Deep underground, beneath the Hokage's office, Danzo Shimura sat in the dim glow of candlelight, a brief yet unsettling report in his hands.
----
The target: Eliminated.
The assassins: Missing.
Souta: Alive.
----
Danzo's lone eye narrowed. This was not how things were meant to unfold. A civilian like Souta should have been nothing more than a loose end—easily cut away. Yet not only had he survived, but the Root operatives sent after him had vanished without a trace.
Troubling.
He leaned back, fingers steepled in thought. Souta had no formal training, no military connections, and yet… he had emerged unscathed.
Impossible. Unless—
His mind turned to the Uchiha.
Souta was often seen with Mikoto Uchiha. Could it be that someone within the clan was protecting him? But why? What value did he hold?
Danzo's lips pressed into a thin line. If the Uchiha were involved, things became more complicated. He already had his eye on them—one more reason to move against them was always welcome. But this required careful handling. An unseen variable like Souta was unacceptable.
"Strengthen surveillance," he ordered the Root operative kneeling before him. "If he's truly alone, he will slip eventually. And if he has allies…"
A cold smirk ghosted his lips. "We'll find out soon enough."
The operative disappeared into the shadows. Danzo tapped his fingers against the table. This was not over.
...
In a secluded office, dimly lit by candlelight, Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a slow breath, the scent of pipe smoke curling in the air. The report in his hands was brief but noteworthy.
Kushina Uzumaki, the village's jinchūriki, had been spending more time with a particular civilian. A tea vendor.
Souta.
Across from him, an ANBU knelt in silence, waiting.
Hiruzen hummed, setting the report aside. "And?"
The ANBU hesitated. "Danzo has already begun surveillance on the boy."
Of course, he has.
Hiruzen took another drag from his pipe. "Souta is a good young man. Hardworking. Unremarkable in most ways. But he seems to attract interesting company, doesn't he?"
Mikoto Uchiha. Kushina Uzumaki.
People of power.
He didn't believe in coincidences, but he also wasn't one to overreact.
"The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki needs stability," he said at last. "Minato is a fine Hokage, but the future is never certain." His eyes flickered with an old weight, memories pressing at the back of his mind. "If something happens to him… Kushina will need people she trusts. People who keep her grounded."
The ANBU remained silent.
Hiruzen tapped his pipe against the ashtray. "Continue to monitor the situation, but do not interfere. If Danzo oversteps… inform me."
The ANBU bowed and vanished into the shadows.
Alone again, Hiruzen gazed at the flickering candlelight, lost in thought.
A civilian, with no clan and no power, yet standing close to those who shaped Konoha's fate.
Interesting, indeed.
...
"Why do you keep bringing him up?!" Kushina's voice cracked like a whip, her chakra flaring. The teacups on the table rattled.
Minato stood across from her, arms stiff at his sides. "Because it matters, Kushina! You spend more time with him, and you won't even talk to me about it!"
She scoffed. "Oh, please! Am I not allowed to have friends now? Am I supposed to sit around waiting for you to have time for me between your Hokage duties?"
Minato's fists clenched. "That's not fair."
"No? Then tell me," she stepped forward, voice sharp, "why do you suddenly care so much about who I talk to?"
Minato exhaled harshly. "Because you're the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, and Souta is—"
"Don't say it," Kushina interrupted, her violet eyes flashing dangerously.
Minato hesitated. If he said it, there was no taking it back.
But the words left his mouth anyway.
"He's just a tea vendor."
Kushina's fist shot out before he could react.
Minato barely dodged as her punch shattered the space where his face had been, sending cracks up the wooden wall behind him.
His feet slid back, instincts kicking in. "Kushina!"
But she was already moving.
Her long red hair flared behind her like a wild flame as she rushed him. Minato sidestepped, grabbing her wrist, but her other fist came up, forcing him to release her and duck.
"You wanna treat me like some village asset? Fine," she snarled. "Then let's see how well you control your 'jinchūriki,' Lord Fourth!"
Minato barely moved before she spun, her heel slicing through the air. He blocked, but the force sent him skidding backward. The floor groaned beneath them.
"Kushina, stop this!"
But she wasn't listening. Frustration and anger poured through her fists.
Another strike, another block—then Minato caught a glimpse of her face. She wasn't just furious.
She was hurt.
"Damn it, Minato! Just say it!" she yelled, eyes burning. "Say what you really feel about him!"
Minato clenched his jaw. There was only one way to end this. He flickered out of sight, appearing behind her in an instant, arms wrapping around her tightly, restraining her.
She struggled, body tense.
"Kushina," he whispered, voice softer.
She froze.
Minato felt her breathing—heavy at first, then slowing. Her hands remained clenched, but she had stopped fighting.
Then, she pushed him away.
He let her go.
For a long moment, she just stood there, staring at the wall, breath uneven.
Then, without looking back, she grabbed her cloak from the hook near the door.
"Where are you going?"
She didn't answer.
She just walked out, slamming the door behind her.
And for the first time since becoming Hokage, Minato didn't know if she was coming back.
The streets of Konoha were quiet at night, the usual bustle reduced to a handful of patrols and flickering lanterns. Kushina walked aimlessly, the cool air brushing against her heated skin.
Her fists were still clenched, pulse still racing from the fight.
Minato.
She gritted her teeth. Why did it have to be like this? Why couldn't he understand?
Her feet carried her forward, instinct guiding her. Only when the scent of tea leaves and wood filled the air did she realize where she was.
Souta's shop.
The wooden sign creaked slightly in the breeze. Inside, dim lanterns cast a soft glow as Souta moved behind the counter, cleaning up for the night.
Kushina stepped forward, pushing the door open without hesitation.
A small chime rang as she entered.