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Shin left Suikagakure with Kushina and Mei Terumī, heading towards Konoha.
As for why Mei Terumī ended up coming along, it was naturally because Kushina couldn't bear Mei Terumī's pitiful eyes, so she agreed to bring Mei Terumī with them.
Obito's attack on Konoha was scheduled for nightfall, but it was still morning, so they had plenty of time. Shin decided they would arrive early and wait.
They didn't use Space-Time Ninjutsu, but their speed was still impressive. They reached Konoha by midday.
"So this is Konoha." Mei Terumī looked around curiously.
Konoha, as the most prosperous Hidden Village, was far more impressive than Kirigakure.
At this time, Mei Terumī didn't know the situation in Kirigakure. If she were to go to Kirigakure, she would know that Konoha wasn't just "several times better" but dozens of times better.
Kirigakure was practically in ruins, thanks to Obito's machinations. The Fourth Mizukage was dead, and the current Fifth Mizukage, Yagura, was under Obito's control, and the Bloody Mist era was in full swing.
Kirigakure also had the highest turnover rate for Kage—while other villages were on their Fourth, Kiri was already on its Fifth.
Originally, Yagura should have been the Fourth Mizukage, but Shin killing the Third Mizukage during the Second Shinobi World War had altered the timeline.
Of course, such details were trivial to Shin—Kirigakure's fate was irrelevant to him.
"Wipe that awestruck look off your face. You look like a country bumpkin. It's embarrassing." Shin said, lightly smacking Mei Terumī's shoulder.
"Is that how you talk to people?"
Mei Terumī rolled her eyes at Shin, but she also became serious, not as surprised as before. She was also someone who cared about her image.
"We're being watched."
Suddenly, Mei Terumī noticed that someone was monitoring them, and a cold light flashed in her eyes.
"Konoha's Anbu, don't worry about them, they'll leave soon."
If Mei Terumī could detect that someone was monitoring them, how could Shin not notice? But there was no need to pay attention, those people would leave soon.
Sure enough, in less than a minute, those Anbu members had already left, probably to report the situation to Minato Namikaze. It was understandable. Shin strolling into Konoha was bound to raise alarms.
Though not officially a Missing-nin, Konoha treated him like a dangerous Rogue element.
At the Hokage Tower, the Anbu reported to Minato, who was with Hiruzen Sarutobi. After the Anbu left, a heavy silence filled the office.
"Sandaime-sama, why do you think Shin Uzumaki is here?" Minato asked, his brow furrowed with worry.
He couldn't help but worry. Akiko was about to give birth, and this was a critical time. Shin's arrival made Minato uneasy.
For some reason, he had a bad premonition today, and he hoped it was just a premonition.
"I'm not sure. Minato, you go back and look after Akiko. I'll handle things here." Hiruzen was also unsure of Shin's motives, but he suppressed his worry.
"Alright. Thank you, Sandaime-sama." Minato couldn't relax unless he was with Akiko.
After Minato left, Hiruzen pondered the situation, sighing before turning to the paperwork Minato had left behind.
Meanwhile, Shin and his companions had arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.
"I'll have the Tonkotsu Chashu Ramen. Kushina, Mei, what do you want? My treat."
"You're only treating me to ramen?" Mei Terumī couldn't help but ask.
"Yeah, what else did you expect?" Shin glanced at her. Was she being picky? He knew she liked ramen.
"I thought you would treat me to a big meal." Mei Terumī explained.
She hadn't meant to sound ungrateful; she'd just assumed Shin would treat them to something more extravagant.
"We'll have a feast tonight," Shin promised with a smile.
"Didn't you say something big was happening in Konoha tonight?" Kushina reminded him.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean we can't eat," Shin replied.
"What do you two want?"
"Same as you," Kushina said.
Kushina wanted the same tonkotsu chashu ramen as Shin, while Mei Terumī wanted seafood ramen.
Ichiraku Ramen tasted very good. The protagonist, Naruto Uzumaki, often came to this shop for ramen not only because it was cheap, but also because it tasted really good.
Tonight, Naruto Uzumaki would be born, but it was unknown whether he would still be the Naruto Uzumaki from the original story.
"You two sure can eat." Mei Terumī watched in disbelief as Shin and Kushina each devoured three bowls of ramen.
"What's so surprising about that?" Shin asked after finishing his third bowl.
He was being modest. Compared to true competitive eaters, he and Kushina were amateurs.
"Let's walk around Konoha. We can watch the show tonight." Shin had eaten his fill; Ichiraku's portions were generous.
"Burp~! I seem to be stuffed," Kushina burped and said.
They strolled through Konoha's streets. The villagers, unaware of the impending disaster—the worst in Konoha's history—went about their daily lives.
The Nine-Tails attack would be second only to Pain's assault in terms of devastation.
"I feel very uncomfortable."
Mei Terumī trailed behind Shin and Kushina, watching them chat and laugh. She was envious. They were completely ignoring her—and she felt like a third wheel, force-fed their affection for each other.
Why had she come along? Just to be a bystander?
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