As the group walked further away, a two - faced figure emerged from the ground in the distance.
He stared at Kawafu's group for a while, his face was gloomy. The Rinnegan meant too much to him.
It wasn't until Kawafu and his group disappeared from sight that he dived back underground and disappeared in a flash.
Kawafu and his group were completely unaware of this.
Days passed, and then the two - faced figure appeared in a huge cave.
The cave was spacious, with tunnels leading in all directions. Standing in the middle was a gigantic shell.
It looked like a huge humanoid, with nine eyes. Its body was the color of dried wood, and there were ten column - like protrusions on its back.
It was the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, the physical form of the Ten - Tails.
" Nagato was taken away by the people of Konoha," the two - faced figure said.
In front of him was a haggard old man, wearing a dark robe. There were white tube - like objects on his back connecting him to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
His white hair covered his right eye, revealing a Three - tomoe Sharingan in his left eye.
"Keep an eye on him. I can't lose my eyes," the old man said.
He was now disabled and couldn't retrieve his eyes himself.
He could only have the two - faced figure keep an eye on Nagato. At least, he needed to know the whereabouts of the Rinnegan.
"Sure," the two - faced figure replied.
Their conversation was brief. After that, the two - faced figure dived back underground and disappeared.
Kawafu had thought about how the old man would react after he took Nagato away. But it wasn't time for the old man to die yet. There was still time.
He had his own considerations and plans. The most important thing now was to take the Konoha ninjas back to the village for treatment.
After a twenty - day long journey, Kawafu and his group, along with a large troop, finally arrived at the gates of Konoha Village.
The gates were wide open. The Third Hokage was there, personally greeting them with two advisors, showing them great respect.
Nemu Koharu even nodded slightly at Kawafu.
"Teacher!" Three voices called out.
"Lord Third Hokage!" Many voices echoed.
"Welcome back, everyone. This great victory is thanks to all of you," the Third Hokage said.
"Konoha will never forget you and those who died on the front line."
The Third Hokage looked serious. Although it was a victorious battle, Konoha had suffered heavy casualties this time.
"Teacher, I need to prepare the antidote as soon as possible," Tsunade said.
"I'll go to the hospital first."
After getting a nod from the Third Hokage, Tsunade left the group and headed towards the hospital.
After greeting the Third Hokage, Orochimaru, Jiraiya and the others also left.
The three kids hid behind Kawafu, standing beside Nawaki and Minato.
By now, they had changed into clean clothes and their faces were no longer dirty.
But due to malnutrition, they still looked a bit unhealthy.
Three pairs of curious eyes stared at the Third Hokage. Was this the Kage of Konoha?
Nagato couldn't see clearly through his hair.
"Who are these?" the Third Hokage noticed the three kids' gazes and asked Kawafu.
"They are orphans I adopted. I plan to teach them," Kawafu said without hiding anything.
With his status, it was no problem for him to adopt a few orphans.
Even the orphanage director could adopt Kabuto, not to mention him, the real head of the Hatake family.
"You're such a kind - hearted guy."
The Third Hokage smiled at the three kids and didn't take it to heart. It's normal to find orphans during the war.
They're just three lucky kids who got adopted.
It's unlikely that the three kids staying in the Hatake family will have any impact on the village.
"Lord Third Hokage, Aniki misses the kids."
"We're going back too."
"Go ahead. I've arranged things for the wounded here."
The Third Hokage is good at winning people's hearts. He has already made proper arrangements for the wounded, and they just need to wait for Tsunade's antidote.
The Anbu are also taking the wounded into the village as the Third Hokage ordered.
Kawaki and Sakumo lead the three kids back home, while Minato and Nawaki go to the Senju family.
"Teacher, where did Minato - senpai go?"
During this time, Minato has gotten along well with the three kids. Nagato really likes this golden - haired senpai.
"He went to see his red - haired girlfriend."
Kawaki smiled and ruffled Nagato's hair. He has the same hair color as Kushina.
"I see."
Nagato nodded and looked at Konan.
Yahiko is chatting happily with Konan, looking at the clean and peaceful Konoha and the smiles on people's faces.
This will be the place where he'll live from now on.
"You show them around. I'll go first."
Sakumo is eager to get home. After saying that, he walks quickly, leaps onto the roof, and disappears in a few jumps.
The three kids look at him with envy in their eyes. Uncle is so awesome.
They are just kids who haven't seen much of the world.
"He's just someone I've beaten. It's nothing."
Anyway, Sakumo is gone and can't hear. Kawaki feels great after showing off.
"Teacher is so awesome."
Konan is quick - witted and immediately flatters him.
Yahiko looks at Kawaki but doesn't say a word. If you're so brave, say it to his face.
"Haha, I'll make you all really powerful."
Kawaki laughs proudly. As long as this girl doesn't bankrupt the Hatake family, everything will be fine.
He can't afford 600 billion Explosive Tags.
He doesn't take the three kids on a special tour. He just walks along the way home, satisfying their curiosity.
When they get home, the three kids are all holding all kinds of snacks and smiling brightly. This is the kind of life kids should have.
In the original plot, they all have such heavy burdens.
The butler comes to greet them with a fawning smile. He clearly knows who the most important people in the family are.
"Second Young Master, you're back."
"These are your newly - taken disciples, right? They're truly outstanding."
"Good eye."
Who doesn't like to be flattered? Kawaki is no exception, especially since this is a loyal servant of the family.
"This is the butler of the family. If I'm not around, just tell him what you need."
Kawaki leads the three kids into the house.
They are all from civilian families and have never seen such a big mansion.
It's like Country Cousin Liu entering a grand manor. They look around curiously, and there is surprise in their eyes when they glance at each other.
Is this what the teacher meant by "a bit of wealth"?
"So, what do you think of your teacher's home?"
Kawaki isn't a strict teacher on normal days and can chat well with the three kids.
"I like it."
Konan was the first to speak. As expected of the richest woman in the Akatsuki organization, she couldn't resist a wealthy teacher.
"Not bad."
"Yeah."
Yahiko was a bit of a rebel, while Nagato behaved obediently.
"Damn kid, it's more than just 'not bad'."
"Let me take you to meet my nephew and get to know the family."
Kawaki flicked Yahiko on the head, making Yahiko wince and cover his head in pain.
The weather was nice today. When they reached the martial arts training hall, Sakumo was indeed sitting at the stone table with Natsuki, playing with Kakashi.
The Ghost Mastiff was playing with the white puppies, which had grown a lot. These puppies were growing fast.
Judging by this trend, they might even be bigger than the Ghost Mastiff when fully grown.
"Sister - in - law."
Kawaki walked straight over and sat down beside them.
"You're home."
When Kakashi in Natsuki's arms saw Kawaki, he tried to jump onto him.
It was because Kawaki often took him to see Kurenai Yūhi that they got familiar with each other.
"Oops, let Uncle carry you."
Kawaki took Kakashi from Natsuki. Sakumo looked annoyed. Why wouldn't his son let him hold Kakashi?
And he'd cry as soon as Sakumo held him.
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