The sky is cloudy, concealing the sun completely. There were little signs that it'll rain here in the Land of Fire, but one thing for sure was that when we get to Hidden Rain grounds, it'll be raining mercilessly. Before leaving the village we'd been given long white capes with hoods to cope with the harsh weather in the Hidden Rain.
For now, we've taken a short break in the Quarters of Tanzaku, a village that resides away from the Hidden Leaf by a fair distance located in the Land of Fire. This village is known for its reputation where most gamblers and fine women reside. It just happened to be on the way to the Hidden Rain.
We've stopped at a nearby restaurant where the three of us ordered steak. The waitress kept giving Shisui and Kakashi side glances, which they completely disregarded. Once the coquette was gone after writing down our order we leaned closer and began talking.
"If the rumors surrounding the Hidden Rain are by any chance true, then we must proceed with caution", Kakashi informs, making sure his voice was only audible to us.
The restaurant sure was crowded. With men and women flirting back and forth, and the loud talks which filled the place with noise. It was safe to say that this is the best location to discuss our upcoming plan.
"But what is the goal of this Akatsuki organization exactly?", Shisui inquires, searching our faces for an answer.
"Nothing has been specified really", Kakashi responds and adjusts his mask, "all we know is that they're a group of mercenaries who accept money in exchange for doing someone else's dirty bidding. From what we know so far, they pose as a threat, consisting of rogue ninjas who abandoned their villages", Kakashi elaborates and laces his fingers together as his elbows rest on the table.
I lowered my head and thought about how I was supposed to join this Akatsuki organization four years ago. I really wanted to tell them about everything that could be of help, but my tongue is knotted and I am stigmatized.
Hesitantly, I think quickly and remark, "I think that it'd only make sense if the HeadQuarters of this Akatsuki organization is located somewhere in the Hidden Rain, or it could be the Hidden Rain itself", I swallow a lump in my throat as their eyes glue to mine all of a sudden.
"And what contributed to that deduction Itachi?", Kakashi scrutinizes me as Shisui simply awaits my reply.
"Think about it", I say and dart glances between them as I divulge, "the Hidden Rain is the sole victim of the Great Wars that've waged in the past. The Country of Rain suffered most in the wars since it acted as a battleground for the Great Nations. With that being said, it'll only make sense if the Hidden Rain is associated with the Akatsuki. And considering some of the latest intel regarding how tight their security is towards outsiders, it just adds up too perfectly".
Kakashi sighs and remarks, "that makes sense, no-that should be it then, the headquarters are definitely located in the Hidden Rain".
Shisui nods in agreement and praises me for my deduction. I finally breath out when I got it off my chest.
"Shall we investigate their internal affairs as well? The Hidden Rain seems to be closed off to everyone", Shisui asserts, looking at Kakashi for an answer.
Kakashi thinks for a good moment then replies, "Lord Hokage told us not to take any chances, but I don't think we'll even get a chance for that anyways, so it's best if we just stick to what's at hand".
We stay silent a bit, each one of us drifting into their own worlds. The dreamy expression on Shisui's face suggested that he's thinking about Hana. While Kakashi, well let's just say that he can't wait to get an opportunity to read his Make-Out Paradise book.
From my peripheral vision I spot the waitress from earlier as she approaches our table, holding the steak meat plates we'd ordered. She placed the three plates on the table in front of us. Before she left, she smirked at me and said, "don't eat too much", she proceeds to wink before remarking, "leave some place for desert".
I sat in my seat, startled at the glances she was sending me. I almost choked on my own voice from her uncalled for remark.
From the corner of my eye I spot Shisui and Kakashi giggling like two school girls as they give me suggestive smirks. The waitress blows a kiss my way and I pretend to dodge it awkwardly.
When she finally treads away, I feel my cheeks fuming from the looks Shisui and Kakashi were giving me.
"Hey Itachi", Kakashi calls out, catching my attention, "when this is over, remind me to get you a Make-Out Paradise book".
"N-no t-thank you..."
Shisui and I dig in and fill our tastebuds with the delicious taste of this steak. I halt for a moment with my mouthful. Kakashi wasn't touching his plate.
"Kakashi?", I say through my mouthful.
He simply smiled and said, "I'm not used to people seeing my face..."
"Oh I see", Shisui snorts, his chopsticks still in his hand.
"Then how'll you eat?", I inquire after swallowing down the steak.
He lowered his head and pulled the hood of his cape over his entire face, and just like that, he started to dig in.
"Oh"
"Yeah"
I roll my eyes and continue finishing my steak, all the while cleaning the sides of my mouth with a napkin. After the delicious steak, my eyes sparkled when I spotted the same waitress holding three different plates of dumplings, which further appeared to be dango.
I tried to hold back my smile as she approached us. She winked again, but placed the plates in front of us without a word.
The sky was darkening and we were one the move again. As much as we wanted to stay more in this village, we still had a mission to accomplish.
After leaving the Quarters of Tanzaku, we head straight ahead towards the Hidden Rain village, which was west of the the Land of Fire. The darkening clouds and the hint of rain indicated our arrival in the Country of Rain.
"I don't like the aura of this place", Shisui remarks, and Kakashi and I nod in agreement.
"Right, the Hidden Rain Village is up ahead", Kakashi informs before he lowers his torso and speeds into the unknown. Shisui and I exchange a glance before we follow suit with him.
The more we treaded in the unknown, the more uneasy we've become. Not to mention the rain droplets that began falling. I hastened and pulled the hood of my cape above my head as the rain bolded.
Shisui and Kakashi were ahead of me since Kakashi is the leader of our trio and Shisui is simply older and more experienced than me. I pushed away my long hair strands and hastened my feet to catch up to the two of them.
The thick rain was bringing back memories, only this time I pushed them away and locked them at the back of my mind. I'm currently on a mission, and I need to focus on my mission and my mission only.
Through my train of thought, my head jerks up in Kakashi's direction when he looks over his shoulder and yells, "I see the gates! Loosen up your speed and be on alert at all times!", he orders and we comply.
I look ahead and notice two grey pillar-like structures coming into view. On either side of the pillars, there stood guards who were armed with spears.
This must be it...The Hidden Rain Village...
Kakashi purposely falls behind so we could catch up to him. Once the three of us were leveling together perfectly, Kakashi spoke in a low voice, "Itachi, do what I told you to do when we first departed from the village".
"I'm right on it", I hastily reply and raise two fingers.
Simultaneously, the sounds of my crows filled our ears as I instructed them to disperse throughout the village like Kakashi told me earlier on. Their dark feathers clouded my vision as they finally obliged and flew in the village's direction.
When the pillar-like structures came into clear view, we began loosening up our speed. Eventually we were walking in slow steps as the melody of the harsh rain pounded against the ground.
Once we were caught sight of, the guards in front of the gate were on alert already. They wielded their spears in our direction.
"Calm down", Kakashi instructed the two of us, but we already knew that.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and followed Kakashi as he treaded closer towards the guards. Their Rain headbands visible under their hats.
Shisui and I instinctively fell behind Kakashi as we followed his lead. Once we came in close contact with them, Kakashi chinned up when one of the guards demanded, "were are you coming from?", he pointed the spear in Kakashi's face, who disregarded it completely.
"The Hidden Leaf Village", Kakashi replied monotonously, his demeanor calm and indifferent.
"What brings Leaf shinobi the the Hidden Rain?", one of the other guards demanded. They were a total of six or seven guards. My defenses were up already as I inspected them closely.
Instantly, they all seem to be on alert when Kakashi's hand disappeared inside his cape. He slowly took out a scroll and looked at them. The guards lower their spears a little and keep their stare cemented on the three of us.
"I am Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja of the Hidden Leaf, and these are my comrades, Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha. Our Hokage send us here to request the Hidden Rain's participation in the upcoming Chūnin Exams that'll take place in the Leaf", Kakashi informs, making the guards ease up.
The guard in the middle extended out his hand and said, "Then I will accept the letter", the man keeps his hand extended waiting for Kakashi to place the letter in his hand.
"I'm afraid I can't do that", Kakashi deadpans, which perplexes the gate guards, "We've been ordered to personally deliver this letter to your leader, Danzo of the Salamander".
"Is that a part of your plan?! To get close to Lord Hanzo?!", one of the guards retorts and points his spear right in Kakashi's direction. Another one points his spear at Shisui. I was also pointed at with a spear. Unlike Shisui and Kakashi, I tensed a bit, but maintained my composure regardless.
"Threatening us is the same as threatening the Hidden Leaf Village", Kakashi states, making a few of the guards flinch and take back steps, "is that what you want?", Kakashi inquires, making them uneasy.
They exchanged a few glances and words before turning back to us and informing, "All right, I'll notify them". They unyielded their spears at once, making me relieved.
The guards usher us inside the Village and we follow their lead. Once we were behind the gates of the village, Shisui and I were rendered surprised as we looked around us.
The Hidden Rain isn't like any other village. It seems far more advanced in architecture than any other village. The dark towers and the pouring rain makes this village almost dreamy, if it weren't for the negative aura that encroaches this place.
From my peripheral vision, I spot my crows roaming around the village's sky. Shisui and Kakashi noticed this too, which is why they gave me a knowing look. We arrived at a building, where two of the guards disappeared inside.
A man appeared at the entrance of the building after some minutes and declared, "Lord Hanzo will see you now, surrender your weapons at once", he said the last bit in a warning tone.
It's as it's rumored, the immigration inspections are extremely strict. The security here is airtight.
Shisui and I looked over at Kakashi for approval. When he nodded, that was our cue to comply with the orders of the guards. We entered into the building with a heavy heart, inspecting our surroundings carefully. The sole sound of our footsteps kept echoing loudly as we were finally ushered into a room.
My mouth fell agape when I saw more guards in the room that supposedly belonged to the leader. Most of the guards were sitting in front of the slide doors in the room, where the silhouette of a figure could be seen behind the doors.
I exchanged glances with my comrades and their expressions mirrored mine. Why is Hanzo taking so much precautions?
Nevertheless, Kakashi gave us a stern look as we kneel down like the rest of the guards. If I activate my Sharingan here, they'll be aware of it and chaos might break out. Knowing this, I keep my murk eyes fixated on the figure behind the slide doors.
From what I've heard, Hanzo wasn't a man to hide himself. He was a proud and strong shinobi with great prowess. This is the same man who bestowed the name of the Three Legendary Sannins upon Lord Third's disciples.
So the question flows back and forth in my mind. Why doesn't he face us directly?
A guard rises up to his feet. In his hands, there was a rectangular wooden plate which he extended out to Kakashi and said, "Insert the scroll here".
Without hesitation, Kakashi placed the scroll on the rectangular plate. He couldn't afford any suspicion on our part.
My mouth parts a bit as I see the door slide open a little. A hand stretched out and took the scroll placed in the rectangular plate.
Hanzo?
The three of us knew better than to question or make any aghast faces at each other. This was an S-rank mission after all. At once, one thing was concluded.
The Hidden Rain is definitely hiding something.
My unblinking eyes were fixated on the closing door. Just as the door was about to slid closed, Kakashi blurted, "Lord Hanzo, I want to make a request".
The door halted mid-way as everyone in the room held their breath.
"What is it?", a hoarse voice inquired.
Kakashi took a moment, but eventually replied, "we'd like to stay the night here, in the Hidden Rain village. The journey was quite exhausting if you ask me and so I graciously request you take us in for one night, then we'll head back to The Land of Fire early in the morning".
The room was drenched in silence at what Kakashi had said. I saw the figure behind the doors move before declaring, "your request has been accepted, at once you'll be escorted to a hotel by some of my guards".
"Thank you", the three of us say in unison as we instinctively bow our heads at once to demonstrate respect and gratitude.
The meeting was over and a total of five guards acquainted us outside. They were supposed to be our escorts to the hotel.
For security reasons, they were walking behind us. They are taking every precaution. No one will take such precautions if they weren't hiding or planning something. But if they think that we came unprepared, they'd be wrong. Because as we exchange glances together, we could know what the other was thinking instinctively.
Kakashi has been preparing something the moment we entered the Hidden Rain Country. He'd planned it and told us about it way back. Shisui and I kept our eyes glued to Kakashi's expression, waiting for his signal as merciless beads of rain falls on our unblinking expressions.
Five guards...
I hold tight on my breath.
Any time now...
My eyes broaden in recall when Kakashi finally delivers the long awaited signal.
With skipping heartbeats Kakashi uncovers his left eye and instinctively our voices emanate at once.
"Mangekyō Sharingan"
The three tomoes of our Sharingans merge together, forming the unique pattern of our Mangekyō Sharingans.
It's all going accordingly to plan...so why am I still skipping heartbeats?
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A/N:- the grand reveal is probably going to be next chapter so stay tuned. I'm feelin' slightly better. This chapter was supposed to be longer and possibly have the big reveal, but yeah I got tired✨✨
~A