bookbashuk Chapter 298 Searching for Refugees from the Land of Fire
Chapter 298 Searching for Refugees from the Land of Fire
Looking at this desolate land, Uchiha Mitsuru's mood became somewhat heavy.
"The Land of Fire used to be the wealthiest country in the entire ninja world. The land beneath your feet used to be a border city of the Land of Fire. But later it was occupied by the Akatsuki, and the villagers were either driven out or became refugees, wandering around."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned serious.
Sasuke's eyes were full of confusion: "Father, what do we need to do now?"
Uchiha Mitsunori's eyes softened with compassion: "Within a radius of thirty miles, there are many displaced refugees hiding in abandoned villages. You must search the surrounding area for refugees and take them in as many as possible; also prepare some food and water. Once you have taken in a sufficient number, bring these refugees back to the Land of Water. The Land of Water still has enough land and resources to give them a stable home."
Kakashi immediately nodded: "Yes, sir! We will definitely bring the refugees back safely!"
Naruto clenched his fist, his eyes gleaming with determination: "Don't worry, Lord Mitsumine! I'll find more refugees for everyone, and I'll make sure they never suffer from cold or hunger again!"
Sakura Haruno also said earnestly, "I will prepare medical supplies so that I can treat any injured refugees on the road in time."
Seeing the determined looks on everyone's faces, Sasuke straightened his back and said, "Father, I will help too!"
Uchiha Mitsunori nodded with satisfaction and tossed some storage scrolls to Kakashi.
"Kakashi, there are thousands of tents, blankets, clothes, shoes, etc. in the storage scroll, and food and water have been prepared for 10,000 people. I'm going back to arrange the reception of refugees. You must be careful and if you encounter any problems that you can't solve, activate the Flying Thunder God Seal immediately."
Kakashi gripped the scroll tightly and nodded solemnly: "Lord Mimine, please rest assured, we will definitely complete the mission!"
Seeing this, Uchiha Mitsunaga said no more, opened a spatial passage, and disappeared into the passage in an instant.
Watching the three daimyo leave, Kakashi suddenly became serious: "Next, we'll split into two groups. I'll take Sasuke to the abandoned village in the east; Naruto and Sakura will go to the west. Contact each other every half hour via communicator."
Naruto quickly replied, "Alright, Kakashi-sensei! ...Sakura, let's go! Let's try to find as many refugees as possible so they can have a hot meal sooner!"
Sakura glanced at Sasuke, her eyes filled with reluctance. But she could only helplessly follow Naruto, running westward!
Sasuke adjusted his Konoha headband: "Kakashi-sensei, let's hurry up and get going!"
Kakashi glanced down and said, "Let's go, let's finish this quickly and get back to the Land of Water!"
The two figures instantly transformed into two streaks of green light, speeding off towards the east.
The abandoned village to the east was already dilapidated, with weeds growing among the broken walls and a faint smell of decay permeating the air.
"Kakashi-sensei, there's someone over there!"
He pointed to the ruins of the house, and the two of them ran over quickly.
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that a family of three was huddled under the collapsed wooden beams.
A young couple were holding a child who looked to be about five years old. The child was pale and had chapped lips, clearly having been hungry for a long time.
Upon seeing Kakashi and Sasuke, the couple were initially wary, but their eyes widened suddenly when their gazes swept over the Konoha headbands on the two men's foreheads.
The man's voice trembled with excitement: "Konoha...you're Konoha ninjas?"
Kakashi gently tapped his headband with his finger, his expression softening.
"We are ninjas from Konoha Village. This used to be the land of the Land of Fire. You are all villagers from the Land of Fire, right? The Land of Water is willing to accept refugees. It is the safest and richest country in the ninja world. There is an endless supply of food, warm houses, and a life that will not be disturbed by war."
He took out a wheat cake and a pot of water from his storage scroll and handed them to the man: "Give the child something to eat first."
"The Land of Water?"
The couple exclaimed in unison, and the woman tightened her grip on the child.
Her eyes were filled with disbelief: "The Land of Water, known as the 'Paradise of the Ninja World'? We... we can go there too?"
"certainly."
Sasuke spoke softly from the side, "The three daimyo of the Land of Water said he would give you a stable home."
The man looked at the wheat cake, then at the Konoha headbands on the foreheads of the two men.
That was once the symbol of the greatest ninja village in the ninja world. They had seen many Konoha ninjas when they were young.
Without further hesitation, he took the food. The woman quickly broke the wheat cake into small pieces and fed them to the child, who wolfed it down, his eyes glistening with tears.
The refugees who heard the commotion also poked their heads out.
When they saw the Konoha headband, they all gathered around, bombarding each other with questions: "Is it really possible to go to the Land of Water? Is it really like the legends say, where you can have hot meals even in winter?"
Kakashi responded patiently, and the refugees' faces gradually showed hopeful smiles, their original fear and exhaustion largely dissipating.
As Sasuke watched this scene, he suddenly remembered his father's words, "Protect the weak."
He seemed to understand better why his father spent time saving these complete strangers, and why the Land of Water was called "Heaven".
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from afar, accompanied by hoarse shouts: "There's movement over there! Go check it out quickly, don't let any escaped refugees get away!"
Kakashi's expression changed slightly, and he whispered to the refugees, "Everyone, hide in the cellar first. We'll lure them away!"
The refugees immediately and orderly took refuge in the cellar. Sasuke helped lift the wooden planks, his eyes resolute: "Don't worry, we'll be back soon."
After the refugees had taken cover, Kakashi and Sasuke exchanged a glance and ran off in opposite directions, deliberately making noise.
As expected, the ninjas from the Land of Akatsuki were drawn over. There were five of them, each wielding a ninja sword, and their black clothes were covered in dust.
The lead ninja's eyes flashed with ruthlessness when he saw Kakashi's headband: "A Konoha ninja? Perfect, capture him and bring him back to the leader to claim credit!"
The five of them simultaneously formed hand seals, and several fire-style ninjutsu were fired at Kakashi.
Kakashi's lightning chakra surged, instantly eliminating three ninjas.
Sasuke activated a genjutsu from the shadows, his three-tomoe Sharingan glowing red. A ninja was instantly trapped in the illusion, his ninja sword slashing uncontrollably at his comrade.
"Damn it! It's a Sharingan genjutsu, the evil Uchiha!"
Another ninja roared, trying to break his companion's illusion, but was struck in the heart from behind by Kakashi's Lightning Blade, and died instantly.
In a short while, all five Akatsuki ninjas were dead.
Sasuke shouted to the refugees inside, "It's safe now, you can come out."
The refugees immediately rushed out and surrounded the two men, thanking them repeatedly.
An elderly man with white hair grasped Kakashi's hand, his eyes brimming with tears of emotion: "Thank you... We've always dreamed of going to the Land of Water!"