With those words, Fugaku was embraced by Minato after his heartfelt declaration of love.

A brief silence followed, broken only by the muffled sounds of people trying to stifle their laughter.

Minato's mind went completely blank. He lost the ability to think, his usual carefree demeanor shattered by the shock. Fugaku was no different, utterly stunned by the unexpected situation. Yet, he continued holding Minato, as if his body had refused to let go.

"You guys..."

Finally, the silence was broken by a young Uchiha. His eyes bulged so wide they seemed ready to fall out of his head.

"Holy shit, Fugaku, let go of me!"

Minato snapped out of his stupor, quickly breaking free of Fugaku's embrace. Fugaku, on the other hand, stood frozen. The sudden disappearance of Minato from his arms left him completely dazed, unable to process what had just happened.

"Minato Namikaze confessed to Brother Fugaku?"

The murmurs of the young Uchiha men grew louder as they began piecing things together. The looks they gave Minato and Fugaku were full of complexity. One was the village's golden genius, the other an Uchiha prodigy. The notion of these two being involved seemed unreal, even impossible.

Minato quickly waved his hands toward Fugaku, panic evident in his voice.

"No, Fugaku, let me explain!"

Fugaku finally snapped out of his daze. Seeing Minato's frantic gestures, a chill ran down his spine. Without thinking, he took a step back, shaking his head.

"No, don't come any closer. Minato, it's impossible between us. I like women, not men."

Fear gripped Fugaku as he stared at Minato. The blonde hair he usually saw as harmless now seemed like the scythe of death, and Minato's outstretched hands were the grasping tentacles of hell itself.

"Er, Fugaku, I didn't... I didn't... Let me explain."

"I..."

Minato hesitated, unable to say anything. The whole situation was too embarrassing.

Fugaku, still backing away, looked at him with a mixture of disbelief and apprehension.

"Minato, I never thought you'd have such thoughts about me. Do you realize how dangerous those thoughts are? And what about Kushina? How could you do this to her?"

The mention of Kushina's name detonated like an atomic bomb in Minato's mind. He had been so caught up in the ridiculous bet that he hadn't considered the consequences. If Kushina found out, there was no doubt she'd kill him—or worse.

His thoughts spiraled as he recalled the last time he had crossed Kushina's line. The memory of being caught sneaking into the women's bathhouse flashed vividly in his mind.

"Fugaku, listen to me..."

"No, I won't listen, Minato. I didn't think you were like this."

"I made a bet with Kazuyama. I don't really like you!"

Fugaku trembled again. A bet? He was being used as part of a bet?

Damn Minato Namikaze. What did he take him for? Tricked him into giving his first hug and confessed love—all because of a stupid bet?

In an instant, anger surged in Fugaku's heart like a storm.

"Heh, I treated you as a friend, and you treated me as a bet?"

Fugaku's tone grew sharp, his expression icy.

"Minato, don't say another word. Draw your sword."

"Today, I'll teach you the consequences of using the Uchiha as a bet."

"Don't worry—after I'm done with you, I'll deal with that bastard Kazuyama. He'll keep you company soon enough."

In a flash, the crimson glow of Fugaku's three-tomoe Sharingan emerged. His once calm aura turned razor-sharp, like a blade unsheathed, radiating lethal intent.

"No, Fugaku, I didn't mean it like that! Hey, come on, don't take it seriously—"

Fugaku ignored Minato's desperate pleas. Drawing the long sword from his back, he charged without hesitation.

"Prepare to die, Minato! I'll show you the price of messing with the Uchiha!"

"Fire Release! Great Fireball Technique!"

With a roar, a massive fireball burst forth. The intense heat surged toward Minato like an unstoppable wave.

"Fugaku, I really didn't mean it!" Minato shouted in panic, barely evading the attack with a hurried Body Flicker Technique.

But Fugaku, fueled by anger, had no intention of letting him off so easily.

If the fireball couldn't finish him, then his sword would.

In the middle of the village, under the watchful eyes of bystanders, Minato bolted in a full sprint. Behind him, Fugaku gave chase, sword gleaming in hand.

The two streaked through the streets, playing an impromptu game of deadly tag.

Kazuyama was laughing so hard he was nearly falling over. Alongside Chōmei, he couldn't stop himself.

Ding!

Sensing that the host has caused the incident of Minato confessing his love to Fugaku, special reward: +5 Ninjutsu.

Ding!

Sensing that the host has caused the incident of Minato and Fugaku chasing each other, special reward: +5 Genjutsu.

Hahaha! The rewards had been credited, and Kazuyama couldn't contain his laughter.

"Oh, yes, there's still something I haven't done."

Watching the two leave, Kazuyama suddenly remembered his current state of vulnerability. Without hesitation, he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and teleported to the center of the village. Still using the Transparent Escape Technique, he remained undetectable.

Moving quickly, he scanned the streets for his target. Within moments, he spotted them near the Mission Hall—a figure with unmistakable red hair.

It was Kushina, the future Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, the wife of Minato, and famously known as Konoha's "Red-Hot Habanero."

"Oh, it's you, Sister Kushina."

"Huh? Kazuyama, how are you? What? Are you here to pick up a mission too?"

Due to her relationship with Minato, Kushina had always been friendly toward Kazuyama.

"No, I'm not here to pick up a mission. I came to see you."

Kushina blinked in surprise.

"Huh? See me? What for?"

Kazuyama's expression abruptly turned solemn. His eyes glimmered red with mock despair as he let out a dramatic shout.

"Sister Kushina, I really didn't mean it... I just made a bet with Minato. If I could find a Sensei, he promised to do something for me. So, I casually told him to confess his love to Fugaku as a joke, but he took it seriously!"

"It was obviously a joke, but he actually hugged Fugaku..."

As Kazuyama continued, he noticed a distinct shift in Kushina's demeanor. Her previously calm breathing grew heavier, and her crimson hair began to lift ominously.

"I know I was wrong, and I came here especially to apologize to you."

"Minato and Sister Kushina are a match made in heaven, but because of my nonsense, Minato and Fugaku are now running through the village like fools..."

"I'm sorry, big sister! I was wrong!"

"I really didn't expect Minato and Fugaku to have such feelings!"

With a dramatic flourish, Kazuyama bowed at a full 90-degree angle, his tone drenched in sincerity.

Of course, if he hadn't kept his head down with a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, it might have been even more convincing.