Visiting Mito

Tsunade gently raised her hand, using her knuckles to rap against the archaic and heavy gates of the Senju Clan Compound.

A moment later, a query drifted from within the courtyard: "Who is it?" The voice sounded slightly low, as if tinged with a hint of fatigue, yet it carried an underlying sense of warmth.

Tsunade couldn't help but pause, pondering to herself: Are there guests at home? Judging by the voice, it sounds like a middle-aged woman.

Just then, another familiar voice rang out: "Is that little Tsunade and little Kō?" Hearing this, a look of pleasant surprise instantly bloomed on Tsunade's face. She hurriedly replied, "Grandmother, it's us!" Before the words had even faded, the courtyard gate was slowly pushed open, revealing the kind, familiar face of Uzumaki Mito.

Uzumaki Mito spotted Tsunade and Uchiha Kō standing safely outside the gate at a single glance. The worry that had been lingering in her heart instantly dissipated, and she couldn't help but beam with joy.

"I heard magpies chirping incessantly on the branches this morning and was left wondering what good news might be coming. I never expected it to be my little Tsunade and little Kō returning safely from the war!"

As she spoke, Uzumaki Mito gazed at Tsunade and Uchiha Kō with a face full of smiles, her eyes brimming with the same tenderness and care one would reserve for their most beloved grandchildren.

Seeing this, Uchiha Kō hurriedly greeted her respectfully: "Lady Mito." However, no sooner had the words left his lips than Uzumaki Mito furrowed her brows slightly, feigning anger: "Didn't I tell you already? You must call me Grandmother."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Kō's body stiffened slightly, followed by a soft cough: "Grandmother." Though his voice was quiet, it was filled with a mixture of reverence and intimacy.

Standing to the side, Uzumaki Mito chuckled at the sight. She reached out her left hand to take Uchiha Kō's, and her right to take Tsunade's, leading them slowly into the compound.

Once inside, Uchiha Kō and Tsunade looked around with curiosity. They saw a bustling crowd, with hundreds of members of the Uzumaki Clan busy with their own affairs.

Without exception, every one of them possessed hair of a vibrant, brilliant red, as eye-catching as a burning flame.

Uchiha Kō couldn't help but gasp, marveling inwardly: These Uzumaki clansmen possess such immense chakra within their bodies!

He scanned the crowd, noting that even a young girl among them possessed a chakra reserve only slightly inferior to his own. He had to admit, the reputation of the Uzumaki Clan was truly well-deserved!

Just as the two were observing their surroundings, a small figure suddenly darted toward them like an arrow released from a bow, lunging at Uchiha Kō and wrapping his arms tightly around his leg.

Uchiha Kō was startled once more. Looking down, he saw it was little Nagato. A faint smile touched his lips as he said softly, "It's little Nagato!" With that, he reached out and gently patted Nagato's head.

Uzumaki Nagato looked up and grinned at Uchiha Kō, his eyes filled with excitement and joy. Since arriving in Konoha, he had realized that the sky was not always filled with endless rain, and that there were so many delicious foods in the world... At the thought of this, Nagato couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

Uzumaki Mito, who had been quietly observing everything from the side, felt her smile grow even brighter at the sight of this warm and harmonious scene. Her affection and satisfaction toward the young Uchiha Kō grew even deeper.

Just as everyone was immersed in this joyful and peaceful atmosphere, a series of urgent knocks suddenly echoed at the gate, accompanied by a loud shout: "Grandmother, Grandmother! I'm back! Your favorite grandson is home!"

Uzumaki Mito's lips curled into a gentle smile. She had been about to rise to open the gate for Nawaki herself, but just then, Uchiha Kō, still holding young Nagato, walked toward the entrance with a light step.

With a soft creak, the gate was pushed open. Senju Nawaki, standing outside, immediately broke into a simple, radiant smile. Without even checking who was there, he threw his arms wide and lunged forward, hugging the person in front of him tightly while chanting, "Grandmother~ hehe, your grandson missed you so much!"

However, the next moment, he froze upon hearing a familiar cough. He looked up, only to be stunned: the person standing before him was not the grandmother he had been longing for, but a visibly amused Uchiha Kō.

Realizing his mistake, Senju Nawaki quickly released his grip, stood straight, and lowered his head respectfully: "Commander!"

Seeing this, Uchiha Kō waved his hand with a smile and said softly, "The war is over. From now on, just call me Kō. This is your home, after all; there's no need to be so formal."

With that, he gave a helpless, wry smile, wondering to himself why the situation felt as if Nawaki were the one visiting as a guest.

Just as Uchiha Kō was about to close the gate, he caught sight of two figures approaching from the distance. Looking closely, he recognized a white-haired man carrying gifts and a lean, black-haired man.

These two were none other than Jiraiya and Orochimaru. They had come to the Senju Clan Compound specifically to visit Lady Mito, never expecting to run into Uchiha Kō here.

After exchanging a glance, Jiraiya and Orochimaru hesitated for a moment before slowly pushing the wooden gate open and stepping into the courtyard.

When Jiraiya's gaze fell upon the child sleeping quietly in Uchiha Kō's arms, his heart gave a sudden jolt. Unbidden, the mysterious prophecy the Toad Sage had once given him surfaced in his mind: he would one day have a disciple who possessed the potential to shake the very foundations of the ninja world.

At this moment, as Jiraiya stared at the child, particularly noting his deep, bright eyes, an indescribable sense of familiarity washed over him.

For some reason, Jiraiya felt as though a special bond existed between himself and this child, a feeling that compelled him to reach out his right hand and gently stroke Nagato's small head.

Nagato looked up in surprise at the white-haired, kind-looking stranger before him.

Yet, in that very instant, Nagato felt the warmth and kindness radiating from the man's palm. That inexplicable sense of trust made him drop his guard, allowing Jiraiya to gently stroke his hair.

It must be said that being petted so softly made Nagato feel a sense of comfort and peace he had never known before.

Standing to the side, Uchiha Kō felt the corners of his mouth lift into an imperceptible smile. He thought to himself: As expected, even in this vastly different timeline, the bond between master and student from the original story remains deep and unbreakable.

With that thought, Uchiha Kō did not hesitate to carefully pass Nagato into Jiraiya's arms, smiling as he introduced them: "Lord Jiraiya, please, hold him. This child's name is Uzumaki Nagato."

As the words fell, Uchiha Kō turned and walked toward the depths of the house, leaving Jiraiya standing there quietly, holding Nagato in a scene filled with a strange and heartwarming atmosphere.