Naruto: Tenseigan Eye

As the plan to put pressure on the Daimyo reached a satisfying resolution, Danzo was certain that the Third Hokage wouldn't abandon him entirely.

"Hyuga Shinki," Danzo muttered to himself, "I'm biding my time. The competition between us has just begun."

Realizing that underhanded schemes against Shinki would no longer work, Danzo shifted strategies. He focused on elevating his status and reclaiming his influence within Konoha.

The current instability in Konoha played right into his hands.

Chaos is a ladder.

Far from the machinations in Konoha, Shinki had already arrived in the Land of Rain, accompanied by Kushina, Hyuga Mehu, and Uchiha Mikoto.

As they crossed into the Land of Rain, they were greeted by the relentless downpour that defined the region.

"This is insane!" Kushina exclaimed, shielding herself from the rain. "How does it rain so heavily all the time? How do people even live here?"

Her question hung in the damp air.

The Land of Rain's perpetual downpour rivaled the harshness of any desert, with challenges unique to its environment. Growing crops, let alone thriving, seemed almost impossible.

Shinki, holding an umbrella and scanning the horizon, answered, "They rely on growing rice and water-resistant crops, but even that's a struggle. They've had to build extensive drainage systems to prevent the rain from flooding everything. Without them, no crops could survive."

"Drainage systems?" Kushina asked curiously.

"Yes. Even rice, which thrives in water, can't handle this much rain. These systems are essential for preventing crops from being submerged. That's why the Land of Rain has incredibly well-built sewers and canals—large enough for people to walk through and, in some cases, even tall enough to house groups."

Shinki paused, letting the reality sink in. "Unfortunately, the Land of Rain's economy is bleak. While there are valuable ores underground, mining is nearly impossible due to the constant rain. The loose, soaked soil collapses easily, flooding the mines."

The journey continued, but the group encountered few people along the way. Most of the buildings they passed were abandoned or in ruins.

"There's barely anyone here," Hyuga Mehu observed.

Shinki sighed, "This is the result of war."

He gestured toward an old house ahead. "Let's rest here for tonight."

Kushina, curious but not eager to wander further, followed along. Staying in the Land of Rain wasn't about sightseeing—it was about experiencing its harshness firsthand.

The old house was still standing, but barely. Shinki quickly patched up damaged sections, cleared out the overgrown vegetation, and lit a fire to drive away the dampness.

The humidity had drawn animals to the house, including toads, frogs, snakes, and lizards—creatures the girls found unsettling. Shinki apologized to the unwelcome residents as he ushered them out.

After cleaning the space and lighting the fire, the house began to feel more livable.

"My clothes are soaked," Kushina grumbled, tugging at her damp outfit.

"You didn't even get caught in the rain. The humidity is just that high," Shinki chuckled, patting her head.

Kushina pouted, nodding in understanding. Mikoto and Mehu weren't faring much better.

Shinki stoked the fire, explaining, "The Land of Rain's population isn't as small as it seems. Despite the weather, it's technically an agricultural country, capable of supporting a sizable population. The war and its aftermath, however, have taken a devastating toll."

He added more firewood, his expression somber. "As we traveled here, you probably noticed how few people we encountered. That's not just war—it's the consequences of war. Banditry, wandering rogue ninjas, and rebellion have decimated this place. The true danger came after the war ended."

Even during conflict, most ninjas avoided targeting civilians. Villages like Sand only plundered resources. But bandits, rogue ninjas, and deserters had no such restraint. They looted and killed indiscriminately, leaving nothing but devastation in their wake.

"The Land of Rain is still in chaos," Shinki continued, his voice heavy. "Even though the war ended over two years ago, without proper intervention, this chaos could persist for decades."

"Decades?!" Kushina exclaimed in shock.

The other two girls, equally stunned, could only gape.

"Why doesn't anyone do something about it?" Kushina asked. "What about the Daimyo? Even if the Rain Village is gone, shouldn't he still be around?"

Shinki spread his hands. "Do what, exactly? The war drained the Land of Rain's resources and shattered its economy. Even if the Daimyo wanted to fix things, he's powerless. He can't even protect himself, let alone the entire country. That's why the Rain Village turned to Konoha for protection."

He paused, adding, "The Anbu have a small team stationed here to protect the Daimyo. But even he can only do so much. The chaos is too widespread."

Shinki's words painted a grim picture.

In the original timeline, Yahiko and the Akatsuki tried to restore order, fighting bandits and rogue ninjas across the Land of Rain. But their efforts barely scratched the surface. It wasn't until Nagato unleashed Pain's fury that the Land of Rain found stability—though at a terrible cost.

"This is horrifying," Mikoto murmured.

Shinki nodded. "This is the reality of war. When the battles end, the aftermath lingers for years. The Land of Rain is still grappling with that reality. Without significant intervention, it could remain in chaos for decades."

The three girls fell silent, their initial curiosity replaced by somber reflection.

The Land of Rain's ceaseless rain continued to fall, as relentless as the hardships faced by its people.