Although Minato Namikaze explained to Kushina Uzumaki that he hadn't told her about the jutsu yet because it was incomplete and he feared it could harm her,
Kushina still felt extremely upset inside, as she had been looking forward to the time they spent training together every day.
Kushina always felt that Minato was just saying that as an excuse to brush her off.
"I see... I understand."
"Huh?"
Minato keenly sensed that something was off with Kushina.
The next second,
Kushina shouted angrily, "If you don't like being with me, why don't you just say so!"
"No, no such thing!" Minato quickly denied.
Just as Minato was about to explain further, a voice called out from the side.
"Hey Minato! You haven't submitted your mission report to the Third Hokage yet! Weren't you supposed to turn it in yesterday? Since you didn't go yesterday, the Hokage sent me to check on you!"
Meanwhile, three kunoichi became visibly thrilled at the sight of Minato.
"Minato~ Do you have time later?"
"Do you want to go on a date later?"
"You'll come, right?"
Minato automatically ignored what those three kunoichi said. Suddenly, he remembered he hadn't submitted his mission report from Grass Country yet.
"Oh right!" Minato hurriedly said to Kushina, "Sorry Kushina, I need to go. I'll come find you again next time!"
Kushina urgently wanted to grab Minato, but as she tried to step forward, two Anbu behind her pressed their hands on her shoulders.
"Wait! Step across this line and you'll leave the barrier."
Kushina was standing at the very edge of the Barrier Zone.
Kushina watched Minato's retreating figure with some sadness before dejectedly returning indoors.
Leaning against the wall in the hallway with her head down, a sentence echoed in Kushina's mind.
"We came here as containers for the Nine-Tails."
That was what Mito Uzumaki had once told her.
Mito had told Kushina, "However, before that, first go find your own love, and fill your heart with love. That way, even if you become the Nine-Tails' container... Even if you live on as a jinchuriki, you can still live a happy life.
But, waiting passively will never bring you love..."
The words "passively waiting will never bring you love" kept echoing in Kushina's mind.
Kushina's eyes gradually became determined. She crossed her hands, and [Two chains emerged directly from her palms.]
Seizing the momentary distraction of the two Anbu behind her, Kushina immediately bound them tightly in place, immobilizing them completely.
Soon after, Kushina Uzumaki fled without so much as a backward glance.
The two Anbu were both stunned.
"What in the world is this?"
"It's Kushina's Sealing Technique again!"
"Hurry and break the seal so we can chase her down!"
The two Anbu struggled desperately, trying to free themselves from the chains of the Sealing Technique binding them.
But the chains remained firmly in place, not budging an inch.
"I can't do it anymore! I can't undo it!"
"Me neither! As she grows older, the binding power of her Sealing Technique becomes stronger and stronger!"
The two unfortunate men were still wrestling with the chains when Kushina had already escaped the Barrier Zone and reached Konoha's bustling streets.
Kushina's expression suddenly turned painful.
Without the suppression of the Barrier Zone, the Nine-Tails grew increasingly restless.
"That's right. Just like this."
"You Uzumaki have always taken pride in your whirlpool seals, but while you use that power, you are also being used by others—and now, you yourself are caught in the whirlpool of this era."
"Only I! Can free you from those who've trapped you... Don't forget your hatred. Don't trust anyone!"
Inside Kushina, the Nine-Tails continued whispering temptations.
Overcome with emotion, Kushina couldn't suppress the Nine-Tails, and it managed to snap one of the chains binding her.
Kushina pressed a hand to her head: "I..."
"Eh, isn't that Lady Kushina?"
Kushina, hand still against her forehead, looked ahead and saw Kakashi, Obito, Rin Nohara, and Shindai walking down the street.
Obito was holding a basket in his left hand and flowers in his right—of course, both belonged to Rin.
Rin originally wanted to carry them herself, but Obito, still trying to make up for his earlier misunderstanding about her and Kakashi's "date," naturally wouldn't let go of this opportunity.
Regarding this, Shindai and Kakashi shared an unusually consistent opinion.
Sad Pup.
Shindai looked at Kushina curiously, observing her carefully.
This was Shindai's first time meeting Kushina Uzumaki. No wonder they call her The Red-Hot Habanero; her hair really is that red.
You couldn't even dye it this red.
Shindai touched his own hair—it was black—and thought about whether he should get it dyed.
Maybe red-green. That would totally be flashy.
Seeing Kushina drenched in sweat and panting heavily, Rin hurried forward with concern and asked, "Lady Kushina, are you feeling unwell?"
Kushina shook her head: "No, I'll be fine once I catch my breath..."
There's a bench just over here. Let me help you sit down, Lady Kushina.
Rin helped Kushina sit down on the bench.
After sitting for a while, Kushina gradually recovered.
Kakashi knew something about the Barrier Zone. He asked curiously, "Lady Kushina, shouldn't you be in that area?"
Hearing the mention of the Barrier Zone only made Kushina angrier. Without hesitation, she gave Kakashi a hard punch on the head. "None of your business!"
Rubbing the bump on his head, Kakashi twitched his mouth. He really shouldn't have opened his mouth this time.
Obito saw the lump growing on Kakashi's head and felt extremely pleased.
Obito asked curiously, "Lady Kushina, didn't Teacher Minato go look for you?"
When Kushina heard Obito ask whether Minato had looked for her, she became even more furious. "Do you see him beside me?"
The next moment, Obito wore an expression of pitifulness with two new bumps appearing on his head.
He was too happy too soon.
Although in the past Kushina Uzumaki had beaten both him and Kakashi before, it had never been this sudden.
Today, Kushina seemed like a walking explosion—temperamental and ready to blow at any moment.
Then Kushina turned her gaze toward Shindai. "So you're that dumb kid Minato mentioned—the one who can't keep quiet?"
Shindai blinked at Kushina in confusion. "Eh?"
The very next second, Shindai also held his head in disbelief, staring at Kushina.
What was that? He hadn't said anything! She could beat up Kakashi and Obito all she wanted, but why did he suddenly get hit too?
Kushina let out a long breath and smiled. "Feeling much better now. You kids arrived just in time."
Kakashi, Obito, and Shindai stared at Kushina with piercing looks of betrayal.
And Shindai wasn't only looking at Kushina; he was also glancing at Rin Nohara.
*Why didn't she hit Rin Nohara?!*
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