"These separate strands of Tailed Beast Chakra still long to return to their original forms and haven't merged with me..."
Aomi cast a glance at the Nine Tomoe Rinnegan Sharingan, unconcerned by it.
The chakra of the Four-tails, Five-tails, and even Nine-tails within him wasn't something Aomi planned to use for himself; it was more like a snack intended for teasing Kaguya...
The only possibility for a connection with the Nine-tails Chakra was...
Kushina and the Nine-tails were inside this dumpling shop.
Aomi walked towards the dumpling shop, looked at the sign and its location, and couldn't help but smile.
This was opened by Inada Kojiro...
This student of Ninja School, who once took the Will of Fire exam for Senju Tobirama, had become a small business owner, running a thriving trade with Aomi's support.
Aomi gently lifted the curtain and entered the shop, looking around with great interest.
Uzumaki Kushina was sitting at a table, enjoying dumplings one skewer at a time.
Inada Kojiro was busy welcoming customers, looking overwhelmed, but his face beamed with a sense of fulfillment, clearly enjoying his work.
Senju Tobirama blinked and recognized the unlucky child who had taken the blame for him as a "Zero-Point Hokage."
A familiar face indeed...
Back then, Senju Tobirama wanted Aomi to help make Inada Kojiro a ninja.
Aomi didn't do that but instead gave him a rent-free store, allowing Inada Kojiro to pursue his dream of opening a dumpling shop.
At the time, Senju Tobirama didn't understand...
But stepping into the shop and seeing the busy, fulfilled owner, the customers' praise, and enjoyment, filled Senju Tobirama's heart with warmth and brought a smile to his face.
How wonderful...
What a beautiful scene.
Inada Kojiro glanced up as he was serving and saw a familiar figure. His heart skipped a beat, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Lord Aomi, what brings you here!"
"Long time no see, Kojiro-kun."
Aomi greeted him with a smile, "Looks like business is doing well?"
Aomi waved to the other diners, signaling for everyone to continue eating normally, and the villagers of Konoha nodded knowingly, though excitement was evident on their faces.
"Thanks to you, business is getting better!"
Inada Kojiro proudly reported to Aomi, "The rent I'll be paying you next month is worth two S-rank missions!"
Uzumaki Kushina was about to get up to greet Aomi but was shocked by hearing such words...
Just making dumplings, earning as much as two S-rank missions in a month?
This makes more money than many Jonin and is much safer...
The dumpling shop owner is truly not what he seems!
"What's the matter, Kojiro? Do you think the rent is too high?"
Aomi chuckled, teasingly said, "We're classmates; if you find it burdensome, I can reduce it."
"Lord Aomi, that's not what I meant at all!"
Inada Kojiro straightened his chest and said firmly, "Paying rent to you is my honor!"
"Are you here for dumplings? Please have a seat, Lord Aomi. I'll make you the freshest ones right away!"
Aomi smiled wryly and said sincerely:
"What's honorable about paying me rent? Have ambition, Kojiro. I hope to see you buy the store and truly become your own boss..."
Inada Kojiro just giggled dumbly, catching sight of Aomi's red and white hair, a flash of worry crossing his eyes, but he said nothing.
After bowing deeply and respectfully to Aomi, Inada Kojiro quickly headed to the kitchen to personally prepare the signature dumplings for Aomi.
Watching Inada Kojiro's movements, Senju Tobirama was slightly surprised.
The smooth steps and quick pace showed the foundation of a seasoned Chunin's movement...
Isn't it a waste for such talent to be just a dumpling shop owner?
But watching Inada Kojiro's spirited work, Senju Tobirama thought a lot.
If Inada Kojiro had become a Chunin, he wouldn't be able to earn as much as two S-rank missions in a month, and Konoha would lose a great dumpling shop...
Considering the subtle air of normalcy in a wartime dumpling shop, the Second Hokage pondered.
"Aomi, come sit with me!" Kushina warmly invited Aomi, signaling him to sit by her, "Haven't seen you in a long time!"
Aomi accepted the invitation and sat across from Kushina, "How has it been staying in the village lately?"
"It's been both good and not so good..."
Kushina shook her head sadly:
"Life in the village is just eating, training, and sleeping. There's nothing particularly bad about it, but every time I hear war reports, I get so tense that I can't sleep."
"Thank you, Aomi... If you hadn't gone to support the Hidden Rock Battlefield, I don't know how Minato would have dealt with those two Jinchuriki and all those troops."
During the days with the Nine-tails.
The big fox, having nothing much to do, would chat with Kushina. Though, under Aomi's mediation, the Nine-tails had some restraints lifted, allowing it to rest freely rather than be suspended in a sealed space, its habit of messing with people hadn't changed.
The Nine-tails, knowing Namikaze Minato had to face the Four-tails and Five-tails, carefully explained the characteristics of its two kin to Kushina.
One is a lava-controlling monkey, extremely countering Taijutsu ninja...
The other wields steam power, possessing unparalleled monster strength, the Pig Horse...
Kushina, scared by the Nine-tails, worried daily for Minato's safety.
Even knowing Minato had the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, against such defensive enemies, Kushina knew her lover had no effective counter; this was Namikaze Minato's biggest vulnerability.
Fortunately...
News from the front came that Aomi had resolved both Jinchuriki of the Hidden Rock at once!
After learning this, the Nine-tails and Kushina both had mixed feelings.
Kushina was very grateful for Aomi's support, but she also felt a bit sorry for Namikaze Minato, as the position of Hokage would henceforth be out of reach.
The Nine-tails developed a clearer understanding of Aomi's power, realizing his ocular and combat abilities weren't just for show, perhaps more terrifying than it had imagined.
Aomi waved his hand, "It's all for the sake of Konoha, no need to thank me."
Kushina sighed, "Aomi, you've worked so hard for the village..."
Still, Kushina couldn't help but scrutinize Aomi's hair color with some curiosity.
No matter how hard one works, it's not enough to turn a young man with black hair into someone with a full head of white hair in about a year, right?
Aomi's white hair was somewhat unique.
Not the aged gray-white, but a luxurious red-white...
What's going on here?
Kushina pondered, a thought suddenly occurring in her mind...
White hair and Aomi...
Reminded Kushina of the time she learned about the appearance of the former Hokage, Senju Tobirama, in Ninja School's textbooks!
He also had white hair!
Kushina's pupils trembled as she cautiously asked Aomi:
"Aomi, why has your hair turned this color? It sort of looks like the Second Hokage; you should be careful..."
"Have you been feeling unwell lately?"
With her standing, Kushina didn't know how to deal with such an absurd situation...
On one side, the former Hokage; on the other, Aomi, who saved Minato.
Torn, Kushina could only do her best to remind Aomi to take care...
Upon hearing this, Senju Tobirama's face turned dark, misunderstanding that this little Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had about him!
Aomi shook his head, "It's nothing, Kushina, don't worry..."
The tone of liberation in his words made Kushina feel uneasy.
Had the Will of Fire betrayed Aomi somehow?