However, the peaceful atmosphere didn't last long.
There were always people who couldn't stand seeing others happy while they themselves were miserable.
"That's Minato, right?"
"Yeah… that Konoha sinner!"
"My husband died on the battlefield because of him!"
"My family too!"
"Damn it… how is he still alive?"
"… "
Whispers spread through the crowd. Even though many tried to keep their voices low, with the senses of Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina, it was impossible not to hear them.
The faint warmth that had returned to Minato's face froze instantly.
"You—!"
Kushina's temper flared. She stepped forward, ready to argue with them, but Minato gently stopped her.
"Kushina… let's go."
There was no point. A mistake was a mistake — no amount of explanation would change their minds. Minato had understood that for a long time.
"But—"
Kushina wasn't someone who easily backed down. Yet when she saw the bleak expression on Minato's face, she forced herself to swallow her anger and left with him.
On the way home, Kushina tried to buy some snacks to lighten the mood. But the moment the shopkeeper recognized Minato, his face hardened.
"I'll never sell anything here to a sinner!"
"You old bastard… I've put up with you long enough!"
Kushina's temper exploded. In a burst of fury, she overturned the snack stall.
The result was predictable. The surrounding villagers stared at them with even greater disgust.
When they finally returned home, Minato no longer carried his usual gentle smile. Seeing this, Kushina tried to comfort him.
"Minato… it's okay. Tomorrow, let's go see Lord Shiki."
"Lord Shiki?"
Minato looked at her in confusion, not understanding what Shiki had to do with this.
"If Lord Shiki speaks up for you, no one will dare say those things anymore!"
"… "
Kushina's hopeful eyes made Minato fall silent.
He was a smart man. When the tragedy of Konoha's White Fang — Sakumo Hatake — had happened, no one had stepped forward to defend him.
It wasn't because they didn't care.
It was because it wouldn't have mattered.
The villagers didn't understand the full truth, and for those who had lost family in war, hatred ran too deep to be erased by words alone.
Still, faced with Kushina's earnest expression, Minato didn't refuse. He simply nodded.
"…All right. Tomorrow."
"Mm!"
After leaving Minato's house, Kushina's mood brightened instantly.
Tomorrow I'll talk to Lord Shiki first, she thought happily. Once everything's settled, I'll surprise Minato.
The image of his relieved expression filled her with excitement as she walked away.
What Kushina didn't know was that after she left, Minato did not rest.
He knelt alone in the main hall of his house, holding his Flying Thunder God kunai, engraved with the words Sword of Benevolence.
"…White Fang-senpai must have felt even worse than I do now."
At least Minato still had someone to comfort him.
When Sakumo Hatake had fallen into despair, there had been no one by his side. Even his own son, Hatake Kakashi, had failed to understand him at the time.
In the past, Minato could never comprehend why a hero like the White Fang would choose death.
Now… he understood.
"…Maybe only my life can put an end to this sin. I'm sorry, Kushina."
--
Early the next morning, Kushina went to Shiki's residence.
"Tsunade-sama!"
Seeing Tsunade open the door didn't surprise her. News of Tsunade and Shiki living together had long spread through Konoha.
"Kushina?"
Tsunade blinked in mild surprise at the early visit.
"Is Lord Shiki here?"
"…Coming to my house this early to look for my man?"
For some reason, Tsunade felt an odd discomfort in her chest. Still, she shook her head.
"He went out to buy breakfast."
"Buy breakfast?"
Relieved that it was nothing serious, Kushina relaxed. He should be back soon.
Tsunade stepped aside and let her in.
"Speaking of which," Kushina asked curiously, "why did Lord Shiki go out to buy breakfast? Tsunade-sama, didn't you cook?"
"… "
Tsunade's expression stiffened.
Ahem. "I overslept."
"Got it, got it!"
Kushina nodded quickly in understanding.
"…You don't get it at all," Tsunade muttered inwardly. Even if Kushina's assumption wasn't far off, it still felt strangely embarrassing.
Fortunately, Shiki returned at that moment, carrying breakfast, sparing Tsunade further awkwardness.
"You're back?"
"Yeah. Just something simple. Do you want some too?"
Handing the food to Tsunade, Shiki glanced curiously at Kushina. He hadn't interacted with her much and assumed she was there to see Tsunade.
"Is it okay?"
Kushina looked at the breakfast with undisguised anticipation. She had skipped her own meal after leaving in a hurry.
"… "
Shiki had only meant to be polite, but now that she'd taken him seriously, he couldn't exactly refuse. Fortunately, he had bought plenty.
Watching Kushina eat with complete satisfaction, Shiki and Tsunade exchanged speechless looks.
Did she come here for help… or just for breakfast?
"So," Shiki finally asked, "what exactly happened?"
"Yes! I came for something very important!"
Kushina snapped back to attention. She straightened, her usual carefree attitude replaced with seriousness.
"That's right, Lord Shiki."
This matter meant everything to her. Looking directly at him, she said earnestly:
"I want you to help Minato."
"Help Minato?"
Shiki frowned slightly in confusion. Even Tsunade looked puzzled.
"It's about Minato's situation," Kushina continued quickly. "Things are very bad for him right now…"
Tsunade understood immediately. The label of Konoha sinner weighed heavily on Minato, and Kushina hoped to use Shiki's reputation to clear his name.
It was understandable. But whether Shiki would agree was another matter. Such involvement offered him no benefit.
"Lord Shiki, I—"
Kushina's voice trembled with pleading, but before she could finish, Shiki raised a hand and interrupted her.
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