Xiaonan's Move

Hyuga Kiyonari said, "The most distinctive feature of the Land of Rain is its nearly incessant rainfall, and the enormous network of pipes that makes up the old Amegakure."

"These pipes are not only part of Amegakure's architecture, but also a vast waterworks system. It collects the abundant rainwater and uses the elevation differences to drive waterwheels that generate electricity, keeping Amegakure running."

"The Land of Snow... Kazahana Koyuki... geothermal generators..."

"Drilling... using geothermal generators to draw up heat, boiling water... driving steam turbines... turning generators..."

Xiaonan's fingertips lightly traced the page, her brows furrowing.

When it came to ninjutsu, she could speak at length, and all sorts of principles came easily to her. But the technical terms on these pages were completely unfamiliar.

Having lived in Amegakure for over a decade, Xiaonan had never realized there was another side to the village until she read this journal. Those metal pipes, with rainwater flowing through them day and night, weren't merely drainage facilities.

These things lay entirely beyond her understanding. It felt just like the first time she had learned about chakra and ninjutsu.

As though she were standing before a new world.

"Hyuga Kiyonari..."

Xiaonan murmured the name. At last, she understood why, whenever Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki mentioned Konoha, his tone was always tinged with an indescribable complexity.

What were the odds of finding a good person—someone capable—among a bunch of ninjas who only knew how to kill?

And yet, people like that always seemed to come from Konoha.

She sat down at her desk and spread out a sheet of white paper. Her pen glided across it, weaving scattered information into a clear outline.

The Land of Snow mentioned in the journal was a small country at the northernmost edge of the continent. Far from the Five Great Shinobi Countries and the shinobi, it showed surprising technological potential.

The Land of Snow's daimyo, Kazahana Sōsetsu, was devoted to researching "geothermal generators" in an attempt to change the country's harsh environment. But after he had built an initial prototype, his younger brother, Kazahana Dōtō, staged a coup and seized power.

Kazahana Sōsetsu entrusted the key to the geothermal generator to his daughter, Kazahana Koyuki, then hired Konoha Ninja Kakashi Hatake to escort her. They managed to escape the Land of Snow.

Kazahana Dōtō mistakenly believed the "geothermal generator" was some kind of powerful weapon, so he relentlessly pursued Kazahana Koyuki. By then, though, she had assumed the name Fujikaze Yukie, settled in the Land of Fire, and become an actress.

Eventually, Hyuga Kiyonari, then a Genin, took on the mission. With his help, Kazahana Koyuki returned to her homeland, overthrew Kazahana Dōtō's rule, and restored her country.

"That's the whole story."

Xiaonan set down her pen and fell into thought.

In the journal, Hyuga Kiyonari hadn't mentioned any specific dates when telling the story. So she didn't know whether the Land of Snow had developed geothermal generators by this point, or whether Kazahana Dōtō's coup had already happened.

If it was still early, she had two options: warn Kazahana Sōsetsu in advance and help him guard against the coup, or wait for the coup to happen, then help Kazahana Koyuki reclaim her country.

From the perspective of Akatsuki and the Land of Rain, the latter was undoubtedly the better choice.

Although Kazahana Sōsetsu had led the research into geothermal generators, he wasn't a researcher himself. As for Kazahana Koyuki, her desire for revenge would make her an ideal pawn, easy to control. Akatsuki could easily obtain everything in the Land of Snow—and even control the country from the shadows.

But...

Xiaonan's gaze drifted involuntarily to the journal. "Hyuga Kiyonari" seemed to be watching her through its pages.

"I should find a way to confirm the situation first."

Who should she send to investigate the Land of Snow?

Zetsu? Amegakure ninja?

Xiaonan dismissed each possibility as soon as it occurred to her. No matter who she sent to investigate the Land of Snow, she wouldn't be able to explain where her information had come from.

She wasn't willing to risk anything that might expose the journal.

Besides, geothermal generators had been developed in the Land of Snow, and they might not suit the Land of Rain's environment. It was like using Water Release in the deserts of the Land of Wind: possible, but far from ideal.

So in addition to gathering information about the Land of Snow, she would need to recruit those researchers. Nobody else would recognize how valuable these "ordinary people" were.

In that case, it seemed there was only one option...

"I'll go myself."

The next day.

Xiaonan stood before Pain. "Pain, I need to leave for a while."

"Leave?"

Pain's voice had no inflection, but it carried a hint of tension. There was no doubt that Nagato was resisting the idea Xiaonan had brought up.

"I've just been feeling a little tired lately. I want to spend some time alone."

She softened her tone, as if trying to soothe a kitten about to hiss.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"The capital of the Land of Fire," Xiaonan replied. The Land of Snow was too far away; a round trip would take too long. Besides...the key was still in Kazahana Koyuki's hands. She only needed to confirm whether someone named Fujikaze Yukie existed.

The place was far from conflicts between shinobi, and she wasn't likely to run into any powerful ninjas. Xiaonan could handle herself.

Pain relaxed a little, but still seemed uncertain. "How long do you plan to be gone?"

"Not long. I'll be back in two weeks at most."

Pain fell silent for a long while. Cold rain continued to beat against the tower. Only when the patter grew heavier did he give a slight nod.

"But you have to promise me," he said more firmly. "Be careful."

"I know."

Before leaving, she still had to make a few preparations.

Akatsuki hadn't yet come to the attention of the Shinobi World, but wearing this outfit in the capital of the Land of Fire would surely attract unwanted attention. To avoid trouble, she would need to change.

Back in her room, she opened the wardrobe. The few clothes she owned hung inside. Apart from a few Akatsuki robes with red clouds on black, she had only one plain black robe, somewhat faded from washing.

They had worn it back when Yahiko was still alive, before the name "Akatsuki" had even been born.

Xiaonan held the robe against herself to check its fit. Her fingers absently rubbed the cuff, where a kunai had once torn a hole. Now, only fine stitches remained.

"It still fits surprisingly well."

As the black robe wrapped around her, Xiaonan suddenly made a girlish gesture.

She rose onto her toes and spun around. As the hem flared, it revealed the purple bodysuit beneath. For a moment, the figure in the mirror seemed to split in two, and the woman she was now gazed across time at the girl who had once followed Yahiko.