Mikoto's Charm

Hidden Leaf Village.

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

After a long period of ninjutsu training, Senju Genma wanted to relax for a change, and as luck would have it, Uchiha Mikoto had invited him out.

Both of them were quite striking in appearance, and as they walked, their adorable features drew lingering glances from the passing villagers.

"Genma, what do you think of this outfit today?" Uchiha Mikoto asked in a shy, soft voice, tugging at the hem of her clothes with a blush on her small face.

To show he took her seriously, Senju Genma turned his head to give her a thorough look.

Uchiha Mikoto was wearing a complex yet practical purple kimono today.

However, Senju Genma was no pervert; he hadn't even finished growing himself, let alone doing anything inappropriate to these young girls.

Senju Genma rubbed his chin, fell silent for a moment, and smiled. "This kimono suits you perfectly. The patterns are beautiful, and the color really matches your temperament. I like it very much."

Upon hearing this, a look of delight appeared on Uchiha Mikoto's face.

Generally speaking, girls do indeed mature earlier than boys.

Uchiha Mikoto was already a head taller than Senju Genma.

Senju Genma stood in front of Uchiha Mikoto, pouting his face adorably, his eyes sparkling as he stared at her.

Feeling his gaze, Mikoto quickly stepped back, tidying her hair and kimono, her flustered movements as cute as a small animal.

"I am so sorry, Genma, I lost my composure!"

Senju Genma nodded earnestly. "It's alright, you're very cute like this, too, Mikoto."

Having received Senju Genma's approval, the blush on Uchiha Mikoto's face deepened, and she hurriedly covered her face with her hands.

Senju Genma fell silent, deciding not to ruin the current atmosphere.

He could tell that although Uchiha Mikoto spoke with great spirit, her brain was clearly overloaded.

Senju Genma pulled the distracted Uchiha Mikoto along as they wandered aimlessly through the streets.

Sometimes, shopping isn't about buying anything; it's just about enjoying the process of accompanying and getting to know one another.

However, it wasn't long before Genma found it hard to keep going.

"Tell me, aren't you tired of walking?" Genma asked, feeling somewhat helpless. He didn't understand how girls could shop for so long.

Tsunade used to be like this, and now Mikoto was the same.

Even though he was stronger than Mikoto, he couldn't keep up with her when it came to shopping.

As the sky gradually darkened, the two finally grew tired and arrived at a restaurant.

They hadn't been sitting for long before a troubled look appeared on Uchiha Mikoto's face as she calmed down.

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

Uchiha Mikoto lowered her head and said with difficulty, "I'm worried about my clan. After all, you are a Senju, and I am an Uchiha."

She regretted dragging Senju Genma into this on a whim; the clan conflicts wouldn't change just for them.

Senju Genma squeezed her small hand and comforted her, "You don't need to worry. There will be a way to resolve the clan matters."

Uchiha Mikoto let out a long sigh and nodded firmly. "I believe in you!"

Mikoto gazed at Genma's earnest face, then took an amulet out from her kimono sash.

"Could you keep this with you?"

Senju Genma took the amulet, solemnly placed it into his waist pouch, and nodded heavily.

"I will keep it with me always!"

"I'm sorry, Mikoto, I don't have an amulet, but I have a gift for you as well!"

Uchiha Mikoto asked curiously, "What is it?"

"Give me your hand." Senju Genma reached out toward Uchiha Mikoto.

Mikoto placed her hand in his.

Senju Genma used his other hand to grab Mikoto's wrist, and soon, a heart-shaped pattern appeared on it.

Mikoto looked at her wrist and asked in confusion, "This pattern is so pretty, what is it?"

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

Uchiha Mikoto was very surprised; she knew of the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Senju Tobirama had been dead for less than twenty years, and Uchiha Mikoto had heard his stories.

After all, the once-famous genius of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Kagami, had been a member of Senju Tobirama's elite guard.

Uchiha Mikoto shook her head. "No need. I really like the gift you gave me. It feels like you're by my side at all times."

Meanwhile, in the forest of the Hidden Leaf.

"Minato! Don't run! You're heading straight into the Water Dragon Bullet!"

Senju Genma clapped his hands together, and a water dragon materialized around his body before surging rapidly toward Namikaze Minato.

Namikaze Minato hurriedly leaped between the tree branches to dodge the attack.

"Stop joking around, Genma! A water dragon that thick would be more than my body can handle."

Senju Genma shouted back, "Minato, how can the human body be so fragile? You need to have faith in your own physique!"

Once the water dragon crashed into the ground and dissipated, Namikaze Minato jumped down from the trees.

Senju Genma drew a kunai from his pouch and charged toward Namikaze Minato with incredible speed.

"Next is taijutsu."

Namikaze Minato's reaction speed was equally swift; he immediately pulled a kunai from his own pouch to parry.

The two of them then quickly retreated backward.

Namikaze Minato seized the opportunity to dart into the woods, with Senju Genma following closely behind as their figures constantly crossed paths among the trees.

Senju Genma held back a little, so the two were evenly matched, and the battle remained intense.

As the number of exchanges between them increased, Namikaze Minato soon found himself at a disadvantage against Senju Genma's relentless offensive.

Clang!

As their kunai collided, Namikaze Minato's weapon was knocked from his hand by Senju Genma, and, completely drained of strength, he tumbled from the tree.

Fortunately, Senju Genma was quick-witted; he leaped into the air to catch Minato, and the two landed steadily on the ground.

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

"I can't do it anymore, Genma. I'm out of chakra. I really don't have a single drop left. Let's continue tomorrow."

Senju Genma lowered his hands in disappointment. "Alright then, I suppose I have no choice."

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

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

His dream was to become Hokage, and he was a highly motivated individual. Spending every day by Senju Genma's side made him increasingly aware of the gap between them, which was why he had asked Senju Genma, who hailed from a great clan, to help him train.

Senju Genma, wanting to test the ninjutsu he had been studying in actual combat, had agreed to his request.

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

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