Naruto glanced at her, then ignored her and looked at Hinata. "Let's go."
Kushina watched them from the balcony. Suddenly, she shouted, "Naruto!"
Naruto looked up at her, startled.
Kushina gazed at him fearfully… then—
She stepped onto the balcony railing.
Naruto's eyes widened in horror. "You crazy woman! What are you—"
Before he could finish, she jumped.
Naruto instantly dropped his bag and sprinted to catch her.
She landed in his arms, holding onto him tightly.
Naruto spun around to absorb the impact before finally steadying himself. He cupped her face in his hands, pulling her slightly away. "Are you trying to die, you lunatic?!"
Kushina (lovingly): "If it means getting to you, then I don't mind."
Naruto: What would have happened if I hadn't caught you???
Kushina: I was sure you would.
He looked at her for a moment, fear filling his eyes, and said, "Never do that again... Ever... My heart almost stopped from fear for you... What am I supposed to do with this madness?"
Kushina quickly: "Take it with you."
Naruto: "What?!!!!!!!"
Kushina: "Naruto, please... I can't bear being away from you."
Naruto: "It's just one day, Kushina."
Kushina: "Not even a second... I already struggle with the hours your work takes you away from me... I'm coming with you."
Naruto: "Back to the craziness again... I said no... It's too dangerous for you... And I'll be back tomorrow... I won't take long... I promise."
Kushina, her eyes now brimming with tears: "You know what could happen in that place... I'm safer with you... You always protect me... Don't leave me alone again... Please."
Naruto: "Kushina... Please... That's enough... I'm not taking you with me, and that's final."
They stared at each other for a moment, and suddenly, Kushina hugged him tighter, looking into his eyes with hope and pleading, whispering, "Please."
Naruto: "No. No, no... Don't use that trick on me... It won't work this time."
Kushina lifted her head higher, trying to reach his face. "Please."
Naruto turned his head as far away as possible until he couldn't move it any further. He closed his eyes, muttering to himself, "Don't look into her eyes... Don't look into her eyes... Don't look into her eyes..."
Suddenly, she gently placed her hand on his face, turning it back toward her. He refused to open his eyes. Then, he heard her soft voice, "Naruto..."
Slowly, he cracked open his left eye, just enough to glimpse her face—then shut it quickly. He lifted his face toward the sky as she continued moving closer.
Then, out of nowhere, he lowered his head in surrender. "Fine..."
Kushina stopped moving toward him, her eyes lighting up with joy as he continued, "But don't be a burden on us."
Her smile widened as she said excitedly, "Wait for me while I grab my bag!"
She rushed toward the door but suddenly stopped. "Oh… I almost forgot."
Turning back to him, she cupped his face in her hands and pressed a kiss to his lips before pulling back to gaze at him. "Thank you, my love."
Then, she hurried out the door.
Naruto remained frozen in place, while Sakura and Hinata stared at the scene in utter astonishment.
Breaking the silence, Naruto said, "I'm going to check on something... Wait for her here."
Sakura scoffed sarcastically, "And why exactly should we wait for her?!"
Naruto shot her an angry look, and upon noticing it, she shrugged indifferently. "Fine, fine… Whatever you say."
Then, he left.
Fifteen Minutes Later…
Sakura, angrily: "What is this…? Why are we even waiting for them?! Let's go, Hinata!"
Hinata, surprised: "You're so strange! Last night, I told you we should leave, and you refused! You even told me that the forest is dangerous and that we need Naruto-kun with us for protection… Wasn't that your opinion?"
Sakura, confused: "What?! When did I say that?"
Hinata: "It was last night… Have you already forgotten?!"
Suddenly, Kushina appeared, shutting the door behind her. As she was walking toward them, a voice came from behind her:
"Finally… I will have my revenge!"
She quickly turned around and gasped in fear, closing her eyes and covering her head with her hands.
She opened her eyes only when she heard Naruto's voice:
"I warned you not to go near her… This time, I won't show any mercy!"
The man took a step back, trembling in fear as he looked at Naruto, whose eyes were devoid of any compassion. When he tried to run, Naruto grabbed him by the throat and lifted him with one hand, his feet no longer touching the ground.
The man struggled, clawing at Naruto's arm, trying to pry himself free, but it was useless.
Kushina quickly grabbed Naruto's arm, trying to pull it away from the man's throat. She pleaded, "Naruto… please… let him go… You've already protected me, and it's over… You gain nothing from killing him… Please…"
Naruto tightened his grip even more, ignoring Kushina's words. His fiery gaze burned into the man, who was now on the verge of losing consciousness—or rather, his life.
Kushina looked at the man, then back at Naruto, tears forming in her eyes. "Please… let him go… Don't kill him… He promises he won't do it again…"
Behind her, the man gasped, "Yes… yes… I won't go after her again… I swear…!"
But in that instant, Naruto's eyes flashed red—he knew the man was lying.
Kushina saw the change and realized the man was in serious danger. Naruto kept squeezing, his fingers pressing harder, crushing the man's throat.
Then, suddenly, a child's voice rang out in a desperate, tearful scream:
"Daddy!!!"
Kushina quickly turned to see a little girl standing there, sobbing.
She gasped in realization—the man Naruto was about to kill was this child's father.
Tears streamed down her face as she screamed, "He's a father, Naruto! Please don't kill him… You'll orphan his daughter… You'll make her suffer like I did… Please, let him go… Don't do this… I beg you…"
Naruto finally turned to look at Kushina. The sight of her tears snapped him out of his rage, and his eyes returned to normal.
They stared at each other for a moment before she whispered, "Please…"
Naruto shut his eyes tightly, then threw the man against the wall with such force that it shattered upon impact. Without looking back, he said, "Let's go… We've wasted enough time."
He started walking toward the forest.
Kushina hesitated, glancing between Naruto and the man, who lay battered and barely conscious. She moved toward him to help, but he shouted at her, "Stay away from me!"
She lowered her head in sadness.
Sakura and Hinata stepped beside her, bewildered by everything that had just happened.
Sakura asked, "Why did that man want to kill you?! And why does he treat you like this?!"
Kushina hesitated before answering, "Because I'm the reason for—"
Naruto's sharp, warning voice interrupted her, "Kushina…"
She flinched, turning to see Naruto glaring at her angrily.
He then looked away and continued walking.
She watched him go, sadness filling her eyes.
Noticing her distress, Sakura and Hinata gently placed their hands on her shoulders. "Come on… let's go," they said.
They followed Naruto in silence until they reached the forest.