In the northern part of the Land of Rain, there was a small village called Kikyogahara.
The village was nestled among rolling, low-lying hills. It was named Kikyogahara because Kikyo flowers grew all around it. This remote location, close to the Land of Birds, experienced relatively fewer wars and was less affected by conflict.
When Haruki and his companions arrived at this village, Yahiko and his two friends couldn’t even believe such a peaceful haven existed in the Land of Rain.
Haruki and his companions stood on a high slope, the wind rustling their robes, allowing them to take in the entire village nestled in the hollow of the mountain.
There was no flying artillery, no ruins everywhere... only a serene tranquility. Occasionally, figures moved through the streets in the afternoon.
Konan knelt down, her hand gently caressing the wild Kikyo flowers on the hillside, and she lowered her head, lightly inhaling their fragrance. Her lips were curved upwards, and happiness flowed in her eyes.
Nagato stood beside Haruki, while Yahiko shouted loudly.
"Let’s go in and take a look!"
Yahiko pointed at the village, turned back, and shouted to Haruki and his companions, his face full of excitement, seemingly having forgotten their main objective.
Haruki looked at the peaceful village and nodded.
Konan stood up, and the group walked deeper into the mountain hollow.
Haruki and his companions, clearly visitors from another village, quickly attracted a lot of attention. Small vendors on both sides of the cobblestone path watched them with wary eyes.
"Wow! That’s a vendor selling candied haws." Yahiko pointed at a small shop not far ahead and ran towards it.
Konan followed Yahiko, running off.
"Are there bad people here too?"
Nagato, who had been standing beside Haruki without wandering off, opened his mouth and asked.
Haruki glanced at Nagato. At least someone remembered their purpose for being here. They were here to expel the ninja causing trouble in this country, not for tourism or vacation.
However, Yahiko and Konan had clearly been deceived by the peaceful appearance of this village. They had completely forgotten their purpose for coming here. Their reaction was within Haruki’s expectations.
Konan was inherently kind and gentle, and Yahiko was carefree and uninhibited, they would never think ill of people. Especially since this village was so deceptive.
"Hard to say." Haruki shook his head at Nagato.
"The definition of bad people and good people is too vague. Who can accurately judge if a person is good or bad without thoroughly understanding them?" Haruki said to Nagato with a smile.
Nagato was stunned. He looked at Haruki, and after a long time. Official source is novel★fire.net
He nodded. "You are right."
"Although there are many rogue and rebel ninjas hiding in this country, not every one of them is a bad person. Just like Jiraiya-sensei." Haruki continued.
"Then why are they hiding in the Land of Rain?" Nagato asked doubtfully.
"Perhaps they grew tired of the battlefields in their own countries and didn’t want to commit more crimes on the battlefield?"
"But these are all just my guesses. I don’t know the truth either. Everyone has different truths, and only they themselves know those truths."
Haruki chased after Yahiko and Konan. He turned back and said to Nagato, "Let’s go, Nagato. I’ll treat you to candied haws."
Nagato watched Haruki, who had already run off. He was lost in thought for a moment, then quickly took off, chasing after Haruki.
[System detected Nagato’s affection value +1000]
[Your Love Curse growth value has increased to 32.9%]
"Haruki! Nagato! Come quickly!"
Yahiko, leaning on the counter, waved to Haruki and Nagato.
The owner of this small shop selling candied haws was a white-haired old man. He looked at Haruki and his companions with kind eyes, clearly a benevolent elder.
"You’re not from this village, are you?"
There were many styles of candied haws, and Yahiko and his friends were dazzled by the choices. As they were picking, the old man slowly spoke.
The sweet aroma of candy filled the shop. Yahiko was momentarily stunned.
Haruki looked at the old man in front of him and nodded. "No, we are not from this village."
"What are you doing here?"
The old man was not as wary as the others.
Yahiko and Haruki exchanged glances. Yahiko scratched the back of his head, revealing a helpless smile. "We are looking for a place to settle down."
The old man paused, his gaze moving back and forth over Haruki and his three companions. As if understanding something, a hint of pity appeared in his eyes.
"When you came to Kikyogahara, were you seen by anyone?" The old man asked worriedly.
Haruki shook his head. "No, it was just us."
"How did you discover this place?" The old man continued to ask.
His tone was gentle but very serious.
Naturally, Haruki’s crows had discovered it.
"We wandered around, found Kikyo flowers, wanted to see them, and accidentally discovered this village."
This time, it was Konan who spoke. She leaned on the counter, cautiously looking at the old man.
Looking at Konan, the old man’s expression softened. "So that’s it. Do you still have family?"
Nagato stared at the old man. "We are each other’s family."
The old man was stunned for a few seconds, then looked at the children in front of him with pity.
He had also experienced war, so how could he not understand the meaning behind these children’s words?
The old man said to Haruki and his companions.
"It’s very safe here, unlike the war-torn place outside. You can stay here."
The old man nodded definitively at Haruki and his companions.
"Won’t ninja discover this place?" Haruki asked, feigning worry.
The old man shook his head and said, "No, the Mountain God will protect us."
Yahiko and Haruki exchanged glances.
"Yes, the Mountain God will protect us." The old man nodded affirmatively.
"Come, pick some candied haws. They’re free."
The old man enthusiastically handed the candied haws to Haruki and his companions. Unable to decline his hospitality, Haruki and his companions accepted the candied haws.
Leaving the small shop, Yahiko couldn’t help but ask, "Is there really a Mountain God?"
"Of course not." Haruki affirmed.
"But that old man believes so firmly there’s a Mountain God. He looks like he’s seen one."
Yahiko recalled the old man’s reverence when he mentioned the Mountain God and felt it didn’t seem fake.
"No Mountain God, but there might be ninja." Haruki said.
Yahiko’s eyes immediately widened in surprise.