"See? I told you there's nothing to worry about with Aomizu here."
As those reassuring words were spoken, a figure pushed her way through the small crowd gathered near the treatment room.
Honoka.
More than two years had passed since she first met Aomizu, and time had only refined her beauty. Her long red hair flowed smoothly down her back like silk, catching the light with a soft glow. Her eyes were bright and lively, her smile gentle and warm, revealing neat white teeth.
She carried herself with a natural grace that drew attention without effort.
Without hesitation, she stepped up beside Aomizu, leaning slightly against him as she wrapped both hands around his arm in an affectionate embrace.
The gesture was natural.
Familiar.
Yet—
Feeling the soft pressure against his arm, Aomizu couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
As expected… not everyone can compare to Tsunade.
That overwhelming presence…
That unmatched figure…
Aomizu silently shook his head.
That level is simply… unfair.
Even Mikoto, who had a mature and elegant charm, couldn't quite compete in that regard.
Of course, such thoughts remained entirely within his mind.
Aomizu had always been careful to treat everyone around him fairly. Favoritism was not something he allowed himself to indulge in.
"All right," Aomizu said calmly, turning his attention back to the others. "You may go in and see Minato, but don't disturb his rest."
"Thank you very much."
Yumiko and the two accompanying jonin bowed deeply in gratitude.
They stepped into the ward soon after.
Inside, Namikaze Minato lay quietly on the bed, his body wrapped almost entirely in bandages. Though his injuries looked severe, his breathing was steady, and his expression calm.
With Aomizu's assurance, the anxiety in their hearts eased considerably.
They knew he was out of danger.
All he needed now… was time.
Yumiko approached the bedside gently, adjusting the blanket around him before calling softly,
"Minato…?"
Minato's eyelids fluttered before slowly opening.
When he saw Yumiko, a faint look of apology crossed his face.
"I'm sorry… for making you worry."
Yumiko shook her head immediately, her eyes soft.
"It's fine."
Behind her, the two jonin lowered their heads.
"Minato… we're the ones who should apologize," they said in unison. "This mission… we dragged you down."
Minato gave a weak but sincere smile.
"I chose to do what I did. There's no need for you to blame yourselves."
But his words only deepened their guilt.
Outside the ward, Aomizu had already turned away.
With Honoka still holding onto his arm, he led her quietly down the corridor toward his office.
The hospital was relatively calm at the moment.
There were no urgent cases waiting.
Which meant—
For once, he had a moment to breathe.
After stepping into his office, Aomizu closed the door behind them.
The faint click echoed softly in the quiet room.
Before Honoka could react, Aomizu sat down on the chair and gently pulled her into his arms.
"Ah—!"
A soft gasp escaped her lips.
Her cheeks flushed instantly.
But before she could say anything—
Aomizu leaned in and kissed her.
It wasn't their first time.
Over the past two years, their relationship had grown steadily closer.
They had shared countless moments together.
And yet…
This was the first time something like this had happened inside Konoha Hospital.
That alone made it different.
Exciting.
A little dangerous.
A little thrilling.
Honoka's heart began to race.
Her initial surprise quickly melted into shy acceptance, and instead of resisting, she responded to his kiss.
Tentatively at first—
Then more naturally.
Time seemed to slow.
The world outside the office faded away completely.
It wasn't until both of them were slightly breathless that they finally pulled apart.
If circumstances had allowed…
Aomizu might have taken things further.
But this was still a hospital.
Even he had his limits.
As his gaze lowered unconsciously, it landed on something else—
Honoka's bare feet.
Delicate.
Fair.
Almost jade-like in appearance.
He paused for a moment, a different idea forming in his mind.
This world really is better than my previous one…
In this world, with chakra and ninjutsu, even walking barefoot every day wouldn't harm someone's beauty.
At most, a little dust would cling to the skin—
And that could be cleaned instantly with a simple Water Release technique.
Noticing his gaze, Honoka tilted her head slightly.
"…Is something wrong?"
Aomizu shook his head.
"Nothing."
Then, without warning, he lifted her gently and set her down on the desk in front of him.
Her legs dangled slightly.
Her feet rested naturally against him.
Honoka blinked in confusion.
Then—
Aomizu explained his idea.
By the time he finished—
Her face had turned completely red.
"W-What?!"
She stared at him in disbelief.
"No way!"
"Absolutely not!"
Her reaction was immediate and intense.
She had never even imagined something like that before.
It was far beyond her expectations.
She shook her head repeatedly, clearly flustered.
But Aomizu wasn't ready to give up so easily.
"Everything has a first time," he said with a calm smile. "I'll guide you."
Under his steady persuasion—
And perhaps a little curiosity of her own—
Honoka hesitated.
Struggled.
Then finally…
"…All right," she said softly.
"But I've never done anything like this before."
Aomizu chuckled.
"It's actually very simple."
With his guidance, Honoka tried to follow along.
At first, she was clumsy.
Unsure.
But as a ninja—and a capable chunin at that—her learning ability was far from ordinary.
It didn't take long for her to understand the basics.
Aomizu nodded in approval.
"Well done."
Hearing his praise, a small smile appeared on her face.
There was a hint of pride in her eyes.
Just as things were beginning to settle—
Knock. Knock.
A sudden sound interrupted the moment.
"Doctor Aomizu!"
A nurse's voice came from outside.
"A patient has just been brought in. You're needed immediately!"
Aomizu responded without hesitation.
"Understood. I'll be there right away."
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
Honoka jumped down from the desk, her face still flushed.
"I—I won't disturb your work anymore!"
She hurried toward the door, almost fleeing.
Her steps were quick, slightly unsteady.
What was I thinking just now…?
How could I agree to something like that…?
Her mind was in complete chaos.
Inside the office, Aomizu watched her leave with a faint, amused smile.
"She's still shy…"
He stood up shortly after, preparing to return to his duties.
Meanwhile—
Honoka made her way back to Minato's ward, where she found Yumiko waiting.
After a brief exchange, the two left the hospital together.
The two jonin had already departed earlier.
Outside the hospital, Yumiko turned to Honoka.
"I'm going to buy some nourishing food for Minato," she said. "You can head back first."
Honoka nodded.
"All right."
By the time she returned to the Senju Clan compound, Kushina was already waiting.
The moment she saw Honoka, she stepped forward eagerly.
"Well? How is he?"
Though her tone sounded casual, there was a hint of concern beneath it.
Honoka smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry. With Aomizu there, everything is fine."
Kushina let out a sigh of relief.
"That's good…"
Then her expression shifted slightly.
"…I just don't know when I'll be allowed to move freely again."
Because of her past loss of control, the Third Hokage had placed strict restrictions on her movements.
Even now—
After more than two years—
Those restrictions hadn't been fully lifted.
Although her relationship with the Nine-Tails had improved somewhat thanks to Aomizu's methods…
Years of resentment couldn't disappear overnight.
Trust… was still fragile.
"I know it's frustrating," Honoka said gently.
"But things are already much better than before."
She smiled.
"Just like Aomizu says… as long as you keep trying, you'll succeed eventually."
Kushina looked at her.
Then, slowly—
She smiled too.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)