Kushina imagined that Uchiha Gen must have had his eyes on her for a long time, that was why he'd never sought the chance to become Minato's disciple.
After all, if he had, there would've been social and moral barriers between them that he couldn't easily cross.
Of course, Kushina was mistaken. Those "ethical constraints" could only bind her. With Gen's temperament, he'd probably find that sort of boundary… thrilling.
In truth, Gen had once been a temporary member of Minato's Team 7. Strictly speaking, that made him half a disciple of Minato — and Kushina, half a "master's wife."
Though according to the shinobi world's customs, this didn't count as a formal relationship. It was more like a subordinate to a superior.
Still… being the wife of one's superior wasn't too bad of a title to tease with.
As the two chatted, Gen didn't try any tricks this time. They soon found some prey and brought it down easily.
When they returned to the riverside campsite, everyone else had their own haul as well.
Itachi was keeping an eye on Sasuke, Naruto, and Karin as they played in the river, splashing and catching small fish.
The others were busy making fires, washing vegetables, and preparing the ingredients.
Of everyone present, only Itachi and the three children weren't skilled at cooking. Naturally, the position of head chef fell to the only adult male there — Uchiha Gen.
He didn't show off, but with the help of the women, he efficiently turned a pile of ingredients into dishes rich in color, aroma, and flavor.
By the time noon arrived, nearly everything was ready. Gen began working on the staple dish; ramen.
He'd chosen it deliberately, knowing it was Kushina's favorite.
In the original history, Naruto's love for ramen wasn't just because of his circumstances but it was inherited from his mother's taste.
The Uzumaki bloodline was nothing if not dominant; even Minato's refined, commoner genes couldn't overcome it.
The ramen Gen made wasn't Ichiraku-style, but a clear broth beef noodle dish that met the standard of "one clear, two white, three red, four green, five yellow."
One clear, the soup.
Two white, sliced radish.
Three red, chili oil.
Four green, cilantro and garlic sprouts.
Five yellow, bright golden noodles.
Once it was done, Gen had Itachi, Kurenai, and Anko help serve it.
Two taels for adults, one tael for kids — just enough to enjoy without filling up completely. There were plenty of side dishes, after all.
When everything was ready, Gen took off his apron and strolled to the folding table.
Itachi immediately stood and pulled out a chair for him — the picture of politeness.
Gen nodded approvingly, sat, and smiled.
"Alright, everyone — try the ramen I made. I guarantee it's not inferior to Ichiraku's."
"Really?" Kushina raised an eyebrow. "Our family's loyal to Ichiraku, you know. We're picky about ramen."
Gen smirked. "That's exactly why I made this, to pass Kushina-nee's inspection."
Kushina's heart skipped. She looked away, lowering her gaze.
"…Then I'll inspect it."
He remembered my favorite food and cooked it in front of everyone?
This guy… honestly, he's too daring.
"Wow, it's so good!"
Naruto didn't care about subtext or teasing. He dove in, slurped the noodles, took a bite of beef, drank a mouthful of broth, and let out a blissful sigh with a grin from ear to ear.
Everyone else tried it too, offering praise one after another.
"Mm, not bad," Kushina said with a small nod — a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Gen just chuckled quietly and raised his glass.
"To today's outing. Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Cups and juice glasses clinked. Warm smiles spread all around.
The mountain breeze was cool, the sunlight soft, the laughter bright. Between the sound of the flowing stream, good food, and good company — life didn't get much better.
After lunch, the women began cleaning up while Gen and the boys rested.
When everyone had relaxed, Gen formed a seal and used the Summoning Technique, calling forth Shuryu, Kyouki.
Shizukamaru didn't need summoning; it usually stayed with him.
While Shuryu and Kyouki carried the others into the air.
Naruto had never seen them before, and his excitement was uncontrollable. He was all wide eyes and questions the entire way — a pure ball of curiosity.
Gen guided Shuryu and Kyouki for over a hundred kilometers until they reached a secluded forest few ever visited.
Leaving the others safely atop Kyouki, Gen took Kushina alone with him on Shuryu's back and descended into the forest below.
Everyone knew by now that Gen and Kushina were going to spar.
After the initial excitement, all eyes watched from above in anticipation.
The forest below was deep and lush — perfect for a private duel.
"Ladies first, Kushina-nee," Gen said lightly. "Please."
Kushina grinned. "Then I won't hold back."
Crimson chakra flared around her, bubbling with fierce energy. A single red tail formed behind her.
She vanished from sight, reappearing before Gen in an instant, fist aimed at his chest.
The three-tomoe Sharingan spun in Gen's eyes.
Black lightning and silver-white arcs coursed over him, shaping into a cloak-like aura, sleek as a trench coat, noble yet dangerous.
It was his personal fusion of the Lightning Release Chakra Mode and Susanoo, something no other Uchiha had achieved.
He didn't dodge. His palm met her punch head-on; power against power.
Kushina flickered again, reappearing behind him to kick, but Gen had already twisted, blocking her with his arm.
The impact thundered through the air.
Without pause, he grabbed her leg with both hands and swung.
Kushina went flying.
Naruto gasped in alarm, but before she hit the ground, her tail whipped out and wrapped around a tree branch, sling-shooting her back into motion.
The two clashed again, fists and feet striking like thunderclaps, faster and faster until they blurred into streaks of red and black.
Each impact shattered branches and scattered leaves.
"Wow, is Mom really that strong?" Naruto yelled, eyes wide.
"Aunt Kushina's incredible," Karin murmured. "She can fight Gen-nii that evenly…"
"They're both monsters," Sasuke muttered, half in awe.
Kushina's chakra surged — another tail formed. The pressure rose sharply.
Then came a booming collision, the shockwave rippled through the forest like an explosion.
Crimson and black chakra spheres collided mid-air, their energy waves flattening everything around them.
When the dust settled, Kushina spun in midair, her tails intertwining into a massive spinning drill of red energy.
Gen smiled faintly. In the next instant, he vanished, appearing behind her like a flicker of light.
His hand chopped down on her shoulder.
With a deafening crash, Kushina plummeted into the forest below, smoke billowing from the impact.
Gen landed softly at the edge of the crater, eyes sharp.
The crimson tails swept aside the smoke. Kushina emerged, uninjured but startled.
"That… just now... was that the Flying Thunder God?"
Gen grinned. "That's right. I left a mark on you during our last fight."
Her eyes flickered. "You… learned Minato's technique?"
"I did, long ago. Just rarely needed to use it."
Then, with a teasing smirk, "Kushina-nee, maybe you should admit defeat."
She scowled. "Nonsense! Let's see how you handle this!"
She flashed through hand seals.
Water Release: Water Shockwave!
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
With the Nine-Tails' chakra amplifying her ninjutsu, even a C-rank technique erupted with A-rank power.
A tidal wall of roaring water surged forth, amplified by the driving wind — towering over the trees, devouring everything in its path.
Gen could teleport, but his Flying Thunder God mark was left on her tailed cloak — which she'd just discarded.
Fire Release couldn't block something this massive unless he entered full Sage Mode — and that would defeat the point of a friendly match.
But he had other options.
Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation.
A strange, invisible pulse spread outward. The raging water twisted unnaturally — as if gaining sentience.
The monstrous waves parted on their own, flowing harmlessly around him.
Within three feet of Gen, not a single drop touched the ground.
Kushina landed, stunned. "How… did you do that?"
Gen arched a brow. "What do I get if I tell you?"
"Hmph. I'll… go easier on you next time."
Two more tails erupted behind her. The crimson chakra deepened to blood-red, and pale bone-like armor encased her limbs — a terrifying fusion of power and control.
The children clung to their mothers' legs in fear. Only Naruto blinked curiously.
"Why does it feel… familiar?"
The others could only stare speechlessly.
Gen's Sharingan twisted into the Mangekyo. His eyes glowed with deep, controlled power.
"Uzume," he murmured.
Under its subtle influence, even questions that should never have been answered became irresistible.
"Kushina-nee," he said softly, "you owe me one. Tell me, when can we achieve our goal?"
Normally, she'd have dodged the question, maybe even punched him for asking something so direct.
But now, under that unseen sway, she answered without hesitation.
"When your strength completely surpasses mine," she said quietly, her cheeks tinged pink.
"If that day comes… for Naruto's safety and future, I could never oppose you."
Her eyes softened, her voice faintly trembling.
"In that case… I'd have no choice but to follow you. Minato wouldn't blame me in the Pure Land."
A faint, wistful smile curved her lips.
"After all… everything I do is for our child."
Uchiha Gen fell silent.
Even with all his confidence, that one line left him speechless.