It was another beautiful day.
In the Land of Rain, clear skies after rain only came once a month. In Konoha, they were an everyday occurrence.
When Hyuga Wuye swept across the village's bustling district with his Byakugan, Kushina was huddled together with Uchiha Mikoto in a dessert shop, whispering about something.
To Wuye, if he could not obtain Kaguya's unique Byakugan, then the Byakugan only retained its scouting function for him.
After all, the three-tomoe Sharingan was more practical in battle.
Hyuga Wuye was certain that Kaguya had long been willing to share everything with him, but her eyes seemed too unique. He had never been able to replicate them, so he could only set the matter aside for now.
"Kushina."
Kushina, who had been listening to Uchiha Mikoto, looked listless. At that moment, she suddenly sat up straight and froze. "Mikoto, I think I heard Wuye's voice. Did you hear it too?"
Uchiha Mikoto glanced at Hyuga Wuye behind Kushina, her lips curving slightly. "No. Are you missing him too much?"
Kushina slumped back down. "I really do miss him so, so much..."
Uchiha Mikoto had been joking, but when she caught sight of Hyuga Wuye's gaze growing even gentler because of Kushina's words, she suddenly felt awful.
Sigh, she had worked hard for months on his mission, yet he had vanished for half a year without so much as checking in...
"Kushina."
Hyuga Wuye bent down, leaned close to Kushina's ear, and softly called her again.
Kushina sat bolt upright. "I think I heard it ag—"
Suddenly, soft lips pressed against her cheek.
Kushina's body stiffened, and her fists clenched at once before relaxing again the next moment.
Because she had caught his distinctive scent...
"Awroo!"
Kushina spun around, hooked her arms around Hyuga Wuye's neck, raised