The main world.
Summer, year thirty of Konoha.
Outside the Elite School in Konohagakure.
Jiefang stood below the steps outside the Elite School's main gate, leaning on a wooden staff. He neither climbed the steps nor approached the training ground inside the gate. He stood beneath an old tree at the edge of the steps. Its crown was small, its shade just wide enough to cover him alone.
Several children were practicing Shuriken throwing on the training ground, their movements uneven. Some threw accurately; others missed by a wide margin. He did not watch them. His gaze passed over the training ground and settled on the side gate.
The side gate opened. A red-haired girl walked out at an unhurried pace, as though she had been called out on short notice. She wore a dark training outfit, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her steps paused when she saw Jiefang, then she quickened her pace and approached. Once she stopped before him, she spoke with a measure of surprise and confirmation in her voice. "Grandpa Jiefang, what brings you here?"
Jiefang looked at her without speaking immediately. His wooden staff tapped lightly against the steps, as though checking whether the ground was firm. Then he said, "I came to see you."
Kushina stood before him. Her gaze shifted from his face to the two people her age standing diagonally behind him-one blond, one with dark green hair-then returned. She asked no further questions about them. She asked him another question, her voice a little softer this time. "Did the trip tire you out?"
"No," Jiefang answered.
He paused. His Mind's Eye of the Kagura had already spread out silently. It swept over the edge of the training ground, the corners on either side of the side gate, and the