NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: Truly Something Unexpected!
"Yoruichi, you're back early?"
"Hmm."
Yoruichi nodded, reaching out to ruffle Kushina's hair.
"Stop it!" Kushina swatted his hand away, her cheeks red. "Did you meet your students?"
"Yeah," Yoruichi said, kicking off his sandals. "There's Obito, Rin, and Kakashi."
"Kakashi? I've heard of him. A prodigy, son of the White Fang!"
Yoruichi raised a brow. "You know about him?"
"Of course!" Kushina huffed, standing with her hands on her hips. "What do you take me for? I know plenty!"
Yoruichi chuckled and grabbed her hand. "Come on, let's go inside."
Kushina hesitated for a moment, her face flushed, but she didn't pull away.
As they entered, Kushina asked, "So, what do you think of your team?"
"Kakashi's talented. Obito's from the Uchiha clan, and Rin seems dependable. They've got potential."
"They're impressive! A genius, an Uchiha, and someone from the Nohara clan. You've got your hands full."
"True," Yoruichi replied with a small smirk.
Just then, Tsunade's voice boomed from the living room. "Hey, brat! When are you going to stop playing around and propose to Kushina already?"
Kushina yanked her hand back, her face burning.
Yoruichi sighed, suppressing the urge to glare at Tsunade.
Tsunade wasn't done. "You know, Kushina's the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, right? Her partner can't be just anyone. You better step up!"
Yoruichi smirked. "I don't remember you being this concerned about my love life, Tsunade."
Before Tsunade could retort, Uzumaki Mito stepped into the room, her presence commanding attention. "Yoruichi, you're already a jōnin. Were you asleep during the meeting yesterday?"
Tsunade blinked, surprised. "What? Jōnin? But he hasn't even gone through the proper steps—he's not even a chūnin yet! The Hokage approved this?"
Mito waved off her concerns. "Rules can be bent for those who prove themselves."
Tsunade grumbled but didn't argue further.
"Let's eat," Mito said, gesturing toward the dining table.
Over dinner, Tsunade kept muttering about Konoha's traditions being ignored.
Yoruichi shrugged. "Rules are made by people. They can be broken by people too. That's life."
Tsunade scowled but was interrupted by Orochimaru entering the room.
"Tsunade, there's an emergency at the hospital. Come quickly."
Without a word, Tsunade bolted from the table, her duty as a medic-nin taking priority.
Yoruichi's sharp ears caught Orochimaru mentioning something about Kirigakure.
Kirigakure? Yoruichi's mind raced. Was this the beginning of the plot to turn Rin into the Three-Tails Jinchūriki?
He clenched his fists. He knew this would ultimately lead to Kakashi being forced to kill Rin, breaking Obito and leading to his descent into darkness.
Kushina nudged him, pulling him from his thoughts. "Yoruichi, it's your first time leading a team. You should plan their training carefully."
"Yeah, I'll think about it," Yoruichi said, though his mind was preoccupied with the storm he knew was coming—the Third Great Ninja War.
---
The next morning, Yoruichi was jolted awake by Kushina's voice.
"Yoruichi! Get up! You're going to be late!"
Yoruichi groaned, rubbing his eyes. "What time is it? There's still time."
"No, there isn't!" Kushina snapped, hands on her hips.
After freshening up, Yoruichi looked at her and suddenly grabbed her hand.
"What are you doing?" Kushina asked, her cheeks turning pink.
Yoruichi hesitated, then spoke. "Kushina, I like you. Will you marry me?"
Kushina froze, her eyes wide. "Are… are you proposing?"
Yoruichi blinked. "Isn't that what I just did?"
Kushina puffed her cheeks. "You idiot! Proposals need flowers! Or a ring! Something romantic!"
Yoruichi scratched his head. "Oh, right. Wait here."
He created a shadow clone, which dashed out the door. Moments later, it returned with a bouquet of roses.
Kushina laughed, taking the flowers. "You're such a dummy. But… I'll say yes."
Her smile softened. "But you'll need Mito-sama's blessing first."
"I already approve," Mito said, walking into the room with a knowing smile.
"Grandma Mito! Were you eavesdropping?" Kushina whined, her face as red as her hair.
Mito chuckled. "Seeing the two of you together makes me happy. Your marriage is decided."
Kushina hid her face in her hands while Yoruichi stood there, a rare sense of warmth spreading through his chest.
Before he could savor the moment, Kushina suddenly shouted, "Yoruichi! You're late!
Go meet your students!"
Yoruichi sighed, grabbed his gear, and headed out. There was no rest for a jōnin.
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Translator's Note;
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