The Ninja World War was raging.
The Ninja World was experiencing a scorching summer.
The Land of Earth, the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, the Land of Rain... all were experiencing high temperatures.
"Damn it, why is this summer so hot?"
Mu looked at the air outside, which was almost distorted by the heat, and frowned slightly.
Fortunately, Iwagakure's Department of Science and Technology had already developed air conditioners, otherwise, they would have to rely on Chakra to cool down.
Iwagakure is located in the northwest, although it is adjacent to the Land of Snow.
However, Iwagakure is surrounded by mountains on all sides, making it extremely difficult for air currents to reach Iwagakure Village.
Bang!
"Come on, Mu! It's too hot, have some iced watermelon!"
Hōzuki Gengetsu walked in, carrying a small refrigerator full of watermelon.
"The war has been getting more and more intense lately. Now Konoha, Sunagakure, and Amegakure are all fighting in a chaotic mess, with no sign of ending."
Hōzuki Gengetsu said to himself.
Mu ate the watermelon and nodded, silently calculating in his mind.
According to the timeline, the Ninja World War had already been going on for two and a half years.
Nagato and the others should be fully grown by now.
Whoosh!
An Anbu instantly appeared.
"Nidaime(2nd)-sama, we have found the Uzumaki family you previously requested."
The Anbu said respectfully.
Although Mu was not the Tsuchikage now and did not have the authority to mobilize the Anbu, he could still use his prestige to get the Anbu to do certain things.
"Oh? Bring them to me."
Mu waved his hand slightly, giving the order.
"Mu, why are you looking for the Uzumaki people? Are you planning to incorporate the wandering Uzumaki Clan into Iwagakure?"
Hōzuki Gengetsu asked curiously.
"Partly, but there are other considerations...."
The reason Mu wanted to take in the Uzumaki Clan was, firstly, for cell research; the Uzumaki Clan's longevity and immense Chakra certainly indicated something special.
Secondly, it was for Nagato.
If Uchiha Madara had already implanted the Rinnegan into Nagato, then he could directly reap the benefits.
Finally, it was to take in the Uzumaki Clan to strengthen the Iwagakure family.
Even if there were only a few dozen, after reproduction, they could return to being the peak Uzumaki Clan.
Immediately after, led by the Anbu, a young couple walked in, holding an infant still in swaddling clothes.
"Please sit!"
Mu showed a kind smile and slightly raised his hand to gesture.
The young couple, holding the infant, were extremely uneasy.
They looked around, wide-eyed, at the luxurious surroundings, their clothes tattered, looking like refugees.
"Let me introduce myself, I am the Second Tsuchikage, Mu."
Mu introduced himself.
As soon as these words were spoken, the young couple's eyes widened in shock as they stared at Mu.
"It's actually.....!!!"
The young couple clearly hadn't expected that this kind person in front of them was the Second Tsuchikage.
They hurriedly stood up, holding their child, wanting to bow, but almost fell due to their panic.
Mu stepped forward and supported them.
"No need for formalities, sit down and speak slowly."
The young couple then sat down timidly.
But the shock in their eyes remained undiminished.
They were just small figures.
They didn't understand why a high-ranking leader like Mu would want to see them.
(After all, Mu had commanded the armies of the Four Great Nations and served as the supreme commander of the Ninja Allied Forces, so calling him a high-ranking leader is not an issue.)
"What are your names?"
Mu asked again gently, confirming.
"To Old Tsuchikage, my name is Ise, this is my wife Fusō, and our son, who was just born, is named Nagato."
The man named Ise introduced.
(I generally don't create original characters; those with names are basically characters from the original work, like Ise and Fusō, who are Nagato's parents in the anime.)
Mu nodded slightly.
It matched, everything matched.
These two were Nagato's parents, and the infant was Nagato.
"May I see your son?"
Mu spoke softly.
The two were stunned, then immediately nodded: "It would be our greatest honor!"
Mu stepped forward to examine Nagato and found that Nagato's eyes were still normal at this time, not the Rinnegan.
Mu's brow furrowed imperceptibly.
Had he come too early?
Had Madara not yet had a chance to choose Nagato?
"This child will surely achieve great things in the future."
Mu commented lightly, his gaze fixed on the child.
However, Ise and Fusō seemed somewhat pessimistic, sighing: "Alas, in these chaotic times, it's good enough not to starve..."
In this turbulent era, mere survival was difficult, let alone raising a child to become someone great.
Upon hearing their words, Mu raised an eyebrow slightly.
He realized that these two didn't seem to understand his meaning.
For Mu, as long as he had the will to support and nurture someone, even a pig could fly.
Therefore, Mu decided to state his purpose directly.
He looked at Ise and Fusō and slowly said: "This child has a destiny with my Iwagakure. Are you willing to send him under my command, to be personally trained by me?"
These words struck Ise and Fusō like a bolt of lightning. They gasped, their mouths agape, staring at Mu in disbelief.
"What!?" Ise cried out.
"You want to personally train Nagato?!"
Ise's voice was filled with astonishment.
Both were shocked by Mu's proposal.
They had just arrived in the Hidden Rain Village as wanderers, still worrying about how to feed Nagato.
Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, a supreme authority in the Ninja World offered to adopt Nagato and personally train him.
This was simply a godsend!
Ise's face was beaming with joy. If his son was favored by this Old Tsuchikage, he would rise to prominence in one step!
It was well known that the Old Tsuchikage had only one disciple.
His only disciple was Ōnoki, who was now the Third Tsuchikage.
If his son, Nagato, was accepted as a disciple, his future prospects would be limitless!
Fusō held Nagato tightly, her body trembling slightly, her face showing clear unease and worry.
As a mother, Fusō did not aspire for Nagato to be rich or powerful; her only wish was for Nagato to grow up safe and healthy.
However, now she had to hand Nagato over to these people.
Her heart was filled with fear and doubt.
Fusō came from the Uzumaki Clan, and she had a deeper understanding of the darkness of the upper echelons.
She knew.
Once some powerful people had even a minor health issue, they would resort to unscrupulous means to abduct children for blood transfusions, organ transplants... It was truly dark.
At the thought of these things, Fusō's heart rate involuntarily quickened.
If Nagato was truly handed over to them, what kind of fate would Nagato face?
Would he also become a sacrifice for those powerful figures?
Fusō dared not think further; she felt her breathing becoming difficult.
Just then, Mu seemed to sense Fusō's worries.
He immediately changed the subject and said: "Both of you can stay and work in Iwagakure. I will arrange an excellent job for you, and as for Nagato's safety, you have absolutely nothing to worry about!"
Mu's words made Fusō sigh with relief, but she still had some doubts in her heart.
Seeing this, Mu added: "I guarantee you, in the name of the former leader of Iwagakure Village, that Nagato will absolutely not suffer any harm."
Hearing Mu's promise, Fusō and her husband exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of relief in each other's eyes.
Finally, they slowly released their tight grip on Nagato, and the tension and unease on their faces gradually gave way to an expression of relief.
"Old Tsuchikage, we are relieved to entrust Nagato to you!"
"Thank you for seeing potential in Nagato!"
Ise and Fusō bowed deeply to Mu.
Then they confidently handed Nagato over to Mu.
.....
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