Chapter 7: The Search for Connection
Uzumaki Mito fell into deep thought as she listened to Kushina speak about Kagenori. The girl noticed her unusual stillness.
"Grandma Mito, what's wrong?" Kushina asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Uzumaki Mito shook her head gently, a soft smile gracing her features. "Kushina, do you truly wish to be friends with Kagenori?"
Kushina nodded vigorously, her red hair bouncing with the motion. "Yes!"
Uzumaki Mito's expression grew serious. "Kagenori spoke truthfully. Befriending him may lead to you being disliked by many. If you pursue this friendship, you must be prepared and not give up when things become difficult." She paused, her eyes growing distant. "I believe Kagenori is deeply lonely and yearns for companionship. He has no family in Konoha and faces hatred from everyone. His life has been very hard."
She looked directly into Kushina's eyes. "I hope you two can become friends and ease each other's loneliness. But Kushina, are you truly prepared for this?"
Uzumaki Kushina's fighting spirit seemed to ignite, her posture straightening with determination. "Grandma Mito, I'm ready!"
A relieved smile touched Uzumaki Mito's lips.
"But, Grandma Mito," Kushina asked, confusion clouding her features, "why is Kagenori hated by everyone? Did he do something bad? My first impression of him was good. And he said he doesn't have a family name—I've never met anyone without one before."
Uzumaki Mito sighed deeply. "Kagenori did nothing wrong. He's a victim of two ninja clans that despise each other—a poor child caught between ancient hatreds." Her voice softened. "He lacks a family name because one clan refuses to acknowledge him, while the other abandoned their surname long ago. Thus, he has only a given name."
The young Uzumaki Kushina didn't fully understand the complexities Mito described, her expression remaining puzzled.
Uzumaki Mito patted Kushina's back gently. "You must be tired. Go rest now—you have school tomorrow."
Kushina hopped from Mito's lap. "Okay! Good night, Grandma Mito!"
Uzumaki Mito watched the girl depart with affectionate eyes. As the room emptied, loneliness settled around the former Jinchūriki. She understood all too well the pain of isolation.
The next morning, Uzumaki Kushina arrived at the ninja academy brimming with renewed determination. She'd secretly resolved to befriend Kagenori today.
But if he refused...
Kushina's clever mind quickly devised a solution.
She'd just beat him until he agreed to be her friend!
However, upon reaching the classroom, her hopes fell—Kagenori's seat remained empty. With no acquaintances to ask about his whereabouts, she could only wonder.
Meanwhile, the boys she'd beaten previously sought retaliation. But in physical confrontations, Uzumaki Kushina never backed down. Her fiery temper and dancing red hair became a familiar sight as she repeatedly defended herself with her fists.
Three days passed.
Each day, Uzumaki Kushina dealt with would-be troublemakers, but her spirits sank lower with each passing hour. Kagenori's continued absence forced her friendship plans indefinitely on hold.
Unbeknownst to her, Kagenori lay unconscious in the Konoha hospital.
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen took a long draw from his pipe. "What of Kagenori? Has he awakened?"
An ANBU materialized behind him, kneeling on one knee. "He remains unconscious, Lord Third."
Sarutobi's brow furrowed. "Four days and still not awake? What does the hospital say?"
The ANBU reported, "His chakra is severely depleted, his chakra pathways sustain varying damage, and his muscles show significant strain—particularly in his hands and legs. The medical-nin confirm these injuries resulted from lightning-style techniques."
Sarutobi exhaled a slow smoke cloud, his eyes glinting. "So the forest destruction was indeed his doing. It seems he's mastered remarkable lightning techniques." He set down his pipe. "When do they expect him to wake?"
"Earliest estimate is tomorrow."
"Report immediately when he regains consciousness."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" The ANBU vanished.
Another school day ended with no sign of Kagenori, deepening Uzumaki Kushina's disappointment. As she gathered her belongings to return to Mito's residence, she noticed someone watching her.
Assuming more troublemakers sought retaliation, she whirled around ready for confrontation. Instead, she found Namikaze Minato still seated, his gaze fixed on her. When their eyes met, his cheeks flushed crimson, and he immediately looked down.
Uzumaki Kushina shook her fist threateningly. "If you mess with me, I'll beat you up too!"
Having delivered her warning, she turned and marched away without looking back. Truthfully, she viewed Minato as too effeminate. Moreover, on her first day when she'd boldly declared her ambition to become Konoha's first female Hokage, he'd stood and announced similar ambitions—as if saying her dream was impossible, that even someone like him stood better chances.
Thus, Uzumaki Kushina thoroughly disliked Namikaze Minato.
After she departed, Minato pouted in委屈, unable to comprehend why she harbored such animosity toward him.
Uzumaki Kushina returned to Mito's mansion, her dejection evident.
"Grandma Mito, I'm back."
Seeing the girl's dispirited state, Uzumaki Mito chuckled softly. "It seems Kagenori didn't attend again today?"
Uzumaki Kushina slumped into a chair. "Yeah. I finally worked up my courage, but he never showed. Now I'm almost out of courage completely."
Uzumaki Mito shook her head gently. "Kushina, once you've set your mind to something, you cannot abandon it halfway."
"I know! I'm not giving up," Kushina insisted, scratching her head in frustration, "but how can I befriend him if he never comes to school?"
Uzumaki Mito's eyes twinkled with secret knowledge. "I know where Kagenori is~"