Encounter

The group of four slowly made their way toward Konoha's camp. Along the way, the three of them had severely depleted their stamina and Chakra, their nerves had been tense for too long, and they were mentally exhausted as well. They decided to find a place to rest and recover their Chakra and strength.

The four found a cave, went inside, lit a fire, and rested while chatting.

Beichen Haotian sat on the cave floor as well, looking around thoughtfully. This scene seemed somewhat familiar.

Suddenly, while speaking, Orochimaru gave the others a look. Jiraiya and Tsunade's expressions tightened slightly before relaxing again.

"They're only children."

"Don't let your guard down. No matter how young they are, they're still part of Amegakure."

"Stop hiding and come out."

"Are they the people of destiny Jiraiya mentioned earlier?" Beichen Haotian asked with an unreadable expression.

The hidden people knew they had been discovered. An orange-haired boy stepped out, his face somewhat dirty and marked by small wounds. His expression was calm, and without any courtesy, he directly asked Jiraiya for food.

"Give us some food," the little boy said flatly, as if it were only natural.

"Where are your parents?"

"They were killed in this war."

Tsunade and Jiraiya immediately fell silent. Only Orochimaru retained his cold expression, while Beichen Haotian wore an amused look.

"Here, some dry bread." Jiraiya's tone became gentler.

"Nagato, Konan, come out. They don't look like bad people," the little boy called over his shoulder.

Two somewhat timid figures emerged from behind a stone pillar. At the sight of food, they immediately became bolder, rushing over to take all of Jiraiya's dry bread, then all of Tsunade's as well.

Tsunade was left completely dumbfounded, complaining inwardly, Isn't that too much? They really aren't holding back.

"Nagato, Yahiko, Konan... Since I've run into this fated encounter, should I kill them?"

"Hmm... forget it. Without them, wouldn't things be too boring? The plot would also change drastically. Killing people for no reason—aside from Orochimaru, Jiraiya and Tsunade wouldn't agree."

After struggling with his thoughts and reaching a decision, Beichen Haotian stopped dwelling on it. He walked forward and took out a scroll, while the others watched his performance in confusion.

"Release." After forming Hand Seals, Beichen Haotian pressed one hand onto the scroll. A huge pile of ingredients sprang out—wine, meat, vegetables, and even exquisite pastries.

Having handled logistics for a time, Beichen Haotian had found it easy to get these things. He had stored quite a lot while traveling back and forth to Konoha, and he had often secretly made himself extra meals. These were what remained.

Holding some pastries, he walked up to little Konan, who was naturally beautiful and quiet. Trying to make his smile as warm and sunny as possible, he said, "Here, little beauty. You're growing; why eat dry bread? Have some pastries. These came from Konoha's best pastry shop—delicious and nutritious."

Orochimaru and the other two were rendered speechless. Little Konan's face flushed crimson. Hugging the dry bread, she did not know what to do.

"I want some too," Yahiko said bluntly. Nagato, meanwhile, appeared much quieter and more introverted.

"Eat shit. Boys don't get any. Sister Tsunade, I saved one for you." Beichen Haotian immediately shut Yahiko down.

"Hahaha, little brother, I didn't spoil you for nothing." Tsunade laughed loudly.

"You there, what are you standing around for? Come take the dry bread. Konan doesn't have four hands—how can she carry so much?"

Me, a kid? Like you're that much older than me. After silently complaining, Yahiko still came over and took the dry bread.

Beichen Haotian grabbed Konan's little hand and handed the pastries to her, stuffing them into her palm. Konan instinctively tried to pull away, but in terms of speed, even ten of her would not be a match for Beichen Haotian. She was forced to accept them, her face becoming even redder. She had felt that older brother across from her secretly give her little hand a gentle squeeze.

Hahaha, teasing little Konan is really too much fun. Beichen Haotian was overjoyed inside, though his face remained full of smiles.

"Alright, that Nagato guy, and you too, kid. Let's have hot pot together. What do you think, Sister Tsunade?"

"Sure." Tsunade agreed immediately. Eating dry rations for so long had been unbearably dull.

With Tsunade agreeing, Orochimaru and Jiraiya naturally had no objections.

Outside the cave, torrential rain poured down, the curtain of rain forming an unbroken sheet. Mist hung in the air, the temperature was low, and everything was damp.

Inside the cave, the seven of them sat around a large stone table piled with ingredients. In the center sat a steaming pot divided into red and white halves, bubbles constantly rising from within. The entire cave was filled with a rich fragrance.

Jiraiya swished a thin slice of beef through the pot, took it out, dipped it in sauce, and popped it into his mouth. A satisfied expression appeared on his face as he said, "Haotian, how did you get all this stuff?"

"Wasn't it easy? I handled logistics for a while. Whether buying things in Konoha or skimming just a little from the logistics teams each time, it all added up." Beichen Haotian swallowed a meatball and let out a long breath.

"You brat!" Jiraiya laughed as he scolded him.

Among the other three children, Yahiko ate until his forehead was covered in sweat. Nagato was far more refined, while Konan, as expected of a girl, ate very elegantly. Well... she also ate very slowly.

Beichen Haotian's eyes darted about as he immediately thought of teasing Konan again.

"Konan, you're eating so slowly. Do you want big brother to feed you?"

"N-No..." Konan's face flushed again as she stammered.

"Do you want to stop going hungry and eat well and sleep peacefully every day from now on?" Beichen Haotian asked with a smile, looking completely harmless.

"Yes." Konan hesitated for a moment before answering affirmatively.

"Then marry me when you grow up." Beichen Haotian's sudden words plunged the cave into silence. Those cooking stopped, those chewing stopped, and someone drinking wine spat out a mouthful to the side.

After a moment of silence, Tsunade slapped Beichen Haotian on the head and scolded, "How old are you? What are you even thinking?"

"I'm almost ten. Besides, there's no harm in reserving one in advance. If I reserve myself a wife early, I won't end up single later and become a lonely dog. Pretty farsighted, right? Hahaha." Beichen Haotian brushed Tsunade's hand aside and laughed as if it were perfectly reasonable.

"Hahaha!" Jiraiya put down his cup, held his stomach, and laughed wildly. "Haotian, I have to admit it—you really have ideas."

Orochimaru nodded in agreement beside him. Nagato and Yahiko were still young and ignorant. They usually only worried about food and knew nothing about such matters. After pausing briefly, they resumed battling the food. They normally never had the chance to eat something this good.

Konan's little head nearly dropped beneath the stone table. Twisting the corner of her clothes, her face red enough to drip blood, she said in a voice as faint as a mosquito's, "I... I want to stay with Yahiko and Nagato for now."

She neither agreed nor clearly refused.

Beichen Haotian did not seem disappointed. After all, this was their first meeting. It was enough to plant a small seed in Konan's heart.

"I see. Alright, then. Oh, right—I have a small gift for you."

Taking out an ordinary Kunai, Beichen Haotian circulated the Chakra within his body. Condensed lightning appeared in his hand. This was the embryonic form of Chidori. Beichen Haotian had not yet developed it fully and could only control a tiny thread of it.

Since he possessed Lightning Release, he had to develop the classic Chidori series of ninjutsu. Whether he used them or not was another matter. Otherwise, it would be such a waste of his Lightning Release.

Controlling the strands of lightning, Beichen Haotian began engraving words onto the Kunai under Nagato and Yahiko's envious gazes. Soon, a famous line of poetry from his past life on Earth appeared on it.

"Kid, your Chakra control is pretty good." Jiraiya praised him, then snatched it away and read aloud, "Spring waters are born, spring forests flourish, spring breezes stretch for ten miles, yet none compare to you—For Konan."

"Damn, kid, I didn't expect you to be so talented. That's quite poetic." Jiraiya exclaimed, while thinking inwardly, His flirting skills are top-notch too.

"Of course." Beichen Haotian snatched the Kunai back, wiped it against himself as though in disgust, and handed it to Konan. "Take it. If you ever run into trouble, have someone notify me in Konoha. I'll help you solve it."

Konan's girlish heart pounded wildly. She shyly accepted the Kunai, warmth filling her heart. Since her parents had died, few people had shown her concern.

After that, they passed the time chatting leisurely. It was mainly Jiraiya, Tsunade, Beichen Haotian, and Yahiko who spoke, while the other three rarely interrupted.

After the meal, Beichen Haotian grinned shamelessly and said, "Um, Sister Tsunade, Lord Orochimaru, Lord Jiraiya—you ate my food, so I'll leave the matter with the higher-ups to you. After all, I'm the one who made a mistake."

The three froze. Tsunade said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "So this is what you were waiting for. Aren't you supposed to fear neither heaven nor earth? What's a little punishment?"

"That may be true, but wouldn't it be better with no punishment? I'm not a masochist. There are important people who can settle this matter, so why shouldn't I use them?" Beichen Haotian rolled his eyes.

"Since you treated us to such a feast, and since you buttered us up, we'll reluctantly help you settle it," Jiraiya said with a laugh.

"Then thank you, the three of you." Beichen Haotian grinned.

After eating and resting for a while, it was time to part ways. Yet the three children continued following Beichen Haotian and the others. In the end, things still unfolded much like the original story. Jiraiya decided to stay behind and teach the three of them.

Tsunade and Orochimaru agreed as well. Although the war was not yet over, Konoha already held the advantage. Once Konoha's reinforcements arrived, victory would come easily. Jiraiya's presence or absence would not make much difference.

Beichen Haotian did not choose to stay. His strength could only grow at the fastest rate through battle. Quiet training was important, but not yet. At the very least, he would settle down for secluded training after the Second Shinobi World War ended.

Thanks to Qingwen Jiujian for the recommendation ticket!