While Minato Namikaze was playing the hero and rescuing a damsel, elsewhere, at the edge of the battlefield, the shock waves from Qingyun and Ōnoki's clash—especially their final exchange—had scattered the thick clouds overhead. Sunlight bathed an area ten li across, making it seem like a different world from everything beyond it.
Standing at the edge of the enormous crater, Hatake Sakumo, Orochimaru, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Qingyun watched the Three Little Ones emerge from the grass.
Nagato, in particular, radiated intense hatred.
"Sirs, we... we came to find that big brother."
Yahiko was a little older than Konan and Nagato. Though frightened, he mustered his courage and stood in front of them, shielding them behind his back as he addressed Qingyun.
Qingyun was taken aback. They're looking for me? What do Yahiko and the others want with me?
Before Qingyun could speak, however, Orochimaru said coldly, "Why is that red-haired brat behind you showing such hostility toward us? Explain yourselves, or don't blame me for showing no mercy and killing all of you."
"Please don't! His name is Nagato. His parents were killed by some roaming ninja because you people from Konoha were fighting in the Land of Rain. Nagato said those ninja wore Konoha forehead protectors.
"Nagato, don't look at them with hatred. Your parents' deaths weren't their fault."
Yahiko's expression changed dramatically at Orochimaru's words. He hurriedly explained, then turned to Nagato.
Nagato raised his head at Yahiko's words, his red hair completely concealing his eyes. The dark emotions inside him did not lessen; instead, they grew even stronger.
Jiraiya looked at Nagato's hair-covered eyes. From his angle, he caught a faint purple gleam. His heart jolted, but despite his shock, he kept what he had seen to himself.
"Hmph."
"Don't!"
"Orochimaru, what are you doing?"
Clang!
Orochimaru