Chapter 7

"Did you make this?"

Tsunade stared at Kushina as if she were an alien. Kushina, much like Tsunade herself, had never shown any interest in or aptitude for cooking. The idea of her preparing a meal seemed almost absurd.

"Really? Let me taste it," Nawaki said eagerly, grabbing a piece of the beef. After just a few bites, his eyes widened. "Sister, this beef is amazing! Kushina wasn't kidding. Grandma, try it—it's tender and flavorful."

Kushina beamed with pride at Nawaki's praise, her eyes darting to Tsunade as if to say, *See? I told you!*

Tsunade tried the beef and, reluctantly, had to admit it was indeed delicious. Still, she raised an eyebrow at Kushina's claim. "You made this by yourself?"

"Well, Shinki-kun guided me, and I did the work," Kushina said truthfully, her cheeks turning slightly pink as she confessed. Nawaki's eyes sparkled with interest, while Tsunade shook her head, a resigned smile crossing her face.

*Shinki, you sure have a knack for surprises.*

Uzumaki Mito's face softened as she listened, her expression warming as she praised Kushina. The little girl's eyes turned to crescents as she grinned widely.

After dinner, Tsunade took Kushina's small hand, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. "Kushina, I have a favor to ask. Work is piling up, and I can't always check in on Shizuka. Would you mind helping me out by bringing him groceries?"

Kushina's face fell slightly. "Oh... I see."

Tsunade sighed internally. *Come on, little one, just say yes.* But outwardly, she put on a patient smile.

"Alright, I'll do it," Kushina finally said, trying to mask her excitement with a reluctant tone. But her eyes betrayed her true feelings.

The next day, Kushina dashed off to the market with newfound confidence. She picked out vegetables and meat and made her way to Shinki's house with her arms full.

When Shinki opened the door and sensed the size of the bundle Kushina was carrying, he fell silent for a moment. *Is she stocking up for a feast or buying out the market?*

"Kushina, you don't need to buy so much," Shinki said with a strained smile. "We should save money where we can, even if we have it to spare."

"A lot? I didn't spend that much," Kushina said, her expression both innocent and confused.

Shinki sighed, realizing he had forgotten Kushina's background. As a member of the Uzumaki clan, wealth wasn't an issue she had ever faced. "It's fine as long as you're happy," he said, trying to keep a cheerful tone.

"Shinki, what's on the menu today?" Kushina asked eagerly.

"Braised lamb," Shinki replied, noting how her face lit up. As they prepared the meal together, Kushina chattered on, her usual reserve melting away.

"Shinki, Grandma Mito said I'll be joining the Ninja Academy soon as a transfer student. I'm a little nervous," she admitted, fiddling with a piece of string from the grocery bag. "What if my classmates bully me?"

"Oh, then you show them who's boss," Shinki said with a grin. "Let them know the hot pepper Kushina isn't to be messed with."

"Hey! I'm not a hot pepper!" Kushina pouted, her cheeks puffing up in mock indignation.

"We'll see," Shinki said teasingly.

"Yeah, anyone who tries to mess with me, I'll beat them up! And if I can't, I'll ask you to back me up!" Kushina declared with newfound bravado.

Shinki laughed. Kushina's spirit was infectious, her chattering like the background music of his days. 

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Shimura Danzo stormed in, throwing an intelligence scroll onto Hiruzen's desk. "Hiruzen, this has gone too far! Kushina is the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. She shouldn't be forming bonds, especially not romantic ones. A Jinchūriki's most vulnerable moment is childbirth."

The Third Hokage's expression remained calm as he unrolled the scroll, skimming its contents before placing it aside. "Danzo, this is Mito-sama's directive."

Danzo's jaw tightened in silent frustration. *That again! Always Mito-sama's orders!*

"Jinchūriki must feel connected to the village. Kushina's integration is essential. Her bond with Hyuga Shinki is nothing more than friendship. With Mito-sama's oversight and Tsunade involved, do you really think Kushina will be deceived?"

Danzo hesitated, unable to openly challenge Mito's judgment. Slandering Tsunade might lead to an argument, but to question Mito could mean the end of his career. "Hmph. I hope you won't regret it," he said, clenching his fists before storming out.

The Hokage watched him leave, a quiet satisfaction settling in. He knew Danzo's ambitions and his relentless need for control, but Mito's influence provided a barrier even Danzo couldn't breach.

In the meantime, Shinki was feeling the aftereffects of the second stage of the Tenseigan awakening. The intervals between the three phases puzzled him, each one longer and more intense than the last. He had read about the brief and intense Tenseigan evolution experienced by Toneri on the moon, but his situation was different.

*Is it because I lack Otsutsuki chakra? Or maybe because Toneri's Tenseigan wasn't originally his?*

These questions lingered, unanswered. There was scant information on the Tenseigan, and much of what he knew came from secondhand sources.

*No matter. I'll take my time adapting to the Tenseigan's power.* He thought about the trials the Uchiha faced: the arduous evolution from the Sharingan to the Mangekyo, and finally to the Rinnegan—if luck, lineage, and extreme circumstances aligned.

*Compared to that, a little waiting isn't so bad.*

Shinki smiled, turning his thoughts to the future. "Tomorrow, I'll officially start at the hospital. The next step is finding a place of my own and moving out."

>>>>>

Gimme Power Stones or give me death, or something like that