As dusk fell, the setting sun's afterglow bathed Konoha Village, adding a touch of beauty to the scene.
At the Konoha Village gate, the two familiar figures were still there.
Kotetsu Hagane stood at the entrance, scrutinizing everyone entering and exiting, while Izumo Kamizuki registered the outsiders.
"You're all registered. Welcome to Konoha."
Izumo Kamizuki put down his pen, looked up, and smiled.
The simple-looking man thanked him somewhat awkwardly before turning around and walking into the village with his bundle.
After watching him leave, Izumo Kamizuki turned his gaze to his companion nearby and called out,
"Kotetsu, want to grab a drink after work?"
"Ah."
Kotetsu Hagane turned sideways and smiled.
"Sure, let's call Kakashi and Genma too. We can all have some fun together."
"Alright."
Izumo Kamizuki nodded slightly, just about to say something more when his gaze was drawn to several figures appearing behind his companion.
"Is that…"
Izumo Kamizuki was startled for a moment, then quickly walked over to Kotetsu Hagane's side, looking ahead and whispering,
"Hey, Kotetsu."
"Hmm?"
Kotetsu Hagane turned around in confusion, just about to ask what was wrong when his gaze was unconsciously drawn to several figures.
A group of three, all dressed in black robes, slowly walked towards them.
The two exchanged glances, then both nodded simultaneously and stepped forward to meet the group.
As the two parties drew closer, they both stopped. Izumo Kamizuki stepped forward, scrutinizing the group while speaking in a deep voice,
"Sirs, please cooperate with us for registration before entering Konoha."
"Alright."
The Black Robed Man walking in front took a step forward, then, under the two's scrutinizing gazes, pulled down his hood, revealing a face with a half-smile.
"Ren?" (x2)
Seeing the familiar face, the two were stunned for a moment before speaking out simultaneously, looking at him with a hint of pleasant surprise.
Ren handed over his identification from beneath his black robe, nodding and smiling.
"Just got back. Here's my ID. Please check it, both of you."
Izumo Kamizuki raised his hand to take the ID Ren offered, while Kotetsu Hagane stood beside him, grinning.
"You're back at a good time. We were just talking about having a gathering later. You should come too."
"I'll pass."
Ren shook his head, a hint of apology on his face.
"I haven't rested well these past two days. Maybe next time."
From yesterday until now, Ren hadn't slept for two days and one night. He currently had no energy for a gathering. At this moment, he only wanted to settle the few people first, then go back and have a good sleep.
"Alright then."
Kotetsu Hagane nodded regretfully. As Izumo Kamizuki handed back the ID, his gaze swept over the two people next to him again, looking at Ren with a questioning expression.
Understanding his meaning, Ren quickly turned sideways and explained,
"They are the targets Hokage-sama asked me to bring back for this mission."
As he spoke, Ren turned to look at the two and nodded.
"Take it off. Let's get you registered."
"Mm."
After responding, the two successively removed their hoods. They didn't pay much attention to the young Hidan; their gazes were all focused on Uzamaki Mihui, or rather, on her red hair.
Such vibrant red hair quickly made them think of something, and their expressions instantly became surprised.
"First, please come over here to register."
After returning to their posts, Kotetsu Hagane picked up his pen and said carefully,
"May I ask for your name?"
Uzumaki Mihui first looked up at Ren, and only after seeing him nod slightly did she speak.
"Uzumaki Mihui."
As expected…
Kotetsu Hagane's pen tip paused before he continued writing. Izumo Kamizuki next to him cleared his throat, just about to say something when he was interrupted by a cry.
"Wah wah wah wah!"
"Hmm?"
The two responsible for registration were startled, and then they saw Uzumaki Mihui take a crying baby from beneath her black robe and gently pat it.
In a moment, the child stopped crying, lying quietly in its mother's arms, clutching her clothes tightly, its innocent big eyes curiously surveying its surroundings.
The two then came back to their senses. Kotetsu Hagane raised his pen and said with some hesitation,
"This is…"
"Excuse me."
Uzumaki Mihui, holding the child, said softly to the two,
"This is my daughter, Uzumaki Karin."
Kotetsu Hagane again put pen to paper, writing down Uzumaki Karin's name, then turned to look at Hidan beside him and said,
"Little friend, what's your name?"
"You're the little friend! I am a Ninja!"
Upon hearing those words, Hidan immediately bristled like an angry cat, looking at Kotetsu Hagane and shouting discontentedly.
But no sooner had he finished speaking than he received a heavy punch to the head, immediately making him clutch his head and squat down, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Brat."
Ren dissipated the Chakra from his hand, looking at Hidan, who was grimacing in pain, and said irritably,
"Don't you know manners? If I hear any more uncivilized words, I'll throw you into the Forest of Death."
"I-I know."
Although he didn't know what that was, just by the name, he knew it definitely wasn't a good place, and he didn't want to suffer just for arguing with Ren.
Hidan stood up, rubbing his head and muttering,
"My name is Hidan."
Seeing that both had almost finished registering, Ren walked to the registration desk and smiled.
"That should be about it, right? Can I take them now?"
Kotetsu Hagane glanced at the documents on the table and said,
"Please wait a moment, there's one last question."
Izumo Kamizuki paused, then continued,
"Where will they be staying tonight?"
For these special outsiders, Konoha Village usually dispatches people to monitor them. Although Ren was taking care of them, their identity as Uzumaki Clan members made the two not dare to be negligent.
No sooner had Izumo Kamizuki finished speaking than Ren raised his hand, pointing to Hidan beside him, and nodded.
"This kid will come back and stay with me. As for these two, Hokage-sama has already made arrangements."
"Alright."
Since Hokage-sama had already made arrangements, they didn't ask any more questions. After putting away the registration forms, they nodded to the two and smiled.
"Welcome to Konoha."
"Thank you."
Uzumaki Mihui bowed slightly to the two and said softly. As for Hidan, under Ren's threatening gaze, he unwillingly thanked the two.
Ren waved to the two and called out,
"Then we'll be going now. Have a pleasant evening, goodbye."
"Goodbye."
After watching the three leave, the two withdrew their gazes, sat back at their posts, and simultaneously looked at several hidden corners, secretly sighing at the same time.
The Uzumaki…