The forest felt… wrong again.
Not loud.
Not hostile.
Just—
aware.
Kushina slowed.
Not enough to stop.
Just enough to notice.
"…something's off…"
"…yeah…"
Daichi didn't answer immediately.
That alone told her everything.
She glanced sideways.
"Don't do that."
"…what."
"Go quiet when something's wrong."
A pause.
"…someone's here."
Kushina's posture shifted instantly.
Not panic.
Focus.
"…again?"
"…no."
That came sharper.
"…not them."
Worse.
"Where?"
"…close."
Silence settled.
No movement.
No attack.
Just—
presence.
Watching.
Kushina tilted her head slightly.
"If you're going to stare, you might as well come out."
Nothing.
Then—
a step.
Soft. Controlled.
A figure emerged from the trees.
Blond hair.
Blue eyes.
Young.
But not careless.
His gaze moved first to Daichi.
Then to Kushina.
Measuring.
Not judging.
Kushina crossed her arms.
"You always walk into dangerous situations like that?"
A brief pause.
"Only when they don't feel dangerous."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Bold."
"No."
A beat.
"Honest."
That was… different.
Daichi stepped forward—just slightly.
"State your purpose."
The boy didn't react defensively.
"I've been tracking movement in this area."
A pause.
"…not you."
Kushina smirked faintly.
"Good. I'd be offended otherwise."
He didn't react.
His attention shifted back to her.
"You're injured."
"Wow. Impressive."
A flicker of something in his expression.
Almost a smile.
"You're still moving."
"Also impressive."
Silence.
He didn't push.
Didn't question.
Just… observed.
"…you're not scared."
"No."
"Why?"
A pause.
"…because you're not out of control."
That landed.
Kushina's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You sure about that?"
"I'm watching."
A beat.
"That's enough."
Daichi stepped in again.
"You shouldn't be here."
"I know."
No argument.
That made it worse.
"What's your name?"
"Minato."
Simple.
Kushina nodded.
"Kushina."
He already knew.
That much was clear.
"…you've heard of me."
"Yes."
"…but not like this."
Her smirk faded slightly.
"How then?"
"…different."
Not monster.
Not weapon.
Just—
different.
Kushina looked at him a second longer.
Then looked away first.
"…he's careful…"
"…yeah…"
Daichi's voice cut in again.
"You should leave."
Minato nodded.
"I will."
But he didn't move yet.
"They're getting closer."
Kushina frowned.
"…who."
"The ones you're running from."
A pause.
"They're changing their pattern."
Daichi reacted.
Small.
But real.
"…how."
"…faster."
"…more precise."
Silence.
Kushina exhaled.
"Great."
Minato stepped back.
"…why tell us?"
A pause.
Then:
"Because you're not the only one being watched."
That lingered.
Kushina blinked.
"…what does that mean?"
Minato didn't answer.
He just looked at her once more.
Clear.
Steady.
Then turned—
and disappeared into the trees.
Silence returned.
But not the same.
"…he's weird."
"…observant…"
"…annoying…"
"…interesting…"
Kushina glanced at Daichi.
"You don't like him."
"I don't trust him."
"Same thing."
"No."
A beat.
"He knows something."
Kushina looked back toward the trees.
"…he didn't look away…"
"…no…"
That stayed with her.
More than it should have.
"…we move."
Kushina nodded.
"…yeah."
But as they walked—
her thoughts lingered.
Just for a moment.