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"You are... that child from back then...!?"
The old lady looked at Sōsuke with a smile, feeling a mix of nostalgia and surprise.
Her memories seemed hazy, as if she was seeing the same half-grown child with a gentle smile from seven years ago, slowly walking towards her.
"It's been a long time. Are you doing well?"
A voice filled with magnetism and warmth reached the ears of everyone present.
Upon hearing this voice, the old lady squinted her eyes slightly, gazing steadily at Sōsuke. It was as if she recalled something, and her weathered eyes glistened with a hint of tears as she hesitated.
"Yes... thank you for bringing Konan to be with me and the old man. It's given us companionship in our twilight years."
"And it was your companions who saved us in a crucial moment."
The old lady's voice choked up as she said these words.
Seven years had passed...
They had aged...
Konan had grown up...
Seeing Sōsuke brought back a flood of memories, making it difficult for her to control her emotions.
Yahiko couldn't believe her eyes as she looked at Sōsuke standing in front of Saki and the others. They couldn't understand why the old lady had suddenly become so emotional upon seeing Sōsuke.
However, their indignant gazes were directed at Sōsuke. Although it seemed like the old lady was saying that this person had brought Konan to them, they were convinced that he must have done something wrong to make the old lady so upset.
Konan, hunched over the old lady, tried to comfort her. She gently held the old lady, her big eyes glistening with tears as she said, "Grandma, don't be sad. I'm here with you, and I'll always be by your side."
Saki saw this scene and, despite his usually expressionless face, was moved. As someone who had been silently watching over Konan and the old lady for several years, the tears in their eyes touched his heart.
At this moment, Sōsuke slowly walked over to the old lady. He bent down slightly, showing a gentle smile, and said softly, "You can rest assured. Your life will get better from now on. The sky will gradually turn azure, the sun will shine in the sky, and this land will be free from the ravages of war. And Konan will be with you, just like before."
Hearing Sōsuke's words, the old lady covered her reddened eyes with her hands. She couldn't speak due to her choked-up emotions but nodded like an innocent child.
Sōsuke's words were like a beautiful and sweet dream to this elderly person who had spent her entire life in the Land of Rain, nearing the end of her journey. It was a pure and innocent dream that she had been waiting for for seventy years.
With a sigh, Sōsuke gently extended his hand and lightly stroked the wrinkled forehead of the old lady. She slowly drifted into sleep. Even in her slumber, her eyes were still slightly red, with a few teardrops at the corners, but her expression became serene, and a faint smile crept onto her lips.
Who knew what kind of beautiful dream she was having...
In the puzzled looks of the children, Sōsuke softly spoke, "She's fallen asleep. Carry her inside, but be careful not to wake her. I don't want all of you to mess up this simple task."
Upon hearing his words, the children acted quickly. After the old lady had fallen into slumber, they rushed over and gently carried her inside the house, placing her comfortably on the bed.
"Captain Aizen... what just happened?"
From behind, Saki, still puzzled by the old lady's sudden slumber, asked hesitantly.
Sōsuke stood in the yard, watching the children taking care of the sleeping old lady with delicate care. His eyes revealed a complex light as he said softly, "It's just some beneficial methods for the elderly. Don't worry, Saki."
Konan, with her lovely face filled with worry, looked at Yahiko and said, "This time, please put away your childish behavior."
At that moment, Saki's voice came out sternly, rebuking, "Yahiko, put away your childish actions. There should be no second time for this!"
All three children had never seen Saki get angry before, and his chilling voice made Yahiko feel an oppressive and terrifying atmosphere.
Konan and Nagato both fell silent, their faces turning pale, and they looked at Saki with slightly fearful eyes.
At this moment, a gentle and soothing voice diffused the fear in everyone's hearts.
"Saki, there's no need for this. You're scaring these kids."
Sōsuke, with a gentle smile on his face, spoke softly. His voice, full of magnetism, was like the warmth of spring, melting away all the ice and snow.
"I may have overreacted, Captain Aizen."
Hearing this, Saki showed a tinge of self-blame in his expression and stood respectfully behind him.
Yahiko and Nagato, seeing this scene, had the same thought flash through their minds: Saki, their formidable big brother, was showing such respect in front of this person who looked much younger. Could this guy, Sōsuke, be an incredibly powerful ninja?
Ignoring their thoughts, Sōsuke first smiled at Konan and said gently, "I didn't expect that the child I rescued by chance all those years ago has grown up this much. Do you still remember me, the child blessed by the heavens?"
Looking at Sōsuke's smiling face and the constant overlap with her dream, Konan blushed slightly and said softly, "I remember you, Brother Aizen. I've always listened to what Brother Aizen said and tried to live strong."
Hearing her words, Sōsuke smiled slightly and gently reached out, lightly rubbing Konan's soft light-blue hair.
"What a lovely child you've become..."
With that, he looked over to Yahiko, who was standing nearby, and said softly, "You must be Yahiko, right? Saki mentioned you to me. Maybe he hasn't told you, but you're quite an important person to him."
Hearing Sōsuke suddenly addressing him, Yahiko, who was already surprised, became even more shocked upon hearing his words. He turned to look at Saki, who stood there with an expressionless face.
With a somewhat embarrassed expression, he stammered, "Big... big brother... Is that true?"
In response, Saki cast a complex look at him but didn't answer. However, even with this silence, Yahiko, who knew Saki well, understood that what Sōsuke said was not far from the truth. He couldn't help feeling ashamed.
"I'm... I'm sorry, big brother. I... I..."
He was too embarrassed to say what was on his mind, but Sōsuke spoke on his behalf.
"You've now paid your respects to Jiraiya-sensei as well, right?"
Upon hearing his words, both Nagato and Konan were momentarily surprised. Yahiko, on the other hand, lowered his head in guilt and said, "I'm sorry... I was the one who brought Konan and Nagato with me..."
Saki remained silent, but Sōsuke spoke gently, "Don't worry, Saki won't blame you. After all, Jiraiya was once our comrade."
Hearing his words, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato were all astonished and dumbfounded, looking at Sōsuke with a friendly smile and Saki, whose expression had turned complex.
Former comrade? Could it be that Saki, their big brother, and the guy called Saki were former rogue ninjas?
These thoughts of the children were filled with shock.
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A/N: Merry Christmas everyone!