Children

"What are you murmuring?"

Sasori looked over at the two people discussing with soft voices nearby and asked.

Upon hearing his words, Satoru and Nagato turned back to Sasori.

Nagato also showed a smile this time: "What do you think about joining us?"

Konan's eyes kept darting back and forth between the two of them.

Upon hearing this, Sasori turned and looked at the puppet behind him.

It was the Third Kazekage puppet he made with his own hands.

This puppet used to be a strong individual in his village, but in his hands, it became a work of art.

Every detail was meticulously crafted, and every movement was full of beauty. However, this once powerful puppet was quickly defeated in front of these people, without the ability to fight back.

Traces of reluctance appeared in Sasori's eyes.

"Are Akatsuki members the same as ninjutsu?"

Nagato was stunned to hear that question. He tried to understand the deeper meaning behind Sasori's words.

This time, Sasori spoke again, with a kind of longing and hope in his voice: "It sounds good. I want to experience it. Maybe I can feel an art I've never felt before."

When Nagato heard this, his heart was moved.

Sasori stared at them firmly: "I agree to join Akatsuki."

＊＊＊

"So, Akatsuki has become a refuge for rogue ninjas."

After successfully subduing Sasori, the three of them returned to Amegakure and reported this to Yahiko.

"No, that's not our Akatsuki." Satoru corrected with a smile, "You want to say that's your Akatsuki. From now on, Yahiko, you will announce that Akatsuki will be separated from Amegakure. In this case, what can we do to prevent Amegakure from getting involved?"

Konan muttered dissatisfiedly beside him: "Blame Satoru for this suggestion. We're becoming villains."

Although there was dissatisfaction in her words, it was more resigned and accepting. She knew that although the proposal was somewhat outrageous, it was also for everyone's sake.

Yahiko remained silent for a moment, then spoke slowly: "I understand. From today, Akatsuki will no longer be part of Amegakure, and your actions will be more free and independent."

"However, Satoru's proposal is indeed extraordinary." He understood the stakes.

"What Akatsuki has gained in the past few months is indeed unsatisfactory. If we follow Satoru's suggestion, I think it's worth it."

"This is truly a mutually beneficial situation."

Konan rolled her eyes to the side. Although she was slightly dissatisfied, she didn't say anything more.

Yahiko remembered something important. He turned around and opened a drawer, taking out a letter: "By the way, Satoru, you've rarely returned to the village in the past few months. The Hokage of Konoha sent you a letter."

Satoru took the letter and opened it in front of everyone.

"Oh, is that Minato?"

Konan said softly from the side: "The Hokage of Konoha is still our junior."

The last time Satoru returned from Konoha, he told everyone about their relationship.

Yahiko saw the change in expression on Satoru's face and asked curiously, "What did the Hokage say in the letter?"

Satoru put away the letter and showed a smile: "Minato is going to be a father. Kushina is going to give birth."

The news filled the room with joyous atmosphere.

"So, we're going to have a nephew?" Konan's eyes sparkled.

"I really don't know if it's a boy or a girl?"

Yahiko also showed an expression of anticipation.

Satoru spoke with seriousness in his voice: "Minato told me in the letter that among the Sannin, only Jiraiya-sensei is left in Konoha, Tsunade fled, and Orochimaru defected. But some time ago, Jiraiya-sensei was also on a mission, and Kushina's childbirth came earlier than scheduled. He's worried about the lack of manpower in Konoha, so he invited me to protect this moment."

"I heard that when a Jinchuuriki is about to give birth, their seal is at its weakest point. It's understandable to worry about this." Yahiko nodded.

"Minato has already thought of a name for the child." Satoru said.

"What's the name!" Konan asked curiously.

She and Minato had once done a mission together in Roran. Therefore, when she found out that they were both Jiraiya's students, she really liked Minato.

"He said the name of the child comes from a protagonist character in Jiraiya-sensei's novel. If it's a boy, then it will be called..." Satoru read the contents of the letter slowly.

"Uzumaki... Naruto."

As Satoru read these two words, an inexplicable feeling of familiarity arose in his heart.

"Naruto?" He whispered the name, trying to find relevant clues from the depths of his memory.

Had he heard this name before?

Traces of doubt appeared in his mind, but it was clear that he hadn't known that Kushina was about to give birth until today.

"Does this name sound unfamiliar to you?" Satoru lifted his head and looked at Yahiko and Konan.

Yahiko smiled: "Ah, isn't that the name of a character in Jiraiya-sensei's novel? It's normal if it sounds familiar. Maybe we've all read it."

After hearing this from Satoru, his anxiety subsided slightly, he nodded and shifted his gaze to the window.

"Have I read it before?" He whispered to himself, trying to recall that forgotten memory.

But no matter how hard he tried, the memory always remained elusive.