Assassination

At the same time, in a hot spring village twenty kilometers outside of Konoha.

Inside a certain hot spring inn, Tsunade leaned her head back against the edge of the pool, her arms draped over her forehead, her demeanor appearing somewhat listless.

Minato Namikaze...

The image of that little blond-haired boy kept flashing through her mind, and Tsunade let out a melancholy sigh.

How did it come to this?

When exactly did it start?

Without her realizing it, Minato had quietly occupied every corner of her life with his harmless demeanor.

He would go grocery shopping and cook with her, patiently help her pick out clothes, coax her into a good mood when she was angry, play dice and cards with her, and occasionally watch the sunset with her in the courtyard.

Even though he was younger than Nawaki, he took care of Nawaki just like an older brother.

Even she herself was being gently looked after by him...

In truth, she had regretted leaving the village the very moment she stepped out.

Especially when she thought about how that girl Kushina had already been harboring ulterior motives toward Minato, and how her own departure had given the girl an opportunity, a wave of bitterness couldn't help but well up in her heart.

Yet, remembering the hurried and resolute attitude she had displayed when she left, she really couldn't bring herself to just go back like that.

At the very least... she had to develop that ninjutsu before returning.

Otherwise, it would be too embarrassing!

But even if she went back, what could she actually do?

In reality, the customs of the ninja world were quite open.

A fourteen-year age gap was not a problem.

The master-disciple relationship wasn't an obstacle either.

What truly made Tsunade feel unable to accept it was Minato's current age!

She was actually feeling... forget it, better not to say it!

It was likely because Minato was only five years old that she had ignored the "threat" he posed.

Yet, his precocious mind had caused her to subconsciously overlook his age, which led to the shift in her mindset.

But the most troublesome thing about feelings is that even if you can clear up your thoughts, you can't necessarily make a rational choice...

This was the one thing that troubled Tsunade the most right now.

Should she let things take their natural course, or should she cut the Gordian knot?

She just leaned against the edge of the hot spring, lost in deep contemplation.

How does Minato... view me?

Would he think I'm a pervert?

He's so smart, he must have noticed something, right?

How am I supposed to face him?

Suddenly, a puff of smoke exploded, and Tsunade felt her body sink as the hot spring water turned into warm, viscous slime, and the surrounding environment plunged into darkness.

"Reverse Summoning?"

Tsunade reacted instantly.

Because Shikkotsu Forest, where the main body of Katsuyu resided, was not suitable for human survival, every time she was reverse-summoned, she was directly enveloped inside Katsuyu's body.

"Little Tsunade, someone has infiltrated your home. Minato asked me to notify you immediately. Also, Nawaki and Kushina are inside my clone, so you don't need to worry."

Katsuyu's voice came from the darkness, and then she quickly canceled the reverse summoning.

Splash—

Tsunade fell back into the hot spring water. After a brief moment of stunned silence, a fierce, murderous aura suddenly surged between her brows!

Minato is in danger!

Damn it, who did this?!

I've barely left Konoha, and someone is already targeting Minato?

Too hurried to dry her body, she quickly put on her clothes, vaulted directly over the wooden fence of the women's bath, and rushed toward Konoha at top speed.

At the same time, at Tsunade's home.

Minato and two Wood Clones were eating, pondering the intruders' intentions.

Four people: one guarding outside Kushina's window, one guarding the space between his room and Kushina's, and the remaining two were all in his room.

Judging by the formation, the intruders were intentionally trying to prevent him from supporting Kushina.

If that was the case, then the two people in his room might not be aiming to kill him, but rather to stall him. Otherwise, given Nawaki's status as the grandson of the First Hokage, he should have at least been one of the assassination targets.

Looking at it this way, the intruders were likely from the village, with Danzo being the most probable culprit.

As for the specific situation, he would have to make contact to find out.

If it truly was Danzo...

Heh!

Having made his calculations, Minato signaled with his hand.

"I'm full!"

Kushina set down her chopsticks: "I'm going to take a bath in a bit, you guys wait a while~"

As she spoke, she walked toward her room with light, brisk steps.

"I'm full too, wait up, Kushina."

Minato followed closely behind: "Did you finish the manga Nawaki lent you?"

"Finished it, I'll get it for you when I get to my room."

"Mm, thanks."

Minato called out toward the living room: "Whoever finishes last does the dishes, Nawaki!"

"Got it..."

Nawaki replied with a helpless tone.

Minato smiled, turned, and walked into the bedroom.

The moment the door closed, a towel reeking of anesthetic was pressed against his mouth!

Poof!

Minato's figure dissipated, leaving only a wooden log in his place.

"Substitution Technique?"

Two figures wearing Cloud Village attire and masks suddenly appeared in the room.

"Cloud Village people?"

Minato leaned against the wall, watching the two of them vigilantly.

"The plan failed, we have no choice but to use force."

The two exchanged a glance and launched an attack on Minato in unison.

Clang—

The sound of metal clashing rang out in the bedroom.

During the brief exchange, Minato intentionally left two openings, discovering that the two before him indeed lacked any killing intent.

"Oh no, Kushina!"

Minato feigned anxiety, turned to smash through the window, and rushed into the courtyard, with the two men from the room following closely behind.

Just then, the glass in Kushina's room shattered simultaneously, and the infiltrators guarding her window completed a pincer movement with those in the hallway.

Thwack—

In an instant, the Kushina inside the bedroom had her chest pierced through by a long blade.

"Wood Release: Cutting Technique!"

Thwack!

With a dull thud, to the assassin's bewildered gaze, a sharp branch pierced into his body.

"It's a Wood Clone! Our operation is exposed!"

The branch inside his body burst open, sprouting countless forks that tore through him; he collapsed to the ground like a hedgehog, and the other person in the room hurriedly shouted toward the courtyard.

Minato's expression turned cold: "So they really were coming for Kushina..."

"The target isn't here, what do we do?"

"Mission failed, retreat!"

Shangui did not hesitate; they were currently wearing the skin of the Cloud Village and had not yet reached the point where they had to die.

Although they were completely loyal to Danzo, biological instincts still remained.

As the words fell, the three had no intention of lingering in battle; they used Body Flicker to leave the courtyard and scattered to escape.

"Heh..."

Minato did not rush to pursue. Just as he was about to examine the corpse, a loud boom erupted, and a violent explosion occurred in Kushina's room.

Destroying the evidence, are we...

Minato sensed the direction in which the three were fleeing, his smile tinged with coldness.

He had always felt that the greatest strength of Wood Release was never its raw power, but its utility.

Growth, construction, reconnaissance, endurance, and... parasitism!

This was the inspiration the clone seeds had given him; the seeds were still a bit too large in volume, but spores were very discreet...

If it really was Danzo, even the Third Hokage couldn't protect him, because Minato had no intention of giving the man that chance at all.

He had no interest in reasoning with him...