Uchiha Shin let out a cold snort and left the scene under Tsunade's support.
A complicated look flashed through Uchiha Ryūichi's eyes.
This guy's talent…
—
After leaving the punishment site, Uchiha Shin took a deep breath of the damp air.
Did he want to kill them?
Yes.
But why didn't he?
First—because of his surname: Uchiha.
Second—his every action represented Tsunade; he couldn't tarnish her name.
Third—under so many eyes, if he killed his own clansmen, how would the Senju view him?
Thinking of this, Uchiha Shin exhaled slowly.
Then—
He looked toward the house Yamazaki and Ryūichi had tried to break into.
He walked over and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Who is it?"
A middle-aged man's voice came from inside.
"It's me—the commander of this unit, Uchiha Shin."
"Earlier, due to the recklessness of allied ninja, you were frightened. I apologize on their behalf."
"The two have already been dealt with seriously."
His tone was sincere.
The door creaked open.
A red-haired middle-aged man stepped out.
Seeing Uchiha Shin's respectful posture, he hurriedly helped him up.
"Sir, what are you saying?"
"I've lived over thirty years—this is the first time I've seen a ninja and a unit like yours."
Uchiha Shin shook his head.
"Big brother, I don't know about other units."
"But our unit—wherever we go, we treat civilians like this."
"Not only do we refrain from taking anything—we also protect them."
Just then—
A woman holding a five-year-old child stepped out.
She couldn't resist coming to see for herself—
After witnessing and hearing everything this Konoha unit had done.
Uchiha Shin smiled when he saw them.
"Big brother, this must be your wife and child."
"Truly gentle and well-mannered… and bright."
The man smiled warmly.
"Yes… having such a wife and son is my greatest blessing."
He wrapped an arm around his wife and gently patted the boy's head.
The red-haired child stared at Uchiha Shin with wide eyes.
He could sense good and evil—
And he could feel that this ninja was different.
Full of kindness toward their family.
Uchiha Shin focused his gaze—
His pupils suddenly shrank.
"Rinnegan…?"
The couple exchanged glances.
The woman asked nervously:
"Sir… our child's eyes have always been like this. Do you know what it means?"
As expected… Nagato.
Uchiha Shin's heart stirred.
A future final boss—
And now… just an innocent child.
He composed himself and nodded.
"I know a little."
"Have you heard of the Sage of Six Paths?"
The red-haired man nodded.
"I've heard of him. Our clan records mention him briefly."
Uchiha Shin spoke calmly:
"This child's eyes… are the Rinnegan."
"The same origin as the Sage of Six Paths."
At first, the couple showed excitement—
But then their expressions turned pale.
They exchanged another look and nodded firmly.
"Sir… we have a request."
The man suddenly knelt.
His wife followed.
Even little Nagato knelt beside them—
Though unlike his parents, he looked up curiously at Uchiha Shin.
Uchiha Shin hurriedly tried to help them up.
"Big brother, sister-in-law, what are you doing? Please get up!"
But they refused to rise.
"Say what you need first," Uchiha Shin said softly.
The man took a deep breath.
"Sir… we beg you—please take our child to Konoha."
"The Land of Rain is too dangerous."
"And we understand… a man is innocent, but possessing a treasure brings disaster."
"Only Konoha can give him a safe place to grow."
"I, Uzumaki Wulei, beg you—take our child away!"
Tears streamed down his face.
Uchiha Shin fell silent.
He had already guessed this…
But he needed to think.
After a moment, he helped them all up.
"Let me consult our unit leader first."
"Wait here—I'll return with an answer."
He turned and walked toward Tsunade.
The family watched his back, unable to snap out of their thoughts.
—
Tsunade had just finished handling the two Uchiha and was about to rest.
Seeing Uchiha Shin approach, her eyes lit up.
"Uchiha Shin-kun, feeling better?"
Instead of answering—
Uchiha Shin grabbed her arm.
"Tsunade-sama, come with me."
"It's not appropriate to talk here."
"You—!"
Tsunade's face flushed slightly.
It was the first time a man had grabbed her like this.
But seeing his serious expression—
She didn't protest.
He must have something important to say.
—
They arrived at the house.
Uchiha Shin knocked again.
This time, the door opened quickly.
Seeing Uchiha Shin and Tsunade, the family immediately realized—
This woman was the commander.
They dropped to their knees again and repeated their request.
Uchiha Shin sighed.
"Tsunade-sama… this family are descendants of the Uzumaki clan."
"Due to war, they fled to the Land of Rain."
"They don't want their child—Uzumaki Nagato—to suffer the same fate."
Hearing "Uzumaki," Tsunade immediately thought of her grandmother.
She nodded without hesitation.
"Uchiha Shin-kun… I'll assign twenty ninja to escort them to Konoha."
Uchiha Shin smiled slightly.
"Why don't you thank Tsunade-sama for her kindness?"
Uzumaki Wulei snapped back to reality.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama!"
He even kowtowed three times.
Tsunade smiled gently.
"My grandmother is Uzumaki Mito."
"She has no close relatives in Konoha. Your arrival will surely make her happy."
At this time, Tsunade didn't yet know—
Konoha had already taken in many Uzumaki survivors.
Only a small portion remained in the Land of Whirlpools.
"Mito-sama!"
"The Uzumaki princess of the Warring States era!"
Uzumaki Wulei trembled with excitement, embracing his wife.
"With Mito-sama… we can finally rest easy!"
Tsunade nodded.
"Please wait here. In about five minutes, I'll send people to escort you."
Wulei bowed deeply again.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama! Thank you, Lord Uchiha Shin!"
Uchiha Shin waved his hand, signaling that the credit belonged to Tsunade.
Then—
He and Tsunade turned and walked back toward the army.