Xunjing felt a sudden sharp pain at his waist and sucked in a breath, hastily raising both hands in surrender. "I was wrong! I was just joking, trying to give you a bigger surprise!"
"All right, enough chatter! Put on some padded coats first. Don't catch a cold."
With a thought, Xunjing took two coats out of the Space-Time Gate Space and handed them to Kushina and Minato. They weren't particularly thick, but they were excellent at keeping out the cold.
Neither stood on ceremony. They quickly took the coats and wrapped themselves up.
"Where can we change?"
"This way. Follow me!"
Xunjing led them into the house.
"Hey, Dr. Kureha! I've brought some newcomers!"
As soon as he entered, Xunjing smiled and raised a hand to greet Dr. Kureha.
Then he introduced her to Minato and Kushina.
"Hello, Dr. Kureha!"
Kushina and Minato both gave polite little bows.
"Hello there!"
Dr. Kureha was hardly the quiet type. She smiled and nodded. "Don't be shy. Make yourselves comfortable!"
"That boy Xunjing practically treats this place like his own backyard."
The brat certainly didn't stand on ceremony.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Minato and Kushina answered. They relaxed a little, but still seemed rather reserved.
Xunjing took them to a room and had them go in one at a time to change. Only then did he begin guiding their training here.
Mikoto and Uchiha Chisato soon arrived.
The moment they appeared, Jiri and Mikoto took the initiative to greet them.
"Kushina, welcome! So, is it interesting here?"
Mikoto walked over with a smile and struck up a conversation with Kushina.
"Yeah!"
Kushina nodded emphatically. "I never imagined it would be winter here. And Xunjing said this is Eternal Winter Island. I can hardly believe it!"
"And you have no idea how awful he was.