AN: We hit 350 Power Stones! Thanks for the votes, and as promised, here is the bonus chapter - you guys are working me to the bone! For the next BONUS CHAPTER, the target is 500 POWER STONES! (Thanks for all the support you've shown!)
Forgetting the issue for now, Katsuro went back to his conversation at the dinner table, which had become a daily habit for his family with Shizune also joining them. "Kushina, you clearly like this boy."
As Kushina blushed under the couple's looks and giggles Tsunade laughed loudly, "Hahahahaha, Kushina you are really about to become your own hair colour. See how you used to tease us? And look at you now…"
Katsuro also smiled, but he didn't join in. He had teased her enough, he was trying to be sincere.
"Kushina, while he sounds great, I don't think that's all. You wouldn't just like a boy just because he's a bit handsome, tell me what's actually causing this?"
Confirming his suspicions, Kushina looked at Tsunade in panic, eyes darting between them. Katsuro turned to her as she sighed. "Kushina, I know I promised you, but I think you should tell him."
Katsuro remained silent, allowing her to speak. "Nii-san…" she began. "Shortly after the war ended, I was kidnapped by some Kumo shinobi…"
Katsuro was taken aback, not expecting this but the pressure in the room immediately increased several fold. Shizune who for the first time was seeing this side of Katsuro and not the loving and cheerful leader became somewhat frightened at his expression.
"What?" He stated simply.
Kushina stuttered for a bit before she continued, "Yeah, but I did what you taught me, I made sure to leave clues to be found even though I was tied up." As if remembering something she exclaimed, "That's why I couldn't use your talisman, even though I keep it with me!"
Kushina said more softly, "I thought I was dead… but then Minato came and saved me! You should've seen him, he was so strong and took all of them out. He protected me!"
As the truth came out, everything became clear. Why she liked the boy so much, and why she had changed somewhat. "Kushina, why didn't you tell me?" he asked softly, losing his fierce expression.
"I… I don't know… I just didn't want you to be upset or angry. And I made big sister promise to not tell you before I did too."
Katsuro looked at Tsunade who confirmed and shook her head helplessly. It was frustrating, but he understood it was a difficult situation. He had been gone so long, she didn't want to tell him something she considered behind her even though it was so scary. He was not angry at her, just a little disappointed. "Kushina… I understand. But remember this, you can tell me anything, anytime. Remember who I am - no matter the situation, you can come to me. Do you understand?"
She nodded her small head cutely. "Good," Katsuro said with a satisfied smile, but he turned to Tsunade, his eyes conveying what he felt.You kept this from me? Looks like I will have to punish you later…
Tsunade instinctively felt it, and with no control or idea of what was happening she found herself blushing inexplicably. But this did not mean Katsuro wasn't angry - no, he was seething…
Later in bed, he laid his thoughts out to Tsunade, who had seen him thinking. "Suro? What's going on?" She asked with a tired and worn out voice.
"I don't know, it doesn't feel right."
"What do you mean?"
He turned his head to face her on the pillow. "How is it that the Kumo shinobi made their way into the village and abducted Kushina. She is the Nine Tails Jinchuuriki! The village's most important asset and she was kidnapped in broad daylight? How? How did they get past all the protective measures and guards? And if a child like Minato could defeat them all, they couldn't be that strong either? No, it doesn't make sense."
"Hmmm, you're right, I didn't think about that. But what's the explanation then?"
"Tsuna, if I'm right, your teacher was involved. It would make sense - the successor he was grooming, who he put under his own disciple, saves Kushina from outsiders, successfully cultivating a relationship with the Nine Tail Jinchuriki under the Senju clan indirectly."
Tsunade was shocked, but felt his anger with him muttering, "Do they think I would just let it slide?"
"Suro," she said softly, taking him out of his wrath for a moment, "Everything has been going well so far, I- I don't want you to start a war with the village. I know how strong you are, Suro, but I like the peace we have now. In a world embroiled with war, this peace doesn't come often. And…" she spoke even more softly. "I want you to marry me soon, so will you leave it for now? For me?"
Tsunade's heartfelt plea made him see clearly. It had been less than 2 years since the war had ended. Konoha had not had the time to recover yet, starting something now even if he won comfortably might enable the other villages who were always seeking Konoha's land to attack. Especially Kiri and Kumo who were untouched by the last war. But if he took a more political route, it would be easy for them to deny, his suspicions were just that, suspicions. He had no proof after all. It frustrated him, but his logic won out, and with Tsunade asking so vulnerably, he couldn't say no. He sighed, "Fine, but Tsunade, just one more, just one more thing and I won't hold back." He said sternly.
She nodded, "Mhm, that's all I can ask. Thanks, Suro." She hugged him with her whole body as he hugged her back. But with her whole body pressing against him he said softly, "Don't even think about sleeping tonight, Tsunade."
"Wait, Suro, haven't you had enough?" - but they both knew that no matter how she acted, she never said or meant 'no'.
The next morning…
The next day, as Tsunade slept in for unknown reasons, Katsuro got up and met Kushina before she headed to one of the training grounds. As she questioned him, he said, "I'm coming with you today. I want to meet this boy Minato."
Kushina promptly began pleading for him, afraid it was his last day alive. But Katsuro chuckled lightly, "Relax, this boy saved your life, I am going to thank him."
Kushina eyed him suspiciously but finding no issues nodded and they both started making their way there. They walked beside each other in casual conversation, enjoying their time together which recently they had not seen much of due to their separate duties. Kushina would normally run to the grounds, but this time was more than happy to idly walk by Katsuro who, too, was enjoying the peaceful walk. But to her irritation, more and more people would greet him, and express their admiration cutting into their talking time. Interrupting one such conversation, Kushina directly grabbed Katsuro's arm, dragging him away. While he laughed and expressed his goodbyes.
Before they knew it, they had arrived to find the rest of Kushina's squad already there. Katsuro obviously saw Jiraiya, but also 2 boys, one with black hair and the other golden who was also wearing Chunin vests. Kushina shouted out, "Minato! Sensei! Kuro!"
Everyone turned to Kushina, quickly noticing the tall white haired handsome man by her side. Kushina ran to meet them as Katsuro walked down.
Jiraiya grinned, "Hoh, it's been a while hasn't it?"
"Yeah it has," Katsuro replied with a smile before turning to Jiraiya's disciples.
Minato inferred who he was, and bowed, introducing himself politely.
"Nice to meet you Lord Katsuro, my name is Namikaze Minato."
The other boy, Kuro quickly followed Minato's lead, "N-nice to meet you Sir! I am Kuro."
Katsuro responded in kind, "Pleasure to meet you both as well."
"Minato, I have heard about how you saved my little sister." Katsuro bowed his head, "Thank you very much, I am in your debt."
Minato responded quickly, startled by the sincere show of gratitude, "No, Lord Katsuro, I was simply doing what was right."
Katsuro smiled at Minato's response, liking his humble attitude. "Regardless, you have done me a great service. And please, just call me Katsuro or big brother like Kushina does." He said with a smile, right before she blushed at the implication and started stammering.
"Nii-san! Stop it!
Minato was shocked by Kushina acting so meek around her brother considering her usual attitude. Cute, he thought before shaking his head. Katsuro laughed boisterously at her reaction, but when he saw Minato staring at her he had a sudden itch to go grab his sword. Ignoring it, he turned to Minato again, "You can come to me for advice any time, the doors of the Senju Clan are open to you and I'm sure I'll be able to help a genius of your caliber better than this last place Jiraiya can."
"Oi Katsuro! Don't go telling my students of my dark past! I have an image to uphold as the Toad Sage!"
Katsuro laughed again. The truth was, Jiraiya was probably one of the better teachers in the village, a man who built his strength through determination and will. Though, still not as good as me.
"Jiraiya, what happened with those kids?" Jiraiya knew Katsuro was asking about the Ame orphans, and was probably extra concerned about Nagato.
"I taught them for a while, helped them get on their feet. They have the same determination to save their country and the whole world." He said with a small chuckle before getting more serious, "But Katsuro, I need to tell you something about Nagato."
They both left to the side, out of ear shot. Normally, the information was something Jiraiya would guard extremely closely, only informing his teacher and perhaps fellow disciples. But Katsuro was not only involved directly, he was someone who had saved his life and met Nagato too.
"Katsuro," he began gravely, "that child Nagato, he has the legendary eyes, the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths himself, the Rinnegan."
AN: If you would like to view up to 20 chapters ahead, and would also like to support me, please visit my P@TR30N, at pa tr eon.com / GhidorahWriter (remove the spaces). Thanks for reading and make sure ADD to your COLLECTION and VOTE with POWER STONES! The next target is 500 POWER STONES for the next BONUSCHAPTER!