The Legendary Konoha's White Fang

"I am Hatake Sakumo of Konoha. By order of the Third Hokage, I have come to pay a visit to the Uzumaki Clan, Konoha's allies."

In the clan hall, the captain removed his dog-faced mask, revealing a handsome, mature face. A gentle smile rested on his lips, like a spring breeze in February, naturally putting people at ease.

"I am merely the Great Elder of the Uzumaki Clan. To have lived long enough to meet Konoha's White Fang, I can consider my long life worthwhile." The Great Elder chuckled as he invited White Fang to take a seat, though inwardly, he was far less relaxed than he appeared.

Konoha's White Fang was the most renowned ninja of the present day. Aside from the Five Kage and that demigod of Amegakure, none was more famous than Konoha's White Fang. He stood among the very strongest in the ninja world.

One should not underestimate him just because he seemed amiable. Good-tempered people were all the more terrifying when angered. This God of Slaughter known as White Fang could kill even the old, the young, women, and children. Or rather, Konoha's ninja usually appeared friendly, but once they started killing, they showed no mercy at all.

There was no helping it. The Land of Fire lay in the center of the continent, surrounded by wolves. If they were not ruthless enough, their vicious neighbors would have devoured them, flesh and bone, long ago.

The old man felt both sorrow and relief. He grieved that the Uzumaki Clan had been reduced to such desperate straits, yet he was relieved that Konoha's White Fang had come, demonstrating the Third Hokage's sincerity. At the very least, the Uzumaki children sent to Konoha should not suffer unfair treatment.

"Great Elder, you flatter me." Hatake Sakumo dipped his head slightly in respect for the old man.

Konoha had a clear grasp of the Uzumaki Clan's circumstances. They knew that after the previous clan head had died in battle, no successor had been chosen. All major clan matters were decided by the council of elders, and this Great Elder was the true authority of the clan.

Looking at this humble and courteous Konoha ninja, no one would have found it easy to connect him to the infamous Konoha's White Fang.

Below the Great Elder, Katsuki's eyes were wide as he stared at the legendary White Fang. His heart churned like a stormy sea; it was difficult to describe what it felt like to meet a celebrity.

That morning, while doing his morning training, Katsuki had run into the Konoha ninja who had arrived from the Land of Fire. After a brief conversation between the Konoha ninja and the cousin on watch, his cousin had dragged Katsuki in as extra help and made him lead Konoha's allies into the village.

Along the way, they had encountered the Great Elder and his group, who had come rushing over...

And thus, it had turned into the meeting in the clan hall before them.

Aside from his own sister, White Fang was the first famous person from this world whom he had encountered. As he looked at the gentle smile on that handsome face, he keenly felt that he was truly living in this ninja world, living in this magnificent era.

"...Hey, hey, Katsuki, what are you doing?"

A soft call reached his ears, followed by waves of sharp pain in his butt. Katsuki immediately snapped back to his senses. His lips trembled, and he nearly cried out, but he noticed that both the Great Elder and Hatake Sakumo were staring at him. Kushina, beside him, was full of anxiety, with one hand reaching behind him to pinch his butt.

He forcibly swallowed the furious scream in his heart, silently complaining that his sister had been far too vicious. His butt was definitely going to turn purple. At the same time, he put on an adorably innocent smile. He had been spacing out just now and had not heard a word Hatake Sakumo and the Great Elder had said.

He could only respond to all changes by remaining unchanged and bring out his ultimate cute act. There was no helping it—at least his looks were quite good in this life. His sister was a beauty, so as her biological younger brother, he could not possibly look too bad.

"Cough, cough."

Hatake Sakumo coughed lightly. He found this little fellow who had spaced out right in front of him rather interesting. The child had even led them part of the way without fearing him or the group of killers under his command. Unlike the children in the village, who either scattered in fright upon encountering ANBU or froze like wooden chickens.

"Uzumaki Katsuki, we plan to take you and your sister to Konoha this afternoon. If you have any questions, ask me now. So long as I know the answer, I will tell you everything."

Although Hatake Sakumo did not think a six-year-old could ask any meaningful questions, the seven-year-old girl had merely asked what Konoha was like and what would happen after she and her brother went there. In short, it was all childish talk.

Still, he was a meticulous man and would never cut corners. He did not ignore their opinions simply because they were children.

Katsuki immediately understood. As early as yesterday, the Great Elder had sent several groups of clan members to speak with Kushina. They had successfully persuaded the stubborn little girl to agree to take Katsuki with her to Konoha. Since his sister had no objections, there was even less reason for him to say anything startling.

"I'll just follow my sister." Katsuki's answer contained nothing of substance, and Sakumo was not surprised. The Great Elder, however, narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Katsuki.

"Great Elder, in that case, we plan to depart at two this afternoon. Would that be acceptable? If your clan still has anything to prepare, we can postpone the departure time." Hatake Sakumo asked cautiously.

The Great Elder narrowed his eyes. It was only a little past eight, and there was still a long time before two in the afternoon. Moreover, preparations had begun as soon as the discussion two days ago had ended. "No need. Two this afternoon will do."

Hatake Sakumo gave the old man a surprised look. The way he said it made it sound entirely like he was entrusting them with his orphans.

But Sakumo was only an outsider and had no right to interfere in or inquire about the Uzumaki Clan's affairs. His task was to protect the future Jinchuriki—the two children.

The conversation ended quickly. Someone led Sakumo and the others away to rest, leaving the old man and the two children alone in the clan hall once more.

The old man looked at the two children before him, his eyes filled with loneliness and grief. The Uzumaki Clan had finally reached the point where it could not even protect its own people. Konoha was the foremost of the Five Great Ninja Villages, and its prosperity surpassed all others in the ninja world. But no matter how good Konoha was, going there meant living under another's roof.

Yet for the sake of preserving the clan's bloodline, they had no choice.

"Once you reach Konoha... be careful in all things. Mito-sama is your elder, but she is already very old. In the end, you will have to rely on yourselves... I visited Konoha back then. There are many people there, and many conflicts as well. Avoid getting involved in those struggles whenever possible. I will ask Konoha's White Fang to look after you..."

The old man rambled on at length. Both Kushina and Katsuki listened patiently. Whether it was Kushina or Katsuki, both had deep feelings for the clan. Now that they were about to leave this small village and this small island, a sorrowful feeling of leaving home rose within them.

"...When people get old, they start talking in a muddled way, with no sense of order." The old man shook his head with a bitter smile. Then his bearing abruptly rose, his gaze sharp as lightning and his expression solemn. "Remember this: if the clan truly suffers a great calamity, stay in Konoha. Join Konoha directly, and let the name Uzumaki continue to be passed down within Konoha."