Meeting Kushina

You've got some nerve, Minato Namikaze! You came back and didn't even come find me first!

Kushina Uzumaki grabbed Minato Namikaze by the ear with one hand and planted the other on her hip as she roared at him. Her red hair billowed behind her.

That's Chakra unconsciously radiating, creating this pressure. No wonder Kushina is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Just judging by this pressure, she's even stronger than the already grown-up Killer B. The Nine-Tails really is a beast that can take on eight opponents at once.

White had been silently marveling at the strength of the Nine-Tails and Kushina when he suddenly felt a chill run down his back. He slowly raised his head—and saw Kushina staring at him.

Oh, it's you! The guy from Konoha Gate! You really have no manners!

"Um, Kushina, you and Minato really are a perfect match!"

White glanced at Minato, whose ear was still in Kushina's hand, and blurted it out.

As soon as the words left his mouth, White froze, unsure why he'd said such a thing.

Kushina froze too. A moment later, her face flushed red, and she asked in a voice so quiet White could barely hear her.

"Really? You truly think so?"

Seeing Kushina looking bashful while still gripping Minato's ear, White decided it was better for someone else to suffer, and gave her a firm answer.

"Yes. No one could be a better match than you two. Right, Duy?"

After answering Kushina, White also gave Might Duy, who stood behind him looking a little stunned, a nudge with his foot.

Watching all this, Duy couldn't figure out why White had kicked him. But he was clearly excited as he said,

"Ah! White, why are the two of them such a good match?"

As he spoke, tears streamed down his face.

"White, is this what youth is?"

Duy's outburst left Kushina at a loss. She instinctively released Minato's ear and ducked behind him.

Kushina must still be frightened deep down. Her tough exterior is just a front; sometimes, her instinct is still to hide behind Minato. A couple like this shouldn't become casualties of someone else's ambitions. I'll change everything.

Watching the scene, White made up his mind.

Minato and White weren't surprised by Duy's behavior.

It took a good while for the four of them to finally settle down.

Now seated around the dining table, the four no longer felt as awkward as they had when they first met.

"Hello, Kushina! I'm Might Guy. I've been on missions with Minato. This is Might Duy!"

"Haha! I'm Might Duy! I met Minato on a mission, too. He's really strong and has helped me so much. He's the kind of person who gets your blood pumping! What wonderful youth!"

When Duy heard White introduce him, he jumped in and spoke for himself. White had meant to introduce Duy to spare everyone the awkwardness, but he'd underestimated Duy's enthusiasm.

Minato and Kushina, on the other hand, warmly welcomed Duy.

"Hello, Duy! I'm Kushina Uzumaki, Minato's girlfriend. It's nice to meet you!"

Kushina's face reddened again when she said "girlfriend," but this time she didn't hide behind Minato.

"Minato really is amazing. I'm amazing too, and we can train together sometime!"

White saw Minato quietly pull back his hand. It seemed he'd guessed what Kushina was about to say and wanted to stop her, but he hadn't timed it right, and she'd gotten the words out anyway.

White knew what Minato was worried about. Before he could finish thinking, Duy spoke beside him. White thought, Just as I expected.

"Oh! Really? Training together would be wonderful! This is the flavor of youth! This is what it feels like to burn with youthful passion!"

As Duy spoke, tears streamed down his face. His eyes shone as he turned to Kushina.

This is bad!

This is bad!

White and Minato both cried out in their minds at the same time.

Boom!

Smack!

The first sound was Duy crashing into the wall; the second was him landing face-first on the floor.

White silently withdrew the hand he'd reached out to pull Duy back. He'd forgotten Duy was wearing weights; his movement had been too slow, and he hadn't managed to stop him.

Minato also silently withdrew his hand. He'd wanted to hold Kushina back, but hadn't dared. He exchanged a glance with White, then awkwardly pulled his hand back.

"Uh! How did I end up lying on the floor?"

Duy, sprawled on the ground, asked the others a question that seemed to come from the depths of his soul.

White looked up at Kushina. Duy might not have noticed, but White had seen clearly: the instant Kushina struck, red Chakra seeped out from her body. White guessed it was the Nine-Tails' Chakra, but he couldn't tell whether it had leaked out unconsciously or been drawn out by Kushina.