Sitting in the classroom, Akira yawned repeatedly.
What he hated most was having to wake up early and come to school.
If he’d known it would be like this, he would have developed the String Clone technique sooner.
Hmm…
I’ll give it a try when I get home today.
Just then, their homeroom teacher, Inoue Ishino, walked into the classroom.
After sweeping his gaze across the students, he nodded in satisfaction.
At least none of these brats were late today.
“Class, I have an announcement.” “We have a new student joining us today.
Everyone, give her a warm welcome!” Amid the applause, Inoue Ishino beckoned to the girl waiting outside the door and motioned for her to introduce herself.
Akira, who had been half asleep moments earlier, instantly became wide awake.
Why does she look so familiar?
“Hello, everyone.
My name is Uzumaki Kushina.” “I’m going to become the Hokage’s wife!” The moment those words left Kushina’s mouth, the entire classroom fell silent.
Then it exploded into laughter.
“Hahahaha!
What is she talking about?” “Did she just say she’s going to marry the Hokage?” “Hahaha!
What a joke!
If she can become the Hokage’s wife, then I’d be invincible!” “Look at her hair!
It’s so ugly!
She looks just like a tomato!” Kushina’s face turned bright red with anger.
What the heck are these idiots talking about?!
Just as she was about to fire back, a lazy voice drifted into her ears.
“I say…” “What exactly are you all laughing at?” “Making fun of someone else’s dream…
don’t you think that’s pretty pathetic?” “And besides…” “Who says red hair isn’t beautiful?
I think hair like that looks really nice.” The classroom instantly fell silent.
Everyone turned toward the boy sitting at the back.
Akira calmly swept his gaze across the room.
“What are you all staring at me for?” “I’m just telling the truth.” Honestly, the words of these little kids had annoyed him.
“S-So…
Akira likes girls with red hair?” “Damn it!
Why wasn’t I born with red hair?” Kushina stood frozen.
She hadn’t expected the atmosphere of the entire classroom to change just because one boy had spoken.
Not far away, Minato Namikaze opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he remained silent.
Instead, he shot Akira a rather resentful look.
My friend just stole all my thunder…
“Ahem, alright.” Inoue Ishino clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention back to him.
“From now on, you all need to get along, understood?” “Kushina, take the empty seat next to Akira.” He pointed toward the boy who had just spoken.
Kushina nodded obediently without saying anything and walked over.
“Thank you.” After taking her seat beside him, she whispered softly.
At the same time, she secretly glanced at the boy sitting next to her.
He’s so handsome…
He’s even better-looking than Father…
“I was only telling the truth.” Akira answered casually.
“And I just don’t like watching those guys act like that.” “If they ever bully you, just tell me.” “I’ll have your back.” “Hmph!” Completely unaware that she’d already caught the attention of a certain big bad wolf, Kushina snorted proudly.
“I’m going to become the Hokage’s wife!
Why would I be afraid of a few little brats?” “If they dare bully me, I’ll beat them until they cry!” Big Sister Tsunade had taught her that.
According to Tsunade, this move worked exceptionally well against a certain pervert.
Though Kushina still had no idea who that person actually was.
“Then you’d better work hard.” A trace of amusement flashed through Akira’s eyes.
“Becoming the Hokage’s wife isn’t exactly easy.” For some reason, he suddenly found teasing children rather entertaining.
Unfortunately, the little redhead didn’t notice anything strange.
Instead, she declared confidently, “Just wait and see!” “I’ll be looking forward to it.” … The dull school day finally came to an end.
At least, that’s how Akira felt.
Everything they taught at the academy was something he’d already mastered long ago.
If he weren’t trying to avoid being sent to the battlefield too early, he would have applied for graduation already.
“Come to think of it…
the Second Great Ninja War should be drawing to a close.” His eyes flickered thoughtfully.
Recently, more and more ninja who had gone to the front lines had begun returning to the village.
Which meant…
Is it finally ending?
If he remembered correctly, the Hidden Cloud would soon send representatives to Konoha.
Officially, they would claim they were coming to sign a peace treaty.
In reality…
Their true objective was to kidnap Uzumaki Kushina.
The Hidden Cloud’s sealing techniques were crude, and they lacked a suitable Jinchūriki candidate.
That was why they had set their sights on one of the surviving members of the Uzumaki Clan.
Thinking about it, Akira couldn’t help complaining inwardly.
It’s not like Konoha is the only place with surviving Uzumaki.
There are survivors in the Land of Rain.
And in Kusagakure too.
So why target Konoha’s?
“Whatever.” Akira shook his head.
“The reason doesn’t matter anymore.” “As long as you dare make your move…” “You can stay here forever.” After all, he was determined to become the man who would one day be the father-in-law of both Sasuke and Naruto.
How could he possibly stand by and let someone kidnap Little Chili Pepper?
Meanwhile, back at the Senju Clan compound, Kushina was in an exceptionally good mood.
She had made a new friend today.
More importantly…
He was incredibly handsome!
Watching Kushina happily humming to herself, Uzumaki Mito smiled gently.
“Did something good happen today, little Kushina?” “You seem especially happy.” “Grandma Mito!” Kushina immediately beamed.
“I met a really interesting person today!” She excitedly began recounting everything that had happened.
The more she talked, the happier she became.
Meanwhile, the stranger Mito’s expression grew.
This child couldn’t possibly…
Thinking that, Mito’s smile became even warmer.
“He sounds like quite a nice young man.” “If you get the chance, bring him to meet Grandma Mito.” She understood better than anyone that a Jinchūriki needed love.
Only someone whose heart was filled with love could resist the influence of the Tailed Beast instead of eventually becoming nothing more than a living weapon.