My Hidden Road

Standing under the eaves of a house, the drizzle of rain gathered from the eaves and turned into small streams of water flowing down from the eaves.

Naoto looked at the person in the photo in fascination. There were very few people with whom he could come in contact. As long as he had some impressions, he must have met her and chatted a few words. Naoto, who had almost no social circle, concluded that he had seen her, but he didn't know.

Specific time and place.

"He is not a ninja in Hanzo's trusted army. He only recently joined the Hidden Rain Village."

Patting his head, Naoto couldn't remember where he had seen this girl before. She just looked familiar, maybe he had mistakenly recognized her.

Putting the scroll away, Naoto tried not to avoid thinking about it, held up his umbrella and walked towards the lake outside the village, preparing to continue practicing.

Akasaka, who was guarding the entrance to Amegakure Village, saw Naoto nodding and bowing. Akasaka's life was also very difficult. His former younger brother left the village because of his livelihood, and he was sent to this place to guard the gate. He didn't even have a chance to blackmail.

After walking past Akasaka and taking a few steps forward, Naoto turned back.

"how are things?"

Akasaka scratched the missing ear and said sheepishly: "It's much more difficult than when I was under you. I really hope Naoto-sama can continue to be our captain, but..."

A stack of banknotes was thrown on Akasaka's official desk. Seeing the banknotes, Akasaka looked at Naoto in disbelief, with a hint of fanaticism in his eyes.

"Do me a favor and this is yours."

Akasaka said in embarrassment: "Naoto-sama, please give me whatever you want. I will never refuse, but..."

"It's not a dangerous thing."

Naoto took out the scroll, tore off the photo on it, and put it in front of Akasaka. "Every time I enter the village, I have to pass by you. When you see the girl above, report it to me immediately. Also, pay attention to your mouth. I don't want to hear anything from other people's mouth."

I heard that I asked you to help me find someone, but you know the consequences."

"Yes, yes, I will keep the secret secret. If I find this girl, I will report it to you immediately." Akasaka said with a smile, "Excuse me, where can I find you?"

"Go to the lake outside the village and look for me. If you can't find me, I'll be at home. Got it?"

"Yes, yes, I know."

Seeing Akasaka's lower body, Naoto pursed his lips, then took out a wad of bills from the satchel at his waist and placed it on the table. After seeing Akasaka, he became more reserved and bent even lower.

"Do you want to be my spy?" Naoto suddenly said.

"ah?"

"Are you interested? It's not very dangerous, but you can get money for it."

"This..." Akasaka raised his head and glanced at Naoto, then lowered his head and remained silent, struggling internally.

Naoto said calmly: "You have a wife? Those scum back then all left the village to find a way to survive, but you were the only one who didn't leave. It must be for your wife, right?"

"How do you know?" Akasaka looked at Naoto in horror. Very few people knew about this.

"How do I know?" Naoto sneered: "You bastard, the clothes on your body are cleaner than before. If your wife didn't wash them for you, then I really can't think of a second reason."

"You are really awesome, that's right."

"When did this happen?"

Akasaka gently touched the silver-white ring on her ring finger with her fingers, and a smile called happiness appeared on her face, which was much better than the scum-like appearance she had back then.

"It was just a year ago, and I was about to be a father, so I didn't want to take too big risks to make money. It doesn't matter how much or how little money I have, as long as I can be with my family, life's ups and downs will pass with a smile."

Naoto said happily: "Yes, I am still a bit like a father, so I won't disturb you. The girl I asked you to help pay attention to before is no longer needed. You should keep the money. It is a little thought from me for your child."

"Thank you, Naoto-sama."

A few years later, even Akasaka got married and wanted to be a father. No matter what, Naoto didn't want to break up the life of this family. What happened to Yukiwa that year left a shadow in his heart. Yukiwa died because of his own fault.

Even boss Yika and his brother Taro have heard nothing.

"Akasaka, work hard!"

Naoto smiled in relief and turned away. Behind him, Akasaka watched Naoto disappear, then stretched out his hand to put the banknotes on the table into his pocket. He needed a lot of money to support the child who was about to be born, but he wanted his family to be safe even if

Even if you are a ninja, you have to be safe.

"He's obviously pretty good, so why doesn't he have any friends?" Akasaka murmured.

He was very lost, Naoto was very lost. The scum he once despised and looked down on all had their own families. But he himself was like a weed fluttering in the wind, fearing that one day the wind would break his fragile leaves, or be killed.

When people step on it, they become one with the barren land of the Rain Country.

After what happened in Akasaka, for some reason he was not in the mood to practice swordsmanship. In the past few years, he had been practicing every day and never slackened off. Maybe he should take a rest. Naoto took back his long sword and walked towards the village on the lake.

Returning to his lifeless home, Naoto casually took a piece of bread and stuffed it into his mouth, stood on the balcony and watched the rainy scenery. These are the only things that can be seen in the Rain Hidden Village. The scenery here is quite good, even after watching it for a long time.

that's all.

A man wearing a black raincoat to cover himself was jumping up and down on the iron tower opposite. Naoto tilted his head and watched quietly. In his sight, there were several rain ninjas following him, apparently chasing the previous people.

The man fled into the alley downstairs. Naoto secretly thought that this man was really stupid. The alley downstairs was a dead end. He took an umbrella. There were not many good things like this. Naoto, who lacked entertainment activities, bit his bread and squatted in a

Very inconspicuous place to eat melon.

The man realized that it was a dead end alley, and turned around in shock. The pursuers behind him had already arrived, and he had no way to retreat. Naoto looked at them as if they were not the elite rain ninja troops in Hanzo's hands. They were all bastards who dared to jump into the village.

Jump.

Yu Ren rushed over and saw that there was no way to retreat, with a ferocious smile on his face.

"You actually stole our money, where are you going now?"

The man took off the hat on his raincoat and revealed his face to their eyes. His delicate little face revealed a look of perseverance, and he was holding a small alley in his hand. Naoto, who was squatting in an inconspicuous place, watched the girl carefully, as if it was her.

, biting the bread, Naoto picked up two bricks from the corner.

"Hey! She's still a little girl. She's quite courageous at such a young age."

The girl held the kunai in her hand tightly: "These are the money you robbed from the villagers. They are not yours at all, you scoundrels!"

"It's useless to talk more. Give us the money back and maybe I can spare your life."

"Pooh!"

The rain ninjas didn't say much, they raised their ninja tools and rushed towards the girl.

"ah--!"

"······"

Several wails sounded, and the rain ninjas fell to the ground holding their heads. Naoto threw the broken head on the ground and clapped his hands.

It's him, it's really him!

The girl's eyes showed surprise, and she was saved by him again. However, he still didn't seem to recognize her. This was the third time he didn't recognize me. What a fool. He always called me a fool before.

"Why are you here?" The girl lowered her eyebrows and drew circles on the ground with her toes.