Chapter 28: This Crying Country

The Land of Rain, due to its terrible terrain and the unscientific climate of the shinobi world, experiences rain all year round.

This country seems like an orphan abandoned by the Sage of Six Paths; no one can hear its lamentations. The endless rain has deprived the country of its vitality.

The land is covered with swamps and wetlands, where neither food crops nor economic plants can survive well.

The buildings that have been constructed are rust-covered, with only a few specially treated high-rises still standing. Industrial instruments are even worse off, as no steel structures can withstand the continuous year-round erosion by moisture.

This is a hell on earth where people die slowly, devoid of any hope.

The Land of Rain relies heavily on imports to cling to survival: food, industrial products, daily necessities, all depend on the supply from the Land of Fire.

The shinobi here only get to eat the leftovers from Konoha and the Sand Villages, selling their cheap labor for a meager salary.

Civilians here are treated no better than cattle; in this shinobi world, attempting to flee to the Land of Fire and live as a civilian is punishable by death.

"This damn shinobi world is truly unbearable," Hanma thought with a slight sigh.

In a world of extraordinary abilities, talking about equality seems unnecessary.

But for shinobi, born with high productivity, it shouldn't be difficult to ensure that ordinary people get a full meal. 

Unfortunately, the dreadful system of the shinobi world and the insatiable greed of the nobles have created one human tragedy after another.

After a sigh, Hanma collected himself.

Thanks to the enhancements from the predation domain, he is a perfect hunter.

He can release his killing intent to lock onto his prey when attacking, or hide his presence like a tiger or leopard retracting its claws when lurking.

Hanma silently concealed himself in the forest, watching the lifeless village before him, waiting for his target to appear.

"Lord Hanma, the target, Iga, is expected to reach area B-302 in five minutes, accompanied by fifteen shinobi. Requesting instructions."

A voice came through the radio in his ear; the technology tree of the Hokage is indeed quite skewed.

"Squad one, spread out and keep an eye on the direction of the Rain Village, report any enemy reinforcements."

"Squad two, continue to monitor Iga's movements, sensory ninjas expand your range."

"I'm heading to the ambush area now, prepare to commence operations."

If I can silently kill him on the spot later, it would be ideal; then I can head to the Land of Bears for a pleasant business trip.

If Iga summons reinforcements and calls his father Hanzō, it wouldn't be worth it.

In just a few breaths, Hanma had already reached the ambush area.

About two kilometers away, a group of hurrying Rain shinobi were approaching quickly.

Hanma's eyesight was extraordinary; watching the face in the distance that looked almost identical to Hanzō, he calculated the distance, waiting to strike the death knell.

"Action!"

Hanma led the charge, moving so fast that the average shinobi couldn't react in time at close range.

Elbow strikes, crushing punches, side kicks, all simple basic taijutsu moves, but coupled with absolute power and speed, they became the most solid killing tools.

His immense strength brought fierce wind pressure, and the leading Rain shinobi was shattered with one punch, blood and broken limbs flying in the air as Hanma moved forward.

"Who is it! Spread out! Protect Lord Iga!"

All the Rain shinobi only saw an afterimage flash before hearing a violent explosion, with two more comrades turning into blood-red stains on the ground.

Hanma remained silent; who would tell you who I am?

He maintained high speed, closing in on Iga, knowing that with these Rain shinobi's physical capabilities, they had no room to fight back in close combat.

The slaughter continued, with over a dozen Rain shinobi lying on the ground, their blood washed away by the unceasing rain, erasing their last trace from the world.

Iga shouted in terror, "Blood Wolf, you damn Konoha bastard! The Rain Village will never let you go!"

"Hey, stop calling me that embarrassing nickname."

Hanma charged forward, intending to complete his mission.

"Water Release: Double Water Formation Pillar Technique!"

Iga's hand signs flew rapidly; with just five seals, the technique was unleashed.

Moisture gathered around, forming a thick water wall to protect Iga.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

Iga's offense didn't stop, and a massive water dragon rose into the sky, roaring towards Hanma with the power of an elite ninja.

Water Release techniques indeed had unparalleled effectiveness in the Rain Village's environment.

Hanma moved fluidly; he didn't fear large-scale ninjutsu like this.

He easily broke through the water wall with brute force, crouching deeply and launching himself with immense power, creating a sonic boom behind him as he crashed into the water dragon at terrifying speed.

Years of relentless training ensured Hanma's defense; he wasn't bothered by such unremarkable ninjutsu.

The massive water dragon shattered under Hanma's overwhelming momentum.

An elbow strike hit Iga's abdomen, and Hanma's large hand raised to strike his head.

Iga spat out blood, his head caving in, his mind in a daze, losing all control over his body.

"Smart, knowing to protect vital parts with chakra, but it's useless."

Looking at the dog-like Iga, Hanma could only sigh; the shinobi world is like this, the winner takes all.

Hanma grabbed Iga, contemplating where to strike to give him an intact corpse.

Not out of kindness, but because someone of Iga's status could fetch a good price at the bounty exchange in the Land of Bears.

This kid should be worth about twenty million ryo?

After all, being in love is costly, every bit helps.

With gentle force, Hanma lifted Iga, intending to snap his neck swiftly, keeping him as whole as possible.

Iga's eyes flashed with hatred, his twisted face showing a sinister smile.

"Boom—!"

A certain secret technique within Iga was triggered, his body swelling up and exploding, releasing dark purple smoke.

"Everyone, use Wind Release to disperse it, and retreat immediately; it might be toxic!"

Hanma ordered the present Anbu; the smoke, suspected to be the poison of the sanshōuo, was something they couldn't withstand.

"Captain Hanma, there's a strong chakra response moving towards you from Rain Village, likely Hanzō. Should we intercept?"

The Anbu monitoring the Rain Village diligently performed their duty, calmly asking if they should intercept when facing Hanzō.

"No need, all Anbu retreat, I'll cover."

Hanma felt the numbness in his left arm, squinting towards Hanzō in the distance. The poison of the sanshōuo truly lives up to its name.