How did this guy manage to pull this off?
Nawaki's eyes went wide. He did not believe for a second that Kushina could not see the clear relationship between Minato and Mikoto.
Based on his understanding of Kushina, she should have blown the roof off the house by now.
Even if she did not turn everything upside down, it should not be like this, right?
What was with this subtle yet harmonious atmosphere?
After thinking it over, Nawaki did not rush forward but instead headed home first.
Soon, Tsunade also arrived home ahead of Minato and the others.
"I am back!"
"You are finally back!"
Nawaki rushed to the entryway, his face filled with the urgency of sharing gossip. "Listen to me, Sis! I just saw Minato, Kushina, and Sister Mikoto buying groceries together on the street!"
"Oh?"
Tsunade's heart stirred slightly.
Has that kid already settled it?
Although she was a bit surprised, she did not show it on her face. "So what?"
"What do you mean 'so what'?"
Nawaki looked incredulous. "Are you not curious about the relationship between the three of them now?"
"What could it be? It is nothing more than a certain guy two-timing, right?"
Tsunade snorted and turned to look toward the courtyard gate behind her.
She saw the three of them walking into the courtyard side-by-side. Minato was in the middle, with Kushina and Mikoto on either side of him.
Hearing Tsunade's words, Minato gave an embarrassed smile, Kushina huffed with her arms crossed, and Mikoto lowered her head with a flushed face, looking uneasy.
Hearing this, Nawaki's mouth hung wide open.
Although he had guessed it earlier, learning the truth still felt unbelievable to him.
"This is all my fault," Minato said seriously. "But I will take responsibility for them!"
"What are you talking about?" Kushina's face turned bright red instantly, and she quickly reached out to cover Minato's mouth. "Who wants you to take responsibility? You idiot! I—I just decided not to hold it against you anymore! You idiot! Minato, you big idiot!"
Mikoto blushed and remained silent.
Since ancient times, beauties have loved heroes, and the Uchiha clan inherently admired the strong. Even someone with a gentle personality like Mikoto was no exception.
If before going to the battlefield, she only had a faint favorable impression of Minato, then after Minato defeated the Third Tsuchikage and Third Kazekage in succession, although she said she would think about it, her heart had already tilted toward him.
As the saying goes, one should not meet someone too extraordinary in their youth.
No matter who was compared to Minato, they would pale in comparison.
With someone like Minato around, Mikoto found it hard to imagine anyone else catching her eye.
Seeing the two of them like this, Nawaki was dumbfounded.
Then he suddenly clapped his hands and bowed deeply to Minato.
"Minato, we are basically brothers, right?" Nawaki looked at Minato with a pious expression. "I really want to learn this! Please, teach me!"
"You do not learn the good things, but you want to learn this!" Tsunade sent Nawaki flying with a kick.
Kushina also curled her lip. "Pathetic!"
Mikoto nodded. "Indeed—"
As they spoke, they both gave Minato a meaningful glance.
Minato gave a dry laugh and slipped into the kitchen. "I am going to cook dinner."
"Dammit, such double standards!" Nawaki clutched his butt, which was throbbing from Tsunade's kick, and pounded the floor with his other hand. "Why is it okay for Minato, you bastard!"
"Because he is handsome and strong," Tsunade rolled her eyes at Nawaki. "You are not allowed to learn from him. Just date normally, get married, and have kids. Although the Senju have integrated into the Village, we are still the lineage of the Clan Chief; do not let it end with you!"
"That is easy for you to say, but with Minato around, how could any girl possibly be interested in me?" Nawaki curled his lip and rubbed his butt as he stood up. "Even if he does nothing, girls will keep throwing themselves at him."
"That will not happen anymore!" Kushina clenched her fist and turned to Mikoto, her eyes filled with a certain conviction. "Right, Sister Mikoto?"
"Mhm—" Understanding the meaning behind Kushina's words, Mikoto nodded with a smile, yet her tone carried an unquestionable certainty. "Even if Kushina cannot leave the Village, I will stay by Minato's side. I absolutely... will not give anyone else the slightest chance!"
Naive—
Seeing the two of them form an alliance so quickly, Tsunade laughed inwardly.
They were just two little girls after all, not understanding the principle of 'the darkest place is under the candle'.
But this was fine; with these two blocking the unwanted romantic interests from outside, she could feel more at ease.
"What is with this mysterious resolve?" Seeing their solemn expressions, Nawaki could not help but comment. "By the way, have you guys actually established a relationship? Is it okay to just decide things on your own like this?"
"Ah! I almost forgot!" Kushina was startled, finally realizing that the current situation was exactly because they had not established a formal relationship!
Thinking of this, she stopped caring about holding a grudge and hurried toward the kitchen; Mikoto quickly followed suit.
"I say, Minato—" Kushina ran into the kitchen and was about to speak when her face suddenly turned red.
Wait, how can I, a girl, be the first to bring this up?
With that thought, she opened her mouth, intending to give Minato a small hint first.
Unbeknownst to her, Minato had already heard their conversation. As soon as the two entered the kitchen, Minato freed his hands and looked at them seriously.
"Kushina, Mikoto, please date me."
"You... I..." Hearing this, Kushina's face turned beet red, and she was both embarrassed and annoyed.
Embarrassed that Minato actually confessed to her.
Annoyed that this guy confessed to both of them at the same time.
And in such a perfunctory place like the kitchen!
What a clueless bastard; even if I have tacitly accepted this relationship, at least confess to us separately!
"Okay!" Mikoto suddenly spoke up, interrupting Kushina's internal conflict.
Kushina's eyes widened, and she looked at Mikoto in shock, her gaze seemingly saying: You are backstabbing me?!
"Let us establish the relationship first. You do not want this guy going out and flirting with others again, do you?" Mikoto leaned in and whispered into Kushina's ear. "It was one thing before when the relationship was not set, but now that it is—and with both of us—it would be inexcusable for him to be unfaithful!"
That makes sense!
Kushina nodded vigorously. "Fine, I agree too! But Minato, you have to promise me that you will not mess around with other girls from now on!"
"Yes! I promise you both!" Minato nodded firmly. Aside from Tsunade, he really had no intention of pursuing other girls.
As for his relationship with Tsunade, he would take it one step at a time.
Just as he was thinking, a surge of memories flooded his mind.
In the central region of the Land of Rain, heavy rain fell incessantly.
A ragged blue-haired girl trudged through the muddy road, her steps uneven. Suddenly, she stumbled and collapsed to the ground from exhaustion.
Am I going to die?
The girl struggled to lift her hand and touched her burning forehead, feeling intense pain all over her body.
Dying like this... maybe it is for the best?
This way, I should be able to see Mom and Dad—
With that thought, the girl's vision gradually blurred.
Suddenly, an umbrella was held over her head, shielding her from the heavy rain.
In her daze, the girl felt her body become light, as if someone had picked her up onto their back.
She struggled to turn her head, trying to see the person's face.
But due to the high fever, her vision was severely blurred, and she soon fell asleep, remembering only a head of golden hair as warm as the sun.
Minato's main body, having received the memory:
"..."
"Saving someone... should not count as messing around with girls, right?"
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion