Drive Them All Out

After Jingū Kiraku had hung all those noble merchants from the streetlights, cartloads of grain were swiftly transported along the main road to the granaries.

Villagers and newly arrived refugees crowded both sides of the road.

For the first time, they realized that the Land of Rain did not lack food. It was just that all the food had been tightly controlled by those damned nobles, who then sold it at exorbitant prices.

Some of the grain had even gone moldy.

Yet those nobles would rather bury it in the ground than sell it to the people at a low price!

Such utterly insane behavior finally made the people truly understand Jingū Kiraku's actions.

A saying began to spread among the populace—

With Lord Jingū here, the Land of Rain has sunlight!

Jingū Kiraku had naturally heard this saying, but he did not take it to heart.

Because at that moment, he was listening to Erika's report.

"Chief, the third batch of immigrants has been settled."

"However..."

"Some people are still unwilling to relocate."

Erika said this as she stood before the desk.

"Hm?"

Jingū Kiraku raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

Hidden Rain Village provided them with food, clothing, and shelter, yet there were still people unwilling to come?

Seeing the confusion in Jingū Kiraku's eyes, Erika hurriedly explained.

"They're the elderly."

"They said you are a good leader, but at their age, coming to Hidden Rain Village would only mean consuming more food."

"They would rather stay where they are. The food saved could feed a few more children."

Erika paused, her voice suddenly growing heavier.

"They also said that, if possible, they would like you to give them some weapons."

"Before they die, they want to fight those damned invaders."

"Even if they die, they want to tear a piece of flesh off those bastards."

After saying this, even someone as calm as Erika could not help but show emotion.

Her gaze flickered slightly, as though she had remembered something.

As for Jingū Kiraku, the leader, he fell completely silent.

First came his hatred for the invasion by those great nations, then his helplessness over Hanzō the Salamander's cowardice, and finally, overwhelming self-reproach...

"Chief..."

Feeling the heavy aura radiating from Jingū Kiraku, Erika looked worried.

But before she could offer any comfort, Jingū Kiraku raised a hand and stopped her.

"I'm fine."

"I merely remembered a few things."

He looked out at the scene beyond the window. Between clouds as dark and heavy as iron, strands of sunlight seemed to be struggling to break through.

And that was the hope of the Land of Rain.

"We should be happy instead."

Jingū Kiraku suddenly let out a breath and looked at Erika with resolute eyes.

"With people like them, it means—"

"The backbone of the Land of Rain has not been broken!!"

Jingū Kiraku's final words rang out like a great bell.

An indescribably terrifying aura erupted from him, as if it were about to scatter the dark clouds that had shrouded the Land of Rain for centuries.

Even Erika felt her blood boil in that instant, wishing she could charge straight onto the battlefield and fight.

"Jonin!"

"Here!"

Erika straightened her back, flames seemingly blazing in her eyes.

"Maintain the security measures. Next, I'm going to deliver a nationwide speech."

Huh?

A nationwide speech?

Erika froze for a moment. The Land of Rain had no nationwide broadcasting facilities.

Forget the Land of Rain—even great nations like the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth could not possibly achieve universal coverage...

But Jingū Kiraku had no intention of explaining. He merely barked:

"Carry out the order!"

"Yes!!!"

Erika straightened up once more, indicating her compliance.

After dismissing Erika, Jingū Kiraku slowly made his way to the rooftop.

He stood alone atop the head of Amegakure's tallest statue.

He slowly opened the system panel.

Just like in a game, the system map could not only display enemy movements in real time, but also provided combat command functions.

Specifically—

Jingū Kiraku could project his will directly into the minds of any allied unit.

And that was the foundation for his nationwide address.

Jingū Kiraku gazed upon the Nation of Lamentation before him, forever shrouded in rainfall and dominated by dark clouds for over a century.

Endless rain battered the earth, like one low, muffled sob after another.

Beneath the curtain of rain, all kinds of scenes kept flashing through Jingū Kiraku's mind—

The enemy's massacres, the nobles' revelry, women dying miserable deaths, children crying in anguish...

Scene after scene filled his eyes with terrifying fury, making his blood nearly boil.

The next second, a cold, resolute voice, like that of the Grim Reaper, rang in the minds of every villager.

More precisely, it rang in the minds of every citizen of the Land of Rain.

"To all citizens of the Land of Rain."

"I am the Amegakure Leader—Jingū Kiraku."

"I am speaking to you through the power of ninjutsu..."

At that moment, whether they were farmers working in the fields, children hiding beneath ruins, or elderly people in the twilight of their lives, every one of them raised their heads and looked toward the sky blanketed by dark clouds.

"Konoha's forces have launched a full-scale attack on the Land of Rain."

"All Amegakure Ninja will be deployed. They will place every weapon and all ammunition into the hands of the people."

Jingū Kiraku's voice was icy, like a sharp sword about to pierce the enemy's heart.

"The time has come to make our last stand."

"Our goal is to protect the Land of Rain that gave birth to us."

"To protect our families. To protect our compatriots."

"However..."

"This world expects the Land of Rain to be destroyed. It hungers even more to wipe out every person of the Land of Rain."

As Jingū Kiraku spoke, horrific scenes continually emerged in the minds of the people—

Villages engulfed in war, civilians fleeing for their lives, children sobbing quietly.

Ruins upon ruins, corpse after corpse, all became blazing flames at that moment, burning within the heart of every person from the Land of Rain.

Why?

Why did they have to suffer like this?

It was time to do something!

Even if it meant death!

Jingū Kiraku's voice continued—

"I cannot accept such a world."

"Our fury, our unwavering will, our boiling blood, and our terrible poison gas will destroy every invader."

"Until..."

"Every last invader has been driven out."

His final words slowly fell.

There was no impassioned roar, no rousing shout—only a clear-eyed reckoning with a future of despair, and the courage to face death.

At that moment, the spark burned brighter and brighter until it became an inferno that swallowed the entire Land of Rain.

Everyone raised their arms toward the sky as one—

"Dedicate your hearts to the Land of Rain!"

"Land of Rain..."

"Victory!!"