It was mid-November of Year 46 in Konoha, and the weather was turning cold.
After learning how powerful Iwagakure's Jinchuriki was, the Konoha High Command once again split over how to develop and use their own Jinchuriki.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to perfect the Sealing Jutsu, using advanced techniques to ease the Jinchuriki's burden and unlock more of the Tailed Beast's power.
Danzo stuck to his own position, hoping Root could take charge of developing and using the Jinchuriki to ensure the village's safety.
The two advisors didn't know Root had a Wood Release ninja. They once again tried to balance the two sides' opinions, and after a week of discussions, all they did was tighten surveillance on Kushina Uzumaki.
"Ah!"
Kushina woke from a nightmare, drenched in sweat. The Nine-Tails' power was constantly affecting her, and nightmares had become part of her daily life.
Kushina sat up in bed with a hand pressed to her forehead. After straightening her pajamas, she turned to look at the photo of Mito Uzumaki on her bedside table. Thinking about the increasingly strict surveillance, she felt conflicted.
As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina lived in the heart of the village's "inner ring." She was the only resident in the entire apartment building, and from the rooftop terrace, she could see the enormous Kage Rock.
After breakfast, she put on her coat and carefully dressed up. A smile spread across Kushina's face. She hadn't seen the person she loved in two months, and today was their date!
She gazed out from the hallway. Seeing the familiar view outside her window, Kushina's smile gradually faded—until her eyes settled on the two people below. Then her smile returned.
"Do kids these days really go on dates this early?"
"..."
Outside the pointed-roof apartment building, Shu Furukawa sensed the technique on the ground and casually turned to look around.
The Spirit Transformation Technique was remarkable. Although Shu hadn't mastered the forbidden jutsu yet, his senses had grown sharper.
A huge barrier surrounded the area. Based on what he'd read in the books, Shu knew this was where the village kept watch over the Nine-Tails.
"We should buy more flowers at the Yamanaka Flower Shop! There are so many injured patients at the hospital lately, and Tsunade-sensei's in a terrible mood."
"She spends every day slacking off and napping. I wonder what's bothering her."
Shizune, wearing a blue coat like Shu's, tilted her head and grumbled. Shu knew exactly what was troubling Tsunade, so he changed the subject.
"Maybe it's anxiety about getting older! Even Tsunade-sensei, one of the Sannin, cares a lot about her looks."
"Don't say that in front of her, or we'll have to replace another desk."
"Huh? Sensei worries about that?"
Shizune's eyes widened. She couldn't understand it. To her, Tsunade was perfect: young and beautiful, with a figure anyone would envy.
"Not everyone can accept getting older. Staying young forever is humanity's ultimate desire."
Shu chuckled and teased her. Shizune clasped her hands behind her back with a smile, continuing the conversation as they walked.
"Do you want to stay young forever too, Shu? Living too long doesn't sound very happy. I'd rather have someone by my side."
"Just take Katsuyu's words with a grain of salt. She's an 'immortal' who's lived for a thousand years. Don't let her voice fool you."
Thinking of the "curse" Katsuyu had put on them, Shu could only shake his head. The more often he summoned her, the more this notion of "immortal life" seemed to spread...
The two chatted as they walked down the shopping street. Soon, they noticed a group of girls gathered up ahead.
"Is that Minato?"
"He's so handsome!"
"..."
The girls were chattering excitedly. Just as they were about to approach and ask him out, Kushina beat them to it, jogging straight over to Minato Namikaze.
"I'll be strict with you today too!"
"The Uzumaki Clan has lots of other techniques, so next we can..."
"...I came over to tell you I want to practice a different jutsu somewhere else today..."
Minato saw the hopeful look on the girl he loved and struggled to turn her down. Kushina immediately frowned at his words, stepped up close, and looked up at him as she loudly demanded:
"What jutsu?!"
"Where do you want to go? Can't you even tell me?"
Kushina's voice grew louder. She'd gotten up and made an effort to look her best, and in her hurt, she didn't care what he'd said. She shouted angrily:
"If you don't want to be with me, just say so!"
"I've never thought that..."
Cold sweat appeared on Minato's forehead. He stared at the fuming Kushina, at a loss for words.
"Minato, don't keep Team 6 waiting. We need to report the mission to Lord Hokage as soon as possible!"
A dark-skinned, chubby man called out loudly from up ahead. His more refined-looking teammate covered his face with a hand. Anyone could see that Minato was in the middle of a romantic crisis.
"Ah, now I remember. See you later, Kushina..."
Minato answered and hurriedly turned away. Time was short. He had to perfect his new jutsu and grow stronger so he could better protect the girl he loved.
"Ah..."
Kushina hadn't expected Minato to leave so suddenly. She was about to chase after him when an accompanying Anbu placed a hand on her shoulder and quietly reminded her:
"Any farther and you'll be outside the barrier."
Kushina stood motionless, staring as Minato reunited with his teammates. Then several girls giggled and went up to ask him out. The place quickly grew lively.
"Isn't that 'Tomato and Eggs'?"
"She even has Anbu escorting her? That's pretty impressive!"
Nearby, the thickheaded Obito Uchiha met up with Kakashi and loudly made fun of her. After greeting them, Might Guy waved to Shu and Shizune.
"Shu, what kind of gift are you buying? It's a pain that Genma and the others are in the hospital again..."
The two loud voices caught Kushina's attention. At the word "tomato," her eye twitched. She immediately marched over to confront Obito.
"You again, you brat! You ruined my date with Minato last time too!"
"S-so scary! Her red hair's floating!"
Overwhelmed by Kushina's presence, Obito ducked behind Kakashi after blurting that out.
"Apologize, Obito. You were rude first."
Kakashi pushed Obito forward, his fishlike eyes narrowed. Obito stammered, and Kushina's heart softened. In the end, she merely tapped him lightly on the head.
"Forget it. I won't hold it against a kid!"
"That cute girl named Rin really is a better match for Kakashi. You don't stand a chance, you idiot!"
"What! Don't think I'm scared of you..."
Obito jumped up on the spot, his face turning red as he started arguing with Kushina.
Shu watched the scene with an odd expression. In the end, he stepped over and offered a brief explanation.
"Minato's new jutsu involves changing the shape of chakra. He's probably developing it especially for you."
"After our last mission, we exchanged a few ideas."
Kushina stopped arguing when she heard that. A warm feeling filled her heart, and then her face flushed slightly as she looked at Shu and spoke softly.
"Shu, thanks for telling me!"
The two Anbu also nodded to Shu. Then they escorted Kushina back. Now that surveillance had been tightened, the Jinchuriki had to remain inside the center of the barrier.
Obito watched Kushina's retreating figure and scratched his head. Then, looking curious, he turned to the others and asked:
"What new jutsu? Shape transformation? Is it as powerful as Chidori?"
Kakashi had demonstrated it once during their usual training. Obito hadn't forgotten.
"An Uchiha dead last doesn't have that kind of talent."
"Give it up, Obito. You're not suited to advanced jutsu."
"Damn it! Say that one more time! I'll beat you to a pulp right now!"
Obito shouted and started bickering with Kakashi again. Across the way, Kurenai Yuhi watched them with envy. Asuma murmured helplessly beside her:
"That's the world of geniuses. There's no way we can catch up with them!"
"..."