"For the next three days, don't mention the words Sealing Jutsu in front of me."
One particular phrase in Hagoromo's words clearly annoyed Kushina.
But if it wasn't about the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Jutsu, then what could possibly make her so cheerful today?
"Oh, I get it. It's because of love—"
Before he could finish, Kushina smacked him on the head.
"Ow!"
"You're an underage kid. Don't you know a little too much?" Kushina snapped.
Was this embarrassment turning into anger?
Yes.
Because Hagoromo had guessed correctly.
Today, Minato Namikaze was returning to Konoha.
To be honest, although Kushina occasionally smacked him like this, Hagoromo actually enjoyed spending time with her.
Kushina had a straightforward personality, and the fact that she didn't hold back with him meant she had already begun treating him like one of her own.
"So that means Minato-senpai is coming back today?" Hagoromo said, rubbing his head while keeping a safe distance from Kushina.
"How do you know about Minato?" Kushina asked in surprise.
How did Hagoromo know Minato's name?
Did he know about her relationship with Minato?
"Minato Namikaze—the Yellow Flash of Konoha. It would be stranger if I didn't know that name," Hagoromo said innocently.
With the progress of the Third Shinobi World War, the name Yellow Flash had begun echoing throughout the Shinobi world.
Especially after Konoha unexpectedly lost the White Fang, Minato had become the village's most powerful mobile combat force, appearing on battlefields everywhere.
Konoha had practically shaped him into their sole heroic symbol.
His reputation had even begun to overshadow the still-active Three Legendary Shinobi.
Whenever the Yellow Flash appeared on the battlefield, it boosted Konoha's morale while striking fear into the enemy.
So for a Shinobi of Hagoromo's age, knowing Minato's name wasn't strange at all.
Back when he was still in the Ninja Academy, many students didn't actually know what Minato looked like.
But they still idolized him.
Of course, that wasn't what Kushina meant.
She had wanted to ask whether Hagoromo knew about her relationship with Minato, and how he knew it.
But Hagoromo's vague answer muddled the conversation.
Fortunately, Kushina didn't care enough to pursue the matter.
"Anyway, today we're taking a break," she declared.
"No Ninjutsu training."
"No C-rank or D-rank missions."
"And no endless Forbidden Jutsu development either."
"Just come with me."
"Understood, Master!" Hagoromo replied immediately.
Naturally, he had no intention of objecting.
Even he understood the importance of balancing work and rest.
————————————
Kushina led Hagoromo to the gates of Konoha.
Then she stood there.
Staring down the road outside the village.
Like a statue waiting for her husband to return.
Not long after, four figures appeared in Hagoromo's field of vision.
One tall.
Three smaller ones.
Unfortunately, the touching reunion scene Hagoromo expected didn't happen.
Minato didn't suddenly teleport in front of Kushina.
Kushina didn't throw herself into Minato's arms either.
Actually…
A dramatic scene did occur.
Just not the kind Hagoromo wanted.
"Hahaha, Hagoromo!"
"How did you know I'd be back today?"
"I didn't expect you to come all the way here to welcome me!"
"As expected of my best friend!"
The speaker needed no introduction.
It was Uchiha Obito.
At times like this, it had to be said—
A brain was a wonderful thing.
Unfortunately, not everyone had one.
Two lovers were finally meeting again.
So why was this idiot the first one to rush forward?
"I should clarify something first," Hagoromo said quickly.
"I didn't come here to welcome you."
He had to explain that immediately.
Otherwise people might get the wrong idea.
"What's there to be embarrassed about?" Obito laughed.
"Our friendship is unquestionable!"
Embarrassed your head.
Unquestionable your head.
I just happened to come along with her, okay?
"Hagoromo! I heard you've been stuck in Konoha this whole time without leaving!" Obito continued proudly.
"Hahaha! That's so pitiful."
"You know, as a real elite ninja like me, I've already completed an A-rank mission!"
"Jealous?"
"Bet you're jealous!"
Hagoromo simply smiled without saying a word.
Heh.
Idiot.
I'm currently participating in an S-rank Forbidden Jutsu development project.
Even if I'm just the assistant.
Hagoromo didn't bother arguing with Obito.
But someone else clearly found him annoying.
Another white-haired boy snorted.
"I don't recall you contributing anything useful during that mission."
"Certain dead-last idiots spent the entire time dragging the team down."
It was Hatake Kakashi.
"Kakashi! What nonsense are you talking about again?!" Obito exploded.
He absolutely couldn't stand Kakashi's arrogant attitude.
Never mind the fact that the arrogant one was actually himself.
The two immediately began their usual bickering.
Hagoromo ignored the idiot.
Instead, he greeted the girl standing behind them.
"Long time no see, Rin."
————————————
"Alright, you three, stop arguing," Minato said.
He had already finished registering his return at the village gate.
"We can talk while we walk."
Minato called his students over and then stepped beside Kushina.
"Kushina."
"I'm back."
The last time Minato returned to the village, he had only briefly come to retrieve the other two members of Team Minato—Rin and Obito.
He had arrived in a hurry and left in a hurry.
He hadn't even had time to meet Kushina.
In fact—
They hadn't seen each other for an entire year.
Minato and Kushina walked at the front.
The others followed behind.
Minato's popularity in Konoha was obvious.
Once villagers noticed he had returned, many people greeted him along the way.
Minato responded to each of them with a gentle smile.
There wasn't the slightest hint of impatience.
Obito was still loudly arguing with Kakashi.
Kakashi maintained his usual indifferent expression, occasionally saying something that provoked Obito even more.
Meanwhile, Rin and Hagoromo chatted quietly together.
"The woman walking in front… is she your teacher?" Rin asked curiously.
"Why does she seem so close to Teacher Minato?"
"What's strange about that?" Hagoromo replied casually.
"Didn't you guys know?"
"Teacher Kushina is Minato-senpai's girlfriend."
He delivered this shocking piece of gossip in the most ordinary tone imaginable.
"Wait—what?!" Rin froze.
"Kushina… the legendary Red-Hot Habanero?"
"She's Teacher Minato's girlfriend?"
"There's nothing strange about that," Hagoromo said.
"Red hair and yellow hair match pretty well."
"Honestly, you guys should already know something like that."
Without realizing it, Obito and Kakashi had both stopped arguing.
They were quietly listening to Hagoromo.
In a Shinobi world that loved gossip, such news was especially valuable during wartime.
After all—
One side of the rumor was the infamous Red-Hot Habanero.
The other was the legendary Yellow Flash.
"Tch. What use is information like that?" Obito said stubbornly.
Even though he clearly wanted to hear more.
"Of course it's useful," Hagoromo replied calmly.
"If you collect enough information, you might eventually find your teacher's weaknesses."
"And if there's a Jutsu you want to learn…"
"You could always use that weakness as leverage."