Even though Konoha Village was shrouded in darkness, the Hokage's office blazed with light. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, puffed on his pipe, furrows etched deep into his brow as he scrutinized the war report sprawled across his desk.
Orochimaru's handwriting detailed the impending decisive clash with Amegakure. It was this critical update that kept Hiruzen tethered to his desk long past midnight, anxiety gnawing at his composure.
A sharp rustle at the window broke the silence. The Anbu guard reacted instantly, retrieving the scroll from the messenger hawk's leg.
"Hokage-sama! It's the report from the Land of Rain!"
Hiruzen snatched the scroll, unraveling it with trembling fingers. As his eyes scanned the ink, tension melted into unbridled joy. A hearty laugh erupted from his chest, startling the stoic Anbu.
"Success!" Hiruzen beamed, unable to contain his relief. "Orochimaru has delivered a masterful victory. Amegakure is broken with minimal losses to our side."
"Congratulations, Hokage-sama," the Anbu offered stiffly.
"No, congratulate the village!" Hiruzen corrected with passion. "This triumph belongs to every shinobi who bled for it."
Just as he prepared to retire, another flutter announced a second arrival. The Anbu retrieved a coded missive—Danzo's seal.
Hiruzen's mood sobered instantly. Danzo's intelligence was rarely trivial. The message revealed a trapped Sunagakure unit, led by a high-value target whose identity remained unconfirmed. Danzo sought authorization to eliminate them.
Hiruzen paused, weighing the geopolitical scales. Hesitation could invite a Sand rescue force, turning a trap into a pincer.
With decisive strokes, he penned a single command: *Kill.*
"Send this to Danzo immediately," he ordered, handing the sealed note to the Anbu.
"Understood."
As the hawk vanished into the night, Hiruzen added one final decree: "Convene the high council tomorrow. We have much to discuss."
***
Days later, the victorious Konoha forces began their trek home. The journey lacked the grim tension of the advance; Kyuushin found himself admiring the landscape for the first time.
During a rest stop in a cavern, a commotion arose. A patrol team entered, escorting three bedraggled children.
Kyuushin's breath hitched. He recognized them instantly—Yahiko, Nagato, Konan. The future architects of Akatsuki stood shivering before him.
"What is this?" Tsunade demanded, eyeing the trio.
"Found them by the river," the patrol leader explained. "Civilians, likely orphans. Your call, Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade softened. "Let them go. They're not enemies."
As the children turned to leave, the rain lashed at them mercilessly. Yahiko glanced back, his eyes locking onto the warm fire and the food in the ninja's hands.
His gaze drifted to Kyuushin, whose intense stare made Yahiko flinch.
*Grumble.*
Nagato's stomach betrayed them, followed by Konan's and finally Yahiko's own.
"Let's go," Nagato whispered, tugging at Yahiko's sleeve.
Yahiko stood firm. "Wait here." He turned back toward the cavern.
"Yahiko!" Konan cried out, but Nagato held her back, his grip trembling.
Yahiko marched up to the Sannin, swallowing his fear. "Give us food."
Jiraiya blinked, surprised by the boy's audacity but sensing the desperation beneath. "Where are your parents?"
"Dead. Ninja killed them," Yahiko replied bluntly.
Jiraiya's expression darkened with sorrow. He handed over his rations without a word.
Yahiko didn't eat. instead, he shouted, "Nagato! Konan! Come on!"
The other two dashed in, grabbing the food and devouring it ravenously. Kyuushin silently tossed a water canteen to Minato, who placed it gently near the trio before stepping back.
Yahiko grabbed the water, whispering a quick "Thank you" before retreating to his friends.
When the Konoha team resumed their march, the orphans trailed them doggedly.
"We gave you food," Tsunade snapped, turning around. "Why are you following us?"
Konan stepped forward, reaching into her pocket. Tsunade tensed, battle instincts flaring, but Jiraiya laid a calming hand on her arm.
Konan produced a paper flower. "Thank you," she said softly. "A gift."
"Origami," Jiraiya noted with a smile.
Yahiko seized the moment. "Teach us ninjutsu! You're Konoha ninja, right?"
The request hung in the rain-soaked air.
"Should we kill them?" Orochimaru's raspy voice cut through the silence, cold and pragmatic. "War orphans lead tragic lives. Ending it now might be a mercy."
"Orochimaru!" Jiraiya barked, stepping between his teammate and the children. "Have you lost your mind?"
"Just a suggestion," Orochimaru shrugged, his golden eyes unreadable.
Jiraiya turned to Tsunade and Orochimaru. "You go ahead. I'll stay behind for a while."
"To play nanny?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"To give them a chance to survive," Jiraiya replied firmly. "It's the least I can do."
Kyuushin watched the exchange, knowing this decision would ripple through history. He caught Nagato's gaze—the Rinnegan hidden beneath that red hair—and felt a chill that had nothing to do with the rain.
"Let's go," Orochimaru ordered, turning away. "Jiraiya has made his choice."
As the main force moved on, Kyuushin glanced back one last time. Jiraiya stood amidst the rain with the three orphans, a silent guardian in a world that had offered them nothing but pain.
***
The return to Konoha was a triumphant parade. Villagers lined the streets, cheering for their heroes.
Kyuushin, however, slipped away from the festivities. He had a promise to keep.
He found Minato later that evening. "Ready to talk to Grandma Mito?"
Minato looked nervous but nodded. "If she really thinks I can learn the Second's technique..."
"She does," Kyuushin assured him. "And so do I."
They headed to the Uzumaki compound, the weight of the future pressing lightly on their shoulders. The war was over, but for Kyuushin, the real work was just beginning.
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