Hidden Crafts Village

Rumble—

Lightning split apart the sea of clouds hanging overhead, countless twisting electric serpents stretching toward the horizon. Raindrops as large as beans fell from the sky, striking the ground with sharp, crackling pops.

Inside a cave somewhere, lively flames danced over firewood, casting an orange glow and waves of warmth.

"Boss, it's already been three days. When are we going to find someone to fight?"

Chikuma boredly roasted a wild rabbit he had caught outside over the fire. Behind him, more than a dozen elite members of the Taketori Clan lay sprawled about in every direction, each of them looking equally listless.

Perhaps it was because of their bloodline, but the Taketori Clan felt uncomfortable if they went a day without fighting. If they went too long without a battle, their pent-up negative emotions would erupt all at once, turning them bloodthirsty, berserk, and devoid of reason.

Yan Hong set down the map in his hands and looked up at the weather outside. As if speaking to himself, he said, "Soon, I suppose. The situation in the Shinobi World has only just stabilized, and there won't be any major upheavals for a while. Every village is busy digesting the fruits of victory after the war, so this is a good opportunity for us to grow as well."

After saying all that, Chikuma had not absorbed a single word. He scratched his head and continued roasting the meat in his hands.

Yan Hong knew that explaining such things to him was like playing music to a cow, so he continued studying the map.

There were three main clans he intended to recruit this time. One of them was the Uzuki Clan mentioned by Sarutobi Sasuke before his death, a ninja clan highly skilled in swordsmanship.

But honestly, as a second-rate clan, their combat strength was not particularly impressive. Yan Hong was only going because even a mosquito had some meat on it. Besides, with the token Sarutobi Sasuke had given him, the chances of success would not be low.

The Uzuki Clan's base was in the north of the Land of Fire, separated from the Land of Flame by more than half the Land of Fire. Yan Hong planned to travel along the Land of Fire's border, visiting the other two clans along the way.

His first destination was a small country called the Land of Crafts. No clan ruled this country. Instead, a group of like-minded ninja had gathered and formed an organization, and the ninja within it were all highly skilled at forging ninja tools. During the Warring States era, nearly every clan had ordered ninja tools from them, including the Uchiha Clan.

Drip, drip—

After an unknown amount of time, the wind and rain outside finally subsided. Yan Hong rose to his feet, dusted off his clothes, and said, "Let's go. If nothing unexpected happens, we'll arrive tomorrow. If there's a conflict then, I'll leave it to you."

"Hm?" The moment he heard there was a fight to be had, Chikuma wolfed down the roasted rabbit in two bites. The other members of the Taketori Clan also scrambled up from the ground and eagerly followed Yan Hong, wishing they could reach the Land of Crafts immediately and fight someone.

The group left the cave in grand fashion, leaving behind a pile of extinguished firewood.

About five minutes later, a figure entirely shrouded in a black robe slowly arrived before the cave. The figure wore a hood, making his expression impossible to see. He merely swept a glance over the cave, then slightly raised his head. Dark green eyes stared faintly in the direction Yan Hong had gone before he vanished from where he stood.

Tap, tap, tap...

Under the light rain, a group of travelers who had journeyed a long way stepped onto the territory of the Hidden Crafts Village.

Yan Hong wore a straw rain cape, his gaze beneath the conical hat sweeping across the mist-shrouded village. After several days of travel, a trace of fatigue showed in his eyes.

The members of the Taketori Clan, meanwhile, carelessly let the rain fall over their bodies. At the sight of a village with people in it at last, they immediately perked up and volunteered from behind Yan Hong, "Boss, is this the place? Should we just charge in?"

"Don't rush. Wait for my signal." Yan Hong hurriedly stopped the group of brutes. "Let's talk first. A forcibly picked melon may quench your thirst, but it won't be sweet."

And so, the group headed toward the village. They were still more than ten meters from the entrance when the two ninja guarding the gate noticed them.

"Hey! You there! Who are you people?"

Yan Hong lifted his head to glance at the plaque above the village entrance again and said, "Ninja from the Flame Hidden Village. I wish to meet your leader, or rather, your village chief."

The two gate guards exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

The Flame Hidden Village, the Uchiha Clan? Why had they come here?

"May I ask what business you have with our leader? If you're here to commission ninja tools, then I'm afraid something has happened in the village recently, and we may be unable to forge any for you."

Something had happened? Yan Hong's brows faintly furrowed, but he still insisted, "It isn't solely for the purpose of forging ninja tools. I truly have an important matter to discuss with your leader."

After all, this was the Uchiha Clan, a prestigious great clan. The two of them could not simply turn them away, so they could only say with a placating smile, "Very well. Please wait a moment while I report this to Lord Qingming."

One remained behind to keep them company while the other quickly jogged into the village. Yan Hong held back the increasingly restless Chikuma as he considered the Hidden Crafts Village's circumstances.

There were not many descriptions of the Hidden Crafts Village in later generations. Yan Hong only knew that this ninja village had gradually declined by that time, but he had no way of knowing what sort of historical changes it had undergone.

Before long, a refined young man in a white robe hurried over, surrounded by several people. When he saw Yan Hong and the others, he revealed a warm smile. "Honored guests of the Uchiha Clan have come from afar. Please forgive me for failing to welcome you properly. Please, come in!"

Yan Hong gave a slight nod in response, while the disappointment on the faces of the Taketori Clan members behind him was unmistakable.

The Hidden Crafts Village was not very large. Along the way, they could see many blacksmiths swinging hammers inside their shops. Even on a rainy day, the air carried a faint, dry heat.

Following Qingming to a reception hall, Yan Hong had someone lead the Taketori Clan members away to rest. Once only Yan Hong and Qingming remained in the hall, tea was served, and they took their respective seats.

Qingming was the first to ask, "May I ask which outstanding member of the Uchiha Clan you are?"

"Uchiha Yan Hong."

A trace of barely perceptible astonishment flashed through Qingming's eyes, but he said evenly, "I never expected the Uchiha Clan's Third Master to come in person. May I ask what brings Lord Yan Hong here this time?"

Yan Hong lightly sipped his tea and said leisurely, "May I ask what plans Village Chief Qingming has for the Hidden Crafts Village's future development?"

At those words, Qingming's eyelid twitched sharply. His expression turned strange as he said, "Could it be that you want the Hidden Crafts Village to join your Flame Hidden Village?"

"Hm?" This time, Yan Hong was taken aback. "Why would you say that?"

Seeing that it was indeed as he had thought, Qingming revealed a helpless, bitter smile. "Because you are the second person to say this to me."

Yan Hong looked somewhat surprised. "Then who was the first?"

Qingming said faintly, "Water Country. Kirigakure."