"Old man, long time no see."
"Lord Third, long time no see."
In the Hokage Office, Tsunade and Mikoto greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi, their travel bags slung over their shoulders.
"Tsunade, Mikoto, it's been six months. How did the mission go?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled as he asked them.
"Of course we completed it, old man."
Tsunade confidently handed him her report.
Hiruzen Sarutobi read it as he smoked, then nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good."
"Tsunade, your timing is perfect. The Ninja Academy's Graduation Exam is today. Kushina and Yin should be finished by now, and Team Assignment is tomorrow."
"I was wondering where to place them, but it looks like I don't have to anymore."
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with a smile.
"Time flies. Kushina and Yin are graduating today. I've missed them a little."
Mikoto smiled sweetly as she spoke.
"Yeah, we haven't seen them in six months. I wonder if they missed us," Tsunade added.
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to reply, a blaze erupted near the Cherry Blossom Grove, lighting the sky with clouds of multicolored flame.
"What's that? Send someone to investigate, quickly."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed. He immediately ordered the ANBU hidden nearby to check it out.
"Has someone invaded Konoha? Who would unleash Fire Release Ninjutsu there?"
That technique! It looks like Majestic Destroyer Flame! Who cast it?
A question flashed through Mikoto's mind. Then she suddenly realized something.
"Sister Tsunade, Yin and Kushina pass through that Cherry Blossom Grove on their way to and from school. Something might have happened to them."
"Then let's go too." Tsunade's face turned grave. She grabbed Mikoto and rushed toward the Cherry Blossom Grove.
Kushina was like a little sister to them, and Yin was their husband. They couldn't let anything happen to either of them.
At the