Cherry Blossoms in the Drizzle

In the village, a cherry blossom tree was planted, its branches adorned with new leaves and a scattering of cherry blossoms.

Tsunade stood in the misty rain, beneath the cherry blossom tree, calmly observing the sparse blossoms on the branches. Her charming face held an indescribable radiance, along with a hint of confusion.

It was early spring, a time of fluctuating temperatures, and indeed, the season for cherry blossoms to bloom.

But cherry blossoms shouldn't bloom in the Land of Rain. They could bloom in any country, any corner of the Ninja World, but they shouldn't bloom here.

This was because cherry blossoms were a very typical Sun-loving Plant. Ample sunlight was crucial for their healthy growth and flowering. They needed at least six hours of light daily to ensure they would bloom.

The Land of Rain didn't always have six hours of sunlight throughout the year.

Jiang Feng couldn't help but ask, "Do you know how many cherry blossoms are on the tree?"

Tsunade answered quickly, "23."

"Then you must be very lonely right now."

Tsunade turned her head, somewhat puzzled. "How did you conclude that I am lonely?"

"Someone whose heart is full and whose spiritual world is abundant wouldn't be counting cherry blossoms."

Tsunade was taken aback because Jiang Feng was right. She was indeed lonely, not in the narrow sense of missing men or relatives, but in a broad sense of inner coldness, solitude, and profound spiritual emptiness.

That's why she counted cherry blossoms, and Jiang Feng didn't. Tsunade had never met anyone as internally full and spiritually rich as Jiang Feng.

Even Minato Namikaze, known as the "Little Sun," couldn't compare to Jiang Feng. They were both optimistic and internally fulfilled, but in two entirely different ways.

As if unwilling to let Tsunade dwell on it, Jiang Feng quickly changed the subject. "Just look and count, then leave it at that. Don't pick them. I don't want Yahiko and the others to kick me out of this village."

Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were Jiang Feng's friends in the Land of Rain. This was the Akatsuki Organization's base established by Yahiko. It started with just two dilapidated wooden huts and had now become a village with a certain liveliness.

"Why are there cherry blossoms here?" Tsunade pointed to the cherry blossom tree beside her.

"Probably planted by Yahiko and the others."

Jiang Feng also understood the habits of cherry blossoms and knew why Tsunade asked. He explained, "You should also know that Konan can use Paper Ninjutsu and has the ability to fly. As long as she flies high into the sky and breaks through the clouds, the cherry blossoms can receive some sunlight.

So, do you understand how precious these few cherry blossoms are now?"

Tsunade understood. These few cherry blossoms held significant meaning for Yahiko and the others.

The endless rain, the sudden calamities, the unprovoked wars... perhaps every Rain Country Person was far lonelier, emptier, more confused, and more desperate than Tsunade.

Yet, even so, some Rain Country People had not been defeated by fate.

They followed the "Akatsuki," gathering here, following that ray of sunlight, practicing the ideals in their hearts, struggling and striving for that ray of sunlight that might not even exist.

This tree of cherry blossoms was the light in their hearts.

While Tsunade was silent, about a dozen people wearing the same clothes walked in from outside the door. Leading them were three youths, around sixteen or seventeen years old: Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan.

Tsunade recognized them. Years ago, the Sannin had discovered the three children. Orochimaru had intended to kill them, but Jiraiya stopped him and took the three children as his students.

Tsunade subconsciously turned her head, not daring to look at Yahiko and the others.

They were too radiant. Not just Yahiko, but even the extras following behind him, every single one of them shone with a brilliant light.

Their backs might have been slightly hunched, their cheeks might have been a little gaunt, but their spirit and energy were full, positive, and upward-looking.

This made Tsunade feel even more like a useless being crawling in the darkness of a sewer.

Moreover, in their gaze towards Tsunade, there wasn't a trace of hatred. They should have hated her, but they didn't.

This was the point that made Tsunade feel most ashamed.

"Thank you very much for bringing back their bodies. I've buried them in the cemetery behind the village. In recent years, we've buried all the bodies of Rain Country people we've found there..."

Yahiko was the first to express his gratitude to Jiang Feng for bringing back the bodies from thousands of miles away. He then asked, "Do you want to pay your respects?"

Tsunade hesitated, but ultimately refused. "Let's not. They probably wouldn't want to see me."

The manga depicted the actions of Konoha Ninja in the Land of Rain. Orochimaru had wanted to kill the three children as soon as he met them. Nagato's parents were also mistakenly killed by Konoha Ninja searching for food, who thought they were enemy ninja...

Whether directly or indirectly, a considerable number of Rain Country civilians had died because of Konoha Ninja.

Although Tsunade had never directly killed Rain Country civilians, she was one of the commanders of the Konoha forces and needed to be responsible for the actions of the Konoha Ninja.

"If you want to pay your respects, I can think of a way for you," Jiang Feng suddenly said.

"What way?" Tsunade was very curious.

The reason she didn't want to go was that she couldn't overcome her conscience. Did Jiang Feng have a way to free her from the condemnation of her conscience?

Jiang Feng smiled and said, "Although that pretty girl died with her eyes wide open, I estimate she was very happy and joyful before she died.

Because she stabbed you twice, she might have thought you would die soon after receiving those two stab wounds.

Let's go together. You kowtow a few times first, and after you're done, let Yahiko stab you a few times. You can lie down on the spot and pretend to be dead, and then we'll carry you away.

Seeing you, a Class A Criminal, die before their graves, they can rest in peace with a smile."

Pfft...

Yahiko and the others couldn't help but laugh. This was indeed a somewhat mischievous, yet quite viable idea.

They had let go of their hatred and forgiven Konoha, striving for peace in the Ninja World. However, they didn't believe they were qualified to forgive Konoha on behalf of the deceased.

Therefore, having Tsunade "fake her death" once was truly a good idea, a good idea comparable to a cat owner pretending to cry and wanting to "take back" their beloved cat from the vet when sending it for sterilization.

Tsunade rolled her eyes. Of course, she wouldn't "play dead" just because Jiang Feng made a joke. It wasn't that she was afraid of pain, but rather that she had hemophobia.

Yahiko and the others also didn't take Jiang Feng's joke seriously. They skipped over the topic and enthusiastically grabbed Jiang Feng's hands. "How many days do you plan to stay in the Land of Rain this time? Are you in a hurry to return to Konoha?"

Jiang Feng thought for a moment. "About three to five days."

Konoha was far from being at a point where it couldn't function without him. It was fine to spend a few days with friends in the Land of Rain. He believed the Third Hokage and the others would understand. If they didn't, he'd just elope with Kurenai Yuhi.

"That's great!"

Yahiko was overjoyed and clapped his hands. "Everyone outside is spreading the word that you defeated the Third Raikage's son. Everyone wants to witness the legendary Heavenly Flying Immortal Uchiha Jiang Feng and ask you for some advice."

"I'll go arrange for dinner preparations right away..."

"Mm."

Konan nodded, very reservedly.