That night, the moon hid behind drifting clouds, and the stars dimmed into silence.
After Shimura Danzo left, an ANBU captain dropped to one knee before Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk.
"Lord Hokage, Orochimaru's forces have departed from the outer base tonight."
Following the strategy decided the previous evening—ending the war quickly—Orochimaru, fully prepared, had led two thousand shinobi under cover of darkness toward the southwestern border.
His objective was clear.
Join forces with Jiraiya advancing from the south, crush Sunagakure in the shortest time possible, and make an example of them.
A warning to Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure.
And at the same time… a means to keep the Uchiha in check.
"Additionally," the ANBU captain continued, "our squad has reached the vicinity of Kumogakure's encampment. They are ready to disguise themselves as Iwagakure shinobi and launch an attack."
"Lord Mitokado Homura has met with the Daimyō in the capital today, but no favorable reply has been received yet."
Hiruzen tapped his fingers lightly against the desk.
The entire battlefield unfolded in his mind.
The southwest war against Sunagakure was about to ignite.
The northeast would soon be restrained by Danzo.
Which meant—
The most critical variable lay in the northwest, along the border with the Land of Rain.
"Send orders," Hiruzen said calmly.
"Have Minato Namikaze depart immediately to reinforce the northwest border. He is to fully support the local forces."
The ANBU captain bowed.
Before he could leave, Hiruzen spoke again.
"Dispatch another ANBU squad. Locate Tsunade at all costs."
He paused, his voice carrying immense weight.
"Tell her… Konoha needs her."
"Understood, Lord Hokage!"
As the ANBU vanished, silence returned to the office.
The faint glow of the pipe illuminated the deep lines etched across the old man's face.
Unbidden, his thoughts turned to Kushina Uzumaki.
The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki—one of Konoha's greatest assets… and its most unstable variable.
Even with Minato's request, if the situation demanded it—
She would have to step onto the battlefield.
'Let it not come to that.'
Hiruzen let out a quiet sigh.
—
Night deepened. Only scattered lights remained in Konoha.
A shadow landed silently before the residence of Minato Namikaze.
Before he could knock, the door opened.
Minato stood in the warm light, as though he had already sensed the visitor. His gentle smile remained, but his eyes carried a shinobi's alertness.
The ANBU delivered the Hokage's urgent orders.
Understanding flashed in Minato's eyes. He nodded lightly.
"Please inform Lord Hokage—I will depart immediately."
After seeing the ANBU off, he thought of his fiancée, a trace of helplessness crossing his face.
Moments later, he moved through the night, arriving at Kushina Uzumaki's home.
The light was still on.
He knocked softly.
The door opened just a crack, revealing the girl inside.
She seemed to have just woken. Her long crimson hair fell loosely over her shoulders, slightly disheveled.
A light haori embroidered with the Uzumaki crest draped over her, with simple sleepwear beneath. The collar hung slightly open, revealing her delicate collarbone.
Warm light softened her features. Her eyes held both curiosity… and a spark of sudden delight.
"Minato? At this hour…"
"Kushina Uzumaki."
His voice was lower than usual, tinged with gravity.
"I've received an urgent mission. I have to leave for the northwest border immediately."
Her smile froze.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something—anything—but in the end, she simply crossed her arms and looked at him.
As a shinobi, she understood exactly what this meant.
The carefully prepared wedding invitations…
The dress she had chosen in secret…
All of it would have to wait.
"…Be careful."
All her unspoken words condensed into those two.
She forced a smile, but the disappointment in her eyes could not be hidden.
Minato felt a sharp pang of guilt.
He wanted to reach out, to brush her hair, to promise a swift return—
But war was unpredictable.
And this one…
Might be more brutal than ever.
To protect Konoha—and to keep Kushina from being forced onto the battlefield—
He had to give everything.
"When I come back," he said, his voice soft yet resolute, "I'll give you the grandest wedding."
"I'll let the entire shinobi world witness that I, Minato Namikaze, am the man who loves you most."
His smile shone brightly under the moonlight.
Like a warm sun, dispelling the darkness of parting.
Kushina leaned against the door, her face flushed all the way to her ears.
"…Okay. I'll wait for you."
She watched him disappear into the night.
Only then did she close the door, leaning back against it, hands pressed over her racing heart.
A smile she couldn't suppress curved her lips.
Her steps carried a light, almost buoyant rhythm as she returned inside.
Her gaze drifted to the wedding dress hanging by the window.
Unlike the traditional white kimono, it was a Western-style gown.
Layered lace traced an elegant neckline and waist.
The long skirt flowed like clouds, glowing softly under the lamplight.
A veil rested over the chair, its tiny crystals shimmering like scattered stars.
Kushina reached out, gently brushing the fabric.
On the table lay half-written invitations—each detail filled with anticipation for the future.
"When you come back…"
She whispered softly, her eyes warm.
"I'll wear this… and become your most beautiful bride."
For a long moment, she stood there, smiling.
Then, reluctantly, she returned to her bed and picked up the novel she had been reading.
The book contained illustrations.
On one page—a woman in a white wedding dress, smiling with quiet happiness.
The title read:
I Forgave Everything in the Past, Because We Will Never Meet Again
"…What a horrible author!"
Kushina snapped, throwing the book onto her lap.
The first half had been full of warmth and love—
Only for everything to unravel.
A so-called "first love" returned.
Misunderstandings piled up.
Manipulation twisted everything apart.
"How can they treat people in love like that?!"
She huffed, gripping the book tightly.
"If I ever find this author, 'Ji Boda,' I'll make him regret it!"
But as her frustration faded, her thoughts drifted back to Minato.
To his promise.
Her back straightened.
A fierce light ignited in her eyes.
Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze—
They would never be torn apart.
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