Crossing her arms Tsunade narrowed her eyes at both her grandmother Mito and her teacher Hiruzen.
"Tsunade, don't look at us like that." Hiruzen said.
"How can I not when you just told me you're considering dealing the demon fox inside of that young girl." Tsunade replied.
"Tsunade, we know it is not ideal but there aren't many options we can take given the circumstances." Hiruzen said.
"Tsunade dear, you know I am old, and I'm not getting any younger." Mito said.
"But you still have many good years left." Tsunade replied. "And if Kushina is made the villages new Jinchuriki then it'll be removed from you and you... you'll die." She managed to say.
When she did Mito only looked at her eldest grandchild with a warm and kind smile on her face. "Tsunade dear, you more than anyone else knows no one lives forever. And I have lived a good life. One where I got to see many great things, including my grandchildren being born, and one of them becoming a pillar that will protect the future generations. So for the most part I am content. I have no regrets and if I were to pass away tomorrow I would do so with a smile on my face. Though for me before that can become a reality I have one more task I need to accomplish. And that is to prepare young Kushina to take over my role."
"Grandma." Tsunade mused. "I get where you're coming from. But again, why does it have to be that young girl who hasn't even lived her life yet? Why can't it be someone older?"
"Because as you know Tsunade dealing a tailed beast inside of a new Jinchuriki works better the younger in age they are. And as I told young Kazuha earlier Kushina is exceptionally bright and talented. Her skills in fuinjutsu are already high level, and given a few more years I know they will become terrifying. Not to mention she already has access to the Uzumaki Adamantine Sealing Chains." Hiruzen explained.
Leading to Tsunade getting a slightly shocked expression on her face.
"Okay grandma, sensei, I understand now. But I just have one final question. Does Kushina know what fate might be in store for her?"
"Not yet." Mito replied. "We want her to get a bit used to Konoha before we tell her the full truth."
"Which is in part why we introduced her to you, Nawaki, and Kazuha today. For since technically you are all family Mito and I are hoping you can support her whatever comes her way."
"Yes, please do." Mito asked.
Since she knew better than anyone what made a good Jinchuriki wasn't the strength of their seal but the strength of their heart.
"I won't make any promises." Tsunade replied.
Leading both Hiruzen and Mito to smile.
Since they knew that was Tsunade way of basically saying yes.
***
"And here are the clams personal training grounds." Kazuha spoke.
Kushina looking them all over.
While Nawaki stood off the side, cowering, his body now covered in even more bruises.
Given that after Kushina punched him out of the room earlier she best him up again.
Then after she finished Kazuha gave her a tour of the Senju clan compound as Mito had asked.
Dragging Nawaki along with him despite his protests.
To help out.
Definitely not be because Kazuha enjoyed watching Kushina beat shit out of our his cousin, who was basically like Naruto but with brown hair.
Well, maybe a little.
"So with this the tour is over." Kazuha said. "How did you like it?"
"It was nice." Kushina replied. "I just how the Uzumaki clan compound looks as nice as this one when the village is done building it."
"They're doing that?" Kazuha asked.
Kushina nodding. "Yep. The Hokage told me himself."
"I see." Kazuha mused. "On that note, are you going to be a shinobi Kushina?"
"What do you mean, I already am?!" She proclaimed.
"I mean are you going to be a shinobi for Konohagakure?"
"That's what I mean." Kushina replied. "For in addition to being the clan head of the Uzumaki branch here in Konohagakure, I am also going to join the ranks of its shinobi."
"So you're going to attend the academy?"
"Yep, staring tomorrow." Kushina spoke.
"No!!!" Nawaki cried.
"That's wonderful to hear." Kazuha said. Giving Kushina soft smile.
While once again ignoring Nawaki cries.
***
The following day, early in the morning, Nawaki and Kazuha were walking the streets of Konoha, backpacks over their shoulders, as they made their way towards the academy.
But this morning was a bit different, as Kushina was walking with them.
Well mostly with Kazuha.
Since Nawaki was walking back several steps.
For after the beatings Kushina gave him the previous day he was now scared of her.
But that was his own fault.
Even if he didn't want to admit it.
Moving on, in no time at all the trio arrived at the school.
Once they did Nawaki split off from Kazuha and Kushina.
Given he was only five years old, and thus in a different class than the two of them.
"See you later Kazuha-nii, Kushina." He said.
"You two Nawaki." Kazuha replied.
"Enjoy your day brat." Kushina added.
Once the two of them did the pair headed to their own classroom.
Since even though Kazuha was a few years older than Kushina they are in the same class.
Because unlike in Naruto time during canon the Konoha Shinobi Academy is very different.
Namely because it's more Shinobi than civilian focused.
Sure Kazuha and his classmates still take basics classes such as history, math, even some science, but they also take other classes such as survival training, and weapons training.
Hell, in addition to the three standard jutsu needed for graduation in this form Kazuha and his classmates are even taught one low level elemental jutsu each.
More if they show the proper skills.
So again the academy is very different than in Naruto time.
Kazuha having wondered how it could've degraded so damn far by that time.
But when he factored in the almost back to back wars along with other factors he could see how it happened.
But on that note he's also decided to keep such a change from happening.
Since he finds the current Shinobi Academy he is attending much better for preparing future Shinobi than the future travesty he saw in the anime.
Actually just thinking about it makes him want to throw up.
But back to the main topic.
Even if certain students in the same class have an age gap if they enter the academy the same year, then as long as they meet the requirements they can graduate together.
Kazuha clas being a prime example of that.
Reaching the classroom door he opened it and stepped inside.
Kushina right behind him.
Once they did he closed the door behind them.
"Morning Kazuha."
"Good morning Kazuha, whose you're red headed friend?"
Then immediately after he did Kazuha was greeted by two of his classmates and friends.
The first was none other than Minato Namikaze, Kushina future husband.
While the second was a young Mikoto Uchiha.
"Morning Mikoto, Minato." Kazuha replied. "And as for who my friend is, this is one Kushina Uzumaki." He introduced.
***
A/N: Okay so this is just a bit of the timeline for clarity sake, since the only important dates Kishimoto marked in Naruto were birthdays, just to everyone an idea of where we are in the Naruto world timeline.
First Shinobi War - 17 years past.
Kazuha Senju - age 10
Nawaki Senju - age 5
Tsunade Senju - age 22
Mikoto Uchiha - age 10
Kushina Uzumaki - age 7
Minato Namikaze - age 7