Chapter 5: The Mission, The Menace, and The Mosquito part-2
(Okay, calm down Casanova, that was a bit cheesy,) Ethan critiqued. (But it worked. Look at her blushing. Now, look at Hiroto. He looks like he swallowed a lemon.)
Hiroto was indeed clenching his fists. His plan relied on isolation. If Minato was there, his "Campfire Romance" buff would be useless. He had to pivot.
"Well," Hiroto said, forcing a smile. "Three ninjas are better than two, right? I will learn a lot from watching the future Hokage in action."
(He is not giving up,) Ethan warned. (He is planning something else. Keep your guard up. This is going to be a long three days.)
.........…..
Location: The Forest on the Border of the Land of Fire.
The mission was simple: Escort a wealthy merchant named Goro and his cart of expensive silk to the Tea Country. The first day of travel was uneventful, mostly because Minato walked right next to Kushina the entire time, leaving Hiroto to walk behind with the merchant.
By nightfall, they set up camp in a small clearing near a river. The merchant went to sleep inside his cart, leaving the three ninjas to take the first watch.
Hiroto immediately sprang into action.
"I will gather firewood!" Hiroto announced enthusiastically. "You two rest."
He ran off into the woods.
(He is up to something,) Ethan noted. (Status Scan: Hiroto. What is he doing?)
[Scanning... Target is applying "Pheromone Cologne - Musk of the Alpha" to his wrists. Target is also collecting "Dream Mushrooms" to put in the tea. Effect: Causes drowsiness and increased suggestibility.]
(Oh, you dirty little cheater. Minato, do not drink the tea he makes. In fact, do not eat or drink anything he touches.)
Minato sat on a log next to Kushina, sharpening his kunai. "Got it," he subvocalized.
Kushina stretched her arms over her head, letting out a satisfied sigh. "It is nice to be out of the village. The air is so fresh."
"It is," Minato agreed. He looked at her. The firelight danced in her red hair. She looked beautiful.
(Kiss her,) Ethan commanded.
Minato jumped. (What? Now? With Hiroto coming back any second?)
(Especially because he is coming back. Establish dominance. Mark your territory. Do not pee on her, obviously, just hold her hand or something.)
Before Minato could make a move, Hiroto returned, carrying a bundle of wood and a kettle. "I made some special herbal tea!" he announced, his smile dazzlingly bright. "It helps with fatigue."
He poured three cups. He handed one to Kushina, one to Minato, and kept one for himself.
"Here, Kushina-san," Hiroto said, his voice dropping an octave to sound sultry. "This will warm you up."
Kushina took the cup. "Thanks, Hiroto. I am thirsty."
(Action!) Ethan shouted. (Do not let her drink that!)
Minato moved faster than thought. As Kushina lifted the cup to her lips, Minato "accidentally" swatted a mosquito near her face.
"Got it!" Minato exclaimed.
His hand bumped her arm, and the tea splashed out of the cup—directly onto the campfire.
HISSS!
The fire flared up with a strange green flame, and the smoke that rose from the burning tea smelled like rotting gym socks.
Kushina coughed, waving her hand in front of her face. "Ugh! What is in that tea, Hiroto? It smells terrible!"
Hiroto paled. "It... it is a special blend! It is an acquired taste!"
Minato looked at the green flames. "That looks like Dream Mushroom reaction. You know those are toxic if prepared incorrectly, right Hiroto? You could have poisoned us."
He gave Hiroto a look that was half-Hokage, half-husband. It was terrifying.
"I... I must have picked the wrong ones!" Hiroto stammered. "I am so sorry! I will go get water instead!"
He ran off to the river, cursing his bad luck.
(Nice save,) Ethan complimented. (But he is not done. The "Musk of the Alpha" cologne is still active. If he gets close to her, the pheromones might make her dizzy or confused. We need to neutralize the smell.)
"What smell?" Minato thought.
(He is wearing magic cologne. We need to cover it up with something stronger. Do you have any Skunk Bombs?)
"No, why would I carry those?"
(Fine. We will improvise. Use a Wind Style jutsu to reverse the wind direction so his smell blows away from Kushina. And maybe... let us see what the System can do. Activate Ability: "Nature's Call".)
"Nature's Call?"
(Just watch.)
Hiroto returned from the river with a bucket of water. He sat down next to Kushina, inching closer. "I am really sorry about the tea, Kushina-san. Let me make it up to you. You look tense. Do you want a shoulder massage?"
Kushina looked hesitant. "I am okay, really."
"Nonsense," Hiroto insisted, reaching out his hand. The pheromones wafted toward her. Kushina sniffed the air. Her eyes glazed over slightly. "That smells... nice..."
(Minato! Wind Style! Now!)
Minato formed a discreet hand seal under his cloak. Wind Release: Gentle Gale.
A sudden, localized gust of wind blasted through the campsite. It blew the pheromone cloud directly back into Hiroto's face. At the same time, Ethan triggered the "Nature's Call" ability on the local wildlife.
From the bushes, a large, angry wild boar charged out. It wasn't interested in the food. It was interested in the source of the musk—Hiroto. Apparently, the "Musk of the Alpha" smelled very similar to a female boar in heat.
"SQUEAL!"
The boar slammed into Hiroto from the side, knocking him into the dirt.
"Gah! Get off me!" Hiroto screamed as the boar began to aggressively nuzzle and lick his face.
Kushina jumped up, kunai in hand. "A boar attack?"
"Stay back, Kushina," Minato said, struggling to keep a straight face. "I think... the boar likes him."
"It is trying to mate with me!" Hiroto shrieked, kicking wildly at the 300-pound animal. "Help! Minato! Save me!"
(Hold... hold...) Ethan instructed. (Let him suffer for ten more seconds. It builds character.)