Shimoku had always understood one thing very clearly.
Compared to the five dominant great nations, the smaller countries caught between them were truly the most tragic.
Nowhere illustrated that better than Rain Hidden Village.
If you're weak, you become a battlefield for rival great nations...
If you grow strong, you provoke their suspicion and risk annihilation...
During times of chaos, no one cares whether you live or die...
During times of peace, no one remembers your existence...
Once, including Konoha, the great nations waged brutal war upon the lands of Rain Hidden Village.
Cold-hearted soldiers and ninjas looted homes like bandits, committing atrocities and plundering recklessly...
During that war,
Konoha produced three outstanding talents.
They were heroes—protecting their homeland so Konoha's children could go to the Ninja Academy worry-free...
Yet they were also devils—slaughtering mercilessly on foreign soil, leaving this country's children homeless with corpses scattered in the fields...
So in the Ninja World, justice has always been a matter of perspective.
What exists are merely different positions and interests.
That's how powerless weakness makes you feel...
All Shimoku's efforts so far aimed at preventing his own Homura Hidden Village from suffering the same fate as Rain Hidden Village.
...
Naturally, Shimoku deeply admired Nagato too.
Because setting aside other shortcomings,
When it came to village governance, he really had his act together.
From Yahiko's death until now had only been eight short years.
Yet he turned this once-broken city—once shattered and bleak beyond words—into a thriving, well-organized place.
He definitely knew what he was doing.
Almost as effective as his own five-year plan!
Though of course, much of that success probably came from the other 'assets' within Akatsuki.
One person like Nagato, already frail and emaciated, could barely manage all this alone!
This made Shimoku want those talents within Akatsuki even more.
[His Big Hoe] grew more restless by the day.
...
Throughout their journey, Shimoku didn't exchange many words with Deva Path Pain.
Despite their cooperation agreement,
Both sides understood clearly—this alliance was temporary.
Once Konoha was gone and they no longer shared an enemy,
These two forces would almost certainly turn hostile again.
Still, the strength Shimoku displayed genuinely worried Nagato.
So during this time, he attempted no further ambushes.
Although, Shimoku clearly sensed—the remaining four Paths of the Six Paths of Pain constantly followed behind them two.
At the same time, the afternoon tour
Also gave Shimoku something valuable from a whole new angle.
Rain Hidden Village's technological level indeed far surpassed the average standard of the Ninja World.
From advanced metalwork for skyscrapers to full-city power grids and missile-grade chemical synthesis...
Plus ubiquitous electronic billboards, engine-powered vehicles speeding along streets and lake surfaces,
And so much more besides…
All broadened Shimoku's horizons greatly.
Aside from being somewhat immature in areas like micro-integration and advanced physics applications, the rest of the technology levels here were at least on par with those from Shimoku's past world.
It could only be said that the ninja world's technological tree had grown extremely twisted...
But this also worked out perfectly.
These were precisely the technologies currently lacking in Homuragakure.
Coming from an ordinary background in his original world, aside from remembering hundreds of episodes of Naruto and other anime, plus scraps of knowledge picked up during nine years of basic schooling,
Shimoku otherwise understood very little else.
Therefore, it was still very important to adopt techniques from other villages' technologies.
Once he returned, Shimoku planned to take advantage of this "honeymoon period" between Homuragakure and Akatsuki,
to send over several exchange teams to Rain Hidden Village to learn new techniques.
To absorb some valuable "nutrients."
And strive to help develop their own village as soon as possible...
Regarding Shimoku's request, Nagato didn't give it much thought.
In his eyes, these civilian technologies were nothing more than ornamental embellishments. Letting Homuragakure secretly learn them was no big deal.
What truly mattered remained absolute strength!
Once all the Tailed Beasts were captured, and the Ten-Tails' power came under control,
That would be the day he unified the Ninja World, bringing forth peace!
A mere bit of civilian technology was insignificant.
...
Shimoku wandered around for the entire afternoon and still hadn't lost interest.
Of course, beyond those fascinating and sophisticated technologies,
Rain Hidden Village, with its perpetual rain and humid air, was surprisingly great for the skin. The girls here were particularly fresh and delicate, rivaling even those from Kirigakure.
All along the way, appreciating such beauty indeed refreshed his spirit.
So lost in admiration, Shimoku ended up staying the night in Rain Hidden Village without hesitation.
His stay personally arranged by the calm, Angel Konan.
By night, Konan had already changed back into her usual self.
True to her careful nature,
this time she had specially brought dozens of tin-foil paper cranes floating around her,
ready to wrap around her body when danger arose.
After all, tin foil was far more heat-resistant than regular paper.
Plus, it was oil-resistant, super durable, and didn't dirty easily—perfect for protection.
Looks like getting her all worked up will be even harder now.
Such a shame...
After finishing dinner, Shimoku returned to his room.
Not long afterward,
from under the bedroom door crept a slender figure as thin as a sheet of paper,
slithering inside and quickly transforming into Lady Serpent's form.
They exchanged glances, both understanding without words.
Without speaking aloud,
they clasped hands and silently exchanged thoughts through their chakra link.
"Did you find it?"
"No…"
Orochimaru gave his reply.
After Shimoku went off exploring earlier in the day,
Orochimaru had used a snake clone to distract Konan and began searching throughout the entirety of Rain Hidden Village.
He'd combed almost every underground corner of the entire village.
Yet in the end, still couldn't locate the secret underground base full of White Zetsu bodies that Shimoku described.
So much so, that he began to doubt himself.
Was Shimoku trying to pull something again...
"Didn't find the base?"
"It seems they indeed didn't set up the base inside the [Rain Hidden Village]."
"No big deal. I still have plan B."
Shimoku gave him a reassuring pat before letting go of Lady Serpent's hand.
Then he jumped off the bed.
His eyes scanned the room before locking onto the right wall.
The very next moment,
With a swift palm strike, he smashed it straight into the wall.
"Boom—"
The wall shattered, dust filling the air.
But Shimoku already had a tight grip on someone's neck, dragging the figure out into the hallway.
"What? Peeping fun, huh?"
"Ahhh! You~~~"
White Zetsu, caught by the neck, twisted in pain.
He really hadn't expected to have been exposed so soon...
And instantly subdued by this brat!
Still, White Zetsu didn't dare move an inch.
Because he was certain—one slight resistance, and this kid would blow him into pieces!
...
This sudden commotion quickly drew Pain and Konan over.
Upon seeing the current situation and White Zetsu's condition,
They immediately figured it out.
Obviously, White Zetsu—the "Peeping Tom"—had been exposed and captured instantly by Shimoku.
Therefore, Konan had no choice but to apologize, hoping Shimoku would let White Zetsu go this time.
After all, White Zetsu was now also a member of the [Akatsuki].
If he were killed here,
It wouldn't benefit their cooperation.
Eventually, Shimoku accepted her plea.
"Phew! Disgusting creep! Don't let me see you again!"
After hurling an angry curse, Shimoku flung White Zetsu aside and kicked him flying...
"Crash, crash—"
Flying through the air, White Zetsu smashed through three walls consecutively before crashing heavily into another high-rise building.
Twisting his body, barely breathing, clearly severely injured.
Only then did Shimoku stop.
And followed Konan to rest in another room.
...
Half a minute later,
From the debris of the opposite building, White Zetsu shakily stood back up.
Beside him appeared the Deva Path Pain.
"What strength!"
"What perception from that brat!"
"He probably noticed me from the very beginning..."
White Zetsu let out a wistful sigh, still grinning.
"Enough! Don't spy on him again until we destroy Konoha."
"Stay put!"
The Deva Path Pain warned coldly.
"Understood!"
White Zetsu nodded, his tone now carrying some bitterness.
However, at this moment, White Zetsu had no idea.
On the side of his neck, somehow, there was now a small [Flying Thunder God mark].
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