The influence of one's environment is significant, Kushina realized, though she had forgotten where she had read that. Before, she hadn't understood it, but now it made perfect sense.
She thought of herself as a prime example. Originally a gentle, kind, diligent, and hardworking girl, she had now grown fond of laziness, indulging in snacks and staying home to read manga.
Her mind quickly traced back to the first half of her life. Who was truly responsible for this transformation?
That hateful big fox, of course. Kushina placed the blame squarely on Kurama.
Inside the cage, Kurama was leisurely manicuring his claws, looking slightly perplexed. "What did I do now?" he asked.
"Wasn't it you who said there's no need to practice?" she shot back.
"Exactly. Practice is pointless. Look at me—I've never practiced, yet only a few can even challenge me!" Kurama replied smugly.
"I told you, if you want to master Wind Release, take Shukaku's chakra. For Fire Release, grab Son Goku's. Once you have that, what can't you learn? Why bother with practice?"
"...That… actually makes sense," Kushina admitted, slightly shaken.
"Of course, I wouldn't lie to you," Kurama said, trying to look reassuring.
"Then where can I find Shukaku and Son Goku?"
Kurama paused, thinking. "Mito mentioned it once… one's in Sunagakure, the other in Iwagakure."
"...Other villages? That's too far. I'll just learn it myself," Kushina said, shaking her head. She couldn't leave Konoha anyway.
Kurama smirked inwardly. He had tricked her first, and now she would play along.
"Ah, this isn't good…" Kushina muttered.
"What is it, brat?" Kurama asked lazily.
"Hayashi has taught Mikoto well, and now he's coming here. What do I do, big fox?"
"Just admit you can't do it," Kurama said bluntly. He really didn't understand the little girl.
"...Too embarrassing," Kushina mumbled, lying on the edge of the cage. "Think of something for me."
Kurama was about to nap when an idea struck him. "...If it's Rasengan, I can help."
"Really? How?" Kushina's eyes widened.
"There's nothing new under the sun in the ninja world. I've lived long enough to see plenty. I've watched at least ten people use Rasengan," Kurama said proudly.
"All imitating me, of course. Always copying, never surpassing… loneliness like snow, who can understand it?"
"...Right," Kushina muttered.
"Anyway, I can teach you, just to deal with that brat," Kurama added.
"And… in exchange, you know…" Kushina began.
"..."
"Hayashi?" Kushina was snapped out of her thoughts by his voice.
"Next, I'll give you special training. Didn't you sleep well last night?" Hayashi asked.
"...No. But, I've got news."
"Hmm?"
"I've already learned Rasengan," Kushina said proudly.
"...Huh?" Hayashi blinked, momentarily confused. Could this girl really be serious?
"Make some space, it's too small here to show it off," she added.
Kushina hesitated briefly, wondering if Kurama could really be trusted. But in order to show off in front of Hayashi, she decided to trust him this time.
After moving to a large open space, Kushina closed her eyes, preparing herself. Dozens of seconds passed before she was ready.
Hayashi felt a sudden, dense, oppressive chakra. Kushina opened her eyes, and her pupils had transformed into a striking red pattern.
Kurama?
Hayashi was uncertain. With Mito's seal in place, Kurama shouldn't be able to influence her like this. Yet Kushina's appearance showed no visible chakra overflow, and her body seemed unchanged.
Shielding her eyes from the sunlight, Kushina inhaled deeply, her expression calm and confident. The mix of elegance, assurance, and unrestrained power radiated from her.
Then she raised her right hand, forming a Rasengan.
Hayashi froze. This was no ordinary Rasengan. The chakra swirled orange-red instead of blue.
Kushina hurled the Rasengan across the open space, spinning like a shuriken. It exploded upon impact, sending smoke and debris into the air. Hayashi activated his Sharingan instantly. The attack was too fast and dense to track with normal vision.
When the smoke cleared, a massive crater marked the ground. This was far beyond a normal Rasengan, and it had only been a casual strike.
Kushina shook her head, slightly dissatisfied, then beckoned Hayashi.
"Want to spar?"
Hayashi was stunned.
Without a word, Kushina stomped the ground and charged. Her speed had at least doubled.
Hayashi met her attack with precise taijutsu, redirecting her momentum. But Kushina immediately followed with a devastating kick to his abdomen.
Hayashi leapt aside just in time. Kushina's foot hit the exact spot he had just vacated, cracking the ground beneath.
Throughout the fight, she used no ninjutsu, relying solely on speed, precision, and brute force. Each strike targeted vulnerable points, near-fatal if landed correctly.
Even in battle, Kushina maintained elegance, casually adjusting her hair with a mirror she pulled from her pocket.
The training ground fell silent. Nawaki, Minato, and Mikoto watched in awe. Could this really be Kushina? Her taijutsu had suppressed Hayashi himself.
After a few minutes, Kushina kicked Hayashi back and leapt onto the wall of the training ground. Brushing hair from her face, she said, "Enough playtime, brat. That's it for today."
She added with a laugh, "Tell Hiruzen Sarutobi I'm taking Kushina out for a spin."
Kurama, satisfied, prepared to leave, but suddenly Kushina's body stiffened. She fell from the wall uncontrollably.
"Too arrogant… this body can only handle five minutes…" Kurama muttered. His last thought before losing consciousness: Hayashi was rushing to help.
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