"You're... that child from back then...!?"
The old woman looked at Sosuke's smiling face, her expression filled with surprise and emotion.
Her memories blurred, and it was as if she could see that half-grown boy from seven years ago, his face warm with a smile as he slowly walked toward her.
"It's been a long time. How have you been?"
A warm, resonant voice reached everyone present.
When the old woman heard it, her eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at Sosuke. As if remembering something, tears glimmered in her aged, cloudy eyes, and she murmured,
"G-good... I'm well... I have you to thank for bringing Konan to my husband and me. Thanks to you, we've had someone with us in our old age..."
"And your companion saved us when it mattered, too..."
"Konan's such a good girl. Even when my old man was passing, he kept reminding me to take good care of her..."
Her voice choked with emotion.
Seven years had passed...
They were old now...
And Konan had grown up...
Seeing Sosuke had brought back too many memories, and for a moment, she couldn't hold back her feelings.
Yahiko stared in disbelief at Sosuke, who stood in front of Minato. They didn't understand why the old woman had suddenly choked up in sorrow at the sight of him.
But that didn't stop them from glaring at Sosuke in anger.
The old woman's words seemed to suggest that the man before them had brought Konan to her, but whatever the reason, it had to be his fault that he'd made the old woman so upset!
Konan was beside the slightly hunched old woman, comforting her. She held her gently, tears glimmering in her large eyes as she sobbed,
"Grandma... don't be sad..."
"Konan's right here... K-Kon... Konan will