"So, the point is, I can't show my emotions, right?"
Kushina took a deep breath. Though displeased, she had to admit Tsunade had a point.
After all, she had no idea what Minato was thinking. It was just her one-sided affection. What right did she have to interfere in his affairs?
Realizing this, Kushina immediately felt a pang of regret.
She desperately wanted to ask Minato what he thought of her, but she was terrified of not getting the answer she wanted and ruining their relationship.
Seeing Kushina calm down, Tsunade nodded in satisfaction, secretly relieved.
"Exactly. Besides, love is still too young for kids your age."
Tsunade advised, "Minato is gentle, but he's always been steady and mature. From what I know of him, he wouldn't be considering such things right now. Even if he liked someone, he'd likely keep it in check and not show it easily."
"That's true..."
Kushina nodded repeatedly, completely taken in by the deception. "So what should I do? Just stand by and watch?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk~"
Tsunade raised her index finger and shook it gently. "Nothing touches the heart more deeply than silent companionship."
"Hmm..."
Kushina clenched her fist, her eyes burning with determination. "I'm going to follow her tomorrow!"
"Alright... I'll go with you."
Tsunade didn't object. She was also curious about the girl named Nonou.
The next day, Kushina tried hard to maintain a gentle expression, but the moment she saw Nonou, her eyelid twitched uncontrollably.
"Kushina, what's wrong?"
In just a single glance, Nonou understood Kushina's emotions. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Kushina mumbled, lowering her head.
She wasn't angry at Nonou. After all, according to Minato, the girl had suffered greatly, and Kushina felt genuine sympathy for her.
Yet despite her sympathy, a sour feeling lingered in her heart.
"You look a little pale. I don't know what happened, but you should try to cheer up!" Nonou smiled gently. "If Kushina isn't happy, Minato-kun would be worried, right? You wouldn't want to make him worry, would you?"
"How... how could that be?"
Hearing this, Kushina's cheeks grew faintly warm. She stole a glance at Minato, who was chatting with Shinnosuke, and pouted subtly. "He wouldn't care about that..."
"That's not true!"
Seeing through Kushina's insincerity, Nonou smiled warmly. "You can see that Minato-kun actually cares a lot about you, Kushina. He treats you differently than he does others."
"Huh? Is that really true?"
At this, Kushina's lips couldn't help but curve upward. She bashfully cupped her cheeks.
"It's absolutely true," Nonou said gently. "Minato-kun is almost always with you, inseparable. He even defended you in front of Kota and the others. How could he not care?"
In just a few words, Nonou had completely flustered Kushina, turning her into a blushing mess.
"It's... not quite like that," Kushina stammered, a silly grin spreading across her face. Completely dazed by Nonou's praise, she found herself utterly at her mercy.
"Speaking of which, you and Minato-kun are childhood sweethearts, aren't you?"
"Child... childhood sweethearts? Cough Well, I guess you could say that. We both lived at Sister Tsunade's house."
"Oh? That's nice. I spend a lot of time in the courtyard, and even though there are plenty of kids my age, I don't really have many friends."
"Who said that? Aren't we friends? Oh, right, I heard from Minato that..."
Before long, Nonou had coaxed the information she wanted out of Kushina.
Did Minato keep his joining Root a secret from her?
Minato is truly a kind person...
From Kushina, Nonou learned that she planned to help at the orphanage with Minato after school. She readily agreed and expressed her sincere gratitude.
When she heard that Tsunade would be joining them too, she wasn't particularly surprised, but she feigned appropriate delight.
By the end of the classes, Kushina and Nonou had become inseparable best friends, chatting like old pals.
Minato stayed out of their conversation, quietly observing the scene and letting Nonou reel Kushina in like a fish.
As the trio left the school gates, Tsunade was already waiting outside.
Kushina hurried over, her face beaming as she introduced Tsunade: "Sister Tsunade, this is Nonou—my best friend!"
"Hmm?"
Tsunade was somewhat surprised by Kushina's enthusiastic demeanor.
This girl was never one to hide her feelings. Yesterday she'd been so gloomy and resentful, yet now she was so cheerful. Tsunade glanced at Nonou standing beside her.
Noticing Tsunade's gaze, Nonou greeted her with gentle grace. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Senior Tsunade."
"Hello there, little one," Tsunade replied with a warm smile. "Minato mentioned you yesterday, so I came with him today to see if I could help. I hope you don't mind?"
"How could I possibly mind?" Nonou said, flustered and waving her hands. "I'm just grateful you're willing to help, Senior Tsunade. I could never be bothered by that!"
Hmm...
Tsunade nodded slightly, her amber eyes reflecting the girl's pretty face.
For some reason, this girl gave her a strange sense of threat.
Not in terms of strength, but from a woman's intuition when it came to romantic matters.
This girl was definitely after Minato!
And unlike Kushina, her level was far higher. She was in a completely different league of threat.
With that thought, Tsunade unconsciously ruffled Minato's messy blond hair.
Why does this brat have to be so outstanding?
When the group arrived at the orphanage, the potatoes Minato had planted the day before had already been dug up.
Before they even entered the building, the Father rushed out with a warm smile, followed by a plump young Sister.
"Minato-kun! Come in, come in!"
"I'm in a hurry to get home, so I won't stay long."
Minato formed hand seals, and the earth surged. Seedlings burst from the ground, growing into round, ripe watermelons.
Watermelons were a luxury in the Shinobi World, especially in winter. At this time of year, they could cost as much as thirty ryo per 100 grams—a true aristocrat's fruit.
Seeing the ground covered in watermelons, the Father and the plump Sister were stunned!
What are these?
These are gold! Pure gold!
Forgetting all about greeting Minato, they immediately called the children to help move the watermelons, terrified the cold would damage them.
Minato and the others didn't linger. After planting the watermelons, Tsunade offered her condolences, left some money, and the group departed.
Along the way, Kushina walked with light steps, completely immersed in the joy of making a new best friend and helping others.
Tsunade, however, wore a worried expression. Nonou's gentle demeanor made her uneasy.
I wanted to pit the tiger against the wolf.
But now it seems Nonou is indeed the tiger... but Kushina is at best just a stray dog on the roadside.
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