A Moon in the Shadows

Morning – Team 6 Training Field

The morning sun had just peeked over the hills when Team 6 finished their warm-up. Dew still clung to the grass, and the fresh air filled their lungs with clarity and readiness. Minato looked as cheerful as ever, standing while flexing his wrists. Dekai sat cross-legged on a rock, his face expressionless as usual, but a glimmer of anticipation danced in his eyes.

Mizuki stood in the center of the field, dressed in her signature white kimono, her long black hair tied neatly at the back. Her gaze was sharp and focused—today was their first C-rank mission.

Suddenly—

Shuff!

From the shadows of the trees, a figure in a black cloak with an owl-like mask dashed forward. ANBU.

Everyone immediately went on alert, but before anyone could react, a flat voice echoed:

"Hyuga Mizuki. Report to the Hokage's office immediately. Direct order."

Then—whoosh!—the figure vanished as swiftly as it had appeared, leaving behind only the faint rustle of wind.

Minato and Dekai exchanged glances.

Jiraiya, who was sitting cross-legged on a large tree branch, hissed softly and stood up. "Looks like this isn't something trivial..." he muttered, narrowing his eyes toward where the ANBU had emerged.

He jumped down and clapped his hands.

"Today's mission is postponed. You're free until evening," he declared.

Mizuki nodded and looked at her teammates. "Sorry, I have to go."

"Don't worry, we'll wait," Minato smiled.

"Bring souvenirs," Dekai said flatly, then yawned.

Mizuki gave a faint smile and ran off the field, but her mind was already spinning. She could tell from the chakra flow and movement pattern—that wasn't a regular ANBU. It was a ROOT operative.

'If ROOT summoned me… and they're sending me directly to the Hokage's office, this isn't just a casual meeting.'

Hokage's Office – Moments Later

When Mizuki opened the door to the Hokage's office, the sight that greeted her was unusual.

Only two people were in the room: Hiruzen Sarutobi, sitting in his grand chair with a pipe in hand, and Danzo Shimura, standing by the window with his hands clasped behind his back. High-level fuinjutsu seals were etched around the room, glowing faintly like pale yellow lines.

'Anti-surveillance, sound seals... even Byakugan blockers.' Mizuki furrowed her brow. 'This really is serious.'

Hiruzen smiled warmly as he saw her. "Good morning, Mizuki. Thank you for arriving so quickly."

Mizuki bowed politely. "I'm happy to help, Hokage-sama."

Danzo turned and gave a small nod—a gesture of familiarity he reserved only for Mizuki.

Hiruzen opened with light conversation, thanking Mizuki for her dedication in covertly monitoring Kushina's condition. Then, he began to recount the conversation he and Danzo had the previous day—about their concern over Kushina's emotional stability, the danger of Kyuubi's chakra leaking, and the importance of creating an emotional 'anchor' around the Uzumaki girl.

"...which is why we're considering encouraging a closer relationship between Kushina and Minato," Hiruzen said, watching Mizuki's reaction.

Mizuki, who had been calm, suddenly paused with a conflicted expression.

"...you think... Kushina could destroy Konoha just because... of chasing a cat?" she asked with a soft chuckle, unsure whether to laugh or be horrified.

Danzo remained silent. Hiruzen let out a soft chuckle, then replied, "With the power of the Kyuubi, even being upset over a cat could spell disaster."

Mizuki let out a small laugh, but then her expression turned serious. Deep down, she understood that the plan made sense. It was logical. Strategic.

But... why did it feel unsettling?

'Is it because... of Minato?' Mizuki stared off for a moment, then her face turned red.

'They're not getting married right away. There's still time. Right?'

Her face flushed as the thought hit her.

'Wait… what am I thinking?!'

She quickly looked away.

Hiruzen noted her changing expression and smiled knowingly. He looked at the girl like an uncle watching a niece grow up too fast.

Meanwhile, Danzo narrowed his eyes toward the window, brooding.

'That blond brat... if he ever hurts Mizuki, I'll send five ANBU squads to beat him up at the village gates.'

A strange idea popped into Danzo's head: dragging Minato into the ROOT headquarters, surrounding him with the scariest ANBU faces, and grilling him about his intentions with Mizuki.

Of course, he said nothing. But the clench in his jaw spoke volumes.

Mizuki calmed herself, then nodded. "I understand... and if this is for the best, I support the plan."

But her voice... wasn't entirely steady.

Danzo glanced at her, dissatisfied, but stayed silent.

Hiruzen smiled wider and said gently, "Take time to think. Not everything logical should be accepted without question."

But Mizuki looked back with determined eyes.

"I'm not a child anymore, Hokage-sama," she said. "I've been trained to understand the weight of big decisions. If this is good for the village, and for Kushina... then I won't reject it."

Danzo stared at her for a long moment. Then, with heavy steps, he moved forward... and gently patted Mizuki's head.

It was a simple gesture, almost nothing. But for someone like Danzo… it was the peak of emotional expression.

Mizuki froze. Hiruzen went silent. Even Danzo himself looked mildly surprised at his own action.

Quickly, he pulled back his hand and turned without a word, walking out of the room.

'I'd rather be interrogated by Iwagakure than hear Hiruzen mocking me right now…' Danzo thought, suppressing his expression.

As the door closed behind him, Hiruzen burst out laughing, coughing between chuckles. Mizuki only giggled softly, her cheeks still red.

"Well," she muttered, gazing out the window at the evening sky. "It doesn't matter who Minato loves. As long as he's happy."

'I'm not the sun… I'm the moon. And the moon doesn't need to shine on its own. Its duty is to keep the night calm while other lights rest. If I interfere with the sun's path, all I'll cause is an eclipse.'

Mizuki took a deep breath. The evening breeze fluttered the curtains in the Hokage's office as the day carried them all further along the paths of fate.

Evening – Fire Country Border

The sky glowed gold-orange as the sun dipped behind the mountains. Birds returned to their nests, and a cold breeze drifted down from the forested hills. But beneath the serene twilight, a silent drama was unfolding.

Atop a tall tree, far from the village center, Mizuki stood in silence. The wind blew at the edges of her white kimono. Her Byakugan was active, veins bulging subtly at her temples as she scanned the horizon with pinpoint precision.

"...Coordinates, three kilometers southeast," she murmured. "Three individuals moving fast, carrying someone... bright red hair. It's Kushina."

Mizuki frowned. The chakra of the kidnappers wasn't strong enough to match an elite Jounin. 'As expected,' she thought. 'But they're not amateurs either.'

Meanwhile, on a quiet road leading out of the village, Minato walked calmly, eyes fixed on the fading colors of the sky. A breeze carried something… a long, red strand of hair floated down in front of him.

Minato stared at it. He bent down, gently picked it up, and his pupils widened.

"...Kushina?"

His body tensed. He gritted his teeth, then dashed forward like a lightning bolt.

"No, no... please don't let me be too late..."

The trail left by the hasty kidnappers was obvious to Minato's sharpened instincts—broken twigs, muddy footprints, even the faint metallic scent of their ninja tools… all formed a path he couldn't miss.

Fire Country Border Forest – Nightfall

The sky had turned dark. Thin clouds hovered around the full moon hanging high above, casting silvery light over the leaves. A cold mountain wind whispered through the towering trees, which stood still in shadow.

Minato Namikaze raced through the forest like a flash of light. His footsteps were nearly silent, but his speed sliced through the night. In his hand, he still held the red strand of hair, like a thread of fate leading him to someone dear.

"Kushina…" he whispered again, his voice full of worry.

His blue eyes scanned his surroundings, and at last—from behind thick bushes and an ancient tree's shadow—he saw three figures moving quickly, one clearly being carried. That wild, red hair in the moonlight was unmistakable. It was Kushina.

Minato channeled chakra into his feet and shot forward like an arrow, closing distance in an instant.

The kidnappers never expected someone could catch up so quickly.

"Enemy!" shouted one of the Kumogakure shinobi.

Before they could react, Minato had already kicked one of them into a tree. The man slammed into the trunk and fell limp.

One of the remaining two threw a kunai with an explosive tag, but Minato sidestepped, leapt into the air, and hurled two shuriken—striking his target in the shoulder and arm. The shinobi screamed, dropping his weapon.

The last enemy, carrying Kushina over his shoulder, tried to flee. But in a blink, Minato appeared behind him.

With precise motion, Minato slashed behind the man's knees with his kunai, dropping him. Before the man could scream, Minato struck his neck, knocking him unconscious.

Kushina's body slipped from the captor's grasp—Minato caught her just in time, arms trembling slightly from the adrenaline.

"Kushina! Kushina!" he cried, his voice unlike his usual calm tone.

Kushina slowly opened her eyes. Moonlight illuminated her pale face, and her eyes shimmered with tears.

"Minato..." she whispered faintly, like a breeze.

Tears streamed down her cheeks. She tried to speak, but only sobs came out as she leaned her head on his shoulder. Her whole frame trembled—a mixture of relief and trauma.

Minato held her tightly.

"I'm here now. It's over. You're safe."

He didn't know why his chest felt so tight. Maybe it was seeing her like this. Or maybe... it was the first time he had truly feared losing someone.

Moonlight glimmered on Kushina's red hair, making it look like soft fire in the darkness. In the stillness of the night, only the sound of crickets and their heartbeats felt real.

"I was scared..." Kushina whispered.

Minato gently ran his fingers through her hair, soothing her.

"Me too. But what matters is, you're not alone."

Kushina lifted her head, looking directly into Minato's eyes. Her gaze, though swollen with tears, still held strength.

"Why... did you come so fast?"

Minato pulled the red strand of hair from his inner pocket and showed it to her with a gentle smile.

"Because you left this for me. Like a thread of fate. And I won't let anyone cut it."

Kushina blushed. She gave him a soft punch on the chest. "Baka... you made me cry again."

They both chuckled softly. Then they fell silent. Letting the night and the moon bear witness.

Far away, atop the tallest tree, Mizuki watched them with a mixed expression. Moonlight reflected in her pale Byakugan eyes. Her smile was faint, but something lingered behind her gaze—a blend of satisfaction, and a quiet loneliness that couldn't be explained.

"Missions complete," Mizuki whispered.

Then she leapt down from the tree and began walking home, leaving the couple in peace beneath the tranquil sky.

But her steps slowed as she turned back once.

'If this were just strategy, it worked. But why... does part of me quietly envy them?'

She gave a bitter smile, then straightened her back and walked toward the village.

"I'm the moon," she murmured. "The light that guards from afar… and that's enough."