"Big brother."
As soon as Kawaki and Hayato had just stepped out of the Hokage Building, Kawaki vanished and reappeared in Sakumo's office.
"What now?"
Sakumo wasn't even fazed anymore—not even sparing Kawaki a glance, he just kept working calmly.
"You called Minato's squad here—there's something going on."
Kawaki strode straight to the sofa and plopped down without ceremony.
"Is it really that urgent?"
They'd just see each other at home later anyway if it wasn't a mission.
It wasn't strange for Sakumo to be suspicious.
"Not exactly urgent either."
"It's kind of hard to explain off the bat."
"Just call them in first."
Kawaki wasn't planning to explain now—he'd rather say it once and avoid repeating himself later.
"Being so cryptic."
Despite saying that, Sakumo still sent a silent signal to the man behind him.
The man said nothing, nodded, then quietly left.
Soon after, a knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Sakumo set aside his paperwork and turned toward the entrance.
"Uncle. Teacher."
With no outsiders around, Minato and the others dropped the formalities in their greetings.
They pulled off their masks, revealing four faces that had matured somewhat.
"Sit down, don't be so stiff."
Kawaki motioned for them to sit near him.
Sakumo leaned on one hand, curious to see what exactly Kawaki wanted.
"Teacher, did you call us here for something?"
As usual, Minato took the lead in asking the question.
The three kids from Nagato's group fixed their attention fully on Kawaki.
"It's not really about you. It's mainly about these three."
Kawaki pointed at the trio from Nagato's group; they still wore puzzled expressions, clearly having no idea what Kawaki was planning.
"Teacher, what could you possibly need us three for?"
This time, it was Yahiko who spoke up.
"It's nothing too big."
"I want you three to return and rebuild the Land of Rain."
Kawaki wore his usual expression, even carrying a slight smile—as if it were no big deal.
"You're not joking, are you?"
Before the three from Nagato's group could react, Sakumo suddenly stood up.
Three people rebuilding an entire country? Isn't that basically an international joke?
He'd watched them grow up—flawless in his eyes—and his fondness for them had only deepened over time. Sakumo truly considered those kids as family.
There was no way he'd let Kawaki throw them straight into the fire.
"Nope."
For once, Kawaki's face turned serious.
"Then tell me—what's your plan to keep them safe?"
Sakumo assumed Kawaki must have some perfect strategy worked out.
"None."
Kawaki simply shrugged, placing his faith solely in Pain's strength.
And that was it?!
"How could you send them off like this?"
Sakumo slammed the table, startling Minato and the rest.
They'd never actually seen Sakumo get this angry with Kawaki before.
"Take it easy. I trust them."
Kawaki's casual, unhurried attitude only made Sakumo angrier.
"They're under my command—I won't allow this."
When Sakumo got serious, even Kawaki couldn't do much about it.
"Big brother, you should believe in them too."
"Would I ever harm them?"
Seeing that Sakumo looked like he was about to pounce, Kawaki softened his tone.
"That's hard to say."
Sakumo let out a cold snort, though his demeanor slightly eased.
"Uncle, I don't want to disappoint my teacher."
Nagato glanced at Kawaki, then fixed a serious gaze on Sakumo.
He genuinely didn't want to disappoint Kawaki.
No matter how difficult the path ahead was, he was willing to try.
"You foolish boy, this isn't a game."
"You three need to think carefully."
Sakumo felt completely helpless now. He was only concerned for their safety.
And yet it seemed like he was the one in the wrong.
"We've already decided. Wherever our teacher sends us, we'll go."
The three exchanged glances. Yahiko's firm declaration warmed Kawaki's heart.
"You're definitely my disciple, Kawaki Hatake."
Pride spread across Kawaki's face.
In the original story, weren't these three the ones who built Akatsuki from the ground up and became feared throughout the Ninja World?
Now, with more systematic training, they had become far stronger and sharper than they'd been back then.
"Do as you please. I'm done interfering."
Sakumo sighed deeply, sat down, and fell silent.
Though he strongly disagreed, how could he possibly tie Nagato and the others down?
"Master, can I help them too?"
Minato knew the decision couldn't be changed and simply wanted to help out.
He couldn't really send just those three alone, could he?
Already in his mind, he'd decided—if possible, he'd bring Nawaki's squad along as well.
He had full confidence in everyone's abilities.
Rebuilding the Land of Rain wouldn't be that hard.
"You can't go."
Kawaki shook his head. Minato was already somewhat known across the Ninja World.
His presence would expose Konoha's involvement.
"Then who do you plan to send?"
Minato caught on quickly, piecing together the reason.
He never once imagined Kawaki wouldn't assign any support.
"No one."
Kawaki answered immediately without hesitation.
"What?"
Minato was shocked. He couldn't believe his teacher was being so harsh.
Three people to rebuild an entire country? Was he serious?
"You heard right."
"They are the main force for this mission."
Oh?!
Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade – please add to your bookmarks!
Kawaki reaffirmed with Minato.
"Master, I'm not trying to question your decision."
"It's just...this is extremely dangerous."
Minato tried bargaining again. Even if he couldn't go, surely there were others who could.
"There's no need. I trust them."
Kawaki waved off whatever Minato had yet to say.
This needed to stay under wraps. The more Konoha ninjas involved, the greater the risk of exposure.
"Senior Minato."
"If Master has faith in us, we will definitely succeed."
At this stage, Nagato had already mastered about seventy to eighty percent of the Rinnegan's power.
He didn't think reconstructing such a small nation like the Land of Rain would be much of a challenge.
On regular missions, he practically loafed through the entire thing.
Probably no one except Kawaki knew his current actual combat strength.
Yahiko and Konan were both a bit unnerved by what Nagato said. *Were they really that powerful?*
"Arrogant kids, not knowing the sky from the ground."
Sakumo was furious; he'd never seen Nagato act so rashly before.
"Uncle, just leave the worrying to me."
Nagato knew Sakumo had their best interests at heart, so he could only give him a gentle smile.
"I'm done then. Do what you want."
Crash!
With a heavy slamming sound, Sakumo left the office.
Sometimes turning a blind eye truly was a better way to handle things.
"There we go, tonight when I get home I'll have to face his angry face again."
Kawaki shook his head, wearing a bitter smile.
"Teacher, maybe reconsider?"
"After all, Uncle's already upset."
Minato attempted an indirect approach, knowing his own influence wasn't enough yet.
"But whether he's upset or not, it's decided."
"I'm just letting everyone know today—wait for my official word."
After saying this, Kawaki had no intention of staying any longer; he still needed time to carefully strategize about this matter.
With a snap of his fingers, Kawaki vanished from the office.
"Honestly, how did you three even agree to this?"
"At least let the teacher send some backup with you!"
...
Now free of reservations, Minato launched into a long verbal scolding directed at Nagato and the others, lecturing nonstop like a rain of words.
Until Minato's mouth grew dry and sore, Nagato and the others rubbed their faces, still feeling uneasy.
"Senior Minato, we should probably return and check on things too."
Yahiko looked outside the window, lost in thought. It had been many years since they'd last returned.
Was it still raining in their hometown?
Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade – Feel Free to Bookmark: (m.