The time has come...

After having talked with Araki, the three went over to Minato's direction. They were a little curious about him considering he was the apprentice of their sensei.

Minato noticed them and greeted them with a smile, "Hello, I am Namikaze Minato. It's nice to meet you three."

"I am Yahiko!" Yahiko spoke his name with a hint of excitement in his voice. It was certainly strange to know that he was the leader.

"Konan," Konan stated her name a little indifferently.

"And I am Uzumaki Nagato." Nagato was keeping his face neutral. Minato did notice his eyes, but he didn't know about the Rinnegan, so he didn't think much of it. Other than the fact that Nagato's eyes were strange.

"Hanzo said that you were Jiraiya-sensei's apprentice. Is that really true? Where is Jiraiya-sensei at the moment?" Naturally, it was Yahiko who asked this question.

Minato's eyes narrowed at the words Jiraiya-Sensei, and he asked them, "Jiraiya-sensei? You are also Jiraiya-sensei's students?"

"Yes, Jiraiya-sensei taught us for 3 years during the Second Shinobi War. We are very grateful to his teachings." It was Nagato who replied to Minato's question.

"Jiraiya-sensei did? That's awfully kind of him to have taken some time out of his research and teach someone." Minato replied with a blank expression.

To this, Nagato and Konan groaned, recalling the memories of their self proclaimed 'super' pervert sensei.

However, Yahiko's eyes glinted with a strange light, "Hehehe… I remember when he was peeping on the ladies bathing in the hot springs, and I shouted out for the ladies claiming that an old pervert was peeping on them. Jiraiya-sensei was beaten really badly."

Minato internally winced as he wondered just how much beating Jiraiya had taken. But it was strange how the beatings would do little to change his character or habit. It was practically mind-boggling.

With that, the three continued to talk about each other, sharing their experiences. Minato kept the part of joining the Senju Clan a secret from these three. He simply mentioned that Isao was helping him learn a seal.

Meanwhile, Isao met up with Araki.

The first thing Isao said to Araki was an apology, "I apologise, Araki-sama. I know I made an impulsive decision back then since Nagato is an Uzumaki. I am willing to take on any punishment regarding this trouble."

Araki merely rolled his eyes, "That can't be called trouble. Well, it can. But not for me. So don't worry about it too much. Go say sorry to the Third Hokage for that…"

"Besides, since you all people like to think of yourself as family, it would have been stranger if you didn't want to help him out. You made the correct decision, Isao." Araki gave him a smile.

And just as Isao was about to speak something, he was forced to swallow those words as Araki added, "It makes me happy that you called out for me when the situation turned dire. If you hadn't, perhaps you would have been imprisoned or died. Even if I had taken revenge for you by turning the entire Ame into a graveyard, it still wouldn't have been enough compensation."

The words spoken by Araki were said in such a gentle yet confident tone that he immensely believed in his own power. It seemed he was optimistic in destroying the entire Hidden Village of Rain if he really did show off his full potential.

Isao understood what Araki wanted to say and let out a sigh. It seemed that he was worried about nothing.

With that, the whole group returned to Konoha. Although Yamanaka Clan Members felt the appearance of some strange chakras entering Konoha, they also sensed Senju Araki's chakra.

From what they could sense, these people were being escorted by Senju Araki. It seemed that there wouldn't be an issue. The Yamanaka Clan didn't have bad relations with the Senju Clan; they could always ask about it later.

With that, the Akatsuki Members were given a residence a little close to the Senju Clan Manor. Every Akatsuki Member, including Nagato, was asked to live there.

Although as an Uzumaki, Nagato could indeed come to live in the Senju Clan Manor. His appearance could cause a disturbance among the Uzumaki Clan Members.

He had kept the fact of Uzumaki Clan for so many years. This was still not the correct time to reveal it.

After all, not even Tsunade knew that almost every Senju Clan Member was an Uzumaki Clan Member.

When she asked why they all had such profound sealing knowledge, Araki mentioned that Uzumaki Hisihn had provided him with quite a lot of sealing books and other things. He had given it to the clan members, and they had enhanced their knowledge of sealing quite quickly.

Although Tsunade wasn't entirely convinced, she didn't pursue this matter any longer.

Araki was going to mention about Nagato only to a few Uzumaki Clan Members in secret. Perhaps some of them might know of his parents, and if they did, well and good. And if they didn't, well, not his problem.

He was going to reveal it to all the Uzumaki Members secretively, making sure that Tsunade doesn't get a hint of it. Well, even if she does… it's not like she would do anything. But he believed it would be better to keep it hidden from Tsunade.

Anyway, as he met up with Kushina, she asked him a little curiously, "Where did you go? I couldn't sense you in the area even when I used Kurama's Negative Emotion sensing skill."

"You think I have negative emotions in me? Aww… My wife hurts me with her cruel words." Araki jokingly said to her with a smile.

To this, Kushina simply snorted in response, "Even that fox gets scared of the hatred in your heart."

At that moment, Kushina heard an angry yell in her mindscape 'Stupid brat! I don't get scared! You want to fight again?!'

Kushina replied to with equal fierceness 'Any time you want! I will make sure to tear you apart with my chains this time!'

It seemed that their rivalry had undergone a great change. Kushina wanted to train and fight against some people and who better to fight than the Nine-Tailed Beast?

So, poor Kurama would be bullied by Kushina and her chains. Provided he could suppress her as well, but if he used more than a particular amount of power, the seal would break, and he would get out of Kushina's body quite forcibly.

Kushina told Araki that Kurama was shouting at her and said to him that he probably wanted another beating. At this, Araki couldn't help but laugh out loud. Every time he visited Kurama, his interactions with Kushina would make him laugh a lot.

Araki slowly stopped laughing and then said, "Alright Kushina, the time has come…"

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Kushina asked with a rather curious voice.

"It's finally time to free Kurama," Araki said with a decisive tone.

At this, Kushina and Kurama's eyes both widened at the same time. Kurama wanted to take control of Kushina to ask Araki "Are you serious?! I am finally going to be free?!"