The Naruto World.
The Land of Rain, a land known as the weeping country.
If Qingshui were to explain it from a geographical and climatic perspective, it would be because the ocean monsoon winds blowing from several other directions are blocked precisely here.
To the southwest of the Land of Rain, the border with the Land of Wind is marked by a massive mountain range that extends south, encompassing nearly half of the Land of Wind's territory.
To the north of the Land of Rain are the high mountains and plateaus of the Land of Earth, which also block moisture.
Additionally, the Land of Rain's terrain is lower than that of the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass to its east. This causes the moisture from at least two directions of ocean monsoon winds to converge here, making the Land of Rain the "Rain Pole" of the Ninja World.
"Finally, back on the soil of the Land of Rain."
Qingshui stepped on the muddy ground, carrying a sealing scroll on his back, and followed the main group with his teammates.
Pakura wrung out her soaking wet clothes and looked around.
"The water resources here are as abundant as ever. Last year, I carried out several material escort missions here. At the time, I was thinking how great it would be if we could dig a large river here to connect to the village."
Baki carried a large backpack made of waterproof material, frequently scanning his surroundings.
"It seems I'm the only one who's never been to the Land of Rain before. Before joining this squad, my missions usually involved transporting supplies to outposts west of the border. But Pakura, you're absolutely right. If we could dig a grand canal connecting the two regions, it wouldn't just alleviate water scarcity in the riverside areas; it could also transport large quantities of materials. Whether for commercial exchange or transporting provisions and troops, it would be incredibly valuable!"
To the west of the Land of Wind's border is the sea, but not far from the sea is another vertical mountain range that blocks moisture, resulting in only a small area with decent rainfall. In Qingshui's personal assessment, it's a Mediterranean climate.
During the First Great Ninja War, the Hidden Mist Village had experience raiding the coastal areas of the Land of Wind, which is why that area is one of the Sand Hidden Village's key defensive lines.
"I'm afraid it's not that easy. If we wanted to dig a canal like that, even with ninja efficiency saving a lot of manpower, the cost wouldn't be low, and maintenance would be very expensive. Once the river is cut off, poisoned, or even if water is hoarded upstream for a water attack, it might not pose as great a threat to ninjas, but it would be devastating to the commerce and agriculture that rely on this river."
Qingshui shook his head, and as he spoke, he committed the terrain of the path to memory, continuing, "Let's say we spend a year and invest a huge amount of capital to operate this canal, and then what I described happens. Most of our previous investment would be lost. So, if we're going to dig a canal, we must firmly occupy the upstream areas of the river."
Pakura and Baki exchanged glances.
What this guy said makes so much sense.
Everyone learned the same things at the Ninja Academy, so how did he think of this?
Chiyo, standing at the front of the team, listened to Qingshui's words and couldn't help but think, As expected of my disciple!
Just then, Fukami Senran sprinted over from a distance, leaping several times.
"Lady Chiyo, there are no ninja traces in the ruins of Gray Rain Town ahead, only a small number of refugees living there."
"Then we'll set up camp there. As for the refugees, give each person two days' rations and tell them to head north."
Chiyo nodded slightly.
According to intelligence, Konoha and Rain Hidden Village's garrisons were located to the south and east of this area, while the north was occupied by the Stone Village.
Letting Konoha encounter these refugees later would also mean they'd find out the Sand Hidden Village's main force location later, giving them more time to set up camp.
Once Konoha knew the Sand Hidden Village's main camp location, they would definitely try to attack while the Sand Hidden Village was unsettled and tired from traveling, attempting to drive them away.
Killing those refugees would also be an option, but it was against the rules for ninja battles to directly involve civilians. With too many people watching, such a thing couldn't be done openly.
If Chiyo were more ruthless, she might send out a secret unit to intercept and kill the refugees right after sending them off.
Of course, with Konoha's capabilities, even without these refugees, ninja from clans like Yamanaka, Hyuga, Aburame, and Inuzuka, who possess sensory and reconnaissance abilities, could ascertain the Sand Hidden Village's main camp location within a relatively short time.
These matters had nothing to do with Qingshui.
Even if he was Chiyo's disciple, he was still just a Chunin.
The first task upon reaching their destination was to construct defensive fortifications for the camp.
Those with Wind Release would cut trees and gather materials, those with Earth Release would build walls, and then they'd construct watchtowers and other fortifications.
"Senran, once things are settled here, your squad will be responsible for inventorying the logistics supplies at the warehouse. This task, I must entrust to someone I can fully trust and who possesses sufficient ability."
Team Nine received Chiyo's orders after constructing a patrol tower under Fukami Senran's guidance.
Qingshui knew this was likely a form of care for him and his comrades.
Managing logistics naturally meant not being at the very front lines of combat, and safety would be relatively higher.
Of course, this didn't mean complete safety, as logistics had always been a key target for enemies.
However, the main force's logistics warehouse served as the central collection point for supplies from other logistical channels behind them. The Sand Village's combat forces in the Land of Rain primarily drew their supplies from here, eliminating the need for arduous external transport.
If even this place were breached, it would mean the Sand Hidden Village's main force had been defeated by the enemy.
Should such a situation occur, not just Qingshui and his comrades, but the entire army would be in danger of complete annihilation.
The ninjas' efficiency was high; they completed the initial construction of defensive fortifications in just a few hours.
Just as Qingshui arrived at the logistics area, he received an order from Chiyo.
Quickly inventory and distribute gas masks and antidote pills throughout the camp.
Because... the enemy had arrived!
It wasn't the Konoha ninjas they had initially anticipated.
The attackers were Rain Hidden Village ninjas led by Salamander Hanzo.
As the local power, their intelligence was even more well-informed than Konoha's.
Hanzo's strength was almost at the pinnacle of the Ninja World's overt power.
His master-level Ninjutsu abilities, especially Water Release Ninjutsu, combined with grandmaster-level swordsmanship, Body Flicker Technique, and powerful combat awareness, gave him combat prowess no less than that of the contemporary Kage, making him regarded as a pinnacle figure in the Ninja World.
But what was most feared was Hanzo's poison abilities.
Whether it was the Salamander's venom released with his breath or the poisonous mist emitted by his Summoning Beast, Salamander Ibuse, both struck fear into those who heard of them.
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