"Minato, you don't want Kushina to know that you were sneaking a peek at the hot springs and baths, do you?"
Yuki Seisui turned to Minato, a half-smile playing on his lips.
Hearing Yuki Seisui's words, Minato's heart skipped a beat, his expression frozen.
"How dare you accuse me out of thin air?!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Yuki Seisui clicked his tongue a few times, shaking his head at Minato. "I took a picture last time."
"Please… please don't tell Kushina!" Minato immediately changed his expression to one of desperate pleading.
"Anything… I'll do anything!"
"Really, anything?" Yuki Seisui asked.
"My demands are serious, though."
"Don't hold back!" Minato's expressions flickered rapidly before finally slumping in defeat.
"It was all Jiraiya-sensei's fault!"
"I didn't want to go either, but he made me scout for him."
"So you couldn't resist peeking too?" Yuki Seisui didn't believe a single word.
"What do you mean, what do you mean?!" Minato shot back, red-faced and flustered. "It was Jiraiya-sensei who forced me!"
Seeing Minato's reaction, Yuki Seisui clicked his tongue twice. "Alright, alright, it was Jiraiya-sensei forcing you. Calm down."
Yuki Seisui then stopped looking at Minato and instead turned toward the ice pavilion he had created earlier with his ice-style technique.
He approached and ran his hand gently over it, noticing that even after all this time, the pavilion had only partially melted.
There wasn't even any water staining it. Only at the edges could one see the faint softening of what was once sharp corners.
Yuki Seisui stroked his chin, murmuring after a long pause, "Looks like I'm going to have some fun later."
Ice that could withstand the heat of summer for this long wasn't ordinary ice-style.
At least, he had never heard of ice techniques capable of this.
Although rare, some shinobi from the Village Hidden in the Mist had ice-style kekkei genkai.
Yuki Seisui had never heard of their ice techniques achieving this effect.
Otherwise, such unusual ice would surely have been mentioned, or Konoha would have issued a warning.
Since neither had occurred, this unmeltable ice-style was clearly his own exclusive creation.
Feeling the chill radiating through his hand, Yuki Seisui took a deep breath and left.
Before leaving, he glanced at Kushina's house, a meaningful smile spreading across his face.
Minato, who had been at his side before, had already slipped into Kushina's house.
It seemed he was intent on spending some one-on-one time with her.
Minato… hope you enjoy your little couple's world. Yuki Seisui thought, his heart filled with amusement.
Minato—so amusing.
========
Pushing open his own door, Yuki Seisui entered, greeted by his small courtyard with a distinct design.
Though nothing looked out of place to him, in this world, the Chinese-style architecture stood out.
Having been away for some time, dust had settled over the furniture.
Yuki Seisui frowned slightly, covering his nose to avoid inhaling the dust.
After a moment, he clasped his hands together, and three panda boys appeared before him.
"Seisui-sama, do you have work for us today?!"
The excitement in their voices was obvious.
Ever since Yuki Seisui had summoned them from time to time, their lives had become much easier.
Among the young panda companions in the bamboo forest, they were some of the most worldly-wise.
Yuki Seisui stepped outside and nodded at the three panda boys.
"I need your help to tidy up this place."
"No problem! Leave it to us!"
"I love doing chores!"
"Me too! I love chores the most!"
The three pandas each pounded their chests confidently.
"Three hours. Just three hours!"
The lead panda glanced around and placed his hands on his hips. "We'll get this place spotless in no time!"
"Alright then." Yuki Seisui nodded, surprised by their confidence. "I'll go buy some supplies first. Do you three want anything to eat?"
"I've got just what you need," he added.
Yuki Seisui had never forgotten to reward them after they worked hard during his previous summonings.
The three pandas exchanged a glance. The lead panda licked his lips, scratching his head.
"Why would Seisui-sama buy it for us? We were born to serve you!"
Yuki Seisui raised an eyebrow, listening as he continued.
"Of course, if you feel we deserve a little reward and bring us some ramen, we wouldn't refuse either."
"Changing tactics, huh?" Yuki Seisui said, amused.
"You don't need to. Helping you means giving you food is only natural."
"Really?!" The youngest panda swallowed and looked at his older brother.
"See? I told you the old plan won't work on Seisui-sama!"
The lead panda cleared his throat and brazenly said, "Then we want the same ramen as last time!"
"Alright." Yuki Seisui nodded, turning to go buy some ramen for them.
Before leaving, he looked back at the three pandas.
"Don't copy that old panda sage."
"He's outdated. Behind the times."
"The future is yours!"
"The world is yours!"
"I believe you three will become the new panda sages and lead yourselves."
With that, he didn't wait for their reply and walked off.
The second panda glanced at his two brothers.
"Did you hear that? Seisui-sama believes we'll become leaders!"
"Yeah, I heard it!"
The lead panda stared blankly at Seisui's retreating figure, then looked down at his paws, determination shining in his eyes.
"Alright! I'll train hard, overthrow the leader, and become the leader myself!"
"Then we'll be the Three Panda Sages!"
"Yay!"
The youngest cheered, rolling on the dusty floor.
"I'll be the Ramen Sage!"