The afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves overhead, scattering into fragments as it fell upon Namikaze Kaoru, who was asleep with her back against the tree trunk.
The breeze stirred the leaves, producing a soft, rustling melody unique to the forest.
It brushed past Kaoru's golden bangs, revealing her fair forehead—like a wind spirit gently playing with her hair.
Kyūko squatted beside her, bored out of his mind.
His gaze drifted to her delicate sleeping face, and before he realized it, his heartbeat sped up.
…As expected of Namikaze Minato.
Even asleep, she's this pretty.
—Wait.
Hold on.
Am I getting something seriously wrong here?
Women really do slow down the speed at which I draw my sword!
"Mm~"
Kaoru let out a soft, adorable sound and slowly opened her drowsy eyes.
The first thing she saw—
Was Kyūko staring straight at her.
Her mind instantly jumped to that strange Hyūga girl from earlier, the one who claimed to be Nao-nee's daughter.
Wife-raising plan…
Kaoru's face flushed crimson in an instant.
She looked at the boy before her, those sky-blue eyes filled with panic.
"Ky… Kyūko, y-you… what are you doing…?"
Her thoughts were completely hijacked by that phrase.
She subconsciously shrank back, fear bubbling up—
And yet, for some reason…
There was also the faintest hint of anticipation.
The realization alone made her want to die of embarrassment.
What am I thinking?!
That's ridiculous!
But… but if it were Kyūko…
Completely unaware of the storm raging in her head, Kyūko raised a hand and extended two fingers toward her.
Kaoru's pupils trembled as she stared at his approaching hand, her face burning.
D-don't tell me…
Don't tell me he really means—
His fingers gently tapped her smooth forehead.
"It's time to train."
He smiled.
The wind spirit lifted the boy's red hair—
And, in the same breath, stirred the girl's restless heart.
Kaoru stared at him blankly, then slowly buried her face into her knees, leaving only those bright blue eyes peeking out shyly.
"…Okay. I know…"
Her voice was muffled, but still soft and pleasant.
"Where's… Nao-nee…?"
Hearing the question, Kyūko sighed helplessly.
"She sent that troublemaker back to the clan. She should be back soon."
Looking at the girl—utterly unaware of how adorable she was—Kyūko felt his supposedly hardened heart betray him with a violent thump.
If I draw my sword too fast…
Won't I end up burning myself?
Seriously…
It was almost as if this were all fated.
For four whole years, Kyūko had deliberately avoided this girl.
Yet because of Sarutobi Hiruzen's decision, they'd been placed side by side—
And then that rebellious Hyūga Hinata had gone and pushed things even further.
Fate.
The word surfaced unbidden in Kyūko's mind.
Just like how Namikaze Minato would always love Uzumaki Kushina—
So deeply that he was willing to give up his life and follow her into death.
This Namikaze Kaoru was the same.
From the very first meeting, she'd instinctively developed feelings for Uzumaki Kyūko—as if guided by something unseen.
Like invisible hands correcting the trajectory of destiny, forcibly dragging a derailed future back onto its proper track.
That realization filled Kyūko with unease—and fear.
If things truly couldn't be changed…
Then forget the Fourth Shinobi World War.
He wouldn't even survive the disaster fourteen years from now.
Yet even as fear churned in his chest, the sight of Kaoru—so close, so tempting—made his heart stir with the hormones of youth.
"Ky… Kyūko, w-what are you looking at…?"
Kaoru turned her head away shyly, unable to meet his slightly heated gaze.
"N-nothing. Let's train, Kaoru…"
Kyūko let out a quiet sigh.
So it really is unavoidable…
Who knows what things will be like in the future.
Heh…
Brat…
You've just grown yourself a weakness…
Deep within the sealing space, the Nine-Tails slowly closed its eyes.
—
Hokage Tower
Hokage's Office
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Kyūko through the crystal ball, his expression calm.
His objective—
At least the first stage of it—
Had been achieved.
And not just achieved.
The results were better than expected.
Should he arrange a bit of drama for the two of them next?
Enemy shin from another village plotting to steal the Uzumaki bloodline.
The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki kidnapped.
Kaoru charging in alone to rescue her companion.
A promise of love forged in crisis.
No… that wouldn't work.
Kyūko was too smart.
A script that shallow would be obvious at a glance.
If he was going to stage something, it had to be perfect.
Hiruzen stood and walked to the window, the entire village of Konoha spread out beneath him.
Whenever he wrestled with difficult decisions, this was where he liked to think.
…How's Shinnosuke doing these days?
His thoughts drifted, unbidden, to his stubborn son.
It had been a month.
Shinnosuke was like a completely different person now—training like a madman.
The change pleased Hiruzen… and worried him.
Still, he believed in his son.
After all—
As long as the Nine-Tails was firmly under control, any sacrifice was worth it.
A budding adolescent romance?
Trivial.
Binding Uzumaki Kyūko's heart with Namikaze Kaoru was, in his eyes, an extremely profitable transaction.
She was only a talented child, after all.
Hiruzen's gaze grew distant.
A plan slowly took shape in his mind.
What kind of play felt the most real?
Naturally—
One that wasn't a play at all.
But the two of them were still too young.
Their strength wasn't there yet.
…A couple more years.
Just then, the door to his office opened.
A man stepped inside, wearing a black half-kimono.
His short black hair framed a face steeped in darkness, barely concealing a terrifying, murderous aura.
"Hiruzen."
The man spoke casually—like an old friend.
"Danzō. Long time no see."
Hiruzen turned to face the man who had been both his lifelong rival and companion.
"I hear you've placed a Hyūga shinobi beside the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki," Danzō said.
"Yes," Hiruzen replied evenly.
"The Hyūga are a disciplined clan."
That answer made Danzō frown.
"They are disciplined, yes—but they are still a clan."
"Do you remember the First Hokage's dream?"
"To suppress the power of the clans.
To elevate civilian shinobi."
"To create a village where all stand equal."
Danzō's voice was cold.
"I am working toward that," Hiruzen said, brow furrowing.
Words like those were easy to say.
Actually carrying them out?
The clans would riot.
Besides—this was a long-term plan.
Why bring it up now?
Hiruzen knew one thing for certain.
Shimura Danzō was not a naïve man.
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