Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 346: Unusually Smooth

Under Nagato's leadership, a large group of people had unknowingly entered someone's territory. By eliminating the small force guarding it, they finally secured a temporary place to call home.

"Lie still, I'll heal you first."

Nagato pushed the bodies around him aside and pinned Yahiko to the ground. Yahiko, pale and weak, had been left bleeding until now.

Who knows how much chicken soup he'll need to get his strength back.

"I'm fine, you go treat the others first," Yahiko said, playing his part convincingly. Despite his weakened appearance, his voice was clear and steady.

"My lord, you should treat him first," one of the onlooking Ame Ninja suggested.

"We're fine," another chimed in.

The Ame Ninja still had some conscience; seeing Yahiko in such a pitiful state moved him deeply, almost enough to bow to him on the spot. This is a reincarnated living Buddha!

"Alright, just give me a moment," Nagato said. "My friend here is also a medical-nin—she can help with that."

He gave Nonō a quick wink before turning his focus back to Yahiko. A soft green glow emanated from his hands as Yahiko's wounds slowly began to heal.

"If I don't nail this mission, all this blood I've shed will be for nothing," Yahiko muttered with a wry grin.

"The key is to stay focused. This was your idea," Nagato responded with a smirk, unconcerned.

Even if it was just a little blood, what if it got worse?

While the two talked, Nonō efficiently organized the Ame Ninja.

"The seriously injured first, the lightly injured last," she instructed, ensuring the injured were treated in an orderly manner.

"What a show," Kakuzu muttered from his spot in the corner, isolated from the group.

"What are you mumbling about? Keep your voice down," Konan said as she appeared beside him, taking a seat.

"Little girl," Kakuzu grumbled, giving Konan a brief glance before looking away.

The two idle enemies sat together, bickering quietly. Oddly enough, it was a pleasant distraction amidst the chaos.

...

Before long, Yahiko was able to walk normally, though his face remained slightly pale.

Nagato and Nonō worked tirelessly, their combined efforts significantly increasing efficiency in treating the injured. By the middle of the night, all those who could be saved had been properly treated. A few severely injured individuals were beyond help, but most of the Ame Ninja survived.

Nagato and Nonō, having consumed so many military rations pills that they were left completely drained, could barely stand. At this moment, the two idle individuals finally became useful.

Kakuzu grabbed Nagato by the arm, and Konan supported Nonō.

"You all rest well, and we'll discuss everything when you've recovered," Yahiko said, still maintaining his facade of weakness. "The future of our Land of Rain is in your hands."

After delivering those words, Yahiko, the 'injured person,' began to lead the others away as though preparing to leave.

"Wait."

They hadn't taken more than two steps when a voice called out from behind them. Yahiko and Nagato exchanged a glance—this was the moment they had been waiting for.

"Is there anything else?" Yahiko asked, turning around slowly, his posture feigning fragility.

"I haven't had a chance to thank you all for saving my life tonight."

The Ame Ninja, his arm in a sling, spoke with genuine gratitude. He couldn't shake the feeling that these people were unfamiliar. "Are you also ninjas from the Land of Rain?"

"You're welcome. We just did what we could," Yahiko said with a slight smile. "The four of us aren't all Ame ninja, though. He's just an ally."

He gestured to Nagato, Nonō, and Konan, then pointed to Kakuzu when he mentioned their "ally."

"We were just kids when Lord Hanzō was killed," Yahiko continued, letting his words hang in the air, emphasizing the importance of the name.

The mention of Lord Hanzō drew the expected reaction.

"Oh, Lord Hanzō..." The Ame Ninja sighed deeply, his expression filled with nostalgia. If Hanzō had lived, the Land of Rain would not have fallen into such chaos.

"You guys didn't have it easy either," he added, his voice tinged with empathy.

Yahiko nodded, his tone somber. "Yes, we all became orphans because of the war. We had no choice but to flee to the Land of Grass. Luckily, we met a bounty hunter there. He supported us and taught us everything we know. But now that he's gone, we thought we'd return and take a look."

He paused, then added, "Unexpectedly, we ran into you. If you hadn't been wearing the Ame Ninja forehead protector, we might have just watched from afar."

Yahiko gave a faint, bitter smile as he spoke, letting the weight of their sorrowful "memories" hang in the air.

"Forehead protector..." The Ame Ninja touched the one hanging around his neck, his smile tinged with bitterness. "This is our root."

Tonight, the Ninja World had nearly lost another Ame Ninja.

"Where do you plan to go from here? Back to being bounty hunters?"

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Picking himself up, the Ame Ninja finally got down to business. His guard was now at its lowest when it came to Yahiko and his group. The performance they had put on earlier had been convincing, and Yahiko's story had held up well.

"Yeah, we have to support ourselves somehow," Yahiko replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Our country is in such a state, how can you bear to leave?" the Ame Ninja pressed. "The people have nothing to eat and no clothes to keep them warm. They're being bullied by foreign forces, and it's not even half as good as it was when Lord Hanzō was here."

He grew increasingly agitated, his tone rising with each word.

"But what can we do if we stay?" Yahiko said. Even during Hanzō's reign, the Land of Rain hadn't been much better off.

"Join us in bringing peace to the Land of Rain," the Ame Ninja urged. "In this way, Lord Hanzō's spirit in the Pure Land will also be gratified."

It was clear this man was a devoted admirer of Hanzō of the Salamander.

"I'm afraid we are not competent enough," Yahiko said humbly, carefully testing the waters. "Besides, will your captain agree to us joining?"

"Lord Murakami has fallen in battle," the Ame ninja replied. "I'm the captain now, and I'll give the orders as I see fit."

The question of competence was brushed aside entirely. In his eyes, if someone was incompetent, they were as good as useless anyway.

"Forget it, we don't like being constrained," Konan suddenly interjected, her tone sharp.

Her blunt remark angered the Ame Ninja, who had seen a flicker of interest on Yahiko's face. That flicker had given him hope—hope that these strangers might still feel a connection to the Land of Rain.

"No constraints. You'll be free to do whatever you want in the future," he insisted. "I know I am not competent, and this position of leader is only temporary. Young friend, as long as you can convince the others and lead us to restore the Land of Rain, what difference does it make if you take the position of leader?"

At this, someone behind him tugged on his arm, but he shrugged them off angrily.

"Don't pull me! We can't win against those wandering ninjas on our own. They are citizens of my Land of Rain, and they've saved our lives. Why can't I offer the position of leader?"

He slapped away the hand of the person behind him, his words earnest and heartfelt.

"I've never seen such a fool," Kakuzu muttered, rolling his eyes. He truly couldn't comprehend this man's naivety.

"Forget about the leader or not," Yahiko declared, his expression serious. "We promise to stay. For the future of the Land of Rain, let's work together."

His tone was resolute, and the weight of his decision was evident.

"Great, welcome aboard," the Ame Ninja said, his excitement palpable.

As with everything, there were two sides to this decision—some were happy, and others were not. But for Yahiko, none of that mattered. The scene had concluded perfectly, just as he intended.