Chapter 7: Enlightenment

Chapter 7: Enlightenment

Uzumaki Mito fell into deep thought when she heard Uzumaki Kushina mention Chiba.

Sensing that Uzumaki Mito seemed troubled, Uzumaki Kushina asked, "Grandma Mito, is something wrong?"

Uzumaki Mito shook her head and smiled, saying, "Kushina, do you want to be friends with Chiba?"

Uzumaki Kushina nodded vigorously, "Yes."

Uzumaki Mito said earnestly, "Chiba is right in a way. If you want to be friends with him, you might end up being disliked by many people. If you really want this, you need to be prepared and not give up.

I think Chiba is very lonely and longs for friends. He is alone in Konoha, disliked by everyone, and has a very difficult life.

I hope you two can become friends and end the loneliness for both of you. Kushina, are you prepared for that?"

Uzumaki Kushina's determination flared up, and she replied energetically, "Grandma Mito, I'm prepared!"

Uzumaki Mito smiled with satisfaction.

Uzumaki Kushina then asked curiously, "But, Grandma Mito, why is everyone so against Chiba? Did he do something wrong? My first impression of him was quite good, and he even mentioned he doesn't have a surname. I've never met someone without a surname before."

Uzumaki Mito sighed, "It's not that Chiba did anything wrong. He's a victim caught between two rival ninja clans, a poor child.

He doesn't have a surname because his clan doesn't acknowledge him, and the other clan has abandoned the use of surnames. That's why he only has a given name."

Young Uzumaki Kushina didn't fully understand Mito's explanation and was left confused.

Uzumaki Mito patted Kushina's back and said with a smile, "Alright, you must be tired. It's time to go back and rest. You have school tomorrow."

Uzumaki Kushina jumped down from Mito's lap, "Okay, Grandma Mito, good night!"

Uzumaki Mito watched lovingly as Kushina left.

After Kushina departed, Uzumaki Mito was left alone in her house.

Mito couldn't help but sigh again, knowing all too well the pain of loneliness.

...

The next day.

Uzumaki Kushina headed to the ninja academy with full confidence.

She resolved that she would become friends with Chiba today.

If he refused...

Uzumaki Kushina's sharp mind quickly came up with a plan.

She would make Chiba agree to be her friend by force if necessary!

However, upon arriving at the classroom, Kushina was disappointed to find that Chiba did not come to the academy that day.

Not knowing anyone else to ask about Chiba's whereabouts, Kushina was left in the dark.

Instead, the group of kids she had beaten up the previous day were looking for revenge.

But when it came to fighting, Uzumaki Kushina had never lost.

With her fiery temper, Uzumaki Kushina swung her red hair and used her fists to teach those kids a lesson once more.

Three days passed.

Uzumaki Kushina continued to beat up the kids who dared to provoke her every day.

But over these three days, Kushina remained gloomy.

Chiba had not shown up at the academy, forcing her plans to be put on hold.

Meanwhile, Chiba remained in the ninja hospital, still unconscious.

In the Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe and asked, "How is Chiba? Has he awakened?"

An Anbu appeared behind Hiruzen, kneeling on one knee to report, "Chiba is still in a coma!"

Hiruzen frowned, "It's been four days, and he still hasn't woken up? What does the hospital say?"

The Anbu continued, "Chiba's chakra was severely depleted, and his entire body's meridians are damaged to varying degrees. His muscles, especially those in his hands and legs, are also severely strained due to the Lightning Release jutsu."

Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe, his eyes gleaming with a hint of insight, "So, the damage to that forest was indeed caused by Chiba. It seems he has mastered an extraordinary Lightning Release technique. Do the medical ninjas have any estimates on when he might awaken?"

"They said he might wake up as soon as tomorrow."

After putting down his pipe, Hiruzen said, "Make sure to report to me as soon as Chiba wakes up."

"Understood!"

The Anbu vanished instantly.

...

After school, Chiba had still not appeared, leaving Uzumaki Kushina very disappointed.

Kushina packed up and prepared to return to Uzumaki Mito's residence.

As she was about to leave the classroom, she sensed a gaze fixed on her.

Thinking it might be those kids looking for trouble again, she turned around sharply.

However, it wasn't the kids but Namikaze Minato, who was still seated, watching her.

Upon being noticed by Kushina, Minato's face flushed red, and he quickly lowered his head.

Uzumaki Kushina raised her fist and shook it threateningly, saying, "If you dare to provoke me, I'll beat you up!"

After the threat, Kushina tossed her head and walked away without looking back.

In truth, Uzumaki Kushina had little regard for Namikaze Minato, feeling he was too weak.

On her first day in class, to avoid being looked down upon and to make a strong impression on her classmates, she had declared loudly, "I'm going to become the first female Hokage!"

But then, Minato had stood up and said he also wanted to be Hokage, as if to imply, "Don't get your hopes up. Even I, being so weak, would be a better candidate than you."

That's why Kushina disliked Minato so much.

After Kushina left, Minato looked a bit dejected, not understanding why Kushina seemed to dislike him so much.

Kushina returned to Uzumaki Mito's residence.

"Grandma Mito, I'm back."

Seeing Kushina looking dejected, Mito chuckled, "Looks like Chiba didn't come to school again today, right?"

Kushina had come home looking like this every day for the past few days, so Mito couldn't have missed it.

Kushina slumped into a chair and sighed, "Yes, I mustered up the courage to approach him, but he wasn't there. I'm losing hope."

Mito shook her head helplessly, "Kushina, if you've made up your mind, you can't give up halfway."

"I know, I'm not giving up, but with Chiba not showing up, how can I befriend him?"

Kushina scratched her head, troubled.

Mito smiled, "I know where Chiba is~"