The Situation in the Land of Rice Fields

As Yuhi Kurenai and the others returned to Konoha, Dongfang Mao and his party gradually made their way to the border of the Land of Fire.

The Land of Fire boasted the richest land in the Ninja World. It had always been strict about inspecting those entering the country, but far more lax about those leaving.

After paying off the right people and cutting through some of the red tape, the group finally reached the border checkpoint.

However, the scene before them was nothing like the desolation Dongfang Mao had expected.

Nearly a hundred well-equipped soldiers from the Land of Fire patrolled the border in tight formation, while cold iron railings divided the land into two separate worlds.

Beyond the railings, crowds surged. Countless refugees, gaunt and dressed in rags, huddled at the border, gazing longingly toward the Land of Fire, their eyes a mix of numbness and hope.

"Inumaru, go ask around and find out what's going on."

Watching the scene, Dongfang Mao spoke to the young man beside him, whose face was plain and whose build was lean, but whose eyes were exceptionally bright.

He was especially quick-witted and good with people, and served as the village's young scout.

It was also thanks to him that, when they had been at the foot of the mountain, he sensed something was wrong and rushed back in time to warn Dongfang Mao.

That had allowed Dongfang Mao to preserve some of his forces and escape the encirclement by the soldiers and shinobi of the Land of Fire.

"Understood, big brother."

At Dongfang Mao's words, Inumaru quickly scanned the crowds at the border and nodded.

He followed a nearby merchant caravan, which was also heading out of the country, toward the checkpoint.

Before long, Inumaru returned.

"Big brother, I found out. These people are all refugees from the Land of Rice Fields. Things have been bad there for years. Some places are suffering from severe droughts, while others are flooded. A lot of people can't survive anymore, so they've come here to try their luck. They're hoping to sneak across the border, or catch the eye of a passing merchant and be taken on as servants, just so they can stay alive."

Dongfang Mao was stunned.

With Tsunade as his patron, he could have stayed in the Land of Fire without any trouble.

But the Land of Fire was too peaceful. He had already reached the limit of what he could manage by occupying a mountain and gathering several hundred men under his command. The authorities could simply go to Konoha and call in a few shinobi, and he would be powerless to resist.

That was why he had decided to stick to his original plan and head for the more turbulent Land of Rice Fields, to see if he could build something there.

But he hadn't expected the problems within the Land of Rice Fields to be this severe.

Was this a good thing for him?

But Dongfang Mao soon shook his head. He only had a rough idea of the situation so far. He would have to enter the Land of Rice Fields and see things for himself before deciding what to do.

Just then, Tsunade, who had been bored out of her mind in the carriage, overheard Dongfang Mao and Inumaru's conversation and climbed down with Shizune.

When she saw the scene at the border, she froze for a moment, then a look of pity flashed in her eyes.

Shizune had never seen anything like this in the Land of Fire. She was startled at first, then her eyes grew red as she took it all in.

"They look so pitiful... Lady Tsunade, can't we help them?"

Tsunade glanced at Shizune, sighed, and shook her head.

"Shizune, our Medical Ninjutsu can save people, but it can't save them. They aren't injured or sick. They don't need us; they need someone who can help them stay alive."

Tsunade's words were profound, and six-year-old Shizune struggled to understand them. Her young face filled with confusion.

Dongfang Mao, on the other hand, listened with a faint flicker in his eyes, lost in thought.

After comforting the downcast Shizune, Tsunade turned and saw Dongfang Mao standing there in a daze. She walked over, first ruffling his soft hair, then asking curiously,

"Mao, what are you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

Dongfang Mao came back to himself and shook his head, then changed the subject.

"By the way, Tsunade, do you know what's going on in the Land of Rice Fields?"

"I know a little."

Tsunade rested her chin on her fingers and thought for a moment before nodding.

"The Land of Rice Fields has poor conditions and suffers frequent natural disasters. Its location is also awkward: the Land of Lightning lies to the west, and the Land of Fire to the north. It's a buffer zone between the two countries, so if they ever go to war, the Land of Rice Fields will be the first to suffer.

"But because of that, during times of peace, it can trade with both countries and earn substantial profits."

Dongfang Mao listened and nodded thoughtfully.

It seemed the Land of Rice Fields wasn't quite as unstable as he had imagined.

If it had money, then it still had plenty of life left in it. It seemed he would do what he had done before: occupy a mountain, build up his strength slowly, and fish in troubled waters.

"Big brother, it's our turn!"

Yasuke's voice came from behind Dongfang Mao as he finished thinking.

Dongfang Mao turned around and saw that the merchant caravan ahead of them had already gone through. Now it was their turn to enter the country, so he said to Tsunade,

"Tsunade, we're about to enter the Land of Rice Fields. Take Shizune back to the carriage and rest."

"What about you?"

Tsunade glanced at Dongfang Mao.

When they had set out, Dongfang Mao had specially arranged a carriage for her and Shizune.

It had seemed like a good idea; traveling would be more comfortable. But Dongfang Mao insisted on staying outside and walking with the bandits, no matter what she said. Tsunade couldn't talk him out of it, and it was enough to make her grit her teeth in frustration.

"Don't worry, Tsunade. I'll rest in the carriage when I get tired."

Dongfang Mao smiled, then turned and went straight to the front of the group.

Tsunade watched him go, her expression tinged with helplessness. Mao was a good kid in every way, but he was too stubborn. It made her wonder whether she could really help him get away from this band of bandits.

Before long, the group crossed the border and entered the Land of Rice Fields. They traveled along a level road, with refugees scattered haphazardly on either side.

Some were too weak from hunger to stand. Others had fallen into a deep sleep and would never wake again.

Still others lay with their heads raised, staring at Dongfang Mao's caravan with greed gleaming in their eyes.

But even if they didn't take Dongfang Mao into account, the fierce expressions of Yasuke and the others, and the menacing aura they gave off, were enough to make those with ill intentions hesitate.

As the group continued onward, Dongfang Mao realized the tide of refugees was far greater than he had imagined.

There were nearly ten thousand people along the road, and still no end was in sight.

The sight made Dongfang Mao shake his head involuntarily.

They knew the Land of Fire would never accept them, yet they kept rushing toward it.

They would rather wait for some faint, impossible chance in front of those cold railings and eventually starve to death than pick up weapons and fight the Land of Rice Fields to the bitter end.

No wonder this deeply troubled country had managed to maintain such stability.