Dark storm clouds coiled above the lakes and rivers of the Land of Rain like enormous black serpents.
Raindrops hammered the river’s surface, sending up endless splashes until it seemed as though rain was falling from both heaven and earth alike.
Violent winds drove the downpour across the harbor.
Black banners snapped taut in the gale, while the moored ships groaned against their mooring lines.
Bang!
Inside the harbor watch station, its walls stained with rust and age…
An emaciated old man latched the windows shut, pulled a pair of padded earmuffs over his ears, hugged a bottle of warmed sake, and settled comfortably into his chair.
His already symbolic “workday” had ended well ahead of schedule.
“With weather this damned awful…” “No idiot’s going to show up anyway.” The old man wearily looked toward the distant capital of the Land of Rain.
The towering steel structures appeared and disappeared through the curtain of rain.
Besides…
Given the country’s current state…
Even nations that once maintained trade with the Land of Rain no longer dared do business here.
An old dockmaster like him—whose job was merely to oversee arriving ships— Had become little more than a ceremonial position.
There was no reason to stay awake all night.
Coincidentally…
Someone else had reached the same conclusion.
Wooooo— A long, melodious whistle, deep and resonant like the song of a blue whale, slowly pierced the storm.
“So…” “So huge!” Yahiko’s excited voice echoed through the rain.
His amber eyes reflected an enormous shadow.
With crashing waves exploding around its bow…
The massive silhouette advanced across the river.
It was…
A gigantic ship painted the same pitch-black color as the stormy night itself.
Cutting through the towering waves, it steadily approached the harbor before coming to a halt not far from the shore.
Wooooo— Unkawa placed two fingers between his lips and answered with a sharp whistle of his own.
The ship responded almost immediately.
A boarding ladder was lowered over the side.
“Come on.” “Our ride’s here.” Without another word, Unkawa led Yahiko and the others aboard.
Five figures dressed in black rain cloaks soon stood shoulder to shoulder upon the deck, gazing down over the countless ships moored throughout the harbor.
“Whoa!” Yahiko shaded his eyes with one hand.
Like an overexcited monkey, he looked around in every direction.
“I’ve never seen so many ships before!” Nearly a thousand vessels filled the harbor.
The sight left him awestruck.
“When you live by the mountains, you rely on the mountains.” “When you live by the sea, you rely on the sea.” “You adapt to your surroundings.” Unkawa stretched out a hand.
Rain splashed against his palm.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“The Land of Rain may have terrible weather…” “But it has its advantages too.” The Land of Rain occupied the very center of the largest continent in the shinobi world.
It bordered the three great nations—the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth— Along with the smaller Lands of Grass, Birds, and Rivers.
Its borders with the Lands of Wind and Earth were lined by towering mountain ranges.
Those mountains enclosed the country on the west, northwest, and southwest.
Together…
They formed a giant funnel-shaped basin.
The only opening faced east— Toward the Land of Fire.
Unlike the frigid northern seas beyond the Land of Frost…
The southeastern ocean beside the Land of Fire was warm.
It served as one of the world’s primary sources of moisture and ocean currents.
The fertile farmlands of the Land of Fire were proof enough of that influence.
Every year…
Moist northwesterly winds carried warm, humid air inland.
But the mountains separating the Land of Rain from the Lands of Wind and Earth were simply too high.
They blocked those moisture-laden air currents.
Forced upward…
The air cooled and condensed.
The result was enormous amounts of orographic rainfall.
Rain…
Endless rain…
Falling almost entirely upon the Land of Rain.
That was why the Lands of Wind and Earth consisted largely of deserts and barren rock, receiving less than one-tenth the annual rainfall of the Land of Rain.
It was precisely this extreme geography…
That created the so-called “Country That Cries.” The abundant rainfall gathered into numerous powerful rivers that flowed outward like arteries, nourishing neighboring countries.
“So…” “Developing river transport is the Land of Rain’s greatest natural advantage.” Unkawa finished his explanation before letting out a small sigh.
“…Even so.” “It still can’t compete with the Land of Fire.” At moments like this…
He had to admit that, naïve as Hashirama Senju had been—even giving away Tailed Beasts to other nations— He probably wasn’t completely lacking in foresight.
…Or perhaps that had simply been Tobirama Senju’s idea.
Unkawa honestly didn’t have especially high expectations for Hashirama’s strategic thinking.
“…” “…” “…Oh.” Yahiko nodded thoughtfully.
“So that’s how it is.” Konan blinked.
“Yahiko…” “You actually understood all that?” “Of course!” Yahiko proudly puffed out his chest.
“We just need to flatten all the mountains between us, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth.” “Then it won’t rain anymore!” …You understood absolutely nothing.
Do you think you’re leveling a grave mound?
“Hahahahaha!” A hearty laugh suddenly echoed from inside the cabin.
Before Yahiko could turn around…
Someone clapped him on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry, kid.” The elderly man laughed like a sly old fox.
“You’ll learn all this basic geography sooner or later.” “Hahaha!” “W-What?!” “Is it still too late for me to get off the ship—Mmgh!” Yahiko nearly let out another childish howl.
Fortunately…
Jiyun expressionlessly covered his mouth.
Konan hurriedly bowed.
“I’m very sorry.” “Yahiko’s caused you trouble.” The man before them had a full head of white hair.
Despite his age, his back remained perfectly straight.
His broad smile radiated warmth.
“Haha, don’t be so formal.” “You’re all children Lord Unkawa brought home.” “From now on…” “We’re family.” He waved dismissively before turning respectfully toward Unkawa.
“My apologies, Lord Unkawa.” “I arrived late today.” He offered no excuses.
Even though he had only been delayed by a few minutes…
He sincerely regretted it.
“Uncle Meiyu.” Unkawa smiled helplessly.
“Weren’t you supposed to be transporting cargo to the Land of Water today?” “You didn’t need to come personally.” “How could that possibly be a bother?” The old man shook his head.
“I only have what I have today because of you.” Then his expression darkened.
“Besides…” “There’s been a little trouble over in the Land of Water.” Standing nearby, Jiyun suddenly asked, “Does this business make a lot of money?” Uncle Meiyu blinked before looking down at her.
For some reason…
A gentle smile spread across his face.
“Probably a little more than the bounty earned by an ordinary shinobi.” Then he sighed bitterly.
“But old men like us are no different from duckweed.” “Once the wind starts blowing…” “We disappear beneath the water.” “If not for Lord Unkawa…” On land…
Countless bandits survived by robbing merchant caravans.
Naturally…
The rivers also had their own pirates.
Tap!
Tap!
Tap!
“Big Brother Unkawa!” A little girl who had only recently learned to walk toddled toward him in oversized clothes.
She carefully held out a bowl with both hands.
“Drink.” “Thank you, Little Shigure.” Unkawa smiled and gently rubbed her head before accepting the bowl and draining it in one gulp.
As he lowered it…
His gaze slowly drifted toward the distant river.
“…Honestly.” “The smell of blood is getting impossible to hide.” Reflected within his deep-blue eyes…
Another vessel of nearly identical size floated silently upon the water.
A faint crimson mist seemed to cling to its hull.
Like…
A ghost ship.