The matter of Sosuke watching the Chunin Examination at the Rain Village didn't cause much of a stir within the Ninja Sect.
Compared to the large lecture activities of the Ninja Sect or the Youth Martial Arts Tournament that gathered many young talents from the Ninja World, the Chunin Examination at the Rain Village seemed too ordinary.
This wasn't even a joint Chunin Examination but one hosted solely by the Rain Village.
However, no one paid attention to this because even if the Rain Village invited the Ninja Sect to join the exam, the Ninja Sect didn't have any ninjas able to participate.
The Ninja Sect was newly established, and the abilities and strengths of its ninjas mostly matched their current ninja level.
The night before the Rain Village's Chunin Examination, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato were chatting leisurely in a small pavilion at the Ninja Sect's grounds.
"It's really tiring lately." Yahiko stretched his arms upward and said.
"It should get much better soon; most of the work is already done." Konan said softly.
Recently, everyone in the Ninja Sect had been busy to ensure other areas of the Land of Rain were no longer in chaos.
"Yes, the overall situation has improved." Yahiko said with a smile.
The missions were indeed exhausting, but seeing their homeland gradually improve through their efforts made Yahiko feel it was all worth it.
"Nagato, aren't you going to the Rain Village with Sosuke-sensei tomorrow?" Yahiko suddenly remembered and asked while looking at Nagato.
Nagato nodded his head.
In fact, Nagato was the only one from the Ninja Sect who was truly going to the Rain Village with Mokgetsu.
Knowing it was a trap, Mokgetsu had no reason to take the Ninja Sect ninjas to risk themselves.
Taking Nagato was because Nagato was strong, and even if something happened, Mokgetsu had the capability to ensure Nagato's safe retreat.
"Damn, I actually wanted to go too but forgot to tell Sosuke-sensei because I've been too busy lately." Yahiko said with a look of frustration.
He wanted to go to the Rain Village with Sosuke, not for the Chunin Examination, but to meet Hanzo and ask him some questions.
Hanzo had come to the Ninja Sect both for the Youth Martial Arts Tournament and the second lecture event, but Yahiko was too busy with various matters at those times.
Yahiko wanted to understand Hanzo's true intentions regarding the Land of Rain. Did Hanzo genuinely wish for peace?
When Hidden Rock facilitated the cooperation between Rain and the Ninja Sect, they said it was a misunderstanding that led Hanzo to act against the Ninja Sect.
The true reason that made the Ninja Sect willing to cooperate wasn't that most of the Ninja Sect believed this explanation, but that the cooperation allowed the sect better development and restored peace in the Land of Rain more effectively.
Yahiko hadn't forgotten Hanzo's cold expression back then, and he still kept the kunai that threatened Sosuke to commit suicide.
Based on the information available, Yahiko believed it was more than just a misunderstanding.
However, Yahiko also felt that Hanzo wasn't just a simple deceitful ninja without any faith.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many praised stories about him circulating in the Ninja World, nor would he have such reverence among ninjas in the Land of Rain.
Yahiko couldn't understand what the real Hanzo was like, so he wanted to find out from the man himself.
"Nagato, do you think it would be inappropriate for me to ask Sosuke-sensei now?"
"Very inappropriate." Nagato confirmed with a nod.
As the only accompanying person, Mokgetsu had told Nagato about the dangers of this trip.
Even though Hanzo tipped them off, he still wanted to test his skills against Mokgetsu, plus Shimura Danzo would make a move.
In this situation, Nagato certainly didn't want Yahiko to go with them; it was just too dangerous.
"Indeed, I'll wait for the next time then." Yahiko scratched his head.
They were set to leave the next day, and it was indeed against protocol to approach Sosuke at this time.
...
The next day.
Mokgetsu and Nagato set off together for the Rain Village to attend the Chunin Examination.
"If battles break out, don't think about anything else; the most important thing is to protect yourself." On the road, Mokgetsu reminded.
Uchiha Madara temporarily had no plans for Nagato himself, but Shimura Danzo was definitely after Nagato's Rinnegan.
"Yes." Nagato nodded earnestly.
He knew Mokgetsu was powerful, so Nagato's position was to manage himself and not cause Mokgetsu any trouble.
Of course, if Mokgetsu truly encountered danger and Nagato had the ability to contribute, he wouldn't hesitate to do so.
The Rain Village was located in the center of the Land of Rain, and from the south where the Ninja Sect was, it wasn't far away. Around eleven o'clock, Mokgetsu and Nagato reached the vicinity of the Rain Village.
Mokgetsu didn't hide his presence, walking openly with Nagato and two of Nagato's Shadow Clones transformed using Transformation Jutsu on the main road, soon being discovered by the Rain ninjas.
Upon getting the news, Hanzo quickly led the Rain ninjas to the entrance of the Rain Village to greet Sosuke.
When Mokgetsu and Nagato reached the main gates of the Rain Village, they immediately saw Hanzo standing at the forefront.
"Sosuke, you've come." Hanzo greeted calmly, casting a sideways glance at a ninja beside him in Rain Village attire.
Mokgetsu followed Hanzo's gaze and saw that this Rain ninja wasn't much different from the others, except his mask was peculiar, with extremely small holes around the eye area so tiny one might doubt their practicality.
"Hanzo, I've arrived." Mokgetsu replied with a smile, giving the masked Rain ninja an evaluation.
[Name: Shimura Danzo]
Seeing that familiar panel, Mokgetsu nodded inwardly.
This time Shimura Danzo offered an opportunity; it would be impolite not to act.
Shimura Danzo didn't care much for their meaningless conversation, focusing on the ninjas Sosuke brought along.