As the group moved further away, a shadowy face appeared on the ground in the distance.
Its expression was grim as it stared at Kawakaze and the others for a long time. The Rinnegan held special significance for him.
It wasn't until Kawakaze and the others disappeared from view that the shadowy face retreated underground, vanishing in the blink of an eye.
Kawakaze and his companions had no idea.
After an indeterminate number of days, the shadowy face appeared inside a massive cave.
The interior was vast, with tunnels stretching in all directions, and a gigantic shell-like structure stood at the center.
It was enormous, humanoid in shape, with nine eyes and a withered wood-colored body, ten pillar-like protrusions rising from its back.
This was the Outer Path Golem, the true form of the Ten-Tails.
"Nagato has been taken by the Konoha people," said a haggard-looking elder standing in front of the Outer Path Golem. He wore a dark robe, with a white tubular object behind him connected to the golem.
Long white hair covered his right eye, revealing a left eye with the three-tomoe Sharingan.
"I have to keep a close watch on him. I can't lose sight."
He was unable to act for now and had no way of retrieving his lost eye.
All he could do was let the shadowy face continue monitoring Nagato. At least the Rinnegan's whereabouts would remain under his control.
"Understood."
Their exchange was brief. Once the shadowy face spoke, it sank into the ground and disappeared.
Kawakaze had considered how the elder might react once Nagato was taken, but now wasn't the time—the elder was still alive, and there was time to plan.
He had his own thoughts and strategies. For now, the priority was to bring the Konoha ninja back to the village for treatment.
After twenty long days of travel, Kawakaze and his group finally arrived at the gates of Konoha with the army.
The gates were wide open, and the Third Hokage, accompanied by two advisors, came personally to welcome them—a tremendous honor.
Udagane Koharu and Kawakaze nodded respectfully.
"Teacher," they greeted in unison.
"Sir, I am the Third," they all said together.
"Welcome back, everyone. This great victory is thanks to each member's efforts."
"Konoha will not forget you or those who sacrificed on the front lines."
The Third Hokage's expression was solemn. Though they had won, Konoha had suffered heavy casualties.
"Teacher, I need to prepare the antidote immediately."
"Let's go to the hospital first," Tsunade said. Seeing the Third nod, she left the group and headed toward the medical center.
Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and others greeted the Third Hokage before departing.
The three little ones hid behind Kawakaze, standing next to Seishu and Minato.
By now, all three had changed into clean, well-fitting clothes; their faces were no longer dirty.
Yet, due to malnutrition, they still appeared somewhat weak.
Three pairs of curious eyes scanned the Third Hokage. Is this the Konoha Shadow?
Nagato's hair obscured his view.
"This is…?"
The Third noticed the children's gaze and asked Kawakaze.
"These are orphans I've taken in. I plan to bring them home and teach them," he explained openly. For someone of his standing, adopting a few orphans was not difficult.
Even an orphanage director could take in someone like Kaido—let alone him, the true head of the Hatake family.
"You have a kind heart," the Third said, smiling at the children. He gave no further thought; wartime orphans were not uncommon.
These three children were fortunate—they had been adopted.
If they had remained with the Hata family, they would have had little chance to impact the village.
"Third, my elder brother wants a child," one said.
"We'll return as well."
"Go ahead. I've already arranged accommodations for the injured," the Third said.
He was skilled at winning hearts. With the wounded taken care of, all that remained was to wait for Tsunade's antidote.
Under his orders, the ANBU brought the injured into the village.
Kawakaze and Shokumo took the three children home, while Minato and Shigure went to the Senju household.
"Teacher, where's Minato?"
[It seems that in Japanese, the Chinese term "senpai" is used for seniors; I'm keeping it consistent here for clarity.]
During this time, Minato and the three children got along well, and Nagato also liked this blonde-haired older brother.
"He went to see his red-haired girlfriend," Kawakaze said with a smile, ruffling Nagato's hair, speaking as Kushina would.
"That's right," Nagato nodded, looking toward Konan.
Yahiko and Konan chatted happily, taking in the clean, peaceful village of Konoha and the smiles on the villagers' faces. I'll live here from now on.
"You take them on a tour. I'll leave first," Shokumo said, eager to return home. He quickly moved ahead, leaping onto the rooftops and disappearing in a few bounds.
The three children watched enviously, thinking their uncle was amazing. They had never seen a marketplace before.
"That's just a defeated general, nothing serious," Kawakaze muttered.
With Shokumo gone and everything quiet, Kawakaze felt at ease, pretending nothing was amiss.
"This teacher is incredible," Nan said quickly, flattering him.
Yahiko shot Kawakaze a glance but said nothing. If you dare, say it to him directly.
"Haha, I'll make you all very strong," Kawakaze said proudly. As long as the girl didn't bankrupt the Hatake family, everything would be fine.
Even 6 trillion explosion talismans couldn't handle him.
He strolled home casually with the three children, indulging their curiosity along the way.
By the time they returned, each child held various snacks, their faces beaming with bright smiles. This was the life children should have.
In the original story, these three carried too heavy a burden.
The butler greeted Kawakaze with a flattering smile, clearly well aware of the positions of the family's main and junior heads.
"Second young master, you've returned."
"These are the new disciples; they are truly exceptional."
"Good taste."
Who doesn't like flattery? Kawakaze certainly did, especially as a loyal servant of the family.
"This is the butler. If anything happens while I'm away, tell him."
Kawakaze led the three children inside.
They all came from ordinary families and had never seen such a large house.
It was like Grandma Liu walking into a mansion, curiously looking around with surprise on everyone's faces.
Is this what the teacher meant by 'modest assets'?
"How's your home, Teacher?"
Kawakaze usually didn't seem strict; he easily conversed with the children.
"I like it," Konan said first. Unsurprisingly, she, the wealthiest woman in Akatsuki, had no objections to a rich teacher.
"It's acceptable."
"Ah."
Yahiko was a bit rebellious, but Nagato remained obedient.
"Not bad, little one."
"I'll take you to meet my nephew, meet my family."
Kawakaze gave Yahiko a firm smack on the head, making him wince and cover his head in pain.
The weather was perfect. When they arrived at the martial arts hall, they saw Shokumo and Natsuki sitting at a stone table, teasing Kakashi.
The ghostly mastiff played with a now much larger white puppy. The puppy was growing fast. Judging by this trend, it would likely surpass the ghost mastiff in size when fully grown.
"Sis," Kawakaze walked over and sat beside them. I'm home.
Kakashi, held by Natsuki, tried to jump toward Kawakaze at the sight of him.
This was because Kawakaze often carried him to see the westward Red Sun; they were familiar with each other.
"Oh, Uncle, hug me!"
Kawakaze picked up Kakashi. Shokumo's eyes were full of discontent. Why won't my son let me hug him?
Even a simple embrace could make her cry.
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