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7.txt
When Kushina Uzumaki mentioned Qianyu, Mito fell into deep thought.
Kushina sensed something was off. "Grandmother Mito? What's wrong?"
Mito shook her head, a gentle smile appearing. "Kushina, dear. Do you want to be friends with Qianyu?"
Kushina nodded her small head emphatically. "Yes."
Mito's expression turned serious. "What Qianyu said wasn't wrong. If you wish to be his friend, you might earn the dislike of many others. If that is truly your wish, then you must be prepared. You must not give up halfway.
"I believe Qianyu is also quite lonely. He yearns for companionship. In Konoha, he has no family and is disliked by everyone. His life… is very difficult.
"I hope you two can become friends, so that two lonely souls need not be alone any longer. Kushina, do you have that resolution?"
A fiery determination seemed to ignite within Kushina. She pumped her fist, full of energy. "Grandmother Mito! I'm ready!"
Mito smiled, pleased.
But Kushina tilted her head, confused. "But, Grandmother… why is Qianyu disliked by everyone? Did he do something wrong? My first impression of him was good. And he said he has no family name. I've never met someone without a family name before."
Mito let out a soft sigh. "It's not that Qianyu did anything wrong. He is… a victim. A casualty of the feud between two clans that despise each other. A pitiful child.
"It's true, he has no surname. His father's clan does not acknowledge him. The other clan… has long since abandoned their name. That is why he has only a given name."
The explanation went over young Kushina's head. She blinked, bewildered.
Mito patted her granddaughter's back. "Enough of that. You must be tired. Hurry back and rest. You have school tomorrow."
Kushina hopped down from Mito's lap. "Okay! Goodnight, Grandmother!"
Mito watched her leave with tender eyes.
After Kushina was gone, silence settled in the large house. Mito was alone again.
She couldn't help but release another, deeper sigh. She knew all too well how bitter loneliness tasted.
…
The next day.
Kushina marched to the Ninja Academy, heart full of confidence.
Today, she resolved silently. Today I will definitely become friends with Qianyu.
And if he refused…
A clever idea popped into her bright little head.
She'd just punch him until he agreed!
Her confidence deflated the moment she entered the classroom. Qianyu's seat was empty. He wasn't at school.
Kushina didn't know anyone she could ask.
Instead, the group of boys she'd beaten up yesterday were back, looking for a rematch.
But when it came to fistfights, Kushina Uzumaki never lost.
With a fierce roar, the hot-tempered girl charged. Her red hair whipped through the air like a banner. Her small fists flew. Once again, she pounded the bullies into submission.
Three days passed.
Every day, Kushina had to beat up the same group of daring idiots.
And every day, her mood sank lower.
Qianyu hadn't come to school for three whole days. Her friendship plan was indefinitely postponed.
…
Meanwhile, Qianyu remained unconscious in Konoha's hospital.
Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a long pull from his pipe. "What is Qianyu's condition? Has he awakened?"
A masked ANBU appeared behind him, kneeling on one knee. "Qianyu remains in a coma, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. "Four days and still no sign of waking? What does the hospital say?"
"His chakra is severely depleted. The chakra pathways throughout his body have suffered varying degrees of damage. There is also significant muscle strain, particularly in his arms and legs. The medical ninja attribute the muscular damage to… prolonged use of a high-level Lightning Release technique."
Hiruzen took another sharp draw from his pipe, a gleam in his eyes. "So the devastation in that training ground was his doing. It seems the boy has mastered a formidable Lightning technique indeed. Any prognosis on his awakening?"
"The head medic believes he could regain consciousness as early as tomorrow."
Hiruzen set his pipe down. "Report to me the moment he wakes."
"Yes, sir!"
The ANBU vanished.
…
School let out. Still no Qianyu. Kushina's disappointment was a heavy stone in her stomach.
She packed her things, ready to trudge back to Mito's estate.
As she was about to leave the classroom, she felt eyes on her.
Those brats again? She whirled around, ready for a fight.
But it wasn't the bullies. It was Minato Namikaze, still at his desk, watching her.
Caught, Minato's cheeks flushed bright red. He immediately ducked his head.
Kushina glared, shaking a small but threatening fist. "You looking for a fight? I'll punch you!"
With a final, dismissive toss of her red hair, she stomped out of the room.
Honestly, Kushina looked down on Minato. She thought he was… girly.
On her first day, wanting to make a strong impression, she'd boldly declared, 'I'm going to become the first female Hokage!'
Then this guy had stood up and said he wanted to be Hokage too. It felt like he was saying, 'Don't even dream about it. Even a weakling like me has a better chance than you.'
So yeah. Kushina Uzumaki did not like Minato Namikaze.
After she left, Minato pouted, utterly confused. Why does she hate me so much?
…
Kushina returned to the estate.
"Grandmother… I'm back."
Mito saw how dejected her granddaughter was and couldn't help but chuckle. "Let me guess. Qianyu didn't come to school again?"
Kushina had come home with the same slumped shoulders every day. It was impossible not to notice.
She plopped into a chair with a sigh. "Yeah. I finally worked up my courage and… he's not even there. My courage is gonna run out soon."
Mito shook her head gently. "Kushina, dear. Once you've made a resolution, you cannot abandon it halfway."
"I know, I know! I'm not giving up! But how can I befriend him if he never shows up?" Kushina groaned, tugging at her hair in frustration.
A knowing smile played on Mito's lips. "Well… I happen to know where Qianyu is~"
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