Chapter 13: Damn it!

Araki is a time traveler.

The process of time travel was also quite unexpected.

Compared to other time travelers, Araki felt like he lacked some essential components.

However, it seemed that instead of being transported to a completely unfamiliar world, he had arrived in the world of Naruto.

Although it was still a time travel experience, for Araki, it had an uncommon advantage. He knew everything that would happen after the current point in time.

Kushina Uzumaki came to Konoha not to play around but to replace the wife of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and become the next Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails.

Before Kushina arrived here, she had no knowledge of these events. So, it was normal for her to experience a certain degree of psychological breakdown upon finding out, especially considering she was just a nine-year-old child.

"It's time for class."

Araki calmly spoke, interrupting Kushina's crying and appearing quite indifferent at that moment.

Of course, this was the result he deliberately created. It was a sure thing that Kushina would become the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails.

The deadline for Mito Uzumaki was approaching, and she could no longer suppress the Nine-Tails. If she couldn't complete the transfer of the Nine-Tails within the remaining time, the Nine-Tails would return to a free state.

At that point, everything would spiral out of control, and the Nine-Tails would undoubtedly seek revenge on Konoha. Currently, there was no one in the village who could stop the Nine-Tails.

Araki didn't have the ability to change Kushina's situation, nor did he want to. This was the best arrangement for now.

In that case...

Let Kushina adapt on her own!

Before long, Kushina would become the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, and Araki believed it would be better to keep some distance.

Having said that, Araki broke free from Kushina's grasp, picked up the school bag from the ground, and acted as if he was going to class.

"You... You... You..."

Kushina now appeared pitiful, with tears streaming down her face. Her emotions had just escalated, and a few drops of tears fell, but she hadn't fully vented her helplessness from within. Araki pushed her away before she could do so.

How could he be like this!

Was the psychological impact she received that great?

Didn't he understand how to comfort someone in distress?

Besides...

I'm miserable right now too!

Can't he comfort me a little?

Kushina silently complained in her heart, her beautiful eyes glaring at Araki. She kept those words to herself and didn't actually say them out loud.

"We're going to be late."

Araki's tone remained indifferent. He suddenly realized that this was a good opportunity.

Despite how heartless it seemed!

Kushina's sudden arrival here was something he hadn't expected at all. Everything happened unexpectedly, making him passively handle the situation from start to finish.

But at this moment, he suddenly realized that it was an opportunity.

An opportunity to distance himself from Kushina!

Araki realized that Kushina was at her most helpless moment, and her inner vulnerability had reached its limit.

If he were to comfort Kushina, it would inevitably increase her fondness for him, making it more complicated to handle their relationship.

After all, it would create a bond.

In the future, if Kushina encountered any problems, Araki wouldn't be able to turn a blind eye.

Women truly had an impact on the speed of his cultivation!

However...

If he took advantage of this opportunity to appear more indifferent and deliver another blow to Kushina's already wounded heart because of him, it would certainly change her perception of him.

Kushina's personality was inherently stubborn and resilient.

This way, he could naturally create some distance between them.

Araki silently contemplated in his heart. He knew that by doing this, he might hurt Kushina, but now was not the time for him to step forward.

"Hmph!"

Kushina let out a resentful snort, raising her small hand to wipe away the tears in the corners of her eyes, concealing her disheveled appearance.

During this process, she seemed somewhat indignant, but she stubbornly remained silent, only stomping her foot to express some of her emotions towards Araki.

Then, Kushina firmly picked up her school bag and stood by Araki's side.

Due to her recent crying, her eyes were slightly red and swollen, making her look quite pitiful and eliciting sympathy.

"Don't you care about me at all?"

Kushina pouted and protested, but from her current demeanor, it seemed that she didn't intend to sever ties with Araki.

"You... Weren't you unable to speak?"

Araki furrowed his brow slightly and responded indifferently.

This time, he was the one who felt surprised.

He had been so infuriating.

If this were in the real world, he would surely have angered the other person and been called a scumbag.

However...

Kushina seemed completely indifferent.

"I really can't speak."

Kushina immediately lowered her head with a hint of grievance. She kept telling herself that she couldn't blame Araki for this matter. After all, she couldn't say anything, and Araki didn't know anything either, so there was no way he could comfort her.

"But..."

Kushina hesitated to speak. After a moment of contemplation, she pursed her lips, shook her head, and muttered to herself, "Forget it, everything will be fine."

After saying these words.

Kushina seemed to have gained some acceptance.

In reality, she also understood that the things that had fallen upon her now could only be accepted without any other options.

No matter what emotions she had, they couldn't change the ultimate outcome.

It was better to accept it calmly!

Kushina slowly raised her head and looked in Araki's direction. Just as her face returned to normal, the corners of her mouth twitched fiercely, and black lines appeared on her forehead.

In her line of sight.

Araki had already walked away without looking back, carrying his school bag.

"Araki, wait for me!"

Kushina immediately quickened her pace, wanting to catch up, but as she sped up, Araki's speed also increased.

The distance between them did not diminish in the slightest.

Kushina took a few quick steps, trying to close the distance between them, but it was still ineffective.

Araki seemed to have eyes on his back.

Always maintaining the same speed as her.

"We made a promise."

Araki's emotionless voice came from not far ahead. It was not loud, but it clearly reached Kushina's ears.

"Damn it!"

Kushina stomped her foot in frustration. The distance between her and Araki wasn't far, but after chatting with that adult all night last night without getting enough rest, she simply didn't have the energy to accelerate anymore.

The distance between them seemed short, yet it felt long. They never seemed to be able to get close, giving a sense of being worlds apart.

"Araki, wait for me. One day, I will catch up to you and you won't be able to shake me off!"

Kushina wrinkled her nose, tightly clenched her small fist. Even she didn't know why, but she didn't have a single trace of resentment or blame towards Araki.

Kushina's gaze focused on Araki, and a sense of challenge emerged in her heart.

If it were so easy to become friends with Araki...

Araki wouldn't be without a single friend!

That in itself was a challenging matter!

Encountering a little setback was nothing at all. Sooner or later, she would earn Araki's recognition!