Just as Minato tried to explain, he heard Kushina say, "Yes, returning during a mission for personal reasons doesn't seem very appropriate... A man should put his career first! Fine!"
"Ah, it's best that you can think that way, Kushina... Hehe..."
Kushina snorted and asked with concern, "You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Come in, I'll make something!"
"Don't make mine. I already ate at the Third Hokage's place..."
"What???"
"Don't come looking for me first thing in the morning, only to have breakfast with that old man!!!"
Minato suddenly realized something was wrong. He tried to explain, but no words came out. All he could say was, "The Third Hokage insisted on keeping me, so I couldn't refuse... Hehe... How about this? I'd be happy just watching you eat too, okay?"
Kushina tilted her head and thought about it. It seemed like a good idea, so she began preparing breakfast.
After taking a few bites, Kushina asked, "Why did you go to the Third Hokage's place so early?"
"Hm?"
"Oh, right! There was something. It was about the Chunin Exams!"
"The Chunin Exams?" Kushina said impatiently. "Didn't Konoha's Chunin Exams already begin? What is there to discuss?"
Minato explained, "Not Konoha's. We're inviting shinobi from other countries to come to Konoha for the Chunin Exams!"
Kushina was rather slow to catch on and did not understand what that meant. Minato told her about his discussion with the Third Hokage.
She asked, "Will that work?"
Minato said awkwardly, "It depends on the people involved. We have to give it a try. Oh, and I may be heading out on a mission tomorrow. It'll probably take a few days..."
"You're going out again?"
"Yeah!"
Kushina set down her chopsticks halfway through her meal, her expression darkening. "You're going to send