Chapter 13: Taking Shelter in the Hokage's House
"Could you... show me your Wood Release ninjutsu?"
Minato Namikaze's voice was nothing short of gentle—soft as a breeze, patient as the calm before spring rain. His tone held no command, no suspicion, only patient gentleness... as if he were coaxing a frightened bird from its cage.
The outcome, however, was anything but gentle.
Amamiya Rei suddenly lunged forward and bit toward Minato's outstretched arm.
Of course, Minato was never going to let her succeed.
The Fourth Hokage did not even blink, before Rei's teeth could so much as graze him, the masked ANBU behind him reacted with lethal precision: in an instant Rei was slammed to the floor, cheek grinding against polished wood, her small frame pinned mercilessly beneath an iron grip.
"Kakashi!"
Minato's sharp voice rang out just as the ANBU operative was about to apply more force.
At the same time, Shisui's hand closed tightly around the ANBU's wrist.
The two shinobi locked eyes in a silent standoff, tension crackling wordlessly between them.
And then—
In the dead stillness of the Hokage's office, the sound of quiet sobbing cut through like a bell.
All three of them froze, their gazes instinctively shifting toward the girl sprawled on the floor.
Huge tears welled and spilled from Rei's crimson eyes, falling heavy and fast. They struck the wood beneath her in glittering drops, soaking into the grain, leaving trails of sorrow too raw to be feigned.
The ANBU released her immediately, retreating to stand once more at Minato's back.
Shisui's heart clenched painfully as he knelt beside her, hands gentle, almost trembling, as he lifted her upright. Her face—so small, so heartbreakingly delicate—was streaked with tears. A face that could light the world when it smiled, now marred with grief so deep it nearly filled the room.
Confusion flickered across Minato's expression; his blue eyes shifted to Shisui, wordlessly demanding an explanation.
Shisui swallowed hard, his throat thick with unshed words. His chest burned; even his eyes rimmed faintly red. And when he finally spoke, his voice rasped with restrained guilt.
"I... forced her to come here."
Kakashi: "..."
Minato: "..."
No wonder she looks like this.
But Minato could not bring himself to chastise Shisui.
If their positions were reversed, he would have done the same.
Wood Release... a bloodline so rare, so powerful, its very existence could shift the balance of nations.
Minato let out a quiet sigh, his gaze softening as he studied the silent, tear‑streaked girl and the equally miserable Shisui beside her.
Rei's tears were heartbreakingly genuine.
Of course they were—after all, he hadn't gotten to sink his teeth into Namikaze Minato. How could his despair not come from the heart?
Sure, he had already anticipated this outcome before lunging, but some tiny sliver of hope had remained—
What if...?
What if he actually managed to bite him?
Even a scrap would have been worth it.
Instead, all he got was a mouthful of air and a harsh grind against the floorboards.
Given the current situation, Minato knew there was no point pressing her for answers.
He had seen no demonstration of Wood Release—but letting someone with such a bloodline leave Konoha was unthinkable.
The question now was where she should stay.
Minato's thoughtful gaze drifted toward Shisui.
The bond between the two was clearly complicated, yet judging by Rei's demeanor, she had placed Shisui firmly in the category of those she resented.
Perhaps... if someone else reached out to her, she might come to accept Konoha in her heart.
An orphan. A girl burdened with a rare, dangerous gift...
Minato couldn't help but think of another person—a red‑haired soul whose situation once mirrored Rei's own.
Yes. Kushina.
There would be risks, of course. But with Kakashi watching over her, those risks could be managed.
Minato's lips curved into a small smile, warmth returning to his face. He turned to both Shisui and Rei, his voice gentle yet decisive:
"In that case," he said softly, "why don't you stay at my home for a while? My wife would be delighted to meet you. Would that be all right?"
Shisui blinked, momentarily taken aback. His hand on Rei's shoulder tightened faintly.
Originally, his plan had been to care for Rei himself—to protect her, to shield her, to atone for the harm he had caused.
But the Hokage's words made sense.
Uzumaki Kushina might be the one person alive who could truly understand her.
Conflict flickered across Shisui's face.
Rei's red eyes lowered further, half‑lidded and empty, as if all emotion had been drained from her body—leaving behind nothing but a hollow shell.
"My life from now on... hasn't it already been decided for me?"
The cold words broke the silence after a long pause.
Minato pressed his lips together, holding back his first instinctive reply. When he spoke at last, his voice was calm, each word deliberate and firm:
"No. No matter where you are, no matter who you are—you have the right to decide your own life. None of us have the right to take that from you."
Even as he spoke, Minato knew the words might sound hollow from his mouth. Perhaps even hypocritical. But time, he believed, would prove their sincerity.
Yes—Wood Release inevitably bound this girl's freedom, yet keeping her in Konoha was not only for the village's sake, but also to protect her from the dangers that would surely come.
And within Konoha's walls, Minato swore, she would never be shackled.
Rei offered no response. His silence, his icy detachment, only deepened the illusion of unwillingness—an illusion he knew would lessen suspicion toward him.
"Rei," Shisui murmured softly, patient and careful, "you'll get along well with Lady Kushina... I'm sure of it."
Minato, perceptive as always, caught the quiet emotion in Shisui's tone. He arched a brow but said nothing. Instead, he turned to the ANBU behind him.
Kakashi hesitated for the briefest of moments—a hesitation Minato did not miss.
A knowing warmth flickered through Minato's chest as he reassured him, "Don't worry. With you there, everything will be fine. From now on, stay close to Kushina and watch over her."
Kakashi stiffened, then inclined his head. He stepped forward, moving past Shisui with quiet purpose, his gaze silently urging them to follow.
Shisui clasped Rei by the wrist—not her hand, as he had done before—and led her toward the door.
Rei, expression blank, allowed himself to be guided like a lifeless doll.
But inwardly, relief bloomed.
So... I have a place to stay now. And it's with the Hokage himself.
He was more than satisfied with Minato's arrangement.
Living under the same roof as Kushina... eventually, Minato... and in the future, even Naruto—
Nothing could be more advantageous.
Close proximity to the prey, after all, is always the hunter's greatest advantage.
Kakashi led the way down Konoha's winding, narrow streets. After several twists and turns, they arrived before a modest two‑story house, a garden blooming quietly in the night.
Warm golden light spilled from the windows. Kakashi stepped forward and knocked.
"Coming!"
A cheerful voice rang from within.
Moments later, the door opened to reveal a red‑haired woman whose face was aglow with a brilliant smile.
Uzumaki Kushina's gaze swept over the three visitors at her doorstep before coming to rest on Amamiya Rei.
"How beautiful," she breathed, sincerity shining bright in her gaze.
"Come in, please."
Of course, Kushina recognized the ANBU as Kakashi; no matter how thoroughly he hid himself, she could never mistake that distinctive silver hair.
His presence here meant only one thing—Minato had entrusted him with something important.
"Forgive the intrusion,Kushina-sama," Shisui murmured with a respectful bow, gently guiding Rei toward the chair Kushina had drawn out for her.
***