"I see… so that's how it is!"
Tsunade suddenly understood.
"I remember she does have a Uchiha best friend. So you actually know her—no wonder!"
"Yep! The sealing teacher I found for you is her. So? Satisfied? Touched?"
"You should know—the Uzumaki Clan was once famous across the ninja world for their sealing techniques. That's their specialty… it's just a pity…"
At that point, she thought of the destroyed Land of Whirlpools and the fallen Uzumaki Clan.
Then she remembered her grandmother, Mito Uzumaki.
Her mood instantly dimmed.
She quickly packed up all the Medical Talisman documents on the desk, sealed them into a scroll, and waved at Sora.
"Let's go. Come with me first, then I'll take you to see Kushina Uzumaki."
With that, she walked straight out of the office.
Sora was left momentarily stunned by her rapid sequence of actions.
"Hey! What are you standing there for? Hurry up!"
Tsunade's voice came from outside.
"Coming, coming!"
Sora quickly ran after her.
Before long, they arrived at Tsunade's house—
which also happened to be part of the former Senju clan grounds.
"Wait here. I'll grab something."
After entering the courtyard and reaching the living room, Tsunade waved casually and went deeper inside.
After quite a while—
she returned carrying a large space-storage sealing scroll.
She handed it to Sora.
"Here. This contains all the sealing technique materials I have."
"I'm lending it to you."
"Return it when you're done."
"And don't let anyone else in the Uchiha Clan see it. Got it?"
She didn't mind Sora being Uchiha.
But that didn't mean she liked the rest of the clan.
In fact—
she disliked most of them.
Growing up surrounded by anti-Uchiha sentiment made that almost inevitable.
And honestly…
many Uchiha personalities didn't help their case either.
"I understand. I won't show it to anyone."
Sora nodded seriously as he accepted the scroll.
Tsunade entrusting him with something this important—
was proof of her sincerity and trust.
And Sora wasn't the type to take that lightly.
"Alright, let's go find Kushina."
"She should be home right now… probably."
With that uncertain guess—
the two of them headed over.
Her house was just a couple of doors away.
"Kushina! Are you home?"
Tsunade called out from outside the yard.
"I am! I am! Tsunade-sis, you're here?"
A cheerful voice responded immediately, followed by hurried footsteps.
"Creak—"
The door opened.
A red-haired girl appeared, smiling brightly.
She was just about to throw herself into Tsunade's arms—
when she noticed Sora standing beside her.
Her eyes instantly lit up.
"Tsunade-sis, who's this cute little guy?"
Sora, meanwhile, was quietly observing her.
So this is Kushina at this stage…
He thought to himself:
She hasn't been saved by Minato Namikaze yet…
And she doesn't like him either—probably finds his awkward behavior annoying.
Which means…
I might actually have a chance here.
He chuckled inwardly.
Kushina was undeniably adorable.
Just as beautiful as Mikoto—
but in a completely different way.
Back in my previous life, people analyzed that incident…
Some even believed it was deliberately orchestrated by Hiruzen Sarutobi and others.
All to make Kushina form a deep emotional bond with Konoha…
As for whether Minato was just a pawn or a knowing participant…
That's debatable.
Personally, I think he was just a pawn.
"He?"
Tsunade snapped him out of his thoughts.
Seeing Kushina's expression, she smirked mischievously—
and pinched both their cheeks.
"This is my student, Uchiha Sora."
"What do you think? Cute, right? Handsome, too?"
"Feeling a little tempted?"
"Ah!"
Kushina's face instantly turned red.
She slapped Tsunade's hand away.
"Of course not! You're always teasing people!"
But then—
she couldn't help but look at Sora again.
She smiled and nodded slightly.
"So you're Sora—the one Mikoto keeps talking about?"
"No wonder she praises you so much. You are pretty cute."
She reached out and pinched his cheek.
"Hi! I'm Kushina—Uzumaki Kushina."
"Nice to meet you!"
"…Hello."
Sora pushed both her hand and Tsunade's away, looking slightly speechless.
"Hehe! You really don't act like a three-year-old at all."
"Come on, let's go inside."
Kushina laughed cheerfully and led them into the house.
She enthusiastically poured tea for both of them and even prepared snacks.
Tsunade watched this with a side glance and smirked.
"Oh? And you said you're not interested?"
"When I visit, you never go this far—tea, snacks…"
"Kushina, you've exposed yourself~"
"That's not true!"
Kushina immediately protested.
"That's because Sora is Mikoto's little brother!"
"And since I'm her best friend, he's basically my little brother too!"
"It's his first time visiting—of course I should treat him well!"
She then glanced at Tsunade with disdain.
"As for you?"
"We're already so familiar. Why bother being polite?"
"And by the way—when are you paying back the money you owe me?"
Tsunade instantly stiffened.
Then quickly waved her hands.
"Alright, alright! I'll stop teasing you!"
"As for money… we're practically family, why be so calculative?"
No money.
Take it or leave it.
She already owed a mountain of debt outside—
where would she get the money from?