Inside the Land of Rain.
Under the gloomy skies, dark clouds rolled ceaselessly, as if gathering to unleash a downpour.
Inside a cave.
An orange-haired boy sat despondently beside a blazing fire, his arms wrapped around his knees. His clothes were ragged, and he looked like a child abandoned in the aftermath of war.
Outside the cave, clouds gathered beneath a dark sky, and the howling wind roared from time to time.
The little boy curled up even tighter and edged closer to the fire, as if only that could drive away the darkness of this world and bring him closer to the light.
A pot of rice porridge simmered over the fire. Besides the orange-haired boy, there was a kind old woman and a little girl with wide eyes.
At the cave entrance stood a tall, straight-backed young man, his face expressionless.
His gaze kept drifting toward the entrance, and he remained on alert.
"Hiss..."
The porridge over the fire was ready, bubbling with a soft hiss as white steam rose from the pot.
When the little girl saw that it was ready and smelled its delicious aroma, a happy smile appeared on her face. But when she glanced at the boy beside her, her expression dimmed.
The old woman slowly ladled out the porridge and handed a bowl to the little girl with a kind smile. "Konan, have some first. You've been through a lot these past few days."
Konan gently shook her head. Holding the steaming bowl, she rose and walked over to the young man standing at the cave entrance.
"Minato, you should have some first."
Konan looked up at the tall figure with innocent, wide eyes, holding out the bowl as she spoke softly.
At her words, Minato slowly turned to look at her. His