CH - 108 When will Hanzo return?

After departing from the Grass Village base, Aso wore a somber expression. He was well-acquainted with the circumstances surrounding their Leader in the Grass Village. Sometimes he received letters from their Leader, while at other times, he gleaned information from contacts in the Grass Village. However, he couldn't help but wonder whether their Leader had truly made a firm decision.

Aso shook his head, let out a deep sigh, adjusted his attire, and made his way back to the Rain Village. At present, he was clad in the green work uniform of the Grass Village.

It was remarkable how comfortable this attire was, fashioned from materials akin to those used for ninja vests. Consequently, it not only boasted durability but also offered breathability and a snug fit against the body, a welcome feature in the Rain Village's perpetually wet climate. Although winter was drawing to a close, the early spring days were still a tad chilly, but the weather would gradually grow warmer.

As Aso strolled through the industrial district, a gentle smile graced his lips. He observed residents walking to their workplaces in small groups, engaged in friendly conversations along the way. In these people, these Rain Village citizens, he found a sense of belonging. Here, they could now lead peaceful lives.

The everyday tranquility made him contemplate whether the Rain Village was finally on the road to lasting peace. However, deep down, Aso recognized that this idyllic scene was confined to this region alone. In other areas of the Rain Village ravaged by the ongoing war, chaos continued to hold sway. This semblance of peace might prove ephemeral once the conflict ceased.

Ironically, Aso mused, it was possible for peace to simpld end after this war's conclusion. Drawing from his experiences accompanying Leader Akihiko during this period, he suspected that his presence here was primarily part of a recruitment drive. When the time came, he along others might simply depart.

"Aso-sama! Aso-sama!" Several citizens greeted Aso as he made his way through the area.

"Hello, everyone," Aso replied, his attention returning to the present moment. He smiled and nodded in response to the greetings. "It's getting late, let's head to work."

Having spent considerable time in the industrial district, Aso had become familiar to many of the residents in this area, leading to their friendly greetings. He found this sense of familiarity quite pleasant.

As they prepared to head to work, Aso addressed them with encouragement, saying, "Let's all give it our best today."

"Of course, we value our jobs greatly. We won't let Aso-sama down. Well then, Aso-sama, we're off to work," one of the citizens replied with a nod, then joined the others heading to their workplaces.

"Take care on your way, and be sure to have a good meal; you need the energy," Aso bid them farewell with a smile and a wave as they headed off to their duties. Then, he noticed a child tugging at his pants. The young one was also attired in a scaled-down Hidden Grass Village work uniform.

Aso squatted down, a curious expression on his face, and asked the child, "Is there something you need?"

"Aso-sama, is the Rain Village going to have peace?" The child's innocent question caught Aso by surprise. He blinked at the child, noting the rosy cheeks that indicated the child had been doing well during this time. "Everyone says that the Rain Village is going to have peace."

Aso, though momentarily taken aback, quickly adopted a gentle smile. He affectionately ruffled the child's head, choosing to maintain the hope for peace rather than revealing the complexities of their situation. With a reassuring smile, he replied, "Yes, the Rain Village will definitely have peace."

The child's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he asked, "Can I go to school when that happens, like other kids?"

Aso could tell that the child had likely heard about these possibilities from the first group of workers sent to the Grass Village. While the opportunity for ordinary Rain Village citizens to attend the Grass Village's academy was a reality for those who worked diligently, it didn't necessarily apply to the second batch, like this child. However, seeing the hope in the child's eyes, Aso nodded and assured him, "Yes, you'll be able to attend the academy too."

The child's joy was palpable, and his face lit up. He bounced away towards the distance, exclaiming, "That's fantastic, I'll tell everyone about this."

Aso continued to smile, watching the child's figure disappear into the distance. However, as the child moved away, Aso couldn't help but sigh with a mix of emotions. He stood up and shook his head, a sense of resignation weighing on him.

Concerning the academy, many Rain Village residents have inquired about it. However, given the current fragile state of the Rain Village, making such plans was nearly impossible. After all, even the precarious peace they currently enjoyed couldn't be guaranteed to last.

At that moment, Aso had a distinct feeling that he was being observed. He halted in his tracks, sensing a presence nearby. Turning his gaze, he spotted a bald man nearby. After a brief pause, he decided to acknowledge the man with a polite nod before resuming his path toward the Rain Village. Like everyone else, he too longed for peace, but, speaking of which, when would their Leader return?

Thinking of the spring planting preparations in the Grass Village, Aso couldn't help but imagine how wonderful it would be if something like that could take place in the Land of Rain. However, the constant rain that plagued their village year-round quickly brought him back to reality. Shaking his head at the notion, he continued on his path.

As Aso moved away, the bald man named Daisuke turned his head and regarded the construction site with a nonchalant expression. He commented, "The drainage system in this area needs proper arrangements. Work diligently, and if I receive complaints later, don't blame me for being strict."

Having said his piece, he cast his gaze toward the distant Rain Village, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He, too, hoped that the tranquility they were currently experiencing would persist in the Land of Rain.

…

Akihiko stretched lazily, feeling the weight of the responsibilities that had piled up lately. The preparations for spring planting in the Grass Village and the upcoming war between the Grass and Rain Villages had kept him occupied. He found it quite surprising that Aso often sought his advice on matters related to the Rain Village. It left him wondering about Hanzo's intentions in granting him such authority over the Rain Village.

However, as he considered the situation, Akihiko realized that once the war ended, he might have the opportunity to bring many people with him from the Rain Village. This could also involve mining the remaining resources in the Rain Village, which the Grass Village was in need of. Yoshinori, had already approached them, emphasizing the importance of minerals for their ongoing experiments, especially concerning the lightning car. The Grass Village was on the brink of entering a crucial phase in the development of this technology, and a significant supply of minerals was required.

Moreover, Akihiko couldn't help but entertain the notion that once the war concluded, the attention of the Five Great Ninja Villages might shift towards the Grass Village. Their actions, such as selling equipment to the other villages and staging fake battles with the Rain Village, could be seen as unethical. If this were to be exposed, it could lead to the Five Great Ninja Villages taking action against their village, given the losses they had suffered while the Grass Village seemed to thrive.

Akihiko's thoughts churned as he considered the potential consequences of the Grass Village's actions. The idea of forming an alliance with the Rain Village to mitigate pressure from the Five Great Ninja Villages had crossed his mind. After all, the Rain Village had grown accustomed to facing adversity from these powerful entities and might be an ally worth having.

However, he couldn't help but wonder about Hanzo's thoughts on the matter. It appeared that the Rain Village was also exploring the possibility of forming an alliance with the Grass Village, as evidenced by their decision to disclose information about Konoha. This alliance-seeking behavior was puzzling, especially considering the Rain Village's recent peculiar actions, such as Aso's frequent visits to the Grass Village. Akihiko mused that if he didn't know better, he might mistake Aso for his own assistant due to his diligence and competence, which far exceeded that of Mubuki.

"In any case, let's urge Aso to expedite Hanzo's return, otherwise, our performance could be jeopardized," he contemplated aloud. He was growing impatient with Hanzo's prolonged absence. He considered the intricate plot they were weaving and how they were approaching a pivotal moment. Hanzo's departure at this juncture was disrupting their carefully orchestrated act. As someone with a keen eye for professionalism, Akihiko couldn't help but criticize Hanzo's apparent lack of commitment to their shared goals.

…

In the Grass Village, Hanzo sneered as he gazed at the three youngsters before him. "You little rascals had better show some respect. Trust me, in no time, your leader will be begging me to return. If you keep up with this attitude, do you really think I won't consider settling down here?"

As Hanzo uttered these words, the three youngsters fell into a stunned silence. They couldn't help but wonder if this was really the renowned Demi-God of the ninja world they knew. His shameless behavior had certainly caught them off guard.

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