Four Rain Ninja were moving through River Valley Village.
Their attire was markedly different from that of ninja from other Ninja Villages.
Each wore a gas mask over their mouth but left their nose exposed, with bandages wrapped around the upper half of their face so that only their eyes showed. Unlike the clothing worn by ninja from other Ninja Villages, which prioritized freedom of movement, theirs consisted of one-piece suits covering everything from neck to ankle, including their hands.
Bandages were also cinched tightly around their ankles, joining the suits to their shoes. Clearly, the outfits were designed to minimize exposed skin!
Beside the Rain Ninja leading the group stood a giant salamander over three meters long.
Purple poison mist seeped out with every breath the salamander took. Villagers lay collapsed throughout the village, their faces twisted in pain, while the other three ninja searched everywhere for loot.
But just then—
A powerful gust swept in, blowing away the poison mist in the village.
"Damn it! Who's there?"
"Wind Release? Ninja?"
Whoosh!
All four Rain Ninja went on guard. At a glance from their Jonin leader, the three Chunin immediately sank underground, leaving only clones above the surface.
Akaseki and his three companions advanced from the mouth of the valley.
"Konoha Ninja?" The Rain Ninja could now make out the forehead protectors worn by the four.
"Has the Land of Iron already joined forces with Konoha?" Miasma Wind, the Rain Ninja's Jonin leader, demanded.
"No, we're just a team delivering trade supplies. Destroying our supply point like this is going to give us a real headache," Akaseki said matter-of-factly.
"Tch. Go back for now! Once the Land of Rain takes control here, we'll still trade with you," Miasma Wind said grimly.
There was no sincerity in those words, of