"I'm so pissed off!"
Bang!
The front door was flung open. Kushina stormed in like a ball of fire, her red hair even puffier than usual, her cheeks puffed up with anger. "That old geezer Hiruzen! And those two fossils! They actually... they actually want Minato to learn my sealing techniques! And they had the nerve to say it was for the village, for the Flying Thunder God. So self-righteous!"
She stomped over to where Ryo was sitting on the sofa, chest heaving, clearly still fuming. "I know exactly what that old man's thinking. He just wants to use this to win over Minato. Using other people's heritage to play the benevolent Hokage. What does he take the Uzumaki clan's legacy for?"
Mikoto, who was seated beside Ryo, immediately stood and gently took Kushina's hand, guiding her to sit down. "Alright, alright, Kushina. Don't get too worked up. Sit and talk it through." Her voice was calm and soothing, patting Kushina's back. "Drink some water. Breathe. No need to get so angry."
Ryo's relaxed expression vanished the moment he heard what Kushina said. His eyes narrowed. "They want Minato to learn sealing from you? Heh." He looked at her. "What, are they trying to pair you up? Drive a wedge between us?"
She nodded firmly, then snorted proudly. "Hmph! In their dreams. I went full Nine-Tails chakra on them. Right there in the Hokage's office. You should've seen that old hag Koharu's face. Pale as a sheet! Even Hiruzen panicked and rushed to send me home!"
"Oh?" Ryo raised a brow. His previous gloom was instantly replaced with amusement. A smile curled at his lips, full of approval. "That's the Kushina I know."
There was a clear hint of joy and satisfaction in his voice. "Exactly. Let them know the 'Red-Hot Habanero' isn't just for show. They think they can pressure you with authority? Hah." His eyes shimmered with cold pride. "That's my girl. Fiery and fierce. Just my style."
Mikoto watched the two of them banter, their matching temperaments and how Ryo clearly indulged Kushina. A helpless smile tugged at her lips.
She glanced toward the corner of the living room, where a small figure was playing happily on a plush carpet. It was three-year-old Rin, cuddling an old teddy bear and feeding it imaginary snacks with full concentration.
Mikoto sighed quietly to herself. At least there was Rin. This child was so innocent and pure. She had to make sure she wasn't corrupted by these two hot-headed maniacs.
After praising Kushina's boldness, Ryo's joy faded slightly. A hint of concern flickered in his eyes. His expression grew serious.
"You said you used the Nine-Tails' chakra? Did you lose control? Did that fox try to act up?"
For a jinchuriki, forcibly drawing on a tailed beast's chakra came with massive risks. He couldn't help but worry.
Kushina pouted, her voice nearly arrogant. "Tch. That damn fox? It wouldn't dare!" She puffed out her chest, her expression full of confidence. "I've got Adamantine Sealing Chains. That thing sees me and cowers like a rat in front of a cat. Try something? I'll just drain its chakra and use it for myself."
Ryo knew she was right.
The Uzumaki clan's powerful physique and innate talent for sealing, paired with Kushina's mastery, made life extremely difficult for the Nine-Tails. Unlike Naruto, who only inherited diluted Uzumaki blood and needed the fox's cooperation, Kushina could just forcefully extract what she needed.
Still, he reminded her. "You're only fifteen. Your body's still growing. Drawing out that much chakra, especially with a full burst... you sure you can handle it?"
Kushina thought for a moment, then dropped her smugness slightly and answered truthfully. "Hmm... right now, four tails is my limit. Any more than that, and my consciousness gets fuzzy. But with the Adamantine Chains, it can't take full control. No way."
Hearing that she could still maintain her will up to four tails put Ryo slightly at ease, though not completely.
He looked at her, his gaze sharp and resolute. "Four tails... still not enough. Kushina, you need to fully master the Nine-Tails' power. Become a perfect jinchuriki. Only then will it be a true asset, not a danger."
Kushina blinked. She didn't fully grasp what "perfect jinchuriki" meant, but Ryo's words gave her both reassurance and anticipation. "You have a way?"
Ryo nodded, then furrowed his brows. "I've got an idea, but..."
He clenched his fist, feeling the power in his own body. "I'm still not strong enough. The Nine-Tails is the strongest of the tailed beasts. Its chakra and willpower are on another level. To help you completely subdue it, I'll need power that can completely suppress it. Right now... I'm not there yet."
He had to admit it. Rushing it would be dangerous. It might even harm her.
Kushina looked slightly disappointed, but she had absolute faith in Ryo. She nodded hard. "Okay! I believe in you! If you say you can do it, you can!" Then she added with a proud little smirk, "Besides, that damn fox can't act up right now anyway. I've got it under control."
"Of course." Ryo smiled, her energy slowly washing away his earlier worries. "Don't worry. I'll help you. I'll make sure you can tame the Nine-Tails completely." By force if necessary.
"Yeah!" Kushina beamed. Her earlier rage now completely gone. She turned to Mikoto. "Mikoto, what's for dinner? I'm starving!"
Mikoto, who had quietly listened to their exchange, smiled gently and stood. "I found some fresh fish today. How about fish soup? Rin can have some too."
"Yay, perfect!" Kushina instantly perked up.
"Soup soup!" Rin, who was playing on the carpet, looked up upon hearing her name. Her little face lit up with a big grin as she echoed, waving her teddy bear like she was inviting it to eat too.
A warm atmosphere quickly filled the living room.
Ryo watched as Kushina's attention was instantly hijacked by food. He smiled faintly, eyes soft.
"I'll go help Mikoto!" Kushina jumped up and dashed off toward the kitchen.
"Slow down," Ryo called after her with a fond tone. "Don't break the dishes again."
Last time she tried to help, she dropped an entire stack of plates. He still remembered that mess vividly.
Kushina stuck out her tongue at him. "I won't! I'm totally stable now!" Still, she tiptoed as she slipped into the kitchen.
Soon, Mikoto's gentle voice could be heard guiding her, with Kushina's energetic responses mixed in. The sound of chopping vegetables and splashing water added to the homey ambiance.
Ryo leaned back into the sofa and closed his eyes, though his mind stayed alert. Perfect jinchuriki... taming the Nine-Tails...
His thoughts stirred.
"Ryo-nii!" A childish voice interrupted him.
Ryo opened his eyes to find Rin wobbling over, clutching her teddy bear, looking up with bright eyes.
His expression softened. He leaned forward and gently poked her soft cheek. "What's up, Rin?"
"Teddy is hungry!" she said seriously, holding up her bear.
Ryo chuckled and played along. "Teddy's hungry? Then let's wait for Mikoto-nee's fish soup, okay?"
"Okay!" Rin nodded with exaggerated seriousness, then waddled back to her spot on the carpet, continuing her make-believe feeding game.
Watching Rin's carefree little back, Ryo's worries about strength and power quietly faded.
In the kitchen, Mikoto cleaned the fresh fish with elegant efficiency. Kushina clumsily washed vegetables, trying hard to help.
"Mikoto, um... do you think I was too impulsive back there at the Hokage's office?" Kushina asked quietly as she scrubbed.
She knew Mikoto was calm and reserved by nature.
Mikoto paused her knife and glanced at her with a gentle look. "Not at all. They were manipulating you. I'd be mad too."
Her voice was calm but understanding. "Besides, you handled it well. You didn't hurt anyone and still got your point across. Ryo-kun agrees with what you did too, doesn't he?"
A soft smile curved her lips.
Kushina lit up like a child being praised, eyes sparkling. "Yeah! Ryo said I did great! Hehe!" Then she scratched her head sheepishly. "But I really was mad... felt like I'd explode if I didn't let it out."
"Next time, maybe try another approach." Mikoto placed the sliced fish into a bowl and added seasoning. "Like Ryo said, anger is bad for your health. But... when you flared your chakra earlier," she paused, searching for the right words, "you were brilliant. Strong and dazzling. That's the real you, Kushina."
Kushina froze, then smiled brightly like a sunflower. "Mikoto!" She hugged her arm and rubbed against it.
"Careful, your hands are wet!" Mikoto laughed, dodging playfully.
The kitchen was filled with light laughter and delicious smells.
Ryo stood and walked to the table.
He placed a small bowl and spoon at Rin's special seat.
"Dinner's ready!" Kushina came out with a steaming bowl of fish soup and carefully set it at the center of the table.
Mikoto followed with a few side dishes and bowls of rice.
Ryo picked up Rin and settled her into her high chair.
Rin's eyes sparkled at the sight of the food, especially the milky white fish soup.
"Careful, it's hot," Mikoto blew on a spoonful of soup and fed it to her.
Rin obediently opened her mouth and drank it with a satisfied smile.
"Wow! Mikoto, your cooking's the best!" Kushina grabbed a big bowl and slurped some soup, huffing from the heat but beaming. "So good!"
Ryo sat down and helped himself to some soup.
"Thanks for the meal," he said to Mikoto.
She smiled and shook her head, sipping quietly from her own bowl.
The dinner table was filled with warmth and peace.
Kushina chattered away about all the ridiculous things she saw outside today. Mikoto listened quietly, adding a few words now and then.
Ryo didn't speak much, but he replied when needed. When he looked at Kushina, his eyes held indulgent amusement. When he looked at Mikoto and Rin, his gaze softened with tenderness.
He carefully picked out fish bones and placed tender meat in Rin's bowl.
Rin tried her best to eat with her little spoon, making a mess of her face, but smiling all the while.
The warm yellow light blanketed the table. Outside, night had fallen in Konoha, but inside, light and laughter filled the air.
Here, there were only family, hot soup, and moments free of vigilance.
After dinner, Kushina took the initiative to wash the dishes under Mikoto's careful supervision. Rin played a bit more, then got sleepy.
Mikoto carried the drowsy child. "Rin's tired. I'll take her to wash up and go to bed."
"Alright." Ryo nodded, watching her head toward the bedroom.
Kushina dried her hands and came to sit beside Ryo, naturally leaning against his shoulder.
The day's excitement and earlier rage had worn her out. Now, in the quiet, she felt drowsy.
"Still thinking about the Nine-Tails?" she asked, sensing his mind was elsewhere.
Ryo raised his arm and gently wrapped it around her, his fingers playing with a strand of her red hair. "Yeah. I have to figure it out. I need to get stronger."
"You will." Kushina's voice was certain, full of faith. "You're the Asura of Konoha, after all." Her voice drifted lower as sleep crept in. "Anyway... that damn fox is behaving now..."
Ryo looked down at her peaceful face, her breathing steady. Her usual fiery energy had vanished, replaced by quiet calm.
He shifted slightly to let her rest more comfortably.
From the bathroom, Mikoto's gentle hums could be heard as she bathed Rin.
Only one wall lamp lit the living room, casting a warm and hazy glow.
Ryo didn't move. He sat still, letting Kushina lean against him.
A deep and quiet kind of happiness wrapped around him like the evening air.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)