Chapter 66

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After entering Kushina's home, Mina discovered that she had a lover living there, Minato, who was busy cooking in the kitchen.

Kushina had a lot to talk about with Mina, so she took her to her room. After Minato served some tea and snacks and informed them about lunchtime, he went downstairs to tend to other things.

"Kushina, your life seems so nice now," Mina said somewhat enviously, thinking such a life must be almost perfect.

"It's terrible, actually. I'm living entirely under surveillance. They've drawn a circle for me and confined me to live within it. I haven't been out in a long time," Kushina explained, indicating the small range of her life with a circular gesture of her hand.

"This kind of life is too suffocating. I was almost taken away by Kumogakure ninjas when I was younger. Luckily, Minato saved me, and since then, I haven't been able to go out. It's really hard, Mina. Even seeing you required passing a message through someone else."

"Well, it's not too bad, I guess," Mina awkwardly smiled, recalling her own accommodations in Kusagakure, which were far worse than Kushina's well-furnished, spacious two-story house.

In Kusagakure, Mina was almost always under surveillance, and if not for her sensory abilities, she might never have left. She probably would have never met Yoichi or escaped a likely death in Kusagakure.

Kushina quickly shook her head and then asked, "Isn't it possible for you to leave the village for missions?"

"I should be able to. But my strength is still too low, and my medical ninjutsu skills aren't polished yet. Yoichi-sama told me to focus on learning for now. He plans to take me on missions eventually since I'm already a member of his team," Mina said with certainty.

"That's great. I can't even think of leaving the village, let alone visiting you at the Konoha Hospital."

Kushina envied Mina and then held her hand, continuing, "Mina, do visit me more often. I'm so bored on my own. Remember the sealing techniques the Elder taught us when we were kids?"

Kushina enjoyed reminiscing about their childhood. After arriving in Konoha, only her clanmate, Uzumaki Mito, made her feel at ease. But after Mito's death and Tsunade's constant absence on missions, along with Minato's duties, she had few people to keep her company.

"Now that I've met a clan member from our childhood, I want to tell you everything that's happened over the years."

"Speaking of your current home, Uchiha Yoichi, he seems a bit strange," Kushina suddenly remembered and shared her thoughts with Mina.

"I asked him to relay my address to you, but initially, he was reluctant. Then, out of nowhere, he agreed but only if we shook hands first."

"Shook hands?"

Alarm bells rang in Mina's head, but she pretended to be casual as she glanced down at her attire – an orange dress and bare feet – which seemed safe, likely not Yoichi's preference.

"He must have noticed something special about you, Kushina. Yoichi-sama isn't that kind of person," Mina assured her.

Kushina nodded, adding, "That might be it. But after we shook hands, his body temperature suddenly rose, and then he quickly withdrew his hand. Mina, do you think there might be something wrong with Yoichi's body?"

High body temperature? Mina immediately recalled the sealing of the beast within Yoichi, which had caused similar phenomena before. But Yoichi had assured her it wasn't a big deal.

"It's nothing to worry about. I'm aware of it. It's one of Yoichi-sama's unique abilities."

"If you say so, Mina."

Kushina wanted to say more, but they were interrupted by Minato knocking on the door, announcing lunch was ready.

"Coming!"

After telling Mina, Kushina added, "Let's have lunch. Minato loves to experiment with cooking."

They went downstairs to find a table laid with delicious-looking dishes.

Kushina was especially happy that day. The gloom of being trapped in a barrier faded with the arrival of a clan member from her childhood, softening the painful memory of the Uzumaki Clan's downfall.

"Mina-san, I've heard you've been learning at the Konoha Hospital recently. Are you planning to become a medical ninja?"

During lunch, Minato suddenly asked with a smile.

Mina paused with her spoon in hand, then replied, "Not yet. I've only been learning for a few months and have much more to grasp."

"If you're interested, I could speak to the Hokage for you. Then, you could directly become an elite medical ninja."

Minato offered warmly, but Mina cut him off, "No need for that. After I finish learning medical ninjutsu, I'll follow Yoichi-sama's plans."

Kushina chimed in, "He'll probably have you work as a medical ninja anyway. Why else learn medical ninjutsu?"

"If Yoichi-sama wants me to, I will. If he doesn't want me to be a medical ninja, then I'll just treat him!"

Mina spoke with conviction, leaving Minato speechless and reconsidering the task the Third Hokage had given him – convincing Kushina's clan member to join the medical team seemed impossible.

After lunch, Mina excused herself, claiming she had to study in the afternoon. Despite Kushina's desire to talk more, Mina's firm decision led her to leave Kushina's home.

Shortly after Mina left, Kushina confronted Minato, "Minato, what were you thinking? Why did you say those things to Mina? She left early because of your comments!"

Though she questioned him, Kushina was certain Mina's premature departure was due to Minato's words at the lunch table.

"Kushina, I was just asking. The Hokage asked me to inquire," Minato tried to explain, revealing his assignment from the Hokage to persuade Mina, which had evidently failed.

(End of Chapter)