Kushina Uzumaki took Chinya's hand and walked into the classroom, leaving a group of children completely stunned.
It was clear that Chinya and Kushina Uzumaki had become close — they were now friends.
The two people they disliked the most had actually become friends.
They couldn't beat Kushina Uzumaki before, and now they couldn't beat Chinya either.
If "The Red-Hot Habanero" and this "traitor" teamed up, how could they ever get back at them in the future?!
Chinya didn't notice these kids, instead focusing on Minato Namikaze.
At that moment, Minato stared intently at Kushina Uzumaki and Chinya's clasped hands.
Chinya's eyes narrowed slightly.
So even now, Minato already liked Kushina Uzumaki?
This time though, Kushina Uzumaki will definitely never be with you!
Blushing, Kushina Uzumaki pulled Chinya to a seat and sat down.
Her boldness was meant to show everyone that Chinya was her friend.
Hayato Masuda entered the classroom to start teaching.
Chinya composed himself and turned his attention to the lesson.
Although the courses taught at the Ninja Academy were very basic, basics were often the most important part.
Before long, the afternoon classes came to an end.
After Hayato Masuda left, everyone began packing their belongings to leave.
However, Kushina Uzumaki acted as if she were facing a formidable enemy, scanning the area warily.
Chinya asked curiously, "Kushina, what's wrong?"
Kushina Uzumaki replied solemnly, "Be careful! That annoying group always picks on me after school every day!"
Chinya felt a pang of sympathy for Kushina Uzumaki. Coming to Konoha as a Nine-Tails jinchūriki candidate, yet being bullied by ignorant children.
And those jinchuriki — even if not honored as heroes, it was understandable... Yet they still faced such harsh discrimination.
Stepping forward, Chinya said, "I'll walk ahead. If those guys bother you again, I'll help you beat them up!"
Looking at Chinya's protective back, Kushina Uzumaki felt warmth inside. From today onward, she finally had a friend too.
Chinya accompanied Kushina Uzumaki out of the Ninja Academy, but no one tried to cause any trouble.
Kushina Uzumaki looked puzzled. "They always ambush me everyday. Why is it different today?"
Chinya smiled. "Maybe those bullies have already been beaten into submission by you."
Excitedly waving her small fist, Kushina Uzumaki exclaimed, "Really? That'd be great! I'm so tired of dealing with them — finally some peace and quiet!"
Very naturally, Chinya took Kushina Uzumaki's small hand. "Come on, let me walk you home."
"Mm!"
Holding Chinya's hand, Kushina Uzumaki suddenly seemed like a different person — her voice became unusually soft rather than loud and outspoken.
All the way home, villagers gave Chinya quite strange looks, although no one directly insulted or mocked him on the streets.
Chinya guessed it might be because Hiruzen Sarutobi's visit to the Ninja Hospital had already spread around.
Following Kushina Uzumaki's directions, Chinya escorted her all the way to the gate of Mito Uzumaki's residence.
Chinya let go of Kushina Uzumaki's tiny hand and said goodbye, "Kushina, see you tomorrow."
Kushina Uzumaki ran to the door and waved her little hand at Chinya, "See you tomorrow, Chinya!"
Kushina bounced happily into the residence. Chinya headed toward his new home. His cheerful mood made his steps light and bouncy.
Entering the residence, Kushina Uzumaki saw Mito Uzumaki sitting on a chair. Kushina excitedly called out, "Grandma Mito, I'm back!"
Kushina immediately threw herself into Mito Uzumaki's arms.
Mito affectionately stroked Kushina's red hair, "Why are you so happy today? Let me guess—is it because Chinya was discharged from the hospital and became your friend?"
Kushina shyly buried her head in Mito's chest and muffledly replied, "Mmm."
Amused, Mito smiled and said, "Tell Grandma Mito how you two became friends."
Kushina narrated the entire process to Mito.
Mito's expression grew increasingly tender.
"So it was Chinya who took the initiative. Since you've promised to be lifelong friends, both of you must always get along well, understand?"
Kushina nodded firmly, "Yes, I definitely will!"
Over the next few days, Chinya and Kushina Uzumaki were almost inseparable, going to school together and returning home together.
Their bond grew deeper day by day until they were sharing everything with each other.
Three days later.
After escorting Kushina Uzumaki back to Mito Uzumaki's residence, Chinya arrived in front of the Hokage Tower.
He had previously promised Hiruzen Sarutobi that he would hand over Thunder Breathing to Konoha, and now the time had come.
It would be troublesome if Hiruzen waited too long.
Chinya entered the Hokage Tower.
Instantly, strange looks fell upon him.
Chinya ignored them and continued forward effortlessly until he reached the door of the Hokage's office on the second floor, knocking lightly—obviously, Hiruzen had already issued instructions ahead of time.
"Come in."
Hiruzen's voice came from within the office.
Chinya opened the door and stepped inside. Upon seeing him, Hiruzen smiled warmly and greeted him, "Chinya, have your injuries fully healed?"
Grateful, Chinya responded, "Thanks to the Hokage, my wounds are completely healed now."
Hiruzen nodded, "Good that you're recovered. What brings you here today, Chinya?"
Internally, Chinya sarcastically remarked—it was clearly a question with an obvious answer. Did he think Chinya came just for casual conversation?
Chinya pulled out a scroll and respectfully offered it to Hiruzen with both hands, "Hokage-sama, this is the training method of Thunder Breathing Ninjutsu I cultivated. I recorded it on this scroll for future generations to study."
Hiruzen accepted the scroll and unrolled it. The recorded techniques were incredibly detailed inside.
For example, [Thunder Breathing, First Form: Lightning Flash!] required using Lightning Release chakra to activate one's legs and arms while simultaneously wrapping lightning-attribute chakra around the weapon, then unleashing all at once in a single explosive burst.
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Does a weapon really need to be made from chakra-infused metal to apply Thunder-natured chakra to it?"
Chinya shook his head. "It's fine as long as you perform shape transformation on the Thunder-natured chakra and coil it around the weapon. Of course, using a weapon made from chakra metal would be better naturally—it would significantly enhance the power."
While smoking, Hiruzen Sarutobi carefully examined the training method written on the scroll.
The further he read, the more amazed he felt. This wasn't just ninjutsu—it was nin-taijutsu.
Nin-taijutsu had some key features: first, you needed to refine your chakra; second, you could activate techniques without hand seals; and third, it relied on physical combat for attacks.
This [Thunder Breathing Sword Techniques] perfectly matched all those features of nin-taijutsu.
Moreover, it could absolutely serve as a secret inherited jutsu passed down through generations—a special, treasured jutsu.
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