"Alright, alright, no problem. I'll definitely go with you tomorrow."
"Don't worry, now that I know about it, I'll help you for sure."
"By the way, whose idea was this?"
"Hirakawa Yuuki? That's the name?"
"Okay, go on now. Go spend some time with Granny Mito."
The door creaked as it closed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Kushina's figure as she left, the warm smile on his face slowly fading.
He picked up his pipe from the table and lit it, taking a long drag.
A thick stream of smoke spilled from his mouth, filling the Hokage's office with a haze of white.
Lowering his head slightly, Hiruzen furrowed his brow, deep in thought.
After a moment, he waved his hand, and a hidden ANBU operative appeared silently.
"Lord Hokage."
"You've already investigated the students in Kushina's class, right?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
"What about Hirakawa Yuuki's family?"
The ANBU crouched, thinking for a moment before replying.
"Hirakawa Yuuki, male, eight years old. His parents run a flower shop on Konoha's main commercial street. They're kind people who lead regular lives. Yuuki trains at a nearby practice field morning and night. No suspicious behavior at all."
The ANBU paused briefly.
"There's just one thing of note. Yuuki's grandmother was from the Senju clan. Both Yuuki and his father carry Senju blood."
"Other than that, he's just an ordinary child born and raised in Konoha."
Hiruzen's expression didn't change at first, but when he heard mention of Senju blood, he glanced at the ANBU beside him.
Taking another puff of his pipe, he rose from his chair.
"What about his ninja talent?"
The ANBU thought for a moment.
"Yuuki got into the elite class thanks to his academic scores. Even his teachers praise his grasp of theory. His ninja skills are above average. In recent practical training, he has performed well and ranks near the top of his class."
At last, Hiruzen showed a hint of interest.
"Kind-hearted, hardworking, clever, helps classmates in need, no suspicious traits, good ninja potential, and a descendant of our founding clan."
"He's a good child. Keep an eye on him and help him along."
Hiruzen's eyes softened with a trace of a smile, pleased that the academy had produced such a promising student.
He stepped over to the floor-to-ceiling window behind his desk and gazed out at the village.
"Another fresh leaf on the tree," he murmured.
The next day at the academy.
Yuuki hadn't expected Kushina to act so fast. He also hadn't expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to take her so seriously.
He had only suggested yesterday that she bring someone she trusted, and now here was the Third Hokage himself, holding Kushina's hand as they walked into the classroom.
Kushina's status as jinchuriki was top secret. Even most of Konoha's upper ranks didn't know. The kids at the academy certainly didn't.
So when they saw the Hokage enter with Kushina, they were shocked.
Especially the ones who had bullied her. Their hearts pounded with fear, terrified that Kushina was somehow close to the Hokage.
Hiruzen led Kushina up to the front of the class, scanning the students with a gentle smile.
"Children, study hard."
"I'm trusting you all to take good care of Kushina."
"Make sure you get along, alright?"
He spoke with the warmth and authority of a true leader, giving an impromptu speech that lasted nearly half an hour. Only when the bell rang to start class did he finally realize how much time had passed.
He turned and nodded at Mizukawa Katsumi, who had been waiting patiently at the door. Then he stepped down from the platform.
As if remembering something, Hiruzen bent down and whispered a question to Kushina.
Then Yuuki noticed the Hokage glance at him.
It wasn't just a glance. Hiruzen's gaze swept over Yuuki as if sizing him up from head to toe, his eyes full of something strange and hard to place.
Yuuki felt a chill run down his spine under that look.
Hiruzen seemed satisfied. He nodded and left the classroom to Mizukawa.
Kushina, at the Hokage's signal, skipped back to her seat, her spirits lifted by the amazed looks on everyone's faces.
"Yuuki, you were right. They'll never dare bully me again."
She beamed at Yuuki as she shared her victory.
Yuuki didn't answer right away. His eyes drifted past Kushina's face to where Minato sat.
Minato wasn't the mature, steady young man he would become after training under Jiraiya and fighting in the wars.
Right now, he was just a shy boy who liked to read.
Like now.
Minato held a thick book, but his gaze kept flicking toward Yuuki's desk.
Not at Yuuki, of course, but at the red-haired girl sitting beside him.
Yuuki shook his head. The kids in this world really did grow up too fast.
At eight or nine, Minato already had someone he liked, just like Sakura and Ino in the future.
In his previous life, kids that age were still playing house.
"Yuuki, you know..."
Listening to Kushina chatter on beside him, then looking at Minato stealing glances their way, Yuuki felt an odd sense of unease.
Now that Kushina had the Hokage's backing, no one would dare pick on her again. But if no one bothered her anymore, when would she and Minato have the chance to grow close?
The thought crossed his mind again.
If those two never got together, how would Naruto be born? Would he have to burst out of a rock like the Monkey King?
Sun Wukong Naruto?
Yuuki shook his head, pushing the silly thought away.
He glanced at Kushina, then at Minato, and decided to leave it alone. Some things were better left to fate.
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