Kakashi's father, Sakumo Hatake, watched as Ryoma gently lifted Kushina into his arms.
Ignoring Sakumo's presence entirely, Ryoma simply said,
"Those Cloud shinobi were the culprits. I'll take her back first."
"Wait," Sakumo called quickly. "It's dangerous along the way. I'll escort you!"
"No need."
With that, Ryoma leapt lightly onto the treetops, Kushina held securely in his arms.
"Kushina, let's head back to the village."
"Mm." She nodded softly.
In a blur of motion, they disappeared into the night.
Sakumo watched Ryoma's retreating figure. Seeing that he was heading in Konoha's direction — with the Third Hokage's summoning crow following — he decided not to pursue.
He turned to Minato.
"Minato, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Minato replied, shaking his head. But his eyes were clouded, his usual bright confidence dulled.
For as long as he could remember, Minato had been a prodigy — a scholar of ninjutsu, praised by all. Yet tonight, he had been utterly overwhelmed.
Sakumo studied him, a strange thought flickering in his mind. That injury… it couldn't have been from a genin, could it? No, impossible. Surely it happened during his fight with the Cloud jonin.
"Minato, you've done well," Sakumo said firmly. "Leave the rest to me."
With a single hand sign, Sakumo summoned eight ninken. They bit down on the unconscious Cloud operatives scattered across the ground and began dragging them back for interrogation.
Above the forest, the moon hung round and bright, casting its light on the lone black crow that trailed Ryoma and Kushina.
Ryoma glanced up at the bird, his brows knitting.
It felt like… an "eye."
Hokage's Office, Konoha
The Third Hokage leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Ah… he's spotted my little watcher. No matter. Since they're on their way back, there's no need to keep looking."
He stood and strolled from the office.
Far away, the crow dispersed into nothingness.
Kushina, unaware of the surveillance, gazed quietly at Ryoma.
"You… how did you find me?" she asked weakly, her voice stripped of its usual fire.
Ryoma thought back to the moment he saw her. "Your hair. It's so striking — I saw it instantly."
Kushina touched her long red hair, a small smile playing on her lips. "Really?"
"Mm. In fact, the first time I ever saw you, I thought it was beautiful."
That was something the boy Ryoma had replaced had always wanted to say — but as a timid war orphan, he'd never had the courage. Now Ryoma had said it for him, fulfilling that long-suppressed wish.
And unlike in the anime, seeing the real Kushina was even more breathtaking.
The wind teased her crimson locks, framing her delicate, blushing face. She looked stunning in the moonlight.
Kushina's large eyes searched Ryoma's cold expression, but her heart felt warm. Was this… a confession?
She realized she hadn't known him long, yet she already saw him as a capable, trustworthy shinobi.
"Thank you… Ryoma…" she murmured, shyly wrapping her arms around his neck. Under the silver moon, their silhouettes seemed to merge, hearts beating faster in unison.
Her thoughts drifted to something Mito Uzumaki had once told her:
"We were brought here to be vessels for the Tailed Beasts. But before that, find love — something to fill you. That way, even as a Jinchūriki, you can still find happiness."
And in that moment, Kushina felt she had found hers.
A chime echoed in Ryoma's mind.
[Ding! Kushina's affection level has increased…]
He ignored the system's notification, content to simply enjoy the night with her.
But the system wouldn't let him off so easily.
[Ding! Based on the host's current situation, choose one of the following:]
Option 1: Send Kushina back immediately and be a good person. Reward: C-rank Ninjutsu.
Option 2: Confront the Raikage invading the border and be a hero. Reward: Kekkei Genkai – Byakugan.
Option 3: Continue enjoying the night and do nothing. Reward: Forbidden Jutsu – Edo Tensei.
Ryoma hesitated. Be a good person? Maybe… but for C-rank ninjutsu? Not worth it.
Fight the Raikage? No thanks.
A smirk tugged at his lips as he veered off the path toward Konoha.
Kushina blinked in surprise. "Ryoma… where are we going?"
"You'll see."
Ryoma moved swiftly through the forest, leaping from boulder to boulder with Kushina cradled in his arms. Her eyes suddenly lit up.
Up ahead, two massive stone faces emerged from the mountainside — the Hokage Rock.
Bathed in moonlight, the carved visages carried a solemn dignity. At this point in history, only two faces adorned the monument: the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was still in his prime and very much active. He had no plans to retire — and certainly wouldn't allow his own face to be carved prematurely.
[Ding! Hokage Rock discovered. Check-in successful. Reward: S-rank Time-Space Ninjutsu – Flying Thunder God Technique!]
Ryoma blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected that a casual stop would net him such a prize.
The Flying Thunder God Technique was an S-rank space–time ninjutsu created by the Second Hokage. Classified as an instantaneous movement technique, it used special markers to teleport the user — or objects in contact with their chakra — instantly to the marked location.
It was also the signature jutsu of the future "Yellow Flash," Minato Namikaze.
In an instant, the technique's complete knowledge filled Ryoma's mind. He mastered it effortlessly.
At this moment in time, Minato hadn't yet learned the Flying Thunder God. Ryoma had beaten him to it.
"Let me down!" Kushina's voice rang with excitement.
Ryoma landed atop the carved head of Hashirama, setting her gently on her feet.
"You've never been here before?" he asked with a smile.
"No. I've always wanted to come, but they never let me!"
From atop the Hokage Rock, the entire village of Konoha stretched out before them. At night, the streets were aglow with warm, golden lights.
"It's beautiful…" Kushina murmured.
She sat down beside Ryoma, swinging her legs playfully. Her small hand brushed against his by accident, and she instantly pulled back like a startled rabbit.
Ryoma simply reached out, taking her hand in his and holding it firmly.
Kushina's cheeks turned scarlet. She tried to pull away — but her sudden movement sent her sliding toward the edge of the monument.
"Ah!"
Before she could panic, thick wooden branches sprouted upward, catching her safely. They gently lifted her back to her seat beside him.
Her face burned with embarrassment. I can't believe I almost fell…
Glancing at the wooden branches before they withdrew, she looked at Ryoma in surprise.
"Ryoma… how do you know Wood Release?"
The thought struck her: Could he be… the illegitimate son of the First Hokage? Or his grandson? Otherwise, how could he wield the legendary Mokuton so effortlessly?
Meanwhile, at Konoha's main gate, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood waiting with his wife, Biwako, and the venerable Uzumaki Mito.
They had come personally to greet the returning pair.
But as the minutes ticked by, one question lingered among them:
Where on earth were Ryoma and Kushina?