Kotarou gave a cold snort and turned away, letting Tsunade support him as they left.
In Ryudan's eyes there was a complicated light.
This guy's talent…
…
Leaving the place of punishment, Kotarou drew in a deep breath of the damp night air.
Did he really not want to kill those two?
No. He wanted to. But he hadn't.
There were three reasons.
First, his family name: Uchiha.
Second, every word and action of his now reflected directly on Tsunade; he could not drag Tsunade-sama's name through the mud.
Third, with so many watching, if Uchiha Kotarou could casually kill his own clansmen, how would the Senju look at him?
Thinking that far, Kotarou inhaled slowly again, then turned his gaze toward the house Yamazaki and Ryudan had tried to break into.
He walked over and knocked gently.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Who's there?"
A middle-aged man's voice came from inside.
"It's me, the commander of this unit, Kotarou.
Just now, some reckless ninja from a sister unit frightened you.
On their behalf, I've come to apologize.
Those two have already been severely punished."
Kotarou spoke with genuine sincerity.
The door creaked open.
A red-haired middle-aged man stepped out. He took one look at Kotarou: honest features, body slightly bowed in respect.
He hurriedly moved as if to straighten Kotarou up.
"Ninja-sama, what are you saying?
I've lived over thirty years, and this is the first time I've ever seen a ninja, and a unit, like yours."
"No, big brother, I can't speak for other units, but in our unit, wherever we go, we treat the common people this way.
We don't so much as take a thread from them, and we do our best to protect their safety as well."
Kotarou smiled as he answered.
At that moment, a woman stepped into the doorway, a child of about five cradled in her arms.
If it were other ninja, she would never have come out like this.
But after seeing and hearing how these Konoha ninja had behaved, she couldn't help being curious about who was leading such a unit.
Kotarou saw her approach, the red-haired child in her arms, and smiled again.
"Big brother, is this your wife and child?
Your wife is kind and gentle, your child looks bright and clever."
The red-haired man did not answer immediately; he instead glanced at his wife and son and shared a small, knowing smile.
"Yes. To have a wife and son like this… it's my greatest good fortune."
He put an arm around his wife's shoulders and ruffled the red-haired boy's head.
The boy stared wide-eyed at Kotarou.
He had always had a sharp sense for good and evil.
He could feel that this ninja was different from the others, that he held nothing but goodwill toward their family.
Kotarou looked more closely and his pupils shrank.
Those eyes…
"Rinnegan?"
The husband and wife exchanged a startled glance.
The woman asked carefully,
"Ninja-sama, Nagato's eyes have always been like this.
Do you know what's going on?"
So this was Nagato of the Uzumaki.
Kotarou couldn't help feeling a flicker of excitement.
This was the future final boss… and right now he was just a dumbfounded little kid.
After a brief daze, Kotarou gave a small nod.
"I do know a little. Have you ever heard of Rikudō Sennin (Sage of Six Paths)?"
He looked at the couple as he asked.
The red-haired man nodded.
"I've heard the name. Our clan records mention him, but only in passing."
"Nagato's eyes are Rinnegan (Samsara Eye), the same lineage as that of the Sage of Six Paths."
Kotarou spoke evenly.
At first, the red-haired man and his wife were excited.
But then, as if they had suddenly thought of something, both of their faces went pale.
They looked at one another and nodded.
"Ninja-sama, may we beg one thing of you?"
The red-haired man dropped to his knees without warning.
His wife followed suit, kneeling beside him.
Nagato blinked, confused.
He didn't understand why his parents were kneeling, but he was a good child, so he knelt next to them as well.
The only difference was that his parents kept their heads lowered, while he kept his raised, still curiously studying Kotarou.
Kotarou hurriedly spoke.
"Big brother, sister, what are you doing? Please, stand up."
But the red-haired man and his wife stayed where they were, unmoving.
"Big brother, just say it. What is it you want?"
Kotarou already had a guess, but he needed to hear it confirmed.
"Ninja-sama, I wish to ask you to take our child to live in Konoha.
The Land of Rain is too dangerous… and we know the truth of that old saying: 'An innocent man is guilty when he holds a treasured jade.'
Only Konoha can give this child a place where he can grow up safely.
So I, Namida of the Uzumaki clan, humbly beg you… please take our child."
Tears streamed down Namida's face as he spoke.
Kotarou thought for a moment.
He didn't give an immediate answer.
Instead, he helped the couple and the child back to their feet.
"All right. Let me go and report to our unit captain first. You three go back inside and wait for my news."
With that, Kotarou turned and walked toward where Tsunade was.
The family stood in the doorway, watching his back for a long time before they could gather their thoughts.
…
Tsunade had just finished dealing with the two Uchiha and was about to go rest when Kotarou stepped in front of her.
Her beautiful eyes lit up.
"Kotarou-kun, finished your cool-down walk?"
Kotarou didn't answer.
He simply took hold of her arm.
"Tsunade-sama, please come with me. There are too many eyes and ears here."
"You—!"
Tsunade's cheeks flushed.
This was the first time a man had ever touched her arm like that.
But seeing how serious Kotarou looked, she swallowed her protest and followed obediently.
It had to be something important.
They walked back to that same house.
Kotarou knocked again.
This time, the door opened almost immediately.
The family of three saw Kotarou and the unfamiliar kunoichi at his side and suddenly realized: this woman must be the captain of the unit.
They hurriedly dropped to their knees and repeated their plea.
Kotarou sighed.
"Tsunade-sama, this family are descendants of the Uzumaki.
Because of the war, they were forced to flee to the Land of Rain.
Now they don't want their child, Nagato of the Uzumaki, to suffer the pain of war as they have."
At the mention of the Uzumaki clan, Tsunade couldn't help thinking of her grandmother.
She nodded.
"Kotarou-kun, I'll assign twenty men to escort them to Konoha."
Kotarou smiled faintly.
"You two, hurry and thank Tsunade-sama for her kindness."
Namida snapped out of it.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama!"
He even knocked his head to the ground three times.
Tsunade laughed softly.
"My grandmother is named Mito. She's an Uzumaki who came to Konoha and has no family around her.
Your arrival will surely make her very happy."
Right now, Tsunade still didn't know that Konoha had already taken in a large number of Uzumaki, and only a small portion who couldn't bear to leave their homeland were still in the Land of Whirlpools.
"Mito-sama!
The Uzumaki princess from the Warring States era!
Mito-sama!"
Namida was overjoyed.
He pulled his wife into an embrace.
"Mito-sama has always been famous for her virtue.
Our family can rest easy now."
Tsunade smiled again.
"Big brother, sister-in-law, please wait here for a bit.
In about five minutes, I'll send people to escort you."
Namida bowed once more.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama! Thank you, Kotarou-sama!"
Kotarou quickly waved his hands, signaling that the credit belonged to Tsunade.
Then he and Tsunade turned and headed back toward the camp together.
(End of Chapter)
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