Chapter 341: Reunion 1
As the four ventured deeper into the Land of Rain, the grim reality of their surroundings became undeniable. Yahiko's brows furrowed ever deeper with each step. What kind of human purgatory was this?
The villages they passed were desolate, almost devoid of life. Broken bricks and rubble littered the ground, a stark testament to destruction. In the shadows of crumbled homes and beneath rickety bridges, ragged groups of people huddled for shelter. Their faces bore no trace of vitality; hollow eyes stared ahead, brimming with despair. Yet even in this misery, small armed groups roamed, ruthlessly driving the refugees away like cattle, treating them as less than human. It was a harrowing sight, even worse than what the group had left behind.
Konan's instinct to help stirred within her, and she stepped forward several times, only to be stopped. Yahiko shared her sympathy but knew the harsh truth: they couldn't save everyone. To expose themselves recklessly would be a grave mistake.
"What, never seen this before?" Kakuzu's mocking tone cut through the somber atmosphere. His sharp gaze swept over the three younger shinobi. They were still far too inexperienced.
Kakuzu, who had traveled through countless lands and witnessed innumerable tragedies, remained unmoved. These scenes were just another page in the bloody history of the ninja world.
"Do you have any compassion?" Konan shot back, her voice edged with frustration.
"A flower in a greenhouse," Kakuzu sneered. "This isn't Konoha. Put away your ridiculous compassion. War is the main theme of the ninja world."
Konan bristled, anger flaring. "You—" she began, but her words faltered. Despite her outrage, she couldn't fully refute his cold logic. At this point in her life, she still carried a degree of naivety.
"You're right," Yahiko interjected firmly, stepping forward. "But we're not flowers in a greenhouse. Don't you want to know why we came to the Land of Rain?" He locked eyes with Kakuzu, his determination unwavering. "I can tell you now. We want to end the war here ourselves, to bring peace and contentment to these people."
Kakuzu's expression betrayed no surprise. "You people from Konoha really have big appetites," he said flatly. To him, this lofty goal was just another façade. The powerful always pursued their own interests, caring little for the lives of the weak.
"Big appetites or small appetites," Yahiko replied without hesitation, "isn't ending the war a good thing?"