"Come on, Nagato, you too. I'll take you to see the old man, the Third Hokage! I guarantee you'll be allowed to join Konoha. From now on, you'll be Konoha shinobi, and you won't have to wander outside without a home anymore." Kushina wiped away her tears in one swift motion. Her fiery red hair blazed like flames beneath the sunlight as she decisively grabbed Nagato's hand and started toward the exit.
The warmth from her fingertips made Nagato freeze slightly. How many years had it been? Ever since his parents died, no one had held his hand so naturally. Yahiko and Konan exchanged glances, each seeing relief in the other's eyes—after all, what orphan had not always longed for family?
"No! Nagato can't stay in Konoha!"
Two voices erupted at once, like thunder striking Kushina's heart. She whirled around and saw the identical grave expressions on Jiraiya's and Minato's faces.
"I can understand Perverted Sage saying that, but what do you mean, Minato?" Kushina frowned deeply, her fingers unconsciously tightening. Nagato could feel her palm trembling.
Minato stepped forward quickly, his blond hair gleaming in the sunlight. Leaning close to Kushina's ear, he whispered, "Kushina, if Nagato stays in Konoha, it'll only harm him, just like the Uchiha Clan."
"What? That old man wouldn't dare!" Kushina instantly bristled, chakra spilling from her uncontrollably as the ground cracked beneath her feet. Nagato stared in surprise at this sister he had only just reunited with—her chakra was so powerful that it did not lose to Jiraiya's at all!
"Nagato has the Rinnegan." Minato's voice dropped even lower, but it was like a basin of cold water poured over Kushina's head.
"How is that possible?" Kushina's eyes widened as she instinctively looked toward Nagato's eyes, hidden beneath his hair.
Minato's blue eyes