Hatake Sakumo saw Takayama Haru carrying Uzumaki Kushina and didn't pay him any mind, frowning as he watched.
At that moment, Takayama Haru looked at Hatake Sakumo and said, "The cloud ninjas were the real culprits. I'll take her back first."
Hatake Sakumo quickly responded, "Wait! It's dangerous on the road. I'll escort you back!"
"No, thank you!"
With that, Takayama Haru gently jumped onto a tree branch, carrying Uzumaki Kushina in his arms.
"Kushina, let's head back to the village."
"Okay!" Kushina nodded.
They continued jumping from tree to tree, disappearing into the night.
Hatake Sakumo watched as Takayama Haru moved in the direction of Konohagakure, with the third summoned crow following behind, and chose not to pursue them.
"Minato, are you alright?"
"It's fine," Minato shook his head and stood up, his expression despondent.
His confidence had just been severely shaken.
Minato had always been considered a top student in the ninja world, but today he had been humiliated and defeated.
Hatake Sakumo glanced at Minato strangely, a thought rising in his mind. Could it be that Minato's injuries were inflicted by a lower-ranked ninja?
No, it must have happened during a fight with a high-ranking ninja from the Cloud Village.
With this in mind, Hatake Sakumo spoke, "Minato, you've worked hard. Leave the rest to me."
Saying this, Hatake Sakumo summoned eight ninja dogs, and they immediately seized the unconscious Cloud Village infiltrators, dragging them back.
The tranquil night sky, the round full moon, and a hidden black crow formed the backdrop for Takayama Haru and Kushina.
Takayama Haru frowned as he looked at the crow.
He had the distinct feeling it was watching them with "eyes."
Konoha, Hokage's Office.
"The kid found my spy network," Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, "Oh well, since it's recovered, no need to check it any further."
Sarutobi chuckled, stood up, and leisurely walked out of the office.
Up in the sky above Takayama Haru, the crow suddenly trembled and vanished into nothingness.
Kushina didn't notice anything and simply kept her gaze on Takayama Haru.
"How did you find me...?" Kushina asked weakly.
Her voice lacked its usual strength.
Such a vulnerable Kushina had never appeared in Takayama Haru's memory.
"Thanks to your hair! It's so beautiful that I noticed it at first glance."
Kushina smiled, pinching her own hair. "Really?"
"Yeah."
Kushina's heart warmed instantly, her cheeks flushed with a light shade of red, and her heartbeat quickened.
Takayama Haru smiled, "Actually, the first time I saw you, I thought your red hair was really beautiful."
These were the words Takayama Haru's previous self had always wanted to say, but his previous self had been a war orphan, too timid to speak up.
Now, Takayama Haru was saying them on his behalf, fulfilling a wish.
It was also how he felt when watching the anime.
Of course, the real-life Kushina was even more beautiful than in the anime.
The wind gently brushed Kushina's red hair, her beautiful face, and her rosy cheeks that made her all the more charming.
"Is that so?" Kushina blinked her big eyes, gazing at Takayama Haru's cold face, and a sweetness filled her heart. Was this a confession?
It was then that Kushina realized how long it had been since she'd truly gotten to know Takayama Haru.
At this moment, she understood that Takayama Haru was not only a skilled ninja but also someone very trustworthy.
"Thank you... Takayama Haru," Kushina said shyly, reaching her arms out to wrap around Takayama Haru's neck. She quietly gazed at the man who had changed her fate.
Under the soft moonlight, Takayama Haru and Kushina's figures gradually merged, just like their heartbeats, both quickening.
Kushina suddenly remembered what Mito Uzumaki had once said: "We were brought here as containers for the tailed beasts... but before that, we must find love to fill the void. That way, even if you live as the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, you can still find happiness..."
At that moment, she felt as if she had found that happiness.
[Ding, Kushina's affection level...]
Takayama Haru ignored the system prompt, savoring the time alone with Kushina.
However, it seemed the system didn't want to let him off so easily.
[Ding, given the host's current situation, three options are available!]
[Option 1: Immediately take Kushina back, be a good person!]Reward: C-rank ninjutsu...]
[Option 2: Put down your weapon and fight the Raikage who is invading the borders, be a hero!]Reward: Kekkei Genkai - Byakugan...]
[Option 3: Quietly enjoy this beautiful night, do nothing!]Reward: Forbidden Jutsu - Dust Rebirth...]
Takayama Haru had originally wanted to be a good person, but when he saw the C-rank ninjutsu, he couldn't resist.
Raikage's invasion? Please, shut up.
Takayama Haru smirked slightly, jumping between the trees, suddenly veering off course, not heading toward Konoha's village gates.
Kushina sighed softly, "Takayama Haru, where are you taking me?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
Takayama Haru maneuvered through the forest, jumping between rocks, and Kushina's eyes brightened.
Two massive stone faces appeared in front of them.
Yes, it was Hokage Rock.
Under the bright moonlight, the faces on Hokage Rock looked solemn.
At that moment, only two faces remained on Hokage Rock: the first and second Hokages.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was still in his prime and hadn't retired yet. He would never do something foolish to lose his value.
[Ding, Hokage Rock discovered, sign-in successful, reward: S-rank space-time ninjutsu - Flying Thunder God Technique!]
Takayama Haru hadn't expected such an unexpected reward when he acted on a whim.
The Flying Thunder God Technique, derived from the second Hokage's techniques, was an S-rank space-time ninjutsu. It allowed instantaneous movement.
The user would leave a mark on the target, allowing them to teleport to that mark or to any object carrying their chakra.
It was the signature ninjutsu of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, also known as the "Yellow Flash."
In an instant, all the knowledge of the Flying Thunder God Technique filled Takayama Haru's mind, and he immediately mastered it.
At this time, Minato Namikaze had not yet mastered the Flying Thunder God, but Takayama Haru had already beaten him to it.
"Put me down!"
Kushina was thrilled as she stood on top of the first Hokage's head, her joy almost overwhelming!
Takayama Haru sat down and smiled. "You've never been here before?"
"No, I always wanted to come, but they never took me!"
Kushina stood at the top of Hokage Rock, looking down at the entire village of Konoha. The lights shone brightly in the distance, and there was a warm feeling to it all.
"It's so beautiful!"
Kushina sat beside Takayama Haru, swinging her legs.
Her little hand accidentally brushed Takayama Haru's, and she quickly retracted it like a startled rabbit.
Takayama Haru reached out, grabbing her hand tightly.
Kushina's face turned red as she tried to pull her hand away, but her movement was so exaggerated that she slipped and started falling from Hokage Rock.
"Ah!"
Kushina let out a soft gasp, but to her surprise, there were strong branches below her that caught her.
The roots caught Kushina and pulled her back up, making her cheeks blush deeply.
She realized just how foolish she had been!
She almost fell.
Luckily, Takayama Haru was there.
Kushina glanced at the roots and then curiously looked at Takayama Haru. "Takayama Haru, how did you learn to control the Wood Style?"
At this point, Kushina began to doubt. Takayama Haru couldn't possibly be the first Hokage's direct descendant. Could he be a distant relative or a secret grandson?
How else could he wield the Wood Style so effectively?
Meanwhile, outside the village of Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen, his wife, and the elderly Mito Uzumaki waited at the gates for Takayama Haru and Kushina's return.
But where had they gone?