"Kazu, you're back already?"
"Yeah."
Kazuki nodded and gently ruffled Kushina's hair.
"Hey! Stop that!"
Kushina blushed and swatted away his hand.
"Have you met your students?"
Kazuki slipped off his shoes.
"Yeah. One's named Obito. One's Rin. The last one is Kakashi."
"Kakashi? I know him! Teenage genius. The White Fang's son!"
Kazuki raised a brow.
"You actually know that?"
"Hmph. Of course I do. What, you think I don't pay attention?"
Kushina puffed up slightly like an annoyed kitten, standing right in front of him.
"Come inside."
Kazuki naturally took her hand. She blushed, but didn't pull away.
"What about the other two?"
"One's from the Uchiha clan. The other's Nohara."
"Kazu, your class sounds stacked. White Fang's son and an Uchiha?"
"Yeah. They've got potential."
Just then, Tsunade's loud voice rang out from inside.
"Hey, brat! You still haven't proposed to Kushina? Don't drag your feet!"
Kushina immediately pulled her hand back, face red.
Kazuki really wanted to punch Tsunade.
Tsunade continued, grinning.
"Kushina's the next Uzumaki heir. A jinchūriki. Her future husband better be strong enough to back that up."
Kazuki smirked slightly.
At that moment, Uzumaki Mito stepped out.
"Kazuki is already a Special Jonin. Were you asleep during yesterday's meeting?"
Tsunade's eyes widened.
"What? He skipped Chunin and jumped straight to Special Jonin? Since when do we break rank like that? The Third approved this?!"
Mito ignored her.
"Come eat."
During dinner, Tsunade was still fuming about "broken rules."
Kazuki shrugged.
"Rules are made by people. People can change them. That's how the world works."
Tsunade looked even more irritated.
Right then, Orochimaru appeared.
"Tsunade. Hospital. Emergency."
She stood up instantly and left without finishing her food.
Medical first. Always.
Kazuki's ears twitched slightly. He faintly heard Orochimaru mention Kirigakure.
The Hidden Mist.
Kazuki's eyes darkened.
The Three-Tails incident.
Madara manipulating the Third Mizukage.
Rin turned into a jinchūriki.
Sent back to Konoha as a ticking bomb.
Kakashi killing Rin with his own hand.
Obito's descent into darkness.
Kazuki couldn't help but think of Uchiha Madara.
So even now… the pieces were already moving.
"Kazu."
Kushina placed a piece of meat into his bowl.
"This is your first time leading a class. Think carefully about how you're going to train them tomorrow."
Kazuki nodded.
"I know."
But in his heart, he thought—
This might be the beginning of the Third Great Ninja War.
Maybe it had already started.
People just hadn't realized yet.
Otherwise, why would children like Kakashi, Obito, and Rin be pushed to grow up so fast?
That twenty-year peace treaty Danzo signed with Kumogakure?
Kazuki didn't buy it.
Peace on paper means nothing.
The next morning.
Kazuki was still asleep when—
"Kazu! Wake up!"
He rubbed his eyes.
"Who is it…"
He squinted.
Kushina.
Hands on her hips.
"I've called you five times! You're going to be late for your meeting with your students!"
Kazuki yawned.
"What time is it… Relax."
After washing up, Kushina was still urging him.
"Hurry up!"
Kazuki suddenly grabbed her hand.
Kushina froze.
"What are you doing?"
She blushed.
Last night, Tsunade's teasing had gotten to him.
Girls are shy.
If someone has to take the first step, it should be him.
"Kushina… I like you."
"Will you marry me?"
Kushina's face turned bright red.
She looked at him with wide eyes.
"Are you… proposing?"
Kazuki blinked.
Wasn't he?
Kushina looked at his blank expression and felt both embarrassed and annoyed.
Idiot! Who proposes like that?
No ring.
No flowers.
Nothing.
She puffed up.
Kazuki scratched his head.
"Yeah. I'm proposing. So… will you marry me?"
Kushina couldn't help but laugh.
"You're such an idiot. Can't you at least bring flowers?"
Kazuki slapped his forehead.
"Right! I'm dumb."
Poof!
A shadow clone appeared and immediately ran out the door.
Moments later, it returned with a bouquet of roses.
Kushina smiled brightly.
She took the roses.
"Hmph. Fine. I accept."
Then she added softly,
"But you need Grandma Mito's permission. She's my elder."
Right then, Mito stepped out.
"I approve."
Kushina pouted.
"Grandma Mito! You were eavesdropping!"
Mito smiled warmly.
"Seeing the two of you together… I'm relieved."
"Your marriage is decided."
Kushina lowered her head shyly.
Was she really getting married like this?
Kazuki felt something swell in his chest.
Warm.
Heavy.
Responsibility.
He was getting married.
No matter what—
He wouldn't let her down.
Suddenly—
"Kazu! You're going to be late!"
Kushina pushed him toward the door.
Reality snapped back.
Team Seven was waiting.