Where Kushina nodded vigorously, her bright red hair swaying with the movement of her head. "This thing is amazing! One of the best things I've ever brought from Uzushio!"
The boy leaned forward, Minato's legs crossed, and his palms resting on the park bench.
Minato's gaze was fixed on Kushina's watch, which from a distance looked like an ordinary piece of jewelry, but up close appeared more complex, almost like a device from another world.
"Oh… So, you can contact your family with that?" Minato asked, his eyes sparkling like a child who had just seen a technological wonder.
Kushina nodded slowly, but this time with hesitation.
"Yeah… something like that. I hadn't thought about calling them before…" Kushina said while looking at her watch.
Then, as if just remembering, Kushina raised her hand higher, bringing it closer to her mouth. "Then, 'Call Reiji Uzumaki.'"
The watch glowed softly, emitting a bluish-green light that reflected on Kushina's face.
A mechanical voice sounded from within the watch, loud yet clear:
[Calling: Reiji Uzumaki... Calling... Connected.]
A small screen appeared, forming a rectangle that floated an inch above the watch.
Reiji's face appeared—a boy with dark red hair, a thin face, slightly disheveled, and eyes that looked like he had just woken up from a long sleep.
Reiji's hair was messy, and he seemed to be wearing a loose jacket that was half-open, revealing a chest adorned with small, fresh scars.
"Brother Reiji!" Kushina exclaimed as soon as the face appeared.
Kushina's voice became loud, like a child who had just found their protector again.
Reiji squinted, looking at her lazily.
"Oh... Kushina?" Reiji mumbled while rubbing his eyes.
"If you want to talk to Karina, just call her directly. I'm busy right now…"
"No! This is important, Brother Reiji!" Kushina insisted, her voice and expression turning serious in an instant.
"It's about our clan—about Uzushio Village! I feel like something is wrong… this could be a big threat!"
Reiji was silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh, as if trying to suppress both sleepiness and disbelief in one breath.
"You've only been in Konoha for a few days, and you're already talking like that?"
Kushina clenched her fists.
"I'm serious!" Kushina shouted, her eyes locking directly onto the screen, filled with conviction and also… fear.
The screen fell silent.
Even the sound of the wind seemed to be held back.
Reiji looked back with eyes that were now more open, more aware.
Reiji's expression changed.
From lazy to firm, from tired to alert.
"Calm down, Kushina," Reiji said slowly, his deep voice sounding steady.
"The Uzushio Village will always be safe."
"The Uzumaki clan will not be destroyed."
"Not as long as I'm alive."
"Don't you remember who I am?"
Their gazes met—through the screen, but it felt real.
Kushina fell silent.
Her face tensed, but slowly she exhaled.
"…Alright…" Kushina finally whispered.
There was a sense of trust there.
A trust that did not come from empty promises, but from childhood memories and scars that had long since healed.
Reiji smiled slightly. "So, how's your new life in Konoha? Have you made any friends at the academy?"
"WHAT—?! O-Of course I have!" Kushina replied, her voice rising, almost like a shout.
Kushina's face turned red, and she quickly glanced at the bushes behind her, as if hoping they could save her dignity.
In reality… Kushina didn't have a single friend.
On her first day at the academy, Kushina had already caused a commotion.
The other children were afraid of Kushina.
Some mocked her hair.
Others just stared from a distance.
No one dared to approach Kushina.
Reiji squinted. "Hmm? Is your friend a boy?"
"No!" Kushina shot back, glaring at Reiji.
------------------------------
[Announcement: A New Novel Has Been Added!
The Puppet Maker in the World of Naruto
A man who is a scientist, researcher, and expert mechanic in robotics dies in a massive explosion that occurs in his laboratory while developing an advanced robot project. However, instead of experiencing death as he thought, the man awakens in another world—a strange place with vast stretches of desert.
There, the man is surrounded by people who can jump high, calling themselves ninjas. The confusion he initially felt grows as he realizes that this world is not unfamiliar to him. This is the world of Naruto! However, there is one thing that surprises him.
"Isn't this Sunagakure? Why am I not in Konoha? This poorest village... Oh my God, this is serious!"
Now, in the midst of a new life filled with danger and uncertainty, the scientist must find a way to survive in Sunagakure, a harsh place full of limitations. With his robotic knowledge, can the man change his fate in this ninja world, or will he fall along with the village?]
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