After the people of Kumogakure and Iwagakure fought, the people of Amegakure suffered no real injuries.
But many buildings had collapsed, cutting the space where they could shelter and get through each day by nearly half.
Life in Amegakure had already been hard. Now it became even harder.
Orochimaru saw it all and felt a measure of sympathy.
But he was a ninja of Konoha with a mission to carry out, so all he could do was watch.
After that, ninjas from Raion Village kept sneaking toward Iwagakure to launch attacks.
The people of Iwagakure chased them off time and again. Nearly ten battles, large and small, broke out in Amegakure.
The people of Amegakure suffered terribly, and Yahiko's expression grew darker by the day.
As Nagato watched, the words the Masked Man had spoken kept echoing in his mind.
He kept telling himself not to think about it, but the thought of that poison had taken root in his heart like a curse.
Only after seeing this did Orochimaru believe what Uchiha Yin had told him: one day, Akatsuki would change completely.
When he had first arrived, Orochimaru had not believed it. Now he had no choice.
After all, even Yahiko, the sunshine of Amegakure, was gradually losing his light.
Rain fell steadily over Amegakure that day, as it always did. Orochimaru crouched atop the Clock Tower as usual.
He looked into the distance, an odd expression on his face. "Looks like you won't have any peace today, either!"
Yahiko and Nagato's faces darkened when they heard him. "Let's go!"
Chapter 555: The Scent of a Conspiracy
As usual, Yahiko and Nagato led the villagers to the Shelter to keep them safe from the fighting between the two sides.
But this time, there was something different: anger lurked beneath