"Minato?"
Kiyoshi showed a faint look of puzzlement.
For a straightforward woman like Kushina, Kiyoshi's acting was effortless.
Only when facing upper-level ninjas like Mikoto or Nonou would Kiyoshi be more careful.
Even a single glance or small gesture, he would try to make his "innocence" appear natural.
Of course, in most situations, no acting was needed; his emotions were genuine.
"Is that blond-haired, popular big brother from earlier?"
Kiyoshi pointed toward the crowd, where Minato Namikaze was being praised by other female ninjas.
The women were excited to see Minato, whispering among themselves about inviting him out, wondering if he would accept.
"Yeah… that's Minato."
Kushina nodded lightly.
"He looks really handsome."
Kiyoshi understood.
Minato was a talented, sunny young man, naturally attracting admiration from female peers.
Or rather, anyone with such qualities would be welcomed wherever they went.
"Kushina, why don't you go over there?"
Kiyoshi asked knowingly.
They were already near the edge of the sealing barrier; a few more steps and she would completely leave it.
This was strictly forbidden for Kushina, and ANBU sent to monitor her would immediately stop her.
"I… don't like going too far."
Kushina hesitated, not revealing the real reason to Kiyoshi.
She carried the "Nine-Tails," a secret of Konoha.
Only a handful of high-ranking officials knew; even the Sannin were unaware.
"I see. How about I give you something to cheer you up?"
Kiyoshi pulled a sealed scroll from his waist.
He currently had two sealed scrolls: one borrowed from Cat Granny with Mikoto's help, and another given by Uchiha Hazuki along with ten sets of chainmail.
The first sealed scroll contained Kiyoshi's ninja sword, 1.5 meters long—a heavy weapon for him to carry around. Normally, he used the scroll to store it, summoning it only when needed.
The second scroll held the chainmail at home, leaving space for three movie tapes and a small VCR with a display screen to play them.
"What… is this?"
Kushina asked, as Kiyoshi took out a tape-like object from the sealed scroll.
"This is a videotape. Kushina, have you ever watched movies?"
"Yes, yes, I've seen those. People… move around in them, right?"
Her previously dull tone brightened a bit.
Before becoming a Jinchuriki, going to a cinema to see such scenes was a precious experience.
Afterward, she never went to such places again.
"Right. Last time you came to the bookstore looking for books, you said you were bored. I thought maybe your life is too dull. I earned a bit of money, so I set up a little entertainment at home… and coincidentally met you."
"But… going to your house is a bit…"
Kushina lowered her gaze.
Her bright red hair was simply tied with a hairpin, a strand slipping over her forehead.
Even if there were movies at Kiyoshi's place, it was too far for her.
"No, Kushina. I want to give this to you."
Kiyoshi shook his head, putting the tape back in the sealed scroll and handing it to Kushina:
"There's also a VCR inside. You can play it at home."
Kiyoshi's tone was calm.
Though his home was modest, it was quite spacious.
He warmly welcomed Kushina; she could rest there if tired, no problem at all.
Even without the sealing barrier, Kushina couldn't casually enter the Uchiha settlement.
The fact that Kiyoshi could interact with her without being chased away was already fortunate.
A Nine-Tails Jinchuriki moving freely among clans was a sensitive matter.
"Eh."
Kushina pursed her alluring, elastic lips, surprised at Kiyoshi's kindness.
She had only mentioned boredom once, and he remembered it so well.
"But I don't know how to use it."
Kushina declined Kiyoshi's gift; even if she took it, she wouldn't use it.
"It's simple. I can come over and set it up for you."
Kiyoshi tested the waters.
This wasn't just for Kushina; it was also a signal to the two hidden ANBU watching.
Even Obito could access Kushina, and she had delivered food to him and others multiple times.
This showed that the Uchiha weren't strictly barred from contact with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Okay."
Kushina quickly agreed.
A movie lasted one or two hours, and over the years, countless movies had been made—enough to keep her entertained.
She led the way, calling Kiyoshi to follow.
Kiyoshi hesitated, then smiled faintly upon seeing no one stopped him, and quickly followed.
Kushina's home wasn't a secret; the real secrets were in the "Hokage House."
The Uzumaki clan shrine likely held little of value; their sealing techniques were preserved at the "Hokage House."
According to the Book of Soldiers, the Hokage House had been passed down from the First Hokage, safeguarding forbidden scrolls and confidential documents.
The sealing technique Naruto initially stole also came from there.
Soon, Kiyoshi arrived at Kushina's home.
It had once been Mito Uzumaki's residence; after her death, Kushina lived alone there.
Its architecture was unlike nearby buildings, resembling a tower with a sphere at the top.
It was essentially a "Demon-Sealing Tower."
The building contained a layered clan seal that echoed the Jinchuriki's seal, forming a double-seal to strengthen the barrier.
"Excuse me."
Kiyoshi politely changed shoes at the entrance; luckily, Kushina had extra pairs.
He quietly observed the room's decorations and layout.
The building seemed to have three floors.
The first floor contained kitchen, bathroom, and living room. The second floor was Kushina's private room.
The top floor was a spacious spiral room, the Uzumaki clan shrine, carved with clan sealing patterns.
Wherever Kushina slept or worked, the seal's power constantly enveloped her.
In Konoha, another Uzumaki shrine existed, dedicated to deities.
Orochimaru had taken the Death God Mask from there, using "Shiki Fūjin: Kai" to summon the souls from inside the Death God, including the souls in his own hands.
"This needs a slightly bigger space."
Kiyoshi said.
"Then follow me."
Kushina led Kiyoshi to a cleaned storage room.
"Used to store miscellaneous items, now cleared out."
"Perfect."
Kiyoshi unrolled the scroll and summoned the equipment.
He nailed the display to the wall and connected the VCR.
After some effort, the empty room was transformed into a proper movie-viewing setup.
During installation, Kiyoshi sensed someone watching him subtly.
The ANBU.
"All done."
Kiyoshi said, letting Kushina see.
She entered and found it well-arranged, only missing a reclining chair.
"Thank you, Kiyoshi. By the way, how much did this cost?"
Kushina reached for her money, but Kiyoshi immediately refused.
"We're friends; no need. Kushina, don't you consider me a 'friend'?"
Kiyoshi calmly upgraded their relationship from casual acquaintances to "friends."
"Hmm… then you're my third friend."
Kushina felt a surge of happiness hearing this.
As a child, her red hair made her isolated; only Minato approached her.
As she grew, social circles matured, and she still couldn't fit in alone.
She got along with Mikoto, and now could add Kiyoshi.
One of the few who actively showed her kindness.
"That's right, we are friends."
Kiyoshi smiled faintly.
In the ninja world, "friend" meant "bond."
A word full of magical meaning.
Just as Naruto recognized Sasuke as a friend, bringing him back even after breaking his limbs, reflecting Konoha-style bonds.
"Oh, by the way, the Hyuga girl came to see me earlier."
Kushina suddenly mentioned it to Kiyoshi.
Their first meeting was in an alley with a broken streetlight, where she overheard unfriendly words.
Today, the girl came again, saying her master acknowledged the mistake.
"Hyuga Natsu…"
Kiyoshi's eyes lit with understanding.
Seems the girl had bad timing, always arriving just when he was out.
He knew she came for Hyuga Ginka's matter.
This meant his ocular abilities could improve again.
"I'll head back first. Watch the movie, then come find me."
Kiyoshi said.
Kushina could take her time; now that they were connected, subsequent interactions were easy.
What better excuse than swapping a videotape?
He had more time to interact with Kushina; visiting her home was reasonable.
Just swapping a tape.
He was curious whether more interaction would unlock another entry.
The last time he saw her at the bookstore, he obtained [Entry: Legendary Nine-Tails (White)].
(End of Chapter)