Hidden Rain Village also had its Anbu. If Anbu ninjas heard these words, even if he didn't die, he'd lose a layer of skin.

In his terror, the scar-faced ninja instinctively turned his head to look around, and then he saw a dead fish eye that hadn't been pulled back in time.

"What are you looking at?! Dead fish eyes! What are you looking at?!"

He suddenly stood up, filled with anger. The passing bartender was so startled that he didn't steady the tray in his hand, and several full glasses of sake crashed to the floor.

Smash! Crackle!

The harsh sound and his murderous aura instantly silenced the entire tavern. All the customers present fell quiet. Customers who frequented such establishments knew what was about to happen, but unless there was a real conflict, ninjas generally wouldn't easily strike civilians. So, they just looked at the four people by the window with sympathetic and pitying glances. This could only be described as bad luck for them. It was less that the scar-faced ninja was angry, and more that he was shocked and enraged after feeling guilty.

"..."

Hyuga Kawa, who had kept his head bowed throughout and hadn't used his eyes, slightly tilted his head to look at Kakashi-senpai with his dead fish eyes beside him. Kakashi-senpai seemed to understand the meaning of Hyuga Kawa's gaze and couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed. He hadn't expected that he, the senior, would be the one to make a mistake.

However, now was not the time to dwell on who made the mistake. Because the scar-faced Hidden Rain ninja was already striding towards them, full of menacing intent.

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