"In short, you just can't show your emotions, right?"
Kushina took a deep breath. Although displeased, what Tsunade said did make sense.
After all, she didn't know what Minato was thinking. It was just her unrequited liking for him. What right did she have to interfere in his affairs?
Thinking this through, Kushina immediately regretted a little.
She really wanted to ask Minato directly what he thought of her, but she was worried that she wouldn't get the answer she wanted and would instead ruin their relationship.
Seeing Kushina calm down, Tsunade nodded with satisfaction, quietly breathing a sigh of relief in her heart.
"That's right. Besides, liking someone is still too early for children of your age."
Tsunade admonished, "Although Minato has a gentle personality, he has always been prudent. Based on my understanding of him, he will definitely not consider such things at this time. Even if he has a girl he likes, he will probably exercise restraint and not show it easily."
"That's true..."
Kushina nodded repeatedly, completely fooled. "Then what should I do? Just watch like this?"
"Tsk tsk tsk~"
Tsunade raised her index finger and shook it gently. "Nothing touches people's hearts more than silent companionship."
"Mmh..."
Kushina clenched her fists, her eyes burning. "I plan to go over and have a look tomorrow!"
"Mmh... alright. I'll go with you."
Tsunade didn't object. She was also somewhat curious about the girl named Nonō.
The next day, Kushina tried hard to show a gentle expression, but the moment she saw Nonō, her eyelids couldn't stop twitching.
"Kushina, what's wrong?"
In just one encounter, Nonō understood Kushina's emotions. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Kushina lowered her head and said in a muffled voice.
She wasn't angry with Nonō. After all, according to Minato, Nonō was already pitiful enough, and she also sympathized with her.
But sympathy was one thing; she still couldn't help feeling a little sour in her heart.
"You don't look very well. Although I don't know what happened, you still have to cheer up!"
Nonō smiled gently. "If Kushina is unhappy, Minato-kun should be very worried. Kushina doesn't want Minato to worry, right?"
"How... how could that be?"
Hearing this, Kushina's cheeks felt faintly hot. She stole a glance at Minato who was chatting with Shinnosuke, and curled her lip obscurely. "He wouldn't care..."
"Not at all!"
Seeing that Kushina didn't mean what she said, Nonō couldn't help smiling. "I can see that Minato-kun actually cares about Kushina very much. It's different from how he treats others."
"Eh? Is that so?"
Hearing this, the corners of Kushina's mouth couldn't stop rising, and she held her cheeks embarrassedly.
"It is indeed so. Minato-kun is with Kushina most of the time, inseparable every day. He defended you in front of Kota and the others before. How could he not care?"
Nonō said gently. With just a few words, she coaxed Kushina back into her shell.
"It's... it's not like what you said."
Kushina unconsciously revealed a silly smile, dizzily flattered by Nonō, and was played in the palm of her hand just like that.
"Speaking of which, Kushina and Minato-kun can be considered childhood sweethearts, right?"
"Child... childhood sweethearts? Ahem, probably. We live in Tsunade-nee's house together."
"Eh? That's so nice. Although there are many peers in the orphanage, I don't have many friends."
"Who said that? Aren't we friends? By the way, I heard from Minato..."
In just a few sentences, Nonō got the information she wanted from Kushina.
Was the matter of joining Root hidden by Minato?
Minato really is a very gentle person...
From Kushina, Nonō learned that the other party planned to go to the orphanage with Minato to help after school, accepted it happily, and expressed sincere gratitude.
Learning that Tsunade would also come along, although she wasn't very surprised, she also showed just the right amount of pleasant surprise.
Several classes passed. When school was over, Kushina and Nonō had become best friends who talked about everything.
Minato didn't interfere in the interaction between the two girls, quietly watching the show from the side, letting Nonō hook Kushina like a fish.
The three walked out of the school gate together. Tsunade was already waiting outside.
Kushina ran forward quickly and introduced to Tsunade enthusiastically, "Tsunade-nee, this is Nonō, my good friend!"
"Hm?"
Kushina's enthusiastic attitude surprised Tsunade a little.
This girl wasn't the type to hide her feelings. Yesterday she looked bitter and deeply resentful. How did she become so enthusiastic after just one day? She turned her gaze to Nonō beside her.
Seeing Tsunade looking at her, Nonō greeted gently and gracefully, "Nice to meet you, Senior Tsunade."
"Mmh, hello, little sister."
Tsunade showed a kind smile. "I heard Minato mention you yesterday, so I planned to go with Minato today to see if I can help. You don't mind, do you?"
"How could I?" Nonō was flattered instantly and waved her hand repeatedly. "I'm too grateful that Senior Tsunade is willing to lend a hand. How could I mind?"
Mmh...
Tsunade nodded slightly, the girl's pretty face reflected in her amber eyes.
For some reason, the girl in front of her gave her an inexplicable sense of threat.
Not in terms of strength, but from a woman's intuition in emotional aspects.
This girl definitely has designs on Minato too!
And unlike Kushina, the other party's level was very high. The threat level was not in the same league as Kushina at all.
Thinking of this, Tsunade subconsciously rubbed Minato's little blond hair.
Why is this brat so outstanding?
Everyone arrived at the orphanage. The potatoes planted by Minato yesterday had already been dug out.
Before entering the house, the priest came out to welcome them enthusiastically, followed by a chubby young nun.
"Minato-kun is here. Please come in quickly."
"I'm in a hurry to go home, so I won't disturb you."
Minato formed seals with both hands. The earth churned, and seedlings broke through the soil one by one, growing round, big watermelons.
Watermelons in the ninja world were very expensive, especially in winter. The price of 100g could even soar to thirty ryo, definitely a noble fruit.
Seeing the watermelons all over the ground, the priest and the fat nun were stunned!
Are these watermelons?
This is clearly gold all over the ground!
Not bothering to greet Minato, the two hurriedly called the children out to move the watermelons, afraid that if they were slow, the watermelons would freeze.
Minato and the others didn't stay long either. After planting the watermelons, Tsunade offered some condolences, left some money, and they left.
On the way, Kushina walked briskly, completely immersed in the joy of making a best friend and helping others.
Tsunade's face was faintly solemn. Nonō's gentle personality made her feel very bad.
She wanted to drive the tiger to swallow the wolf.
But now it seemed that Nonō was indeed a tiger, but Kushina could at most be considered a... stray dog by the roadside.