Tsunade and Uchiha Dan soon drew close to the group they could see ahead.
There were quite a few people. Among them was a little girl of about six or seven—the young Uzumaki Kushina.
Uzumaki Kushina was adorable, especially with her striking long red hair.
Behind her were two ninja from the Uzumaki Clan, with many Konoha Ninja accompanying them.
The Uzumaki Clan and the Uchiha Clan had a lot in common.
They were talented, a little tsundere, and good-looking.
Both clans had also met with misfortune. Their talents inspired jealousy, and in the end, they were wiped out.
Of course, none of that had happened yet.
But the Land of Whirlpools' destruction was already looming.
Starting a year ago, rumors had begun spreading through the Shinobi World that the Uzumaki Clan of the Land of Whirlpools had mastered many powerful Sealing Jutsu, and could even seal Tailed Beasts without any risk.
No one knew who had started the rumor, but it swept through the entire Shinobi World in a very short time.
Soon, there were also rumors that the Uzumaki Clan of the Land of Whirlpools might possess the Sage Body, making its members long-lived and naturally granting them large reserves of Chakra.
At the same time, the clan was said to be hot-tempered and difficult to get along with.
The conclusion was clear: if the Uzumaki Clan continued to grow stronger, no one would be able to restrain them, and they would threaten the safety of the entire Shinobi World.
Anyone with a brain could tell that someone was deliberately stirring things up. The motive was obvious.
But something strange happened.
Almost every shinobi village chose to believe the rumors, joining in to spread the claim that the Uzumaki Clan was a threat.
No matter how arrogant the Uzumaki Clan could be, they couldn't help worrying as they sensed a storm gathering.
They had tried to explain themselves, but no one cared.
The people who accuse you of something know better than you do how innocent you are.
With no other choice, the Uzumaki Clan sent Kushina to Konoha and arranged for senior clan members to meet with Uzumaki Mito and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
They hoped that if the Land of Whirlpools truly came under threat, Konoha would come to their aid in light of their long-standing alliance.
"Sister Tsunade!" Kushina spotted Tsunade approaching and hurried over to greet her.
The two weren't close. They'd only met once before, so Kushina seemed rather timid.
"Kushina, long time no see." Tsunade went over and scooped her up. Her gentle smile immediately put Kushina at ease.
"Hi, Kushina!" Seeing his future sister-in-law for the first time, Uchiha Dan greeted her enthusiastically. "I'm Uchiha Dan!"
"Hello, big brother! Are you Sister Tsunade's boyfriend?" Kushina asked curiously, blinking her bright eyes.
Tsunade shot Uchiha Dan a resentful glance, then blushed and tried to explain calmly, "We're... just good friends!"
For two people to be a couple, they both had to admit it.
Tsunade didn't mind, but Uchiha Dan wouldn't acknowledge it, and she had no face to claim otherwise.
"Yeah, very good friends!" Uchiha Dan added with a smile.
"Oh!" Kushina looked so innocent that both Uchiha Dan and Tsunade burst out laughing.
The group set off for Konoha.
On the way, Uchiha Dan kept telling Kushina about all the delicious food, drinks, and fun things Konoha had to offer. Every so often, he'd tell a joke to make her laugh and ease her nerves, leaving Tsunade no chance to get a word in.
Watching Uchiha Dan treat Kushina with such patience and warmth left Tsunade with mixed feelings.
He was respectful toward Uzumaki Mito, kind to Nawaki, and warm even to Kushina, whom he'd just met.
He'd even stopped resenting his Second Grandfather, Tobirama Senju.
Uchiha Dan always showed his best side to anyone connected to Tsunade, which moved her deeply.
But with her... he was lukewarm, neither warm nor cold, keeping her at arm's length.
Back in Konoha, Tsunade immediately took Kushina and the other two Uzumaki Clan members to meet Uzumaki Mito.
Uchiha Dan didn't go with them. Instead, he returned home to wait for Namikaze Minato, intending to give him a few special instructions.
He didn't know whether Kumogakure would still try to kidnap Kushina, but whatever happened, he couldn't let his future sister-in-law slip away.
In the Shinobi World...
You had to start dating early!
After three days to settle into her new home, Tsunade personally took Kushina to a spot a hundred meters from the school entrance on the fourth morning.
She did it to keep the other students from feeling pressured when they interacted with Kushina, so she'd specifically told her to hide her identity.
Uchiha Dan, who had "happened" to arrive with Namikaze Minato, was speechless.
Would it kill her to take Kushina right to the entrance?
The Ninja Academy wasn't a place to study academic subjects. It was where they trained ruthless soldiers.
The students were all energetic and eager to fight.
A transfer student was bound to be picked on. She needed to use her identity to intimidate them first, so she could get along with her classmates afterward.
Tsunade could play hands-off after that.
Thinking of Kushina's status and how she might be bullied every day at the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Dan couldn't believe how careless Tsunade was.
Good thing I, Uchiha Dan, had planned ahead.
"Morning, Tsunade! Morning, Kushina!" Uchiha Dan led Namikaze Minato toward the two sisters, who were about to part.
"Uh... I remember you rarely walk Minato to school. What's going on today?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.
"This kid gets along with everyone. He usually walks to and from school with his classmates, so I don't bother," Uchiha Dan said with a smile, patting Namikaze Minato's head. "But today's different."
"Minato!" Uchiha Dan crouched down and asked seriously, "Do you remember what I told you these past few days?"
"I remember!" Minato answered earnestly.
Then he went over to Kushina and introduced himself. "Hi, Kushina. I'm Namikaze Minato."
"My big brother said that since you've just started at the school, there'll probably be things you're not used to. If you need help, just tell me. Don't be shy."
"If anyone dares to bully you, I'll beat her up for you." Namikaze Minato raised a little fist and tried to look fierce.
But he looked so harmless—and was so small and cute—that his fierce expression didn't intimidate anyone. Instead, it made Tsunade and Uchiha Dan laugh.
Kushina's eyes lit up. She looked at Namikaze Minato, then at Uchiha Dan, and finally nodded firmly at Minato.
She suddenly realized that this boy, who hadn't made a good first impression, wasn't quite what she'd imagined.
Tsunade and Uzumaki Mito had treated Kushina well these past few days, but they hadn't spent enough time together to truly grow close.
It was only natural that Kushina felt apprehensive about suddenly being sent to the Ninja Academy.
What she needed most right now was Uchiha Dan's arrangement and Namikaze Minato's promise.
Those few simple words put her at ease and even gave her something to look forward to.
She wanted to see whether Namikaze Minato would do as he'd promised if anyone really tried to bully her.
"Wait!" Tsunade hurried forward, looking confused. "Dan, what are you doing?"
"Helping Kushina settle into her new environment!" Uchiha Dan said casually.
"Are you sure you're not here to cause trouble?" Tsunade was getting anxious.
"Come on. I may like causing trouble, but I'm not going to pick a fight with a bunch of kids. Now, just listen to me!"
Once they entered the school, Namikaze Minato and Kushina went their separate ways.
Minato headed straight to the classroom, while Kushina went to the teachers' office, as Tsunade had instructed.
Outside the school gates.
"Dan, are you sure your plan will work? I have a bad feeling something's going to happen," Tsunade asked nervously.
"Don't worry. My little brother is strong!"
Tsunade was even more at a loss. Were we even talking about the same thing?
Before you continue