Kushina Transfers Schools

The Ninja Academy's morning reading bell had just rung. Sunlight filtered through the wooden lattice windows, casting crisscrossing shadows across the classroom floor.

Uchiha Ling propped his chin on one hand, his fingertips tapping unconsciously against the edge of his desk as he gazed out at the half-withered cherry tree.

Last week's torrential rain had knocked most of the petals down. Only a few faded blossoms remained on the branches, lending the scene a touch of "late spring."

[Nearby targets are experiencing emotions of "awe" and "curiosity." Emotion value +8]

The system's notifications came and went in his mind. Uchiha Ling raised an eyebrow.

Ever since he'd tied with Namikaze Minato for first place in the assessment, things had improved for him at both the Ninja Academy and within the Uchiha Clan.

The few Uchiha clansmen who'd previously mocked him now greeted him of their own accord. Even the instructor teaching basic ninja skills at the front of the classroom couldn't help glancing his way while explaining how to refine chakra.

The class bell rang. Teacher Aoki Ken pushed open the door and entered, followed by a figure who instantly drew everyone's attention.

She was a girl wearing a Ninja Academy uniform. She wasn't particularly tall, but she had an extremely striking head of long red hair that fell to her waist like a blazing flame, swaying gently with her movements.

Her cheeks were faintly flushed, and she clutched the straps of her schoolbag so tightly her knuckles had gone pale. She was clearly nervous, but her eyes held a hint of deliberate defiance, like a little hedgehog with its spines raised.

"Everyone, quiet down." Teacher Aoki Ken clapped his hands. "This is our new transfer student, Uzumaki Kushina. She's from Uzu Village and will be joining our class starting today. Kushina, why don't you introduce yourself?"

Uzumaki Kushina took a deep breath and lifted her head. Her voice trembled almost imperceptibly, but she did her best to speak up. "My name is Uzumaki Kushina. I'm from Uzu Village, and my dream is to become Konoha's first female Hokage. Pleased to meet you!"

As soon as Teacher Aoki Ken left the classroom after the lesson, the class erupted into chatter.

"Uzumaki Clan? Is that the clan that specializes in Sealing Jutsu?"

"Oh my gosh, her hair is so red! It's just like the flames carved into Kage Rock!"

"Isn't Uzu Village by the sea? Why'd she transfer to Konoha Ninja Academy?"

The chatter gradually took a meaner turn. A few boys in the back who always liked to stir things up started making snide remarks. "Red-haired freak! Outsiders really are different!"

"Maybe she couldn't stay in Uzu Village anymore, so she came to Konoha to beg for food?"

"Hey, red-haired girl, is your hair dyed? It looks scary! You look just like a tomato!"

Their words stabbed into Kushina like needles. Her cheeks flushed crimson—not with embarrassment, but with anger.

She jerked her head up and glared at the boys, her eyes reddening slightly. "You're talking nonsense! I'm not a freak! Uzu Village..."

Her voice suddenly caught. Uzu Village had already been destroyed. She'd been brought to Konoha in secret as one of its surviving orphans, and she hadn't even told Teacher Aoki Ken.

With them hitting a sore spot, all she could do was clench her fists, her nails nearly digging into her palms, without knowing how to answer.

"Hahaha, cat got your tongue? Guess we were right!"

"Hey, let's throw a paper ball at her and see if she cries!"

One of the boys picked up a paper ball from a desk and threw it at Kushina's back.

The paper ball was light, but the malice behind it was unmistakable. When it struck her shoulder, Kushina could no longer hold back her tears. They welled up in her eyes.

Watching Kushina get bullied, Namikaze Minato's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he stayed silent.

When they saw Kushina tear up, the boys only got worse. They crumpled up a few more paper balls, ready to throw them at her.

Just then, a lazy voice rang out, like ice water poured over boiling oil, instantly quieting the classroom. "Hey, you guys. What kind of accomplishment is it to bully a girl?"

Uchiha Ling rose leisurely from his seat, both hands in his pockets. Sunlight fell on his short black hair. Though the morning light was gentle, he carried an air of pressure as he walked.

The boys who'd been making fun of her immediately lost their nerve when they saw him. Just last week, Uchiha Ling had gone from dead last to the top of the Ninja Academy class, even beating Namikaze Minato. There was no way students of their middling ability could stand up to him.

"Uchiha Ling, this is between us and her. It's none of your business!"

The ringleader, Inoue Teru, had thrown the paper ball at Kushina. He shouted through his nerves, but couldn't help taking a step back.

"None of my business?"

Uchiha Ling stopped and stepped in front of Kushina. He was half a head taller than Inoue Teru and looked down at him.

Uchiha Ling reached out and suddenly grabbed Inoue Teru by the wrist, tightening his fingers slightly.

Inoue Teru's face twisted in pain. He tried to wrench himself free, only to find that the other boy was astonishingly strong.

"You were the one who threw the paper ball, right?"

Uchiha Ling's tone remained lazy, but his eyes had turned cold.

"If I catch you bullying a classmate again, I won't mind letting you experience a 'chakra paper ball.' A paper ball compressed with chakra would probably leave your face swollen for three days, wouldn't it?"

A chakra paper ball? That was no joke! Inoue Teru went pale with fright and quickly nodded. "I understand! I won't do it again!"

Uchiha Ling released him and patted him on the shoulder, his smile still teasing. "Why couldn't you have done that in the first place?"

He turned to look at the other boys who'd been joining in. They were already ducking their heads and pretending to read, not even daring to breathe too loudly.

[Inoue Teru's fear +35]

[The jeering classmates' fear +80]

[Kushina's gratitude +40]

Standing behind Uchiha Ling, Kushina looked at his not-particularly-tall yet remarkably dependable figure, her heart a jumble of emotions.

Before she came to Konoha, her clan had told her, "The Uchiha Clan is proud and cold. Don't get involved with them."

But this Uchiha had stepped forward when she was at her most helpless. When he'd stood in front of her just now, she'd even felt as if his presence had shut out all the hostile stares.

Uchiha Ling turned to Kushina and raised an eyebrow. "That's a wonderful dream!"

Kushina looked up. Uchiha Ling stood beside his seat, a warm, sincere smile on his face, bright as the sun. There wasn't a trace of mockery in his eyes, only genuine encouragement and approval.

"Becoming Hokage and protecting the village is one of the greatest dreams in the world. Welcome, Uzumaki."

Kushina froze for a moment, her cheeks turning faintly pink. She hurriedly shook her head. "Thank you, Uchiha Ling."

Kushina was a little distracted over the next few classes. Every now and then, she stole a sidelong glance at Uchiha Ling, replaying the scene from earlier in her mind.

When the dismissal bell rang, the students packed up and began to leave. Namikaze Minato walked over to Uchiha Ling and said with a smile, "Ling, you were amazing just now! Those guys finally shut up."

"It was nothing. I just can't stand people bullying others." Uchiha Ling stretched and stood up.

Kushina quickly packed her schoolbag too. She stood off to the side, looking at Uchiha Ling. After hesitating for a long while, she said softly, "Uchiha Ling, um... to thank you for helping me, can I treat you to ramen?"

Uchiha Ling paused, then smiled. "Oh? You've got good manners. Sure, let's go to Ichiraku Ramen. Their tonkotsu ramen with extra spice is incredible!"

Namikaze Minato's eyes lit up. "Ichiraku Ramen? I want to go too! Ling, Kushina, can I come with you?"

"Of course. The more, the merrier." Uchiha Ling nodded.

Ichiraku Ramen Shop was as busy as ever, the fragrant aroma of ramen steaming through the air. When the owner, Tezuka Osamu, saw them, he greeted them with a smile.

"Ling, Minato, brought a new friend along today?"

"Yeah, boss. Three bowls of tonkotsu ramen—two extra spicy, and one regular."

Uchiha Ling found a seat by the window. Kushina sat opposite him, and Namikaze Minato sat beside him.

While they waited for their ramen, Namikaze Minato asked curiously,

"What was Uzu Village like, Kushina? Was there a lot of ocean?"

At the mention of Uzu Village, Kushina's eyes dimmed and her voice fell.

"Yeah. Uzu Village was on an island, surrounded by blue ocean. There were lots of seashells on the shore... But now, it's gone."

She looked up at Uchiha Ling and Namikaze Minato, her eyes reddening. "Uzu Village was destroyed by a coalition of other villages. I'm one of the few from my clan who survived. They brought me to Konoha."

Namikaze Minato froze, then hurried to apologize. "I'm sorry, Kushina. I didn't mean to..."

"It's okay." Kushina shook her head. "I didn't want anyone to know, but after they said all that to me, I..."

"Don't pay any attention to them."

Uchiha Ling interrupted her, his tone more serious than usual.

"They're just ignorant. They don't understand what Uzu Village means to Konoha. The Uzumaki Clan is Konoha's ally. Having you here is an honor for Konoha, not a matter of 'begging for food.'"

He met Kushina's eyes and continued,

"Besides, your hair is beautiful. It's like a flame, much better than all those ordinary colors. If anyone calls you a freak again, tell me. I'll deal with them."

Looking into Uchiha Ling's earnest eyes, Kushina felt as if something had struck her heart, filling it with warmth.

She nodded firmly, a smile curling her lips. Like sunlight after the rain, it chased away the gloom in her eyes. "Okay! Thank you, Uchiha Ling!"

[Target "Uzumaki Kushina" is experiencing the emotions "moved" and "joyful." Emotion value +35]

Just then, the owner approached with three bowls of ramen. The steaming noodles were topped with chopped green onions, and their aroma filled the air. "Your ramen's here!"

Uchiha Ling picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a big mouthful of noodles, and slurped them down. "Mmm, it still tastes just as good! Kushina, hurry and try some. If it's not good, I'll eat it for you!"

Kushina laughed at his teasing and picked up her chopsticks. She took a bite of ramen. The spicy broth spread across her tongue, setting her taste buds tingling, yet it made her feel especially warm.

None of them noticed the pair of eyes coldly watching them from the shadows. Then the watcher disappeared around the corner.

In a dim room at Root Base, a Root shinobi in a black uniform knelt on one knee before Danzo, who sat in the shadows, and reported in a low voice.

"Lord Danzo, Uchiha Ling and Uzumaki Kushina interacted at the Ninja Academy today. After class, they went to Ichiraku Ramen together. They appear to have taken a liking to each other."

Danzo sat in his chair, tapping the armrest lightly with his fingers, his gaze sinister.

He had long known Uzumaki Kushina's true identity: an orphan from Uzu Village, a pure-blood descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, with great vitality and a talent for Sealing Jutsu. She was the Third Hokage's chosen candidate for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

"Those naturally evil Uchiha must be plotting something involving the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki..."

Danzo's voice was low and cold. He rose and walked to the window, looking toward Kage Rock in the distance.

"We have to stop them. You may leave. I'm going to see Hiruzen."

"Yes, sir!" the Root shinobi replied respectfully, then disappeared into the shadows.

The next morning, Hiruzen Sarutobi was in the Hokage Office, poring over a mountain of scrolls. Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on his silver hair, making him look more tired than usual.

"Hiruzen." Danzo pushed open the door and walked in.

Hiruzen looked up. Seeing Danzo, he frowned. "Danzo? What brings you here?"

"This is about Uchiha Ling and Uzumaki Kushina." Danzo walked over to the desk, his tone grave.

"They're getting too close."

Danzo's voice carried a hint of pressure. "The naturally evil Uchiha Clan must be plotting something involving the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki! I've said it before: the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki should be watched by Root."

Hiruzen looked up, his eyes holding a hint of helplessness. "Lady Mito personally brought Kushina here so she could grow up in a good environment."

At the mention of Mito Uzumaki, Danzo's expression darkened.

"Then transfer Uchiha Ling to Root. I'll train him into a sharp blade for Konoha!"

"Uchiha Ling is a child with the Will of Fire in his heart. He's different from the other Uchiha."

Hiruzen picked up a sheet of paper from the corner of his desk. It was the essay Uchiha Ling had written about the Will of Fire.

"I think Uchiha Ling can become a bridge between the village and the Uchiha Clan."

Hiruzen paused, his tone turning solemn. "He has the Will of Fire."

"The Will of Fire?" Danzo sneered. "It's nothing but an essay full of empty talk! Our teacher said it long ago: the Uchiha Clan is naturally evil."

Hiruzen stood and walked to the window, looking out over Konoha. "I've already made my decision on this matter. You don't need to interfere."

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!" Danzo's voice was cold. "The Uchiha have never been trustworthy!"

"Danzo, I'm the Hokage!" Hiruzen's tone was firm. "He has the Will of Fire, and that's enough. I won't agree to your proposal. Go back."

Danzo saw the determination in Hiruzen's eyes and knew there was no point in saying more.

"Bang!" He gave a cold snort, turned, and left the Hokage Office, slamming the door in anger.

Watching Danzo leave, Hiruzen sighed helplessly. He picked up the essay from the desk and read it again. This Uchiha boy might really be the key to changing the Uchiha Clan.