Naruto Karyuden

Chapter 69: Hidden Dream III - Confrontation

HIDDEN DREAM III - CONFRONTATION

A woman chases after a man through a dense and winding forest, her knee length red hair tied up in a ponytail to minimize how much it gets in her way.

"Uncle Yaizu! Wait!" She calls out to him. "It's me!"

The man in front of her disappears from sight.

She halts her movements and looks around to find him, only to be startled when someone emerges from her peripheral.

Yaizu apprehensively steps out, clad in his full battle-ready armour. He brushes aside his long mane and looks at her with mild suspicion. "Kushina?"

Kushina stumbles back when she sees Yaizu, her heart racing from excitement. A smile on her face, she lunges forwards and embraces him in a tight hug. "I finally found you. Do you have any idea how long it took?!" She says with a cracking voice as her eyes begin to fog up with tears.

Yaizu returns the hug. "That was kind of the point, little one." His own voice begins to crack through tears. He breaks away from the hug and gives her a look-over, noting her Leaf flak jacket and headband and her much more grown frame. "I guess I shouldn't call you that anymore, huh? Even though you still have your dad's goofy face."

Kushina giggles in response. "You have the same face as him!" She cups his head and gives it a light squeeze. "It's been so long, uncle. I'd lost hope of finding anyone. Mom, dad..."

"I..." He lowers his head. "I think I'm the only one who made it. I'm sorry."

"Yeah. I thought as much." She tries her hardest not to break down in front of him. "But we still have each other! You can come back to the Leaf with me!"

Yaizu shakes his head and takes a step back. "You know I can't do that. There's still so much going on behind the scenes. I'm a wanted man, Kushina, there's multiple bounties on my head. If they heard the Hidden Leaf took in a refuge from the Hidden Whirlpool, it would put a major target on their backs."

"That's bullshit! If it'll be a problem, then I'll deal with it! I can't leave you alone, especially if you're being hunted."

Yaizu breaks into a fit of laughter. "You're still the same firecracker as always, huh? Listen, I'll join you when everything dies down, okay. I promise. Just for now, I need to keep a low profile. This lion's roaring days aren't over just yet."

Kushina steps toward him and presses her head against her chest. "Only you could say something so corny with a straight face."

He embraces her again, practically hiding her in his massive arms. "I'm so happy you're safe and sound." He kisses her on the top of the head. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

Another figure emerges from the shadows atop a nearby tree, keeping his distance from the two. A Leaf shinobi with wild blond hair. "Kushina, they're approaching. I count at least 20."

She turns to face the man with teary eyes. "Uncle, this is Minato. My fiancé."

Yaizu eyes the young man and smirks at the name. "The Yellow Flash of the Leaf, huh?"

"It's an honour to meet you, sir." Minato bows his head.

"If my pursuers are coming, you two need to go. I'll deal with them as I always do."