Kushina's eyes darted around, and she said with a mischievous grin: "That little girl with light bluish-purple hair is so cute, she'd be best steamed. The other two can be stir-fried."
"N-no... don't eat us. If you have to eat someone, eat me. I... I have more meat!"
The orange-haired little boy's voice trembled, but he was courageous.
The red-haired little boy kept his head down, but he also stood firmly by their side.
Tears welled up in the light bluish-purple-haired little girl's eyes, but she said bravely: "Two beautiful big sisters, and a handsome big brother, we were just looking for food, really....."
"We're sorry for bothering you."
Hearing this, Kushina's eyes lit up, and she couldn't stop smiling: "Sister? Did you hear that? She called me big sister. She's just too cute."
"Hey, wait, I'm eighteen now, so she should call me big sister..."
Lucian had a dark expression. Does her body grow but not her intelligence?
Lucian didn't expect to meet the three little ones here. This was the border line, after all. For them to be searching for food here showed just how chaotic the Land of Rain is right now.
"..."
Kushina couldn't help but glance a few more times at the red-haired boy, sensing a familiar clan aura. She then stepped forward and hugged the little girl.
"Alright, big sister was just teasing you. Are you hungry? How about big sister roasts a bunny for you?"
"Thank you, beautiful big sister...."
The little girl whispered while discreetly making a hand signal. The two little boys breathed a sigh of relief; the signal meant they were temporarily safe.
"Konan..."
Lucian looked at Konan.
She didn't have a princess-like life like Mikoto, nor did she receive care from others after her hometown was destroyed like Kushina. Those two never had to worry about food or clothing, let alone experience true darkness.
Konan, however, had wandered since she was a child, which made her mature early. She knew how to take care of others and possessed considerable wisdom and courage. Most importantly, she understood the cruelty of the world.
It could be said that Konan was the female character in the ninja world whom Lucian admired the most.
"Let's not waste time. Let's go straight to the Land of Rain...." Lucian's words stunned everyone for a moment, then they heard him continue: "Find a hotel, have a good meal, then take a hot bath and change your clothes."
"From today on, you will follow me."
Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato were stunned!
Someone was willing to take them in?
Was this a dream?... A powerful 'ninja'!
Kushina smiled, bowing her head to gently stroke Konan's hair, and whispered: "See? That big brother seems cold on the outside but is warm on the inside. He's a super nice person....."
"He's just a bit proud."
"He pretends to be aloof. He clearly wants something but holds back. Isn't he afraid of bottling it up... Ouch! You meanie."
"Pfft!"
Seeing the aggrieved Kushina rubbing her head after being flicked, Konan couldn't help but laugh. It seemed she hadn't laughed like that in a long, long time.
This big brother... is really a good person.
...
Two hours later!
Lucian was leading two great beauties, two little boys, and one little girl. Ignoring the strange gazes from a group of Land of Rain people, they walked straight through the street, heading towards the border between the two countries in the other direction.
The refreshed Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato felt as if the world was completely different. It was as if all their past suffering was to welcome this very day. For a moment, the three of them lowered the guard they had built up over a long time towards Lucian and looked at him with respect.
"Sister Kushina, you're a liar."
Konan's pale little face was now much rosier. She had changed into a lolita-style Quincy outfit, looking like a little angel. Her delicate little face made Mikoto and Kushina always want to give her a kiss.
But at this moment, Konan's eyes were full of disbelief. Kushina's words had completely shattered her worldview.
Yahiko couldn't help but speak up: "Yeah, how can someone be a child three months ago and suddenly become an adult three months later....."
Nagato raised his head slightly, then quickly lowered it again.
Kushina proudly held up a finger: "Wrong. To be precise, on that day three months ago, he grew into an adult directly. The process took about ten minutes."
"I know you don't believe me, but I have proof..."
Kushina pointed to herself and Mikoto.
"Look, me and the gentle Sister Mikoto!"
The three little ones: "..."
Is it true? They're so grown up!
Suddenly, Konan stole a glance at Lucian, then blinked and asked in a peculiar tone: "Kushina... Sister, would it be convenient to tell me how old you were three months ago?"
"Uhm...."
Trying to turn the tables on her, huh? Kushina huffed twice and said decisively: "Little one, big sister will teach you now. A girl's age is a secret, you can't just ask about it, understand?"
"In any case, I'm older than you."
Mikoto couldn't help but stifle a laugh. Was she sure she was older than all three of them?
"Lord Lucian must have done it. It's so magical...." Konan thought to herself, her bright eyes uncontrollably drawn to Lucian.
During her wandering, she had seen too many people. But this calm, elegant, and slightly aloof big brother was truly as dazzling as the sun.
Yahiko and Nagato also cast looks of admiration from time to time. They thought Lucian was super cool.
Many Amegakure ninja had passed by on the road before, but wherever Lucian stood, no one dared to approach. He had the aura of a powerful leader.
Lucian spoke calmly: "Kushina Uzumaki, Mikoto Uchiha!"
"Here, Lord Lucian."
Hearing Lucian call their full names, Kushina and Mikoto instinctively straightened up and knelt on one knee, awaiting Lucian's command.