My Heart Was Truly Too Cruel

It kept raining.

Just as its name suggested, the Land of Rain seemed to be weeping.

Tap, tap, tap...

The scattered footsteps were swallowed by the endless curtain of rain. On the muddy ground, only a trail of standard-issue Konoha boots remained.

"We're about to enter the Land of Rain."

Omitted watermark.

Aburame Ryoma, who was leading the group, stopped and silently glanced at the two people behind him. Raindrops slid from the brim of his black cloak, but not a drop reached his eyes beneath his goggles.

"Our mission is to ensure Salamander Hanzo honors his agreement. He must not only go to the front lines himself, but also mobilize that rising star organization in Amegakure, Akatsuki, and send them to support Konoha. Of course, I'll handle the official negotiations. Your task is to accompany me and stand guard."

Aburame Ryoma's gaze lingered for a moment on Hyuga Qinglan, who had remained silent, then he continued.

"Lord Danzo has already reached an understanding with Hanzo on the details. We only need to carry it out."

Hyuga Qinglan lowered his head slightly without a word, following Aburame Ryoma back into the rain.

The farther they ventured into Amegakure, the more horrifying the sights became.

Ramshackle huts had been built haphazardly along the mountainside. Groups of ragged refugees huddled beneath drainage pipes.

Hyuga Qinglan's gaze swept over the refugees around him. His expression remained impassive.

"Just a small butterfly effect really is enough to stir up the entire Shinobi World."

At this point in the original timeline, Salamander Hanzo had indeed cooperated with Danzo. But that alliance had come about because Hanzo feared Akatsuki's growing influence would threaten his rule. He had worked with Danzo to drive Yahiko to his death and destroy Nagato's legs.

But the situation now was fundamentally different.

Konoha was close to breaking.

All the reports from the front lines spoke of defeat and retreat.

Even with Sarutobi Hiruzen, now hailed as the "strongest Hokage," personally stationed at the front, they could only barely hold on through his own strength and bravery.

The casualty lists sent back from the front grew longer by the day. Stretchers carrying the wounded formed a long line, and the medical corps had run out of both medicine and chakra. Even Kakashi and Might Guy, who had returned to the battlefield, had both been injured.

The battle had deteriorated to the brink of disaster.

That was why Danzo, stationed in the rear, was so desperate. While frantically shoring up the other defenses, he repeatedly urged Salamander Hanzo to send troops to tie down Iwagakure.

Danzo had paid little attention even to Akatsuki, which was inside Amegakure.

No—he had paid attention, but had chosen to make use of them.

Because...

Root's covert mission this time was to wait until Salamander Hanzo and Akatsuki had finished supporting the Iwagakure front, then sow discord between them.

To plunge Amegakure into civil strife once more.

And Konoha, under Danzo's remote command, would escape its crisis.

Killing two birds with one stone.

Hyuga Qinglan's eyes flickered as he concealed the complex emotions churning within him.

He wasn't surprised that Danzo could do something like this.

What gave him pause was Orochimaru.

For the Hokage seat, Orochimaru could actually go this far...

Hyuga Qinglan couldn't help thinking of how the smaller clans had acted when he left the village...

If the Third Hokage hadn't gone to the front lines and temporarily stabilized the battle, they would probably have been preparing to flee already...

His heart really was too cruel.

He sighed silently, his gaze piercing the layers of rain to settle on the towering, pipe-covered iron tower in the distance.

They had entered the heart of Amegakure.

"Stop right there."

Several Amegakure Anbu, clad in black cloaks and gas masks, appeared soundlessly ahead and blocked their path.

"Konoha. Aburame Ryoma."

Aburame Ryoma gave his name without expression.

"I'm Heiji of the Rain Shelter, the right-hand man of Lord Hanzo's right-hand man."

The Amegakure ninja at the front gestured for them to stop. His voice carried the uniquely cold edge of the Land of Rain.

Aburame Ryoma fell silent for a moment, then took a tightly sealed letter from inside his cloak and handed it over.

"Lord Danzo's personal letter. Please make sure it reaches Lord Hanzo."

Heiji took the letter and made a hand signal. One of his subordinates disappeared at once. A moment later, the man returned and whispered something in Heiji's ear.

"Lord Hanzo is waiting at the top of the tower." Heiji lifted his head and looked over the three of them, finally returning his gaze to Aburame Ryoma.

"But this is a restricted area of Amegakure. Only you may enter."

Across from the grim steel tower stood a somewhat lower terrace.

A young man with orange hair stood quietly in the rain.

He spread his arms, letting the cold rain beat against his resolute face, as if he wanted to embrace the entire ruined village.

Yahiko looked down at the streets below. Yet the light in his eyes was brighter than ever.

"This country is still weeping..."

He murmured, then suddenly broke into a radiant smile.

"But the rain will stop soon. The bridge to peace is right beneath our feet."

Behind him stood two figures, one red-haired and one blue-haired.

"Konan, Nagato."

Yahiko turned around, his lips lifting with excitement. "Hanzo agreed to an alliance! That means our beliefs have been recognized! That means Amegakure and Akatsuki will join forces to end this age of strife!"

He strode over to them and thrust his fist into the air.

"We're going to end this age of strife. Not just for ourselves, but for all the children weeping in the rain."

"..."

Konan fell silent for a moment, but in the end, she voiced her concern.

"But... Hanzo's condition is that we work alongside Amegakure's regular forces, supporting Konoha on the outer battlefield as they drive back Iwagakure..."

She trailed off, her gaze unconsciously turning to Nagato, who stood silently nearby.

Nagato's parents had died after being mistakenly killed by Konoha ninja.

And now, Hanzo's proposal for an alliance meant they would become Konoha's allies...

"If that's the case..."

"People grow precisely because they learn what pain is."

Nagato slowly raised his head, gently interrupting the rest of Konan's words. His pale purple Rinnegan looked strangely eerie through the rain.

"And what we call growth is being able to think for ourselves, experience pain, and find our own answers in the process."

He looked at Yahiko, a trace of determination flashing in those mysterious purple eyes.

"I've already found my answer."

"For Yahiko's dream, for a peaceful world where no one has to weep, I'm willing to pay any price."

"Hatred is insignificant in the face of that future."

Yahiko gripped Nagato's shoulder, his eyes glistening as he spoke with fierce conviction.

"This isn't just my dream. It's the future the three of us share!"

"We'll become the dawn that breaks through the darkness, until the day sunlight finally shines across this country!"