Little Nagato

Uchiha Kō left the execution site and took a breath of the damp air. Did he not want to kill them? That was not the case; he did. But why hadn't he?

First, it was because of his surname, Uchiha. Second, because his every word and action represented Lady Tsunade, and he could not tarnish her reputation. Third, under the watchful eyes of the public, if he, Uchiha Kō, were willing to kill his own clansmen, how would the Senju clansmen view him?

Reflecting on this, Uchiha Kō took a deep breath, then looked toward the house that Uchiha Ryūichi and Uchiha Yamazaki had tried to break into.

He walked slowly to the door and knocked.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Who is it?" a middle-aged man's voice came from inside.

"It is I, the commander of this unit, Uchiha Kō. Because of the recklessness of the ninjas in the brother unit, you were frightened. I apologize to you on their behalf. As for those two ninjas, they have already been dealt with severely," Uchiha Kō said sincerely.

The door creaked open, and a red-haired middle-aged man walked out. He looked at Uchiha Kō, whose expression was earnest and whose body was slightly bowed.

He hurriedly helped Uchiha Kō stand up straight. "What are you saying, Ninja-sama? I have lived for over thirty years, and this is the first time I have seen a ninja and a unit like yours."

"No, brother. I do not know how other units operate, but our unit, wherever we go, treats the common people this way. Not only do we not commit the slightest offense against the people, but we also protect their safety," Uchiha Kō said.

Then, a woman holding a child of about five years old walked to the door. If it had been other ninjas, perhaps she would not have done so, but after seeing and hearing what this unit of Konoha ninjas had done, she could not help but want to see who the commander of the army was.

When Uchiha Kō saw the woman carrying a red-haired child, he smiled quickly. "Brother, this must be your wife and child? Truly gentle, virtuous, and clever."

The red-haired middle-aged man did not speak, but looked at his wife and son with a knowing smile. "Yes, having such a wife and son is my honor."

After speaking, he hugged his wife and patted the red-haired child. The child's eyes widened as he looked at Uchiha Kō; he was very sensitive to good and evil.

He could feel that this ninja was different from the others, filled with kindness toward his family.

Uchiha Kō looked closely, his pupils constricting. "Rinnegan?"

The couple looked at each other, and the woman asked, "Ninja-sama, Nagato's eyes have always been like this. Do you know the reason?"

Sure enough, this was Uzumaki Nagato. He could not help but feel a surge of excitement; this was the future big boss! To think he looked so adorable right now.

After a brief moment of shock, Uchiha Kō nodded and said, "I know a little. Have you heard of the Sage of Six Paths?" Uchiha Kō then looked at the couple.

The red-haired middle-aged man nodded. "I have heard of him. It was recorded in our clan's history, though the legend of the Sage of Six Paths was only briefly mentioned."

"Little Nagato's eyes are the Rinnegan, which shares the same origin as the Sage of Six Paths," Uchiha Kō said calmly.

The red-haired man and his wife were initially excited, but then, as if thinking of something, their faces turned pale. They looked at each other and nodded in agreement.

"Ninja-sama, I wonder if I could ask you for a favor." The red-haired man knelt down directly, and his wife followed suit.

Little Nagato was confused, not understanding why his parents were kneeling, but he was a sensible child and knelt beside them. The difference was that while his parents kept their heads bowed, he looked up, curiously examining Uchiha Kō.

Uchiha Kō hurriedly helped them up. "Brother, sister-in-law, what are you doing? Get up quickly!"

But the middle-aged red-haired man and his wife remained motionless, with no intention of getting up.

"Brother, tell me first, what is the matter?" Uchiha Kō had a guess, but he could not be certain.

"Ninja-sama, I want to beg you to take my child to live in Konoha. The Land of Rain is too dangerous. Besides, we know a truth: an innocent man is guilty of his own treasure. Only Konoha can provide a platform for this child to grow up safely. Therefore, I, Uzumaki Namida, hereby implore you, Ninja-sama, to take my child away!" After saying this, Uzumaki Namida shed tears.

Uchiha Kō pondered for a moment. He did not make a decision immediately, but instead helped the couple and the child to their feet. "Let's do this: I will go and ask my captain for instructions first. You go back inside and wait for my news."

With that, Uchiha Kō turned and walked toward Tsunade, while the family watched his retreating figure, unable to recover for a long time.

After Tsunade finished dealing with the issue of the two Uchihas, she was just about to go back to rest when Uchiha Kō appeared before her. Her beautiful eyes brightened. "Kō-kun, are you done clearing your head?"

Uchiha Kō did not speak, but grabbed Tsunade's arm. "Lady Tsunade, please come with me. There are too many eyes and ears here."

"You!" Tsunade's face flushed. This was the first time a man had touched her arm, but seeing Uchiha Kō's grave expression, she did not dwell on it and followed him to the side, assuming it must be a matter of great importance.

When they arrived at the house, Uchiha Kō knocked on the door again. This time, the door was opened quickly. The family of three looked at Uchiha Kō and the new female ninja, suddenly realizing that this female ninja was the captain of the unit!

They immediately knelt down and repeated their request.

Uchiha Kō sighed. "Lady Tsunade, this family is a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan. Due to the war, they had no choice but to come to the Land of Rain. Now, they do not want their child, Uzumaki Nagato, to suffer the pain of war as well."

Upon hearing "Uzumaki Clan," Tsunade could not help but think of her grandmother. She nodded. "Kō-kun, I will send twenty men to escort their family to Konoha."

Uchiha Kō smiled slightly. "Why don't you thank Lady Tsunade for her mercy!"

Uzumaki Namida reacted. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade!" He even kowtowed three times.

Tsunade smiled. "My grandmother is named Uzumaki Mito. She has no other kin in Konoha; your arrival will surely make her happy."

At this time, Tsunade did not know that Konoha had already taken in a large number of Uzumaki clansmen, with only a small portion who could not bear to leave their homeland remaining in the Land of Whirlpools.

"Lady Mito! The Uzumaki Princess from the Warring States period! Lady Mito!" Uzumaki Namida said excitedly. He hugged his wife. "Lady Mito has always been known for her virtue; our family can rest easy now!"

Tsunade smiled slightly. "Brother, sister-in-law, wait here. In about five minutes, I will send someone to pick you up!"

Uzumaki Namida bowed again. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade! Thank you, Lord Kō!"

Uchiha Kō waved his hand quickly, signaling that it was all Lady Tsunade's credit, and then he and Tsunade began to walk toward the army.