Akatsuki's Predicament

The Hidden Sand ninja suddenly received orders to gather outside the town.

Konan and Nagato immediately led people to treat the innocent civilians, but someone from Akatsuki came to report that the camp was already overflowing and they had no way to detoxify the victims.

To avoid being watched by the Hidden Rain ninja, Qian Yun hurried over and said, "I'm a medical ninja. I can cure poison!"

A group of young Akatsuki members looked over, as though trying to determine whether Qian Yun was lying.

Qian Yun felt awkward and quickly explained, "Actually, I escaped from the desert. To shake off the Hidden Sand ninja, I have no choice but to cooperate with you!"

Hearing this, Konan and Nagato finally relaxed. They had previously believed that Konoha had joined forces with Hidden Sand to attack Hidden Rain Village.

Following Akatsuki into their camp, Qian Yun finally saw what it was like.

The early Akatsuki was like a refugee camp. Everything was battered and dilapidated, and wounded people lay everywhere.

People kept dying, and the civilians had already grown numb. No one cried.

That was not all. Akatsuki members were still carrying people into the camp without pause. They all appeared to be helpless civilians with nowhere to turn.

Qian Yun did not waste words after arriving at the camp. He immediately picked up a pen and wrote down a formula for an antidote.

In fact, Qian Yun had sensed it long ago. Hidden Rain jonin were jointly casting the Poison Rain Technique.

And Hidden Rain's poisons were largely similar. Qian Yun had heard about them hundreds of times while doing odd jobs at Konoha Hospital, and they had now become teaching cases at Konoha Hospital.

Of course, Qian Yun had not been qualified to handle them at the time. He had merely listened while doing odd jobs and committed everything to memory.

Konan ordered people to gather the medicine and detoxify the victims, while Qian Yun was taken to treat the severely wounded.

They were the group that had been burned during the earlier counter-ambush, and their injuries looked extremely serious.

If it had been anyone else, they might only have been able to keep these people alive. Restoring their appearance would have been nearly impossible.

But Qian Yun had conducted some experiments on the nameless island and confirmed that Blue Star's skin repair techniques could be used.

"Does anyone know where to find tilapia?"

As he used Water Release ninjutsu to refine saline solution, Qian Yun asked in a calm tone.

The Akatsuki members had no idea what he meant and exchanged bewildered looks.

Qian Yun looked at Konan, who had turned into a shy little girl at that moment.

"Yes, we all know!"

She was just answering a question, yet she actually blushed.

As Qian Yun slowly injected the saline solution in his hand into the wounded person's body, he spoke slowly.

"Quickly find some and skin the fish while they're fresh. We'll need the skins in an hour!

Find some medical supplies too, such as petri dishes and blood transfusion tubes. The more complete, the better!

And medicinal herbs—bring whatever you have. The more varieties, the better!

Gather the critically ill patients in quiet rooms. Members who can still move should go rest in the tents on their own. Clear out the space first!"

Qian Yun rattled off a string of instructions, and the Akatsuki members hurried into action.

Konan and Nagato were stunned. Although they often treated civilians, things became a complete mess every time.

But now that Qian Yun had arrived, everything seemed to be proceeding in an orderly fashion.

Having order felt wonderful.

The tilapia skins were delivered soon afterward. Qian Yun quickly treated them before grafting them onto the burn victims.

Nagato asked in surprise, "Will this really be okay?

What if fish scales grow on their bodies?"

Qian Yun smiled. "Don't worry. This technique has already undergone tens of thousands of clinical trials. They'll recover eighty percent in three months, and it won't differ much from their original skin!"

Qian Yun quickly treated the burn victims before moving on to the wounded who had fallen unconscious from blood loss.

As for those who had been poisoned, with the prescription in hand, many ninja could treat them.

Qian Yun worked until the latter half of the night. By the time he sat down, his face had gone pale.

Yahiko returned and said something, but Qian Yun did not notice. He was already exhausted enough to fall asleep.

The next day, at noon.

Qian Yun was awakened by a burst of commotion. After sensing the surroundings for a moment, he discovered that the camp had received a new batch of wounded.

The civilians had been sent away. Besides Akatsuki members, many Hidden Rain ninja were among the injured.

Qian Yun began working again. This time, they had somehow found a batch of medical equipment.

The petri dishes operated around the clock, while Konan led people in learning from Qian Yun.

On the fifth day of the war, poisonous mist continued spreading through the town.

Civilians died batch after batch. Even many ninja could not withstand it, and there was not even enough time to prepare antidotes.

Qian Yun clearly sensed that Granny Chiyo and Hanzō had begun fighting outside the town.

The strangest part was that the Hidden Rain ninja suddenly began attacking indiscriminately, even slaughtering civilians.

Yahiko argued with several Hidden Rain ninja, but Qian Yun did not interrupt.

Then someone suddenly pointed at Qian Yun and roared, "Who can guarantee he isn't a spy? Who can guarantee he isn't here to sow discord among us?

Lord Hanzō has fought for Hidden Rain Village for half his life. Is it really appropriate for us to slander him like this?

Sometimes war is simply like this. For total victory, don't we have to sacrifice a small number of comrades?

Aren't we heartbroken too?

But what choice do we have?

If we don't do this, even more comrades will die, and we'll lose the entire Land of Rain!"

Yahiko roared, "Even so, you can't slaughter civilians! How is that any different from the Five Great Nations?"

"Then prove first that not a single person here is a spy. Otherwise, everyone of unknown origin must be killed!"

It turned out that the Hidden Rain Village ninja were carrying out orders, while Akatsuki was merely an unofficial group. Strictly speaking, they were not recognized by Hidden Rain Village.

Qian Yun put down what he was holding and removed his gas mask.

"I am Qian Yun, a Konoha ninja. Coming to this town was entirely a coincidence!

I can leave. Please stop arguing, both of you!"

After Qian Yun spoke, that Hidden Rain jonin coldly barked, "You can't leave!"

The man was about to make a move, but Yahiko stepped in front of Qian Yun.

"Have you forgotten? This is Akatsuki territory!

We will never allow our comrades to be falsely accused, much less slaughtered!"

"Fine, fine! You chose this yourself!"

The Hidden Rain jonin was about to order them to begin fighting, but Qian Yun suddenly shouted, "Wait!"

His voice was loud enough that everyone turned to look at him.

"Lord Hanzō's goal is to win the war against Hidden Sand, and now he has already won. Hidden Sand is retreating!

If I leave, you will still be comrades, and this town will remain the gateway to Hidden Rain Village!

Akatsuki can help you hold back foreign enemies and serve as Hidden Rain Village's first line of defense!

Starting a war with Akatsuki is very unwise. I hope you will consider this carefully!"

After Qian Yun finished speaking, the Hidden Rain jonin had nothing to say. Then Qian Yun suddenly used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.

"We've been tricked! Chase him!"

The Hidden Rain ninja suddenly pursued Qian Yun. Yahiko wanted to chase after them and stop them, but several Akatsuki members blocked his way.

"Leader, don't you understand Qian Yun's intentions?

He doesn't want us to start a war with Lord Hanzō. And with his strength, those few people are no match for him!

Escaping won't be a problem!"

Yahiko signaled Nagato to sense the situation. Several breaths later, Nagato nodded, indicating that Qian Yun had already broken out of the encirclement.

Yet in the very next moment, Nagato cried out, "Lord Hanzō actually gave the order for a whole squadron of jonin to pursue Qian Yun!"