"Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique!"
After Orochimaru left, Minato covered the two warehouses and, using the excuse of insufficient Chakra, took Mikoto back to the small wooden cabin. He moved with a calculated sluggishness, ensuring everyone saw the supposedly exhausted Genin retiring for the day. In reality, his Chakra reserves remained at a stable $92\%$, hidden behind a mask of fatigue.
Due to the defeat of the frontline troops, the Hidden Sand Village did not rashly launch another attack, and the battlefield situation became somewhat deadlocked for a time. Therefore, Minato didn't need to rush the construction schedule. The war had reached a temporary equilibrium, a cold peace dictated by the heavy rain and the stench of recent death.
"Minato-kun, is this—is this really okay?"
Mikoto glanced at the busy camp outside the window, her tone hesitant. She could see the Jonin moving with purpose and the Genin hauling supplies through the mud. The contrast between the activity outside and their stillness inside was stark.
"Sister Mikoto, as long as you're capable enough, there will always be endless work waiting for you."
Minato chuckled lightly, sitting down in front of the fireplace, roasting some corn and casually boiling a pot of water: "I could instantly build the entire camp, but then what? Go ahead and take out the Third Kazekage while I'm at it?"
"Would that—be bad?"
Mikoto was somewhat puzzled: "That way, Minato-kun could also become a hero of the Village."
Hearing this, Minato shook his head with a wry smile: "The development of human society requires a change in the overall social ideology; it's not something that can be achieved overnight. To ordinary people, my power is no different from that of a deity. Ending the war in this way would only accumulate hidden dangers and offers no substantial benefit to me."
He understood that being a hero was a burden, a chain that bound a person to the expectations of the masses. He preferred to be the architect in the shadows.
"I see—"
Mikoto said apologetically: "Actually, I don't really understand these things. It's just that seeing everyone else busy while we're slacking off here doesn't feel right."
"So you're just bored."
Minato smiled gently. After a moment's thought, he grew a pile of dried fruits and arranged them into a platter: "How about having some snacks?"
"Huh? Is that really okay?"
Mikoto glanced guiltily out the window, afraid of being caught slacking off by a passing patrol.
"It's fine, watch this!"
Minato clapped his hands together, and the window frame was instantly sealed with wooden slats resembling shutters. The interior of the cabin grew warm and private, the outside world effectively erased.
With the view blocked, Mikoto relaxed slightly. She cracked open a peanut and tasted it, a strange feeling welling up in her heart.
"This feeling—it's like sneaking snacks in class."
"Slacking off is fun, isn't it?"
Hearing this, Minato smiled happily and grew some more fruit. He enjoyed the small rebellion against the rigid discipline of the shinobi life.
Seeing this, Mikoto cut the fruit into pieces and tossed them into the kettle. The steam began to carry the sweet scent of berries and citrus.
Then the two looked at each other and laughed simultaneously.
"This is practically afternoon tea!"
"We can't just eat vegetarian."
Minato created a Wood Clone and sent it back to the Village to buy some meat. Using the Flying Thunder God, the clone could complete the $150$ kilometer round trip in minutes. To prevent the flavors from mixing, he also expanded the fireplace.
Sizzle—
Soon, the aroma of grilled meat filled the room, mingled with the scents of corn, sweet potatoes, and fruit tea. It was a sensory oasis in the middle of a war zone.
"Isn't this a bit too much?"
Looking at the meat on the grill, Mikoto laughed awkwardly.
"It's fine; we're not eating outside."
Minato picked up a piece of grilled meat with his chopsticks and placed it on a plate. Just as he was about to eat, there was a sudden knock at the door.
Knock knock knock—
Hearing the knock, Mikoto tensed up, instinctively holding her breath. The fear of being discovered in such a domestic scene made her heart race.
Minato patted her shoulder, signaling her to stay calm, then spoke up: "Who is it?"
"It's me."
Tsunade's voice sounded from outside the door, and Mikoto immediately sighed in relief.
Minato quickly went to open the door. Tsunade slipped into the room, her gaze falling on the grilled meat. Minato swiftly closed the door.
"I knew it! I could smell the grilled meat all the way from the medical station!"
Tsunade quickly sat down next to Minato, unabashedly taking the utensils he had been using. Her presence was loud and demanding, filling the small cabin.
Minato had no choice but to create a new set of bowls and chopsticks: "Teacher, don't you need to be on standby at the medical station?"
"No, if anything happens, Nawaki will come find me."
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, then picked up another piece of grilled meat and complained: "You two are eating so well while I'm not around!"
Mikoto laughed awkwardly: "I remember it started with just a few roasted ears of corn. I don't know when it turned into this."
"Won't Nawaki come back?" Minato asked.
"That kid said he doesn't want to come back and be a third wheel."
As Tsunade spoke, she gave Mikoto a meaningful look. The air in the room suddenly felt heavy with unspoken implications.
Mikoto's cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly waved her hands: "Nawaki misunderstood. Minato-kun and I aren't like what he thinks."
"So it seems Nawaki misunderstood."
Seeing Mikoto's reaction, Tsunade subtly stepped on Minato's foot. The pressure was a silent warning, a reminder of the secrets they shared.
Minato ate the grilled meat expressionlessly, silently pondering how to make his "I want it all" idea clear to Tsunade. Each of the three had their own thoughts, and the air grew quiet for a moment, filled with an awkward atmosphere.
This continued until Tsunade had eaten and drunk her fill and got up to leave. She left with a lingering glance at Minato, her eyes unreadable.
With only Minato and Mikoto left in the room, Mikoto sighed in relief. Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind.
Recalling the awkward atmosphere earlier, she felt she had grasped something. The way Tsunade looked at him, the way they seemed to communicate without words—it was all too familiar.
Then she looked at Minato, her gaze carrying a hint of probing: "The other person Minato-kun likes—it must be Senior Tsunade, right?"
"It's you."
Minato replied without changing his expression. His voice was steady, his blue eyes locking onto hers with a sudden, piercing intensity.
"Huh?!"
Mikoto's face instantly turned bright red: "How could that be?"
This doesn't seem right?
Earlier, Tsunade's words clearly carried a hint of jealousy. As a girl herself, she wouldn't mistake this emotion, which is quite common among girls.
Thinking carefully, in their daily interactions, Tsunade always sought Minato's opinion no matter what she did. This itself was a sign of dependence, usually only seen between married couples.
Logically, this was Minato's private matter, and she shouldn't pry. But for some reason, she couldn't help feeling a desire to investigate.
"Why not?"
Minato smiled gently: "In terms of appearance, Sister Mikoto is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. In terms of personality, Sister Mikoto is gentle, kind, intelligent, and considerate. In terms of talent, Sister Mikoto comes from the Uchiha Clan and is a top Genius among the younger generation. How could I not like such an outstanding girl?"
Hearing this, Mikoto's mind went completely blank, never expecting Minato to suddenly throw a straight ball!
Little did she know, Minato was also out of options.
Him liking Tsunade wasn't a problem, but if someone followed this clue and discovered Tsunade also liked him, that would be a big issue. The power of a village's gossip was a force even a Sannin could not easily deflect.
The gossip of Konoha's Troublesome Citizens doesn't care about your status or background. And Tsunade is psychologically fragile!
So, at least until he grows stronger, this absolutely must not be exposed!
Minato isn't very good at lying, but he can choose to tell the truth selectively. He did like Mikoto; that was no lie. He simply didn't mention he liked the others just as much.
Mikoto looked at Minato's candid expression, unsure how to respond: "But—that time before."
"Nawaki was there last time; I couldn't very well say I'm fickle and have many affections."
Minato shook his head helplessly: "I know this isn't right, but seeing Sister Mikoto so curious, I couldn't let you keep guessing blindly."
After all, you guessed too accurately!
"This—"
Mikoto covered her mouth, looking at Minato in disbelief, never expecting Minato would actually like her.
Being liked by such an outstanding member of the opposite sex made her feel unconsciously happy. The validation was a warm rush through her veins.
If it weren't for the relationship with Kushina, she might have impulsively responded to him.
"This isn't right—"
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