Kurama's mind raced as it started to piece things together.
It had sensed a familiar tailed beast chakra from Takuya before—similar to its own, with an oddly pleasant scent. Now, Takuya had a small white fox by his side, with nine tails, looking strikingly similar to Kurama itself.
Well, that solves the mystery.
"Pah! That's no ordinary creature—that's a tailed beast! That 'Snowy' is definitely a tailed beast," Kurama snarled.
"You're the tailed beast!" Kushina snapped back, hands on her hips, her fierce little stance doing nothing to intimidate Kurama.
Seems like I'll need to get closer to find out more, Kurama thought.
After a moment of contemplation, Kurama said to Kushina, "Release the seal on the barrier, and I'll help you. I'll help you first, at least."
"Fine," Kushina agreed, still unsure of Kurama's sudden change in attitude.
As long as it's willing to help, though, that's a win, Kushina thought, grinning with satisfaction at her success.
Gaining a bit more freedom to move within the seal, Kurama focused on its task.
"Takuya said someone's watching us, but I couldn't sense anything. Can you find out who it is?"
"I'll give it a try," Kurama said, though not entirely confident. Can't afford to mess this up, Kurama thought, not wanting to embarrass itself.
Fortunately, it didn't mess up.
Kurama's powerful sensory abilities quickly locked onto the chakra source from the direction of the Hokage's office.
Once certain, Kurama grinned.
"Kushina, little brat, if you tell me everything about that tailed beast—uh, I mean, about Snowy—I'll tell you who's spying on you and where they are. How about that?"
What is this fox up to? Kushina wondered, frowning as she weighed the offer. It didn't seem like a bad deal, so she nodded. "Alright."
With the deal struck, Kurama laid down, its tone dripping with disdain as it revealed, "The chakra's coming from your village's Hokage office. I know it well. Uzumaki Mito used to call him 'Monkey,' but you call him the 'Hokage Uncle.'"
Despite having been tormented by Uzumaki Mito countless times, Kurama still respected her and spoke of her somewhat politely.
"What?" Kushina exclaimed as she exited the seal's inner space.
Takuya knew that Kushina had sought Kurama's help. "What's wrong? Why the shout? Did you find out who it was?" Tsunade asked curiously.
"I did, but it's…" Kushina trailed off, unsure how to put it.
"Spit it out!" Tsunade demanded, her patience wearing thin.
Who would dare spy on me knowing I'm here? Tsunade fumed inwardly.
"It's the Hokage Uncle," Kushina finally admitted.
"Huh? Wait… WHAT?!"
Tsunade's voice rose with each word, her shock turning into anger as she looked toward the Hokage's office, her fists clenching.
Sitting in his office, the Third Hokage saw Tsunade's reaction and immediately knew he'd been busted.
Cough, cough. It's just a misunderstanding, he thought, desperately trying to convince himself. I've been so busy, where would I find the time to do something like that?
Quickly putting away his crystal ball, the Third Hokage pretended nothing had happened, opening a scroll on his desk to distract himself.
You dirty old man, Tsunade seethed. Now certain of her target, she ground her teeth in fury.
Takuya pretended nothing had happened and continued walking home with the groceries, while Kushina quickly followed behind.
"Takuya, why did we buy beef bones?" Kushina asked.
"For ramen, of course," Takuya replied.
"Like the ramen from Ichiraku?"
"Not exactly. You'll see soon enough."
These two are really trying to distract me, Tsunade thought, watching their casual conversation with growing amusement.
"Wait, wasn't the village strict about the Hyuga clan using the Byakugan in public? What's with the double standards now?" Takuya remarked with a hint of sarcasm.
"…"
Tsunade's temple throbbed as she listened to Takuya's biting comments. "You two go on ahead. I'll be back soon," she said, her face darkening as she stormed toward the Hokage's office.
With a single powerful kick, Tsunade blasted the office door open, leaving the Third Hokage staring in surprise.
"Tsunade, what brings you here?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
"Don't play dumb with me, old man! You know exactly what you've done. Even Kushina knows—thanks to Kyubi ratting you out!" Tsunade snapped.
How embarrassing!
If it had been anyone else, Tsunade would have made them eat her fist. Unfortunately, she couldn't hit the Third Hokage, so she held back her anger.
"You ban the Hyuga clan from using their Byakugan around the village to avoid exposing any secrets, yet you're constantly spying on people with that disgusting jutsu of yours!" she accused.
Cough, cough! The Third Hokage, now visibly nervous, tried to defend himself.
"Tsunade, listen to my—uh—explanation. I only did it for the good of the village. The Uchiha have been getting closer to Takuya, especially Fugaku Uchiha. His position is too sensitive, so I hoped you'd understand."
"Understand, my foot!" Tsunade retorted, her anger only growing. Why is it that whenever something shady happens, you guys always claim it's "for the good of the village"?
"For the good of the village, could you at least stop doing things that make us look bad? What will people think of Konoha if this gets out?"
"Takuya has no intention of rejoining the Uchiha. Stop deluding yourself. Or do you plan to keep hounding him until you push him right into their arms? Is that what you want?"
"That's not my intention," the Third Hokage replied, his tone turning serious.
But Tsunade wasn't buying it. "If that's true, then stop using those ridiculous tactics!" she said, glaring at him.
With nowhere to vent her frustration, Tsunade punched a large hole in the office wall before storming out, still fuming.
Well, that was a mess, the Third Hokage thought, his serious expression quickly turning to one of embarrassment.
What was supposed to be a discreet observation had turned into an awkward situation after getting caught red-handed.
And thanks to his… other uses of the telescope jutsu, he couldn't even muster the courage to stand his ground against Tsunade's accusations.
Ramen?
It's fine to eat occasionally, but every day? No one could handle that. Takuya prepared a bowl of ramen with a unique flavor for Kushina.
Kushina finished an entire bowl, and even Tsunade, who was still stewing with anger, had two bowls before she was satisfied.
After the meal, Takuya made his exit with a quick goodbye.
Back home, he grabbed a pen and some paper, quickly jotting down the principles and hand seals required for the telescope jutsu.
After two hours of work, Takuya had written over a hundred sheets before finally stopping.
He had memorized the jutsu's details from a game he played in his previous life, or he wouldn't have known the sequence of hand seals.
This was a jutsu the Third Hokage hadn't even taught Jiraiya.
So, you like to spy, huh? Takuya thought with a smirk. Well, let's make sure everyone can enjoy the show. Let's see how you like it, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Takuya had made up his mind—he was going to make the telescope jutsu common knowledge.
Whatever consequences followed, that wasn't his problem. If anyone was to blame, it was the old man who couldn't keep things decent.
"Snowy, this is your job," Takuya said, knowing he couldn't risk being caught distributing the information himself.
That night, a small white fox darted through the streets of Konoha, expertly placing the sheets it carried in the most visible spots before returning to Takuya's side, satisfied with its work.
The next morning…
"What's this?"
"A new village notice? Is it about the war?"
"Can someone read it? Tell us what it says!"
***********
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