"This is... those kids?"
"Mm, to be precise, these are those poor kids."
Nagato really was unlucky. At a young age, he was chosen by Madara as a pawn. As for Yahiko and Konan, they simply got dragged into that plan because they were too close to Nagato—it was a classic case of one gets infected, two get dragged along.
Haseo did keep his word though. Since he had promised previously to introduce a doctor to Nagato, he brought all three before Tsunade... Currently, Tsunade was staying in Konoha, and for reasons unknown, she didn't plan to return to the Front Line anytime soon.
As for Chiyo's problem, Tsunade had trained many medical ninja on the front line, so now there was at least hope that their combined strength could barely handle things somehow.
"Yes, although they're ninjas from Amegakure, these kids' moral compasses seem pretty solid so far. And... their ninjutsu were secretly taught by Jiraiya. They are indeed Jiraiya's apprentices."
Haseo explained Nagato's trio briefly to Tsunade.
But… Wait... was he actually praising them? Adding that "so far" modifier sounded kind of strange.
"I see. Then let's prepare a bit first; surgery starts this afternoon."
Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato exchanged uneasy glances: "Is this happening right now?"
Isn't that a bit sudden?
"Any problems?"
"I'm a medical ninja who came up through battlefield conditions—the efficiency of treatment is a basic requirement."
See? Didn't Haseo say it himself? Exchanging an eye shouldn't be such a big deal. This time, he'd been misled by the overly cautious attitudes shown by the three.
The trio arrived at Konoha Hospital in the morning, had lunch together, entered the operating room in the afternoon, and were later moved to the hospital ward in the evening—just as Tsunade claimed, she really was a medical ninja who valued efficiency greatly.
Saving lives meant racing against time.
More importantly, Tsunade managed both efficiency and success rates simultaneously. She performed a surgery on each of the three, ensuring minimal impact on Yahiko and Konan, while confirming with confidence the successful completion of Nagato's transplant surgery...
In fact, after the operations, only Nagato needed to lie in bed for a few days. As for Yahiko and Konan, despite missing one eye each, they were immediately energetic enough to bounce around once they stepped out of the surgical room.
However, according to the rules, they couldn't just bounce around freely inside Konoha.
After Nagato was sent to the ward, Anbu swiftly resumed control and surveillance over them, making sure they remained well-behaved during their stay in Konoha—this was only natural, and none of the three raised any objections.
Within Konoha, naturally, its own rules prevailed.
Nagato stayed at Konoha Hospital merely for three days. Then he removed the bandages covering his eyes and experienced the feeling of regaining sight.
The corresponding cost was that Yahiko and Konan now both wore an eye patch. Yet... they didn't mind at all. Instead, they sincerely shared joy for Nagato's regained vision.
Not even blood relatives could have done more than that.
They stayed another day until Nagato fully adapted to light again.
Tsunade's surgery achieved a one hundred percent success rate—well, for her, this was indeed a minor procedure.
Though medical ethics required equal treatment toward all patients regardless of personal feelings, Tsunade still couldn't help feeling differently about certain cases. She had put way more effort into Nagato's arm creation than she did into the eye transplant surgery, and yet it was still an undeniable success—her skills were rock-solid.
After prescribing some "medication" for Nagato, on the fourth day since their arrival in Konoha, the trio finally left the village—it was simply not possible for ninja from Amegakure to remain there long.
During their brief stay, Konoha's tranquil peace left a profound impression on Yahiko. The towns of the Land of Fire remained orderly and prosperous despite being in wartime. Yahiko hoped that one day the Land of Rain and Hidden Rain Village could become places similar to the Land of Fire and Hidden Leaf Village.
People pursue different lives with different aspirations. In Yahiko's case, his ideal had grown clearer by another step.
That day, Haseo personally took the time to escort the trio out of Konoha—a rare gesture.
Whether arriving or departing, the Amegakure trio consistently displayed admirable demeanor. It was a positive attitude filled with optimism and determination to move forward together.
Haseo couldn't help but exclaim—they truly represented the spirit of youth.
An Anbu Ninja squad was assigned to monitor the three to ensure they promptly exited the Land of Fire.
"These three youths...they might someday become our enemies, perhaps even highly troublesome ones."
Standing side by side at Konoha's main gate, Tsunade suddenly said this as the trio's silhouettes began fading from view—an indication of high praise indeed.
"Possibly. But that won't concern me—I'm retiring soon enough...Furthermore, if we must find someone primarily responsible, who do you think it is?
Is it 'the compassionate Haseo and Doctor' who decided to heal them?
No, if those three ever cause significant damage to Konoha, the primary blame clearly rests on Jiraiya. He's a Konoha ninja—what possible reason could he have for teaching ninjutsu to kids from an enemy village?"
...
Tsunade couldn't bring herself to argue back—because what Haseo said made too much sense.
"You've been talking about retirement lately, but I don't think it's that simple, considering you're Konoha's Hokage, and we're right in the middle of a war. So how exactly do you plan to proceed?"
"I have my own methods. Just watch and see.
Konoha functions as a well-oiled machine—an armed organization where the Hokage is just the public face keeping everything running smoothly. As long as the order within this village remains intact, isn't the Hokage basically just a figurehead anyway?"
...
Tsunade maintained a neutral stance without comment, remaining skeptical yet willing to wait and see.
The real reason she stayed in the village—instead of heading back to the battlefield—was because she was worried that Haseo, always talking about retiring, might just vanish one day... He wasn't the kind who wouldn't pull off a "disappearance without saying goodbye."
So she had to keep a close eye on him.
...
Haseo wasn't just talking idly about "retirement." That afternoon, he arrived at the underground base of Kagenami.
Accompanied by Uzumaki Shikou, the two entered the deepest and most secret chamber.
"To sum up, during our previous battle, one of the Nine-Tails. I've been silently mourning the Nine-Tails every day since then...
It could be anywhere from a few months to several years before this Nine-Tails revives again. When it does, the village must promptly bring it back—Konoha is the eternal home of the Nine-Tails.
Frankly speaking, this thing is simply too convenient."
Since the Nine-Tails was something possessing immense "practical value," Haseo gave it high praise—even though his actions were completely along the lines of "lusting after its body."
"I understand, Lord Haseo. The village will pay attention to collecting related intelligence."
"Yes, and if possible, we should try keeping it as confidential as possible."
It was uncertain whether Orochimaru realized the existence of multiple Nine-Tails when this individual died. But once it *does* come back, things might shift... So Haseo hoped to keep everything on the down-low for as long as possible.
"As for Elder Shinkō, while releasing the Four Symbols Seal, I simultaneously canceled the Impure World Reincarnation bound upon him. Thus, after many years of hard work, his soul would finally be free to move on."
Haseo always paid attention to the feelings of the Uzumakis, so he specially explained this matter.
Uzumaki Shikou nodded. Sacrificing himself for the Nine-Tails Splitting Plan—and even after death, continuing to serve as the Nine-Tails' vessel through the Impure World Reincarnation...
Indeed, not even the soul could find peace. This was truly a great sacrifice.
"As for the remaining ones..."
As he spoke, Haseo made a hand seal and summoned forth an extra-large Katsuyu individual.
Then immediately afterward, he canceled the summoning, causing Katsuyu to vanish—but those five stone coffins remained behind.
With the one that had died, the one inside Orochimaru, and the one sealed in Kushina Uzumaki, all accounted for, the eight Nine-Tails individuals were now complete.
"Have the Twelve Ninja set up the barrier. From now on, these Nine-Tails will be preserved within the underground base."
Uzumaki Shikou didn't quite understand Haseo's sudden action: "Lord Haseo, why have you suddenly moved the Nine-Tails back here?"
"It's nothing special. In the past, since Shikkotsu Forest was my territory, naturally the Nine-Tails should be placed there. Now, Konoha itself has also become my domain, so keeping them here isn't an issue...
Rather, placing them in Konoha is more convenient and appropriate."
Haseo explained, and indeed, the Nine-Tails did belong more appropriately in Konoha.
However, that wasn't his true reason. The correct explanation was...
This was more like a "final settling of accounts"—a way to balance the scales between them once and for all.
In short, what's Konoha's stays with Konoha, and what's Haseo's goes to Haseo.
After settling his confrontation with Madara Uchiha and coming to terms with both his mentor in Ninjutsu and his time as a ninja, Haseo no longer felt any connection to this village. The life of a ninja had lost all its appeal to him.
Craving peace, Haseo decided it was time to walk that path.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>