Chapter 13:

The little rich girl appeared weak and easy to bully, but in reality, she possessed a fierce spirit rivaling that of Tsunade.

After receiving some advice, the little rich girl went to school. If her classmates teased or gave her nicknames, something interesting was bound to happen.

"Kushina, don't pay attention to what Shinki said. Although fists can solve many problems, we girls can't always resort to using them, understand?" Tsunade advised Kushina earnestly on their way home.

Kushina, puzzled, asked, "Then why does Tsunade use her fists when dealing with classmates?"

"...."

Tsunade had the sudden urge to go back and teach Shinki a lesson.

Look at what you've taught!

Today was moving day, and Shinki rose early to begin packing. He gathered all the essentials.

The Sealing Scroll truly was a marvelous invention. It functioned perfectly as a storage device, but the downside was its high cost and the fact that it wasn't reusable.

Shinki packed everything that could be useful into the scroll. Once at the new house, he unpacked everything and arranged them one by one. 

With the move complete, Shinki prepared his own breakfast.

Meanwhile, Kushina, with some nervousness, set off for the Ninja Academy with her small schoolbag.

"Class, we have a new transfer student today. I hope you will all get along with her. Kushina, please introduce yourself," announced Sarutobi Yuu, the teacher of the third-grade junior class, as he brought Kushina into the room.

Facing a room full of unfamiliar faces, Kushina felt a pang of anxiety. "Hello, everyone. My name is Kushina, Uzumaki Kushina, and I come from the Uzumaki clan. Nice to meet you all."

"What clan is the Uzumaki clan?"

"Never heard of it, but she has red hair."

"Yeah, red hair is ugly—like a chili pepper! Haha, little chili pepper!"

The unexpected arrival of a transfer student intrigued the class, and a few mischievous children began to mock Kushina and her hair.

"Little Honda, stop teasing your classmate!" Sarutobi Yuu's voice was stern. He was tempted to discipline the student on the spot.

Mocking a new classmate in front of the teacher? And giving her a nickname? Is there no respect left?

"But I didn't say anything wrong." Little Honda protested, defiant.

Sarutobi Yuu sighed internally. Children this age could be difficult to discipline; some had troublesome attitudes that weren't easy to correct. Scolding them might not work, and a harsher approach seemed excessive.

Shinki was right: sometimes a show of strength was needed.

No sooner had Kushina finished her introduction than she was mocked and nicknamed "Little Pepper." Her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

"Kushina, please find an empty seat," Sarutobi Yuu said, after reprimanding the rowdy students. He forced an apologetic smile for Kushina.

Besides the students' behavior, Sarutobi Yuu recognized his own failure as a teacher. He hadn't managed to teach them properly.

"Thank you, teacher." Kushina responded politely and stepped down from the podium.

A polite, well-mannered child, Sarutobi Yuu noted with relief.

But in the next moment, his smile froze.

As she passed Honda's desk, Kushina suddenly leapt up and punched him square in the face.

The classroom fell silent, everyone stunned—including Honda, who now had a bloody nose.

Did I just get punched by the transfer student?

"Little Pepper? You like peppers, huh? You think it's funny to laugh at people?" 

If a fight starts, it should be a decisive one. Remembering Shinki's advice, Kushina grabbed Honda's hair and landed a series of punches.

"Ow!!!"

"It hurts! Stop it, stop hitting me!"

After several blows, Honda burst into tears, while the surrounding classmates stared, wide-eyed.

A blonde boy sitting near the back of the class gaped, unable to believe the cute transfer student had transformed into a fierce fighter in an instant.

"Kushina, stop! Don't hit your classmates!" Sarutobi Yuu couldn't believe what was happening. He shouted, panicked.

But Kushina didn't stop.

Left with no choice, Sarutobi Yuu rushed forward to pull her away.

Before he could reach her, Kushina spun around and declared, "My sister is Tsunade!!"

"....."

Sarutobi Yuu's outstretched hand froze. He was speechless.

Is she really this bold?

On her first day of school, Kushina had been teased, retaliated with a fight, and then invoked her powerful backer.

My sister is Tsunade!

The name "Tsunade" carried weight in Konoha. Everyone knew Tsunade, the princess of Konoha, was not to be crossed. Bullying her sister was asking for trouble.

"Stop! Even if your sister is Tsunade, you can't beat up your classmates like this!!"

When Honda's front teeth were nearly knocked out, Sarutobi Yuu managed to pull Kushina away, separating her from her victim.

Having dealt her blows, Kushina glared at the other students who had mocked her.

None of you are safe. Wait and see!!

Oh no.

Sarutobi Yuu's head was pounding. This child was incredibly fierce.

She really is Tsunade's sister.

After asking a teacher from the next class to escort the injured Honda to the hospital, Sarutobi Yuu hurried to the Hokage's office to report the incident.

"What did you say?" The Third Hokage blinked, thinking he had misheard.

"Kushina was teased by her classmates, so she beat them up and even invoked Tsunade's name to stop me?"

Was this the same Kushina he knew?

In the Third Hokage's memories, Kushina was a shy, timid girl who could easily be picked on.

The reality was startling.

"Yes." Sarutobi Yuu was on the verge of tears. His year-end bonus was surely forfeit now.

"Hokage-sama, could Kushina's behavior be because of Tsunade's influence?"

The Third Hokage: "....."

You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?

Tsunade had used Jiraiya as a punching bag on her first day of school. Now, on Kushina's first day, she'd knocked out a classmate's teeth.

"Go to Konoha Hospital and tell Tsunade to handle this herself."

Though childhood fights were normal, Kushina's unique status warranted a report to the Hokage's office.

After careful thought, the Third Hokage decided Tsunade should deal with the matter.

Tsunade's worst fear was about to come true.

Sarutobi Yuu arrived at Konoha Hospital just as Tsunade stepped through the doors.