Konoha is both large and not so large.
Soon enough, everyone arrived at the Nara Clan's medicinal herb shop, purchasing many supplements effective for Ninja.
Among them, based on Rino's earlier description, Kushina specifically prepared herbs for gentle body nourishment.
As for the prescription? Kushina, hailing from the Uzumaki Clan, didn't need one. She had her own specialized Uzumaki Clan's prescriptions.
However, compared to Rino's dedicated flower shop, the Nara Clan's herb shop was less familiar with Kushina.
They just found Kushina and the others somewhat strange, but didn't say anything.
Thus, after purchasing the herbs, everyone walked out again.
"Now what?" Pakura once again looked at Kushina, inquiring about the next destination.
Kushina thought for a moment, checking the time. It was shortly after finishing lunch. The food had been digested a bit, but they weren't hungry enough for dinner yet.
After thinking for a moment, Kushina had an idea!
"Let's go!" Leading everyone, Kushina arrived at a small shop: "I'll treat you all to some afternoon tea snacks!"
"Oh, snacks?" Pakura curiously looked at the shopfront: "Three-Colored Dango Shop?"
"That's right, this Three-Colored Dango shop. When I was in Konoha, I loved its taste too. Sweet, soft, and chewy… It's delicious!" Kushina said with a smile.
Afterwards, leading everyone, Kushina entered the Three-Colored Dango shop.
Sora also got to try just how delicious this dango shop, which is famous thanks to Mitarashi Anko and Uchiha Itachi, really was.
However, no one noticed, or perhaps noticed but didn't pay attention-
Just as everyone entered the dango shop, at a street corner not far from them-
A woman with a pineapple-style hairdo, wearing a fishnet bodysuit and a trench coat, looking incredibly hot, saw the group entering the dango shop!
Immediately, Anko's face changed dramatically!
Yes, while going to Ichiraku Ramen didn't trigger an encounter with Naruto for Sora and the others-
Coming to the dango shop, however, they managed to spawn Anko.
And while Anko might be considered 'washed up' now, she was originally Orochimaru's only direct disciple. Orochimaru had genuine feelings for her, even placing the resurrective Cursed Seal on her.
So, how could Anko possibly not recognize Kushina?
Pulling her friend Yuhi Kurenai aside, Anko instantly hid behind a nearby telephone pole!
"Anko, what's wrong?" Looking at her friend, Kurenai was very confused!
"Kurenai, hide! Some strange people have appeared!" Anko's face was covered in cold sweat as she searched her memories.
"Who?" Seeing Anko's state, Kurenai also grew tense, immediately casting a Genjutsu to conceal both of them.
Her friend might be usually unreliable, but in critical moments, she was very dependable. If she said strange people, then they were strange people!
Seeing Kurenai cast the Genjutsu, Anko felt somewhat relieved.
She looked solemnly at Kurenai and said seriously: "Kurenai, I saw Uzumaki Kushina-sama, the wife of the Fourth Hokage!"
"What, Uzumaki Kushina?!" Hearing Anko's words, Kurenai was utterly shocked.
Almost uncontrollably, Kurenai's memory returned to that day, the night of the Nine-Tails Attack, when her father stopped them from participating!
She remembered that, just like her own father, Kushina died during the Nine-Tails Attack!
So, how could a dead person possibly be revived?
Kurenai looked intently at Anko, reconfirming: "Are you sure, Anko?!"
"Sure, and certain!" Anko nodded heavily.
Anko pointed at the dango shop ahead: "They just went in. I couldn't have mistaken them!"
And recalling what she had just seen once more, Anko also remembered something else.
It seemed that besides Kushina, she had also seen another familiar face just now!
Who was that person?
She had an impression of Pakura.
Anko pondered, beginning to recall her past battle experiences.
Finally, Anko remembered!
"It's Pakura! Pakura of the Sand, the Scorch Release User!" Anko exclaimed in astonishment.
Hearing Anko's words, Kurenai grew even more puzzled. She had participated in the Third Great Ninja War and of course knew of the Scorch Release User, Pakura.
But the problem was, Kushina appearing here was somewhat understandable, but what was Pakura's deal?
Kurenai looked strangely at Anko: "The Scorch Release User, Pakura, didn't she die in Kirigakure long ago?"
"I don't know either!" Anko shook her head irritably: "Anyway, that's what I saw!"
"I see..." Hearing Anko's words, Kurenai fell into deep thought.
She certainly believed Anko, but this matter was too significant. They couldn't make a decision so quickly!
"I think we need to verify this further. What do you think, Anko?"
Kurenai looked at Anko.
Under Kurenai's calm demeanor, Anko also settled down.
"Mmm, indeed. Let's use shadow clones!"
Not long after, two shadow clones walked into the dango shop.