Chapter 364: Everyone Is Moving
Land of Rain, outside the Hidden Rain Village.
A dozen ninja were waiting for something. At the head of the group stood a man wearing a traditional hat inscribed with the character for "Rain." Despite the continuous drizzle, the group didn't bother seeking shelter. They had long since grown accustomed to the Land of Rain's climate; from the Amekage down to the rank-and-file, their attire was designed to be waterproof.
Hanzo the Salamander checked the time and spoke.
"It's almost time. Everyone, look sharp!"
They didn't have to wait long. Several streaks of rainbow light roared across the horizon, accompanied by low rumbles of thunder.
First to land were three delivery pods, striking precisely at the designated coordinates. The doors hissed open, and Kushina, Nagato, and Kayo stepped out.
Their uniform red hair was exceptionally striking against the grey backdrop.
Kushina kept a stiff face, staring straight ahead. Internally, she was panicking, terrified of doing something to embarrass the Federation.
Kayo was much more relaxed. During the Three-and-a-Half-Day War, she had been sent to support the Rain Village and had worked quite well with their people.
After the trio retracted their pods, Dana performed a "body transmission" and landed softly.
He didn't put on airs, stepping forward to shake Hanzo's hand with genuine warmth.
"Amekage-dono, it's been a while!"
Having dealt with him for years, Dana knew what Hanzo valued. He wasn't the type to feel a Consul had to act superior to the Rain. Moreover, Hanzo and his Old Man were close personal friends, making him practically an uncle figure.
Hanzo, who hadn't seen Dana in a few years, was genuinely shocked by his current height. Hanzo wasn't short by any means, but he felt like a child standing before Dana.
A Rain ninja stepped forward to hold an umbrella for the guest, only to find he couldn't reach high enough.
Dana took the umbrella himself and gave a subtle look to Kayo and the others.
Kushina and Kayo both shook their heads—the area was clean. Nagato lifted his sunglasses slightly, signaling that he saw no traces of Genjutsu either.
Though only a preliminary result, Dana felt slightly more at ease.
"The last time I was in the Land of Rain was during the First Joint Chunin Exams. A few years have flown by," Dana said, walking side-by-side with Hanzo.
Hanzo was very pleased with Dana's respectful attitude. He replied kindly, "The Land of Rain isn't as prosperous as the Land of Lightning, and the climate is quite unpleasant. It's natural you wouldn't want to visit for fun, Dana-kun."
Hanzo felt a surge of pride. In the entire ninja world, there were very few people who could address the Consul of the Cloud-Thunder Federation as "Dana-kun."
Dana smiled bitterly. "Who has time for fun? I haven't had a moment's rest these past few years."
"That is because you are too excellent..."
Amidst the small talk, they entered the Hidden Rain Village.
The village had developed well over the last few years, suffering minimal losses in the recent war. The areas expanded for the first exams were now fully populated.
From Dana's perspective, the Rain's overall strength and scale were rapidly approaching Sunagakure—the so-called "shame" of the Five Great Villages. The gap still existed, but it was shrinking.
In the past, people said war was necessary for a village to develop, but reality showed that what a village truly needed was stability.
Looking at Hanzo, it was clear that with the Rain's foundations growing solid, his personal strength had reached a new peak. He no longer looked worried or filled with the resentment of being bullied by the Great Villages.
The group arrived at the Amekage Building and entered a reception room. Only Hanzo and Dana remained inside; the others, including Kayo and the guards, waited outside behind a soundproof barrier.
"I received your letter," Hanzo said. "But I assume the Federation Consul didn't come all this way just for one matter."
Dana smiled. "There is a barrier here, but for safety's sake, please forgive my intrusion. I need to check something."
Dana stood up. Even across the tea table, he was tall enough to simply reach out and place his hand on Hanzo's shoulder.
A sharp light flashed in Hanzo's eyes, and his body tensed instinctively. However, he forced himself to remain still, allowing Dana's hand to make contact.
After sensing for a moment, Dana retracted his hand and explained, "Forgive the offense. Now I can truly rest easy."
Ultimately, physical contact was the easiest way to detect deep-seated Genjutsu. Letters or lie detection were useless because someone under a Genjutsu wouldn't know they were being controlled.
Before Hanzo could ask, Dana proactively explained the situation.
A moment later, Hanzo looked genuinely shocked.
"Is that so...? A Kage was actually completely controlled by Genjutsu?"
He found it both astonishing and slightly amusing. Dana sensed Hanzo's slight contempt, realizing he likely thought Yagura Karatachi was simply incompetent.
"Although the Amekage-dono is powerful, you really cannot afford to be careless this time. The outside world doesn't know yet, but the Federation has unique intelligence channels. The Fourth Mizukage is a Perfect Jinchuriki. You should know exactly how high a Jinchuriki's resistance to Genjutsu is."
Hanzo's face stiffened.
He had confidence in his own power, but Genjutsu was never his specialty. To claim his resistance was higher than a Perfect Jinchuriki's would be pure nonsense.
Realizing this, Hanzo finally grasped the gravity of the situation. A Kage being used as a literal puppet...
"Does such a powerful Genjutsu truly exist in the ninja world?"
Seeing that Hanzo was finally taking it seriously, Dana nodded. "It is indeed shocking..."
And this isn't even the strongest one, Dana thought. At least this one can be broken. The future Kotoamatsukami is the one that's truly terrifying—it's absolute.
Dana naturally hadn't ignored Shisui Uchiha, but the boy was still a toddler playing in the dirt, even younger than Obito. However, Mangekyou abilities were reflections of the soul. With the ninja world now unrecognizable and the Uchiha having no reason to revolt—and with Danzo and Hiruzen long dead—it was uncertain if Shisui would ever awaken that specific power. Even the nature of Obito's Kamui was a variable now.
"Based on current evidence, the 'Zetsu Organization' is the mastermind behind this."
Hanzo pondered. "The Zetsu Organization... I never expected them to have such capability."
This organization had been first announced by the Cloud, but over the years, there had been few actual signs of its existence. Many factions had begun to suspect the organization was a fabrication.
"My suggestion is that you, and those in key positions around you, undergo mandatory Genjutsu screenings at regular intervals. It is far easier for an outsider to detect an anomaly than for the victim to realize it themselves."
Hanzo nodded, finally taking the advice to heart. "I will make the arrangements..."
"The other matter," Dana continued, "is to discuss the future of the Hidden Rain Village and the Land of Rain joining the Federation."
Dana didn't ask if they wanted to join; he went straight to discussing the how.
Long before the formal establishment, the Cloud had extended an olive branch to Hanzo. But at that time, the "Anti-Cloud Alliance" had just begun its massive guerrilla harassment campaign. Given the Land of Rain's geography, being dragged into that war would have been devastating.
It was a war with no main force to hit and no clear strategic targets. The Land of Rain was surrounded by the Alliance and lacked strategic depth. At the time, Hanzo had decided to delay joining.
The Alliance had, as expected, left the Land of Rain alone for the time being. Everyone knew the Rain was a hard bone to pick.
Just as Hanzo was about to respond, there was a knock at the door. Unless it was a matter of extreme importance, no one would dare interrupt this meeting.
The person who entered was Hanzo's adopted son, Hanzo Rain-Sasori, who had performed well in the recent exams.
Rain-Sasori hesitated upon seeing Dana.
Dana shrugged. "I can step out if the Amekage-dono needs to handle official business."
Hanzo's face was grim. "No need. Speak, Sasori. There are no secrets the Rain needs to keep from Dana-kun."
"Amekage-sama... several villages in the south have been attacked. They were... almost completely slaughtered."
Hanzo's face turned red with fury.