"You're back this early, Night Maple?"
"Mm."
Night Maple nodded and gave Kushina a head-pat sneak attack.
"Quit it!"
Blushing, Kushina pushed away Night Maple's mischievous hand. "Did you meet your students?"
Changing his shoes, Night Maple said, "Yeah—one's named Obito, one's Rin, and the last is Kakashi."
"Kakashi I know—young prodigy, White Fang's son!"
Night Maple blinked in surprise. "You actually know?"
"Hmph, of course I do. You think I know nothing?"
Kushina stood in front of Night Maple like a little cat, obedient and cute.
"Come on in."
Naturally, Night Maple took Kushina's small hand. She flushed a little, but didn't pull away.
"What about the other two?"
"One's from the Uchiha clan, and one's surname is Nohara?"
"Night Maple, your students are great—one's White Fang's son, and one's an Uchiha."
"Uh, yeah, pretty strong."
Night Maple nodded; as they stepped inside, Tsunade boomed, "Hey, kid, you haven't even proposed to Kushina yet—keep those hands to yourself, alright?"
Kushina shyly withdrew her hand, and Night Maple seriously felt like decking Tsunade.
Tsunade added, "Our Kushina is the Uzumaki's next jinchūriki, you know. Her other half has to be at least a jōnin."
Night Maple chuckled, and just then Uzumaki Mito came out.
"Night Maple is already a jōnin. Were you asleep during yesterday's meeting?"
Tsunade's eyes widened. "What? He's a jōnin? Since when did Konoha stop doing things step by step? He hasn't even made chūnin—how can he jump to jōnin? Lord Third agreed to this?"
Uzumaki Mito ignored Tsunade and said to Night Maple, "Come eat."
At dinner, Tsunade was still fuming that Night Maple had broken Konoha's long-standing rules.
Night Maple laughed. "Rules are made by people—and broken by people. Isn't that normal?"
Tsunade still looked sour, when Orochimaru suddenly appeared.
"Tsunade, get to the hospital—urgent."
Hearing that, Tsunade left without another bite.
Saving lives is always the Medical Corps' first priority.
Night Maple's ears twitched; he faintly heard Orochimaru tell Tsunade that something had happened in Kirigakure.
Kirigakure?
Night Maple's first thought was the Three-Tails incident that led to Rin's death.
Back then, Madara and the Third Mizukage colluded to implant the Three-Tails into Rin, turning her into its jinchūriki, then sending her back to Konoha to sabotage the village.
That plan died when Kakashi personally killed Rin.
Which couldn't help but make Night Maple think of that Uchiha wraith—Madara Uchiha…
While Night Maple drifted for a moment, Kushina picked a piece of meat into his bowl. "Night Maple, this is your first time leading a team. Think carefully about how you'll train them tomorrow."
Night Maple nodded. "Got it, Kushina."
But in his heart: this might already be the start of the Third Great Ninja War…
In truth, it had already arrived—just that few had noticed.
Otherwise, kids like Kakashi, Obito, and Rin wouldn't need to grow up so fast.
That twenty-year peace accord Danzō signed with Kumo probably dazzled plenty of eyes.
But Night Maple didn't believe such a peace deal would hold.
The next day, Night Maple was still asleep when he was suddenly shaken awake again.
"What now!"
Rubbing his eyes, bleary-eyed, Night Maple still looked carefully to be sure who it was—just in case.
It was Kushina.
Hands on hips, Kushina fumed, "Night Maple, how many times have I called you? You're still sleeping? Do you know what time it is? You're going to be late for your meeting time with your students!"
Night Maple yawned. "What time is it anyway? No rush, no rush."
He washed his face, came back out, and Kushina was still hurrying him. "Go already—you'll really be late."
Kushina couldn't understand why Night Maple was so lazy.
But Night Maple looked at her—and suddenly grabbed her hand.
"What are you doing?"
Kushina's face flared red.
Night Maple had thought it over last night; mainly, Tsunade's words at dinner had stirred him.
Girls are thin-skinned; as a man, he should take the initiative.
"Kushina, I like you. Will you marry me?"
Kushina's pretty face flushed as she looked at Night Maple with shining eyes. "Is this… a proposal?"
Night Maple froze at her words.
If this isn't a proposal, what is?
Kushina, seeing him silent, huffed inside.
This blockhead! That's how you propose?
People propose with rings—at least a bouquet.
If I agree like this, won't it seem too hasty…
Night Maple pondered a beat. "Mm. Kushina—this is me proposing to you. Will you marry me?"
Looking at him, Kushina couldn't help but smile; she poked his arm. "You blockhead! Can't you at least bring me a flower?"
Night Maple's eyes lit up; he tapped his own forehead.
"Ah—look at me, so dumb!"
With a pop, a clone appeared behind him and sprinted out the door.
After a moment, the clone rushed back in holding a bouquet of roses.
Kushina snorted a laugh, took the roses, and looked shyly at Night Maple. "Hmph—I accept!"
Then added, "But you have to get Granny Mito's approval. She's my elder."
Right then, Uzumaki Mito came out of her room, smiling. "I approve."
Kushina, all shy, slipped to Mito's side and took her arm. "Granny Mito, you were eavesdropping on us!"
With loving warmth, Mito looked at Kushina and Night Maple. "Seeing you two come together—this elder is truly gratified."
"Your marriage is settled, then!"
Kushina ducked her head, face burning. She hadn't expected to be marrying Night Maple just like that.
Night Maple too felt a sudden, special joy fill his heart.
So this is love?
Along with it came an indescribable sense of responsibility.
He was going to take a wife!
Come what may—never leave, never forsake!
Suddenly, Kushina gasped softly. "Night Maple—go! You're going to be late!"