On a hillside in a village within the Land of Fire.
This place was more than a hundred li from the Land of Rain's border.
Having dispelled her Tailed Beast Cloak, Kushina looked deeply remorseful.
She believed that her insistence on completing the mission had caused three Konoha Ninja companions to die at the Land of Rain's border.
Minato Namikaze did not know how to comfort her either.
In truth, Minato Namikaze had not supported abandoning the mission, because doing so would damage Konoha's reputation.
He also believed it would leave a stain on Kushina's mission record.
Anju was also quite displeased with their way of thinking.
Perhaps ninja from the hidden villages placed great importance on reputation, while Anju did not care about such things, making him seem completely out of place.
"Kushina, let's return to Konoha first. Your mission has already failed." Anju's attempt to persuade Kushina only made her feel more dejected.
At that moment, Minato Namikaze spoke. "No. I'll take responsibility for completing Kushina's mission. Anju, wait here with her. I'll bring back good news."
Minato Namikaze vanished.
Kushina still sat silently on the hillside.
"Kushina, don't dwell on it too much. The enemies you encountered this time were extremely strong. You should understand that escaping was already no easy feat."
After Anju spoke, some light returned to Kushina Uzumaki's eyes.
"Anju, tell me. Do you know anything about them?"
"I do."
"Damn it! Why didn't you tell me?!"
"Kushina, knowing wouldn't have done you any good. It would only have dealt a blow to your confidence."
"At least if I'd known, I might have chosen to retreat immediately instead of staying behind to fight them!"
Kushina's anger made Anju sigh. True enough, hiding things might make him seem mysterious and unfathomable, but this time they