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Afterward, the interrogation department personnel conducted a thorough inspection and verification, and repeatedly cross-referenced intelligence, before releasing Sawara Kiri from the Hokage Building.
He was also given a severe disciplinary action for dereliction of duty.
Additionally, the ground he damaged needed to be re-leveled, and the cost of destroying the barrier keystone was over six million Ryo—and even that was after Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped in and got him a 70% discount, selling it at a loss.
Fortunately, Sawara Kiri knew Lady Tsunade, that big fat sheep, otherwise he really wouldn't know where to get that much money.
Ultimately, he fled in disarray under the resentful gazes of the Sealing Squad members who were forced to work overtime.
"You worked hard, Kiri-kun."
Namikaze Minato smiled helplessly, patting his shoulder in comfort: "Although I don't know whether to call it good news or bad news, we should be transferred to the front line very soon, so mission bonuses will be indispensable."
"If it's Kiri, a bill of a few million Ryo will surely be paid off quickly."
"Kuhahahahahaha—!"
On the other hand, Uzumaki Kushina next to him was laughing so loudly that tears were almost squeezed out of her eyes.
"Isn't this guy super wronged! Hardly anyone knew about that barrier over there, and they're actually charging money for breaking it? Puh-kuh-kuh-kuh…"
"Kushina!" Minato repeatedly pulled her, lowering his voice, "That barrier was built to protect you."
"Ga?"
The Red-Hot Habanero's laughter suddenly stopped.
Sawara Kiri also looked at her, quite helpless.
He completely couldn't understand this idiot's inexplicable sense of humor.
"You've worked hard, Minato."
Sawara Kiri thought to himself, glancing behind him. During their leisurely stroll and chat, there were at least thirty Anbu and Sealing Squad members around them—this was also thanks to the nearby South Naka River bank, which was almost the edge of the Village, otherwise the number would likely increase.
Clearly, the Hokage Building was quite uneasy about Uzumaki Kushina, who was in a dangerous state.
"Oh, right, what Ninjutsu were you practicing back then?" Miss Kushina's skin was clearly quite thick. After only a brief moment of embarrassment, she looked at him curiously again, patting her boyfriend's shoulder, "Minato was so scared back then, he grabbed me and wanted to run!"
"He clearly hadn't even mastered his Flying Thunder God yet, and he wanted to take someone with him!"
Sawara Kiri was somewhat surprised: "Flying Thunder God Technique? The rumored ultimate technique of the Second Hokage?"
He started learning it from this time, huh…
"Yes, but the spatial transfer Sealing Technique designed by the Second Hokage is indeed a bit difficult," Minato said, his tone quite dejected. He had put in a lot of effort these past few days.
Because of this difficulty, he had been practicing for almost two months and had only just managed independent spatial displacement, still far from the effortless mastery of the later stages.
However, thanks to Kushina being by his side, Minato was currently trying to simplify a part of that Sealing Technique with her.
"Speaking of which, I heard from Hatake-sama that Kiri has also been studying Sealing Technique these past few days, right?" Minato turned to look at him, "How's the progress?"
"The basics are mostly done," Sawara Kiri thought for a moment, "In a few more days, I should go to Lady Tsunade's place to look for advanced types… but I haven't had any leads yet."
He still had two requests pending with Tsunade, but he hesitated on what to choose.
Sawara Kiri always had a relatively clear understanding of his own situation.
Although in terms of destructive power alone, perhaps only Ōnoki, who wielded Dust Release, could compare to him in the entire Ninja World, he still had many weaknesses.
Poisons, Genjutsu, Sealing Technique, Space-Time Ninjutsu, Jinchuriki, strange Kekkei Genkais, the instant-death Ninjutsu of the Evil God, the Ōtsutsuki clan members hidden in the Ninja World and the spatial rift…
The Ninja World had countless strange and exotic abilities, and he didn't know if he could cope with all of them.
Even now, his three most important Hidden Mist seals on his body had not yet been undone.
The fact that Hidden Mist hadn't discovered they'd been tricked didn't mean he himself could ignore it.
It was truly a headache.
Sawara Kiri didn't realize that he had now taken it for granted to place Hidden Mist in an adversarial position.
"Hey! Wait a minute!" As he was thinking, he saw Kushina huffily squeeze between the two of them, "I was clearly the one asking you just now!"
"Kushina…" Minato sighed, raising a finger, "It's impolite to casually inquire about other people's Ninjutsu."
He had almost managed to steer the conversation away just now.
In the future, when he was with Kushina, he needed to remind her to be more careful.
Thinking this, Minato still couldn't bring himself to be angry.
Ever since becoming a Jinchuriki, Kushina hadn't interacted with anyone other than her supervisors for a long time, always remaining somewhat childish, just like she was in the Ninja Academy.
Being in such a semi-secluded state for a long time, a slight oversight in social etiquette was inevitable.
He couldn't help but feel a bit of pity for her.
However, just as he was about to apologize to Sawara Kiri, he saw him wave his hand indifferently, and chuckled casually:
"It's fine."
"It's just a technique that's still under development."
"Minato doesn't need to be so strict," Sawara Kiri smiled gently, "It's just a casual chat between friends, no need to worry so much."
"See, see! Sawara even said so."
Kushina immediately beamed, nudging Minato's waist with her elbow.
"That's just because Kiri-kun is easier to talk to, isn't it?"
Minato still had that 'I can't do anything with you' expression, looking at Kiri with an apologetic smile.
But the next moment, Sawara Kiri's gaze suddenly froze, and his footsteps involuntarily stopped.
"Sawara's Book of Friends: Character 'Namikaze Minato' acquired."
"Bond Level Increased ↑"
"Namikaze Minato Bond Level: Zero → One"
A prompt suddenly popped up on the blank panel.
At the same time, the white halo above his head also displayed corresponding text as the bond level increased.
"Namikaze Minato's Emotional Entanglement (Shallow)"
"When I return to the battlefield, Kushina will probably be alone again, won't she?"
"If she could make more friends, would she not show that lonely and sad expression like before?"
As expected of you, Konoha's Eternal Cupid.
Sawara Kiri thought, looking at Namikaze Minato with a very subtle gaze.
You little rascal…?
When I told you to learn Rasengan before, you had zero bond, but a few compliments to Kushina and it immediately increased, huh?
Immediately following that, he thought of another matter.
Wait?!
This broken system isn't 'Assisting Lord Sawara Kiri in Conquering the Entire Ninja World's Beauty Roster for a Hundred Years of Fling Recollections - Grand Reversal Number Zero-Zero-One', but actually the 'Sawara's Book of Friends'?
"Hmm?"
Noticing his movement, Minato subconsciously turned to look at him.
Sawara Kiri thought to himself, and suddenly changed the subject:
"Minato!"
"I remember Uzumaki should be very skilled in Sealing Technique, right?"
"Next time, if it's convenient, can I bring Megumi to learn with us?" He said, tapping his head, "If I try to figure it out by myself, the efficiency will indeed be very low."
"It would be even better if someone could guide us."
Namikaze Minato's eyes suddenly lit up upon hearing this.
Kiri-kun, even though he knows Kushina is a dangerous person who will be forcibly confined in a barrier, he doesn't care at all?
With a shift in thought, Minato understood.
That's right.
With Kiri's strength, he truly didn't need to care.
"Indeed."
"Speaking of which, thank you again for that development note on Ninjutsu without hand signs. If possible, I also hope you can help with the teaching."
Minato thought this, and immediately offered a stepping stone.
However, he still turned his head to look at the girl beside him, seeking her opinion: "Kushina, what do you think?"
"Eh? Is it okay?"
However, at this moment, the usually carefree girl became a bit hesitant: "My control over 'that' isn't really perfect yet, what if I lose control…"
"Don't worry."
Sawara Kiri smiled confidently: "It's very difficult to touch me."
"That's what he said," Namikaze Minato tilted his head, looking at Kushina, who rarely showed such a cute worried expression.
As if noticing the subtle tacit agreement between the two of them, Kushina's inner boldness immediately returned, and she stood with her hands on her hips, boldly:
"Then if you two get hurt later, don't blame me!"
"Honestly!"
"That's me and Minato's super rare date time, and you choose this moment to interrupt, what an insensitive guy!"
Although the girl said this, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved upwards—who would like to be treated as a 'monster' and be avoided?
Seeing this, Kiri and Minato exchanged a knowing smile.
This is how you deal with Kushina.
Thinking this, Namikaze Minato's gaze towards him also unconsciously carried a hint of goodwill.
Deep down in his heart, the slight suspicion that had arisen earlier due to Sawara Kiri's 'long-term concealment of his strength' finally completely dissipated at this moment.
Kiri is so good to Kushina, he definitely isn't a bad person.
Konoha Great Prison, B6.
After receiving the interrogation department's 'Interrogation Report on Sawara Kiri's Destruction of the Barrier,' Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a long time, then still walked down the steps to this place with a heavy heart.
This was the most heavily guarded and strictly monitored underground prison in all of Konoha.
From top to bottom, there were a total of seventy-two large barriers, and from the surface to the underground, there were various Sealing Techniques, which had been built from the time of the First Hokage until his own tenure was completed.
Even the First Hokage… the Second Hokage… cough, even Sarutobi Hiruzen himself, would find it very difficult to break through the layers of defense and escape from the deepest part of this prison.
Now, Shimura Danzo was imprisoned in the lowest level here.
However, contrary to everyone's imagination.
The sanitary conditions on this sixth underground floor were actually quite good. Even the cells, which were covered with various Sealing Techniques, had quite spacious interiors, though there was no privacy.
Shimura Danzo, with one arm severed, sat cross-legged on a stone bed. There was also a small table on the bed, laden with various dishes and wine.
Even in such a place, his treatment was not bad.
However, the moment he saw Sarutobi Hiruzen's footsteps stop in front of his cell, Shimura Danzo's face slowly fell.
He watched his old friend with a cold, single eye, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm:
"Hiruzen."
"Have you finally come to kill me?"
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