Journey to the Land of Rain

"Land of Rain?"

Uchiha Gen frowned slightly upon hearing this. If his memory served him correctly, the current Land of Rain was not only home to that fellow Hanzo of the Salamander, but also held the eyes of Madara Uchiha.

"Yes, we're going to the Land of Rain. After the previous battles, Sunagakure has shifted its focus almost entirely there, hoping to use the resources of the Land of Rain to recoup some of their war losses. As for here, Sakumo-senpai will be staying behind after we leave, and since they've suffered such heavy losses, there's no need for us to continue guarding this front."

Tsunade, unaware of Uchiha Gen's thoughts, saw his expression and assumed he was confused about why they were heading to the Land of Rain, so she began to explain.

"I understand. When do we depart?"

Uchiha Gen nodded lightly and spoke.

The Land of Rain... that year-round rainy weather seemed perfect for him right now.

Under rainy conditions, his dual attack stats increased by 100%. One had to admit, compared to Pokémon, the ability traits of the spirits in Roco Kingdom were truly broken and overpowered.

"As soon as possible. Aside from his immense strength, Hanzo of the Salamander is a brilliant strategist as the leader of Amegakure. Tsk, it's no wonder he dared to declare war on three nations at once. I'm just worried about Nawaki's safety after we leave. Even though your friend is helping to keep an eye on him, given Nawaki's personality..."

Tsunade wore a look of concern.

"You can't look after him forever. You've already done enough for him. If he hasn't changed after experiencing such a long war..."

Uchiha Gen glanced at the worried Tsunade. He didn't have a younger brother, so he couldn't quite grasp her perspective. In his view, if Nawaki wasn't suited to be a ninja, he should just stay safely in the village. Even if the glory of the Senju clan demanded he become one, he shouldn't be coddled constantly. If the current Nawaki could still be killed by an Explosive Tag, then that was simply his fate.

"I understand your point, but... he is my brother, after all."

Tsunade lowered her head upon hearing this. She knew deep down that her mindset was flawed, but the bonds of blood were, in the end, difficult to fully see past.

"...I will have Gengar hide in his shadow to watch over him. However, unless he is in genuine mortal danger or being deliberately targeted by someone, Gengar will not intervene."

Watching the conflicted Tsunade, Uchiha Gen sighed helplessly and spoke softly. Why, as a proud Uchiha, was he acting as a babysitter for an idiot?

"Hahahaha, I knew you'd help."

As soon as Uchiha Gen finished speaking, the previously conflicted Tsunade immediately beamed, threw an arm around Uchiha Gen's shoulder, and laughed.

"..."

Land of Rain.

Leaning against a tree, Uchiha Gen opened his closed eyes, a brilliant golden radiance flickering and then quickly dissipating.

"Cultivating Sage Arts... it doesn't seem difficult. Is it because of the Golden Light Spell, or did I have a strong talent for senjutsu all along?"

Three full months had passed since they arrived in the Land of Rain from the Land of Wind battlefield. Orochimaru's initial judgment had been wrong—or rather, not entirely wrong. Because the Land of Rain had initially been attacked from three sides, especially after Sunagakure took a beating from Konoha and shifted its entire focus there, the pressure on the Land of Rain had been immense.

According to original estimates, the Land of Rain would likely have launched a final all-out assault to end the war, but a turning point emerged. Kumogakure of the Land of Lightning suddenly launched a surprise attack on the rear of Iwagakure. This sudden change paralyzed a large portion of Iwagakure's logistics and supply lines, which significantly reduced the pressure on Amegakure.

At the same time, after Kumogakure launched its raid on Iwagakure, Sunagakure—for reasons unknown—immediately turned its guns toward Iwagakure as well. In an instant, the pressure on Amegakure shifted entirely onto Iwagakure.

Consequently, the anticipated decisive battle never occurred. Instead, because Iwagakure withdrew from the Land of Rain battlefield, the entire front suddenly fell into a subtle, eerie calm. Every faction in the Land of Rain began tentative, small-squad skirmishes, and all parties entered a phase of chaotic melee.

During these three months, Uchiha Gen hadn't gone on any missions, staying instead in the Medical Department, because he had been attempting to master senjutsu. He had originally thought that the Sage Arts of Shikkotsu Forest would be difficult to master; after all, in the ninja world, aside from the suspected mastery by Hashirama Senju, no one else had ever been seen using them.

However, once Uchiha Gen actually began to touch upon senjutsu, he realized it was nothing special. Using the Golden Light Spell as a conduit, natural energy flowed into his body as if fish had met water, rapidly fusing with the qi already within him. No, calling it fusion was inaccurate; it was more like the qi of the Golden Light Spell was devouring the absorbed natural energy.

The result of this devouring was the greatest increase in his qi ever. In the past, the quantity of his qi came entirely from the slow, grinding cultivation of his life force, but now, he could absorb natural energy to strengthen and replenish it. This situation was very much like... the legendary cultivation of immortals.

However, this result had a side effect that wasn't really a side effect: Uchiha Gen could not enter the so-called Sage Mode. Yet, he could practice and use the Sage Arts of Shikkotsu Forest at will. In other words, the temporary Sage Mode had become a permanent state under the influence of the Golden Light Spell. Although he couldn't gain a sudden, short-term boost in combat power, he could improve gradually until he surpassed the power Sage Mode provided, and the rate of improvement was extremely fast, tied directly to his life force cultivation.

"It's just a pity that the Sage Arts of Shikkotsu Forest don't have many techniques suitable for combat; they are mostly used for restraining opponents or self-recovery."

Dispelling the golden light from his hands, Uchiha Gen stood up from the tree and looked at the full moon in the sky.

"I knew you'd be here."

Just as he stood up, a familiar voice rang out from beneath the tree. Uchiha Gen looked down to see Tsunade leaping onto the branch he was standing on.

"Why are you here?"

Uchiha Gen continued to look up at the moon and spoke softly. Tsunade should have been in a meeting right now.