Dark clouds stretched across the sky, and a steady drizzle drifted slowly through the air.
In Amegakure.
In a secluded corner, several tents had been set up. A few young Rain Ninja were maintaining order beside them.
A long line of villagers stretched all the way to the edge of the village.
The villagers had long grown used to the drizzle. Some wore raincoats, while others simply went bare-chested in the rain.
One by one, the villagers waiting in line stood gaunt and sallow, their faces haggard. Yet their eyes now shone with hope, filled with the vitality of people given a new lease on life.
Every villager who reached the tents received a portion of food. It wasn't much, but it was enough to get by, so they no longer had to go hungry.
After receiving their food, the villagers bowed to thank the young Rain Ninja handing it out.
Whenever they did, the young Rain Ninja hurried to help them back up. They were newly chosen shinobi, still quite green; some were even the children of the villagers standing in line for food.
Everything seemed a little different from the gloomy Amegakure of the past...
Inside the towering building at the center of the village, which seemed to be built from black stone,
a thin figure stood by the window, staring blankly at the villagers lining up for food with his narrow eyes. When he saw the hopeful smiles on faces that had once been numb,
his lips curved into a broad smile, and his eyes narrowed as he lifted his gaze to the gloomy sky.
Father... Mother...
This village is changing...
If you could see this... would you be happy for me...
Just then,
a warm voice rang through the spacious room.
"Looks like you're doing a