"Kushina?"
In her daze, Uzumaki Kushina heard someone calling her name.
The voice was familiar yet exhausted.
She opened her eyes and saw Minato Namikaze covered in blood.
Kushina was stunned. Was she dreaming?
But she quickly recalled what had happened.
Someone had impersonated Haruki and poisoned her.
"How did you..."
Kushina quickly stood up and noticed three corpses lying around.
They were dressed in Rain Village attire: two jonin and one chunin.
"You... you killed them?"
"Yes."
Minato brushed his golden bangs aside and smiled, "It was a close call."
"Why didn't you wait for Mikoto? Where's your usual cleverness?"
Kushina was annoyed, lightly tapping his shoulder, "What were you thinking, taking on three alone?"
"I saw you in danger and couldn't hold back."
Minato scratched his head, embarrassed.
Even though he knew Haruki was nearby, he chose to take the risk.
Kushina was momentarily stunned.
She looked at Minato.
The summer sunlight highlighted his golden hair.
With his faint smile, he looked quite handsome.
Except for that silly, embarrassed expression.
Kushina couldn't help but laugh.
Like cherry blossoms suddenly blooming in spring, vibrant and beautiful in the evening breeze.
Minato was dumbfounded.
"Idiot, snap out of it."
Kushina waved her hand in front of him, "The priority is finding Mikoto and treating you."
"Okay, okay." Minato struggled to stand.
"Still trying to act tough? Give me your hand." Kushina glared at him, grabbing his arm and helping him walk.
"Um..."
Minato's heart pounded. It was the first time he was so close to Kushina, close enough to hear her breath and smell the fragrance of her red hair.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
"No, no!" Minato quickly shook his head, not wanting her to worry.
"Where's your usual composure?" Kushina teased at his nervousness.
"Ah... well... I..." Minato stammered, unsure how to respond.
"You know, if you could learn a thing or two from Haruki-sensei, you wouldn't be at a loss for words."
Kushina noticed his sudden downcast expression and added with a smile, "But I do kind of like you as you are now."
"Huh?" Minato didn't quite get it.
"Do you know where Mikoto is?" Kushina changed the subject.
"This way." Minato felt a bit disappointed but still pointed the way energetically.
They continued in silence, neither knowing what to say.
But walking shoulder to shoulder like this wasn't bad at all.
He almost forgot his pain.
Until they saw Haruki and Mikoto, Minato reluctantly let go of Kushina's hand.
But the scene before him was oddly harmonious.
"Sensei?"
Kushina's face lit up with joy when she saw Haruki.
As Minato looked envious, Kushina pulled his hand towards Haruki and said, "Sensei, please heal him."
Minato's body stiffened.
Sweat seemed to form in his left palm.
"Alright."
Haruki had already seen Minato's heroic rescue through his wood clone and didn't appear earlier to not spoil the moment.
Green chakra flowed from Haruki's hands, healing Minato's wounds in a moment.
"Phew."
Kushina breathed a sigh of relief, letting go of Minato's left hand, "Good thing Sensei arrived in time."
Minato gradually recovered, looking at Haruki.
He hadn't told Kushina the truth.
But Mikoto probably knew. When their eyes met, he felt a shiver.
He sensed a cold and powerful chakra.
Could this be the Mangekyō Sharingan that Sensei mentioned?
This dangerous feeling was almost as strong as the Third Hokage's.
"Minato, when we reach the capital of the Land of Fire, let's spar."
Mikoto's tone was colder than usual.
Minato's smile froze. Why not challenge Sensei? He's the main culprit!
It's so unfair!
"Sparring between teammates should be light."
Haruki patted Minato's shoulder, "Go change your clothes."
"Okay... okay."
Minato caught Haruki's hint.
Being a disciple is really tough!
He went to a secluded spot to change out of his torn ninja outfit, and in less than a minute, he was back with the group.
Haruki was already starting a fire for grilling meat.
Skewering the rabbit Mikoto had caught, he stared at the flames, thinking about the Mangekyō Sharingan abilities she had mentioned.
Left eye, a weakened version of Izanagi, switching between illusion and reality, called Izafunoyasaki.
Right eye, nullifies any eye technique of the same or lower level, called Yomi.
The Mangekyō Sharingan's abilities reflect the user's soul.
Mikoto awakened Yomi to negate Uchiha Itachi's eye techniques after witnessing her clan's tragedy under his genjutsu.
Haruki's two deceptions made her question reality and illusion, leading to the awakening of Izafunoyasaki.
Izafunoyasaki corresponds to the fictional path of Yomi in Japanese mythology, a place where reality and illusion intersect.
Yomi is another name for Izanami, a goddess in Japanese mythology, representing ultimate authority.
However, despite their power, the Mangekyō Sharingan abilities have significant drawbacks.
According to Mikoto, using either of her eye techniques was highly burdensome and couldn't be used frequently.
Haruki didn't ask for more details, knowing that revealing them would be a fatal weakness.
To be honest, Haruki was surprised.
His actions had unintentionally given Mikoto another eye technique.
Undoubtedly, her Mangekyō Sharingan was a bane to the Uchiha clan.
For those unaware, it was a sure first-time kill.
He could imagine future battles where Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke would be helpless against their mother.
"Here, Mikoto."
Haruki handed the first piece of grilled rabbit meat to Mikoto.
She hesitated for a moment before silently eating it.
She still harbored some resentment towards Haruki.
Kushina glanced at them, sensing an odd atmosphere. She tugged on Minato's sleeve and whispered, "Do you know what's going on?"
"Nothing, nothing at all."
Minato shook his head. He was the one in trouble, after all.
Kushina gave him a suspicious look but didn't press further.
The three before her were the most important people in her life. She trusted they wouldn't harm her.
After lunch, Haruki led the three towards the capital of the Land of Fire.
They enjoyed the scenery along the way.
Mikoto's mood returned to normal, though she still insisted on sparring with Minato.
Haruki observed Minato and Kushina, becoming more certain of their developing relationship.