Hidden Agendas

Before the two sides even clashed, Shisui's Genjutsu was like a sudden storm, displaying its power in the blink of an eye from dozens of meters away, instantly causing two enemy ninjas to fall.

This scene greatly surprised Ao, the leader of Kirigakure. He used his Byakugan to investigate and discovered that the other party was actually just a teenager.

He never imagined that such an amazing ninja was hidden in Konoha. With just one Genjutsu, he caused them to lose two elite ninjas and was immediately put at a disadvantage.

Qing thought to himself, "What's the point of this battle? Enough said, let's run!"

Therefore, he made a decisive decision, issued the order to retreat, and led the remaining troops to hurriedly flee back to Kirigakure to report the situation to the Mizukage.

Shisui, Kakashi, Obito, and others successfully repelled the attack from Kirigakure, giving Konoha a brief respite.

However, even after returning to the village, danger still loomed over them, forcing them to bravely step forward once again and rush to the battlefield with Iwagakure.

At the same time, the entire Shinobi World was engulfed in war, and people were filled with fear and chaos, like boiling porridge.

Even Itachi was taken to the battlefield by Fugaku, hoping that he could grow up quickly in the flames of war. For a time, only Koki and Mikoto were left at home.

In reality, Koki was very worried about everyone's safety and longed to participate in the battle, but everyone refused his request on the grounds that his body had not fully recovered, and promised him that they would return safely.

Left with no other choice, Koki had to agree.

A few days later, Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Koki to the Hokage Building. In a serious tone, he gave Koki an extremely important task: there had been some unusual developments in the Land of Rain recently, and he needed to investigate the situation of Granny Chiyo and Hanzo of the Salamander of the Salamander.

Koki accepted the mission without hesitation, and his decisive attitude greatly pleased Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Koki with eyes full of satisfaction, praising her repeatedly, "Good! Good! Good!"

At this time, Konoha was in a precarious situation, and Koki's resolute response was like a reassuring medicine, injecting great comfort into Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.

The truth is far more complex than it appears on the surface.

The so-called investigation into Granny Chiyo and Hanzo of the Salamander was nothing more than a pretext by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

In fact, just yesterday, Hanzō from the Land of Rain sent another threatening letter, clearly stating that if Koki still did not come to the Land of Rain, he would not hesitate to lead his troops straight to Konoha.

For Konoha, which was already exhausted and had to deal with enemies from all sides, this was undoubtedly adding insult to injury, because Konoha simply could not withstand any more turmoil and pressure at this time.

Faced with such an urgent situation, Hiruzen Sarutobi made a decisive move and immediately sent someone to summon Koki to the Hokage Building. He then began to explain the current situation to Koki in an incessant manner, attempting to persuade him to go to the Land of Rain in the name of righteousness and resolve the impending crisis.

He did not anticipate that Koki already had her own plans.

For Koki, this incident was a godsend, perfectly suited to his wishes.

He had been searching for a reason to go to Amegakure, but hadn't found a suitable excuse until now, when he finally got the chance.

After all, the four people he wanted to redeem— Konan, Yahiko, Nagato, and Sasori, according to the latest intelligence—were all in Amegakure.

Koki was filled with worry. He feared that if he didn't go soon, Hanzō might take Konan away.

Therefore, he decided to seize this rare opportunity to go to Amegakure and complete other redemption tasks.

Moreover, Koki had an even more far-reaching plan in mind: the Land of Land of Rain was located at the intersection of three countries and bordered many other countries, making its geographical location extremely important.

If the Land of Rain can be successfully established, this place will surely become a major commercial hub in the future, suitable for vigorous development of commerce.

Furthermore, if a good relationship can be established with Yahiko and the others, this place could even become a secret base for the Uchiha.

Koki and Hiruzen Sarutobi, two people with different intentions, each gained something from this conversation, each believing they had achieved their goals, unaware that each harbored their own hidden agendas.

After making proper arrangements for Mikoto, Koki declined Hatake Sakumo's offer of escort and resolutely embarked on her journey to the Land of Rain.

The Land of Rain, winter.

In the season when Konoha fall, snowflakes gently drape the world in an elegant silver garment.

However, upon entering the Land of Rain, one is greeted only by a biting wind and icy rain; the wind cuts like knives, and the rain pelts like icy beads, relentlessly striking the skin.

Wearing a raincoat and thick clothes, Koki walked through the streets of the Land of Rain. His gaze swept over the figures begging along the streets, and a sense of desolation welled up in his heart.

"Are there refugees even here?"

Here, shrouded in perpetual clouds, the precious land is soaked in endless rain, like a nightmare from which there is no escape.

Every time farmers sow seeds of hope, it's like a high-stakes gamble filled with fear and trepidation.

They planted the seeds with great confidence in the soil, but no one could predict whether the soil would nurture new sprouts or grains already rotted by the rain.

This unknown fear loomed over their lives like a shadow, and naturally, hunger became the main theme of their existence.

In this country where resources are scarce, the divide between social classes seems like an insurmountable chasm.

Even in barren lands, as long as there are people who are willing to work, those unproductive landlords and nobles will not disappear. They are like greedy vampires, ruthlessly sucking the lifeblood of the lower classes.

For the nobles and landowners of the weaker nations sandwiched between the three powerful nations of Fire, Earth, and Wind, the only time they could assert their status was by bossing around the "lowly people" who toiled in the soil and levying heavy taxes on them.

They wore fine clothes, lived in vast mansions, and indulged in a life of luxury, yet remained indifferent to the suffering of the people.

If it stopped there, life might be barely sustainable. Although those so-called "masters" were greedy, under long-term exploitation, they would at least retain enough meager food to support the people through the cold winter and into the next year's harvest, and would not do the foolish thing of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

However, fate seemed to show no mercy to these suffering people.

Located at the crossroads of three kingdoms, the Land of Rain's geographical location made it a strategic stronghold coveted by military strategists. The shadow of war loomed over this barren land year after year, making the lives of its people increasingly difficult, as if adding insult to injury.

The marching ninja corps brought not only war and smoke, but also the plunder and devastation of this land.

After each battle, fertile fields were trampled, houses were burned, and people were displaced and suffered unspeakable misery.

Wandering ninjas and samurai also roamed the area. In order to make a living, they did not hesitate to plunder the property of civilians, making their already difficult lives even worse and plunging them into misery.

Koki witnessed the various horrific scenes on the street. He saw the hunger gleaming in the children's eyes, heard the helpless sighs of the elderly, and felt the endless despair in the women's eyes.

The scenery here is worlds apart from the bustling prosperity of Kyoto City.