chapter 34: The Clash of Matatabi and Kurama

Chapter 34: The Clash of Matatabi and Kurama

Tonari followed Shikaku into the sixth-grade classroom, where a lesson was currently underway.

In less than a year, these students would face their graduation exams.

Those who passed would officially register as Konoha ninjas, while those who failed would either repeat the year or return to ordinary lives.

When Shikaku brought Tonari to the classroom door, the teacher inside paused in surprise.

Earlier that morning, Hiruzen Sarutobi had informed the school staff about the possibility of a transfer student.

Chitanda Nakai hadn't expected this transfer student to be placed directly into the graduating class...

However, that wasn't his concern. "Shikaku-sama, is this child...?"

Shikaku smiled and said, "This is Tonari, the transfer student the Third Hokage mentioned. Don't worry; just continue teaching as usual."

Nakai nodded. No matter the child's background, all students were treated equally at the Ninja Academy.

After handing Tonari over, Shikaku left, satisfied.

Out of a sense of responsibility, Nakai hesitated briefly before asking, "Tonari, how old are you?"

Tonari maintained his polite, shy demeanor and calmly replied, "Teacher, I'm 11 years old."

Nakai: "..."

Deciding not to dwell on the age question, Nakai led Tonari into the classroom.

Since this was the graduating class, there weren't many students left.

Some had dropped out early due to their inability to extract chakra. Others, like Minato Namikaze, had applied for early graduation and already become ninjas.

Those who remained had at least extracted some chakra and had basic skills in taijutsu and weapon throwing.

Among them were students with abilities equal to or beyond the average Genin but who weren't permitted early graduation—so-called "reserve ninjas," ready to join the battlefield at a moment's notice if war broke out.

Now that the Second Ninja War had ended, Konoha's early graduation standards had become stricter.

"Tonari, introduce yourself to the class," Nakai said, leading him to the podium.

Dozens of eyes focused on Tonari. Having experienced much larger audiences before, he remained composed.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Tonari. My favorite animal is cats, and I dislike going hungry. My dream is to open my own cat shelter in Konoha!"

After bowing slightly, Tonari finished his introduction.

Nakai smiled. "Alright, let's welcome our new classmate. Tonari, find an empty seat."

As Nakai started clapping, the students followed suit enthusiastically.

Tonari scanned the room as though searching for something.

Soon, he noticed a girl with long red hair sitting alone in the corner of the classroom. Without hesitation, he walked toward her.

"He's kind of short, but he's pretty handsome," whispered some of the girls nearby.

The graduating class rarely got transfer students, which piqued their curiosity.

Meanwhile, a few boys glared at Tonari with traces of jealousy and hostility.

Seriously? These kids already have such complicated feelings?

It's not my fault I'm good-looking!

"Excuse me, may I sit here?" Tonari asked the red-haired girl, who seemed lost in her own world.

Kushina Uzumaki looked up, surprised. This was the first time someone had voluntarily asked to sit next to her.

But the moment their eyes met, her mind buzzed, and an enraged voice echoed inside her head.

"Stupid cat!"

At the same time, Tonari heard Matatabi's voice in his mind, filled with astonishment and hostility.

"Damn fox! Why are you here?!"

Fate seemed to be playing a joke. After years of separation, Kurama and Matatabi had unexpectedly crossed paths, sealed within their respective Jinchuriki.

Kushina froze under Kurama's influence, but Tonari was less affected by Matatabi, as he had prepared for this scenario.

Interpreting Kushina's silence as consent, Tonari casually took the seat beside her.

Nakai resumed the lesson, but Tonari and Kushina were far from paying attention.

Kushina Uzumaki—hailing from the Uzumaki Clan of Uzushio Village—was one of the few remaining members of her clan. She was also Konoha's sole Jinchuriki, housing the strongest of all Tailed Beasts, Kurama the Nine-Tails!

One day, she would become the wife of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, and the mother of Naruto Uzumaki.

She was the reason Tonari had abandoned his plan to fly under the radar by enrolling in a lower grade and quietly leveling up until becoming a Jonin.

It wasn't because he had a crush on her or wanted to gain something from her...

Okay, maybe it was.

But it wasn't something he could do overtly, right?

As Konoha's only Jinchuriki, Kushina was under constant surveillance by the Anbu. Recklessly approaching her would only raise suspicion among Konoha's higher-ups.

Attending the same class was the most natural way to lower everyone's guard.

Don't ask. Just remember: I'm 11 years old!

Tonari quickly calmed Matatabi inside him. Kushina, however, struggled as Kurama's chakra began leaking from her. Were it not for the strong seal on her and her understanding of the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques, she might have transformed into the Nine-Tails on the spot.

After much effort, Kushina finally subdued Kurama and looked at Tonari, her eyes filled with shock.

Since Kurama had been sealed within her, this was the first time she had seen him so enraged. His chakra, filled with hatred, relentlessly assaulted her spirit.

Sensing her struggle, Tonari lightly patted her shoulder and smiled warmly. "Your hair... it's beautiful."

Beautiful hair?

Kushina froze at his words. Even Kurama's rage subsided slightly at Tonari's touch.

As their chakras made contact, Matatabi and Kurama communicated briefly, while Kushina remained lost in Tonari's words.

A simple compliment had lifted her impression of Tonari from negative to positive.

Support Character #3, Kushina Uzumaki: Affection Progress—20%!

Tonari was the second person to compliment her hair—the first being someone who had since graduated early to become a ninja.

Realizing that Tonari was also a Jinchuriki, just like her, Kushina felt a sudden sense of camaraderie.

—

Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb

{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}

*Thank you*