Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!

"No, they have a blood feud with Konoha."

Jiraiya sipped his sake, voicing his opposition. In the original story, deep down, he might have carried a guilty conscience, having trained the three younglings for years without bringing them back to Konoha.

"I don't approve either," Orochimaru said slowly, sharing his opinion.

"You decide," Tsunade said to Kawakaze. While she felt this wasn't a wise choice, she chose to support his final decision.

"Don't worry, they're just three kids—they won't cause much trouble."

Kawakaze, however, kept silent about Nagato's Rinnegan. Revealing it would likely make Orochimaru insist on dealing with Nagato directly. The potential power it represented, coupled with the blood feud, posed too great a threat to Konoha. He wouldn't risk leaving such a hidden danger unchecked.

After that, no one spoke. They ate in silence, each lost in their thoughts. The atmosphere grew heavy and quiet.

"Can we have some more?"

Yahiko approached them cautiously, holding an empty bowl. One serving hadn't been enough for the three children.

The four adults turned to look at him, their stares unnerving. Yahiko's hand trembled slightly as he held out the bowl.

"Of course," Kawakaze said, his lips curling into a kind smile. He took the bowl, scooped another portion, and added some dried food.

"Thank you," Yahiko said, bowing slightly before returning to Nagato and Konan.

Both Nagato and Konan looked surprised. This powerful Konoha ninja seemed to be a good person.

Kawakaze and the others continued drinking sake, eating slowly while the rain pattered steadily outside.

After finishing their meal, Yahiko took the empty bowls and let the rain clean them.

"Your bowl, Lord Kawakaze."

Yahiko stepped forward to return the bowl, intending to leave now that he was satisfied with the meal. The image of Kawakaze beheading Hanzō was still vivid in his mind, leaving him with a lingering fear of the man. For now, Yahiko had no intention of joining the others to learn Ninjutsu.

"What are you going to do for the next meal?"

Kawakaze didn't take the bowl but instead fixed his gaze on Yahiko, who was clearly the leader among the three orphans.

"We... we'll find food when we're hungry." Yahiko spoke without much thought. Survival was already a blessing for the three of them—planning beyond that seemed like a luxury.

"Do you want to eat meat every day? Do you want to learn a skill?"

"Yes."

Yahiko's eyes lit up at the question. This was the life he had always dreamed of but never dared to believe could be his.

"Little girl, do you want to wear pretty dresses and have lots of friends?"

Kawakaze turned to Konan, his tone gentle and persuasive.

Konan glanced nervously at Yahiko before answering softly, "Yes."

"And you, red-haired brat, do you want to master your own power?"

Kawakaze's words were laced with meaning. Nagato flinched and instinctively covered his eyes, sensing the man had seen through him.

Yahiko and Konan immediately tensed, their guarded expressions returning.

"Only by mastering your own power can you better protect your brother and sister."

Kawakaze remained calm, undeterred by their wariness. His words were deliberate, his demeanor controlled. He knew he had them right where he wanted.

He continued, speaking with quiet authority:

"There are no useless Ninjutsu, only useless Ninja. But I won't waste my time on those without talent."

Nagato hesitated for a moment before responding with determination, "I want to."

A small smile played on Kawakaze's lips as he said, "My name is Kawakaze Hatake. My family has a modest fortune, but I'm still missing a few disciples. I wonder, would you three like to join me?"

Receiving their tentative agreement, Kawakaze's expression softened into a warm, almost fatherly smile. Yet beneath that kindness lay a sharp, calculating edge.

Watching him, Tsunade couldn't help but think Kawakaze now resembled a cunning, ancient fox—dangerous and undeniably shrewd.

"Can you promise not to hurt us and that we will be able to eat well and learn our skills?"

Yahiko gathered his courage to ask. He knew that if Kawakaze intended harm, there was no way they could resist someone as powerful as him.

"We will provide food and lodging, and there will be no discrimination between young and old," Kawakaze replied without hesitation. These three were destined to become the founders of the Akatsuki—investing in them now was a calculated move.

Yahiko turned to glance at Nagato and Konan, who nodded in silent agreement. After exchanging a few looks, Yahiko made the decision.

"Lord Kawakaze, we will follow you."

"Don't call me 'Lord'; call me 'Sensei,'" Kawakaze corrected smoothly.

Kawakaze wasted no time in stepping into the role of Sensei.

Then, with a confident grin, he gestured toward Tsunade. "This is your Sensei's wife, Tsunade."

Without a second thought, he placed a hand on Tsunade's shoulder and casually wrapped an arm around her, clearly enjoying himself.

"Don't get handsy when it's unnecessary," Tsunade snapped, giving him a warning glare. Her eyes flicked to Jiraiya and Orochimaru, who both avoided eye contact by suddenly pretending to examine the sky. With a huff, Tsunade pushed Kawakaze aside and seated herself.

Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan stood there, slightly stunned by how quickly everything was happening.

"Sensei, Sensei's wife," they finally said in unison, bowing politely.

"My name is Yahiko."

"I'm Konan."

"And I'm Nagato."

The three introduced themselves one by one.

"Hello," Tsunade replied with a soft smile, her fair face radiating warmth. She had long grown accustomed to the title.

"Haha, good kids," Kawakaze said, clearly pleased. Then he gestured to the other two. "These two are Orochimaru and Jiraiya."

Orochimaru and Jiraiya, no longer able to feign disinterest, exchanged quick glances before offering polite smiles to the three children, acknowledging their greetings.

By now, the rain outside had begun to ease, and through the dissipating dark clouds, a few rays of sunshine broke through, casting light over the quiet scene.

"It's comfortable now, let's go." Kawakaze stood, patting off the dust from his clothes without a second glance at the kitchenware.

"Okay," Tsunade replied casually, unconcerned about the utensils. Jiraiya and Orochimaru showed no interest either, all satisfied from the meal.

As they left the shelter of the bridge, the three orphans lingered behind, reluctant to abandon the useful items. Yahiko carefully washed a pot in a puddle, while Konan and Nagato held onto bowls and spoons. Yahiko even slung the pot over his back, and the trio hurried after Kawakaze and the others.

When Kawakaze turned to check on them, he paused, taking in the sight. Watching the children cling to those meager possessions, he couldn't help but think back to his own comfortable childhood. A pang of sadness crossed his heart for the three little ones.

Stepping back toward Yahiko, Kawakaze reached out and ruffled the boy's short orange hair.

"You don't have to live a hard life anymore," he said softly.

Yahiko looked up, meeting Kawakaze's gaze. For the first time, he smiled brightly, his innocent eyes brimming with hope for the future. In that moment, Kawakaze saw glimpses of Nawaki and Minato in the boy.

These children, he thought, will definitely become good friends.

"Let's go," Kawakaze said, gently nudging Yahiko forward with a hand on the back of his head. "You still have an older brother to meet."

Yahiko stumbled slightly but took the lead, his steps lighter than before.

Behind them, Nagato began to cry quietly, the memories of his parents overwhelming him.

"Nagato, don't cry."

"Everything will be fine," Konan said gently, stepping closer to comfort him. Her soft voice carried a surprising strength for someone so young. "We already have a Sensei, don't we?"

Nagato wiped his tears and nodded. Together, the three orphans turned toward the sunlight, following Kawakaze and the others.

The seven of them set off for Konoha, the group growing closer with every step. Kawakaze, reflecting on what had just happened, chuckled to himself.

With this move, he thought, I've crushed the Akatsuki before it could even begin. A true hero of the ninja world!

Lost in his self-satisfaction, he laughed aloud, only to be interrupted by Tsunade's exasperated glare. Her look of derision caught him off guard, and he quickly stifled his laugh, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"I was just thinking about what our future child might look like," he whispered to her with a mischievous grin.

Tsunade's face turned a deep shade of red at his bold words, and she averted her eyes in embarrassment.

Who will our child resemble, Kawakaze or me?