"You have to promise me you won't harm yourself anymore, or else it'll break my heart."
Minato gazed into Kushina's eyes with a serious expression. But moments later, he couldn't help but let his solemnity soften into a gentle smile.
Seeing this, Kushina let out a soft giggle and replied in a slightly teasing tone, "I know, but..."
Though she completely trusted Minato, even he probably couldn't change the Hokage's decision.
"I will definitely keep my promise to you!" Minato interrupted her unfinished words, his sapphire-blue eyes filled with unwavering determination.
"Oh."
Kushina gave a slight shiver and obediently responded, looking as adorable as a startled white rabbit.
"You go back to my place first; I'll meet with the Third Hokage and then come find you." Minato said, helping Kushina stand up.
She nodded gently, and together they leapt from Training Ground Seven.
"They're always tailing me—it's so annoying!"
Of course, the dozen or so Anbu operatives followed closely behind them. Kushina complained, for at her current sensor level, detecting their presence was no challenge at all.
Minato smiled faintly. He figured the Third had placed tight security because he feared Kushina's emotional state might stir the Nine-Tails sealed within her.
However, the seal left by Mito [a powerful containment technique] was extremely strong, combined with Kushina's innate enormous chakra reserves [spiritual and physical energy]. Even after all this time, the Nine-Tails' seal remained solid and unshakable.
After leaving the training field, the two briefly went their separate ways.
On his way alone, Minato kept frowning deeply because he knew his ideas wouldn't seem appropriate from the Third Hokage's perspective.
But he couldn't bear seeing Kushina like this any longer. When weighing these two things against each other, he had already chosen Kushina.
In the past, she had even sacrificed herself for the village, and Minato had allowed their newborn child to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
For her, he would give his life in an instant.
This time, Minato wanted to be selfish—for her!
...
Hokage's Office
Minato knocked briefly and entered after receiving permission.
"Hokage-sama," he respectfully bowed before the Third Hokage.
The Third raised his eyes, a faint smile on his face. "You did an excellent job on this mission. President Takumi Fujihara specifically sent word praising you highly, calling you capable and composed."
"You may rise."
Minato stood and replied, "That is simply my duty as a Konoha ninja."
"Hmm." The Third Hokage gave a satisfied nod.
As for the Third Hokage's true intentions, how could Minato not understand? Takumi Fujihara held considerable influence in the Land of Fire's political circles.
The Third was clearly cultivating him, for his performance on the battlefield truly astonished the Ninja World.
Minato had once occupied this seat, so he clearly understood how the Hokage analyzed and made decisions.
"Have you seen Kushina? Did she tell you about the Chunin Exams?" the Third continued.
"Yes." Minato remained calm. Obviously, the Anbu had already submitted a report to the Third.
"What are your thoughts on this matter?" The Third narrowed his eyes slightly, throwing the question toward Minato first.
He knew how important Kushina was to Minato, so he was especially eager to hear what kind of judgment Minato would make under such circumstances.
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki carries great significance for the village. If Kushina becomes a chunin, she will inevitably have to leave the village to carry out missions, which could lead to various dangers. Therefore, letting her remain just a genin and only take simple missions within the village is an objective and rational approach."
Minato answered without hesitation. He also believed these were exactly the fundamental reasons why the Konoha High-ranking Members refused to approve her promotion to chunin.
"You certainly didn't disappoint me," the Third smiled faintly, though there was something else in his eyes.
Seeing his expression, Minato lightly smiled again and continued, "But out of all the candidates, Kushina was the only one denied advancement, especially when she met all requirements for becoming a chunin. Such treatment is unfair."
After all, this Chunin Exam was little more than a formality—everyone who entered was clearly qualified to advance.
For example, individuals such as Yan Uchiha, Mikoto, and Nawaki had proven their strength in battle, and both their skills and mental resilience were well established.
And after returning this time, Minato noticed that Kushina's personality had changed quite a bit.
"That's true." The Third slightly furrowed his brow as he spoke.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Suddenly, Minato bowed deeply to the Third.
The Third slightly startled, then smiled meaningfully. "Why are you thanking me?"
"Because if you really thought that way, Kushina wouldn't even have had the opportunity to participate in the Chunin Exam," Minato explained.
According to Minato's speculation, the reason for this situation was because those high-ranking members of Konoha fundamentally believed Kushina could never meet the conditions required for promotion to chunin.
They cared only for the Nine-Tails sealed within Kushina; her personal growth meant absolutely nothing to them.
However, the situation was different with the Third Hokage.
"Still, regarding matters involving the Nine-Tails, even I, as the Hokage, don't have the authority to decide alone," the Third sighed. After all, the matter of the Nine-Tails was no ordinary issue.
There was no doubt that the Hokage held supreme authority in the village, but at times, certain high-ranking members posed significant resistance, especially when it came to matters concerning the village's most sacred interests—such as the Nine-Tails.
"But ignoring the personal wishes of the Jinchuriki is wrong. Kushina isn't just a container; she's a person like us, with her own thoughts and emotions. She has her own ideas and dreams."
Minato said that while continuing to confine the Jinchuriki might seem like the safest option, it wasn't necessarily the best one. Doing so would slowly distort the Jinchuriki's personality and life, until hatred finally consumes them.
"Just that those few have deeply entrenched ways of thinking. Even I cannot act unilaterally on this matter," The Third understood this well enough himself.
"You've already done so much for Kushina and me. Please let me handle what comes next," Minato raised his eyes and said firmly.
"Oh, and what do you plan to do?" The Third's gaze narrowed slightly.
"I'll do what I always do—protect her with everything I've got. Like I did before, I won't let anything happen to Kushina!"
...
...
Next chapter's ready. Updating tomorrow with a double release to make up for the delay. Thanks for your patience!
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