"No, you're just in time."
The corners of Uchiha Yuzuru's mouth lifted slightly as he addressed Namikaze Minato. "I'll take Kushina back first. Minato, you handle the bodies of these three Kumo ninja."
With that, before Minato could reply, Yuzuru vanished into the moonlight with Kushina in his arms.
Konoha Village.
With the aid of Kamui, Uchiha Yuzuru carried the fast-asleep Uzumaki Kushina back to Konoha unnoticed.
Arriving at the Senju clan compound, Yuzuru gently set her down. "Kushina, wake up."
Uzumaki Kushina slowly opened her eyes. She looked around in confusion at first, then a flush rose on her face.
Seeing her still shaken, Yuzuru raised a hand to pat her head, smiling. "I'm used to this kind of thing. When you first came to Konoha, I got into plenty of fights for your sake."
"This time was different!" Kushina shouted.
As a standout member of the Uzumaki clan, she knew very well that her constitution was unique.
If she had really been taken away by the Kumogakure ninja this time, what awaited her was likely endless darkness.
Over the years, she had heard plenty of tragic stories about Uzumaki clan members scattered in the outside world.
After calming down, Kushina asked curiously, "Yuzuru, how did you find out I was kidnapped?"
Hearing this, Uchiha Yuzuru pulled a lock of bright red hair from his robe. "I found this while on night watch."
"In all of Konoha, you're the only one with such beautiful hair color."
Kushina froze, her heart starting to pound violently again.
She stole a glance at Yuzuru and pouted, "Beautiful? I don't believe you. Everyone thinks my hair is weird..."
"I don't."
Under Kushina's surprised gaze, Yuzuru spoke seriously, "I think it looks very good."
Kushina's heart felt like it was struggling to fly right out of her chest.
Is... is this a confession?
Probably n-not, right? Maybe he's just stating an opinion.
Hahaha, I can't be too narcissistic...
Um, um, can someone tell me...
Do I need to respond to this?
But what about Mikoto?
Come to think of it...
Does Yuzuru like boys more or girls more?
...
Watching Kushina's flustered appearance, Yuzuru proactively changed the subject. "Kushina, today's events were too strange. You must be more careful in the future."
"Strange?"
Uchiha Yuzuru shook his head, frowning. "Rest well for now. I need to think this through carefully. Wait for me at the dessert shop this afternoon."
Seeing this, Kushina nodded obediently. "Oh, okay."
Watching Kushina walk away, a smile touched Yuzuru's lips.
Hmph!
Sarutobi Hiruzen, now it's my turn to make a move.
Hokage Building.
Hokage's Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat alone in his chair, puffing out clouds of smoke.
Just as the sky began to brighten, a knock sounded at the door.
Hiruzen roused his spirits and spoke, "Enter."
The office door was pushed open, and Namikaze Minato walked in.
Hiruzen's brow furrowed imperceptibly, but he then spoke kindly, "It's Minato. Is something wrong, coming here so early in the morning?"
Namikaze Minato bowed and said gravely, "Lord Hokage, last night, Kushina was kidnapped by Kumo ninja."
"I've already handed the bodies of the three Kumogakure ninja over to the ANBU downstairs."
Sarutobi Hiruzen froze for a beat.
So it was already over?
Then why hadn't the ANBU squad he sent out come back to report?
A bad feeling quietly took root in Hiruzen's chest, but his expression stayed calm as he asked evenly, "Minato, was it you who saved Kushina?"
"Where is Kushina? Is she all right?"
Hiruzen rifled through everything he knew about Uchiha Yuzuru, then confirmed again, "Uchiha Yuzuru?"
Seeing the confusion in Hiruzen's eyes, Namikaze Minato explained, "Last night, when I found Kushina, Yuzuru had already rescued her from the Kumogakure ninja."
"Yuzuru left ahead of me with Kushina in his arms. I stayed behind to deal with the bodies..."
The moment Minato recalled the sight of Uchiha Yuzuru carrying Uzumaki Kushina, a sour weight settled in his gut.
If I'd just gotten there sooner...
While Minato's thoughts drifted, Hiruzen's face darkened by degrees.
He never would have imagined that his carefully arranged plan—the perfect chance for a hero to save the damsel—would be ruined.
And by an Uchiha, of all people.
Uchiha Yuzuru...
How had he realized Kushina was missing?
Was it sheer coincidence, or had he sensed something?
And why had an Uchiha left the village without anyone notifying him?
What was the Barrier Team doing?
Why hadn't the ANBU shadowing Uzumaki Kushina returned yet?
Too many links in the chain had gone wrong, and irritation prickled at Hiruzen's nerves.
He hated this feeling—of things slipping out of his control.
"Lord Hokage?"
Minato's careful voice pulled him back. Hiruzen exhaled a stream of smoke and said slowly, "Minato, I understand what's happened. You can go now."
"Yes, sir."
After Minato left, another figure stepped out before Hiruzen.
"Danzo. You heard all of it."
Hiruzen fixed Shimura Danzo with a hostile stare, his voice turning cold. "Did you have anything to do with this?"
Danzo lifted his chin and gave a snort. "Hiruzen, you know me. If I'd done it, the one who saved Kushina wouldn't have been an Uchiha."
Hiruzen nodded in silence.
His old teammate caused him no end of trouble, but this time... it really didn't seem like Danzo's doing.
Noticing Hiruzen's tightly furrowed brow, Danzo couldn't resist a taunt. "Hiruzen, I hear Uzumaki Kushina and Uchiha Yuzuru are pretty close. If the future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki ends up falling for an Uchiha, now that would be something."
Hiruzen, already on edge, waved him away sharply. "Danzo, I'm in a terrible mood. Get out of my sight."
A crushing aura burst forth. Danzo stumbled back two steps.
"Fine, fine, I'm going. Why are you so vicious?"
"You botched your own little game, and now you're taking it out on me."
"'Win over the Jinchuriki with love'..."
"I spit on that. Disgusting. Disgusting!!!"
Bang!
Before the cup on the desk could hit the floor, Danzo had already slammed the door shut.
Hiruzen pressed a hand to his chest, his vision swimming.
Only after a long while did he finally steady his breathing.
"It seems... I'll need a chance to meet this new-generation prodigy of the Uchiha clan."
Tsukimi Honey House.
Konoha's largest and most popular dessert shop.
Even in the afternoon, the place was still bustling.
Most of them were couples strolling side by side, their laughter and chatter continuous, the air thick with that sickly-sweet scent of romance.
Pausing at the entrance, Uzumaki Kushina took out a small mirror and studied herself for a moment. Then she tucked a few wind-tossed strands behind her ear and walked in.
At a glance, she spotted Uchiha Yuzuru sitting quietly by the window.
"Yuzuru!"
Kushina went to his side and called softly.
Yuzuru glanced at her, a little surprised, then couldn't help saying, "Why are you whispering? Leave your vocal cords at home or something?"
"My vocal cords are right here!"
Kushina was so mad she nearly exploded. She dropped into the seat across from him, crossed her arms, and stared out the window.
What was wrong with this guy? Could he really not tell she'd gone to the trouble of dressing up?
Her reaction struck Yuzuru as odd. He scratched his head, then slid a small cake across the table toward her.
"Ordered it for you."
Kushina's lips curved into a pleased little smile. "Why isn't there a spoon?"
Yuzuru looked up, baffled. "Kushina, what's gotten into you today? You used to just pick it up and gnaw on it."
"You...!"
Kushina's hair practically lifted with fury, and her eyes looked like they might spit fire.
In the end, she gave up on pretending. They were close enough that there was no point putting on airs.
"Yuzuru. What did you mean by what you said last night?"
Yuzuru glanced around and said flatly, "Let's talk at my place. While we're there, we can check on the vegetables you planted."
That only made Kushina more curious.
She polished off the cake in two or three bites, then sprang to her feet. "Then let's go—now!"
Watching her charge ahead like a whirlwind, Yuzuru sighed and used a napkin to wipe the corner of her mouth.
Color rose visibly in Kushina's face.
"Yuzuru, us doing this... I-it's not really appropriate, is it?"
"What are you talking about?"
"N-nothing. It's getting late. Let's hurry."
All the way to the Uchiha clan compound, Yuzuru and Kushina walked together, then entered the room.
As she watched Yuzuru busily setting up a barrier, Kushina asked, confused, "Yuzuru, why all the mystery? What are you trying to tell me?"
Yuzuru didn't answer. He just kept working with focused attention.