Namikaze Minato Wants to Leave Work on Time [8]

After delivering the letter, Shisui noticed Hokage-sama’s expression shift from calm to visibly unsettled.

He hadn’t read the letter, but judging from that reaction, it must have contained something extremely important.

Naturally—any correspondence between the Uchiha Clan Leader and the Hokage would never be trivial.

Fugaku-sama had even instructed him not to show the letter to anyone else. Clearly, it concerned matters that could affect the relationship between the Uchiha and the entire village.

Minato carefully folded the letter and tucked it into his desk drawer. His gaze drifted casually toward Shisui. “If there’s nothing else, you can go.”

“Yes, Hokage-sama. I’ll take my leave,” Shisui said respectfully, bowing before backing out of the office.

He knew this kind of business was far above his pay grade. Even if the Hokage hadn’t dismissed him, he’d have made his exit politely.

After leaving the Hokage Tower, Shisui headed straight for the Uchiha district.

Though eager to begin his new C-rank mission, as the messenger between the Hokage and the Uchiha, it was his duty to report that the delivery had been completed.

“Shisui, heading back already?”

Passing by a dango shop, Shisui heard a familiar voice.

He turned to see a graceful, raven-haired woman with a rounded belly, sitting beside a red-haired beauty. “Good afternoon, Mikoto-sama, Kushina-sama.”

The voice belonged to Uchiha Mikoto, the clan leader’s wife.

Beside her sat Uzumaki Kushina, Konoha’s Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

It was still a strange sight—the Uchiha clan leader’s wife and the Jinchūriki chatting together like close friends.

“Yes, I’m on my way back,” Shisui replied politely.

“Did something happen?” Mikoto asked gently.

“I’m sorry, Mikoto-sama, it’s related to my mission. I’m not permitted to say.”

Even in front of the clan leader’s wife, Shisui kept his professionalism, his tone steady and respectful.

“I see. Then I won’t pry,” Mikoto said with a soft smile.

“Thank you for understanding.” Shisui bowed again, then continued toward the compound.

Watching him leave, Kushina huffed. “Mikoto, why’d you just let him go? If it were me, I’d have grabbed him by the ear until he talked.”

Mikoto laughed quietly, her delicate brows curving into crescents. “Shisui’s a sincere boy. If I forced him to talk, he’d feel awful about it later. If I really want to know, I’ll just ask Fugaku directly.”

At that, Kushina’s gaze dropped to Mikoto’s belly, a sharp pang of envy twisting in her chest. Her voice grew faint. “Must be nice… You’ve got a clan leader husband and a baby on the way. Meanwhile, I’m still single.”

Of course, Mikoto wasn’t her only friend.

Kushina was friendly with many of the other clan wives, but she could always sense the subtle unease in their attitudes. No matter how kind they acted, there was always that flicker of fear—the Jinchūriki barrier.

Mikoto was different. Maybe it was because the Uchiha had once controlled the Nine-Tails, or because they were already distanced from the rest of the village—but with her, Kushina could just… relax.

Mikoto covered her mouth and chuckled softly. “But Kushina, isn’t Hokage-sama your real target?”

“Wha—who said that?!” Kushina exploded like a startled cat. “I only visit him at night to reinforce my seal, not because I want to see him or anything! Don’t get the wrong idea!”

Even Mikoto, a supposed outsider, could tell how hollow those words sounded.

If the Nine-Tails’ seal really loosened that often, Konoha would’ve been wiped out by now.

“If you truly want more chances to see Hokage-sama,” Mikoto teased gently, “I might have an idea.”

“What idea?!” Kushina’s eyes lit up at once.

Mikoto couldn’t help laughing, her shoulders shaking.

Realizing how transparent she was being, Kushina turned away, her cheeks flaring red. “Mikoto, you’ve gotten meaner.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Mikoto said, still smiling. “But your reaction was just too cute. Anyway, I heard from Fugaku that the Uchiha will soon join the village’s mission system. Maybe you could use that opportunity too.”

Kushina tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“I mean you could ask Hokage-sama to assign you village missions,” Mikoto explained. “You can’t take anything outside the village, of course, but D-rank missions around Konoha should be fine. I doubt he’d refuse.”

Kushina’s eyes widened as realization struck. “So… I can use missions as an excuse to see Minato more often?”

“Exactly,” Mikoto said with satisfaction.

“Then I’m going right now!” Kushina shouted, leaping up and leaving her half-eaten dango behind.

“Take care,” Mikoto called after her, smiling as she watched the red blur dash off.

Her own home life was always quiet—too quiet. Between Fugaku’s stoicism and Itachi’s solemnity, even dinner felt like a silent meditation.

But Kushina was the opposite—bright, loud, and irresistibly alive. Being around her made the world a little warmer.

...

It didn’t take long for Uzumaki Kushina to reach the Hokage Tower.

Just as she reached for the door, a young Anbu appeared, blocking her path.

“Kushina-sama, please don’t disturb Hokage-sama while he’s working,” said the masked boy flatly.

It was Hatake Kakashi.

“Hey, kid, I actually have official business with Minato this time,” Kushina said, crossing her arms.

“If it’s about your seal, please wait until tonight,” Kakashi replied without a hint of emotion.

“I really have official business!” Kushina’s brow twitched in irritation, her hand itching to smack him upside the head.

But remembering his tragic childhood, she held herself back with visible effort.

Then, an idea sparked in her mind. A mischievous grin curved her lips.

“If you don’t let me through,” she said sweetly, “your dear Hokage-sama’s reputation might suffer. I wonder what the villagers would think if they heard their Hokage was an irresponsible man…”

Kakashi froze.

He immediately understood the threat.

“…Understood. Please follow me,” he said stiffly.

Though his face was hidden behind the mask, Kushina could easily imagine the look beneath it—utter, silent defeat.

---

T/N: goodbye naruto, you wont exist in this timeline...

This is a fan translation of 波风水门想要按时下班 by 破空蛇龙 rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!