Kushina stood in place, countless thoughts flashing through her mind.
She looked at how close Chiya and Mikoto were, and felt an uncomfortable feeling inside that she could not quite explain.
'He was clearly so close with Lady Tsunade before, and now he is being ambiguous with Mikoto too.'
'This Uchiha Chiya is obviously not a good person.'
"He is just a scoundrel, Mikoto."
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
In her agitated state, her red hair began to rise and move on its own without any wind.
Looking at Uchiha Chiya's face, her thoughts suddenly stalled. The memory of that night floated up in her mind.
She had been caught by Kumogakure ninja at the border. Just when it seemed she was about to be taken away from Konoha, Chiya had descended like a god, struck down the enemy ninja, and brought her back.
"What do you mean outsider? Is that not a Konoha headband you are wearing?"
Every time she recalled him saying those words, Kushina could not forget them for a long time.
His eyes had been firm back then, his movements clean and decisive.
It had given her an overwhelming sense of belonging.
She had finally been accepted as part of the greater whole. At the very least, in Chiya's eyes, she was his comrade.
Had she not been thinking that the next time she saw Chiya, she would properly thank him?
Why was she acting so out of sorts today?
Kushina calmed her somewhat angry feelings, then froze.
'Wait, why do I even care so much about him being close with Mikoto?'
Kushina was startled by her own feelings just now.
The bright red hair that had been flying up moments ago fell back down at once, lying smooth and soft against her shoulders.
Kushina hurriedly shook her head, trying to chase those tangled thoughts away.
Mikoto noticed Kushina standing stiffly in the doorway.
She quickly straightened up, cheeks slightly flushed, and walked over to her.
"Kushina, you came at just the right time. I just finished some new dishes and was having Chiya-nii help me taste them."
Oh?
Just tasting them?
Hearing that explanation, Kushina felt an inexplicable sense of relief in her heart.
But right after, she felt annoyed at herself.
'Why do I even care so much?'
She bent down to pick up the bag of red bean pastries that had fallen on the floor, and said in a forced casual tone.
"Oh, then I will come have a taste too."
She had only taken two steps when she looked around.
"Um, is Elder Sosuke not home?"
"Grandpa went out."
Hearing that answer, Kushina quietly gritted her teeth.
'No wonder this scoundrel came to Mikoto's home. It is because Elder Sosuke is not here.'
'Wait, that is not right. Elder Sosuke used to keep a very strict watch over Mikoto. How is he now allowing Mikoto to be alone with this Uchiha Chiya? That never happened before.'
Just as Kushina was puzzling over this, Mikoto showed a delighted smile, took Kushina's hand, and led her inside.
"I made a full three portions. Kushina, you have to give it a proper try later."
The two of them drew close together, speaking in quiet whispers.
The awkward atmosphere from moments ago quickly faded.
Mikoto warmly invited Kushina to sit, then turned and went to the kitchen to get bowls and chopsticks.
Only Chiya and Kushina were left at the dining table.
Kushina plopped herself down across from Chiya, arms folded across her chest.
She glared hard at him, her eyes full of displeasure and accusation.
Chiya was glared at for no apparent reason and raised an eyebrow.
"What is it? Did I borrow money from you?"
"Hmph."
"You clearly with Tsuna."
Kushina stopped mid-sentence, shot Chiya a look, then turned her face away with an air of not wanting to deal with him.
Just then, Mikoto came back with the bowls and chopsticks, smiling as she handed them to Kushina.
"Try this grilled fish. It is a new sauce I made."
Kushina took the bowls and chopsticks, and the expression on her face switched in an instant, breaking into a bright smile.
"Thank you, Mikoto. I will make sure to give it a proper taste."
Chiya watched this scene and nearly choked on his soup.
'That is quite the face-switch speed. Do you not even need a moment to prepare?'
Mikoto did not notice the subtle tension between the two.
She happily sat down beside Chiya, watching with anticipation as Kushina picked up her chopsticks.
"Well? Is it good?"
Kushina took a bite of the grilled fish and her eyes lit up.
"It really is delicious. Mikoto's cooking keeps getting better and better."
Mikoto laughed happily and placed a piece of tempura in each of their bowls.
"Then try this one too."
At the table, the three of them appeared on the surface to be enjoying their meal in harmony, but undercurrents ran below.
Whenever Chiya looked up, he would catch Kushina sneaking glances at him full of glares.
Mikoto, meanwhile, was completely absorbed in the joy of sharing food and noticed nothing of the silent confrontation between the other two.
Dinner ended quickly. Kushina took the initiative to help clear the bowls and chopsticks.
Mikoto went to the kitchen to prepare tea, and once again only Chiya and Kushina were left in the sitting room.
Kushina took the chance to lean close to Chiya and lowered her voice to warn him.
"I am warning you. Do not mess with Mikoto."
Chiya looked at her. The way she was on guard, like a little cat protecting its food.
"Are you telling me what to do?"
Kushina was left speechless for a moment.
After a long pause she finally squeezed out a sentence.
"Anyway, just stay away from her. Do not hurt Mikoto. And do not hurt Lady Tsunade either."
"What is it to you?"
Kushina was so irritated her breathing became a little quick. Looking at Chiya's careless manner, she stomped her foot, turned in a huff, and walked toward the kitchen.
"Mikoto."
Kushina walked over to Mikoto who was washing the dishes and spoke quietly.
"Yes? Kushina, what is wrong?"
Mikoto paused in her washing and turned to look at Kushina with a puzzled expression.
"Do you like that guy?"
"That guy?"
"The one outside. Uchiha Chiya."
"Ah, Kushina, why are you asking that?"
Mikoto's face turned red and she looked at Kushina nervously.
Seeing Mikoto's reaction, Kushina already knew exactly what was going through Mikoto's mind.
'Mikoto, you are in trouble.'
'You have fallen into a love that will lead nowhere, do you realize that?'
"Then do you know anything else about Chiya?"
"Anything else? Kushina, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Kushina opened her mouth, but in the end could not bring herself to say it and hurt her, so she swallowed it back down.
At the same time, at the border of the Land of Fire, in a Root base.
Danzo was seated in a dim room.
"Lord Danzo, the Iwa-nin within Amegakure's territory have been withdrawing one after another."
Danzo nodded.
"Give me a report on the situation with Hanzo of Amegakure."
The ninja kneeling halfway before him reached into his robe and pulled out a scroll, then opened it.
"According to the response from undercover agents embedded deep within Amegakure, Hanzo attacked several Suna-nin combat units during his lifetime, as well as units from our Konoha. He then fell out of contact. Amegakure sealed off that information internally. His body and related matters have been placed under strict control by Amegakure's people. The specific cause of death remains unknown. Any mention of Hanzo has been strictly forbidden within Amegakure."
Danzo tapped his fingers lightly, his gaze sweeping over once more.
"The Konoha unit that was attacked, which one was it?"
"One was a unit led by a Senju clan jonin. The other was a unit led by Lord Orochimaru."
A unit led by Orochimaru?
Thinking back to what Orochimaru had said before, Danzo rubbed his head.
"Have the undercover agents continue to investigate more deeply."
"Yes."
The Root ninja departed quickly.
Suddenly, the sound of beating wings reached the outpost. A ninja hawk landed.
A Root ninja moved quickly to retrieve the scroll from it.
He entered the base and brought it before Danzo.
"Lord Danzo, this is a letter from the village."
Danzo took it, unfolded it, and his expression instantly darkened.
"Transfer Yakushi Nono back to the village to work in the medical system?"
"Hiruzen, you really are, more and more fond of meddling in my affairs."
Danzo's face was agitated, as though he had swallowed something foul.
"Yakushi Nono is Root's number one elite. Root has spent years carefully developing her, and you think a single word from you is enough to have my Root elite transferred away?"
"Hiruzen, what if I refuse?"
Danzo's expression darkened. He stood, leaned on his cane, and paced back and forth.
The cane sent out a rapid tapping sound through the base.
About twenty minutes passed before the tapping stopped.
Danzo had returned to his seat and looked calmly at the Root ninja waiting nearby.
"Send a reply."
The Root ninja quickly produced paper and brush.
"Understood."
The Root ninja was briefly startled, then caught on and wrote quickly.
"Have someone inform Yakushi Nono to return to the village and follow the Hokage's orders."