71 Chapter 70 - Long time

"Sensei, what are we doing next?"

Karin asked Gin as they reached the hidden rain village.

Gin looked at Karin as he thought back to what the third said. He wasn't too sure of the competition, but he felt that these three should be able to pass the exam. Still, it never hurt to put in a little more work.

"We'll work on more missions, while also working to increase your strengths. The chunin exams are coming up soon, so you need to be prepared for that."

Gin spoke honestly with them.

Karin, Haruto and Chibi all grinned.

"Chunins! Yes!"

Chibi shouted.

"Don't get too worked up, there's still a long way to go before I even approve of you going."

None of them were too worried about gaining Gin's approval. Although their sensei seemed cold and distant at first, they understood he cared for them in his own way. It was just a matter of when, and hopefully it came soon.

From Gin's point of view, these three could pass the chunin exam as long as they increased their chakra control and gained more fighting experience. Real experience would give them an upper hand over their opponents. Gin was not sure about the contents of the exam, as it changed every time. One thing that stayed the same was the matches, were the genin could compete against each other.

The village hidden in the rain was not a large village at all. It was not even one of the six great shinobi villages, but it was an ally of the village shrouded in ice as the two were relatively close to each other. Previously the two villages were not on good terms, but through the years that changed.

Unlike their home village, the hidden rain village was always raining. Still cold, but instead of snow there was rain.

A large steel wall surrounded the village, thick and sturdy enough to protect the village from most attacks.

Two shinobi stood guard at the gate checking those entering.

When Gin and his group approached, the two guards nodded in his direction. It was clear to them who he was, therefore they did not search him.

As tight as security was in this village, Gin found it strange that they never checked any of the Shichibukai.

"So this is the rain village."

Karin said as she gazed over the strange buildings.

Each one was made of grey metal and as tall as five stories high. They were not wide, and closely spaced together. At a glance it looked as if it were one humongous building put together in a complicated way.

No one could deny that the rain village was the most advanced out of all the shinobi villages in the world.

"Maybe we should get one of those rain hats. Everyone else is wearing them."

Chibi suggested while spotting the villages in the rain village.

"We should focus on the mission, there will be time to explore later."

"What time? We still don't know the details of the mission."

Karin told Haruto as she responded back to him.

"The rain village is unique, it was mostly built by refugees who came into power. During the second war a lot of fights took place here, and to get away from all the fighting there were many who escaped their village. They are not wearing those hats because of a fashion, it is so people will not pay them much mind. After all, a ninja who fled their village is a traitor and is subject to be captured."

Gin explained to the three of them.

"What about the ones who have went rouge and have betrayed their village? Are they here too?"

"They could be, which is why you three need to stick together. We might have an alliance with the rain village, but they cannot protect you from any harm. There are others things they have to focus on."

Gin told Karin.

Their group continued forward until they reached a more isolated area in the village. There were no large buildings, instead there was only one shack.

Gin could hear the three whispering, wondering who they were meeting with and what was going on.

"Stay here."

Gin ordered them as he walked into the building.

Once inside, a flame ignited itself allowing Gin to see. Each step he took ignited another flame. After ten steps, all of the flame pillars were lit up.

A man with short spiky orange hair and blue eyes laid on a black cushion. When he gazed at Gin for a moment, he yawned.

Gin took out the scroll that the third gave him and passed it along.

Grabbing the scroll, the man opened it to see the contents of what was within.

"It's been a while Gin, how are things in the village?"

He asked as his eyes never left the scroll.

"Same as ever Yahiko."

Sitting up right, Yahiko reached into his black robe and grabbed a small envelope.

"What's this?"

"Something I think you'll be interested in. As well as the third."

"I stumbled upon something during my latest travels, but i'm not sure if it is true. Couldn't verify the source due to how guarded the place is."

Gin's eyes grew large, and that face of his that rarely showed any expression changed greatly.