Visiting Mito

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

A moment later, a voice drifted from within the courtyard: "Who is it?" The tone sounded slightly low, carrying a hint of weariness, yet it was laced with a subtle, underlying warmth.

Tsunade couldn't help but pause, wondering to herself: Do we have guests? Judging by the voice, it sounds like a middle-aged woman.

Just then, another familiar voice rang out: "Is that little Tsunade and Xiao?" 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 creaked open, revealing the kind, gentle face of Uzumaki Mito.

Mito caught sight of Tsunade and Uchiha Xiao standing safely outside the gate. The worry that had been weighing on her heart instantly vanished, and she couldn't help but beam with joy.

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

As she spoke, Mito gazed at the pair with a face full of smiles, her eyes brimming with the same affection and care one would reserve for their most cherished grandchildren.

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

Xiao's body stiffened slightly at her words, and he gave a soft cough. "Grandmother." His voice was quiet, yet it was heavy with both reverence and intimacy.

Standing to the side, Mito let out a light laugh. She reached out with her left hand to take Uchiha Xiao's, and with her right, she took Tsunade's, leading them slowly into the compound.

Once inside, Xiao and Tsunade looked around with curiosity. The courtyard was bustling with activity, with hundreds of Uzumaki clansmen busy with their own tasks.

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

Uchiha Xiao couldn't help but gasp, marveling inwardly: These Uzumaki clansmen possess such immense chakra reserves!

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

Just as the two were observing their surroundings, a small figure came sprinting toward them like an arrow released from a bow, slamming into Uchiha Xiao and clinging tightly to his leg.

Xiao was taken aback. He looked down to see little Nagato. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he whispered, "It's little Nagato!" He reached out to gently pat the boy's head.

Uzumaki Nagato looked up and grinned at Xiao, his eyes filled with excitement and joy. Ever since arriving in Konoha, he had realized that the sky wasn't always filled with endless rain, and that the world held so many delicious things to eat... At the thought, Nagato couldn't help but swallow hard.

Mito, who had been observing the scene in silence, felt her smile grow even brighter at the sight of such a warm and harmonious picture. Her favor and satisfaction toward the young Uchiha Xiao deepened even further.

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

Mito's lips curled into a gentle smile. She had been about to rise to open the gate for Nawaki herself, but Uchiha Xiao, still holding young Nagato, stepped lightly toward the entrance.

With a soft creak, the gate swung open. Senju Nawaki stood outside with a simple, brilliant grin on his face. Without even checking who had opened the door, he threw his arms wide and lunged forward, wrapping the person in a tight embrace 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 find that the person standing before him wasn't the grandmother he had been longing for, but a stifling-a-laugh Uchiha Xiao.

Realizing his mistake, Nawaki quickly released his grip, straightened his posture, and bowed his head respectfully. "Commander!"

Xiao waved his hand with a smile and said softly, "The war is over. Just call me Xiao from now on. This is your home, after all; there's no need to be so formal."

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

Just as Xiao was about to close the gate, he noticed two more figures approaching in the distance. Looking closely, he saw 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 compound specifically to visit Lady Mito, never expecting to run into Uchiha Xiao here.

Jiraiya and Orochimaru exchanged a glance, hesitated for a moment, and then finally pushed the wooden gate open to enter the courtyard.

When Jiraiya's gaze fell upon the quiet, sleeping child in Uchiha Xiao'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—especially at 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. The feeling was so strong that he couldn't help but reach out his right hand to gently stroke Nagato's small head.

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

Yet, in that very instant, Nagato felt the warmth and kindness radiating from the man's palm. A sense of inexplicable trust washed over him, causing him to drop his guard and allow Jiraiya to gently caress his head.

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

Standing to the side, Uchiha Xiao couldn't help but let a faint, imperceptible smile touch his lips. He thought to himself that, as expected, even in this vastly different timeline, the bond between master and student from the original story remained deep and unbreakable.

With that thought, Xiao didn't 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, Xiao turned and walked toward the depths of the house, leaving Jiraiya standing there, cradling Nagato in a quiet, wondrous, and heartwarming atmosphere.