Naruto : Konoha Light

As Shimizu shouted himself hoarse, a graceful figure suddenly leaped down from a nearby tree.

Seeing the obviously unstable Kushina and Shimizu's desperate pleas, the newcomer, Namikaze Minato, quickly asked, "Kushina, what's going on? And you—who are you?"

"Big Sister is struggling against the monster sealed inside her!" Shimizu answered hurriedly. Then, glancing at Minato, he asked, "Big Brother, are you Big Sister's friend?"

"Friend? I guess... maybe?" Minato hesitated, looking a little shy. Though he had always secretly paid attention to her, Kushina had been distant, keeping her guard up against the world. They had barely exchanged a few words before.

"That's perfect!" Shimizu cheered. "Big Sister is fighting against the monster's influence with her own willpower! Big Brother, you need to say something to encourage her—remind her of the bond you share!"

"Huh?" Minato blinked in confusion.

"This is serious! Just say something—something that will make her happy and confident!"

Understanding the urgency, Minato steeled himself. Without thinking too much, he blurted out the words he had buried deep in his heart.

"I've always noticed you, ever since you first came to the academy—because of your beautiful red hair." He took a deep breath and continued, "Back then, people made fun of you for it, and I was furious. I wanted to stand up for you.

"But you didn't need my help. You weren't weak at all—you were strong, brave! You fought back without hesitation, and from that moment, I knew you were amazing—not just in strength, but in spirit!"

His voice grew softer, more heartfelt. "I've liked you, Kushina, from the bottom of my heart. Today was supposed to be your first day at school, and I wanted to ask you something, but I didn't have the courage to ask for your birthday. So instead, I just decided to remember this day.

"I had planned to invite you out, to surprise you… but then this happened. Even so, I don't want to lose you!"

Shimizu's mouth twitched. This was supposed to be an emotional rescue, not a confession! Did Minato really just pull out a love confession in the middle of a crisis?

But… it worked.

As soon as Minato spoke, the ominous red fog that surrounded Kushina rapidly began to dissipate, as if falling off a cliff. Within moments, the suffocating presence was gone. Kushina collapsed, her body limp as she fell straight into Minato's arms.

Asuma, who had been watching from the sidelines, was stunned. "Wait… Is this the power of love?"

The Next Day – Hokage's Office

"Hiruzen, you must already know about what happened yesterday."

"Of course," the Third Hokage replied, his expression warm. "They're good children."

"Don't play dumb with me!" Danzo's voice was cold and laced with amusement. "Are you really going to just let the Nine-Tails' seal nearly breaking slide?"

"Heh, take a look at this first." Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke and pushed a document toward him.

Danzo snatched it up, his eyes scanning the text—only to widen in shock. The report detailed how the crisis had stemmed from spies Danzo had allowed to operate within Konoha.

He stiffened. Now he remembered. He had been gathering materials for a separate mission and had overlooked a group of suspected spies. He hadn't expected those Cloud shinobi to accidentally stumble upon a jinchūriki and trigger a near-disaster.

"…" Danzo silently returned the document and kept his composure. "We'll discuss that later. Let's move on to the next issue."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who had been watching silently, shook their heads. As expected, Danzo had no chance against Hiruzen in political maneuvering.

Hiruzen smiled calmly. "Alright then. Next, let's discuss the rewards for Kushina, Minato, and Shimizu—"

"Wait." Danzo immediately cut him off. "I believe it would be best if Shimizu and Minato were placed under my Root division for personal training."

Hiruzen's kind expression instantly hardened.

"Danzo," he said, his voice now firm, "do you understand what you're saying?"

"You are too weak, Hiruzen!" Danzo argued sharply. "Those two possess the ability to control a jinchūriki's state. That kind of power—the ability to restrain or empower the Nine-Tails—is an invaluable asset. They must be trained properly, turned into the ultimate tools of Konoha!"

Hiruzen's gaze darkened. "Lady Mito once said that the only way to resist the Nine-Tails' hatred is to fill your heart with love. Kushina has found her anchor now. I will not allow you to push her into despair!"

"Foolishness! A shinobi is a tool. A jinchūriki is a vessel!" Danzo's voice was filled with conviction. "Regardless, I want Minato and Shimizu—"

BANG!

The doors to the office were suddenly blasted open, sending debris flying.

The Root ANBU in the shadows immediately moved to intercept, but upon seeing the intruders, they hesitated—then silently stepped aside.

There were some people you just didn't mess with.

Two figures stepped into the room, their presence exuding raw power.

Danzo scowled. "Tsunade, Jiraiya—what are you two doing here?"

Before he could finish his sentence, Tsunade's fist crashed down.

BOOM!

The spot where Danzo had been standing was now a massive crater, shaking the entire Hokage building.

Moments later, Danzo crawled out of the wreckage, his face dark with rage. "Are you two insane?! Do you want to betray Konoha?!"

Tsunade cracked her knuckles, her gaze fierce. "Listen up, old man. If you lay a hand on my disciple, don't blame me for what happens next."

Jiraiya grinned, arms crossed. "Same here. My disciple isn't your tool, Danzo."

Danzo's expression darkened. "For the sake of the village, some sacrifices are necessary—"

BOOM!

Tsunade punched another ANBU stand-in, sending him flying.

"I don't care about your excuses," she said coldly, planting both hands on the desk. "Here's the deal—if my disciple gets hurt, I'll assume it's your doing. And every time that happens, I'll take it out on you and your Root. One injury? One dead agent. Got it?"

Even Koharu and Homura, who had been trying to mediate, looked pale at her words.

"Tsunade," Homura started hesitantly, "you must understand that Root shinobi are also Konoha's—"

"Companions?" Tsunade sneered. "Do you really think these people understand what 'companions' even means?"

Danzo clenched his fists. "You think I won't label you traitors?"

Tsunade scoffed, turning away. "Do whatever you want. If you push me, I'll leave Konoha and take Shizune with me."

Jiraiya followed suit, lazily waving as he walked out. "Word of advice, Danzo—don't piss off an angry woman. Even gods fear their wrath."

And with that, they were gone, leaving Danzo fuming in silence.