Within the Land of Rain.
Beneath the endless drizzle.
In a town that had nearly been reduced to ruins.
Minato was crouching on the ground. Blood stained his clothes, and as the rain dampened them, the stains spread.
It was as if vivid red flowers were blooming across his body.
Though he was covered in blood, he calmly helped the small-framed Konan into her raincoat.
Once he had finished, he stood up and glanced indifferently at the ruined town and the bodies pinned beneath the rubble. Then he spoke softly.
"Let's go. This place... can no longer be called your home."
Konan looked up at Minato with wide eyes, then glanced at the home that had been reduced to ruins.
A trace of loneliness appeared in her wide eyes.
She reached out with one small hand and gently took Minato's hand, while her other hand clung tightly to the old woman's withered one.
Feeling the cold little hand in his, Minato froze for a moment and looked down at the frail young Konan.
His eyes were filled with complicated emotions.
He instinctively tightened his grip, as if he wanted to give that little hand all the warmth in the world.
Konan... I'll stay by Captain Aizen's side...
I'll definitely... create that beautiful world... Then... you'll never have to feel sad again...
Beside them, the old woman watched Konan with a kindly expression. The tenderness and affection in her eyes were utterly genuine.
The three of them donned their raincoats and walked out of the ruined town.
But then!
As they passed a collapsed house,
a faint voice, barely audible over the patter of the rain, caught Konan and the old woman's attention.
"Help... please help... my mom... I... I'm begging you..."
Beneath the collapsed house, a child lay struggling on