Click!
The soft sound of the Japanese-style door closing slowly echoed through the little cabin.
"Heh..."
Then, as the white light came on, the figure entering the cabin let out a soft sigh tinged with sorrow and worry.
Minato...
As she sighed, the figure did not move. She simply stood by the edge of the table, her right hand lightly pressed against her chest.
By then, the light had illuminated her figure. Her wine-red hair cascaded down her back, sorrow on her beautiful face. Beneath her straight nose, her moist red lips were pressed tightly together.
It was Kushina.
No! This won't do! I can't go on like this. I have to... I have to...
After standing there blankly for a while, Kushina seemed to suddenly think of something. Her entire body trembled, and then she abruptly moved, quickly heading toward the stairs leading to the second floor with a hint of urgency.
At that moment, all she could think of was that lonely figure before the Monument of Spirits—that desolate expression she had never seen on him before.
"Teacher Kushina...?"
Just then, a faintly puzzled voice came from the staircase.
It was Chiba, who had finished his series of training plans and was preparing to take a cold shower before going to bed.
"Chiba? You... you're back?"
Hearing his voice, Kushina froze, abruptly stopping in her tracks as she looked up at the boy coming down from upstairs.
"What is it, Teacher Kushina? Did something happen?"
When Chiba saw the sorrow on Kushina's face, his heart nearly clenched, and he asked with concern.
Did something happen? Kushina's expression... Could someone have died again? Someone close to her?
As his heart tightened, that thought flashed through Chiba's mind.
"No, it's nothing. I just came to get some things."
Seeing Chiba's