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After entering Kushina's home, Mina discovered that she had a lover living there, Minato, who was busy cooking in the kitchen.
Kushina had a lot to talk about with Mina, so she took her to her room. After Minato served some tea and snacks and informed them about lunchtime, he went downstairs to tend to other things.
"Kushina, your life seems so nice now," Mina said somewhat enviously, thinking such a life must be almost perfect.
"It's terrible, actually. I'm living entirely under surveillance. They've drawn a circle for me and confined me to live within it. I haven't been out in a long time," Kushina explained, indicating the small range of her life with a circular gesture of her hand.
"This kind of life is too suffocating. I was almost taken away by Kumogakure ninjas when I was younger. Luckily, Minato saved me, and since then, I haven't been able to go out. It's really hard, Mina. Even seeing you required passing a message through someone else."
"Well, it's not too bad, I guess," Mina awkwardly smiled, recalling her own accommodations in Kusagakure, which were far worse than Kushina's well-furnished, spacious two-story house.
In Kusagakure, Mina was almost always under surveillance, and if not for her sensory abilities, she might never have left. She probably would have never met Yoichi or escaped a likely death in Kusagakure.
Kushina quickly shook her head and then asked, "Isn't it possible for you to leave the village for missions?"
"I should be able to. But my strength is still too low, and my medical ninjutsu skills aren't polished yet. Yoichi-sama told me to focus on learning for now. He plans to take me on missions eventually since I'm already a member of his team," Mina said with certainty.
"That's great. I can't even think of leaving the village, let alone visiting you at the Konoha Hospital."
Kushina envied Mina and then held her hand, continuing, "Mina, do visit me more often. I'm so bored on my own. Remember the sealing techniques the Elder taught us when we were kids?"
Kushina enjoyed reminiscing about their childhood. After arriving in Konoha, only her clanmate, Uzumaki Mito, made her feel at ease. But after Mito's death and Tsunade's constant absence on missions, along with Minato's duties, she had few people to keep her company.
"Now that I've met a clan member from our childhood, I want to tell you everything that's happened over the years."
"Speaking of your current home, Uchiha Yoichi, he seems a bit strange," Kushina suddenly remembered and shared her thoughts with Mina.
"I asked him to relay my address to you, but initially, he was reluctant. Then, out of nowhere, he agreed but only if we shook hands first."
"Shook hands?"
Alarm bells rang in Mina's head, but she pretended to be casual as she glanced down at her attire – an orange dress and bare feet – which seemed safe, likely not Yoichi's preference.
"He must have noticed something special about you, Kushina. Yoichi-sama isn't that kind of person," Mina assured her.
Kushina nodded, adding, "That might be it. But after we shook hands, his body temperature suddenly rose, and then he quickly withdrew his hand. Mina, do you think there might be something wrong with Yoichi's body?"
High body temperature? Mina immediately recalled the sealing of the beast within Yoichi, which had caused similar phenomena before. But Yoichi had assured her it wasn't a big deal.
"It's nothing to worry about. I'm aware of it. It's one of Yoichi-sama's unique abilities."
"If you say so, Mina."
Kushina wanted to say more, but they were interrupted by Minato knocking on the door, announcing lunch was ready.
"Coming!"
After telling Mina, Kushina added, "Let's have lunch. Minato loves to experiment with cooking."
They went downstairs to find a table laid with delicious-looking dishes.
Kushina was especially happy that day. The gloom of being trapped in a barrier faded with the arrival of a clan member from her childhood, softening the painful memory of the Uzumaki Clan's downfall.
"Mina-san, I've heard you've been learning at the Konoha Hospital recently. Are you planning to become a medical ninja?"
During lunch, Minato suddenly asked with a smile.
Mina paused with her spoon in hand, then replied, "Not yet. I've only been learning for a few months and have much more to grasp."
"If you're interested, I could speak to the Hokage for you. Then, you could directly become an elite medical ninja."
Minato offered warmly, but Mina cut him off, "No need for that. After I finish learning medical ninjutsu, I'll follow Yoichi-sama's plans."
Kushina chimed in, "He'll probably have you work as a medical ninja anyway. Why else learn medical ninjutsu?"
"If Yoichi-sama wants me to, I will. If he doesn't want me to be a medical ninja, then I'll just treat him!"
Mina spoke with conviction, leaving Minato speechless and reconsidering the task the Third Hokage had given him – convincing Kushina's clan member to join the medical team seemed impossible.
After lunch, Mina excused herself, claiming she had to study in the afternoon. Despite Kushina's desire to talk more, Mina's firm decision led her to leave Kushina's home.
Shortly after Mina left, Kushina confronted Minato, "Minato, what were you thinking? Why did you say those things to Mina? She left early because of your comments!"
Though she questioned him, Kushina was certain Mina's premature departure was due to Minato's words at the lunch table.
"Kushina, I was just asking. The Hokage asked me to inquire," Minato tried to explain, revealing his assignment from the Hokage to persuade Mina, which had evidently failed.
(End of Chapter)
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"I don't want you to get involved between Mina and me; she's a childhood playmate of mine and one of the few clan members I have left!"
Kushina, with a sulky tone, expressed her frustration. Mina must have sensed Minato's intentions, which likely caused her to leave early, feeling uncomfortable.
Although she didn't know why Mina was reluctant to join the Konoha Hospital, Kushina felt Minato's approach was inconsiderate.
"Kushina, I'll no longer interfere. Your clansman doesn't seem to have this intention anyway, and after all, this was a task given to me by the Third Hokage," Minato said apologetically. However, he recalled the Third Hokage's words, believing it was something he should discuss with Kushina.
"Kushina, this clansman of yours has a strong talent in medical ninjutsu. Her potential achievements might even reach the heights of Tsunade-senpai. As you're well aware of Tsunade-senpai's current situation and with the increasing border friction, if a war were to break out..."
Minato's words left Kushina silent, considering she was one of Tsunade's closest confidants and knew her struggles well—rejecting missions, avoiding surgeries, and her current vulnerability at the sight of blood, a stark contrast to before, caused by the trauma of losing loved ones to war.
Thus, Kushina despised war for the havoc it wrought on her homeland and the pain it inflicted on those around her.
"However, if Mina is unwilling, and given her unfortunate experiences following the destruction of the Whirlpool Country, forcing her will accomplish nothing!" Minato added, suggesting, "So, Kushina, could you possibly persuade your clansman? Joining the Konoha Hospital is beneficial, and the village will fully support her development."
"I'll see," Kushina hesitantly agreed, aware of the battlefield significance of a top-tier medical ninja but also deterred by Mina's current attitude, making her reluctant to even broach the subject.
She remembered Tsunade's intention to take Mina as an apprentice, which Mina rejected. So, convincing Mina to join the Konoha Hospital seemed unlikely.
Moreover, Kushina feared that bringing up the topic might upset Mina, possibly deterring her from visiting again.
Feeling troubled, Kushina chose to retire to her room without further conversation with Minato, a departure from their usual, lengthy chats whenever they found the time.
————————————
After leaving Kushina's home, Mina did, in fact, head to the Konoha Hospital to study, which puzzled Morimoto, who had given Mina the day off only to see her return in the afternoon.
Still, Morimoto continued to teach, now guiding Mina through more complex surgeries and planning to move on to studying poisons and antidotes.
In the evening, Mina returned home, habitually announcing, "I'm back."
"Coming back so late, I thought you would have dinner at her place before returning," said Yōichi, stepping out from the dining room and handing her three scrolls as a reward from the village—three B-rank sealing jutsus, likely different from the Uzumaki clan's techniques, for her to study.
"Thank you, Yōichi-sama," Mina gratefully responded, her midday displeasures seemingly vanished.
Nevertheless, she decided to mention her visit to Kushina's. Quickly, she shared Minato's roundabout persuasion attempt.
After hearing Mina's story, Yōichi pondered for a moment before advising, "Don't mind them. The village's internal focus will decrease over time. They recognize your talent but don't wish to offend the Uchihas, hence the suggestion to join voluntarily."
"I wouldn't leave Yōichi-sama!" Mina quickly asserted, eager to prove her loyalty.
"I also negotiated with Gates for a summoning contract for you, emphasizing the need for offerings like honey or sweets to ensure your protection, a task that required significant effort to convince the proud creature."
Mina warmly thanked him, "Thank you, Yōichi-sama."
"Let's eat, I haven't started yet."
"Alright."
After dinner, Yōichi continued his training.
He didn't acquire anything particularly useful that day, only managing to steal a shuriken from Uchiha Tetsubi, reflecting on the luck-based nature of his ability to steal skills or chakra.
With the month ending soon and his ability set to refresh, Youichi hoped for better loot, considering direct confrontations with certain clan elders as a last resort for beneficial thefts.
The next morning, as Yōichi planned his training, a messenger from Elder Kenji sought his presence for an important discussion.
Upon arrival, Elder Kenji didn't beat around the bush, directly suggesting, "Yōichi, you should participate in the Jonin exams in a few days."
"Jonin exams? For me?" Yōichi was surprised, doubting his qualifications but intrigued by the sudden proposal.
Elder Kenji affirmed Yōichi's strength was already at Jonin level, deserving a corresponding rank. He explained the strategic importance of Jonin in the village hierarchy and the scarcity of such positions within the Uchiha and Hyuga clans.
Despite many Uchihas possessing the strength for Jonin rank, village politics often hindered their promotion. However, this time, an opportunity arose linked to a village military procurement, ensuring Yōichi's participation without concern for usual prerequisites.
Recognizing the significance of Jonin status within the village, Yōichi pondered the potential to influence village decisions, highlighting the exception of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans due to their internal priorities and the village's cautious approach to their influence.
(End of Chapter)
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