Chapter 4: The Mission, The Menace, and The Mosquito part- 1
(I told you, I am the manifestation of your subconscious desire to not die alone and miserable,) Ethan lied smoothly. (And no, I do not sleep. While you were drooling on your pillow, I was analyzing the data from last night. We have a problem.)
Minato stretched, his joints popping. "What problem? Last night was great. Kushina was happy. Hiroto... well, he had a soup accident. I think everything is fine."
(That is exactly why you are in danger,) Ethan retorted. (Complacency is the killer of romance. Hiroto is a Transmigrator. Do you know what that means? It means he has read the script. He knows your weaknesses. And worse, he has a System too.)
"A System?" Minato walked into the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. "You mean he has a subconscious voice telling him what to do?"
(Something like that. Except his voice is telling him how to steal your girlfriend using cheap tricks and aphrodisiacs. Speaking of which, I have used the 100 System Points we earned yesterday to buy you a little gift from the System Shop.)
Minato paused with his toothbrush in his mouth. "Shop?"
A translucent blue panel appeared in Minato's vision, hovering over his reflection in the mirror.
[Purchase Complete: Passive Skill - "The Intuition of the Jealous Lover" (Level 1)][Description: Grants the Host a tingling sensation in the spine whenever a romantic rival is plotting within a 1-kilometer radius. Also highlights "Romantic Traps" in red.]
(Congratulations,) Ethan drawled. (You now have a Spidey-Sense for adultery. Use it wisely.)
Minato spat out the toothpaste. "I do not need this. I trust Kushina."
(Trust is good. Verification is better. Now, get dressed. My sensors indicate that Hiroto is currently at the Mission Desk. And guess who else is there?)
Minato froze. "Kushina?"
(Ding ding ding! We have a winner. Put on your pants, Hokage-to-be. We are going for a run.)
.............
Location: The Mission Assignment Desk, Hokage Tower.
The Mission Desk was bustling with activity. Chuunin and Jonin were lining up to receive their assignments from the administrative ninja. In the corner, leaning against a pillar with a calculated "cool guy" pose, was Hiroto.
He had recovered from the ramen incident, though his eyes were still slightly red from the broth. He was talking to the assignment officer, a man named Daikoku who was known for being easily swayed by bribes.
"Come on, Daikoku-san," Hiroto whispered, sliding a small pouch of gold coins across the counter. "It is just a simple C-Rank escort mission. I need experience working with a senior kunoichi. Put me on Team 7 with Kushina Uzumaki."
Daikoku weighed the pouch in his hand. "Well, Kushina is scheduled for a patrol, but... we are short on personnel for the escort to the Tea Country. I suppose I can rearrange the roster."
Hiroto smirked. (Perfect. The Tea Country mission takes three days. Three days of camping in the woods. Three days of "accidental" falls, starry nights, and my System's "Campfire Romance" buff. Minato will be stuck here pushing pencils while I steal his heart.)
"And," Hiroto added, "Make sure Minato Namikaze is kept busy. Maybe give him that stack of D-Rank sewer maintenance requests?"
Daikoku chuckled. "The Yellow Flash doing sewer duty? That is funny. Alright, consider it done."
Just as Daikoku reached for the stamp to finalize the mission scroll, the door to the office slammed open.
Minato Namikaze stood in the doorway, breathing slightly heavily. He was not wearing his standard Jonin vest; he had thrown on his white haori cloak over a casual t-shirt, making him look effortlessly stylish.
"Wait!" Minato called out, striding toward the desk.
Hiroto's jaw dropped. (How did he know? I used a silencing barrier!)
Minato felt a strange, cold shiver running down his spine—the "Intuition of the Jealous Lover" kicking in. He looked at Hiroto, and suddenly, a bright red marker appeared over Hiroto's head with the text: [Threat Level: HIGH. Intent: Camping Seduction.]
Minato blinked. The text was actually real. He looked at the mission scroll on the desk. Another red marker appeared: [Trap: The "Just the Two of Us" Scenario.]
(See?) Ethan's voice rang out triumphantly. (I told you. He is trying to take her on a camping trip. Do you know what happens on camping trips in these stories? Nothing good for the husband, I tell you that much.)
Minato cleared his throat, regaining his composure. He walked up to the desk, ignoring Hiroto's glare.
"Daikoku-san," Minato said with a polite smile that did not quite reach his eyes. "I heard there is an escort mission to the Tea Country available. I would like to volunteer."
Daikoku looked nervous. "Ah, Minato-san. But you have so much administrative work..."
"The paperwork can wait," Minato said firmly. "I feel that I have been... too sedentary lately. I need to stretch my legs. A C-Rank mission sounds perfect for a warm-up."
Hiroto panicked. "But Minato-san! This is a low-level mission! It is a waste of your talents! You are the Yellow Flash! You should be fighting S-Rank threats, not guarding a merchant's wagon!"
(Look at him sweating,) Ethan laughed darkly. (He is terrified. Crush him, Minato. Use your authority.)
Minato turned to Hiroto, his blue eyes sharp. "Protecting the village's commerce is every ninja's duty, Hiroto-kun. Besides... I heard Kushina might be assigned to this one. We work well together. It increases the success rate to one hundred percent."
At that moment, Kushina walked in. She was wearing her standard mission gear, her red hair tied back in a high ponytail.
"Minato?" She looked surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I am joining your mission," Minato said, stepping closer to her. "If that is okay with you?"
Kushina's face lit up. "Really? You are skipping work to come with me?"
"I would skip anything to ensure your safety," Minato said smoothly.
(Okay, calm down Casanova, that was a bit cheesy,) Ethan critiqued. (But it worked. Look at her blushing. Now, look at Hiroto. He looks like he swallowed a lemon.)