Hatake Sakumo frowned when he saw Night Maple lift Kushina into his arms and ignore him.
Only then did Night Maple look at Hatake Sakumo. "Those Cloud-nin are the culprits. I'll take her back first."
Hatake Sakumo hurriedly said, "Wait, the road's dangerous. I'll escort you back!"
"No need!"
With that, Night Maple leapt lightly onto a treetop with Kushina in his arms.
"Kushina, let's head back to the village!"
"Mm!" Kushina nodded.
They bounded away in a series of jumps, disappearing into the night.
Seeing that Night Maple was leaving in Konoha's direction—and that the Third's summoned crow was following—Hatake Sakumo didn't pursue.
"Minato, are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Minato shook his head and got up, his spirit dim.
His confidence had just taken a heavy blow.
All along, Minato had been a "top student" of the shinobi world. He hadn't expected to be thrashed today.
Hatake Sakumo shot Minato a strange look. An incredible suspicion stirred in his heart—Minato's injuries… could that genin have done it?
Impossible. He must have been hurt fighting the Cloud-nin.
Thinking that, Hatake Sakumo said, "Minato, you've done enough. I'll handle the rest."
With that, Hatake Sakumo summoned eight ninken. They bit down on the Cloud sleeper agents lying on the ground and dragged them away.
In the tranquil night sky, the great round moon and a single hidden black crow became the backdrop for Night Maple and Kushina.
Night Maple frowned and glanced at the crow.
He could feel it—that was an "eye."
Konoha, Hokage's Office.
"The little fellow has noticed my eyes. Never mind—since they're on their way back, no need to keep watching."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled, stood, and strolled out of the office.
Above Night Maple, the crow burst with a pop and vanished into nothing.
Kushina noticed nothing, simply gazing quietly at Night Maple.
"H-how did you find me…" Kushina asked in a small voice.
There was none of her usual fire in it.
In Night Maple's memories, Kushina had never been this soft.
"Thanks to your hair! With such beautiful hair, I spotted it at a glance."
Kushina smiled and pinched a lock of her hair. "Really?"
"Mm."
Warmth bloomed in Kushina's heart; a faint blush colored her pretty cheeks, and her pulse raced.
Night Maple smiled. "Actually, from the first time I saw you, I thought your long red hair was especially beautiful."
It was something Night Maple's former self had always wanted to say—but as a war orphan, he'd been timid and never dared.
Now Night Maple said it for him, fulfilling that long-held wish.
It was also how Night Maple had felt watching the anime.
Of course, the real Kushina was even more beautiful than in the anime.
A gentle breeze lifted Kushina's red hair; her lovely cheeks and shy dimples were radiant.
"Is that so?"
Kushina's eyes went wide as she looked at Night Maple's austere face. Her heart felt sweet. Was this a confession?
Only now did Kushina realize she'd never truly understood Night Maple.
Only now did she see he was an outstanding shinobi—someone she could truly rely on.
"Thank you… Night Maple…" Face flushed, Kushina wrapped her arms around Night Maple's neck and gazed quietly at the man who had changed her fate.
Under the soft moonlight, Night Maple and Kushina's figures blended together, like their quickening heartbeats.
Kushina suddenly recalled Granny Uzumaki Mito's words: "We were brought here to be vessels for the tailed beasts… But before that, you must find love to fill the void. Then even living as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, you can still find happiness…"
She suddenly felt she might already have found that happiness…
[Ding, Kushina Affection…]
Night Maple ignored the system prompt and simply savored their time alone.
However, the system seemed unwilling to let him off so easily.
[Ding, in view of the host's current situation, three options are granted!]
[Option One: Send Kushina back immediately and be a good man! Reward: C-rank ninjutsu…]
[Option Two: Set down the beauty in your arms and fight the Raikage invading the border—be a hero! Reward: Kekkei Genkai—Byakugan…]
[Option Three: Quietly enjoy this beautiful night and do nothing! Reward: Forbidden Technique—Impure World Reincarnation…]
He'd planned to be a good man, but seeing "C-rank ninjutsu," he couldn't bear it.
The Raikage's invasion? What's that got to do with me.
The corner of Night Maple's mouth quirked up. As he leapt through the trees, he suddenly veered off, no longer heading for Konoha's main gate.
Kushina gave a soft cry. "Night Maple, where are you taking me?"
"You'll see in a moment."
Night Maple sped through the woods, bounding between rocky crags. The Kushina in his arms suddenly brightened.
Two colossal stone faces appeared ahead.
Yes—the Hokage Rock.
Bathed in bright moonlight, the faces carved into the Hokage Rock had a solemn air.
At this time, only two faces adorned it—the First, Hashirama Senju, and the Second, Tobirama Senju.
The Third, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was still in his prime and hadn't retired; naturally he wouldn't do something so self-aggrandizing.
[Ding, Hokage Rock discovered. Check-in successful. Reward: S-rank space–time ninjutsu—Flying Thunder God Technique!]
Night Maple hadn't expected a spur-of-the-moment detour to yield such a pleasant surprise.
The Flying Thunder God Technique, developed by the Second, Tobirama Senju, was an S-rank space–time ninjutsu—a form of instantaneous movement.
By inscribing a formula in advance, the user can teleport to the mark, moving themselves—or anything in indirect contact with their chakra—instantly.
It was also the signature technique of the Yellow Flash, Namikaze Minato.
In an instant, all knowledge of the Flying Thunder God Technique blossomed in Night Maple's mind; he grasped it at once.
Minato hadn't learned it yet—Night Maple, instead, had taken the lead.
"Put me down!"
Beaming with delight, Kushina stood atop the First Hokage's head, hopping with joy!
Night Maple sat down and smiled. "Never been here?"
"No. I've always wanted to, but nobody would come with me!"
From the face of the Hokage Rock, Kushina looked out over all of Konoha. Night had fallen; a scatter of lights gave it a cozy feeling.
"It's so beautiful!"
Kushina sat beside Night Maple, legs dangling.
Her little hand brushed his by accident, then snatched back like a startled rabbit.
Night Maple simply reached out and took her hand, holding it tight.
Kushina's face flushed. She yanked her hand back—but overdid it and slid right off the Hokage Rock's face.
"Ah!"
With a soft cry, she found several thick branches rising from below to cradle her.
Roots lifted Kushina back up; her whole face turned red.
She felt impossibly clumsy!
She'd nearly fallen.
Thank goodness Night Maple was here.
Watching the roots withdraw, Kushina looked at Night Maple in wonder. "Night Maple, how do you know Wood Release?"
Kushina was beginning to suspect—could Night Maple be the First's secret son… or secret grandson?
How else could he wield Wood Release so masterfully?
Meanwhile, at Konoha's gate, Sarutobi Hiruzen and his wife, Biwako Sarutobi, along with the First's widow, Granny Uzumaki Mito, were waiting specially to welcome Night Maple and Kushina home.
Only to find—where were they?
Where had they gone?