Mikoto's Charm

Hidden Leaf Village.

Senju Genma walked down the street, holding Uchiha Mikoto's hand.

After a long stretch of ninjutsu training, Senju Genma wanted to relax once in a while. As it happened, Uchiha Mikoto had invited him out.

They were both good-looking, and as they walked along, their adorable faces drew curious glances from the villagers.

"Genma, what do you think of what I'm wearing today?" Uchiha Mikoto asked shyly, her cheeks flushed as she tugged at the hem of her clothes.

To show how much he cared, Senju Genma deliberately turned to look her over carefully.

Today, Uchiha Mikoto was wearing a purple kimono that was both elaborate and practical.

But Senju Genma wasn't some pervert. He hadn't even finished growing up himself, and he'd never do anything too outrageous to a little girl.

Senju Genma rested a hand on his chin, fell silent for a moment, then smiled. "That kimono suits you perfectly. The pattern is lovely, and the color matches your temperament. I really like it."

Uchiha Mikoto's face lit up with delight.

Generally speaking, girls did mature earlier than boys.

Uchiha Mikoto was already a head taller than Senju Genma.

Standing in front of her, Senju Genma puffed out his cheeks adorably and gazed up at Mikoto with sparkling eyes.

Feeling his gaze, Mikoto quickly took a step back and straightened her hair and kimono. Her flustered movements were as cute as a little animal's.

"I'm so sorry, Genma. I lost my composure!"

Senju Genma nodded solemnly. "It's all right. You're cute like this, too, Mikoto."

Uchiha Mikoto blushed even more at Senju Genma's approval and hurriedly covered her face with her hands.

Senju Genma fell silent, deciding not to ruin the mood.

He could tell that although Uchiha Mikoto spoke with confidence, her brain had clearly overloaded.

Senju Genma led the distracted Uchiha Mikoto aimlessly down the street.

Sometimes, people didn't go shopping to buy anything. They simply enjoyed spending time together and getting to know each other.

But before long, Genma realized he couldn't keep going.

"By the way, aren't you tired of walking around?" Genma asked helplessly. He couldn't understand how girls could shop for so long.

Tsunade had been like this, and now Mikoto was, too.

His strength was clearly greater than Mikoto's, but when it came to shopping, he couldn't keep up with her at all.

As dusk settled, the two of them finally grew tired and went into a restaurant.

They had barely taken their seats when Uchiha Mikoto, now calm again, looked troubled.

Senju Genma asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Uchiha Mikoto lowered her head and said hesitantly, "I'm worried about our clans. You're a Senju, after all, and I'm an Uchiha."

She regretted getting carried away and dragging Senju Genma into this. The feud between their clans wouldn't change just for the two of them.

Senju Genma squeezed her hand reassuringly. "You don't need to worry. We'll find a way to deal with the clans."

Uchiha Mikoto let out a long sigh, then nodded firmly. "I believe you!"

Mikoto gazed at Genma's earnest face, then took a charm from the sash of her kimono.

"Would you carry this with you?"

Senju Genma accepted the charm and carefully put it in his waist pouch. He nodded emphatically.

"I'll keep it with me always!"

"I'm sorry, Mikoto. I don't have a charm, but I do have a gift for you!"

Uchiha Mikoto asked curiously, "What is it?"

"Give me your hand." Senju Genma held out his hand to Uchiha Mikoto.

Mikoto placed her hand in his.

Senju Genma used his other hand to take hold of Mikoto's wrist. Soon, a heart-shaped mark appeared on it.

Mikoto looked at her wrist and asked in confusion, "This design is so pretty. What is it?"

Senju Genma explained, "It's my personal Flying Thunder God Formula. If you don't like it, I can remove it for you."

Uchiha Mikoto was astonished. She knew about the Flying Thunder God Technique.

It hadn't even been twenty years since Senju Tobirama's death, and Uchiha Mikoto had heard stories about him.

After all, Kagami Uchiha, the once-famous genius of the Uchiha Clan, had been one of Senju Tobirama's elite guards.

Uchiha Mikoto shook her head. "There's no need. I really like your gift. It makes me feel as though you're always by my side."

Meanwhile, in Konoha Forest.

"Minato! Stop running! Take the Water Dragon Bullet head-on!"

Senju Genma's Wood Clone clapped his hands together. A water dragon appeared around him, then shot straight toward Namikaze Minato.

Namikaze Minato hurriedly leaped from branch to branch to dodge it.

"Don't be ridiculous, Genma! A water dragon that thick would be too much for my body to handle!"

Senju Genma shouted, "Minato, the human body isn't so inconvenient! You have to believe in your body!"

Only after the water dragon slammed into the ground and vanished did Namikaze Minato jump down from the tree.

Senju Genma drew a kunai from his waist pouch and charged at Namikaze Minato at incredible speed.

"Now for Taijutsu."

Namikaze Minato reacted quickly, immediately pulling a kunai from his waist pouch to block.

Then the two of them quickly retreated.

Namikaze Minato took the opportunity to dart into the woods, with Senju Genma right on his heels. Their figures crossed back and forth among the trees.

Senju Genma held back a little, so the two were evenly matched, and the fight was fierce.

They clashed more and more often. Under Senju Genma's relentless attacks, Namikaze Minato soon fell onto the defensive.

Clang!

Their kunai clashed. Senju Genma knocked the kunai from Namikaze Minato's hand, and Minato ran out of strength and fell from the tree.

Fortunately, Senju Genma reacted quickly and leaped into the air to catch Minato. The two landed safely.

Once they reached the ground, Senju Genma set Namikaze Minato down.

"I can't go on, Genma. I'm out of chakra. I really don't have a drop left. Let's continue tomorrow."

Senju Genma lowered his hand in disappointment. "All right, then. I can't do anything with you."

Namikaze Minato said dejectedly, "Sorry, Genma. I was the one who asked you to come, but now I'm the first to give up."

Over the past few months, Namikaze Minato had come to think of Senju Genma as a friend.

He dreamed of becoming Hokage and was highly motivated. Spending every day with Senju Genma had made him increasingly aware of the gap between them, so he'd asked Genma, who came from a major clan, to train him.

Senju Genma also wanted to test the ninjutsu he'd learned in actual combat, so he'd agreed.

Namikaze Minato suddenly said, "Genma, I'll catch up to you."

Senju Genma knew that would be difficult, but as his friend, he patted Minato on the shoulder. "I'll be waiting for that day!"