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. Fiddling with the Flying Thunder God Kunai in her hand, she asked with a puzzled expression.

"Yeah, it's a Flying Thunder God Kunai."

"Flying Thunder God Kunai? What's its ability?"

Having grown up overseas, Uzumaki Kushina clearly had never heard of this technique's name.

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

Devouring the fried egg Kushina had made in one bite, Gojo Yoru licked the egg residue from his lips and explained with a smile: "Its ability is simple, just like I said—as long as you carry this kunai on you, I can instantly appear by your side. It's a Space-Time ability."

"So it's the legendary Space-Time?!"

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

After scrutinizing the kunai closely, Kushina spotted the key detail and looked at Yoru. "Yoru, it's not the kunai itself that's special, but the seal on it, right?"

"Mm, that seal is called the Flying Thunder God Seal." Gojo Yoru nodded. "Just like a Storage Scroll, it's a product of Fuinjutsu and Space-Time. It's also somewhat similar to the principle of the Summoning Technique, except instead of summoning a Summoned Beast, it summons me."

"That's amazing. The person who invented this technique is a true genius." Uzumaki Kushina sighed in admiration.

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

"Second Hokage? I remember that name... he's connected to Lady Mito somehow..." Uzumaki Kushina pressed a finger to her temple, looking deep in thought.

That she didn't know who the Second Hokage was didn't surprise Gojo Yoru either.

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

She even referred to him as "that person" rather than "Lord Hashirama."

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

Seeing the girl racking her brain but coming up empty, Gojo Yoru couldn't resist teasing her again. "You don't even know the younger brother of the God of Shinobi or the founder of the Ninja Academy? Don't tell me you just slept through class at the Academy, you idiot Tomato-Nai!"

"Who says I don't know? I just couldn't remember for a second!" Uzumaki Kushina shot back indignantly, raising a clenched fist in threat. "Can't you keep your mouth shut with breakfast in it? Want me to punch you to death?"

Slap!

Gojo Yoru Body Flickered over and smacked her, nearly sending Kushina's head crashing into the table.

Kushina reacted and threw a punch in return, but hit nothing.

Gojo Yoru's figure had vanished without a trace, and soon the sound of humming came from the other room.

"Oh, I see. So giving me the kunai was your plan all along."

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

After a bout of roughhousing, the two sat on the sofa, and Kushina took the initiative to suggest: "Since your seal doesn't need to be on the kunai to work, why not leave a seal on my body instead? That would be more reliable."

"No. The Flying Thunder God Seal can't be removed by conventional means, and I can't remove it either. It would look terrible on your skin." Gojo Yoru shook his head in refusal, then, as if a thought struck him, a glint flashed in his eyes.

Uzumaki Kushina didn't notice.

She actually quite liked Gojo Yoru's Flying Thunder God Seal—the tomato pattern and the character for "Yoru" were symbols of the two of them.

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

But seeing how strongly Yoru opposed it, she didn't press further. Instead, she decided to reinforce the kunai's protection and carry it with her at all times.

Then, changing the subject, she asked: "By the way, aren't you going to train today?"

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

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

"Sure. I didn't have time to take photos on this mission. When we get the chance later, I'll take you on a trip and we'll shoot all we want." Gojo Yoru smiled.

"Yeah, yeah! Let's head out now."

Uzumaki Kushina's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she eagerly grabbed Gojo Yoru's hand to drag him out the door.

Over the following week, Gojo Yoru and Uzumaki Kushina roamed every corner of Konoha's Central Street, leaving photos at every scenic spot.

But whenever they tried to leave Central Street and head elsewhere to take pictures, two masked Anbu would always appear with a Body Flicker and block their way.

Gojo Yoru had no intention of sneaking out of Konoha, leaving a Flying Thunder God Seal, and then using the Flying Thunder God Technique to take Kushina out of the village.

Even though doing so would shock Sarutobi Hiruzen and draw his attention, it would be meaningless.

Sarutobi Hiruzen would still call him in for a talk and demand he not take Uzumaki Kushina out of Konoha.

Whether as the Third Hokage's grand-disciple or out of gratitude for the independent Flying Thunder God Technique scroll, Gojo Yoru had to give the old man some face.

Until he made a name for himself and forced everyone to acknowledge his will, he could only let Uzumaki Kushina bear with it for now.

Meanwhile, the shinobi world's situation was growing tense.

News that Hanzo of the Salamander had headed to the Land of Iron finally spread across the entire shinobi world. It was said he had clashed with the Land of Iron's samurai.

Everyone feared that Hanzo would subdue the Land of Iron by force, gain the allegiance of the samurai corps, and then unite the Rain Ninja, experts in assassination, with the samurai, masters of Nintaijutsu.

If that scenario came to pass, that small region at the crossroads of three great nations would give birth to a power rivaling the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Given Hanzo of the Salamander's ambition, he certainly wouldn't stop there. The surrounding countries would all become his targets, including the great nations.

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

Fortunately, in October, the Land of Iron declared to the outside world that no matter what difficulties they faced, they would maintain neutrality in accordance with historical treaties.

And Hanzo of the Salamander didn't seem to fly into a rage and attack the Land of Iron alone or lead the Rain Ninja army to do so.

There must be an untold story behind this.

With Hanzo of the Salamander's return to Amegakure, the situation seemed to revert to how it was before.

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