Kushina spoke, still curious:
"I'm curious… you didn't explain very well what your life was like."
She truly was curious. She wiped away the tears that still lingered at the corners of her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.
Minato replied in a calm tone:
"It was normal. There was nothing incredible about it."
He looked away for a moment, hesitating. Then, as if something suddenly occurred to him, he looked back at her. He didn't know if Kushina was still hungry, but it didn't hurt to ask.
"Are you hungry?"
"No," she replied immediately, arching an eyebrow. "But why?"
In fact, she wasn't hungry… but being Kushina, there was always a little extra space in her stomach if it was something really good.
Minato scratched the back of his neck, a little awkward.
"There's a shop that sells pies. I've never eaten there. Want to try it with me?"
Kushina thought for a second, then nodded with a faint smile.
"Alright. But it has to be a different flavor," she warned. "I already had apple today."
Minato asked, "What's the pie like? Is it good?"
Kushina licked her lips unconsciously before answering, with a slight smile:
"Yes… it's very good."
Minato raised an eyebrow slightly, amused.
"I can see that. Licking your lips like that just made me even more eager to try it."
"Then let's go already!" Kushina said, excited.
She took a step forward, hesitated for a brief moment, and then took Minato's hand, pulling him toward the shop. As they walked, Kushina lifted her gaze to the moon. Her thoughts drifted for a moment.
"I'll try to be happy… just like you asked me to…"
The sadness still shone in her blue eyes, but she soon looked ahead again, walking alongside Minato.
---
Standing atop a tree branch, a young man watched the scene from a distance. He wore an orange mask, and through the single visible hole, a Sharingan could be seen, its three tomoe slowly spinning as he silently analyzed the area.
Beside him, emerging from the branch, appeared a strange-looking creature, half white and half black. Its yellow, dull eyes first turned toward the temple ahead, before returning to the masked man.
"This is the place I told you about," said Black Zetsu in a low voice.
The masked man turned slightly toward him.
"Are you sure that the being here can be compared to a bijū?" Obito asked.
"I have no doubts. However, you only need to take the soul. The body is sealed elsewhere."
Obito tilted his head, indifferent.
"No problem."
Soon after, a spiral began to form in the hole of his mask. His body was slowly sucked in, bit by bit, until he disappeared completely, leaving the branch empty.
---
Minato and Kushina were sitting at the shop's counter. Kushina adjusted little Naruto in her arms, visibly tired. Her shoulders were tense, and the weight of the baby was already starting to bother her.
Noticing this, Minato spoke gently:
"Can I hold him for a bit? That way you can rest your arms."
Kushina let out an exaggerated sigh, being a little dramatic.
"My arms are dead!"
Then she handed her son to Minato, who received him with great care, delicately adjusting Naruto in his arms.
Soon, the shop owner came out of the kitchen carrying a pie to the counter, apologizing as she did so.
"Sorry for the wait, Lord Hokage, Miss Kushina. The pies had run out, so I just made this one now."
Minato smiled lightly.
"It's alright, no problem at all."
Kushina inhaled deeply, her eyes shining.
"By the smell and the way it looks, it must be amazing. I'm practically drooling to eat it."
She swallowed hard as she stared at the passion fruit pie. Her nose even twitched as she caught the sweet, inviting aroma rising from the plate.
The owner smiled, a little proud.
"I'm flattered. I hope it's as good as the apple one you had."
"By the smell and the appearance, it must be even better," Kushina replied without hesitation.
Even though she was clearly eyeing the pie, Kushina began to observe the owner's expression as she placed the plates in front of them. Her attentive gaze ended up confusing the woman.
"Is something wrong, Miss Kushina? Didn't the pie turn out the way you expected?"
She looked visibly uneasy. She always made her pies with the utmost care, both in flavor and appearance, leaving everything impeccable. She didn't understand why Kushina was watching her as if she were being investigated. Had she done something wrong?
Kushina hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Ah… aren't you afraid of me?"
The question caught both the owner and Minato by surprise.
"I don't understand. What should I be afraid of?"
Kushina looked away for a moment, her voice a little uncertain.
"You know… people around the village say I'm dangerous. Don't you feel the same? Or maybe you don't know?"
There was a clear lack of confidence in her words. Since the day Naruto was born, Kushina had felt the weight of the village's gazes upon her. No one said anything directly, no one showed it openly, but she saw and heard the whispers. To many, she had become a demon.
Minato's eyes narrowed, ready to speak, but the owner spoke first.
"Miss Kushina, I have no reason at all to be afraid of you. You've always treated everyone very well, especially me. There's no reason to fear you. The being inside you didn't cause damage to the village thanks to Lord Hokage and you. With you here, I feel safe. Please don't think about such things."
She took a deep breath and finished with a gentle smile.
"I think it's best to eat the pie. I'm sure it will make you feel better."
Kushina was left speechless for a few seconds before replying, a little embarrassed:
"Ah… yes, thank you."
Inside, she felt genuinely happy. Along with Minato, she took a piece of the pie, and as soon as she took the first bite, she felt the flavor practically melt on her tongue. It was delicious.
"So good!" both of them said at the same time.
The surprise made them look at each other immediately. Their faces were close enough that they could feel each other's breath, and their blue eyes met for a brief moment before both of them turned their faces away, returning to eating, now a little embarrassed.
The shop owner smiled, satisfied.
"I'm glad it tastes good."
Minato cast a sidelong glance at Kushina, his heart racing. She continued eating calmly, as if she hadn't noticed anything. At least, that was what he thought. In truth, Kushina had noticed—she just chose not to react and to carry on as if nothing had happened.
Soon, they finished their slices. Before leaving the shop, they took the rest of the pie wrapped to go. With the bag in hand, Minato casually commented:
"I think I'll take the bigger share of the pieces."
The silence that had settled vanished instantly. Kushina stopped and exclaimed:
"What? Why? I need it more! I'm still weak because of the childbirth!"
She brought a hand to her forehead, pretending to feel faint in an exaggerated manner. Minato looked her up and down before replying, amused:
"To me, you look pretty healthy."
"Your vision is deceiving you," Kushina shot back, keeping up the act.
Then, without warning, she snatched the bag from Minato's hand and walked off, leaving him completely stunned behind her.