At the end of December, snow once again covered Konoha.
With the New Year approaching, the shopping district grew busier, and the Uchiha Police Force was forced to take on more work.
Kushina had finally been allowed to leave the barrier for a while. She bounced along beside Minato Namikaze, wanting to stop at every single shop.
"I heard Mikoto's planning to have a child in another couple of years. Looks like she doesn't intend to continue her career as a ninja."
In a kimono shop, Kushina quietly shared the gossip she'd heard.
Beside her, Minato couldn't help feeling that the girl was hinting at something. Embarrassed, he scratched his head and replied without thinking:
"That just means they're happy together!"
"I really like life as a ninja. I wish we could go on missions together..."
Kushina, who longed for a life of freedom, looked at the man she loved and muttered under her breath. Minato knew there was little he could do to change her circumstances, so in the end he could only comfort her gently:
"That day will come! Oh, I think this red one would suit you!"
"Really?..."
Knowing what it meant to exchange kimonos, Kushina blushed too. She wanted to take their relationship a step further in the New Year.
"Honestly, we finally get a day off, and you had to drag us here?"
"Kakashi, you're always making your seniors repeat a year at the Academy. Lots of people there are complaining about you."
Obito Uchiha's loud voice ruined the subtle mood between the two. Kushina clenched her fist in annoyance, but soon a girl's gentle voice followed:
"Obito, I told you to keep your voice down!"
"I'm so sorry. He just didn't notice what was going on around him."
Rin Nohara came over and bowed slightly. Her considerate manner brought a smile back to Kushina's face. She left Minato's side and went over to her with a sigh:
"What a cute girl!"
Most of the couples in the shop smiled along with her. Everyone liked a polite, thoughtful, and adorable girl.
Kakashi, dressed in a blue long-sleeved training outfit, paid no attention to what was happening around him. But when he looked at Minato, his expression turned serious.
"Kakashi, is it? We didn't have much time to talk when we last met. Lord Hokage has been praising your talent lately."
"I hope I haven't caused the village any trouble."
At Minato's words, Kakashi bowed slightly in reply. Minato immediately broke into a sunny smile and seemed about to continue the conversation, but Kushina returned to his side.
"See you next time!"
Minato gave a brief wave as Kushina pulled him away. Once they had left the kimono shop, she quietly asked:
"So that's Kakashi? The kid who turned down your offer to join your team a while ago?"
Minato smiled, taking the rejection in stride. He bore no grudge and instead gave Kakashi his high praise:
"Don't think of him as a child. Kakashi is already a Chunin."
"He's young, but he can already lead a team on his own."
"Lord Hokage is troubled by the issue of assigning him a team, but I think he's doing well. There's nothing wrong with going back to the Ninja Academy."
"You know my jutsu isn't suited to fighting as part of a squad. Don't be biased against Kakashi."
In Kushina's eyes, Minato was an all-capable, universally beloved genius ninja. When she'd heard recently that he'd been rejected, she'd been furious.
"Honestly, he's just a pretentious little brat!"
After grumbling, Kushina realized she was holding Minato's hand and suddenly couldn't think of anything to say.
Both of them blushed, their fingers intertwined. They hadn't exchanged kimonos yet, but this wasn't a bad outcome either...
Inside the shop, Obito felt a pang of jealousy when he saw Rin helping Kakashi choose clothes. He deliberately changed the subject:
"Who were those 'fried egg and tomatoes' just now? Are they really that strong?"
"They're talented Jonin who've mastered secret techniques! It's hard for the Uchiha dead last to understand that kind of ability."
Kakashi replied calmly. Obito yelled in outrage, and in the end the shopkeeper had to escort all three of them to the door while Rin repeatedly apologized.
"Honestly, I was going to pick something out for you!"
"Obito, Kakashi finally has some free time too. Don't keep arguing with him."
Rin gently chided him. Obito ignored the second half of her sentence, rubbed his head awkwardly, and stammered:
"A kimono you picked out for me? Actually, I..."
"Idiot!"
"Kakashi, this is all your fault! Rin couldn't finish picking out her clothes because of you!"
Obito started attacking the expressionless Kakashi again. Rin watched them and laughed happily. She truly didn't want a war to break out. She just wanted them all to live together in friendship.
On the last day of December, Konoha Hospital finally got a brief holiday.
The Genin in the Medical Corps bowed respectfully to Shu Furukawa, then waved goodbye.
Shu Furukawa had mastered the Mystical Palm Technique, Chakra Scalpel, Delicate Illness Extraction Technique, Healing Technique, and other Medical Ninjutsu.
Though he still lacked experience, as long as he continued to grow, he would most likely become as outstanding a medical ninja as Tsunade.
The Peace-Life Faction's ninjas enjoyed the lives they had, and the Medical Corps was one such group. They earned decent wages, and their work was very safe.
No one here looked forward to war. They even despised the localized conflicts going on now.
Though they didn't have much say in the village, the Medical Corps ninjas hoped Tsunade would become Hokage. They believed that was the village's future.
"Is Lady Tsunade still troubled by those things?"
"This is just one way the Medical Corps ninjas show their support for her."
In the office, Shu Furukawa set down a cup of hot tea and teased Tsunade, whose brow was furrowed. She shot him an irritated look, took the cup, and replied helplessly:
"I understand how everyone feels. I'm just not suited to that position."
"The old man isn't so old that he needs to retire yet. There's no need to start arguing about this now."
"Besides, we're facing the threat of war. This is the time to stand united."
People argued over who would become Hokage and promoted war for their own gain. Shu Furukawa didn't know what things were like in other villages, but he doubted they were any better.
"Lady Tsunade, you're still worried about war, aren't you? You haven't even started training in the Strength of a Hundred Technique."
"At this rate, I might condense the Strength of a Hundred Seal before you do. If war really breaks out, I'll protect you."
At Shu Furukawa's words, Tsunade merely reached over and flicked him on the forehead. Then she narrowed her eyes, propped her chin on her hand, and teased:
"Don't think that training in Senjutsu means you can surpass me!"
"No wonder Shizune says your name even in her sleep..."
On January 1, Year 46 of Konoha, the first day of the New Year, Shu Furukawa rose early and immersed himself in refining Senjutsu Chakra.
Katsuyu worked hard to sense it from his shoulder. When she saw Shu Furukawa open his eyes, she immediately said with delight:
"Lord Shu, your progress is going very smoothly!"
"I'm sure Natural Energy has already begun transforming your cells. It reminds me of Lady Tsunade's grandfather, Hashirama Senju."
"Someday, Lord Shu, you'll be able to use Senjutsu Chakra at the cellular level too."
Shu Furukawa nodded. Collection changed his body much like gaining a chakra nature:
"Katsuyu, war is my chance. I want to test your theory about chakra."
"..."