CH - 56 Interview!

The following day, the rain continued its relentless downpour in the Land of Rain, casting a familiar gray and gloomy hue over the sky.

In Koujou's eyes, he saw himself as an ordinary resident of the Land of Rain, a man with a loving wife and a cherished daughter eagerly awaiting his return home.

Clutching his worn umbrella tightly, Koujou stood at a short distance from a nearby house, covertly observing it. Memories flooded his mind as he remembered that this house was once occupied by a family of three. Tragically, they had become victims of rival village ninjas during the war, succumbing to their untimely demise.

Consequently, the house should have been empty and abandoned. However, something caught Koujou's attention today, particularly the sign hanging at the entrance:

[Job Recruitment]

Beneath it, a compelling message beckoned:

"Are you still uncertain about life? Worried about survival? Tormented by the sight of your family suffering from hunger?

If so, then join us! We are a top 100 company in the ninja world! We boast extensive collaborations with the Five Great Nations and the Five Great Villages! Engaged in diverse businesses! Equipped with a professional team! Highly esteemed by major countries and ninja villages! Solid financial backing! Lucrative job opportunities! Moreover, our company has multiple stationed ninjas dedicated to ensuring the safety of all employees!

Join now for generous benefits, including free meals and lodging. Limited positions available, so act swiftly!"

Adjacent to the text, a photograph stood prominently. Three children, each with distinct hair colors, were clad in green protective suits, gripping shovels firmly as they proudly faced the future. Below the picture, a simple yet powerful line urged: 'Join us! Let's forge a brighter future together!'

For a brief moment, Koujou found himself at a loss for words. Despite the eerie atmosphere surrounding him, a surge of reassurance emanated from within. He murmured to himself "It seems... this is the right place."

His eyes fixated on the expansive advertisement photo, and there, amidst the array of children, he recognized the red-haired one—the very child who had handed him the flyers a few days prior.

Recollections of that morning flooded Koujou's mind, evoking a profound sigh to escape his lips. If given the choice, he would have preferred not to venture into this unknown territory. Yet, circumstances had cornered him and his family—food supplies dwindling to alarming levels.

Having consumed the last remnants of stale bread, remnants that had languished for an indeterminate duration, Koujou faced the grim reality of witnessing his beloved wife and daughter succumb to the ravages of hunger, teetering on the brink of starvation.

Thus, despite his wife's objections, and her suspicions of a potential trap, Koujou resolved to investigate, driven solely by the welfare of his family.

If by some miracle it turned out to be genuine, even if they only offered sustenance for him, his wife, and their daughter, his gratitude would know no bounds.

Koujou's gaze lingered on the house, its entrance wide open and seemingly inviting him to step inside. Yet, a sense of trepidation and doubt clouded his thoughts, gnawing at his consciousness with concerns of potential deception.

Taking in his surroundings, he noticed others silently lingering nearby, their countenances mirroring the same inner struggle. It became apparent that they, too, found themselves caught in similar circumstances.

Despite the invitation, a palpable sense of hesitation hung in the air, keeping everyone rooted to the entrance. Each individual maintained a cautious distance from one another, their shared fear of encountering potential danger clearly evident.

The ravages of war had left an indelible mark on their souls, as they had witnessed the tragic loss of ordinary lives at the hands of their fellow humans. This haunting reality fueled Koujou's heart with a surge of conflicting emotions and mounting anxiety. As time ticked by, the reluctance to step inside persisted, with no one daring to take the plunge. The prevailing concern among them all was the lingering possibility that this enticing opportunity could be nothing more than an elaborate scam.

"What if it's a scam? What if it's a trap set by a cunning ninja?" These thoughts undoubtedly coursed through their minds, dissuading them from taking the risk so easily. However, they couldn't bear the thought of leaving empty-handed. Those who cautiously approached the entrance were primarily families teetering on the brink of starvation.

Koujou tightened his grip on the worn-out umbrella, the raindrops drenching him as he stood on the muddy ground, a rhythmical beat echoing with each stomp of his soaked trouser legs.

Finally, thoughts of his wife and beloved daughter at home pushed Koujou to a breaking point. With a resolute clenching of his teeth, a decision was made deep within his heart. He whispered to himself, "Since no one else is willing to go, let me be the first to step into the unknown!"

His gaze momentarily flickered towards his own house, a fleeting smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. With a determined expression etched upon his face, he turned back and fixed his eyes upon the recruitment site nearby.

Prior to his departure, Koujou had instructed his wife to ensure the door remained locked. If he failed to return by nightfall, they needed to find a way to ensure their daughter's survival.

Taking a deep breath, Koujou felt the weight of everyone's collective gaze upon him. With resolve coursing through his veins, he took his first step forward, defying the fear that had held them all captive.

…

Inside the house, Yahiko gazed out the window, perplexed by the lack of people entering. He scratched his head and turned to Akihiko, questioning their recruitment strategy, "Shouldn't we go out and actively bring people in? Many have arrived, but they seem hesitant to enter. Maybe it's time we take a more proactive approach."

Akihiko, dressed in formal attire, calmly sipped his tea and shook his head in response. "No need," he said with confidence.

Their goal was not to recruit just anyone but to find individuals who had experienced the depths of despair and were willing to fight for a better life. These were the ones who would truly appreciate the opportunity offered by the Land of Grass and work diligently to rebuild their lives.

Such individuals would be crucial for the future development and loyalty of the Land of Grass. While time was of the essence, Akihiko believed it was worth waiting a day or two to observe and identify the right candidates.

If the initial approach didn't yield the desired results, they could adjust their strategy and gradually guide those who showed potential. Akihiko took another sip of his tea, calmly contemplating the situation.

Suddenly, Yahiko's joyful voice interrupted the silence. He jumped down from the window, his face radiating excitement. "They're here! Someone has finally arrived!"

The three individuals in the room froze in surprise, their attention immediately drawn to the figure approaching them. Despite trembling, the person displayed unwavering determination.

"Prepare yourselves, everyone! We have our first recruit!" Akihiko exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency. "Now is the time to showcase our professionalism and instill confidence in them. We may not possess all the resources and reputation of a top 100 company yet, but we must create that belief and make them truly trust in us!"

"Yes!" The team swiftly assumed their positions, poised to welcome the person entering the premises. Just as the individual hesitated before taking the first step, Yahiko stepped forward with a warm smile and greeted, "Hello! Sir, are you here for an interview?"

"I... I am! I'm here for an interview!" Koujou nodded eagerly upon seeing the red-haired boy with a distinctive hedgehog hairstyle addressing him. Overwhelmed with hope and desperation, he mustered the courage to speak up. "Um... well..." After a brief pause, he took a deep breath and bowed respectfully. "Please hire me! I am willing to undertake any job as long as it provides food for my family!"

Yahiko's heart trembled as he witnessed the man's determination, tears welling up in his eyes. He couldn't help but empathize, vividly recalling his own challenging past. If not for his foster father, Mubuki, who rescued him from a bleak fate, he might have ended up as a thief or worse. The hardships faced by individuals like Koujou struck a chord within him.

Letting out a heartfelt sigh, Yahiko retrieved a pen and paper. "Please register first, and once you've completed the registration process, we can proceed with the interview inside." After a moment's contemplation, he smiled reassuringly and added, "Rest assured! You will be proud of your decision of coming here today"

Meanwhile, Koujou, with a sense of relief and gratitude, felt a warm sensation enveloping his heart. "I... I'm relying on you!"

Realizing the need for efficient organization, Yahiko swiftly continued, his tone gentle yet focused. "You mentioned registration. May I know your name, please?" Seeing Koujou gathering his confidence and speaking more steadily, Yahiko decided to move forward with the process.

"Koujou!" Koujou replied, his voice quivering slightly.

After swiftly completing the registration process, Yahiko instructed him, "Take this inside and submit it to proceed with the interview!"

"Thank you!" Koujou gratefully received the paper, bowing once again to express his appreciation. With a deep breath, he gathered his resolve and stepped inside. Having come this far, he was determined to forge ahead!

As the scene unfolded, Yahiko closely observed the man's resolute yet slender figure walking into the house, his eyes reflecting a mix of determination and confusion. Nagato, who stood beside Yahiko, nudged him and asked, "What's wrong?"

Yahiko turned back, shook his head, and hesitated for a moment before posing a question of his own. "Nagato, if we hadn't come to the Land of Grass and remained here, how do you think our lives would have turned out?"

"Hmm... I don't know," Nagato pondered for a brief moment before a smile graced his lips. "Why worry about that? We're already living in the Land of Grass, after all!"

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