Chapter 18: Definitely Not Your Meddling Neighbor
"If Kushina wakes up and finds you gone, she'll be very worried about you."
Namikaze Minato did not question why Rei was out so late, nor did he directly point out Rei's attempt to run away. Instead, he chose to lightly brush past the matter, using Kushina as the entry point to the conversation.
Minato knew very well that, in the heart of the girl before him, Kushina held a unique and irreplaceable place.
For a brief moment, Rei's expression wavered at Minato's words, as if there was a trace of unwillingness to make Kushina worry. But almost immediately, anger flared up in his eyes.
Under the moonlight, Rei's crimson pupils, red as fresh blood, glimmered brilliantly, as though tiny sparks were flickering and leaping within them.
"I was never a person of Konoha! I was never supposed to be here!"
Compared to Minato's calm demeanor, Rei's voice was sharp and piercing, shattering the stillness of the night.
Yet Rei's sharpness was like a blade sinking into cotton—it failed to provoke the slightest change in Minato's composure.
Minato was like a vast lake capable of accepting and containing all things. He spoke with a gentle steadiness:
"Although you did not grow up in Konoha, your mother was from here. Konoha is her homeland."
"And that means... this is also your homeland."
A thought flashed through Minato's mind.
He resolved to find a way to inform Lady Tsunade, who was currently traveling outside the village, about Rei's situation.
However, he had no means to contact Tsunade directly. The only option was to first tell Jiraiya-sensei and see if Jiraiya could find her, so that Rei's news could be passed along.
By bloodline alone, someone like Rei—who had awakened the Wood Release—was almost certainly closely related to the First Hokage.
Perhaps... Tsunade-sama might even be Rei's only remaining relative.
If that were the case, then perhaps Rei might willingly stay in Konoha and become one of its people.
With that thought, Minato noticed the tears glistening on Rei's face. He paused for a moment, then continued,
"You're very fond of Kushina, and Kushina likes you as well—not to mention Shisui..."
Softening his tone, Minato went on,
"You also have a relative—someone from the same clan as your mother. Don't you want to meet her?"
Rei's eyes shifted slightly, and a name surfaced in his mind.
His mother was a fictional descendant of the Senju Clan he had made up himself, so the only "same clan" could be Tsunade.
"Relative..."
Rei froze in place.
Tears slowly gathered at the tip of his chin before falling to the ground.
Amid the daze in his expression, there was also a faint yearning for family.
Minato, realizing that she had been moved, felt a wave of relief and sighed inwardly—after all, she was still just a child.
Only children constantly yearn for family ties and depend on bonds of blood.
"In a while, she will return to Konoha. When the time comes, go and meet her. Perhaps you'll learn more about your mother from her..."
Minato's words were almost too tempting to resist.
As an ignorant girl whose wits were never particularly sharp to begin with, Rei was successfully persuaded.
Minato caught the hesitation in Rei's face and smiled warmly.
"Go home and rest well. Before going to bed, Kushina said that tomorrow morning she's going to put her skills on full display for you!"
At the mention of Kushina's "full display," a bead of cold sweat slid down Minato's temple. He scratched the back of his head.
Although he knew he would inevitably have to step in and rescue the situation later, there was simply no way he could bring himself to dampen Kushina's enthusiasm.
Rei obediently followed Minato back to his own room.
After this little episode, Rei lay down contentedly and, under the influence of alcohol, soon drifted off to sleep.
By mid-morning, just as the sunlight was about to shine directly onto him, Rei abruptly sat up and dodged the incoming beam, then quickly dressed and stepped out of his room.
A familiar smell of eggs—mixed with the faint scent of something burnt—was wafting through the living room.
Rei instantly lost all expectations for Kushina's "full display."
"Rei! You're awake!"
Kushina bustled out of the kitchen in a flurry. When she saw Rei standing in the living room, her eyes darted toward the kitchen, and she gave a somewhat sheepish wave of her hand.
"Haha... as for breakfast... why don't you drink some milk first!"
Spotting the milk on the table, she seized it like a lifeline and handed it to Rei.
"Thank you."
After expressing his thanks, Rei took a sip under Kushina's sparkling gaze, then, still under that radiant stare, offered his verdict:
"It's... it's delicious!"
"That's wonderful!"
Kushina clenched her fists in pride at her own success.
Wearing an apron, Minato emerged from the kitchen carrying two plates.
"Vegetable pancakes, sandwiches, and grilled fish."
Setting down a breakfast that actually looked quite appetizing, Minato announced the menu.
Kushina pulled Rei into a seat beside her. Smiling warmly, she urged,
"Rei, hurry and taste it. After we eat, we'll go shopping for some daily necessities!"
Her gaze swept over Rei's kimono.
Although the kimono was beautiful, it wasn't practical for everyday life—and besides, Rei was a girl, and girls needed lovely clothes to change into.
In short, Rei had plenty of things that needed buying!
Kushina tried to contain the excitement bubbling in her chest.
After all, what girl could possibly resist the game of dressing up a doll?
And Rei was even prettier than a doll!
Completely unaware of why Kushina was so excited about buying daily necessities, Rei nodded—yet for some inexplicable reason, a chill ran down his spine.
It had to be Black Zetsu scheming something behind his back!
Rei mentally cursed Black Zetsu in every creative way he could think of before finally calming down.
"After we finish shopping, would you come with me to the hospital for my prenatal check-up?"
Resting her chin in her hand, Kushina blinked at Rei, making the request.
Rei was startled. For something as important as a prenatal check-up, was it really appropriate for an unrelated man to tag along?
He turned to look at Minato at the table—this was Kushina's idea, not his! He's not that meddling neighbor who gets involved in everyone's business.
Completely unaware of the wild scenarios running through Rei's mind, Minato merely shrugged helplessly and said apologetically to Kushina,
"I'm sorry! Work matters are holding me up today. I promise I'll be with you next month. For today, I'll have to trouble you, Rei!"
Namikaze Minato made the request with solemn sincerity.
Realizing that he was currently in the form of a young girl, Rei suddenly understood—being entrusted with accompanying a pregnant woman was probably an important duty for a girl.
Thus, he nodded as if accepting a significant mission.
"Alright!"
Minato and Kushina exchanged a knowing smile.
In Rei's mind, however, the little shadowy figure that represented his thoughts was grinning just as darkly.
A prenatal check-up, huh?
Perfect.
This way, I can see how my future "emergency rations" are developing!
You'd better grow up well, Naruto!
He cared about Naruto's growth even more than the Minato couple did.
The boy had to grow up fair, chubby, and full of life—that would be ideal!!
***