Chapter 8: Redheads are EVILLL!

Author Note: Nothing of importance, just enjoy the chapter, and if you have any questions, make sure to comment!

I fixed the chapter numeration in patreeeon. So, now the number of the chapter here matches with the one in patreeeon.

And like always, remember if you want to read up to 10 chapters ahead go to https://www.patreón.com/cornbringer

I'm currently updating the novel 2-3 chapters a day in patreeeeon.

Discord invite: https://discord.gg/XHduApz

Enjoy you sexy bastards.

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I sat perched on the edge of a rooftop, my legs dangling over the side as I watched the shinobi of Konoha return from the battlefield. The Third Shinobi War had finally come to an end, and those who had fought and survived were making their way home. The streets below buzzed with activity as villagers gathered to welcome back their loved ones. There was an air of bittersweet relief, joy for those who returned, and sorrow for those who did not.

From my vantage point, I could see Fugaku Uchiha among the returning shinobi; he wasn't hard to spot. His permanently stern expression and strong posture were unmistakable even in the throng of weary, battle-hardened warriors. His return reminded me of the discussions I had overheard in the Uchiha compound about their growing interest in Sharingan under the possession of Hatake Kakashi.

It didn't take a genius to realize that the political drama brewing within the clan was palpable, adding to the tension that already hung over the village.

I had to say, though, I was honestly impressed that the war had ended so quickly, far earlier than my shortest estimations. The war had both reached its climax and ended in the span of a month.

"Remember to buy some flowers for the ceremony," Itachi reminded me, his voice as calm as always. "We have to pay our respects to those who didn't come back."

Right, the Burial Ceremony. "Will do."

So many lives had been lost, and as a way to say thanks, the entire village would come together to pay their respects. It was a sobering reminder of the harsh reality I lived in, a world where strength and survival were paramount.

As the returning shinobi made their way through the village, passing by the building Itachi and I were sitting on, I could hear snippets of conversations, expressions of relief, and heartfelt reunions. The war had taken its toll on everyone as expected, and it was clear that Konoha would need time to heal.

"It's finally over," I said, a sigh escaping my lips.

Itachi nodded, his expression more serious than usual. "Yes, but the challenges are far from over. We have much to do to rebuild and to honor those who gave their lives."

That much was true. Thousands of lives were lost in the conflict, and while Konoha had come out on the better end, the price paid was steep, steeped in blood and sacrifice.

I glanced around at the village, watching the tears, the pain, the sorrow, and the joy of each individual. "Things won't be the same."

"No," Itachi replied quietly.

"Do you know when the ceremony is?" I asked, turning to look at him.

"It's two days from now," Itachi replied, his gaze still fixed on the procession of shinobi. "There's much preparation to be done."

Two days for a burial of this magnitude? I suppose that means there aren't many bodies to actually bury, making the entire event mostly symbolic. A pretty standard shinobi practice to avoid enemies desecrating the fallen for secrets. Still, it seemed cold, impersonal. But such was the way of war, I suppose.

"Aren't you going to greet your father?" I asked, tilting my head.

At this, Itachi's eyes lingered on Uchiha Fugaku, who was currently standing amidst the gathered shinobi, engaged in conversation with some higher-ups, no doubt discussing the aftermath and recovery.

"I will," he said simply. "Later."

Fair enough.

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As the procession of shinobi finally came to a halt and the crowds began to disperse, I turned to Itachi and gave him a nod. "I'll catch up with you later," I said, a faint smile on my face, already thinking about where I might go to clear my head.

"Take care," Itachi replied, his eyes still following his father's movements.

I slipped down from the rooftop and made my way through the village, a single thought clouding my mind. Would this last?

I know it was a morbid thought to have, but I couldn't help but wonder if this fleeting peace would last. Shinobi history had shown that the gaps between the great wars were rather short, barely giving the village time to recover before another conflict arose. The village was barely sixty-four years old, and they had already suffered three wars.

Would we be thrust into another war soon? The thought weighed heavily on my mind.

As I wandered aimlessly, my feet led me through the Konoha marketplace. Vendors were already back to their routines, selling their goods to villagers and shinobi who were trying to return to some semblance of normalcy.

Lost in my thoughts, I wasn't paying much attention to where I was going. It wasn't until I collided with someone that I snapped back to reality.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" a woman's voice exclaimed.

I looked up to see a striking red-haired woman with a fiery presence. Her violet eyes sparkled with annoyance and a promise of violence, but there was a warmth in them that made me feel oddly comfortable.

"Sorry about that," I said, stepping back and giving her a respectful bow. "I was lost in thought."

She waved off my apology, her expression softening as she finally realized I was a kid. "It's alright. Just be more careful next time, okay? It's no big deal, you know!"

That… verbal tick, sounded remarkably similar to Naruto's. Maybe she's his mother, I mean, seeing she's the only Uzumaki in the entire village it stands to reason she is.

I smiled. "You're Kushina Uzumaki, right?"

She raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised that I knew her name. "Yeah, that's me. And who might you be?"

She's surprised I know her name? Why? She's the only person in the village with hair like that, and if that wasn't enough, she's the only Uzumaki in the entire village as well. There's hardly any room for confusion here.

"Arata Takeshi," I replied, giving her a small smile. "I've heard about you from the other villagers. They say you're one of the strongest kunoichi in the village."

Not entirely accurate, but Lady Mikoto did say on more than one occasion that Kushina was quite skilled in her area of expertise and overall very dangerous in combat. So while there isn't much talk about her outside a select few, I will take Lady Mikoto's words as the truth.

Kushina chuckled at that, her laugh full-bodied and honest. "What can I say? When they are right, they are! You know!" She rubbed the back of her head in an embarrassed manner but didn't deny it outright. In fact, she looked happy.

"I suppose I do," I replied, just now realizing why Lady Mikoto held her in such high esteem.

Kushina's chakra was utterly massive and overwhelming. It felt like a warm rush of wind, a force of nature that could not be contained. I could tell from the little interaction we had so far that her personality was much the same—fiery, passionate, hot-headed.

I was almost certain she had the biggest chakra reserves I had ever felt in my life so far, outclassing even that of the Hokage himself. The weird thing was… that there was something wrong with her chakra. I… didn't quite know how to explain it, but it almost felt as if part of her chakra wasn't hers.

I could feel a… knot? No… a knot wasn't quite it, I didn't know how to describe it, but I could feel something heavily limiting the amount of chakra she could access at any given time.

"You're a sensor, aren't you?" Kushina suddenly asked, her eyes locking onto mine.

I nodded, slightly taken aback by her question. It wasn't a secret that I could sense chakra. Then again, I was hardly known by anybody yet, so…

"Don't worry about what you're feeling," Kushina continued, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "It's a clan thing."

Oh, I see, so she's worried about what I might be feeling in her chakra. How considerate of her. But strange. Other than two different yet very similar chakra signatures and something holding one of the two chakras at bay, there wasn't anything worthy of concern for me.

"I wasn't worrying," I replied, a faint smile on my face, trying to reassure her I wasn't going to freak out or something.

"Wait, what did you say your name was?" Kushina asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"Arata Takeshi," I offered up a small smile as I saw her eyes light up with recognition.

"Wait! I know you! You're Mikoto's brat!" Kushina exclaimed, a sudden burst of laughter escaping her lips. "Ah! So you're the one she won't stop talking about! Her son's BFF. She talks a lot about you, you know!"

"That would be me, yes," I replied, my words laced with the smallest hint of amusement. It felt nice knowing Lady Mikoto spoke so fondly of me.

"You should come have dinner with me! You know!" Kushina suddenly proposed, her eyes shining with excitement. "I mean, all that chatting and you haven't even tasted my ramen yet!"

I… huh, well, this is an unexpected turn of events. "As kind as your offer is, I'm afraid I can't. We are practically strangers, Lady Uzumaki, and well… my mother is waiting for me at home."

Kushina snorted, rolling her eyes as she waved me off. "Nonsense, any friend of Mikoto is a friend of mine. Therefore, your mom is my friend, meaning we are not strangers; we are family! You know!"

Why do I have the strange yet oddly specific feeling that I'm about to get kidnapped?

Before I could make a retort, Kushina's hand shot out and snaked around my waist. "No more excuses! You're coming home with me! Today you will taste heaven! I will make sure of it! You know!" she declared, her grip tightening ever so slightly. "And stop with the lady thing, just call me Kushina."

Today I will taste heaven?

That phrase without context brings so many red flags that I might as well start communicating via semaphore.