Engineer of the Gansekigan: Rebirth in the Village Hidden in the Rain

After the meeting with Hanzō, the leader of Amegakure, Kaito spent several weeks reorganizing his plans. Although the temporary peace he had achieved through his technology had brought benefits to the village, the shadow of war still loomed. The village, despite being protected by his ingenuity, was not exempt from being swept away by the winds of conflict.

It was during this period of relative calm that Tsunade, the legendary Sannin of Konoha, made her appearance, and with her, she brought a young girl with bright red hair and an energetic personality: Kushina Uzumaki, who was only eight years old. News of their arrival quickly spread through the village, but Kaito had already received a message from Hanzō. Recognizing the help Kaito had provided to Amegakure, Hanzō asked him to prepare to receive Konoha's delegation as part of a provisional alliance.

Fully aware of the importance of this visit, Kaito made his preparations, knowing that this meeting could be a turning point. The village had stabilized thanks to the technology he had introduced, but much was still at stake, and Tsunade's presence only emphasized the significance of what was about to happen.

When Tsunade and her companion arrived, Kaito couldn't help but notice how imposing the Sannin's presence was. Despite the years, Tsunade carried herself with a defiant posture that made her an impossible figure to ignore. Beside her, the young girl with messy red hair—Kushina Uzumaki—seemed much calmer than one would expect from a child so young, yet her eyes gleamed with insatiable curiosity.

"Kaito, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," Tsunade said, extending a hand in greeting while little Kushina looked around with bright, inquisitive eyes.

"The pleasure is mine, Tsunade-sama," Kaito responded with a respectful smile, trying to assess both the situation and the presence of the child accompanying her.

Upon seeing Kushina, Kaito couldn't shake the feeling that there was something peculiar about her. The girl stood out not only because of her striking red hair but also because of an uncontrollable energy that made her move and talk non-stop, asking questions about everything she saw. Though her behavior was somewhat relentless, something about her exuded an inner strength that didn't go unnoticed by Kaito.

Tsunade observed Kaito and then glanced at Kushina with a slight smile. The little girl seemed oblivious to the respect Tsunade commanded, completely absorbed in her surroundings.

"Kaito, this is Kushina, one of the few survivors of the former Uzushiogakure," Tsunade said, gently placing a hand on the child's shoulder.

Kaito, who had heard rumors about the fall of Uzushiogakure, studied Kushina more closely. The girl didn't seem to bear the physical scars of a difficult past, but her presence—her way of looking at everything around her—spoke of resilience and a deep desire to learn, which surprised Kaito.

Kushina, however, didn't stop asking questions about everything she saw.

"Is this what you do here?! That's amazing!!" she exclaimed, staring in fascination at the village's structures that Kaito had helped improve, from hydraulic systems to more complex constructions.

"Yes, this is what we've achieved here. Technology can change a village's fate," Kaito replied, trying to convey some of the vision he had pursued since his arrival.

Kushina, however, didn't seem to fully listen to his explanation. Instead, she ran toward a group of villagers working nearby, bombarding them with questions about the tools they were using. Tsunade, with an expression that was both tired and amused, followed her while Kaito observed them both.

Despite being just a child, Kushina seemed to have an unusual ability to absorb information. Though her energy was somewhat chaotic, Kaito felt a slight spark of admiration for her. It was as if he saw a reflection of his own youth in her, filled with curiosity and an eagerness to learn.

Konan, who had been watching from a distance, also took note of the girl. Though she said nothing aloud, something about Kushina's behavior unsettled her. In a world so full of uncertainties and changes, the presence of such a determined and energetic child made her feel an odd sense of insecurity, as if there was a hidden threat in her very existence.

Though the situation was not tense, Konan remained alert. She knew Kaito had welcomed Tsunade and her delegation for a reason. Hanzō had stated that strengthening ties with Konoha was necessary to ensure Amegakure's stability, but she couldn't ignore the possibility that other motives were at play.

Tsunade and Kaito eventually sat down to discuss the terms of a potential collaboration, while Kushina continued to explore the village with her boundless energy. Kaito took the opportunity to ask about Konoha's current situation, knowing that the Sannin was a reliable source of information. However, what interested him most was not just the exchange of technology, but the broader implications of Konoha's presence in Amegakure—especially if the war extended beyond the neighboring villages.

Meanwhile, Konan, noticing that Kushina was once again approaching Kaito, felt a slight pang of jealousy and concern. The girl had not only shown an unusual interest in Kaito, but she had also awakened a sense of unease that Konan hadn't anticipated. Despite her young age, Kushina seemed to possess an iron will—something that could become problematic in the future.

For her part, Kushina, entirely absorbed in everything she was discovering, remained oblivious to the glances she attracted. Her childlike mind was focused on one goal: learning. Amegakure, and everything Kaito had accomplished, was a new world she wanted to explore, and nothing could stop her.