Minato and the other two froze in place, staring blankly at Mikoto.
"Mikoto-sensei… what's going on?" Minato finally asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.
Mikoto remained expressionless, her tone calm and unwavering. "This is a personal matter between adults. It isn't convenient for me to explain."
No matter how much the three pressed her, Mikoto maintained her firm stance. There was no room for negotiation, and her refusal was absolute.
Although Minato and the others were clearly disappointed, they could only withdraw helplessly.
Still, throughout the wait for their food, Minato couldn't help sneaking glances at Mikoto from time to time, his eyes filled with concern.
Mikoto ignored all of it. She had neither the intention nor the obligation to explain anything further.
Fortunately, the four bowls of ramen arrived shortly afterward, and the delicious aroma successfully diverted the team's attention.
Once they finished their meal, the four parted ways right outside the shop.
Mikoto, however, didn't head home. Instead, she turned and began walking toward Aoshi's apartment.
With her own key, she simply let herself in. As expected, Aoshi wasn't home—he was likely still working at Konoha Hospital at this hour.
Inside the familiar apartment, Mikoto headed straight to the bathroom, took a warm shower, and changed out of her dusty mission attire.
She put on a fresh set of comfortable casual clothes she kept there for times like these, then stepped out to buy groceries.
Once she returned, she took a short rest before rolling up her sleeves and starting dinner preparations.
Although the two of them weren't officially living together yet, Mikoto had already done this countless times.
Unlike Tsunade, whose personality was larger than life, Mikoto's dream had always been a simple one—to become a good wife, support her husband, raise her children, and protect the peaceful home she cherished.
For Mikoto, family was the most important thing in the world.
The only reason she hadn't retired from being a ninja yet… was because she and Aoshi had not formally married. Otherwise, she would have left her shinobi life behind long ago.
Soon, the table was filled with a warm, delicious dinner.
Right around the time she finished setting the dishes, Aoshi opened the door and stepped in.
"I'm home."
"Hm? Mikoto? When did you return?" Aoshi blinked in surprise when he saw her kneeling in the entryway to welcome him.
Mikoto's missions usually lasted ten days to half a month, sometimes even longer. He hadn't expected her back after just five days.
"I came back today," Mikoto said softly as she handed him his slippers.
"Dinner's ready, and the bath is already warmed. Aoshi, do you want to eat first or bathe first?"
Aoshi didn't even bother thinking. As soon as he changed into his slippers, he bent down, scooped her up, and grinned mischievously.
"I want to eat you first."
Before she could respond, Aoshi sealed her lips with a kiss, carrying her all the way to the dining table before finally releasing her.
"Let's eat first. I'm starving." Instead of putting her down, he simply sat with Mikoto still nestled in his arms.
"Mikoto, your cooking is the best. If only every day could be like this—coming home to your meals." Aoshi could cook, but compared to Mikoto's skill, he was far inferior.
"I'm glad you like it." Her voice held a gentle happiness as she picked up a piece of food and fed him.
After a moment of hesitation, Mikoto finally asked, "By the way, Aoshi… have you and Tsunade crossed the final line?"
Originally, Mikoto had always addressed Tsunade formally as "Lady Tsunade."
But after learning Tsunade had become involved with Aoshi as well, she switched to calling her "elder sister"—a subtle acknowledgment of hierarchy rather than surrender.
Understanding her meaning instantly, Aoshi smirked. "What's this? Is someone jealous?"
Mikoto puffed up her cheeks almost immediately—she got the answer she wanted.
"I was here first!" She was absolutely jealous.
As she said, she had been the first to confirm a romantic relationship with Aoshi.
But being a traditional, conservative woman, she had insisted on waiting until marriage before offering herself completely. Because of that, they had never crossed the line.
Yet during her absence… Tsunade had seized the chance and taken the initiative.
Mikoto calling Tsunade "elder sister" was by no means an admission of defeat. It was simply respect for someone older—and of higher status.
Aoshi couldn't help smiling at her puffed cheeks and poked one with his finger, earning him a playful punch to the chest.
"Don't worry," he said as he captured her small fist in his hand. "I'll always treat all of you the same."
Mikoto, still sulking a little, didn't resist when Aoshi leaned in and kissed her once again.
Under Aoshi's gentle yet assertive coaxing, Mikoto eventually relaxed, letting the irritation melt away.
With the atmosphere settled, the two finally focused on dinner.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane were gathered.
"The Jonin Promotion Exams will be held this year. Do any of you have recommendations?" Hiruzen asked after taking a slow drag from his pipe.
This was exactly why he had summoned the three elders.
Just as the Chunin Exams required recommendations from Jonin, the Jonin Exams also relied on formal nominations; the only difference was that Jonin candidates needed the approval of Konoha's highest authorities.
Jonin weren't mere fighters; they were pillars of the village's power structure.
Every candidate had to be carefully selected. And each year, only a limited number of slots were allowed.
"Hirakawa Aoshi. Yakushi Nōno." Danzo spoke first, listing two names without hesitation.
In truth, with Aoshi's strength, he could have become a Jonin the same year he became a Chunin.
But at the time, he had been assisting Tsunade with the research on White Zetsu cells, causing him to miss two consecutive exam cycles.
Now that the research had produced results, he was free to participate.
Hiruzen nodded. "Very well. Any other candidates?"
Danzo fell silent, closing his eyes as if resting.
As long as these two were approved, he could initiate his plans involving Aoshi. The rest didn't matter to him.
The others were used to Danzo's usual behavior and didn't comment.
"Minato Namikaze also meets the qualifications," Homura added. "He can participate."
"What about Kushina? She fits the requirements, too," Koharu suggested.
Hiruzen immediately shook his head. "Minato can participate. Kushina cannot."
Kushina had only recently become the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. Her control was still unstable—whenever she got overly excited, the Nine-Tails' chakra leaked out, sometimes even triggering partial berserk episodes.
An incident had already occurred not long ago, one that was only resolved because Aoshi had been present to suppress the rampaging chakra.
For the safety of the village, Hiruzen refused to let her participate this year.
"Kushina should be handed over to the Root division," Danzo interjected sharply. "Hiruzen, I will train her into Konoha's most valuable weapon."
The moment the topic turned to Kushina, Danzo's eyes snapped open.
Hiruzen and the other two elders all twitched their lips at the same time.
After knowing Danzo for decades, how could they not understand him? Handing Kushina over to him was the same as handing her a one-way ticket to hell.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said sternly, "I have my own plans for Kushina. Do not bring this up again." His tone held no room for negotiation.