With her blue-purple hair and amber eyes, Konan's enchanting beauty and gentle demeanor left Kushina and Mikoto momentarily stunned.
"Wow—she's so pretty!" Kushina exclaimed.
As if struck by a thought, she turned to Nonou and asked tentatively, "Is—is she one of yours?"
"Mm-hmm," Nonou nodded. "This is Konan. She just arrived at the orphanage recently."
"Hello, I'm Uzumaki Kushina. This is Uchiha Mikoto," Kushina said warmly, her voice tinged with familiarity.
"Hello, I'm Konan," Konan replied with a soft smile, greeting them politely.
"I'm Yakushi Nonou," Nonou said, nodding slightly at Mikoto. "It's nice to meet you, Mikoto-nee. This is my first time meeting you too."
"Hello," Mikoto replied, her face beaming with warmth as she nodded.
"Since we bumped into each other, why don't we shop together? Is there anything you need to buy?" Kushina suggested.
"That sounds fun. I came to buy clothes for Konan," Nonou said, glancing at the girl beside her.
"Leave it to me!"
Kushina patted her arm, beaming with energy. "I picked out most of Minato's clothes!"
"Minato—"
Konan's eyes seemed to sparkle at the mention of Minato, and she gazed at Kushina with eager anticipation.
Kushina grinned, unable to hide her pride. "That Konoha hero! We've been childhood sweethearts since we were little, and we're currently dating—"
As soon as she finished speaking, the light in Konan's eyes dimmed rapidly, and her smile gradually faded.
"?This—"
Even someone as thick-skinned as Kushina noticed this reaction, let alone someone as perceptive as Mikoto.
The two women exchanged questioning glances with Nonou. Nonou looked away guiltily, but Kushina cupped her cheeks and turned her face back.
"This child—what's wrong?"
"Nothing much," Nonou said with a forced smile, trying to maintain her composure. "It's normal for kids to idolize heroes, especially someone as famous as Minato."
But her words failed to dispel Kushina and Mikoto's suspicions.
Kushina turned to Konan. "Do you know Minato?"
Konan looked nervously at Kushina, unsure how to respond.
She had only recently arrived in Konoha. Though gentle and reserved, she was still prone to anxiety, afraid of causing trouble for Minato.
"Alright, Kushina, don't scare her."
Mikoto, noticing the situation, gently took Kushina's wrist and turned to Konan. "Minato brought you to Konoha, didn't he?"
Konan, looking at Mikoto's kind expression, nodded shyly.
"—?"
Kushina's eyes widened slightly as she glanced at Nonou beside her.
Nonou quickly pleaded, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hide it. Minato helped the orphanage so much, and I—"
"It's fine, I'm not mad—"
Being close friends, Kushina didn't stay angry with Nonou. "Did Minato make you keep this from me?"
"Well—"
Nonou glanced shyly at Mikoto and whispered, "He said he was dating both of you simultaneously and promised not to flirt with other girls, so—"
"Ah—"
Kushina and Mikoto exchanged glances and shared awkward smiles.
"Well—even though this isn't exactly a secret anymore, it's still a bit embarrassing to say out loud."
Mikoto smiled warmly and turned to Konan. "Minato has been sending clones to the Land of Rain to search for something. You're the one he brought back, aren't you?"
Konan nodded weakly.
"Then I won't ask any more questions." Mikoto suddenly understood.
Although she didn't know what Minato was busy with, Kushina figured it must be something important if he said he was saving the world.
Seeing Mikoto's reaction, Kushina was a little puzzled but didn't press further.
This, however, left Nonou secretly anxious.
They're just letting it slide that easily?
At least make a scene!
I'm not trying to steal him away! I just want to join you! Give me a chance, won't you?
"Um—Kushina, aren't you angry?" Nonou asked, cautiously watching Kushina.
"Angry?"
Kushina burst into laughter and waved her hand. "How could I be? If there was really something going on, Minato wouldn't keep it from me. After all—haha~."
As she spoke, Kushina turned to look at Mikoto beside her, a peculiar smile on her face.
Mikoto chuckled awkwardly. Minato was indeed surprisingly frank about this.
Nonou pondered this. So, if I want to join, I need to win over Minato first?
Just as Nonou was deep in thought...
Kumogakure
Minato met with Kumogakure's two Jinchūriki.
The Eight-Tails Jinchūriki was B, the Third Raikage's sworn brother. The Two-Tails Jinchūriki was a middle-aged woman.
Because Minato had defeated the Third Raikage, B eyed him with some hostility, but under the Third Raikage's orders, he didn't act rashly.
The group arrived outside Kumogakure. Without a word, Minato clenched his fist, forged a Chakra Connection with B, and forcefully entered the Eight-Tails' Sealing Space.
As soon as they entered, a massive bull-headed creature loomed over them.
"You carry the chakra of Isobu and Saiken, and a trace of the Nine-Tails' aura."
The Eight-Tails' deep voice made Minato's ears ring.
"They are my friends," Minato replied, raising his fist with a smile. "Nice to meet you. I'm Namikaze Minato, and I'm here to release you."
"Hmm—"
The Eight-Tails met Minato's fist with his own. Sensing no malice from the young man and learning how he had come to know Isobu and Saiken, it agreed without hesitation. Unlike later, when Killer B would eventually earn the Eight-Tails' trust, B had never been able to do so. Thus, when Minato proposed releasing him, the Eight-Tails readily accepted.
"First meeting. I'm Gyūki—enough talk, let's get started!"
"Oh!"
Outside, Minato suddenly slapped B in the abdomen. Lacking the Uzumaki Clan's legacy, the seal was pathetically weak to him and was instantly shattered by the violent force.
With a swift motion, Minato pulled his hand away, and a massive figure surged from B's abdomen toward the sky.
Gyūki's colossal body, like a small mountain, materialized behind Minato with a thunderous crash. He threw his head back and let out a deafening roar.
"Oooooh—!!!"
Perhaps due to prolonged confinement, Gyūki was wildly agitated. His roar immediately drew many Kumogakure ninjas.
However, upon seeing the Third Raikage and Minato, they halted in their tracks, keeping their distance out of caution.
B felt his body lighten and staggered back two steps, supported by the Third Raikage.
"B, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Big Brother. It—it left some of its Chakra behind."
B gazed at the massive figure now free from the seal's restraints, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him.
The Eight-Tails was free.
And so was he!
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