CHAPTER 121: [BONUS] REFUGEE PROBLEM

"Take it."

"Isn’t this your bread?"

Haruki sensed the little girl’s fear and unease, so he offered her a warm smile, his eyes devoid of malice, and his body showing no hint of aggression.

He extended the bread towards Aoi, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Aoi stared fixedly at Haruki, not daring to blink. Her gaze swept past Haruki and landed on the Ame ninjas behind him. She took a step back, her eyes filled with deep dread.

As a refugee from the Land of Rain, she had personally witnessed the battlefields of Ame ninjas and other ninjas. The bloody scenes left a deep impression on her.

Whenever she saw a ninja wearing a forehead protector, she couldn’t help but recall those terrifying scenes.

"Don’t be afraid. We won’t hurt you."

Haruki knew that changing the common people’s attitude towards Ame ninjas was not something that could be achieved overnight.

He stepped forward, pressing the bread into Aoi’s hand, his hand gently enveloping her small palm, his smile never fading.

He stared into her eyes and earnestly told her, "We won the battle. From now on, there will be no more wars in the Land of Rain, and the Land of Rain will no longer be a battlefield for major powers. Everyone in the Land of Rain will no longer be displaced, and we can live peacefully in our own homes."

Although he spoke to Aoi, his voice was exceptionally loud and clear.

The Ame ninjas watched Haruki’s back, their expressions softening. Hanzo’s gaze rested on Haruki, filled with pride.

As expected of his disciple!

Aoi stared blankly at Haruki. The wariness and fear in her heart gradually dissipated. She couldn’t help but want to trust the person in front of her.

This person was different from the Ame ninjas. Ame ninjas would never be as gentle as him.

"I am Hanzo." Hanzo walked out from behind Haruki. His voice echoed through the quiet Amegakure.

Of course, the refugees hiding in the shadows could not escape his eyes.

"The war has ended. Next, no ninjas from other ninja villages will set foot on the Land of Rain’s soil."

"You no longer need to flee everywhere. Amegakure will protect the Land of Rain." Hanzo spoke with conviction.

Haruki gave Hanzo an admiring look. His smile grew even brighter as he told Aoi, "Sensei is right, we won’t deceive you. Sensei is the hero who ended the war. He is the hero who brought peace to Amegakure."

His eyes sparkled as he looked at Hanzo.

[Ding!]

[System detected Hanzo’s Affection Value +10000.]

[Your Love Curse Growth has risen to 23%.]

[Ding!]

[System detected Hanzo’s Nostalgia Value +5000.]

[Your Cursed Spirit Choso’s rank has risen to 56.2%.]

Hanzo straightened his back, his gaze resting on Haruki with tenderness. The one who had brought luck to Amegakure was actually Haruki.

Aoi subconsciously wanted to believe Haruki’s words.

His hand is so warm.

Aoi looked down at the hand that enveloped her small hand.

"Aoi!"

An old, shrill scream, mixed with infinite panic, sounded. The old woman pulled Aoi behind her, staring vigilantly at Haruki.

"If you want to kill, kill me. Don’t touch my granddaughter." The old woman glared at them resentfully.

"You!"

The Ame ninjas frowned and looked displeased when they saw how stubborn the old woman was.

Haruki then turned his gaze to Hanzo and said, "Sensei, let me escort them out of here."

He estimated that after returning to Amegakure, the reconstruction of Amegakure would begin.

Before Amegakure is built, it’s not suitable for people to live in. These people would also not dare to live here. They would probably think they were being imprisoned. It would be better to send them out first, time would naturally prove everything.

Hanzo looked at the slightly fierce-looking Ame ninjas behind him. If he let them escort the people, they would probably scare the refugees.

"Alright, be careful."bHanzo nodded, reminding him.

"Mm."

Haruki smiled. "Sensei, rest assured."

His gaze swept towards where the refugees were hiding and said, "All of you, come out. I’ll escort you out of here."

The hiding refugees exchanged glances.

The old woman, who was shielding Aoi, remained vigilant, but her wariness towards Haruki was much less than towards the other Ame ninjas.

"We won’t hurt you. I will escort you away."

No matter how strong Haruki was, in the eyes of these refugees, he was still a youth. Compared to those Ame ninjas, the threat was much smaller. Most importantly, they couldn’t keep hiding here, or there would truly be danger.

With nowhere to retreat, the refugees could only choose to step out from their hiding places. One by one, emaciated refugees appeared in Haruki’s sight.

A very friendly smile hung on his face as he said, "Everyone, follow me. I will escort everyone to safety."

Haruki enthusiastically waved to the refugees.

The refugees were like agile stray cats, any rustle of leaves would make them nervous. They cautiously followed behind Haruki, but their eyes were fixed on Hanzo and his group, ready to flee at any moment.

Haruki escorted them all the way to the muddy road at the village entrance.

"Everyone, take care. Next, we will rebuild Amegakure. Once it’s rebuilt, everyone can live in Amegakure and won’t have to flee everywhere." Haruki told them.

The refugees exchanged glances, they had a good impression of Haruki, but they still hadn’t completely let down their guard. The refugees nodded, saying nothing.

Haruki waved to them and said, "Goodbye, everyone. From now on, you can live well. As Ame ninjas, we will protect the Land of Rain."

The refugees lowered their heads, pretending not to have heard anything.

Protection?

They would not believe those cruel and warlike ninjas.

"Aoi, stop looking, let’s go." The old woman pulled her granddaughter’s hand.

Aoi reluctantly withdrew her gaze.

"I believe him." Aoi told her grandmother.

The old woman looked down at her granddaughter’s shining eyes, momentarily unsure what to say.

"He won’t lie to us."

Aoi also didn’t know why she was so resolute.

The old woman stroked Aoi’s hair, remaining silent.

After Haruki watched the group leave, he turned and returned to the village. He chased after Hanzo and the others.