Amegakure.
It was a small nation where rain fell year-round, its damp climate lending the weather a gloomy cast. The sky was thick with dark clouds, as though its rain would never end.
On a nearly deserted street, three figures-one tall and two short-walked forward curiously, dressed in straw rain capes and hats.
"Teacher, is this Amegakure?"
"There seem to be so few people here."
Shiro looked around as he spoke, puzzled.
Compared with Kirigakure and the Land of Waves, Amegakure seemed far less populated, both in its overall population and the number of pedestrians on its streets.
"Shh."
"Every word you say here might be heard by this place's leader."
River placed a finger against his lips and spoke with a smile.
Then he raised his head to look at the strange, seemingly endless rain, a glint flashing deep within his eyes.
"Huh? How could that happen?"
Shiro asked in surprise.
Beside him, Kimimaro also looked puzzled.
That expression on his fair, youthful face made him look quite adorable.
River bent down and patted both little ones on the head, smiling faintly.
"There are always some amazing Ninjutsu in this world that can sense a great deal."
Then he adjusted the straw hat on his head and strode deeper into the village.
It was now the fifty-second year of Konoha.
Minato had died, and the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Sasuke, had taken office to govern Konoha once more. Meanwhile, Amegakure was no longer under the control of Hanzo of the Salamander.
An organization called the Akatsuki had taken his place, led by a man named Pain.
Many people in Amegakure called him a god.
It was a title that surpassed that of the demigod, Hanzo of the Salamander, and a reward for Pain's victory in battle.
"You two still have