Speculation

But during the Second Shinobi World War, who would have their eyes on the three children?

Obito? What a joke. It was still uncertain whether he had even been born yet.

As for Madara, he should still be barely clinging to life in some remote cave, shouldn't he?

Looking at it that way, the only one who had both the spare capacity and the time was the future dark horse boss, Black Zetsu.

Thinking of the information about Zetsu from his previous life, Feng Xun frowned slightly.

Black Zetsu of his previous life had revealed his strength far too rarely. The only thing that could be confirmed was that he was definitely a Kage-level expert or above.

The same went for White Zetsu. Though its individual combat ability might not have matched Black Zetsu's, its cloning ability was definitely even more overpowered than the Shadow Clone Technique.

Feng Xun even suspected that the Stone Ninja he had fought earlier had been a clone created by White Zetsu.

Only that could perfectly explain everything.

"No wonder he had such seasoned skills, yet his chakra reserves were only at the level of a Chunin."

Tsunade did not hear Feng Xun's quiet muttering. She merely continued asking, "Other than that, were there any other strange details?"

"Probably not?" Feng Xun answered vaguely before asking in return, "What, was there something wrong with that Stone Ninja?"

Fundamentally, he did not want Tsunade to investigate this matter too deeply. It was not that Feng Xun underestimated the current Sannin, but Zetsu at this point in time was absolutely capable of utterly crushing the two of them.

This was no joke. Leaving aside Black Zetsu's centuries of accumulated strength, just White Zetsu creating dozens of clones would be enough to overwhelm the current Tsunade.

After hearing Feng Xun's words, Tsunade shook her head. "No. I just thought it was a little unusual for Stone Ninja to appear within the Land of Rain right now. After all, it has something to do with our mission."

Though Tsunade denied it aloud, she recalled all the suspicious points Jiraiya had mentioned to her earlier. However, since those matters were not suitable for a child like Feng Xun to get involved in, she said no more.

At that, Feng Xun breathed a sigh of relief and did not press further, because both of them wanted the other to stop thinking about the matter.

Just as the two fell silent, the door suddenly opened a crack.

Yahiko was pulling Konan along as the two poked their little heads inside.

When they saw that Feng Xun had awakened, their faces immediately lit up. But when they saw Tsunade, their little heads shrank back again.

They had not understood before, but after seeing their teacher get grabbed by the hair and beaten senseless by her, the two children, not even ten years old, had developed a psychological shadow toward this blonde ninja.

Huh? What was wrong with these two little guys? They should have come looking for me, right? Why weren't they coming in?

Feng Xun had been puzzled at first, but he quickly understood why.

Tsunade walked "gently" to the door, then, under Yahiko's wary gaze, shut it tightly with a bang!

Turning around to face Feng Xun's astonished look, Tsunade said flatly, "Those little brats have vicious looks on their faces. Stay away from them in the future."

Excuse me?

When did you, you crazy woman, become a fortune-teller? Judging people by their faces was one thing, but saying they had vicious looks? Why not say I had peach blossom luck written all over my face?

Feng Xun simply could not understand Tsunade's actions.

Tsunade did not explain.

She definitely was not angry because Yahiko had called her auntie earlier.

At dinner, since Nagato's body was no longer in serious condition, everyone came to Feng Xun's place to eat.

Jiraiya held a grilled fish in one hand while gesturing at Tsunade with a cheerful smile. "Tsunade, I have to say, Brother Changyou's son really is a genius! He actually wants to create a hand-sign-free ninjutsu, and many of his ideas are things even I never thought of.

"Honestly, if I weren't tied up right now, I would definitely take this child as my disciple."

"You flatter me, Lord Jiraiya! I really didn't think that much about it." Minato scratched his head, his face slightly red.

Wow ⊙w⊙ As expected of master and disciple destined by fate. Only one day had passed, yet their relationship had already warmed up so quickly? If a few more days passed, would they end up regretting not having met sooner?

As Feng Xun thought this, he looked at Tsunade.

Tsunade's expression darkened slightly, and she said in a sarcastic tone, "If that's what you want, then hurry back to the village! What kind of sight is it for you to keep hanging around the Land of Rain?"

Honestly, she did not want Jiraiya to remain in the Land of Rain. It was not only because what had happened today was far too suspicious, but also because of what everyone else in the village would think.

One could imagine that after she returned and reported Jiraiya's temporary decision not to go back, politicians like Danzo and some of the clan heads in the village would definitely have plenty to say about Jiraiya's behavior...

Not only would that put pressure on their teacher, but the village's authorities might even view him as someone who disregarded rules and law, growing arrogant because of favor.

Therefore, choosing to stay in the Land of Rain for an extended period would absolutely do Jiraiya's future ninja career more harm than good.

As comrades-in-arms and friends of many years, Jiraiya naturally understood what Tsunade was thinking. However, he did not care about the opinions of the villagers. Or rather, he regarded the prophecy of the Child of Destiny as more important. He had also lived through war.

More than anyone else, he valued peace in the ninja world and looked forward to the world that would come after peace. So he chose to place his bet on Nagato and the other two.

"Sorry, Tsunade."

After Jiraiya said that, the atmosphere in the wooden house fell into an eerie silence.

"Ah, the adult world is so complicated!" Feng Xun deliberately muttered softly, then said to the three children, who still did not dare come closer, "Hey, you three little brats, I'm your lifesaver no matter how you look at it, right? Don't you have anything to say to your lifesaver?"

Feng Xun's sudden words not only made Jiraiya glance at him, but even Uchiha Ryu, who had never been able to stand him, could not help admiring his utter lack of awareness of the atmosphere.

Feng Xun felt no pressure at all. Instead, he glared at the three children, who still had not come over. "Didn't you three little brats hear me?"

Seeing Feng Xun's fierce expression, Yahiko, who had always feared neither heaven nor earth, was clearly annoyed. With grilled meat stuffed in his mouth, he spoke unclearly, "You're the little brat. I'm already seven, and Nagato was the one who took down the bad guy in the end. What does that have to do with you?"

Seeing that Yahiko had taken the bait, Feng Xun curled his lips. "Kid, I'm already eight this year. And if it hadn't been for me, you would've been killed by that Stone Ninja before Nagato even got the chance to act."

"What did you say? If you've got the guts, let's have a match!" Ignoring the attempts of his two friends beside him to stop him, Yahiko looked thoroughly indignant.

He was grateful to Feng Xun, that was true. But gratitude was gratitude; he would never allow anyone to look down on him and his friends.

Yahiko's attitude awakened Feng Xun's long-dormant mischievous streak!

Though it was probably impossible to make Nagato my little brother, if I could become Yahiko's big brother, wouldn't Nagato naturally become my little brother too?

With that thought, Feng Xun spoke again...