Chapter 9: No Longer the Same

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The rain fell steadily, turning the ground into a muddy mess. In this terrible environment, a red-haired urchin clutched a piece of black bread tucked inside his clothes, panting heavily as he ran through the downpour.

Uzumaki Nagato, who hadn't eaten for three days as well, was very weak. Running through the muddy rain further burdened his body. However, his worry for his companions forced him to push himself without any slackening or rest, continuing to run forward desperately.

He wondered how Yahiko was doing. Had he managed to escape from those people? Being beaten like that, he must have been injured!

Harboring this worry in his heart, Nagato squeezed out the last of his strength, and his pace quickened a bit.

Finally, a cave entrance nestled against a cliff appeared in the forest ahead. Nagato was overjoyed and quickly rushed into the cave.

The dim cave space was small and damp. The only sources of light and warmth were a small pile of burning twigs in a corner. Beside the fire, a small figure lay flat on the ground.

The anxious Nagato trotted into the cave, took out the black bread that had been half-soaked in the muddy water, and placed it on the makeshift fire rack to roast. After doing this, he quickly went to check on Konan, who was lying there.

Konan, also only about ten years old, was unconscious, her cheeks flushed with an unnatural redness.

Nagato approached Konan, moving quietly. He shook the water droplets off his hands and placed his hand on Konan's forehead.

"Hiss! She's burning up! This won't do!"

Nagato became frantic, pacing back and forth, but there was nothing he could do. It was already difficult enough for them children to get food. Where could they possibly find medicine or a doctor?

Perhaps Nagato's movements were a bit loud. Konan, who had been unconscious, groggily woke up, feeling cold and weak all over. A wave of fear washed over her, but seeing Nagato pacing anxiously nearby, she felt a little relieved and called out, her voice hoarse,

"Nagato..."

Konan's voice had lost its previous liveliness, becoming raspy due to the high fever.

Nagato noticed Konan was awake and quickly knelt beside her, looking very concerned.

"Konan, you're awake! That's right! Yahiko and I got bread! It'll be warm soon, hurry up and eat some! Eating will help you get better!"

Not paying much attention to the bread, Konan looked around heavily, not seeing Yahiko. Unease filled her heart.

"Nagato, where's Yahiko?"

"Uh... he'll be back soon!"

The clever Konan could easily hear the perfunctory tone in Nagato's words. Based on past experiences, she could guess what had happened and couldn't help but worry about Yahiko.

"Yahiko... he won't be in danger, will he!?"

"Uh... he definitely won't be in danger. So many times before, Yahiko has been fine, hasn't he?"

"I'm so worried about him..."

"Don't worry, Konan, he'll be alright!"

Silence fell in the cave, a silence filled with the immense worry of the two children.

About half an hour later, when the sky outside seemed to have completely darkened, amidst Nagato's and Konan's worry, the sound of stumbling footsteps dragging through muddy water came from outside, growing closer and closer.

Nagato stood up excitedly, staring at the cave entrance. Konan also tried hard to prop herself up to look.

Finally, their worries were not in vain. The person who entered was Yahiko, his face covered in bruises and looking very disheveled.

Raising one hand, Yahiko, as usual, forced a big smile and greeted them,

"Yoho! Nagato! Konan! I'm back!"

However, to Yahiko's surprise, he didn't see joy on Nagato's and Konan's faces. Instead, he saw expressions of fear.

"Uh... what's wrong with you two? Is my return that scary?"

Nagato, his body trembling, took a step forward, subtly shielding Konan behind him. He extended a shaking finger, pointing behind Yahiko.

"Yahiko... behind you..."

Yahiko quickly turned his head. Standing behind him was Uchiha Madara's tall figure!

Yahiko was terrified and fell backward with a "uwaah!" cry. The three children in the cave watched the suddenly appearing Uchiha Madara with fear and uncertainty.

Uchiha Madara's natural aura was already relatively cold and stern. Coupled with the fact that he had fought countless battles and killed countless people throughout his life, the fear he instilled in these three children when he stood expressionlessly behind Yahiko was immense.

Where could the three children, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, withstand Uchiha Madara's aura? Even if he stood there motionless, the slight aura that leaked out was enough to terrify the three little brats!

The three clever children could naturally see that Uchiha Madara was not a kind person. They didn't dare to move at all.

Uchiha Madara took the time to carefully observe the three children.

Uzumaki Nagato's eyes were ordinary eyes, not his own Rinnegan [Note: Rinnegan is a powerful and revered eye technique in the Naruto universe] that was about to awaken but was still a step away. The most striking feature was his bright red hair.

Konan, who was half-lying on the ground, had blue hair. Although she was a bit disheveled, it couldn't hide the delicate features of this little beauty.

As for the little brat Yahiko, compared to Nagato and Konan, he seemed rather ordinary.

Watching Uchiha Madara's gaze sweep over the three of them, finally landing on Yahiko who had fallen in front of Uchiha Madara, Konan, still burning with fever, couldn't suppress her worry and fear any longer.

She struggled to get up, grabbed the black bread that had just dried over the fire, and despite Nagato's attempts to stop her, ran between Yahiko and Uchiha Madara. Facing Uchiha Madara's stern face, she mustered her courage and timidly offered the black bread.

"Sir... Uncle! They went to steal bread, all for me! But I haven't eaten a bite of this bread, I'm giving it back to you! Please, please spare my companions..."

Konan had obviously misunderstood.

Looking at Konan's delicate face filled with fear before him, looking at the black bread she held out with trembling hands, Uchiha Madara's gaze changed, no longer as cold as before. He felt as if a string in his heart had been plucked.

Uchiha Madara let out a soft sigh in his heart:

Alas... I am ultimately not the cold-blooded Uchiha Madara from the original story...

Chapter end