Namikaze Minato, the Casanova of the Waves

As Soseki was shouting until his throat was dry, someone gracefully leaped down from a tree.

Seeing Kushina's unusual demeanor and Soseki spouting embarrassing words, Namikaze Minato quickly asked, "Kushina, what's wrong? And what are you two doing?"

"Big Sister is being counterattacked by the monster sealed within her!" Soseki replied, then asked, "Big Brother, are you Big Sister's friend?"

"A friend? I guess... maybe?" Namikaze Minato seemed a bit shy. Although he had been secretly watching her, Kushina was very resistant to the outside world, which meant they hadn't actually spoken much.

"That's great!" Soseki cheered. "Big Sister is currently fighting the monster with her willpower. Big Brother, quickly say something to make Big Sister happy and confident. It would be best if you could remind her of your bond!"

"Is that so?" Hearing about Kushina's critical condition, Namikaze Minato didn't care about anything else and impulsively spoke the words he had kept hidden in his heart for a long time.

"Because of your beautiful red hair, I noticed you as soon as you came to school. Back then, you were mocked for your red hair, and I was so angry I wanted to stand up and help you."

"But you didn't cry weakly when you were bullied; instead, you bravely fought back. From that moment on, I knew you were strong, both in power and in spirit!"

"I truly like this kind of Kushina! Also, today is actually the anniversary of when you first came to school. I didn't have the courage to ask for your birthday, so I remembered this day."

"I originally planned to ask you out on a date, but I unexpectedly discovered you had been captured... And I don't want to lose you!"

Soseki's mouth twitched slightly. What is this? A cheesy pickup line?

As expected of Namikaze Minato, he has such unique insights when it comes to language!

However, after Namikaze Minato finished his heartfelt confession, the ominous red mist surrounding Kushina dissipated at an almost cliff-like speed.

In just a few breaths, Kushina returned to normal. Then, her body went limp, and she collapsed into Namikaze Minato's arms.

Asuma stared in disbelief. "Is this... is this the world of the strong?"

The next day, at the Hokage Building.

"Hiruzen, you already know about what happened yesterday, right?"

"Of course. They are all good children!"

"Don't play dumb with me!" Danzō chuckled coldly. "You intend to just let the matter of breaking the Nine-Tails' seal go?"

"Heh, take a look at this." The Third Hokage didn't get angry. He took out his pipe and pushed a document over.

Danzō snorted, took the document, and his eyes nearly popped out.

The document stated that the crisis was caused by his indulgence of Cloud Village spies.

Upon reading this, he finally recalled that due to the circumstances, he had planned to follow the lead to capture more spies, so he hadn't paid much attention to that group.

Moreover, he didn't think a group of genin could carry out any secret missions. He never imagined that the Cloud Village spies would stumble upon such a prize by chance.

"Cough, cough." Danzō calmly pushed the document back. "Let's set this aside for now and discuss the next issue."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, standing nearby, secretly shook their heads. Danzō still can't outmaneuver Hiruzen.

The Third Hokage smiled calmly. "Then, let's discuss the rewards for Namikaze Minato and Shimizu Soseki..."

"Wait a moment." Danzō, who had just quieted down, immediately interrupted. "I believe it's necessary to bring Namikaze Minato and Shimizu Soseki back to 'Root' for my personal training."

"Danzō, do you know what you're saying?" The Third Hokage's gentle face suddenly turned stern.

"You are too soft, Hiruzen!" Danzō retorted sharply. "One of them can cause a Jinchuriki to go berserk, and the other can calm a Jinchuriki. Such a bond can become the best tool for us to control the Nine-Tails!"

"Lady Mito said that to avoid being corrupted by the Nine-Tails' hatred, one must first fill their heart with love!" The Third Hokage lowered his eyelids. "Kushina has now filled her inner emptiness. I will not let you push her into the abyss!"

"Foolish. Ninjas are inherently tools, and Jinchuriki are even less than containers," Danzō said forcefully. "In any case, I must have Namikaze Minato and Shimizu Soseki..."

Bang!

The door was violently pushed open, sending debris flying.

The ANBU ninjas hidden around them instantly jumped out, but upon seeing who it was, they consciously retreated.

Confirmed the look in their eyes, they're people we can't afford to mess with.

Seeing the two approaching him aggressively, Danzō's eyes darkened. "Jiraiya, Tsunade, what are you two trying to..."

Before he could finish speaking, Tsunade raised her fist and smashed down hard.

Boom!

A huge crater was directly formed where Danzō stood, and even the entire Hokage Building trembled.

The next moment, Danzō walked back from a dark corner, his face no longer just gloomy but so enraged that his hair stood on end. "You two scoundrels, are you trying to betray the village?"

Tsunade said with a cold face and overwhelming presence, "I've only come to say one thing today. If you dare to touch my disciples, don't blame me for fighting you to the death!"

Jiraiya laughed heartily from the side. "The same goes for my disciples."

Danzō's face was so dark it could drip water. "For Konoha, a little sacrifice is worth it..."

Bang!

Another substitution jutsu was directly blown up by Tsunade.

"I didn't come here to listen to your nonsense." Tsunade rested one hand on the table. "In short, I don't care if your 'Root' did it or not, but if my disciples encounter danger in the village, I'll hold 'Root' responsible. For every attack, I will kill one person!"

This time, even the two advisors watching from the side slammed the table in anger. "Tsunade, do you know what you're saying? Regardless, the ninjas of 'Root' are also your comrades in Konoha!"

Jiraiya, listening from the side, couldn't help but click his tongue. Tsunade was as hot-tempered as ever!

"Companions?" Tsunade scoffed. "Do you really think those people understand the meaning of companions?"

"Enough!" Danzō, emerging from the corner once more, roared. "Do you think I wouldn't dare to declare you a rogue ninja?"

"Suit yourself," Tsunade said, waving her hand dismissively. "If I weren't waiting for Shizune to graduate, I would have left Konoha with her long ago."

"Tsunade, don't be rash!"

"Danzō, you calm down too!"

The two Hokage advisors quickly stepped in to mediate.

Setting aside Tsunade's symbolic status, her medical skills alone, which were of strategic importance, made them hesitant to act rashly.

However, Tsunade wasn't swayed. "I'm not here to discuss this with you today. I'm just here to tell you a fact. Whether you choose to believe it or not is not my concern!"

With that, she left decisively.

Jiraiya, standing nearby, was momentarily bewildered. He felt like he had only said one sentence today.

Shaking his head, he followed after her, leaving behind a parting remark.

"A word of advice: don't provoke a crazy woman, and the same goes for an angry Sage!"

Thanks to Zui Meng Wu Xiao for the 1000 tip, Haitang Zui Ri for the 500 tip, zhenglei325 for the 100 tip, Feng Zi... for the 100 tip, and Chuang Xia Na Ge Ren for the 100 tip.