Nagato was completely dumbfounded.
What is even happening?
I haven't even said anything yet...
Why were both his mother and Hanzō-sama—the man who had saved him—so determined to have him join Konoha?
A conflicted expression appeared on Nagato's face.
But he didn't know how to respond.
It wasn't that he disliked Konoha.
Quite the opposite.
After listening to Fusō patiently explain the village to him over the past three days, Nagato had come to admire it deeply.
The problem was...
His bonds with Amegakure were still there.
He didn't want to leave behind the companions who had lived and died alongside him since childhood.
To him, Yahiko and Konan were already family.
Hiruzen immediately noticed the look on Nagato's face.
"Nagato, is there something you'd like to say?"
Nagato's heart skipped a beat.
If I say what's really on my mind in a situation like this... wouldn't that be inappropriate?
Fusō instinctively tried to stop him.
But Hiruzen simply waved his hand, his voice as gentle as ever.
"Go ahead and speak freely. I told you already—we're family. I wasn't just saying that."
After hesitating for a moment, Nagato finally told them about Yahiko and Konan.
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully.
He wasn't surprised.
After spending so many years in the shinobi world, he had come to understand more deeply than ever how important bonds and comrades were to shinobi.
For people who lived under constant pressure and emotional deprivation...
A trustworthy bond was practically a second life.
"Why are the two of you making such gloomy faces?"
Hiruzen burst into laughter.
"The fact that Nagato can't bear to leave his companions in Amegakure is proof that he possesses the Will of Fire."
"He's exactly the kind of person Konoha should welcome."
"How about this?"
"I'll indulge myself for once and make a special exception."
"Nagato will be both a Konoha shinobi and an Amegakure shinobi."
"He'll serve as a special liaison for the deep cooperation between our two villages."
"It'll also stand as proof of a friendship between villages unlike anything the shinobi world has ever seen."
"What do you think, Hanzō?"
Hanzō quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Once again, he couldn't help admiring just how broad-minded his sworn brother truly was.
If I were the Hokage...
I doubt I'd be this accommodating.
Hiruzen is only compromising because he's taking my feelings into consideration.
This really puts me in his debt...
I've heard Hiruzen has been researching Kekkei Genkai lately. I should put in some effort and find him some worthwhile research material.
Otherwise, I'll owe him far too much...
After steadying himself, Hanzō spoke.
"I couldn't agree more."
"I fully support Hiruzen's decision."
Fusō looked at Hiruzen.
At that moment, she truly understood how different the Hokage's breadth of heart was from that of ordinary shinobi.
In reality, however...
This was exactly the outcome Hiruzen had hoped for.
Making Nagato both a Konoha and an Amegakure shinobi worked on much the same principle as bringing Kirigakure shinobi to Konoha as exchange students.
A large number of officially registered Amegakure shinobi were already working in Konoha.
Now, in addition to Hanzō at the highest level, having Nagato serve as a middle-ranking figure would allow influence to spread throughout Amegakure from top to bottom.
As for Nagato himself...
After receiving Konoha's training and a transplanted bloodline, Hiruzen didn't expect him to become overwhelmingly powerful.
He simply needed Nagato to grow into someone like Minato—
A young leader capable of guiding a small village like Amegakure.
Then, when the day eventually came that Konoha was in a position to integrate Amegakure...
Nagato, as someone who belonged to both villages, would naturally become the perfect example.
After all...
Surely Nagato wouldn't want to see his companions remain forever without Konoha citizenship.
"Hokage-sama..."
Fusō looked Hiruzen straight in the eyes.
Then she firmly grabbed Nagato by the arm.
"My son."
"Swear it before your mother."
"Swear in the names of your father and me."
"You must remain loyal to the Hokage."
"Loyal to Konoha."
"And devote yourself to doing everything you can for the village!"
"Oh—and Amegakure too."
Caught up in the moment, Fusō had accidentally forgotten Hanzō and hurriedly added the last part with an embarrassed smile.
Hanzō merely chuckled.
He didn't mind.
A minor detail.
Nagato solemnly raised his left hand.
In the names of his parents, he made his oath with complete sincerity.
The Hokage...
Held the highest status of any shinobi in the world.
Yet he had still taken Nagato's bond with Yahiko and Konan into consideration, offering a compromise that was both innovative and fair.
Nagato wasn't someone who failed to appreciate kindness.
He would remember this favor...
And remain grateful for it for the rest of his life.
"All right, all right..."
"You little rascal."
"You know, you could actually call me shishō."
Hiruzen chuckled.
"So tell me..."
"For the Sharingan and the Byakugan, would you like one of each transplanted..."
"...or would you rather choose one and receive a matching pair?"
"I can see how badly you long for strength."
"I've seen your desire to protect your companions."
"In that case, as your shishō, it's only proper that I give you a welcoming gift."
"Hokage-sama!"
Nagato's heart trembled.
"I... I couldn't possibly accept something like that!"
Even someone from Amegakure understood just how priceless the Byakugan and the Sharingan were.
Apart from Konan and Yahiko...
This was the first time anyone else had trusted him so completely.
And the one placing that trust in him...
Was the Hokage of Konoha himself.
Hiruzen smiled.
This was one of the advantages of standing at the top while enjoying an impeccable reputation.
When someone like him bestowed a favor...
It often produced three times the effect for the same effort.
Ironically, many people who reached positions of great power were often unwilling to make such a profitable investment.
"These Byakugan and Sharingan will certainly give you strength..."
"But they'll also become a burden."
"Both Konoha and Amegakure need a capable young leader—someone who can serve as a bridge between the two villages and set an example for others. To be honest, I simply want to place a little more responsibility on your shoulders."
"Do you have the confidence to shoulder it?"
Hiruzen put his pipe between his lips.
Hanzō stepped forward to light it for him, and Hiruzen smiled as he slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Hokage-sama... I..."
Nagato looked completely bewildered.
Standing on either side of him, Hanzō and Fusō simultaneously kicked him in the backside and shouted in unison, "You're still calling him 'Hokage-sama'? Call him shishō!"
The moment the words left their mouths, the two looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.
What a clueless kid...
"Shishō... I have the confidence."
Only then did Nagato come to his senses as he answered earnestly.
A little extra responsibility meant nothing to him.
In fact, ever since losing those strange eyes of his, Nagato actually felt lighter with each passing day.
"You really do?"
Hiruzen sounded slightly skeptical.
"I really do!"
"Louder."
"I DO!"
"Excellent. Now that's the spirit."
Hiruzen patted Nagato on the shoulder.
"After the transplant, don't rush back to Amegakure. Spend some time training with both the Uchiha and the Hyūga. Your combat experience still needs improvement."
"Yes, shishō!"
Nagato straightened his back.
He could genuinely feel the deep affection and care Hiruzen held for him.
Without anyone noticing...
A new bond had quietly taken shape.
Two days later, Nagato respectfully bid farewell to the smiling Fusō before undergoing the surgery.
Konoha then entered a relatively peaceful period of development.
Its growing cooperation with Amegakure rapidly advanced both economies and technologies.
Amegakure gained jobs.
The nobles of the Land of Fire gained skilled, affordable shinobi.
Infrastructure projects flourished everywhere.
Several months later—
During those rare, peaceful days—
Konoha continued its steady pace of development.
Many of its plans had already begun bearing fruit.
The first major change was the early emergence of the next generation.
Thanks to the village's childbirth subsidies, Konoha experienced a significant baby boom.
Neji was the first to be born.
Hizashi had officially become a father.
Looking at his newborn son, he couldn't stop smiling as he imagined the day the two of them would stand together, serving the Hokage.
Many others from Hizashi's generation were also expecting children.
Not long after reaching adulthood, Kushina and Minato welcomed the first fruit of their love.
Meanwhile, Fugaku—Hizashi's counterpart—used his astonishing wisdom to conclude that the reason the Hokage hadn't immediately arranged a bloodline transplant for him was because he only had one son.
As a result, Mikoto became pregnant again.
Fugaku was already thinking that if the baby turned out to be another boy, he would ask the Hokage for permission to name him Sasuke.
The Ino-Shika-Chō clans...
The Inuzuka Clan...
The Aburame Clan...
As well as countless civilian shinobi...
All received the village's childbirth subsidies.
For a time, the cries of newborn babies echoed throughout Konoha, filling the village with vibrant new life.
...
Konoha Training Grounds.
Fugaku and Nagato stood facing one another, both wearing complicated expressions.
The Uchiha commander had become more eager than ever to strengthen himself.
"Nagato... are you absolutely sure you don't feel any discomfort?"
Even after seeing it countless times, Fugaku still couldn't wrap his head around it.
How was this kid never tired?
Seriously...
That was a Sharingan!
Even after outsiders received one through transplantation, they were normally left utterly exhausted. At best, they could barely use it.
"Not at all."
Nagato looked completely puzzled.
"I actually feel great."
"Shishō said my case is perfectly normal. I probably just happened to be born with a little more chakra than most people, so I don't really notice it."
Standing nearby, Hyūga Tenzō also struggled to maintain his composure.
Although the Byakugan consumed far less chakra than the Sharingan, history had shown that outsiders who obtained one usually had to keep it sealed, only activating it when necessary.
Before Nagato's surgery, everyone had been worried.
Could he really handle both eyes at once?
Several months later...
That concern had proven completely unnecessary.
Nagato's left red eye and right white eye had remained active almost constantly ever since the transplant.
Yet the kid remained bursting with energy.
There wasn't the slightest trace of fatigue on his face.
Every day, he continued sparring with people like Fugaku to sharpen his combat skills.
His stamina was downright unsettling.
'Is everyone connected to the Hokage's lineage really a monster?'
Fugaku couldn't help entertaining some superstitious thoughts.
Could the First Hokage actually be blessing them or something?
The Hokage's own choices didn't count.
That was simply because he had excellent judgment.
But how had even Jiraiya's disciple from another village turned out to possess such terrifying talent?
No... I have to figure something out.
Someday, I'll have Sasuke study under someone from the Hokage's lineage too.
Maybe some of that good fortune will rub off on him.
Itachi's out of the question.
He's already basically Seisui's disciple, and Danzō's connection to the Hokage's lineage isn't exactly... pure.
It has to be someone official.
Fugaku silently made his plans.
"Tenzō-san, Fugaku-san... thank you both for everything you've done for me over the past several months."
"I'm heading back to Amegakure today to begin my duties there. I've already informed shishō."
Nagato spoke with obvious reluctance.
Only after truly living in Konoha for a while had he realized how many friends he could make there.
People his own age...
Older mentors...
There were so many.
Most Konoha shinobi wore warm smiles, had easygoing personalities, and were pleasant to talk to.
Part of that came from Konoha's prosperity.
With their lives secure, its shinobi carried far less bitterness than those elsewhere.
The other reason was Nagato himself.
After receiving systematic training, his talent had proven so overwhelming that it left everyone speechless.
There was a certain beauty in such overwhelming raw numbers.
"Go on."
"When you come back, I'll introduce you to my new son."
Fugaku laughed heartily as he patted Nagato on the shoulder.
"Do your best."
"Make something of yourself."
"And don't bring shame to Hokage-sama or the village."
Tenzō said with a warm smile.
"I definitely will!"
Nagato thumped his chest as he made his promise.
Strength—
Especially strength he could fully control—had given him a tremendous boost in confidence.
Nagato arrived at the newly constructed Flying Thunder God Transfer Tower.
Minato was already waiting there to travel to Amegakure together.
Kushina was pregnant, and Minato wanted to buy some river delicacies unique to the Land of Rain to help nourish her.
"You're here?"
Minato greeted him with a smile as warm as the sun.
"No matter how many times I see them, those eyes of yours are still astonishing."
"I suppose, counting your Uzumaki bloodline, you technically possess three bloodline limits now."
Nagato scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"It's all thanks to shishō's kindness. Mine are purely structural bloodline limits rather than chakra-based ones..."
"But I still hope my physical data can help Orochimaru-san and Hiruko-san with their research."
"It definitely will."
Minato smiled.
Nagato might be a little slow on the uptake sometimes, but his devotion to the village was absolutely genuine.
When Hiruko and Orochimaru requested samples of his blood and cells for research, Nagato had cooperated without the slightest hesitation.
He even kept a daily journal documenting how it felt to use the Byakugan and the Sharingan, compiling everything into weekly reports.
During the months he had spent in Konoha, he had absorbed knowledge like a sponge.
He could now even describe different bloodline limits using proper technical terminology.
"Hey... hey!"
"Nagato? Is that really you?"
"What happened to your eyes?"
A white-haired young man stared at Nagato in utter disbelief before turning toward Minato.
"I've only been gone a little over a year... how did the village end up like this?"
"And Minato, your letter said you're going to be a father..."
"Oh, and what in the world is this gigantic ninja tool?"
Jiraiya pointed at the Flying Thunder God Transfer Tower before him.
He suddenly didn't feel so good.
He had come back expecting to return as a Sage in glorious triumph.
Instead...
He had become the country bumpkin.
Everything around him felt new, and he couldn't keep up with anything anymore.
Nagato and Minato exchanged a glance before both breaking into smiles.
No matter how much time passed, Jiraiya always possessed a peculiar sense of humor that made people want to laugh.
He was Konoha's natural comedian.
After chatting for a while, Jiraiya gradually managed to process everything.
Only then did he begin to understand everything that had happened in Konoha while he had been away.
"So cooperating with Amegakure and incorporating their unique industrial technology even accelerated Orochimaru's research?"
Jiraiya sighed in amazement.
"Not only did they build the Flying Thunder God system, they even developed advanced companion equipment for the Yamanaka Clan."
"That guy really is my lifelong rival."
"His talent is second only to mine, a Sage's."
"He's a troublesome opponent."
"Oh, right."
"Where's Sensei now?"
Jiraiya asked.
Minato thought for a moment.
"If it's Hokage-sama..."
"He isn't in the Hokage Building."
"He's probably at the training grounds near the Uchiha Clan compound."
"The Uchiha?"
Jiraiya blinked.
"What's he doing there?"
"Hokage-sama has been working on a new technique lately."
Minato's eyes flickered slightly as he answered briefly.
"He needs the Uchiha Clan's assistance."
He knew Hiruzen wanted to see Jiraiya's Sage Mode.
And since Captain Minato valued fairness...
He absolutely couldn't leak any information about Hokage-sama's preparations beforehand.
It's definitely not because I want to watch Sensei get beaten up...
Minato smiled to himself.
Seisui's probably having a rough time these days.
Hopefully his confidence in his own talent hasn't been completely shattered.
Though everyone has to go through that phase eventually.
Minato knew very well—
Anyone personally trained by Hiruzen improved at an astonishing pace.
But at the same time...
They also had to come to terms with the fact that they weren't quite as much of a genius as they had once believed.
...
One of Konoha's training grounds.
Hiruzen sat cross-legged on the ground, smiling cheerfully.
Across from him stood Tobirama's entire family along with Yashiro.
All of them were panting heavily, their Sharingan activated, their chakra clearly on the verge of exhaustion.
What was going on...?
Why wasn't the Hokage affected by the Sharingan's genjutsu at all?
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