Uzumaki

"Where is this?"

Kushina opened her eyes, only to find herself in a pool of water.

The orange-red water, leaning slightly toward blood-red, did not pull her under; she stood upon the surface just as she had practiced during water-walking training.

There was nothing around her, nothing to be seen, only a vast expanse of void.

Seeming to sense something, the red-haired girl looked behind her.

There was something there.

A massive, massive cage, its iron bars standing right before her, each one as thick as the girl herself.

The cage was empty, filled with a darkness so deep that nothing could be discerned within.

Her pitch-black pupils stared at the spot, her gaze piercing through the iron bars to peer into the depths.

In the stillness, a pair of blood-red eyes manifested—

"Ah!"

Kushina let out a sharp cry and bolted upright.

Her crimson hair was damp, and her back and forehead were soaked with sweat.

"Haa... haa..."

Kushina panted, then wrapped her arms around herself.

In the pitch-black night, the girl held her own body, feeling a hollow emptiness in her heart.

"Yueshu."

For some reason, the girl whispered that name.

The boy who always appeared by her side, the one who became her hero—

Time flows back.

It was five days after their first mission had been completed, and Jiraiya had granted everyone a short break.

Naturally, everyone returned to their own homes to enjoy the vacation after such a grueling mission.

Having left the village for the first time and completed their first major mission, the excitement still lingered in their hearts.

Kushina was no exception.

After spending a few days shopping with her best friend Mikoto, she went to Yueshu's home. She never expected to find Minato Namikaze wearing an apron and cooking in Yueshu's kitchen, while the person she was looking for was napping in the courtyard with a look of utter contentment.

It was a contraption known as a hammock that Yueshu had set up, and he was basking in the sun, feeling the breeze, and squinting his eyes.

His life could not have been more comfortable.

Especially since someone was keeping him company on the side.

That's right, it was none other than Lady Tsunade, one of the Sannin.

Kushina and Mikoto were both stunned.

They hadn't expected that Yueshu's "condition" had already infected Lady Tsunade.

"Yo, Kushina, Mikoto, are you here to see Yueshu?"

Minato Namikaze greeted the two girls with a smile; he and Shizune were busy cooking in the kitchen.

"That's right, but why are you here, and dressed like that?"

Kushina looked Minato Namikaze up and down.

She realized that Minato Namikaze actually suited an apron quite well.

"I'm curious, too."

Mikoto asked from the side as well.

Minato Namikaze rubbed his head and chuckled.

"There are many reasons for this, and I'm not quite sure where to start."

"Minato, are these your teammates? Why don't you all stay for a meal?"

Shizune noticed the commotion and turned around.

"Eh?"

Kushina and Mikoto, not knowing what was happening, found themselves dazed and agreeing to stay for dinner.

"Welcome, welcome."

Two more people were added to the dining table at the Senju Residence, but adding a few pairs of chopsticks was no problem at all.

After eating the meal in a daze, Kushina and Mikoto finally understood why Minato Namikaze was there; as expected, it was all Yueshu's doing.

However, Kushina and Mikoto were quite in favor of it.

"If you'd like, you two can come over often. Minato will be happy to serve you a grand feast."

"As expected, it's me again."

Yueshu generously invited Kushina and Mikoto, leaving Minato Namikaze to the side feeling quite helpless; after all, he was the one who would end up doing all the work.

Fortunately, he had lived alone for a long time, so his culinary skills were quite decent. Although they still paled in comparison to Shizune, they were certainly good enough.

"Well, come by whenever you have time. Meals are always better when they're lively."

Tsunade agreed as well. The Senju Residence had become increasingly vibrant lately, and she was in high spirits.

Compared to the deathly silence of the past, where she was the only one in such a large house, it finally felt a bit more like a home.

Ever since the war had claimed the lives of those she held dear, this house had been stripped of its vitality, but now, it had finally been reclaimed.

"Yes, thank you, Lady Tsunade."

Kushina and Mikoto expressed their gratitude, promising to visit often.

After the meal, Kushina and Mikoto said their goodbyes, but Minato Namikaze stayed behind, as it seemed he would have to continue his duties as a chef for the evening.

Yet, what Kushina didn't expect was—

The task meant for her alone had arrived.

"Kushina."

Kushina was summoned to the Hokage's office. Upon arriving, she found her only relative there—Mito Uzumaki, who, while not her biological grandmother, was just like one to her.

There were quite a few people in the Hokage's office.

The three elders, the Third Hokage, and Mito.

"Kushina."

Mito's eyes held a trace of sorrow, and her voice sounded remarkably weak.

Her face revealed a sadness that was unlike anything Kushina had seen before.

Usually, Grandma Mito was always so gentle, tolerant of everything Kushina did.

"Grandma Mito, what's wrong?"

A wave of unease surged in Kushina's heart.

"Kushina, you are a strong child."

Mito walked over and gently stroked Kushina's cheek.

Then—

"Kushina Uzumaki."

"I am now entrusting you with a mission that only you can fulfill."

The Third Hokage spoke up.

"You are to become the next Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails."

The Third Hokage's voice was soft, devoid of the coldness typical of a Hokage or a high-ranking official, yet Kushina felt that his words held no warmth at all.

"The Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails?"

Kushina muttered to herself, stunned.

Beside her, Mito closed her eyes.

This was a burden Kushina had to bear; she was the only one, as an orphan of the Uzumaki clan—

A princess does not merely enjoy wealth and status; she must also shoulder the responsibilities of a princess.

The same was true for the princess of the Uzumaki clan.

At that moment, the nine-year-old red-haired girl learned of the responsibility she would have to carry for the rest of her life.

With her face buried in the covers, Kushina lay prone on her bed.

She had been like this ever since she returned from the Hokage's office.

The sudden turn of events left Kushina at a loss for what to do.

The Nine-Tails, a demon beast with nine tails, was the embodiment of disaster.

Kushina had, of course, heard stories about it.

A creature of pure evil that seemed to exist solely for destruction.

And now, Kushina was to become the Jinchuriki of this very demon.

Even if it wasn't happening this very second, Kushina felt terrified.

No one would ever want to coexist with a demon beast.

A young girl like Kushina, even more so.

"Yueshu—"

The girl whispered a name, the name of the hero in her heart.

Perhaps hoping that her hero would descend once more to save her, the girl called out softly.

But clearly, the girl's wish would not be granted.

The night was a little chilly. The girl hugged herself, burying her face.

"Kushina."

A voice came from outside the door; it was the voice of Grandma Mito, the one she loved most.

She did not answer, Kushina just sat quietly on the bed.

After a long while, the sound of fading footsteps drifted from outside the door...

A sigh passed softly through the door and into Kushina's ears.

Tonight, the girl was still alone.