Uchiha Tobirama was in the middle of explaining the principles of Paper Release's chakra nature transformation to Konan when he suddenly paused.
"Sensei? What's wrong?"
Konan blinked her large eyes, curiosity written all over her face.
Tobirama stroked his chin, brows lifting slightly.
"Tch… I was in too much of a hurry earlier. I forgot to bring something extra."
Since he had already taken Pakura away, leaving behind her apprentice—the girl who had always followed her around in the original timeline—would likely lead to a miserable end among that pack of ungrateful wolves in Sunagakure.
If he was going to do this, he might as well do it thoroughly.
A family should stay together.
"Konan, practice on your own for a bit. I'll be right back."
"Huh? You're leaving again?" Konan pouted, just about to protest—
Whoosh!
A flash of golden light.
The tall figure in front of her vanished without a trace.
Konan stared at the empty chair, then angrily crumpled the origami in her hand into a ball.
"Stupid Sensei!"
---
Land of Wind — the ruins of Sunagakure
Rasa was directing the surviving ninja as they cleared rubble and rescued the wounded.
His face was smeared with dust, exhaustion etched deep into his features.
The traitorous treaty he had just signed weighed on his chest like a mountain, making it hard to breathe.
But for the sake of the village, he endured.
Hum!
Space rippled.
A figure that made every Sunagakure ninja's soul tremble appeared before Rasa without warning.
"Waaah!!"
The ninja moving stones froze in terror—some dropped the rubble onto their own feet, others collapsed onto the ground, faces pale as death.
"He… he's back again!!"
"Is he going to break his word and kill us all?!"
Rasa's heart clenched. Suppressing his fear, he forced himself forward, voice shaking.
"Hokage-sama? Do you have further instructions? The reparations are already being prepared—really—"
Uchiha Tobirama waved a hand, cutting him off.
"Relax. I'm a man of my word. I said I wouldn't kill you, and I won't."
Rasa barely had time to exhale before Tobirama continued calmly:
"I just remembered something. That woman, Pakura—she has an apprentice, doesn't she?"
"Maki. That's her name, right?"
Rasa froze. Cold sweat instantly soaked his back.
Was he planning to wipe out the entire line…?
"Yes… there is such a child," Rasa answered, not daring to lie.
"Bring her here. Now."
The tone was calm, yet utterly unquestionable.
"Since the teacher has already come with me, there's no reason to leave the apprentice behind. I'll take her as well. That way, you won't have to look at her, or vent your anger on her."
Rasa's expression shifted repeatedly.
He had briefly considered that, with Pakura gone, her apprentice might still be used—
But facing this god of slaughter, how could he dare say no?
"Yes! Hurry—bring Maki here!" Rasa roared.
Less than two minutes later, a little girl of seven or eight was escorted over.
She wore Sunagakure's traditional clothing, clutching a scrap of cloth tightly, eyes filled with terror as she looked at the surrounding ruins—and at the man radiating overwhelming pressure.
"Hokage-sama… she's here," Rasa said with his head lowered.
Tobirama glanced at her.
Her talent was average, but she looked obedient—good enough to serve as Pakura's assistant in the future.
More importantly, she was leverage.
"Alright. I'm taking her."
He grabbed the girl by the back of her collar, lifting her up like a chick.
"Work hard, Kazekage Rasa. I have high hopes for you."
Whoosh!
Another flash of golden light.
He vanished.
Rasa collapsed onto the ground, gasping, his clothes drenched in cold sweat.
"This disaster… has finally left…"
---
Konoha — Uchiha Tobirama's residence
Whoosh!
Tobirama appeared in the living room, Maki in hand.
The little girl hadn't even processed what happened. One moment there was endless yellow sand, the next—soft lighting and refined furniture.
"We're here."
Tobirama set her down.
Maki shrank into the corner of the sofa, trembling. Tears pooled in her eyes, but she didn't dare cry.
Even at her age, she understood: the village was destroyed, her teacher taken, and now she had been captured by this devil.
"Stop shaking. I didn't hit you."
Tobirama casually tossed her a bag of snacks from the coffee table—apparently Konan's stash.
"Sit here and don't wander off. Your teacher Pakura will be back soon."
"Relax. I don't eat children."
With that, he turned and went upstairs.
Maki hugged the snacks, staring blankly at his retreating back. Hearing that her teacher would return eased her fear slightly.
---
Second floor — study
The moment Tobirama opened the door, a wave of resentment hit him.
Konan sat at the desk with her arms crossed, cheeks puffed out like a pufferfish, her back to the door.
Hearing him enter, she let out an exaggerated snort and turned her head away.
"Oh? Whose vinegar jar got knocked over?" Tobirama chuckled, poking her puffed cheek.
"You could hang a soy sauce bottle from that pout."
"Hmph!"
Konan slapped his hand away and spun around, eyes brimming with grievance.
"Sensei is a big bad guy!"
"You were teaching me ninjutsu, then suddenly ran off—to catch another girl!"
"The one downstairs, and earlier sending that big-breasted sister to find Lady Tsunade—it's all the same!"
"Do you think Konan is disobedient, so you want to replace me as your apprentice?"
The more she spoke, the more upset she became.
To her, Tobirama was everything. She was a stray child who had been taken in, and what she feared most was being abandoned again.
Tobirama's expression softened.
He bent down, cupping her small face so she had to look into his eyes.
"Silly girl. What nonsense are you thinking?"
"Those people are maids or tools."
"But you are different."
"You are my only personal disciple—and half the mistress of this house."
"Understand?"
Konan's face flushed instantly.
"The only… disciple?"
"Half… mistress?"
"R-really?"
"When have I ever lied to you?" Tobirama ruffled her blue-purple hair.
"That child downstairs is just company for your maid, so she behaves."
"As for you—focus on growing stronger. In this ninja world, no one will bully you… except me."
"Mhm!!"
Konan nodded hard, all jealousy instantly gone.
She threw herself into Tobirama's arms, rubbing her face against his robe.
"Konan likes Sensei the most!"
"In the future, Konan will get strong too—and help Sensei discipline the maids!"
Tobirama laughed helplessly.
"This kid… she's adapting to the role awfully fast."
Just then, the sound of the front door opening echoed from downstairs.
"Looks like the main cast is back."
He patted Konan's back.
"Come on. Let's go watch."
---
First floor — living room
Tsunade entered with Pakura.
Pakura looked terrible—eyes hollow, movements stiff.
On the way, the prosperity of Konoha compared to Sunagakure's ruins had crushed her remaining resolve.
But the moment her eyes landed on the sofa—
She froze.
"Maki!!"
Her voice cracked.
The little girl looked up, burst into tears, and ran straight into Pakura's arms.
"Teacher!!"
Pakura hugged her tightly, shaking.
Then she looked up at Tobirama descending the stairs, fury and fear blazing in her eyes.
"Uchiha Tobirama!"
"You promised me!" she shouted. "You said if I went with you, you'd spare the others!"
"She's just a child! Why did you take her?!"
"Demon! Take it out on me—don't touch her!"
Tsunade sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"This guy… he really doesn't waste time."
Tobirama looked down at Pakura, amused.
"What are you yelling for?"
"I'm doing this for your own good."
"For my own good?!" Pakura trembled. "You kidnapped my apprentice for my own good?!"
"Otherwise?"
He stepped closer, each step pounding on her heart.
"If I'd left her in Sunagakure, do you think the people who sold you out would treat her well?"
"She'd be ostracized—or worse—by tomorrow."
"I brought her here. She has food, shelter, and you."
"And you're scolding me?"
Pakura froze.
She hadn't thought that far.
Rasa had sold her—what future could Maki have had?
"…You really won't hurt her?" she asked softly, almost begging.
"As long as you're obedient and do your job."
"In Konoha, she'll live far better than she ever would in the Land of Wind."
Pakura's strength gave out.
She collapsed, clutching Maki, tears pouring freely.
"Thank you… thank you, Master…"
This gratitude was real.
From that moment on, her final emotional defenses crumbled.
Tsunade looked at Tobirama with complicated eyes.
"You really are good at manipulating people."
"You kidnap someone, then make it look like you saved her."
Tobirama shrugged, pulled Tsunade into his arms, and sat down.
"That's called personal charisma."
"Alright. Everyone's here."
"Tsunade, report casualties—then we eat."
"Pakura, help in the kitchen."
"Yes… right away."
Pakura wiped her tears, comforted Maki, and walked meekly toward the kitchen.
There was no resistance left in her heart.