The sun slanted westward, casting a dazzling golden glow over Konoha.
Kushina kicked a small stone with her foot as she trudged toward the old house in the Senju clan compound.
Her vibrant red hair seemed to burn even brighter in the setting sun, but it only made the lingering traces of anger on her round, cute face more obvious. She was still sulking over Ryo.
"Hmph! Stupid jock! Blockhead!" She kicked another stone far away, muttering under her breath. "I… I was so proactive! Sleeping! All he does is sleep! His snores are louder than anything!"
The memory of her courage that afternoon made her cheeks burn again, her heart had pounded like a drum when she walked up to him, speaking in the softest voice she'd ever managed. And what did she get in return? A loud, drawn-out "Huuu… rrr… mmph…" from him in his sleep.
When she entered the familiar courtyard, the sight of the heavy wooden door lifted her mood. A brilliant smile stretched across her face as she pushed the door open and ran inside.
"Grandma Mito! I'm home!"
Her voice was like a stone dropped into calm water.
The light inside was much softer. Uzumaki Mito sat on the tatami near the courtyard with a steaming cup of tea in front of her.
Time seemed to have touched only her eyes; the Yin Seal kept her appearance like that of a gentle maiden.
Seeing Kushina rush in like a little flame, Mito's eyes curved into a smile.
"You're back? How was school today?" Mito's voice was as gentle as a spring breeze. "Did you make any new friends?" She knew too well what this girl, whose clan had been destroyed and country lost, needed—acceptance, recognition, new bonds. Those were the remedies for her wounds.
"New friends?" A spirited female voice chimed in from the side.
Tsunade, with long golden hair and a tall figure, sat cross-legged, munching on senbei. Her eyes lit up at the question, and she didn't even bother brushing off the crumbs on her clothes.
Beside her sat Nawaki, a little older, flipping through a basic ninjutsu book. At Kushina's words, he also looked up curiously.
Tsunade put her senbei down on the low table, leaning forward like a big sister. "Quick, tell me! Did anyone bully you at school? Tell your big sister, and I'll have Nawaki teach them a lesson!" She jabbed her elbow into him, her eyes sharp with command. "Right, Nawaki?"
Nawaki almost dropped his book, rubbing his shoulder as he straightened. "Right, right, right! Sis is right! Kushina, don't worry! If anyone dares bully you, just tell me. I'll make sure they regret ever stepping into the academy!"
As the eldest grandson of the Senju in this generation, it was only natural for him to protect this adorable little sister. At school, except for a few geniuses (and a certain redhead), he truly feared no one.
Kushina felt warmth spread in her chest as she saw their concerned eyes.
Mito was her pillar, and Tsunade and Nawaki were like blazing flames that melted away the chill left by the fall of the Uzumaki.
She walked over to Mito's side, nestling close. The gloom on her face faded, replaced with a hint of childish charm.
"No, no one bullied me," she shook her head, then suddenly brightened. "I just met a… uh, a classmate. His hair is red, just like mine!"
"Oh? Red?" Tsunade's gossiping spark immediately caught fire.
She let out a meaningful "oh" and grinned mischievously, leaning forward even more. "A red-haired classmate that caught your attention? Tell me, is that kid especially handsome?" She deliberately emphasized "especially handsome," nudging Kushina lightly. "Do you like him?"
"Big Sister Tsunade!" Kushina's face flushed red like a ripe cherry tomato.
She shot up from Mito's side, flustered and shy. "You… what nonsense are you talking about! I don't like him at all!" She stomped her foot and then immediately turned, diving into Mito's embrace, burying her burning face as she wriggled and whined, "Grandma Mito! Look at Big Sister Tsunade! She's bullying me!"
Mito chuckled, swayed by Kushina's sudden dive, and gently patted her back as if she were soothing a ruffled kitten. "Alright, alright, Tsunade is just teasing you." She gave her mischievous granddaughter a warning look.
Tsunade only laughed, ignoring Kushina's complaint, her grin widening as if she'd just gotten more ammo. "Don't like him? Then you must hate him, right? Did that kid upset you?"
Her expression shifted in an instant, going from playful gossip to protective big sister. Her gaze snapped toward Nawaki, sharp as a blade. "Nawaki! Did you hear that? Tomorrow, find that red-haired brat named Ryo and give him a proper 'greeting' from me! Let him know what happens when someone upsets our Kushina!"
"Uh… Ryo?!" Nawaki, who a moment ago had been eager to play hero, froze. His smile vanished as if someone had grabbed his throat.
His eyes widened in horror. "Sis! You… you want me to die?!"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Tsunade blinked, completely caught off guard by his reaction.
What was so special about this kid named Ryo?
Nawaki swallowed, remembering the countless stories floating around, his palms sweating. "Sis, you've been away from the academy for years, so it's normal you don't know. But… but…"
He stammered, his eyes full of lingering fear. "That redhead, his name's Ryo! Kamiyama Ryo from Class 3-A! He's the academy's infamous little tyrant! He fights like a monster, he's ridiculously strong, and he's vicious! I heard some older students tried to teach him a lesson, but he knocked their front teeth out! Even the teachers back off when he gets mad! You want me to go 'greet' him? Forget it! I'll end up in the hospital first!"
The words poured out like a machine gun, and Nawaki still didn't think it was enough. He added, "That red hair of his is basically a danger signal in the academy! Nobody dares mess with him! Whoever does, ends up unlucky. Seriously!"
Nawaki desperately wanted his sister to understand the situation.
In short, Ryo was terrifying, and his record spoke for itself.
Kushina, listening nearby, was a little stunned.
Ryo? A tyrant? Even the teachers avoided him?
She unconsciously recalled the cold, bloodthirsty look in his eyes when he was woken up in class. The way the entire room had gone silent instantly… it didn't seem impossible.
But when school ended earlier, hadn't he seemed harmless?
He just spoke stiffly. A stupid jock! Hmph!
Tsunade finally dropped her playful act, her brows furrowing. "That strong…" She had no impression of this Ryo.
Mito, who had been gently patting Kushina's back, shifted her gaze, her eyes distant yet knowing. She spoke softly.
"Red hair… named Ryo…" Her hand stroked Kushina's soft red locks as her expression grew thoughtful. "Then Grandma knows who it is."
(To be continued.)
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