Another possibility is that they are mentor - mentee in a non - family way. Kushina could be a self - appointed teacher to Naruto, guiding him in areas where he is lacking. For instance, she could teach him some unique sealing techniques that she has mastered, and their relationship could be built on this teacher - student dynamic.
Another way could be as rivals. Suppose Naruto is from a different village in this fanfiction. He and Kushina might compete in various ninja skills competitions, which leads to a complex relationship full of both admiration and competitiveness.
Well, it could make their relationship more of a friendship or a mentor - mentee kind of thing. Without the family bond, they might interact in a different way, like Naruto seeing Kushina as just another strong ninja he can learn from rather than his mother.
One plotline could be that Naruto is a wandering ninja who comes across Kushina's village under attack. He decides to help her defend it, and during the process, they discover they have a lot in common, like their love for a certain type of jutsu. This shared interest brings them closer together.
One way could be that Naruto is an orphan found by someone else entirely. Maybe he's taken in by a group of traveling merchants who raise him. His skills and abilities could be developed through different means, like learning from the various people he meets during his travels with the merchants.
It would likely be very strained. Naruto would probably avoid Kushina as much as possible. He might not even look at her when they're in the same room.
Perhaps Kushina is a powerful ninja from another village who comes to Konoha on a diplomatic mission. Naruto, being curious and always looking for new challenges, gets involved with her. They end up on a journey together to solve a mystery that threatens both of their villages. Or, Kushina could be a trainer in a secret ninja academy where Naruto is sent for special training and they form a bond over his training progress.
Harry could be re - imagined as Sauron by having his personality shift. His usually kind - hearted nature could be warped by a powerful external force, like a dark spell or an encounter with a malevolent artifact. His magic could then be used for evil purposes instead of good, and he could start to see himself as a supreme being, much like Sauron does.
Their relationship could be re - imagined as a friendly rivalry. Instead of Gaston being obsessed with Belle in a creepy way, he could see her as a worthy opponent in things like intellectual debates or archery contests. This would change the dynamic between them from one of unwanted pursuit to one of mutual respect.
The relationship between Batman and Rachel could be re - imagined as a more complex friendship. Instead of a romantic connection, they could be like two comrades with different views on justice. And the Joker's relationship with Rachel could be that of a strange mentor - like figure, not in a positive sense but in a way that he uses her naivete to play his games against Batman.
Their relationship could be re - imagined as a friendship. After Gaston realizes he can't have Belle in a romantic way, he decides to be her friend. He could use his strength to protect the library that Belle loves so much, and they could bond over their shared love for the village in a platonic way.