Sometimes, the simplest words can warm the heart.
At her loneliest, Uzumaki Kushina found her world lit up by Namikaze Minato's kindness.
From that moment on, the usual group of four gained a new member—a flash of red hair that was impossible to miss.
Watching Minato and Kushina get all lovey-dovey every day was... an experience. An uncomfortable one.
"Why do I feel like I'm the third wheel... or more like the third spotlight?" Akimichi Yoshimaru grumbled.
"Your feeling isn't wrong," Shibi Aburame replied, pushing up his shades. "Actually, it's more like three of us are spotlights. Blindingly bright ones."
"I feel like I'm getting fed with PDA every single day. My stomach's full, not from food, but from their grossness! This is a school! A place for learning! Not a place for romantic nonsense!" Sarutobi Ryo shouted dramatically, flailing his arms.
"How long has it been like this?" Shibi Aburame asked, clearly counting the days like he was tallying a prison sentence.
"Feels like forever... I can't believe my heart's so strong. I haven't even thought about getting a girlfriend myself," Akimichi Yoshimaru replied with a self-satisfied grin.
"Oh, cut the crap. That's because you're scared she'd eat all your snacks. Every time Minato hands a snack to Kushina, you grip your food stash like it's your firstborn child," Shibi Aburame snorted.
Sarutobi Ryo suddenly spoke up, "It's been six months."
(O_o)?
"What? Six months of that?" Akimichi Yoshimaru's eyes went wide.
"You even counted the days?!" Shibi Aburame asked, eyebrows practically touching his hairline.
Ryo didn't answer. He just stared off into the distance, his expression hardening. Deep down, he was thinking about the future. About how things could end—how both of them would die.
He had thought of different ways to change the future, but none of them seemed realistic.
What if he just... killed Obito? But then there might be a "Uchiha Flame," a "Uchiha Flood," or some other crazy version. The trouble wouldn't stop; it would just mutate.
He considered moving Kushina's birthing location and having the three of them secretly assist instead of telling Minato. But the safety risks were enormous. Not using Minato would only make it more dangerous.
Removing Kakashi from the protection squad? As if. Black Zetsu wasn't some low-level grunt. Even if Kakashi didn't leak information, Black Zetsu would still find her. Konoha wasn't exactly a huge city; any place with a barrier would stick out like a sore thumb.
It was a massive headache. Watching Minato and Kushina all lovey-dovey every day made him feel like he was weaving his own spiderweb and getting trapped in it.
If he had just kept his head down and stayed out of it, none of this would be his problem. But no... he had to make friends, create bonds, and now he was caught up in the mess.
He let out a deep sigh. "Man... I can't just live the easy life, can I?"
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
"Ryo, my bugs are telling me that your mood is... agitated," Shibi Aburame commented coolly.
"How about you take us out for some chilled sweet soup? We'll stay with you the whole time," Akimichi Yoshimaru suggested, testing the waters.
"You know what? That sounds like a good idea," Sarutobi Ryo nodded, agreeing to his brothers' suggestion.
The three of them didn't even bother saying goodbye to the couple still radiating pink sparkles in the background. They just left.
A week later, the three brothers were chilling at Ryo's place, soaking in the hot spring.
Akimichi Yoshimaru took a massive gulp of his iced orange juice.
"Buuurp Ahhh, that's the good stuff!"
"My insects don't usually like water, but the hot spring medicine bath at Ryo's place is an exception. I doubt anyone could dislike it," Shibi Aburame said, completely submerged up to his shades.
"Says who? Minato hates it. He only likes sticking to that red hair of his," Akimichi Yoshimaru grumbled, sulking in the water.
"Here, eat some iced watermelon. Cool off," Ryo said, pushing a plate of perfectly cut slices toward them.
If only they knew... those two would die in just over a decade.
As his brothers, they'd probably want them to stick together every single day, maybe even get married right now.
If they could have a few kids while the big boss was still around, maybe it would avoid a lot of the trouble later.
Ryo had even tried asking his uncle, the Third Hokage, why Jinchūriki had to be women when childbirth left them so vulnerable.
But of course, he was just a kid. The Third only patted him on the head, gave him a few training tips, and sent him on his way. Like he was gonna explain that to a little kid.
Swish!
A figure suddenly appeared right above the hot spring's water.
"Oi, Minato! What the hell, man? Are your shoes even clean?"
"Could you maybe... take them off before stomping on my hot spring? Seriously?"
"Weren't you off on a date? What are you doing here?"
The three of them stared at Minato, whose face was deathly serious. It was almost unnerving.
"Something happened! I can't find Kushina!" Minato said, voice trembling.
"You guys fight or something?" Akimichi Yoshimaru asked, blinking.
"When did this happen?" Shibi Aburame asked, pushing up his shades.
"This morning, I guess. I walked her home last night, and we planned to meet today. If she had something to do, she'd always leave a note or tell the neighbors. But this time, there was nothing. Her kettle was still on the stove, completely burned dry," Minato explained, his fists clenched.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
"I'm going to find my uncle!" Sarutobi Ryo shouted, throwing on his clothes.
"I'll head to the police force. My clan's got connections there," Akimichi Yoshimaru added.
"I'll go back to Kushina's place with you, Minato. Maybe my bugs can pick up something," Shibi Aburame suggested.
"Half an hour. We meet at the village gate," Sarutobi Ryo commanded.
Minato sighed in relief. "Thanks, guys..."
"Heh, come on, don't get all sappy. We took that oath seriously. At least, I did!" Sarutobi Ryo shot back with a grin.
Half an hour later, the four of them gathered at the village gate.
"I told my uncle. He's already dispatched the Anbu. Now the question is—do we keep searching, or wait for news?" Sarutobi Ryo asked.
"Police force didn't find any records of Kushina leaving the village. No disturbances reported, either. I've got some friends searching, though," Akimichi Yoshimaru reported.
"Minato and I collected some clues. We already passed the info to the Anbu. But I don't think it's good news," Shibi Aburame said, his voice low.
Minato's face hardened. "We're not waiting. I don't care what's going on—I'm going to find Kushina."
Sarutobi Ryo pulled out a piece of paper and grinned. "Sign it. It's a permission slip to leave the village. I 'borrowed' it from my uncle."
Shibi Aburame raised an eyebrow. "You sure you 'borrowed' it?"
Ryo smirked. "I swiped it. But come on, you think the Third Hokage doesn't know? He just let me have it."
Akimichi Yoshimaru grinned. "Let's get moving before the whole village locks down. I don't want to be stuck eating ration bars!"
The four dashed into the forest, determination blazing in their eyes. As they ran, Ryo's mind wandered: Minato handled this alone in the original story. Now, with the four of us and the Anbu, this should be a cakewalk. I wonder what I'm gonna eat when this is over...