Within the Land of Rain.
Amid the torrential downpour, in an abandoned village.
White mist seemed to engulf the place in a sea of clouds, as though it had drifted beyond the mortal world.
In the village stood a strange little house, patched up all over.
Inside the house.
Three children were sprawled across the table, utterly exhausted and motionless.
Nearby, a kind-looking old woman was simmering a pot of steaming meat soup. Every so often, she smiled at them, her weathered eyes filled with happiness.
"Gurgle, gurgle..."
The soup bubbled away, white steam rising from the pot. Soon, its rich aroma filled the room.
Just then, they caught the soup's savory smell.
The children sniffed, and though their eyes remained closed, they lifted their heads and searched for the source of the scent like newborn puppies.
Suddenly, their eyes flew open!
The moment they saw the simmering soup, all their weariness seemed to vanish. They cried out in delight.
"Grandma! You made meat soup!"
Yahiko's eyes were wide, his face beaming with joy, his grin nearly reaching his ears.
The other two weren't quite as exuberant, but they were just as eager, swallowing in anticipation as they waited happily for the feast to come.
Seeing the children awake, the old woman smiled kindly and said cheerfully,
"You're awake! Just wait a little longer. Your favorite meat soup will be ready soon."
"Your master specially hunted this Spirit Lynx for you."
At the old woman's words, all three children smiled with delight. But then, their expressions suddenly froze.
They looked around the room, but the familiar figure they remembered was nowhere to be seen. They asked quietly,
"Grandma, where did Master Jiraiya go? Is he not here?"
At their question, the old woman gently shook her head to show that