The appearance of the black-robed figure prompted the Stone, Sand, and Rain ninja villages to send truce requests to the Leaf, fearing another encounter with the terrifying assailant. The Cloud ninja remained silent, while the Mist ninja had not participated in the conflict.
Thus, the Second Great Ninja War concluded, though small-scale conflicts persisted. Friction among the hidden villages continued before the final treaties were signed.
However, due to the black-robed figure, the ninja villages exercised restraint in large-scale battles. The risk of further targeting by the figure within their combat forces was too great a loss.
After a week of reorganization, most Leaf ninja were ordered back to the village, leaving only border defense personnel awaiting rotation notices.
Tsunade also prepared to return to the Leaf to arrange Nawaki's remains. Orochimaru had to report back to the Third Hokage, along with the compiled war achievements and casualty figures.
"What! You're not returning with the main group?" Tsunade extended her fair hand, intending to pinch Lin Yu's ear.
Lin Yu dodged slightly, grabbing Tsunade's small hand and feigning seriousness. "I want to visit the Land of Rain. Due to the war, many innocent people have suffered. I want to see it firsthand to better understand the true meaning of peace."
Tsunade's face flushed, and she retracted her hand. "But if you go to the Land of Rain alone, what if..."
"I'll accompany him. It just so happens I also want to see this country and gather some intelligence," Jiraiya said with a grin, his injuries fully healed.
"Two months. You must return to the Leaf within two months." Orochimaru glanced deeply at Lin Yu before walking away without looking back. He was not worried about safety; the black-robed figure's strength was among the strongest in the ninja world, capable of easily destroying a small country like the Land of Rain.
Indeed, he had already concluded that Lin Yu had a connection with the black-robed figure, which was why he was making an exception for him. Otherwise, they were under strict orders to return to the Leaf, with severe consequences, including being labeled as rogue ninja. As for Jiraiya, Hiruzen Sarutobi was accustomed to his behavior and could simply ignore it.
It had to be said that Orochimaru displayed a degree of humanity at this point. Lin Yu was slightly grateful for Orochimaru's consideration and thought to himself that he would go easy on him when it came time to recruit him later.
With Orochimaru handling the Third Hokage and removing any lingering concerns, Lin Yu and Jiraiya did not delay further. After bidding farewell to Tsunade, they entered the Land of Rain.
It took half a month for Lin Yu and Jiraiya to traverse most of the Land of Rain. They witnessed countless families shattered by war, with displaced civilians visible everywhere on the streets.
With Hanzo's demise, the Rain ninja, no longer restrained by him, engaged in rampant looting and killing throughout the Land of Rain. Ordinary citizens were no match for the power of ninja.
They could only watch helplessly as their homes were destroyed and their loved ones killed, harboring deep hatred and fear for ninja from the bottom of their hearts.
After spending half a month in the Land of Rain, Lin Yu's mission system had refreshed. Fortunately, the new missions were simple tasks like treating civilians and everyday pranks on Jiraiya. In return, he received three basic rewards: Kunai Mastery, Taijutsu Mastery, and Basic Genjutsu Mastery.
Alas, after traveling through most of the Land of Rain, he still hadn't encountered the trio of Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko. Was it their fate not to meet?
Lin Yu and Jiraiya walked through a town in the Land of Rain, their bodies laden with small bags – gifts from the civilians Lin Yu had treated along the way. They had also earned the moniker "The侠客二人组" (The Vigilante Duo), who specialized in dealing with ninja who bullied commoners.
Jiraiya harbored a deep-seated hatred for ninja who preyed on ordinary people and showed no mercy in his actions. After more than half a month together, he had developed a strong liking for Lin Yu, whom he perceived as a gentle, sunny youth with a heart full of passionate kindness. Of course, this was Lin Yu as Jiraiya saw him.
Lin Yu's sole objective was to find the trio of Nagato. Helping these civilians was a secondary matter, and he also hoped to attract Nagato and the others with their actions. However, it had not gone as planned...
*Bang!*
"Thief! Catch the thief!" On the street, a burly man with a rough face shoved a grimy child with blue-purple hair.
This town was remote and fortunate enough to avoid the ravages of war, attracting many displaced refugees.
"You're lying! I bought this myself!" A young girl with blue-purple hair, despite her dirt-streaked face, revealed a clear and delicate beauty. She clutched a loaf of bread tightly, protecting the food even as the man shoved her to the ground.
"Hmph, where would a little street urchin like you get money? You must have stolen it when I wasn't looking!" The man reached out with his large hand to snatch the food from the girl's grasp.
"No! Please, don't! This was bought with everyone's hard-earned money. It's their three-day meal. Please don't take it." The girl held onto the food tightly, refusing to let go. Her small body left a faint trail on the ground.
The man grew impatient and was about to kick the girl away when his arm was caught by a fair hand. Turning his head, he saw a pair of bewitching, blood-red eyes, and then his entire body collapsed to the ground.
"Hey, hey, you don't need to use the Sharingan on a mere civilian," Jiraiya quipped from the side, arms crossed. Having spent over half a month together, he knew Lin Yu had Uchiha blood and had awakened the Sharingan, which he claimed to have awakened on the night the Uzumaki clan fell. Lin Yu didn't intend to hide his Sharingan, offering a plausible explanation that he believed certain people would deduce on their own.
The one who stopped the man was Lin Yu. With an icy expression, Lin Yu kicked at the money in the man's pocket. "Jiraiya, look at the coins in his pocket."
"Hmm?" Jiraiya walked closer with some confusion and examined them. "Three of them are slightly soiled, while the others are clean and new. The little girl wasn't lying; she bought this."
"To cheat even a little girl's money... Let him spend some time in a genjutsu." Lin Yu showed no mercy. Even after the genjutsu ended, this man would be left an imbecile. If he hadn't intervened today, the girl and her companions would have suffered immense torment to fill their stomachs.
Moreover... blue-purple hair, light orange eyes, a delicate and beautiful face. It was Konan!
Finally found! Lin Yu scooped up Konan, who had fainted from exhaustion, and gently stroked her hair.
"How is she?" Jiraiya, having understood the situation, no longer paid attention to the man on the ground and asked softly, looking at the girl in Lin Yu's arms.
"She's been hungry for too long. Her emotions fluctuated greatly just now, and her body is exhausted. Fainting is her body's self-protection." Lin Yu's palm glowed with a faint green light as he gently passed it over Konan's small, frail body, treating some of her easily infected wounds. Alas, he wondered how much suffering this girl had endured.
"Jiraiya, we might need to stay here for a while." Lin Yu, carrying Konan, walked towards a restaurant ahead.
Jiraiya pouted and muttered softly, "You should call me Jiraiya-senpai. Such rude little brats." However, he didn't care about such trivialities and followed along.
"These, these, and those few set meals, I want them all. And pack one of everything else." Lin Yu, holding Konan, sat at the restaurant table, pointing at the menu with saliva flying. The waitress beside him, eyes shining, diligently recorded his order. This was a big spender!
Soon, the table was filled with all sorts of delicacies. Even Jiraiya, sitting opposite, felt his appetite stir. If not for the wealthy Lin Yu not having started yet, he would have eagerly begun eating. He was so tired of the ration pills from the past half-month!
Hmm... What happened to me? I remember that bad guy tried to snatch my bread, and then... Right, the bread!
Konan's dazed eyes suddenly widened. She quickly looked down at her embrace, and upon finding the bread still there, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Then she realized her current situation seemed a bit off. She seemed to be in someone's arms. Slightly lifting her small head, she met a pair of gentle eyes looking at her. Her pale, small face suddenly flushed red.