After leaving the execution site, Uchiha Xiao took a breath of the damp air. Had he not wanted to kill them? He had. So why hadn't he?
First, because of his surname: Uchiha. Second, because everything he said and did reflected on Lady Tsunade. He couldn't bring shame upon her. Third, with everyone watching, if Uchiha Xiao was willing to kill even his own clansmen, what would the Senju think of him?
Thinking of this, Uchiha Xiao took a deep breath. Then he glanced at the house Uchiha Ryuichi and Uchiha Yamazaki had tried to enter earlier.
He walked slowly to the door and knocked.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Who is it?" a middle-aged man called from inside.
"It's me, Uchiha Xiao, the commander of this unit. The ninjas from our allied unit acted recklessly earlier and frightened you. I'm here to apologize on their behalf. Those two ninjas have already been dealt with severely," Uchiha Xiao said sincerely.
The door creaked open, and a middle-aged man with red hair stepped out. He looked at Uchiha Xiao's earnest expression and slightly bowed posture.
He hurriedly helped Uchiha Xiao straighten up. "My lord, what are you saying? I've lived for over thirty years, and this is the first time I've met a ninja and unit like yours."
"No, big brother. I can't speak for the other units, but ours treats civilians this way wherever we go. We don't take so much as a hair from them, and we protect their safety," Uchiha Xiao said.
Just then, a woman came to the doorway carrying a child of about five in her arms. She might not have done so if they were other ninjas, but after seeing and hearing what these Konoha ninjas had done, she couldn't help wanting to see who commanded them.
When Uchiha Xiao saw the woman carrying a red-haired child, he smiled and said, "Big brother, this must be your wife and child. She looks so gentle and virtuous, and your boy is bright and clever."
The red-haired man didn't answer. Instead, he glanced at his wife and son and smiled warmly. "Yes. I'm fortunate to have a wife and son like them."
As he spoke, he put an arm around his wife and patted the red-haired child. The boy's eyes widened as he looked at Uchiha Xiao. He had a keen sense for good and evil.
He could tell this ninja was different from the others and meant their family no harm.
Uchiha Xiao took a closer look, and his pupils contracted. "The Rinnegan?"
The couple exchanged a glance. Then the woman asked, "My lord, Nagato's eyes have always been like this. Do you know why?"
So this was Uzumaki Nagato. Uchiha Xiao felt a rush of excitement. This was the future big boss, and yet he was so adorable now.
After a brief pause, Uchiha Xiao nodded. "I know a little. Have you ever heard of the Sage of Six Paths?" He looked at the couple.
The red-haired man nodded. "I have. It was recorded in our clan's history, though the legend of the Sage of Six Paths was only mentioned in passing."
"Little Nagato's eyes are the Rinnegan, the same kind as the Sage of Six Paths'," Uchiha Xiao said calmly.
At first, the red-haired man and his wife looked excited. But then, as if they had thought of something, their faces paled. They exchanged a glance and nodded to each other.
"My lord, may I ask you for a favor?" The red-haired man dropped to his knees, and his wife did the same.
Little Nagato looked confused. He didn't understand why his parents were kneeling, but he was a good boy and knelt beside them. Unlike his parents, who lowered their heads, he kept his raised and stared at Uchiha Xiao curiously.
Uchiha Xiao hurriedly helped them up. "Big brother, sister-in-law, what are you doing? Please get up!"
But the red-haired man and his wife stayed where they were, with no intention of rising.
"Big brother, tell me what it is first," Uchiha Xiao said. He had a guess, but he couldn't be sure.
"My lord, I want to ask you to take our child to live in Konoha. The Land of Rain is too dangerous. We also understand that a man can be guilty of no crime except possessing a precious treasure. Only Konoha can give this child a safe place to grow up. So I, Uzumaki Namida, beg you to take our boy with you!" Tears streamed down Uzumaki Namida's face.
Uchiha Xiao considered the request. He didn't make a decision right away, but helped the couple and their child to their feet. "How about this? I'll ask our unit's captain first. Go back inside and wait for word from me."
With that, Uchiha Xiao turned and headed toward Tsunade. The family watched his retreating back, unable to recover for a long time.
After dealing with the two Uchiha, Tsunade had just been about to head back and rest when Uchiha Xiao came over. Her lovely eyes lit up. "Xiao, have you cleared your head?"
Uchiha Xiao didn't answer. Instead, he took Tsunade by the arm. "Lady Tsunade, could you come over here? There are too many people around."
"You!" Tsunade's face flushed. This was the first time a man had touched her arm. But Uchiha Xiao looked so serious that she didn't make an issue of it. She obediently followed him aside, assuming he had something important to discuss.
When they reached the house, Uchiha Xiao knocked again. This time, the door opened quickly. The family saw Uchiha Xiao with the woman ninja who had just arrived and suddenly realized she must be the unit's captain.
They hurriedly knelt and repeated their request.
Uchiha Xiao sighed. "Lady Tsunade, this family is descended from the Uzumaki Clan. The war forced them to flee to the Land of Rain. They don't want their child, Uzumaki Nagato, to suffer the ravages of war, too."
When Tsunade heard that they were from the Uzumaki Clan, she thought of her grandmother. She nodded. "Xiao, I'll send twenty people to escort the family to Konoha."
Uchiha Xiao smiled slightly. "Why don't you thank Lady Tsunade for her kindness?"
Uzumaki Namida came to his senses. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade!" He even kowtowed three times.
Tsunade smiled. "My grandmother's name is Uzumaki Mito. She has no family in Konoha. Your arrival will surely make her happy."
At that time, Tsunade didn't know Konoha had already taken in many members of the Uzumaki Clan. Only a small number who couldn't bear to leave their homeland had stayed in the Land of Whirlpools.
"Lady Mito! The Uzumaki princess from the Warring States Period! Lady Mito!" Uzumaki Namida exclaimed excitedly. He embraced his wife. "Lady Mito is renowned for her virtue. We can put our minds at ease now!"
Tsunade smiled. "Big brother, sister-in-law, wait here for now. I'll send someone to get you in about five minutes."
Uzumaki Namida bowed again. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade! Thank you, Lord Xiao!"
Uchiha Xiao hurriedly waved his hands, indicating that all the credit belonged to Lady Tsunade. Then he and Tsunade started back toward the camp.