Konoha.
In the Uchiha clan compound, several people had gathered in front of the Kamizuki residence, discussing something.
Within powerful clans, a residence could not be called the "Uchiha Residence" after a single clan member. Instead, it was named after the head of the household.
However, with the frequent wars of recent years, and Mikoto's reluctance, the household name had never been changed.
Ninjas had excellent hearing, and the discussion at the gate was not particularly hushed.
Kushina and Mikoto sat facing each other in the corridor, drinking tea. After hearing only a few sentences, Kushina shot to her feet in anger, her deep crimson hair dancing like flames.
"Bastards! What are those people even saying?! I'm going to break their legs!!"
Today was her sixteenth birthday. The village had rarely permitted her to leave the sealing array and move about freely, so she had come to spend time with her good friend.
The baby fat of Kushina's childhood had vanished from her face, leaving her with a soft, oval-shaped face. Yet whenever she got angry, her fluttering scarlet hair reminded people of her nickname, "Red Hot-Blooded Habanero."
"Forget it. It's your birthday today. Don't cause trouble over something so minor."
Besides... even if she was angry, shouldn't she be tearing their mouths apart? Why break their legs?
Eighteen-year-old Uchiha Mikoto had shed the youthful immaturity of her girlhood. Her features were dignified, and her temperament gentle.
Her pair of jet-black almond eyes were beautiful, her hair smooth and cascading like a waterfall. Her figure was slender and well-proportioned, soft without being frail—just right in every regard.
As Kushina listened to the voices outside, her brow furrowed tighter and tighter. "That was something Kamizuki left you. What right do they have to say that?!"
"Aren't they the village's comrades? How