Amegakure, in the Land of Rain.
A patrol squad made its rounds in the rain, treading muddy roads, its footsteps drowned out by the downpour.
They wore black cloaks with their hoods pulled low. Rainwater dripped from the edges, blurring their vision.
No one spoke. Only their breathing mingled with the sound of rain.
Suddenly, a disturbance broke out in the distance. Countless white sheets of paper rose from the direction of the tower, like snowflakes in a blizzard, spinning, fluttering, and gathering in the rain.
They circled in the air, then slowly descended beneath the tower, coalescing into a human shape.
The paper seemed alive, sheet overlapping sheet, layer pressing against layer, until it became a woman in a black cloak.
Purple hair, an orange paper flower, a pale face, and a pair of cool, aloof eyes.
The patrol squad stopped, everyone looking in that direction. A young Genin in the group stared wide-eyed, his mouth hanging slightly open. Rainwater ran down his cheeks and into his mouth, but he had forgotten to close it.
His voice trembled slightly with excitement. "Bro... is... is that Lady Angel?"
The patrol captain smiled faintly, his gaze full of reverence. As he watched the distant figure, a trace of warmth flickered in his eyes, as though he were remembering something. He said softly:
"Yes, that's Lady Angel. If it weren't for her, I would have died in that war long ago. From now on, Lady Angel will be our leader."
His voice was quiet, stating a truth that had long since been settled. In his eyes, the purple-haired woman was not human. She was a messenger sent by God, the angel who had saved them.
Following the captain's gaze, the young Genin looked toward the tower farther away. A hazy figure sat