Next to the Hokage Building, beneath the shadow of the Hokage Rock, there was a grove of cherry blossom trees.
Carrying the money box sealed with a fūinjutsu, Kizaru led Kakuzu into the forest.
"This place has nice scenery, doesn't it?" Kizaru said lazily, hands in his pockets as he strolled along the tree-lined path.
"Not bad," Kakuzu replied flatly.
He had only come for the money. The scenery meant nothing to him.
"Ohh? How cold," Kizaru chuckled, glancing sideways at him.
After that, he didn't continue teasing and simply walked deeper into the grove, heading toward the quiet center.
But after a few steps, Kizaru suddenly stopped again.
"Kids these days are terrifying," he murmured lightly, eyes shifting forward.
Kakuzu also sensed the disturbance ahead. His expression didn't change as he coldly said, "Trash."
"Hey, hey… I'm still standing right here, you know," Kizaru said, looking back at him with a half-smile.
Kakuzu didn't bother replying.
A genin who couldn't even handle a little girl—worthless.
"Is it because I'm an outsider… that you won't help me?"
"M-Me—"
"You think the same thing too, don't you?!"
Several dozen meters ahead, Kushina Uzumaki glared at Minato Namikaze, who stood near a tree.
The ridicule from her classmates, the subtle rejection from the villagers, the earlier attack, and Minato just standing there watching…
Everything piled up, filling her chest with anger and hurt.
After throwing those words at him, she turned and ran, tears already falling.
She just wanted to go back… back to the place Grandma Mito left her.
Head lowered, she didn't notice the two figures ahead—and ran straight into them.
Kizaru casually shifted the cash box to his left hand and raised his right, stopping her with a palm pressed lightly against her forehead.
"Well, that's scary… Kushina."
Startled, Kushina slapped his hand away and looked up at him stubbornly.
Back when she first arrived in Konoha as the Nine-Tails jinchūriki and stayed with Mito, Kizaru had been learning sealing techniques from Mito through Tsunade's introduction.
Because of that, she had known him for a long time.
Same age… yet already taller, strange, and impossible to read.
"You foul-mouthed bastard, what are you doing here?!" Kushina snapped. "You hate me too, don't you?! Just like everyone else—you think I'm an outsider too, right?!"
She was already furious—and this was the same guy who gave her that stupid nickname Red Hot-Blooded Habanero the first time they met.
"How scary," Kizaru said lazily, turning his head toward Kakuzu.
Kakuzu glanced at Kushina, then at Kizaru.
"How much?"
"…That's even scarier," Kizaru sighed.
Then he looked back at Kushina, who clearly wanted to leave again.
He casually placed his hand on her head once more, ignoring her struggling as he looked past her.
"Minato… if you don't come out, she's really going to run off."
Swish!
Minato appeared instantly beside Kushina, a hint of panic on his face.
"Kizaru… this is Kushina Uzumaki, my classmate," Minato corrected himself quickly, a faint blush appearing.
"Ohh? I thought you two were together," Kizaru said, finally lifting his hand.
"Who'd ever be with him?!" Kushina shot back immediately. "I don't like this sissy at all—you foul-mouthed bastard!"
Then she turned and glared at Minato.
Minato didn't get angry. He didn't argue.
He just smiled at her—soft and gentle.
"Tch!"
Kushina clicked her tongue, folded her arms, and glared back at Kizaru.
"What do you want?"
"It's been a while, so I figured I'd treat you to some yakiniku," Kizaru said casually.
He lifted the cash box and tapped it lightly.
"Made a bit of money."
Kakuzu almost spoke.
Bit? It was eighty million ryō.
"Yakiniku…"
Minato hesitated.
Temptation was obvious, but he didn't answer. Instead, he glanced at Kushina.
Kushina froze slightly.
Since coming to Konoha… aside from Grandma Mito, Tsunade-neesan, and Nawaki-niisan…
This was the first time someone had invited her out.
"Tch, I don't need you treating me," she muttered, turning her head.
Even if she clearly wanted to agree.
Without caring, Kizaru tossed the money box to Kakuzu.
Then, grinning, he reached out and grabbed both Minato and Kushina by the head—like picking up two fruits.
"Let's go."
"Hey—! Let go of me!" Kushina immediately struggled.
Minato just awkwardly followed along.
Kakuzu watched this, expression stiff.
Does this guy think I'm working for him?
Still, he picked up the cash box and followed.
Originally, he planned to split the money deeper in the forest… maybe even test Kizaru a little.
But now, he lost interest.
Leaving the cherry blossom grove, they entered the commercial street.
But Kizaru didn't stop.
"Where are we going?" Minato asked.
"To meet someone," Kizaru replied lightly.
Someone?
Minato looked up at him, curious.
He never thought Kizaru actually had friends his age.
Kushina, now quieter, also listened, sneaking a glance at them.
"If nothing changes… she should be entering the Academy this year," Kizaru said. "Talented. About your level."
Minato shook his head.
"I can't compare to you."
"You don't need to," Kizaru said, casually ruffling his hair.
"After all… I'm a monster."
"Oh ho ho…"
Minato looked at him seriously.
"You're not a monster."
"You're the greatest genius in the village."
Monster…
Kushina's expression shifted slightly at that word.
As the Nine-Tails jinchūriki… she understood that word too well.
She glanced at Minato.
For some reason…
That annoying pretty-boy…
didn't feel quite as annoying anymore.
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