Naruto: I Became a Sword Saint in Konoha

Tsunade's sudden shout jolted the few Konoha shinobi who hadn't yet fallen asleep. Even though the battle with Hanzō had ended, they were still on a war-torn battlefield—no one dared let down their guard.

Jiraiya peered toward the cave entrance and muttered,

"Don't get too worked up—it's just kids."

Ever-cautious, Orochimaru frowned.

"Even a mouse is still a rat. We can't let them just scurry away."

Feeling the tense shift in the atmosphere inside the cave, Konan and Nagato shrank back behind the rock pillar, their small bodies trembling uncontrollably.

Yahiko had once admired the Konoha shinobi from afar. But now, up close, he could feel the immense pressure they radiated. Even he, the bravest among the three, found his legs going weak. He couldn't move an inch.

Hoshiyomi sensed the three little chakra signatures hiding behind the stone. He glanced at Jiraiya with a curious expression, then suddenly turned toward the cave entrance and said playfully:

"If you don't come out now… we're going to attack you!"

The Konoha shinobi immediately recognized it as a joke, but to the three hiding children, it was terrifying.

Konan whimpered, her voice barely audible:

"Yahiko… let's run…"

Yahiko looked at her tearful eyes, then at Nagato, who was quietly staring at the ground, paralyzed by fear.

He clenched his teeth.

He was their leader. He had to protect them—his little brother and sister, no matter what.

That thought sparked a strange strength within him. His legs stopped shaking. He stood tall, raised both hands in the air, and walked out slowly.

"Please don't hurt us… I only wanted some food."

Seeing Yahiko's thin, malnourished figure, the Konoha shinobi visibly relaxed. He was clearly just a child—frail, underfed, and utterly non-threatening.

Jiraiya instinctively asked,

"Where are your parents?"

Yahiko couldn't meet Jiraiya's eyes. But after a moment, he answered honestly:

"They were killed in the war. By shinobi."

Jiraiya's hand tightened into a fist.

He was the most carefree and unruly of the four—but also the most sensitive.

This child's parents hadn't died by his hand, but they were still casualties of the war that he was part of. How many others like Yahiko had lost everything because of it? How many children had been orphaned?

A wave of guilt washed over him.

And it was that sensitivity, that inner conflict, that made Jiraiya place so much faith in the Great Toad Sage's prophecy. Deep down, he believed that the child who would bring peace—the Child of Prophecy—would be born here, in the Land of Rain.

Jiraiya smiled gently and reached into his cloak, offering the boy a biscuit.

"Here. Take it."

"R-Really?" Yahiko hesitated, glancing up cautiously at Jiraiya, trying to read his face. Seeing only kindness, he then looked toward the rest of the cave.

The Konoha shinobi had already relaxed, returning to their small talk and casual rest.

Only then did Yahiko feel safe. He turned back toward the rock pillar and called out:

"It's okay! You can come out now, Konan, Nagato!"

After a few seconds, two small heads peeked out. Once they were sure it was safe, they rushed forward and snatched the biscuit from Jiraiya's hand in a flash.

Seeing that Tsunade also held some rations, they paused—then glanced up at her uncertainly. When she didn't react with hostility, they worked up the nerve to grab all the food in her hands as well.

After all… if it had been offered, taking more wasn't too rude, right?

Tsunade stared at her now-empty hands, stunned for a second. Then she smiled with a mix of exasperation and amusement, turning to Hoshiyomi:

"They remind me of Nawaki. No shame at all, huh?"

Hoshiyomi laughed as well. He tossed the packet of biscuits he was holding and asked:

"I've still got more. You want them?"

The three kids exchanged glances, unsure whether it would be impolite to take more. Finally, Yahiko stepped forward, scratching his head shyly.

"Thank you!" he said brightly, holding out both hands.

Then he gave Hoshiyomi a subtle 'gimme' gesture with his fingers.

Hoshiyomi grinned and placed the food in Yahiko's hands.

"Go ahead. Eat up."

The three children stared at the growing pile of biscuits in their arms, then looked at one another and burst into grins.

They quickly retreated back behind the pillar, eating as they whispered excitedly among themselves.

To the Konoha shinobi, they were just a few kids. Jiraiya and the others didn't think much of it.

Hoshiyomi, however, did take notice—but he had no intention of taking them on as disciples.

For one, he'd already accepted Minato as his student. Taking on more, especially three, wouldn't sit right with him.

Secondly, he still planned to remain on the battlefield. The war was the perfect crucible to sharpen his skills. He was eager to see how powerful he could become by the end of it.

Lastly—and most importantly—he didn't like Nagato.

Even knowing that Nagato's descent into darkness in the original timeline was born of tragedy and manipulation, Hoshiyomi still couldn't forgive him for killing his own teacher, Jiraiya.

He had no intention of becoming their sensei. But he also wouldn't look away.

When the day came that these three created the Akatsuki, Hoshiyomi expected to be a figure of immense influence—perhaps even one capable of reshaping Konoha itself.

And when that time came… he wanted to see whether Nagato, in a changed world, would still become the man he did in the original timeline.

While Hoshiyomi pondered, the children were busy discussing him.

Yahiko took another bite of biscuit and said:

"I've decided—I'm going to ask to become his student!"

Konan and Nagato looked at each other in shock.

"Are you crazy?" Konan said. "They're Konoha shinobi. No matter how nice they seem, there's no way they'd take us in!"

But Yahiko was firm.

"I want to become a ninja. Without that power, I can't save this country. You saw what happened before—how I begged that ninja squad in the village, and they just ignored me."

Who knows how long it'll take for the Rain Village to notice me. But this—this is a chance. I have to try."

This is our chance. I don't care how slim it is. I have to try!"

Then he smiled.

"They seem like good people. Even if they say no, I doubt they'll kill me, right? I've got nothing to lose—so why not?"

This time, Yahiko was more determined than ever. Without even consulting Konan or Nagato, he got up and marched straight toward the Konoha shinobi.

Konan and Nagato had no choice. They shared one last look… and followed close behind.