After school.
Uchiha Kaien and Namikaze Minato were just about to head off to their usual training spot when they spotted Uzumaki Kushina looking like the world had just ended.
"Kushina, are you okay?"
She looked completely defeated, like her beliefs had been shattered. The dark look in her eyes made both Kaien and Minato feel a little concerned.
Kaien, as usual, had a few more thoughts swirling in his head.
He knew that Kushina was destined to become the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki someday.
Could she already be feeling the weight of that fate?
But that didn't make much sense—she had been lively and upbeat just this morning.
Kushina stared at Kaien's face, which was only inches away.
It was ridiculously delicate and pretty, his furrowed brows clearly showing concern for her. It was the kind of face that could steal hearts.
But—why did a boy have a face like that?!
That was the very reason Kushina was in such a slump.
This morning, she'd even been talking about getting all chummy with Kaien. And then, during the practical combat class, he had the nerve to line up with the boys!
She felt like the world was playing a cruel joke on her.
No wonder he called Minato his best friend!
"I'm fine. Just a little… shocked. Still recovering. Give me a minute and I'll be good," Kushina waved her hand weakly, trying to brush off their concern.
Kaien found the whole thing a bit amusing.
Was it really that shocking? Sure, his little prank had worked, but he didn't feel quite as victorious as he thought he would.
Damn it.
Why couldn't that draw give him something that would make him more masculine?
After getting his emotions back in order, Kaien and Minato said goodbye to Kushina and headed toward their training spot. But after walking for a while, they realized something.
Kushina's path kept overlapping with theirs.
"Kushina, are you going the same way home?"
"Ah! Not exactly. Tsunade-neesan asked me to meet her at a training field. She said she wanted to introduce me to a couple of other geniuses my age."
Kushina blinked, clearly distracted before giving her explanation.
"Let me guess… You're heading to Training Field No. 3?"
"Huh?! How'd you know, Kaien?!"
Kushina looked surprised—was this guy secretly a mind-reader?
Seeing her that flustered and wide-eyed, Kaien couldn't help but smile.
"I might be bragging a little, but I'm pretty sure Tsunade-neesan was talking about Minato and me. Training Field No. 3 is our usual spot, so that must be where she wants us all to meet."
Kaien explained patiently.
He could already guess what Tsunade was up to. She probably wanted Kushina to connect with people who could offer her a sense of warmth—who better than him and Minato?
After all, he looked kind, pure-hearted, and trustworthy. He was the perfect friend to lift someone's spirits.
"Kushina, you're connected to Tsunade-san? That means we're headed to the same place. Looks like we're going to be spending a lot more time together, huh?"
Minato had already picked up on the situation with his usual sharp observation skills. He smiled, bright and friendly.
"Nice one, Minato. You caught on quick."
Kaien shot him an approving look.
He really was a natural. Even without all the information, Minato could connect the dots just by sensing the vibes.
"Kushina's last name is Uzumaki. The Uzumaki clan, like the Senju and Uchiha, is a major bloodline going back centuries. The Uzumaki are even distant relatives of the Senju. So Minato, you better not let this chance slip by—Kushina's practically a little heiress."
Kaien leaned in, grinning as he laid out the clan relationships for Minato and then threw in a gentle reminder: start flirting, already.
The sooner Minato got close to Kushina, the sooner he could learn the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques—and that would speed up the completion of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Sure, Minato didn't even know what the Flying Thunder God was yet.
But that didn't stop Kaien from fantasizing about learning Minato's future upgraded version.
"Uh… Kaien… Are you allowed to say stuff like that?"
Minato rubbed the back of his head, clearly a little embarrassed.
"Hmph. That girly-looking guy? Like I'd ever fall for him!"
Kushina turned away with a dramatic little pout, chin tilted defiantly.
"...You really are adorable, Kushina."
...
"You're finally here!"
Tsunade's energy level shot through the roof as soon as she saw the three of them arrive together. Even her chest seemed to bounce with every step.
"Looks like you've already gotten to know each other. That makes things easier. From now on, I expect you to get along."
Her tone left no room for negotiation.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama."
"Got it, Tsunade-sama."
Kaien and Minato, the very definition of good kids, nodded in sync.
Minato actually had a good impression of Kushina. Sure, she'd called him girly earlier, but he could tell she didn't mean it maliciously. She probably just wasn't used to the environment yet.
Kaien, of course, already knew about Kushina's warm and kind nature thanks to the original timeline. Making friends with a girl like her felt natural and easy.
...
"Alright, enough chit-chat. There's something more important we need to talk about."
Orochimaru's golden, snake-like eyes scanned the trio before finally landing on Kaien.
"The three of us have been assigned to a mission. We won't be able to guide you for a while. So we've asked a powerful senior shinobi to step in and train you. I believe you'll learn a great deal from him."
His voice, low and smooth, carried an unusual magnetism—like it could pull your trust out of you whether you meant to give it or not.
The ninja world was already beginning to stir. Kumogakure and Kirigakure had been acting strange lately, and Hiruzen Sarutobi had decided to send his three prized students to check the borders.
It was part threat, part training.
If other nations were considering making moves against Konoha, this would send a clear message to back off. At the same time, it would be a chance for Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya to grow stronger.
They were already top-tier jonin—but they were still one step away from a true breakthrough.
The chaos of the current ninja world would be their crucible, helping them shatter their limits and step into a new realm of power.
"All yours, Sakumo-senpai."
As Orochimaru stepped aside, a white-haired figure appeared, walking up beside Jiraiya.
The man had an aura like a sharpened blade—dangerous, calm, and ready to strike at any moment.
"This is Hatake Sakumo, captain of the Anbu. While we're away, you'll be under his guidance. Make sure you listen to him."
Jiraiya grinned, then casually handed Sakumo a book of unknown content.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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