Dinner ended amid Akaseki's lofty discourse.
"Ranwu... shall I walk you home?" Akaseki offered eagerly after paying the bill.
"Huh?" Ranwu froze.
Shinnosuke also stared at Akaseki in shock. Could it be... these two were actually...
Then Minato dragged him away.
"It's not like I've never been to Forest Street! Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle really like me!" Akaseki pointedly added.
"N-no need! It's not even on your way!" Ranwu began to panic.
To Ranwu, Akaseki was acting strangely today, and at times he was even more annoying than usual, but... he was also unusually forward!
It was a little too much for her.
Hearing that, Akaseki didn't insist. He simply said to Minato, "Minato, how long can you stay in the village? Let's visit Kushina tomorrow."
"I don't have any missions for now... I went to see Kushina once when I first got back. I was thinking of going again tomorrow anyway." Minato smiled.
"I see..." Akaseki understood.
It seemed Minato's standing was rising as the war went on.
Now he could visit Kushina on his own, without Akaseki taking him there.
"Then I'll come too... I haven't seen Kushina in ages," Ranwu interjected.
"Sure, let's all go." Akaseki nodded. Since Ranwu had spoken up, she must have permission to visit.
Besides, Akaseki figured Kushina missed him too, so he might as well see her.
More importantly...
Akaseki glanced at Hikari.
He also wanted to ask Kushina about the Uzumaki Clan's space-time sealing!
For some reason, ever since Hikari had emerged from the seal, she had been unable to replenish her chakra on her own. She could only absorb it through "Engraving."
Of course, Akaseki wasn't hoping she would recover immediately, but... he was still concerned about it!
Although Akaseki remained wary of Hikari, he also felt sympathy for