Recreating the multi-shadow clone jutsu took a month, and another to master to a level that Akira found acceptable.
He could now create a hundred clones, have them learn, and he could handle the chakra and information feedback properly.
Akira wanted to get started on finding right away, but Kushina’s birthday was coming up, and they were planning their annual Uzushiogakure visit.
Honestly, the only reason they went to Uzu is because Mito wanted to have a family vacation.
The only person Kushina knew was her caretaker, meaning she didn’t really have any personal connections, especially since she had Akira now.
For the birthday, Akira decided to go with Hana to buy a gift.
So after getting Mito to keep Kushina for some one on one fuinjutsu lessons in the evening, he headed out.
Akira met Hana halfway, and they both ventured to the shops.
“Akira-kun, do you have anything in mind?” Hana asked.
“I was thinking along the lines of a necklace.” Replied Akira.
“Alright, follow me, I know an accessory shop.”
Hana picked up the pace, leading Akira along.
The shopping district was filled so they had to make their way through a crowd of people.
Realizing how easy it was to get lost, Akira swiftly took Hana’s hand in his, making her turn around.
“So we don’t get lost.” he said, giving her hand a squeeze.
Hana nodded stiffly, face quickly going a shade of pink.
‘Cute.’ He thought.
After finding the shop, Akira didn’t let go, but started browsing, hand in hand.
Eventually he stopped at a necklace that had a red gem in the centre.
“That necklace represents a strongly bonded family.” The shopkeeper said, seeing his interest.
Akira imagined Kushina with the necklace, nodded once, and decisively bought it.
While he was paying, he saw Hana looking at some blue earrings.
Taking a closer look, he found them quite beautiful.
“This too please.” He said, pointing at the earrings.
Hana, embarrassed at being caught, try to refuse, but Akira insisted.
“They compliment your eyes beautifully, think of it as payment for helping me with the birthday present.” He said.
The earrings did compliment her eyes, the blue contrasting the white.
After getting them he put them up to her ears and nodded, satisfied with his choice.
Hana accepted it gratefully, her face getting even more embarrassed than before.
She eventually settled on a nice smelling hand cream for Kushina after some browsing.
They left the shop, still holding hands, and Akira decided to walk her home.
During the entire walk, Hana’s head was buried in her chest, extremely embarrassed.
At the entrance to the Hyuga compound, Akira finally let fo of her hand, though he felt some regret.
“Thanks again, Hana, for helping me.” He said, turning to face her.
Hana, mustering up some courage, raised her head.
“No problem Akira-kun, and thank you for the earrings.” She replied.
“Don’t worry about it. Goodnight Hana.”
“Goodnight Akira.”
The morning of July 10th came swiftly.
Kushina was the up early and she burst into Akira’s room, waking him in the process.
“Akira! Wake up, it’s my birthday!” She explained, jumping on his bed.
“Why are you up so early.” Akira replied groggily.
“Cuz it’s my birthday dummy! Cmon let’s go!”
She started yanking him out of bed and into the Kitchen.
Seated at the table, with a steaming pile of food, was Mito.
Seeing them come in, Kushina with more energy than usual, and Akira half asleep, she smiled.
“Go brush your teeth, and wake up Tsunade and Nawaki. Breakfast won’t go anywhere.”
During breakfast, Kushina kept looking at Akira.
‘She probably wants her present now, but I’m going to give her mine last.’ He thought, seeing her fidgeting.
As soon as she was finished, Kushina ran right in Akira’s face.
“Where’s my present?” She asked, with barely contained excitement.
“I’ll give you after the party.” He said.
After Kushina finished changing into a fiery red dress, their friends started trickling in, and the party started getting under way.
Kushina spent most of the time with Hana while Akira and the rest of the boys sat at the side, talking.
After a while, Tsunade came out with a cake.
Closing her eyes tightly, Kushina made a wish and then blew out the candles.
Then came gifts, Hana with hand cream, Tsunade with a book and Mito with some clothes.
Akira stood to the side, with no intention of giving his yet.
After the guests left, and Nawaki was helping clean up, Akira pulled Kushina to the side.
Taking out a small jewelry box, Akira gave Kushina the necklace.
“Happy birthday, Kushina.” He said.
Simple, direct and straight to the point.
Kushina opened the box, and her eyes went wide.
Letting out an audible gasp, she said,”It’s beautiful.”
After taking it out and admiring it, she handed it to Akira.
“Put it on me, please?” She asked, a look of quiet anticipation on her face.
Akira took the necklace and Kushina turned around, raising her hair to reveal her slender neck.
He stared for a moment, then put the necklace around her neck, clipping the back.
“How does it look?” She asked, spinning around.
Akira stared at her, taking in the sight of her in the red dress and the necklace, and decided to be truthful.
“You look breathtaking.” He said, looking her straight in the eyes.
Kushina quickly went red, but she had a smile on her face.
The week after, they all packed to go Uzu.
Kushina was particularly excited, going back to see her caretaker and tell her all about her new life with Akira.
Uzushiogakure was just how they left it, loud.
They quickly settled in Kushina’s old home and just spent a few days relaxing.
The days flew by fast, with Akira and his family having a great vacation.
Mito caught up with the clan head and Tsunade, as usual went to a casino.
Kushina and Akira wandered around Uzu, hand in hand just taking in the sights, unaware a red haired boy was glaring at them both.
The family even visited a hot spring, which Akira never had the privilege of going to in his past life.
Sitting in the warm water was soul cleansing.
It felt like all his worries were washed away and for once since he reincarnated, Akira forgot about the enemies he had to face in the future.
He was just a boy, enjoying the hot springs with his loving family.
The return to Konoha was peaceful.
Unfortunately Akira only had a year before facing one of his worst enemies: school.
The thought of sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher again almost made him want to defect from Konoha.
The only thing that stopped him was the thought of getting to spend time with Kushina and Hana at school.
Since he only had a year, and he now had the multi-shadow clone jutsu and sharingan, it was time to lock in and do a training montage.