The Calm Before the Storm

"Yoru, does this kunai have some special ability?"

At the dining table, Uzumaki Kushina set breakfast in front of Gojo Yoru and poured him a glass of milk before sitting across from him. As she played with the Flying Thunder God Kunai in her hand, she asked curiously.

"Yes, this is a Flying Thunder God Kunai."

"Flying Thunder God Kunai? What can it do?"

Having lived overseas since childhood, Uzumaki Kushina had clearly never heard the name of this technique.

After Senju Tobirama's death, the Flying Thunder God Technique, like Senju Hashirama's Wood Style, had become a legendary ability.

Gojo Yoru swallowed the fried egg Uzumaki Kushina had made in one bite, licked the egg from the corner of his mouth, and explained with a smile, "Its ability is simple. Just as I said, as long as you carry this kunai with you, I can instantly appear by your side. It's a Space-Time ability."

"Legendary Space-Time?!"

Uzumaki Kushina finally widened her eyes and stared at the Flying Thunder God Kunai in disbelief. "Besides Storage Scrolls and the Summoning Technique, there are actually ninjutsu that can wield the power of Space-Time? That's incredible."

After examining the kunai closely, Uzumaki Kushina found the key point and looked at Gojo Yoru. "Yoru, the special thing isn't this kunai, but the seal on it, right?"

"Mm. That seal is called the Flying Thunder God Seal." Gojo Yoru nodded. "Like a Storage Scroll, it's the product of Fuinjutsu and Space-Time. Its principle is somewhat similar to the Summoning Technique, except what it summons isn't a Summoned Beast, but me."

"That's amazing. Whoever invented this technique was truly a genius," Uzumaki Kushina said softly.

Gojo Yoru smiled. "The inventor of this technique was Konoha's Second Hokage."

"The Second Hokage? I remember that person seemed to be related to Lady Mito too..." Uzumaki Kushina pressed a finger to her temple, looking deep in thought.

Gojo Yoru wasn't surprised that she didn't know who the Second Hokage was.

In Minato's story from the Original Work, Uzumaki Kushina had only vaguely remembered that Senju Hashirama was Uzumaki Mito's other half.

She had called him "that person," not Lord Hashirama.

Clearly, she had never even heard the story of the God of Shinobi.

Seeing the girl thinking seriously yet unable to remember no matter what, Gojo Yoru couldn't help teasing her again. "You don't even know the God of Shinobi's younger brother, the founder of the Ninja Academy? Did you do nothing but sleep at the Ninja Academy, you idiot Tomato-Nai?"

"Who said I don't know? I just couldn't remember for a moment!" Uzumaki Kushina retorted angrily, raising her little fist in threat. "Breakfast can't shut your mouth, huh? Believe me, I'll punch you to death!"

Smack!

Gojo Yoru teleported over and slapped her, nearly knocking Uzumaki Kushina's head into the dining table.

Uzumaki Kushina reacted and threw a punch back, only for it to hit nothing.

Gojo Yoru had vanished without warning, and the sound of him humming came from somewhere in the room.

"So that was why you gave me this kunai."

Uzumaki Kushina gritted her teeth, but she couldn't bear to throw away the Flying Thunder God Kunai. Instead, she rushed into Gojo Yoru's room, determined to get even.

After a round of horseplay, Gojo Yoru and Uzumaki Kushina sat on the sofa. The latter took the initiative and suggested, "Since your seal can work without being attached to a kunai, why not leave one on me? That would be safer."

"No. The Flying Thunder God Seal can't be removed by ordinary means, and I can't remove it either. It would look awful stamped on skin." Gojo Yoru shook his head in refusal, then seemed to think of something as a glint flashed through his eyes.

Uzumaki Kushina didn't notice it.

She actually liked Gojo Yoru's Flying Thunder God Seal. The tomato pattern and the character for night represented the two of them.

If it were stamped on her body, Uzumaki Kushina would only feel happy about it.

But seeing how resistant Gojo Yoru was, she said nothing more. Instead, she planned to add another layer of protection to the kunai and keep it on her at all times.

Then Uzumaki Kushina changed the subject. "By the way, don't you need to train today?"

"Teacher Orochimaru gave me a week off. I'm planning to rest properly these next few days."

"Really? That's great!" Uzumaki Kushina's eyes immediately lit up. "I've been improving my photography skills lately. How about we go out and take pictures?"

"Sure. We didn't have time to take any pictures during this mission. When we get the chance later, I'll take you traveling so we can take photos." Gojo Yoru smiled.

"Okay, okay! Then let's leave right now."

With anticipation in her eyes, Uzumaki Kushina impatiently grabbed Gojo Yoru and tried to drag him out.

Over the next week, Gojo Yoru and Uzumaki Kushina wandered all over Konoha's Central Street, leaving behind photos at every beautiful spot.

But whenever they tried to leave Central Street and go elsewhere to take pictures, two masked Anbu would always appear with Body Flicker and stop them.

Gojo Yoru had no intention of secretly slipping out of Konoha to leave behind a Flying Thunder God Seal, then using the Flying Thunder God Technique to take Uzumaki Kushina out of Konoha.

Although that would shock Sarutobi Hiruzen and draw his attention, there was no point.

Sarutobi Hiruzen would still summon him for a talk and ask him not to take Uzumaki Kushina out of Konoha.

Whether as Sarutobi Hiruzen's grand-disciple or because of the favor of the Flying Thunder God Technique's independent scroll, Gojo Yoru had to show the Third Hokage some respect.

Before he made a name for himself and let everyone know they could not ignore his will, he could only let Uzumaki Kushina suffer this small grievance for now.

Meanwhile, the situation in the Ninja World was growing tense.

News of Hanzo of the Salamander heading to the Land of Iron finally spread throughout the Ninja World. It was said that he had clashed with the samurai of the Land of Iron.

Everyone feared that Hanzo of the Salamander would subdue the Land of Iron through force, gain the service of its samurai corps, and unite the assassination-specialized Rain Ninja with the samurai skilled in Nintaijutsu.

If that truly happened, that small region at the intersection of three great nations would give rise to a massive power no weaker than the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

With Hanzo of the Salamander's ambitions, he definitely would not stop there. The surrounding nations, including the great nations, would all become his targets.

Thus, the three great nations of Fire, Wind, and Earth tacitly strengthened their border defenses.

Fortunately, in October, the Land of Iron announced to the outside world that no matter what difficulties they faced, they would continue to remain neutral in accordance with their historical agreement.

Hanzo of the Salamander also seemed not to have flown into a rage and attacked the Land of Iron alone or with the Rain Ninja forces.

There had to be a story behind this that no one knew.

As Hanzo of the Salamander returned to Amegakure, the situation seemed to return to normal.

Only Gojo Yoru knew that this was merely the calm before the storm.