Father Was an Uzumaki, Mother an Uchiha

After finishing a bowl of ramen, Yuhi Kurenai rubbed her slightly rounded belly.

"That was so good!"

As she spoke, Yuhi Kurenai looked at Uzumaki Kushina, then pressed her lips together and thanked her.

"Thank you for the meal, Sister Kushina~"

Perhaps because she had just finished eating, her voice was soft and sweet, stirring a protective instinct in anyone who heard it.

Hearing her voice, Uzumaki Kushina set down her chopsticks and smiled.

"Kurenai is so adorable. I really want a child just like you." Uzumaki Kushina meant it. She'd felt that way ever since she first met Yuhi Kurenai.

"I hope my future child will be a girl as cute as Kurenai."

"Naruko!"

Uzumaki Kushina froze at that, then looked at Yuki Yuichi. It took her a moment to realize he was talking about a name for their future child.

"If she's as cute as Kurenai, I think Naruko would be a wonderful name!"

Yuhi Kurenai's cheeks turned bright red at Uzumaki Kushina and Yuki Yuichi's words. She lowered her little head shyly.

Yuki Yuichi set down his chopsticks too, rubbed his belly, and looked at Uzumaki Kushina. "But I think even a boy could be called Naruko."

"That would be great." Thinking of the Sexy Jutsu Naruto Uzumaki had developed, Yuki Yuichi couldn't help adding, "Who knows, maybe he could turn into a cute girl."

"Hm?" At that, Uzumaki Kushina's eyelids drooped as she stared at Yuki Yuichi.

Sensing the hostility coming from Uzumaki Kushina, Yuki Yuichi gave a cough. "I was just joking."

"Hmph!"

"But if he wants to learn, I can teach him..."

Uzumaki Kushina's mood, which had just settled, was thrown into turmoil again.

What did he mean, "if he wants to learn, I can teach him"?

"I mean, I'm such a brave, upright, and friendly senior, blessed with the Will of Fire. I can teach him a thing or two about courage."

Uzumaki Kushina eyed him suspiciously. "You'd better mean that."

"Ode to humanity is an ode to courage! As Konoha's bravest man, I'm the obvious choice!" Yuki Yuichi thumped his chest and declared proudly.

Watching him, Uzumaki Kushina lifted her head and asked, eyes half-lidded, "So, you're saying you're very brave?"

"Obviously! I'm super brave!"

"Then I'll take you to the training ground and see just how brave you are."

Uzumaki Kushina chuckled, pressing her hands together until her knuckles cracked. She looked terrifying.

Yuki Yuichi gave an awkward smile. "I just remembered Uncle Shinku is waiting for us at home."

"We'd better head back. Thanks for the meal, Sister!" Yuki Yuichi said, taking Yuhi Kurenai by the hand and hurrying outside.

Watching him flee, Uzumaki Kushina gave a couple of snorts. "Little brat. You think you can take me on?"

"Hehe, it seems our guests really like children," Teuchi said with a chuckle as he gathered the bowls Yuki Yuichi and Yuhi Kurenai had used.

"Phew~" Uzumaki Kushina let out a slow breath. Her eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled. "Children are adorable, aren't they?"

"Absolutely." Teuchi nodded. "I envy their energy."

As he spoke, Teuchi glanced outside, as if he hoped to see what was beyond the curtain.

"Finished eating. Time to go." Uzumaki Kushina placed the money on the table and left.

After she was gone, Hatake Sakumo walked in with Kakashi, saying, "Kakashi, why didn't you go say hello when Yuichi and Kurenai ran out just now?"

"I didn't want to!" Kakashi replied haughtily, still sporting a few bruises from the beating he'd taken.

As they talked, the two sat down where Yuki Yuichi and Yuhi Kurenai had just been.

People came and went, but nothing ever really changed.

From that moment on, Ichiraku Ramen would witness the lives of most of Konoha's strongest shinobi.

After running out of Ichiraku Ramen, Yuki Yuichi took Yuhi Kurenai home at an easy pace.

He'd only run for a short while before realizing Uzumaki Kushina wasn't chasing after them. She'd just been trying to scare him, so there was no need to hurry.

"We're home~"

When they arrived, Yuhi Shinku was sitting in the living room watching TV.

Seeing the two of them return, he smiled. "You're hungry, right? I made some food. It's over there."

Yuhi Shinku pointed to the dishes on another table, then continued, "When you're done eating, there's something I need to tell you both."

"Dad, we already ate~" Yuhi Kurenai pointed to her still rosy lips, which were glistening with oil.

"Hm? You've eaten?" Yuhi Shinku blinked, then scratched his head in confusion.

"Yeah!" Yuhi Kurenai nodded enthusiastically. "Sister Kushina treated us to ramen!"

"It was delicious!"

Yuki Yuichi nodded beside her. When Yuhi Shinku looked his way, he finally said, "Yeah. I only just found out I have Uzumaki blood in me."

"Oh? You found out?" Yuhi Shinku wasn't surprised at all. Yuki Yuichi's bloodline was no secret among the higher-ups.

It was only a matter of time before he learned about it.

"Since you've already eaten, I'll get right to it." Yuhi Shinku turned off the TV, sat up straight, and motioned for Yuki Yuichi and Yuhi Kurenai to sit down.

Then he looked at Yuki Yuichi with a serious expression. "That's right. You have Uzumaki blood."

"I planned to tell you today, but Kushina beat me to it. Still, it's not too late to tell you now."

"Your hair color and your extraordinary recovery are signs of your Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai."

Yuki Yuichi froze at those words. What surprised him was what Yuhi Shinku had just said.

Ever since he'd obtained the Uzumaki Bloodline through an achievement quest, he'd grown a little stronger every day.

He'd assumed Yuhi Shinku was keeping an eye on him, but it turned out he hadn't even been concerned.

But that made sense. He'd always had Uzumaki blood. What was so strange about his hair suddenly turning red and his physique and recovery growing stronger?

As he thought about it, Yuhi Shinku continued, "With the Uzumaki Bloodline, you have more talent than an ordinary person."

"But did Kushina tell you that you don't just have Uzumaki blood?"

Yuhi Shinku's words made Yuki Yuichi freeze again. He pointed at himself, looking incredulous.

"What do you mean, I don't just have Uzumaki blood?"

"Just what it sounds like." Yuhi Shinku glanced at Yuki Yuichi, then smiled at Yuhi Kurenai.

"Your father's name is Yuki Seisui, but his name used to be Uzumaki Seisui."

"And your mother's name is Yuki Haru, but she used to be Uchiha Haru."

"Do you understand now?"