Rain fell endlessly over the Land of Rain, where muddy roads wound through regions far from the ravages of war.
Kakuzu led Ise, Fusō, and Nagato onward, steering clear of countless battles and the ninja from various villages patrolling the area. Whenever a few foolish ninja proved impossible to avoid, he simply treated them as extra income and pocketed the proceeds.
They kept walking, venturing deep into the untouched mountains of the Land of Rain.
The journey was quiet, with only the patter of rain accompanying the splash of their footsteps through the mud.
Uneasy throughout the journey, Nagato clutched the hem of his mother Fusō's clothes. He looked up timidly at the tall, imposing Kakuzu beside him and asked in a small voice, "Sir, where are you taking us?"
Kakuzu walked with steady strides, the thick gold chain around his neck swaying gently with each step. He glanced sideways at Nagato and answered in a raspy voice, "To my secret base."
"There are plenty of children there who lost their homes to the war, just like you. Hmm, quite a few adult survivors, too." At that, he cast a casual glance at Ise and his wife.
Young Nagato nodded without fully understanding, but much of the fear in his heart faded.
They trekked over mountains and ridges, and after roughly an hour, the forest ahead suddenly opened up.
Nestled among the mountains was an exceptionally well-hidden village in a valley, sheltered from the war. Mountains and water surrounded it, its terrain offered strong natural defenses, and multiple concealment barriers kept ordinary ninja and refugees from even noticing its existence.
The houses stood in neat rows, and the roads were clean and level. Busy adults and children training diligently could be seen everywhere.
No one wore an expression of hunger,