"My sister is an idiot when it cos to using ninjutsu."
"Who told you to speak?" Tsunade raised her hand and punched.
Nawaki imdiately regretted his quick-wittedness as another large bump ford on his head.
Kawakaze hadn't heard about this yet.
"Haha, and you claim you don't care about using ninjutsu," Kawakaze said, pointing at Tsunade while laughing. He, too, quickly earned himself a fresh bump on his head.
This teaches us an important lesson: never mock soone you can't afford to provoke unless you have absolute power.
"Sensei's wife is amazing even without her ninjutsu." Minato's emotional intelligence shone through, and his words instantly brightened Tsunade's mood.
"Minato is still the best."
She smiled warmly and patted his head.
anwhile, the two unlucky ones—Nawaki and Kawakaze—huddled together, nursing their sore heads and whispering.
"She's so violent, and yet you still dared to marry her."
"It's too late for to back out now."
"What are you two muttering about?"
Tsunade's grinding teeth and ominous tone made their spines stiffen. When they turned, her piercing gaze froze them in place.
"Ah~"
"Ah~"
"Minato, co with . These two are hopeless."
Tsunade flexed her fists, guiding Minato forward. He glanced back at Kawakaze a few tis, as though realizing sothing, then followed her without hesitation.
Gone.
"This little traitor eats my food and drinks my wine," Kawakaze muttered, watching Minato's retreating figure. How did I end up raising such an ungrateful wolf?
"Don't mind Minato, brother-in-law. You better watch your step."
It seed Nawaki's wit had been sharpened by Tsunade's influence. In an instant, he realized he still needed to stick close to his sister for support.
This brother-in-law of his had truly looked bad. And Minato? That clever brat had better judgnt.
Blinded by greed, Nawaki had foolishly chosen to rely on Kawakaze. It was undoubtedly the worst decision he had ever made.
But blood is thicker than water, and deep down, Nawaki believed it wasn't too late to set things right.
"Sister, wait for !" he shouted, chasing after Tsunade's retreating figure.
Kawakaze watched Nawaki disappear with a dumbfounded expression.
Am I being abandoned?
Feeling dejected, Kawakaze trailed behind, far removed from the lively chatter of the trio ahead. The sight of their cheerful camaraderie only deepened his gloom.
"Kawakaze, are you guys okay?"
The sudden voice startled him. He turned to see Sakumo, whose presence was both surprising and comforting.
"Big Brother," Kawakaze said, his heart swelling at the sight of Sakumo's concerned gaze.
There is still true love in this world. Big Brother really is the best.
"I heard Iwagakure was closing in, so I ca imdiately," Sakumo explained.
"It's fine. Everything's already been settled," Kawakaze replied.
"That's good. I'll go check on Tsunade."
Before Kawakaze could continue, Sakumo cut him off, uninterested in hearing what was likely a self-serving recount of his exploits. Instead, Sakumo headed off to ensure Tsunade was unhard.
"Brother... Big Brother," Kawakaze murmured, watching Sakumo disappear into the distance.
Unable to hold back his tears, Kawakaze was overco with despair.
This was it. He was utterly, hopelessly unpopular.
"Tsunade, it's good that you're back safe and sound."
Sakumo had reappeared, already standing beside Minato.
"I've made you worry, but everything went well," Tsunade replied.
"We..."
She proceeded to recount the battle with the Iwa Ninjas to Sakumo, who listened attentively, nodding as she spoke.
The two boys' eyes lit up with excitent. Their Sensei—brother-in-law—had defeated another shinobi, which they found remarkable.
"We can't believe everything Ōnoki says, so we'd better be prepared and hurry to the Land of Fire," Sakumo remarked after hearing the details. The imdiate danger might have passed, but caution was still necessary.
"You're right," Tsunade agreed. Her respectful tone showed a level of deference that contrasted sharply with Kawakaze's deanor. She treated Sakumo like a true elder.
"Then I'll be going."
Sakumo patted Minato's head, gave Nawaki a quick smile, and left without saying more than a few words to Kawakaze.
The Konoha team quickly departed from the Land of Rain, heading toward the Land of Fire. anwhile, Ōnoki returned to the Iwa Ninja camp in the Land of Birds.
"Call the Sealing Team, the dical-nin!"
Ōnoki's sharp command rang out before he even landed. The little man a big red nose looked sowhat peculiar, but none of the Iwa Ninjas dared to laugh.
He landed in front of the largest dirt hut, carrying the unconscious Han as though he weighed nothing. Without pause, he entered the hut.
The Sealing Team and dical-nin had gathered outside by then.
"You guys check it out first; I'll be right back," Ōnoki instructed. His face betrayed his exhaustion, and he preferred to limit his interaction with subordinates until he could gather himself.
"Yes, Lord Third," the group responded in unison, waiting for Ōnoki to leave before stepping inside.
It was clear that sothing had gone wrong with the Jinchūriki; otherwise, such urgency wouldn't have been necessary.
"This is the Four Symbols Seal of the Land of Whirlpools," the leader of the Sealing Team exclaid upon inspecting the scene.
Their Fūinjutsu skills paled in comparison to the Land of Whirlpools. It was, after all, a nation destroyed because its sealing techniques were too powerful. There was no comparison to be made.
"Lord Han should have fully transford into his Tailed Beast state, his will completely overtaken by Kokuō."
"His lifespan has been greatly affected."
"His internal injuries are also very serious."
As the dical-nin spoke, he pulled down Han's pants and flipped him over. While he had detected an injury in that area, the severity of it was unexpected.
"Ssshhhh..."
He let out a sharp gasp, imagining the imnse pain such an injury would cause.
"Don't dilly-dally. Just heal him," Ōnoki ordered, his tone cold and resolute. "I want Han to live, to live well. Understood?"
By now, Ōnoki had changed into fresh clothes, and his face had been cleaned. However, his pallor and weakened tone betrayed his exhaustion.
"Understood."
The dical-nin imdiately began treating Han's injuries. anwhile, another individual, whose eyesight had recently recovered, approached Ōnoki.
"Lord Third, I can see you're not feeling well. Let help you."
This dical-nin was skilled not only in healing but also in subtle flattery, a talent that didn't go unnoticed. Without directly addressing Ōnoki's injuries, he offered assistance in a way that preserved the leader's dignity. After all, it wouldn't do for rumors to spread that the village's Tsuchikage had returned from the pursuit injured.
"Then you can help ," Ōnoki said, giving the man a long, appraising look. It was clear there were still many capable individuals among the dical-nin.
Once Ōnoki's injuries were tended to, the dical-nin promptly joined those working on Han. Ōnoki found this work ethic comndable.
After what felt like an eternity, Han's internal and external injuries were treated. His entire body was now wrapped like a mummy.
"How is it?" Ōnoki asked while taking a pill to treat his own injuries.
"Lord Third, Han's injuries have stabilized, but he won't wake up for so ti. He needs rest and recuperation," the dical-nin reported.
Ōnoki sighed in relief. While there was no redy for the damage to Han's lifespan, he had done all he could to ensure the man's survival.
"You may go."
After dismissing the dical Team, Ōnoki turned his attention to the Sealing Team, who remained uncertain.
"Can you solve this seal?" he asked, knowing how critical it was for a Jinchūriki to have their seal intact.
"Lord Third, we need ti to study it," the leader of the Sealing Team replied cautiously. He didn't dare to admit outright that they had no solution and opted instead to stall.
"Then hurry up."
Ōnoki rubbed his forehead lightly, frustrated but unsurprised. He had expected that a seal crafted under Tsunade's guidance would be extraordinarily challenging to unravel.
"Lord Third, we'll head downstairs now," the captain of the Sealing Team said, retreating with his subordinates as Ōnoki waved them off impatiently.
The room fell silent, leaving only Ōnoki, deep in thought, and the unconscious Han.
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