"Hello, I am Minato Namikaze."
The future Fourth Hokage, a man who would one day be famous throughout the ninja world and strike fear into his enemies, was at this moment just a young boy. He was even a little shy when Kyuushin greeted him. Kyuushin offered a simple greeting and didn't try to force a friendship. There was plenty of time for that.
Kushina, meanwhile, was still muttering softly, wondering why they had to associate with such a "sissy." Kyuushin chuckled to himself. With her fiery temper, only someone as gentle and patient as Minato could ever be a match for her; any other pairing would be a constant clash of wills.
Lunchtime was brief, and the afternoon's cultural class passed without incident. Kyuushin flipped through his textbook, chatting and laughing with the two girls beside him, and soon it was time for school to end. When the final bell rang, Mito wasn't there to pick them up; she had only escorted them in the morning to ensure they knew the way.
As they walked out of the school gate, Kyuushin saw Sachiko and Makiko approach the cool-looking Uchiha boy, and the three of them left together. "It seems those stoic types are still popular with girls," he thought to himself, though he had no other feelings about it. With the soul of a man in his twenties, it would be perverse to have any romantic interest in six or seven-year-old girls.
"You did well today, Kushina," Kyuushin praised.
"Hmph, you don't need to tell me that!" Kushina tossed her head proudly. "Let's see if they dare to bother me again." Then she added, "But the kids here are so unfriendly. They start fights at school, and when they lose, they go crying to their parents."
As if on cue, two figures emerged from behind a nearby tree. One was the boy Kushina had made cry earlier, and the other, a teenager of about thirteen or fourteen wearing a Konoha forehead protector, was likely his older brother.
"So it's you two who made my little brother cry today," the older boy said, stepping forward with his arms crossed.
Kushina grew nervous and was about to speak, but Kyuushin stepped in front of her. "I was just wondering," he said calmly, "if I make you cry too, will you go running home to your mother?"
"You little brat! I'm a Konoha Genin! I'll teach you a lesson!" The Genin, enraged, charged at them. Kyuushin pushed Kushina behind him. "You stay back."
With that, he rushed forward to meet the older boy. Although the Genin was much bigger, Kyuushin, relying on his enhanced physical fitness, felt no fear.
*Bang!*
As they clashed, Kyuushin felt the Genin's strength was greater than his, but not by much. He dodged a grab for his neck, seized the opportunity, and kicked at the Genin's waist. The older boy sensed the danger and retreated, causing Kyuushin's kick to miss. He followed with a sweeping leg, but it was blocked.
"Looks like you have some skill!" the Genin sneered, pulling a kunai from his pouch. With a weapon in hand, his confidence soared, and he launched a series of aggressive attacks.
Kyuushin became cautious. An unarmed blow would only hurt, but a kunai would draw blood. He was forced to retreat again and again. Finally, he saw an opening and blocked the Genin's stabbing kunai. Just as he was about to knock the weapon away, the Genin flicked his wrist, sending the kunai flying straight at Kyuushin's face.
Kyuushin never expected the Genin to be so vicious, but there was no time for surprise. In that instant, the genetic lock opened. The world seemed to slow down, and the flying kunai moved as if through water. He turned his head slightly and dodged it with ease. Countless combat instincts flooded his mind. He changed his block to a grab, seizing the Genin's hand and pulling him off-balance. Then, he delivered a powerful elbow strike to his abdomen. He would have aimed for the chest, but the height difference made it impossible. Still, the blow sent the Genin flying several meters, rolling on the ground.
But a Genin of this era was not like those in times of peace. To become one, a ninja had to have combat experience and have shed blood. Despite the excruciating pain, the boy quickly scrambled to his feet, ready for the next attack. He regretted his decision now; he had only meant to teach a lesson on his brother's behalf but had encountered a truly tough opponent. He reluctantly drew another kunai and fell back on the taijutsu techniques his squad leader had taught him.
Kyuushin, meanwhile, was immersed in the flow of combat instincts. He had acquired several taijutsu moves in the "Infinite World," but had rarely used them due to lack of practice. Now, in his heightened state, the moves were as fluid and effortless as if he had been practicing them for decades.
By the time he came to his senses, the Genin was pinned beneath him, his face a colorful mess of bruises. Seeing that Kyuushin had stopped, the Genin struggled free, cried out, and ran away in a flash.
Kushina rushed over. She had wanted to help when the kunai appeared, but the fight had been too fast, and she feared she would only get in the way. She had nearly cried out when the kunai flew at Kyuushin, but then watched in awe as he, as if divinely aided, completely overpowered his opponent.
Now, seeing that both boys had fled, she ran to him, wanting to check for injuries. But she only saw him let out a low growl and collapse, veins bulging on his face as his body trembled uncontrollably. She remembered the scene from the previous night and became anxious, not knowing what to do.
At that moment, Minato Namikaze, with his signature golden hair, emerged from behind a tree. He immediately picked up Kyuushin and shouted to Kushina, "Hurry, to the hospital!"
Kushina gritted her teeth. "No, let's go back to Grandma Mito!"
This time, the intense pain didn't make Kyuushin pass out. He felt as if all his muscles were tearing apart, and he didn't even have the strength to breathe. But the pain came and went quickly. Before they had gone far, he felt the agony gradually subside.
"Minato," he said weakly, "I'm much better. Put me down."
Minato placed him on a nearby bench. After a few moments of rest, the pain receded completely, leaving him weak and powerless. He looked at Minato and said, "Thank you for your help."
Minato waved his hand and, after ensuring Kyuushin was alright, said his goodbyes and left. After he was gone, Kyuushin turned to see Kushina's eyes were red. "Why are you crying again?" he asked.
It was the wrong thing to say. The tears she had been holding back immediately began to fall. "It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be like this!" She truly blamed herself. She was supposed to be the one protecting him, but since coming to Konoha, he was always the one comforting her, and now he had stepped forward to protect her.
"What happened at noon, I was the one who told you to beat him up. How can you blame only yourself?" Kyuushin tried to console her. "And we didn't expect a ninja to come looking for trouble over it. Let's go back and tell Grandma Mito. She'll teach him a lesson!"
"No need to go back," a familiar voice said. "This old woman has already arrived." A figure leaped down from a nearby tree.