The Land of Grass is located at the junction of the Land of Fire, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Wind. Its terrain is quite flat with many forests, which is why it often became a primary battlefield during the Great Ninja Wars.
If this setting were on Earth, it would be a textbook example of poverty, the kind where development is nearly impossible.
However, as Amane walked through the territory of the Land of Grass, she found that while many Villages weren't exactly prosperous, at least she didn't see any particularly dire scenes; life seemed decent enough.
[As expected, the productivity of Chakra is amazing. I wonder what the Land of Rain is like.]
In the original work, the Land of Rain was truly depicted with scenes of children displaced and starving due to war, though its environment was indeed a problem.
In a land where it rains every day, where would agricultural production come from?
This is also a deformed aspect of the Ninja World: there are basically no exports of agricultural products, and most countries are self-sufficient.
This was a point Amane had occasionally noticed since leaving Root.
Additionally, although there are no agricultural exports, the export of medicinal herbs for healing is extremely popular, to the point where they are sold almost everywhere.
"What have you been looking at all this way?"
Kabuto, who was in disguise, finally couldn't help but ask as they neared the territory of the Hidden Grass Village.
When Amane told the truth, Kabuto adjusted his glasses and said with a look of understanding, "Indeed, it's hard to produce anything in the Land of Rain's environment. So, their main way of survival is to become mercenaries."
Mercenaries—this wasn't an unfamiliar word from her previous life, but those in the Ninja World were a bit different. They operated similarly to how ordinary Ninjas took missions in their own Villages.
However, the mission levels on their request forms were generally life-threateningly difficult.
One could only say Nagato had his reasons for wanting to 'carry the rice'.
While talking, the two arrived at a location about five kilometers away from the Hidden Grass Village. Amane and Yakushi Kabuto would finalize their mission details here.
"First, the issue of the Hidden Grass Village's combat power. To be blunt, even if the Grass Shadow himself makes a move, it would be difficult for him to win against you in a duel."
Although the Hidden Grass Village isn't the weakest among the many nations, overall, it barely makes it into the middle tier.
The Ninjas there are best at diplomacy and deciphering (stealing) the Ninjutsu of other countries.
Amane didn't gloat because the Grass Shadow couldn't beat her; she knew Kabuto was about to discuss the key point of this mission.
"Correct, I believe you've guessed it. Lord Orochimaru wants to conveniently gather some of their diplomatic intelligence, and for intelligence to have the greatest value, it must be exclusive."
Translation: Get the intelligence stealthily, then use it to cause trouble.
And Amane also had some "inside information" from the staff.
[The Sound Village has been established.]
"I see. So I'm supposed to attract the Hidden Grass Village's attention?"
Amane's goal was the mother-daughter pair, Karin and Momohime. In the process, she needed to make things a bit "lively" to cover Kabuto's movements.
"Talking to a colleague is so easy. So, can we start the mission now? My disciple, 'Kanon'."
Kabuto put on a Forehead Protector with a musical note symbol. Dressed in a common and unremarkable Ninja outfit, he looked very average at first glance.
"Of course, Master."
Amane didn't wear a Forehead Protector. She wore a relatively clean kimono with a few Ninja tool pouches attached, containing ordinary tools and some soldier pills.
After confirming the mission objectives once more, both headed toward the Hidden Grass Village.
"Halt!"
A loud shout stopped Amane and Kabuto. They had reached the Village gate, where many ordinary travelers were passing through. If Kabuto hadn't been wearing a Ninja outfit and Forehead Protector, they could have walked straight in.
"Who are you?"
The Grass Ninja looked the two over while speaking, and when he saw Amane's red hair, a distinct light flashed in his eyes.
"We are from the Sound Village in the Land of Rice Fields. We have matters to discuss with your Grass Shadow."
As if noticing the way the Grass Ninja was looking at Amane, Kabuto naturally stepped forward to block his view.
"Sound Village? Never heard of it. And if you're here to discuss business, why bring a child?"
He pointed at Amane behind Kabuto, his eyes still fixed on her red hair.
As if frightened by the gaze and tone, Amane grabbed Kabuto's clothes, acting somewhat timid.
"The subject of this discussion is related to this child. Incidentally, I am her master."
Following that, the two engaged in a friendly back-and-forth.
The Grass Ninja repeatedly tried to ask about Amane's situation, but Kabuto insisted on only revealing it after meeting the Grass Shadow, even producing a special official document from their Ninja Village.
Although he had never heard of the Sound Village, with the eye for detail a guard should have, the document seemed genuine. It bore the unique seal of the Daimyo of the Land of Rice Fields.
Seeing this, the Grass Ninja had no choice but to lead Kabuto and Amane into the Village.
As soon as they entered, Amane felt the same kind of gazes converging on her at an exponential rate.
[You mother and daughter are truly pitiful.]
Amane felt her social anxiety meter rising rapidly. She had thought her social skills had improved significantly in this life, but she didn't want to be forced back to square one.
"Is that little girl from the Uzumaki Clan?"
The leading Grass Ninja suddenly asked.
"Who knows? I'll only say when I see the Grass Shadow."
[How is that any different from admitting it?]
Although she knew this helped the plan, such a brain-dead statement still made Amane want to complain inwardly.
Sure enough, the gazes instantly became even more intense than before, carrying a sense of "appetite."
The instinct of danger stimulated Amane, making it quite difficult for her.
Fortunately, the Hidden Grass Village wasn't large. Under the Grass Ninja's lead, they finally met the current Grass Shadow in a grand-looking building.
[His Chakra reserves should be enough to cast four or five A-rank Ninjutsu, roughly at the level of 1 Kakashi unit.]
For this level, it couldn't be called low. After all, being a Shadow meant he must have some skill.
Amane felt that when Kabuto said he might not beat her, it meant he might lose as well, so she should treat this with caution.
"Now then, Lord Grass Shadow, I'll be blunt. This child is a member of the Uzumaki Clan taken in by our Village. She has been searching for her mother and younger sister who went missing in the past. We heard your Village also took in a mother and daughter from the Uzumaki Clan, so we specifically came to see them."
Hearing Kabuto's words, the Grass Shadow's eyes widened as he glared at someone beside him. The latter was startled by this sudden movement and shook his head repeatedly.
"Kabuto, was it?"
"Yes."
After calling his name, the Grass Shadow looked at Amane with a meaningful expression and asked, "Where did you find out about this?"
"Isn't your Village currently at war?" Kabuto said meaningfully.
Implying the information was obtained from their enemies.
In the original work, it was precisely because of the Hidden Grass Village's wars that Karin's mother was bitten to death in a short time. The current timeline was about the same.
"Hmph! Speak, what do you want?"
The atmosphere suddenly became thick with the smell of gunpowder, and the Ninjas hidden in the shadows all began to refine their Chakra.
"We only hope this child can be reunited with her mother and sister. Of course, we can negotiate the price."
Saying this, Kabuto revealed an uncomfortable smile, looking like someone about to acquire two more rare treasures.
At the same time, Amane's body trembled slightly. Then, seemingly unintentionally, a small section of bite marks was revealed from her sleeve.
So they were fellow travelers who had tasted the benefits!
The Grass Ninja side now completely understood the visitors' intentions, and the tension in the room eased slightly. Now that both sides were being honest, it depended on what their Grass Shadow would say.
"Heh heh heh, so you want us to sell two 'pills'. Then, I wonder, Your Excellency from the so-called Sound Village, what's the price for your 'pill'?"
[This guy probably made up the Sound Village, and his own skills likely aren't that high, otherwise he wouldn't need to keep a 'pill' by his side as a safety insurance. Hmph! Just putting on an act.]
The Grass Shadow felt his judgment was flawless, so while throwing the question back, he began to signal his subordinates to prepare to strike.
Meanwhile, Kabuto, appearing completely "unaware" of the current situation, insisted that Amane was not for sale while continuing to push the Grass Shadow to yield.
Suddenly!
Kabuto's body stiffened mid-sentence, and he looked down in disbelief as his chest was gradually stained red with blood.
It was a senbon. In an instant, it had been shot from the Grass Shadow's mouth, piercing through Yakushi Kabuto's body. This was undoubtedly a fatal wound.
Immediately after, Kabuto tried to run toward Amane, but his heavily injured body could no longer muster much strength. After taking a couple of steps, he collapsed to the ground and began to twitch.
"Poison... Kanon, quickly... save me..."
Kabuto's face was full of despair and fear. In his line of sight, Amane covered her mouth, looking terrified and completely frozen in place.
Before long, Kabuto's body stopped twitching, and his breath vanished.
"What a foolish fellow. With such meager strength, you dared to come and deceive us, the Grass Shadow? But thanks to this guy, we can have another 'pill'. You're called Kanon, right? From now on, stay in this Village. We'll be the ones to raise you."
As he spoke, a group of Ninjas led by the Grass Shadow surrounded her. Eighty percent of them wore blatant, evil smiles, their predatory eyes fixed on Amane, who was shivering even more on the ground.
"I'll be good, please don't kill me!"
Amane clutched the back of her head, curled into a ball, and cried out.
"Don't worry, Young Lady. How could we bear to kill you? Take her away. Put her with that mother and daughter, and make sure she has plenty to eat."
After that, Amane was taken away by several Ninjas.
"Lord Grass Shadow, what should we do with this man's body?"
A Grass Ninja ran over to ask.
"Drag it out and dump it in the mass grave. If it turns out there really is such a thing as the Sound Village, just say he got caught up in the war and died."
Although the Grass Shadow felt the Sound Village was fabricated, as the leader of a Ninja Village that lived by selling intelligence, he still understood the importance of being prepared for contingencies.
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