He's a Scumbag, Mikoto. Hiruzen, What If I Refuse?

Kushina stood where she was, countless thoughts flashing through her mind.

Watching Chiyo and Mikoto acting so intimately, she felt oddly uncomfortable.

He was so close with Lady Tsunade before, and now he's being ambiguous with Mikoto...

That Chiyo Uchiha is obviously no good person!

He's a scumbag, Mikoto!!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Her fiery red hair began to flutter despite the absence of wind.

As she stared at Chiyo Uchiha's face,

her thoughts suddenly froze, and that night surfaced in her mind.

She had been captured at the border by Kumogakure ninja...

Just as she was about to be taken out of Konoha, Chiyo descended like a god, killed the enemy ninja, and saved her.

"What outsider? Isn't that a Konoha forehead protector on your head?"

Whenever she recalled him saying that,

Kushina could never forget it.

His gaze had been resolute then, and his movements swift and decisive!

It gave her an overwhelming sense of belonging.

She had finally become part of the group, at the very least...

In Chiyo's eyes, she was his companion!!

Hadn't she wanted to thank Chiyo properly the next time she saw him?

Why was she acting so out of sorts today?!

Kushina calmed her anger, then froze.

No, wait. Why do I care so much that he's close with Mikoto?

Kushina was startled by her own emotions.

Her bright red hair, which had been floating moments ago,

immediately fell back down, draping smoothly over her shoulders.

Kushina hurriedly shook her head, trying to drive those messy thoughts away.

Seeing Kushina standing blankly at the doorway,

Mikoto quickly straightened up and walked over, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Mikoto Uchiha (grown up)

"Kushina, you came at just the right time! I just made a new dish and was having Chiyo-niichan help me taste it."

He was only tasting it?

Hearing that explanation, Kushina inexplicably felt relieved.

But then she became annoyed with herself.

Why do I care so much?

She bent down to pick up the bag of Red Bean Cake that had fallen to the ground and spoke casually.

Kushina Uzumaki (grown up)

"Oh... then I'll have a taste too!"

After taking two steps, she looked around.

"Um, isn't Grandpa Sosuke home?"

"Grandpa went out!"

Hearing that answer, Kushina secretly gritted her teeth.

No wonder that scumbag came to Mikoto's house. Grandpa Sosuke wasn't home!

No, wait!

Grandpa Sosuke had always watched Mikoto very strictly. Why was he letting Mikoto stay alone with Chiyo Uchiha now?!

That had never happened before, had it?!

Just as Kushina was feeling puzzled, Mikoto broke into a delighted smile and took her hand, leading her inside.

"I made enough for three people, Kushina. You have to give it a proper taste later!"

The two huddled together and whispered.

The awkward atmosphere from earlier quickly faded away.

Mikoto warmly invited Kushina to sit, then turned toward the kitchen to fetch bowls and chopsticks.

Only Chiyo and Kushina remained at the dining table.

Kushina plopped down across from Chiyo, folding her arms over her chest.

She glared fiercely at him, her eyes filled with dissatisfaction and accusation.

Chiyo was baffled by the glare and raised an eyebrow.

"What? Do I owe you money?"

"Hmph!"

"You were clearly with Lady Tsu..."

Kushina stopped halfway through, then shot Chiyo another glare.

She turned her face away, looking as though she could not be bothered with him.

Just then, Mikoto returned with the bowls and chopsticks and handed them to Kushina with a smile.

"Try this grilled fish! I made a new sauce for it!"

Kushina accepted the bowl and chopsticks, and the expression on her face instantly changed into a radiant smile.

"Thank you, Mikoto! I'll definitely enjoy it properly!"

Mikoto Uchiha, Kushina Uzumaki

Seeing this, Chiyo nearly choked on his soup.

That was way too fast. Did changing faces not cost her anything?

Mikoto did not notice the subtle tension between them.

She happily sat beside Chiyo and watched expectantly as Kushina picked up her chopsticks.

"Well? Is it good?"

Kushina took a bite of the grilled fish, and her eyes lit up.

"It's really delicious! Mikoto's cooking is getting better and better!"

Mikoto smiled happily and placed a piece of tempura into each of their bowls.

"Then try this too!"

The three appeared to be enjoying their meal harmoniously, but an undercurrent ran beneath the table.

Whenever Chiyo looked up, he would meet Kushina's secretly glaring eyes.

Meanwhile, Mikoto was immersed in the joy of sharing food and did not notice their "confrontation" at all.

After dinner ended, Kushina volunteered to clear the dishes.

Mikoto went to the kitchen to prepare tea and snacks, leaving only Chiyo and Kushina in the living room again.

Kushina seized the chance to move closer to Chiyo and warned him in a low voice.

"I'm warning you, don't bully Mikoto!"

"?"

Chiyo glanced at her. The way she watched him so warily made her look like a kitten guarding its food.

"Are you telling me what to do?"

Kushina was momentarily speechless.

After holding it in for a while, she finally squeezed out a sentence.

"Anyway... stay away from her! Don't hurt Mikoto! And don't hurt Lady Tsunade either!"

"Who asked you to care?"

Kushina was so angry that her breathing became hurried. Seeing how nonchalant Chiyo looked, she stamped her foot and stormed toward the kitchen.

"Mikoto!"

Kushina walked up to Mikoto, who was washing dishes, and spoke softly.

"Hm? Kushina, what is it?"

Mikoto stopped washing and turned back at her in confusion.

"Do you like that guy?"

"That guy?"

"The one outside... Chiyo Uchiha!"

"Ah! Kushina, why would you ask that?!"

Mikoto's face reddened as she looked nervously at Kushina.

Seeing Mikoto's reaction, how could Kushina not understand what she was thinking?

Mikoto, you're doomed!

You've fallen into a love that has no future. Do you know that?!

"Then do you know anything else about Chiyo?"

"Anything else? Kushina, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Kushina opened her mouth, but in the end, she could not bear to say something that would hurt Mikoto and swallowed the words.

Meanwhile, at the Land of Fire Border, Root base.

Danzo sat in a dimly lit room.

"Lord Danzo, the Stone Ninja within Amegakure have begun withdrawing one after another."

Danzo nodded.

"Tell me about Hanzō of Amegakure!"

The ninja kneeling on one knee below took out a Scroll from his clothes and opened it.

"According to reports from our agents who infiltrated Amegakure,

before his death, Hanzō attacked several Sand Ninja combat units, as well as Konoha units.

He then went missing, and Amegakure sealed off the news internally.

Hanzō's corpse and related matters have also been tightly controlled by Amegakure. The exact cause of death remains unknown.

Mentioning Hanzō has already been strictly forbidden within Amegakure."

Danzo tapped his fingers and swept his gaze over them again.

"Which Konoha units were attacked?"

"One was a unit led by a Jonin of the Senju Clan, while the other was led by Lord Orochimaru!"

A unit led by Orochimaru?

Thinking of what Orochimaru had said earlier, Danzo rubbed his head.

"Have the agents continue their investigation!"

"Yes!"

The Root ninja quickly departed.

Suddenly, the sound of flapping wings came from the stronghold as a ninja hawk landed.

A Root ninja quickly stepped forward and removed the message scroll.

He entered the base and delivered it to Danzo.

"Lord Danzo, this is a letter from the village."

Danzo took it and unfolded it, his expression instantly darkening.

"Transfer Yakushi Nonō back to the village, to the medical system?"

"Hiruzen, you really are... becoming more and more fond of meddling in my affairs."

Danzo's face twisted with agitation, as if he had swallowed fly droppings.

"Yakushi Nonō is the top elite of my Root. Root has painstakingly trained her for so many years, and you want to transfer one of my Root elites away with a single sentence?!"

"Hiruzen, what if I refuse?!"

Danzo's expression was gloomy as he stood and paced back and forth with his cane.

The cane produced a dense clacking sound throughout the base.

Only after about twenty minutes did the clacking stop.

Danzo had returned to his seat and calmly looked at the Root ninja waiting nearby.

"Reply."

The Root ninja quickly took out paper and a pen.

"Understood."

The Root ninja was slightly stunned, then quickly understood and began writing.

"Have someone notify Yakushi Nonō to return to the village and obey the Hokage's... orders!"

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