"Gomen nasai~ Senior Brother Minato~"
Inside the newly erected tent.
Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan knelt neatly on the ground, apologizing sincerely to Namikaze Minato.
"Ah~ If it was a misunderstanding, it's alright."
Namikaze Minato, whose clothes were slightly dirty, sighed inwardly.
No wonder Yamanaka Kei ran off to discuss things with Danzo after summoning the Clam.
So he was here to take the blame?
Damn it!
How did he fall for it again?
"When apologizing, showing your belly is basic etiquette, you know!"
Yamanaka Kei lifted the tent flap, teasing Yahiko and the others with a mischievous look.
"It's him!"
Nagato's eyes changed slightly.
Yahiko and Konan also instantly focused their gazes on Yamanaka Kei.
Slightly shorter golden hair than Senior Brother Minato, a more masculine face, the same Jonin vest, black combat uniform.
Yes, that's right!
This is the guy named "Yamanaka Kei" that Jiraiya-sensei just mentioned.
He's also the culprit who left them on the deserted island!
But they just tore down one tent, tearing down another one would be a bit too much.
A cunning fellow!
Looks like they'll have to find another opportunity?
"Kei, where did you hear about such strange etiquette?"
Namikaze Minato's eyes were resentful, his resentment almost materializing.
"Hahaha~ Just a little joke! Besides, I didn't deliberately use your image to mislead them, they just mistook me."
Yamanaka Kei put a hand on Minato's shoulder, comforting his friend with a smile.
He is always cautious in his actions.
Before summoning Yahiko and the others back, he had already had the little Clam secretly monitor them for a while.
Since the three of them were so hung up on their "Senior Brother Minato."
Then of course he had to fulfill their little wish.
"Sigh..."
Namikaze Minato wearily waved his hand, really not wanting to continue this topic.
Based on his many years of experience being tricked.
No matter how much he argued, the responsibility wouldn't fall on his close friend.
He might even accidentally argue himself into being at fault!
"Um, Senior Yamanaka Kei, can you tell us, what were you doing when you disguised yourself as an Anbu from the Hidden Mist and went to the Rain Ninja Village?"
Yahiko looked at Yamanaka Kei with a complicated expression, already having a bad premonition in his heart.
Actually, he had already considered it before.
Why would 'Senior Brother Minato' disguise himself as an Anbu and go to the Rain Ninja Village?
It was just that, being fellow disciples of Jiraiya, he was unwilling to think in the worst possible direction.
Now that they had returned from the isolated island, and the location was still on the border between the Rain Country and the Land of Fire.
Konoha ninjas were also gathered here in large numbers, establishing a border camp.
Was it war...
Had it burst out again?
"That's right, at the beginning it was actually because I learned about the Rinnegan."
Yamanaka Kei glanced at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya's old face turned red, and he awkwardly turned his cheek to the side.
"And then?"
Yahiko frowned and pressed.
"If I want to explain the cause and effect clearly, this will be a long story..."
Yamanaka Kei waved his hand, signaling Yahiko to be calm.
After sitting down on a bench to the side, he slowly began to tell the story that had already been adapted.
Now that Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu were already dead.
Without any worries, putting some things on the table would undoubtedly save a lot of unnecessary trouble.
For example, how Madara Uchiha awakened the Rinnegan back then, and why he transplanted it to Nagato.
He wasn't a mute.
It was something that could be solved by saying a few words.
Why put on an arrogant face and wait for others to guess and misunderstand?
After listening to the cause and effect.
Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato exchanged glances, their expressions particularly solemn.
The Ōtsutsuki Clan, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, visitors from outer space, and that Ōtsutsuki Isshiki who might not be dead...
These past events and truths buried in history send chills down one's spine just hearing about them!
Nagato covered his eyes with his palm in confusion.
Yahiko and Konan's expressions were equally unsightly.
Yamanaka Kei's words had a huge impact on them.
Was their life arranged by someone else all along?
All the tragedies, all the joys, all...
"Don't be discouraged. Ask yourself, do you regret meeting Konan and Yahiko?"
Yamanaka Kei casually flicked a small pebble, formed from earth-style Chakra, onto Nagato's forehead, who was doubting his life.
"No regrets! If, if it weren't for them... I can't imagine..."
Nagato stammered, and when he looked up again, his eyes gradually became firm.
Others may be able to manipulate their lives.
But they can't control their feelings. They are companions who genuinely care for each other, a family that depends on each other!
The Three Little Ones looked at each other, and smiles gradually appeared on their faces.
"People say everyone has their own destiny, predetermined by fate, but I don't believe in fate. The past cannot be changed, but the road ahead is at your own feet. Whether to walk it, which path to take, and what kind of path to walk, is up to you."
Yamanaka Kei smiled, got up, and walked towards the outside of the tent.
Lifting the curtain, his footsteps paused, and he turned back to the Three Little Ones again.
"If you want to spar, feel free to come find me anytime, but if you lose, you have to accept the punishment!"
"Gulp~ Wh-what punishment?"
Yahiko swallowed hard, feeling that Yamanaka Kei's smile was a bit malicious.
"A one-month tour of Ryūchi Cave."
Yamanaka Kei raised his eyebrows and walked out of the tent in a good mood.
"Ryūchi Cave, what's it like?"
Yahiko turned to look at their teacher, Jiraiya.
"Forests, caves, and countless snakes. If you have to survive for a month... well, I suggest you bring more seasonings and antidotes, hahaha~"
Jiraiya laughed, slapping his thigh.
Although Yamanaka Kei, that guy, often acts like he's not a serious person.
But sorry, he's not a serious person either!
"Ryūchi Cave is alright. If you were asked to stay in Mount Myōboku or Shikkotsu Forest for a month..."
Namikaze Minato's face turned faintly green as he thought of the delicacies of Mount Myōboku.
The wriggling, raw pickled worms were simply a nightmare!
As for Shikkotsu Forest...
He had heard the toads of Mount Myōboku mention that besides the Slug Sage, there didn't even seem to be any tree bark to be found there.
All the little slugs were just clones of the Slug Sage.
To survive for a month...
He would probably have to rely on the Slug Sage to take pity and share some mucus to fill his stomach?
As for eating slugs...
Ugh~
No, he couldn't think about it anymore!
If he kept thinking about it, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to eat for several days!
Yamanaka Kei listened to the faint retching sounds coming from the tent behind him, and secretly despised Minato in his heart.
Looking at the system interface in his mind, which showed no reaction.
He stroked his chin and headed towards Danzo's tent.
Just now, he had racked his brains and said such emotional things, but the Three Little Ones still hadn't had their fate changed?
Why? What was missing?
Was there something he had overlooked?
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