The days are long in summer, and it doesn't get dark until around seven or eight in the evening.
Mikoto and Yoshino carefully made their way across mountains and rivers. After their earlier encounter with Iwagakure ninja, they didn't dare to rest for even a second during their escape.
They rushed toward Konoha with all their strength.
It wasn't until night had fully fallen that Yoshino, already injured, collapsed from exhaustion. She simply couldn't take another step and had to rest.
Her hunger and thirst had reached their limit after such a grueling escape.
The moment she stopped, Yoshino dropped to the ground and began chewing on grass like a desperate animal.
Oddly enough, it tasted slightly sweet.
"Yoshino, hang in there. We've already come so far. We'll be back to the village soon," Mikoto encouraged her softly.
"How soon is 'soon' exactly?"
"Three to five days!"
"…!"
Yoshino ignored her. Her survival instincts had taken over as she greedily sucked moisture from the grass.
Mikoto didn't say anything further. She understood. If she had been the one escaping with an injured body, she might be doing the exact same thing.
Then, a familiar voice cut through the quiet:
"How are you even eating grass? Lying down and chewing like that… are you lazy or something?"
Yoshino froze.
That voice… it was Menma-kun!
But didn't he leave earlier today?
Why was he here now?
She thought for a moment and assumed she was hallucinating from hunger, so she continued chewing, paying it no mind.
But in the next instant, Mikoto jumped up, activated her Sharingan, and scanned the surroundings. She finally shouted at a dense clump of grass:
"Who's hiding there?!"
"Hey, can you not make it sound so sneaky? I've been here for ages, okay?"
Eh?
AH?!
He was really still here?!
Yoshino immediately stood up and pushed aside the tall grass, only to see the same man who had left them earlier—now lying in a haystack, lazily watching her with narrowed eyes.
"Menma-kun, what are you doing lying there?" Mikoto asked curiously as she approached.
"As you can see, I've been gazing at the stars for a few hours. It gave me some deep insights," Naruto said calmly.
In truth, he had arrived at this spot earlier and staged this whole encounter on purpose.
"Menma-kun, were you waiting for us?" Mikoto asked, suspicious.
"Don't flatter yourself. Why would I care whether you live or die?" Naruto answered coldly, first glancing at Mikoto, then letting his gaze drift subtly toward Yoshino.
Don't make it so obvious, Naruto. Just say you were worried.
Naruto's and Yoshino's eyes met. In the depths of his cold blue eyes, there was the faintest hint of concern. But the moment their gazes locked, Naruto let out a quiet snort and turned away.
"Menma-kun... was he waiting for me?" Yoshino felt her heart skip a beat.
She wanted to ask but held herself back, afraid he'd get angry and leave again.
Mikoto chuckled. "Menma-kun is really cold."
Naruto nodded proudly. "Obviously."
Mikoto smiled gently. "In that case, may I invite Menma-kun to travel with us?"
Her logic was simple—she'd seen Naruto's strength. If they traveled together, their odds of survival would improve drastically.
Naruto didn't answer immediately. Instead, he gave Yoshino a side glance. "Fine. But I have one condition."
…?
Yoshino suddenly felt her ears heat up.
Mikoto froze and glanced between Naruto and Yoshino, uncertain.
Could it be that Menma-kun has feelings for Yoshino?
But Yoshino's married! To Shikaku!
I can't trade Yoshino's dignity for our safety—I'll just have to refuse him!
Just as Mikoto was about to decline, Yoshino beat her to it.
"If you have a request, say it. Just don't go overboard."
"If it's too much, I won't agree!"
…?
Huh?
Mikoto frowned, tempted to object, but decided to stay silent.
This was Yoshino's choice. It wasn't her place to interfere.
Naruto rolled his eyes. "I'm not eating grass. I'm not a sheep."
Mikoto followed Naruto's gaze and noticed a faint green stain on Yoshino's lips.
So… she really was eating grass.
Yoshino snapped, "Next time, just say it to my face instead of beating around the bush!"
"And what's wrong with eating grass? Don't you know, during wartime, some children can't even find grass to eat!"
Naruto shrugged. "Well, I'm not eating it. Also, I'm currently paralyzed, so one of you needs to carry me."
…!
Yoshino nearly exploded.
Just say you want to take advantage of me! Why lie?
Paralyzed?!
How did a paralyzed man take out Iwagakure ninja?
What, were the Iwagakure shinobi so weak they got killed by someone disabled? And we—Mikoto and I—are worse than trash?!
Even if he is strong and handsome, that's ridiculous!
Yoshino stood with her hands on her hips. "Ah, so your true colors are showing now! I'm telling you, forget it!"
Naruto scowled. "I really am paralyzed! Didn't you check?"
Yoshino laughed angrily. "Then how did you fight and run so fast?!"
Naruto looked up at the sky, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Because I used a forbidden technique that burns my life force to temporarily restore strength."
"Ha!" Yoshino snorted. "Do you think I'm that gullible? If you have the guts, let Mikoto check again!"
Naruto said nothing.
Mikoto knelt beside him and placed her hand on his body to sense his chakra. Her face gradually stiffened. She activated her Sharingan and examined him again, unwilling to believe it.
At last, Mikoto stood up and said with a conflicted expression, "I'm sorry, Menma-kun. We doubted you."
"…He's really paralyzed?" Yoshino blinked.
Mikoto nodded. "Yes."
Naruto gave them a flat look. "And here I thought we were allies. You've been doubting me since the cave. I'm honestly impressed."
He sounded casual, but his expression held a trace of genuine disappointment.
Both women were silent, ashamed.
Especially Yoshino—she'd been badmouthing him constantly.
"…I'm sorry."
Naruto waved it off. "It's fine. Since you'll probably be the one carrying me from now on, we'll just call it even."
"You jerk. Can you be serious for once when things get emotional?"
"I don't do sentimental. I only know how to push forward."
Their back-and-forth made Mikoto blink. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "Menma-kun, what is… a fanning cannon?"
[Ding!]
[Passive Selection Triggered!]
[Uchiha Mikoto is unfamiliar with the term 'fanning cannon' and asks you about it. How will you respond?]
Naruto sighed. He had hoped for a recovery-related reward, but all he got was a handful of military ration pills.
Oh well.
"I've got some food pills in my pocket. You can take them instead of chewing grass," he said to Yoshino.
"Stop talking about the grass!" she snapped, glaring.
"Then forget it," he said indifferently.
Yoshino wanted to refuse, but her growling stomach made her hesitate. Finally, she crouched beside him and reached into his pocket.
"Well, I'm going to be the one carrying you anyway. I deserve some rations."
"Fine, you've earned it."
She was so dramatic, Naruto thought. But kind of cute, too—when she wasn't yelling.
Yoshino didn't eat the pill right away. Instead, she looked at him. "Want one?"
"…You gonna feed me?"
"In your dreams!"
Despite her words, she picked up a pill and held it to his lips.
Naruto blinked. He hadn't expected her to actually feed him. He shook his head. "I've already eaten. Keep it."
"You liar!" she pulled her hand back, rolling her eyes. "Don't say you're full after you've eaten my portion."
"I didn't swallow poison—you're the one who needed saving!"
"You've got mental issues," Yoshino muttered, blushing as her past mistake was thrown back at her.
Embarrassed, she handed the pill to Mikoto and angrily popped another into her own mouth.
Mikoto smiled as she watched them bicker.
If only Yoshino weren't married… and Menma-kun didn't look so young… they'd actually be a good match.
She licked the pill once with her tongue before swallowing it. A wave of satisfaction washed over her.
She'd been starving.
Wait…
That pill was just at Menma-kun's lips… and now I…
Is that an indirect kiss?
A strange feeling stirred in her heart. The image of her husband, Uchiha Fugaku, suddenly surfaced.
Sorry, dear. I didn't mean to. It's Yoshino's fault.
Besides, you took our son to war—you're the one who's crossed the line.
Compared to that, this was just a tiny mistake.
After eating the ration pills and resting, Naruto finally achieved his goal—he was now traveling with Mikoto and Yoshino.
Although they were the ones doing all the work.
Yoshino carried him on her back, while they remained unaware of a silent observer trailing behind them.
Uchiha Izumi.
Her Mangekyō Sharingan glowed in the shadows.
"Mikoto…"
"The mother of Uchiha Itachi… Sasuke was just a child then, but you and Fugaku deserved to die."
Her voice was low and bitter.
"You failed to raise your son right. Because of that monster, my mother was killed. So now, you'll pay… even if it's only interest."
With that, Izumi sped up, planning to cut off their path.
Elsewhere, under the night sky…
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball, dozens of meters wide, exploded through the wind, engulfing a group of Iwagakure ninja and reducing them to ashes.
The last enemies of the night were vanquished.
Uchiha Fugaku stood proudly, looking down at his four-year-old son, Itachi.
His expression held relief and pride.
His son had far exceeded expectations. He'd worried that Itachi would freeze on the battlefield, but he hadn't.
Not only had Itachi not backed down—he'd fought better than many Chūnin. Calm. Focused. Brilliant.
A true genius.
With time, he might even surpass Minato.
"Fugaku, next time, don't let Itachi charge in. He's still so young," came a clear male voice.
Fugaku turned. "It's fine, Minato. He's my son. I'd never let him face real danger. I'm just training him."
Minato frowned. He didn't understand why Fugaku would bring a four-year-old to war. Still, since it was his child, he could only advise gently.
"There's no need to train him so early. He should be playing right now. The war isn't that desperate."
"Yeah."
Fugaku nodded but didn't look pleased.
He didn't need Minato to tell him how to raise his son.
At that moment, Shikaku appeared and slung an arm over both their shoulders.
"Come on now. Fugaku's not reckless. If Itachi ever got hurt, Mikoto would divorce him on the spot. He wouldn't dare."
The atmosphere lightened.
Fugaku laughed. "You think Mikoto scares me? Worst case, we argue—I yell, she sulks, and I sweet-talk her for a few days."
He grinned, then added, "But you are in trouble. Word is, Yoshino's not happy. Might leave you when she gets back."
"Haha, bring it on. If we divorce, I'll come crash at your place," Shikaku joked, but his tone was too relaxed—as if he wouldn't care even if it were true.
He was more focused on diffusing the tension between Minato and Fugaku.
Minato was the one he supported for Hokage, and he wanted to ensure Fugaku leaned that way—not toward Orochimaru.
Fugaku understood that too.
Though they didn't always agree, he did favor Minato over Orochimaru.
So, he played along. "You really should treat your wife better. Yoshino's lively and kind. If you weren't so arrogant, maybe she'd like you more."
"Learn from Minato. He spoils Kushina like a princess."
At that, Minato turned red. "Hey! Why are you dragging me into this?"
He turned to Shikaku. "I warned you—be good to Yoshino!"
Shikaku: "…"
This is the future Hokage. Gotta give him face.
He sighed. "Women are troublesome. She doesn't like me, I don't like her. Divorce sounds just fine."
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