CH - 54 Job Flyer

The Land of Rain, a country plagued by perpetual rain, internal strife, and unending conflict, continued to suffer even after the conclusion of the Second Great Ninja War. The war had left the nation in ruins, and despite a brief period of calm in the following three years, true recovery seemed distant and elusive.

Hanzo of the Salamander, the revered leader of the Land of Rain, once a figure brimming with ambition and vitality, now remained silent, witnessing his homeland plunge into chaos. Speculation arose about the reasons behind his changed demeanor, with some believing his ambitions had been crushed, while others suspected clandestine schemes. However, such matters held little significance to the ordinary people of the Land of Rain, who were primarily concerned with their own survival.

A weary-looking man, his face pale and hunger evident, clutched a tattered umbrella as he gazed at the relentless rain ahead. He sighed despondently, lamenting their ongoing struggle to find food. Making his way towards a nearby house, he maintained a vigilant stance, carefully scanning the surroundings to ensure the absence of any imminent danger before cautiously pressing the doorbell.

However, despite the crisp sound of the doorbell, the door remained closed, devoid of any response from within. Silence pervaded the air, leaving the man waiting in anticipation. Fifteen minutes passed until he noticed a slight movement of the curtain in a nearby window. A smile emerged on his face, and he nodded in acknowledgement.

Finally, the door creaked open, revealing a cautious woman peering out. Her face appeared gaunt and fatigued. Upon spotting the man at the door, a glimmer of joy illuminated her expression. "You're back?" she uttered, her voice filled with hope.

Without hesitation, the man entered the house, swiftly closing the door behind him. He let out a sigh of relief and said, "I'm back!" Their lives had been fraught with constant vigilance ever since the war had begun. The proximity to the battlefield meant that a lapse in caution could lead to their demise.

The Yamuki family, their neighbors, had fallen victim to an encounter with a stray ninja during the war, resulting in the tragic loss of all three family members. Thus, utmost care became a necessity. Reflecting on the period following the end of the Second Great Ninja War, when hopes were high for lasting peace and gradual restoration, the reality proved far harsher, sometimes even surpassing the hardships endured during the war itself.

"Koujou, have you found a job?" the woman inquired hopefully, standing before her husband.

"I'm sorry," Koujou replied, guilt and remorse etching his face. "I couldn't find a job."

A flicker of disappointment momentarily crossed his wife's countenance, but it swiftly dissipated as she offered a warm, comforting smile. Speaking softly, she reassured him, "It's okay! I believe you'll find a job. We still have some food at home, and we'll get through this as a family." She playfully winked, adding, "Besides, I don't eat much!"

"Shuko!" Koujou's expression transformed into gratitude. He embraced his understanding wife tightly and declared with determination, "I'll make sure you and Ruko have enough to eat!"

Ruko, their daughter, served as a reminder of their fortunate circumstances. Despite the challenges, at least the three of them could still be together—a source of great happiness. However, Koujou yearned for the day he could provide an ample food supply by securing a stable job.

Deep down, Koujou knew his wife's reassurances weren't entirely true. In reality, their food stores had dwindled, reduced to a few stale pieces of bread with indeterminate freshness. As the head of the family, Koujou had yet to find a new source of sustenance, but his wife continued to offer solace. Embracing his wife tightly, he experienced a mix of self-blame and gratitude.

"Daddy, Mommy!" A clear, tender voice interrupted the moment, prompting both parents to look down at their daughter. Sleep still clung to her eyes, yet her face beamed with an innocent smile. Unable to resist, the couple smiled back, brimming with joy.

They were grateful to be alive and together as a family, knowing that many others remained missing since the end of the war.

"Alright, Ruko, Daddy just came back and hasn't taken a bath yet!" Koujou released his wife and daughter, gently patting his daughter's head as he observed her delicate appearance. A tinge of guilt welled up within him, but he maintained a smile and asked, "Did you listen to Mommy today?"

"Yes~! I listened to Mommy!" Ruko cheerfully responded.

"Ruko, you're such a good girl!" Koujou praised his daughter while affectionately patting her head.

After spending some time playing with Ruko, Koujou turned his gaze towards his wife, who wore a warm smile while observing their daughter. However, the news he had heard earlier lingered in his mind, prompting him to adopt a serious expression. He spoke with determination, "From now on, no matter if anyone is at home or not, we must always lock the door and close the curtains. We should never open the door for anyone except me. We cannot allow anyone to discover that there are people inside this house."

Shuko's face froze upon hearing these words, and she anxiously asked, "Is something going to happen?"

"Yes," Koujou confirmed solemnly. "Our neighbor, Muyoshi, informed me that he spotted ninjas lurking in the vicinity over the past few days, even from other villages. We must be cautious."

Shuko's distress was evident as she exclaimed, "This is terrible! When will these days of fear come to an end?"

"Don't worry, they will," Koujou reassured her while sighing inwardly. He enveloped his fearful yet resolute wife in a protective embrace and declared with unwavering determination, "No one else will be allowed to enter. Regardless of who knocks on the door, we will not answer. I will protect you and Ruko."

"Yes," Shuko nodded, seeking solace in her husband's embrace and finding a glimmer of security. However, just as her words trailed off, an unexpected sound shattered the moment: "Knock, knock, knock" – the sudden knocking on the door reverberated through the air.

The couple's fear became evident on their faces, but Koujou, as the head of the family, quickly composed himself. He gestured silently, indicating to his wife to watch over their daughter upstairs.

He nodded at his wife and motioned with a finger to his lips, signaling that they should remain silent, hoping that if the intruders thought no one was home, they would quickly leave.

After a while, the sounds from outside ceased completely. Koujou wondered if the intruders had departed and was about to breathe a sigh of relief when the knocking on the door resumed.

Koujou's body tensed up. Glancing at his wife, who was already cautiously making her way upstairs, he took a deep breath, picked up a stick from the side, and approached the door. He clenched his teeth and stood ready beside it.

His eyes betrayed a hint of fierceness. Could it be those despicable ninjas? Why haven't they left yet? Have they discovered our presence? These thoughts raced through his mind as he tightly gripped the stick, torn by conflicting emotions.

Suddenly, a voice with a childish tone came from outside. "Huh? Is no one inside?"

Koujou was taken aback. He wondered if it was a child. Despite feeling a momentary relief, he still held onto the stick tightly. After all, even children could be ninjas. He remained silent, silently praying not to be discovered.

However, the small ninja outside persisted in speaking to himself. "Is there anyone here? We are currently hiring! We proudly represent a multinational corporation that has established partnerships with the Five Great Nations. We possess substantial financial resources and offer secure job positions with generous salaries. Moreover, we are prepared to provide food and accommodation! If you have a wife and child, rest assured that you can bring them as well, and we will prioritize their safety!"

Koujou and Shuko, eavesdropping from inside, found themselves bewildered by these unexpected words. Hiring? A multinational corporation? Was this some kind of twisted joke? Who in their right mind would come to the Land of Rain to recruit people during these desperate times? They couldn't help but suspect a conspiracy orchestrated by the ninjas lurking outside.

A flicker of curiosity flickered across Koujou's face, but he quickly dismissed it, shaking his head with resolve. Firmly gripping his stick once more, he stood steadfastly by the door, remaining silent as ever.

At that moment, the little ninja outside muttered to himself, "Is there really no one here? Oh well, I'll just leave the flyer then!"

Before Koujou could react, a neatly printed, vibrant paper slipped in from under the door, accompanied by fading footsteps in the distance.

"Has he truly left?" Koujou pondered silently. Using his stick, he nudged the paper cautiously, hesitating momentarily before carefully retrieving it.

Quietly and slowly, he lifted the curtain of the window, peering outside. A small figure with fiery red hair gradually disappeared into the distance. "He really left?" Koujou exclaimed in a tone filled with disbelief.

After a moment, Koujou let out a sigh of relief, his tense shoulders relaxing. However, his moment of calm was interrupted by a gentle voice calling out his name, "Koujou."

Turning his attention to his wife, Koujou saw Shuko standing before him, a kitchen knife clutched tightly in her hand and a pot precariously balanced on her head, a comical yet endearing sight. A smile spread across his face as he reassured her, "It's alright, Shuko. They've already left."

Relieved, Shuko cautiously set aside the kitchen knife and removed the pot from her head, her tense expression softening. She nodded in gratitude, thankful that their safety had been preserved once again.

As her gaze wandered, Shuko noticed the paper in Koujou's hand and couldn't help but ask, her voice laced with confusion, "What is that, Koujou?"

Koujou lowered his head, examining the paper in his hand. Recalling the words of the little ninja, he hesitated for a moment before responding, "It seems to be... a job advertisement."

"A job advertisement?" Shuko's surprise mirrored his own. "A ninja distributing job flyers?" She leaned closer, her eyes fixed on the paper spread out before them.

Illustrated on the flyer were three cheerful children, their smiles radiating warmth. Accompanying the drawings were the words:

"A multinational corporation is currently hiring! Ranked among the top 100 enterprises in the ninja world, we have collaborated with the Five Great Nations, offering generous salaries with inclusive food and accommodations!"

The couple exchanged perplexed glances, their faces reflecting their surprise and confusion as they found themselves once again caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events, realizing that they were indeed holding a job flyer.

...

Meanwhile, Nagato, who had ventured out from the house, suddenly felt a peculiar sensation and came to a halt. He turned his gaze back toward the house where he had just inserted the flyer, a faint smile playing on his lips.

However, as he glanced down at the stack of thick job flyers in his hand, his expression soured instantly, and he muttered to himself, "I should have realized it was a mistake to come here from the start!"

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