Uzumaki Kushina

Just then, a voice called from outside.

"Shinichi! Nawaki! Are you in there?"

Hyuga Shinichi heard the voice and looked toward the door. He immediately recognized Inuzuka Gai's voice and headed straight out of the clinic.

When Inuzuka Gai saw Hyuga Shinichi, he asked,

"Why haven't you come to see us in so long? Has Nawaki still not recovered?"

Hyuga Shinichi answered with a smile,

"I was held up by a few things, but Nawaki's woken up and seems to be doing well. He should recover soon. Did you come looking for me because something's up?"

Inuzuka Gai nodded.

"Yeah. Big Brother Jiraiya asked you to come back. He said we're going to meet the target of our mission."

At that, Hyuga Shinichi's heart stirred.

Oh?! Are we going to meet little Kushina? Minato, just you wait. Your big brother's about to bring home a wife for you!

"Sure. Wait here a moment. I'll let everyone inside know."

With that, he turned and went back into the clinic. Once inside, Hyuga Shinichi explained the situation to everyone and asked them to help look after Nawaki, who hadn't fully recovered yet.

Uzumaki Michiko agreed without hesitation, promising to do everything she could to care for Nawaki. Reassured by her firm answer, Hyuga Shinichi stepped outside and left with Inuzuka Gai.

Before long, we met up with Jiraiya and Aburame Tomohiro, who were waiting at the Village Chief's door. As soon as they saw us, Jiraiya asked Hyuga Shinichi,

"How's Nawaki?"

Aburame Tomohiro didn't say anything, but he watched Hyuga Shinichi closely. It seemed he was concerned about Nawaki too.

"He's pretty much recovered."

As we walked, I told them about Nawaki's condition. A guard appointed by the Village Chief led the way.

Gradually, we drew closer to our destination. Suddenly, the excited voices of children reached our ears.

"Wow! Look! When Kushina gets mad, her hair really floats!"

Following the voices, we spotted a group of children surrounding a little girl. She stood there, fuming. What made her stand out was her bright red hair, which floated in the air and looked even more vivid beside the other Uzumaki children.

Seeing that the girl they were looking for was surrounded by a bunch of little troublemakers, the guard leading us hurried over and shooed the children away. Then he brought the girl over and introduced her to us.

"Everyone, this is the little girl you're looking for."

Hearing that the strangers before her wanted to see her, the girl warily took a step back.

Hyuga Shinichi gently held out a hand to her and smiled.

"Hello. Are you Uzumaki Kushina? Don't worry, we're not bad people."

Looking at the older boy in front of her, Kushina sensed his goodwill and relaxed a little. Still somewhat shy, she replied,

"Hello, I... I'm Uzumaki Kushina. W-what do you want with me?"

"Do you know Lady Uzumaki Mito?"

Though Uzumaki Mito had married into Konoha, everyone in the Uzumaki Clan knew of her reputation.

"I do. She's the princess of the Land of Whirlpools."

"That's right. We came here at Lady Uzumaki Mito's request, specifically to bring you to Konoha."

Hyuga Shinichi explained sincerely.

At the words "Konoha," Kushina's eyes lit up. Her late parents had told her about the place—a village filled with peace and strength.

And Lady Uzumaki Mito, a princess, had married into Konoha. As Kushina gradually let down her guard, Hyuga Shinichi found it easier and easier to talk with her.

When she learned that she would be able to meet Lady Uzumaki Mito and visit the Konoha her parents had described, Uzumaki Kushina readily agreed to go with everyone.

That meant half the mission was complete. Now they just had to make sure Uzumaki Kushina arrived safely in Konoha, and the mission would be a success.

Since Hyuga Shinichi had made such a good impression on Uzumaki Kushina, Jiraiya had him accompany her home to pack her things.

The others went to the clinic to check on Nawaki. If he had recovered enough, they could set out for home right away.

Uzumaki Kushina wanted to bring a lot of things, so Hyuga Shinichi showed off his Sealing Jutsu in front of her, packing everything into a scroll. Kushina was amazed.

Hyuga Shinichi thought that perhaps this was the only time he could show off the little Sealing Jutsu he'd learned so far.

In the future, Kushina would be able to learn from Grandma Mito just like him—and become highly skilled in Sealing Jutsu, too.

Once everything was packed, Hyuga Shinichi led Uzumaki Kushina to meet up with Jiraiya and the others.

Along the way, Hyuga Shinichi spoke to Uzumaki Kushina in a gentle, even tone. Whenever she had a question, he patiently gave her a detailed answer.

His kindness made Uzumaki Kushina feel that Hyuga Shinichi was a warm and friendly big brother.

Before they reached the clinic, they spotted a group of people gathered in front of it. Jiraiya was chatting with the Village Chief, while Nawaki said goodbye to Uzumaki Michiko under the watchful, curious eyes of his two friends.

The Village Chief clasped Jiraiya's hands and urged him earnestly,

"Why don't you all wait until tomorrow morning to set out? Nightfall is almost here. Going out now could be dangerous."

After talking with the Village Chief all afternoon, Jiraiya already understood the situation in the Land of Whirlpools. He also knew what the man meant by "dangerous."

In recent years, hostile forces of unknown origin had repeatedly appeared in the Land of Whirlpools, launching surprise attacks against the Uzumaki Clan.

"It's all right, Village Chief. Don't worry! Our reconnaissance skills are excellent. We can detect the enemy's movements and find out where they are before they make a move."

Hyuga Shinichi had come close enough to hear their conversation, and he spoke up as well.

"Grandpa Village Chief, can I ask you something? Are there only about two hundred people left in Uzushio Village?"

The Village Chief nodded silently in agreement, his eyes dimming.

Over the years, Uzushio Village's population had dwindled not only because of casualties in battle. A considerable number of people from the Uzumaki Clan had also chosen to leave the Land of Whirlpools and seek a new life in other countries.

Seeing this, Hyuga Shinichi couldn't help asking with concern,

"Have you ever considered how much longer you'll be able to withstand the enemy's attacks if things stay the way they are?"

Faced with the pointed question, the Village Chief fell silent.

After a moment, Hyuga Shinichi suggested,

"How about this? When I get back to Konoha, I'll report the situation here to Grandma Mito. Given her influence, she'll surely convince the Hokage to let you move to Konoha."

The Village Chief still seemed to have reservations. He hesitated before speaking.

"But..."