Outside the cave, the rain poured relentlessly.
Saigoji Youmu, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya walked slowly through the storm, their silhouettes blurred by the endless downpour.
The sound of rain and footsteps intertwined in a constant rhythm.
"Wait… really?"
Tsunade's voice broke the quiet.
Saigoji Youmu now unexpectedly declared his intent to go to Konoha with them.
Her surprise was evident—
And she wasn't the only one.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru also glanced at him, their expressions a mix of shock and curiosity.
Saigoji Youmu merely nodded.
"Yes."
His gaze remained fixed ahead.
"You were right.
"In terms of environment, resources, and living conditions, Konoha is the best of the five great ninja villages."
"If your teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen, allows it—I'd like to live in Konoha."
Tsunade grinned, slamming a fist against her chest.
"Leave it to me!"
"If the old man dares to refuse, I'll beat some sense into him!"
Saigoji Youmu shook his head, amused.
That's just like her.
The group continued forward, rain soaking their clothes, but their pace steady.
Moments passed—
And then, Tsunade suddenly frowned.
She turned, her golden eyes narrowing at the two small figures following them.
"I told you already—we gave you food."
Her voice was exasperated.
"Why are you still following us?"
Behind them, Yahiko and Nagato stood defiantly.
The rain made their ragged clothes cling to their small frames, but the determination in their eyes never wavered.
Yahiko took a breath—
And spoke.
"Teach us ninjutsu."
Silence.
Jiraiya and Tsunade stopped in their tracks, staring in disbelief.
They hadn't expected that.
Yahiko's voice was unwavering.
"You're from Konoha, right?"
"We've been searching for the legendary Sannin—for this very reason."
Tsunade blinked.
"Ah?"
Orochimaru stepped forward, his piercing golden eyes studying the children.
His lips curled into a slight smirk.
"Should we just kill them?"
His voice was cold, almost bored.
Yahiko instinctively took a step back, his body tensing.
Nagato's Rinnegan, hidden beneath his red hair, flickered with a brief surge of power.
Saigoji Youmu noticed it instantly.
A knowing smirk played at the edges of his lips.
"Interesting."
Tsunade and Jiraiya may not have sensed it—
But he did.
The subtle shift in Nagato's chakra.
The suppressed but unmistakable power buried deep within him.
A power that, if pushed, would awaken in full force.
Orochimaru tilted his head slightly.
His tone remained detached.
"I've seen many war orphans."
"Their fate is always the same."
"Killing them here might actually be a mercy."
His words were calm, as if discussing the weather.
Jiraiya's expression darkened.
"That's enough, Orochimaru."
His voice carried a rare edge of warning.
A pause.
Then, Jiraiya sighed—his decision already made.
He turned to Tsunade and Orochimaru.
"You three go ahead."
"I'll stay behind."
Tsunade's eyes widened.
"What?"
Jiraiya looked back at the two children, his expression softening.
"I'll take care of them."
"At least… until they can survive on their own."
"A small redemption."
Tsunade wanted to argue—
But she knew Jiraiya too well.
Once he made a decision, nothing would change his mind.
She exhaled slowly.
"Fine."
And just like that—
The five of them parted ways.
Saigoji Youmu, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Konan left for Konoha.
Jiraiya remained in the Land of Rain.
His path had changed.
Meanwhile—
Deep in the hinterlands of the Land of Rain.
Inside a dimly lit chamber, two figures sat across from each other.
At the center of the table—
Two cups of steaming tea.
On one side, Hanzo of the Salamander.
On the other, a Rock Shinobi—
Kitsuchi.
The silence between them was thick with unspoken words.
Finally, Hanzo set his cup down.
"What I promised you, I will fulfill."
His tone was calm, but resolute.
"Rest assured."
The storm outside raged on.
And the pieces of fate continued to move.