At home.
"Ah..."
A scream from Kushina suddenly came from inside the small house.
"Something's wrong!"
The two Anbu operatives patrolling around the house were startled by the scream.
They momentarily forgot why sound was coming from a house that should have a soundproof barrier. Right now, they were only concerned about the safety of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Eager to rescue her, the two rushed into the house. The next moment, countless sealing technique chains bound them tightly...
"Kushina, you..."
When they realized their attacker was Kushina herself, the two Anbu were both shocked and angry.
"Sorry, sorry... The Adamantine Sealing Chains will dissipate on their own in six hours. You'll be free then. Please bear with it for now..."
Kushina, currently carrying a travel pack, looked ready for a long journey.
"Let us go! Where are you going..."
The Anbu struggled fiercely in mid-air, but no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't break free from the chains.
"I'm going to find Ryun..."
After saying this, Kushina directly closed the front door.
"Wait... Come back!!!"
The two Anbu shouted loudly, but their voices couldn't escape the house because Kushina had reactivated the soundproof barrier. Even if they shouted themselves hoarse, no one outside would hear.
Three hours later.
Team Minato, having received the Hokage's orders, soon arrived at the village entrance.
"Minato-kun..."
Seeing the person she was waiting for, Kushina quickly called out to him.
"Kushina? What is this..." Minato looked at her, surprised.
"Minato-kun, I want to go find Ryun. Take me with you, please..." Kushina requested with an awkward laugh.
"You... Stop joking around, go back. I won't take you out. The risk is too great..." Minato refused the request outright.
He knew the mission details, and he understood Kushina's importance to the Land of Fire all too well. This wasn't just about her being the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki anymore...
"Old classmate... Please, I'm begging you. Just help me out... Take me with you..." Kushina put her hands together, both pleading and playing the emotional card.
"No. Unless the Hokage agrees, this is not up for discussion. Kushina, don't make this difficult for me..." Minato said with a pained expression, refusing again.
"Fine then. Don't forget who helped set you up with your girlfriend? Who promised they owed me a favor? You won't even help with this small thing?"
Seeing soft tactics didn't work, Kushina switched to hardball.
"Is this a small thing... Kushina, you're asking for my life... How about this, I'll go ask the Hokage. If the Hokage agrees, I'll take you..." Minato scratched his head and forced a smile.
"He won't agree to me going. But I am going, no matter what. If you won't take me, then I'll go by myself..." Kushina said, starting to turn away.
"Wai... Wait... Kushina, you can't act recklessly... The situation outside is very unstable. It's too dangerous for you to go out now!"
Minato quickly reached out to stop her.
"Your safety is tied to the Land of Fire's security. If something happens to you, what will Konoha use to explain itself to Ryun when he returns?" Minato reasoned with her patiently.
"It's precisely because of Konoha that I want you to escort me... If it weren't for Konoha, I would have gone to find him myself long ago!"
Kushina spoke with clear irritation. She was afraid that if something did happen to her and she was captured, Ryun might blame Konoha... That's why she wanted Minato's help.
"Konoha, Konoha, I'm so sick of it!"
Kushina's emotions were running high, and tears started flowing uncontrollably.
She deeply regretted her past decision. Ryun had asked her more than once if she wanted to go with him, to live in Otogakure, or to travel the ninja world together.
But Kushina, remembering Lady Mito's dying wish, never dared to agree, no matter how much she longed for that life. It was all for Konoha, for this Konoha that had deprived her of her freedom.
Seeing Kushina cry, Minato felt flustered and unsure how to comfort her.
Kushina glanced at the Hokage Monument in the distance, then at the scenery outside the village. Finally, she stopped insisting on Minato's help and turned to leave.
Watching the girl walking away, crying and wiping her tears, Minato's heart softened in the end...
"Kushina..."
Minato sighed and called out to her.
"What..." Kushina wiped her tears and asked coldly.
"Let's go together..."
Minato looked helpless. He was actually afraid that Kushina would sneak out of Konoha right after he left... Given that, it was better for him to take her himself. At least her safety could be guaranteed.
"!!!"
Hearing this, Kushina instantly smiled, then ran back to his side.
"Sensei, this isn't good... Taking the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki out of the village without the Hokage's permission carries a heavy punishment..." Kakashi suddenly spoke up.
Hearing this, Kushina's eyebrows shot up. She reached out, grabbed Kakashi by the collar, and pulled him close to her face:
"Who are you calling 'Nine-Tails Jinchuriki'? You rude little brat, what business is it of yours? Don't think I won't hit you just because you're the Hokage's son." Kushina threatened fiercely.
"Even if you hit me, I'll still say it. Your selfishness will get Sensei in trouble..." Kakashi remained stubborn.
"Say one more word, and I'll tear your mouth shut right now." Kushina's temper flared.
"Calm down, Kushina-nee, calm down..." Rin Nohara hurriedly tried to mediate.
"..."
Obito Uchiha stood to the side, looking detached, secretly hoping to see his rival get beaten.
"Kakashi, you three don't need to come to Loulan with me. I'll take Kushina alone. Report the situation here to the Hokage. Just say I am confident I can guarantee Kushina's safety..."
Minato adjusted the mission assignments.
"But..."
Kakashi wanted to persuade his teacher further, but Minato waved his hand to cut him off.
"I know the Flying Thunder God Technique. Even if we encounter an enemy we can't fight, I can escape with Kushina. So there's no need to worry..."
"Besides, Kushina leaving the village hasn't attracted much attention. This trip will most likely be without danger."
As soon as Minato finished speaking, Kushina let go of Kakashi and kicked him in the backside:
"Go find your dad. Stop meddling in things that don't concern you..."
Kakashi stumbled from the kick. Hearing her words made him even angrier, and he glared at her fiercely.
"Oh? You dare glare at me? You little brat, you really think I can't handle you?"
Kushina adopted the posture of a female gangster, cracking her knuckles.
"..."
"Go on, follow orders..." Minato waved again at Kakashi and the other two.
"Kakashi, if Sensei says it's okay, then it's okay. Let's go report to the Hokage..." Rin took Kakashi's hand.
"Crybaby..."
Kakashi couldn't resist getting in one last jab before leaving.
"Nani???"
The next moment, Kushina's mouth twisted into a smirk. She rolled up her sleeves and charged forward. Seeing this, Kakashi was startled and quickly used the Body Flicker Technique to escape.
"Alright... Kushina, we should get going soon... The village entrance is busy. Every minute we stay adds to the risk..." Minato let out another helpless sigh.
"Okay, let's go, let's go..." Kushina's expression changed instantly. She pushed Minato from behind, laughing cheerfully.
With that, the two passed through Konoha's main gate and set off on the journey to Loulan.
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