Chapter 4: Your Situation is Different from Mine

Chapter 4: Your Situation is Different from Mine

The morning classes had ended, and it was still break time.

After class, Kushina Uzumaki was surrounded by a group of boys from her class.

"Tomato, from today on, you're Tomato! With that chubby round face and red hair, aren't you just like a tomato?"

"How could a tomato ever become Hokage?"

"I really hate tomatoes!"

"Me too. If there's a tomato in my salad, I'll leave it behind!"

"How could an unpopular tomato ever gain the villagers' approval?"

"Hahaha..."

Kushina Uzumaki pouted, fuming, but she couldn't refute them.

After all, the way they described her, she did seem like a tomato.

"A despised tomato and a despised traitor. No wonder you two can sit together."

"Tomato traitor, what a perfect match."

...

Chiba sneered in disdain. He had a nickname at school as well, "traitor," which was given to him by these kids' parents.

Seeing these kids getting more and more outrageous, even dragging him into their mockery of Kushina Uzumaki, Chiba Couldn't ignore it any longer.

Most importantly, Chiba Glanced at Minato Namikaze, who was watching Kushina but didn't seem inclined to help her.

As Chiba Stood up and walked over, one of the kids grabbed Kushina's hair.

"It's about to ripen; Tomato Festival is here. Time to harvest the fruit!"

Kushina Uzumaki, about to explode as she grabbed the kid's hand, saw Chiba already behind the kid holding her hair.

"Hey, can you move?"

The kids surrounding Kushina instantly turned their hostility toward Chiba: "What right do you, traitor, have to ask us to move? Get lost!"

Chiba Said calmly, "Making a move here would be quite embarrassing for you, wouldn't it?"

Not long after he started school, Chiba Had been cornered by a few students, but with his good physical condition, thanks to his Senju clan blood, he could take on several at once.

Later on, although Chiba wasn't as strong as Minato, he was still among the top students in school.

Gradually, no one dared to trouble him anymore.

Hearing Chiba's words, the kids' expressions stiffened.

Chiba walked forward, shouldering the kid still holding Kushina's hair out of the way, and left the classroom.

As he stepped out, Chibasuddenly paused. 

Kushina Uzumaki… didn't seem to need his help after all.

Kushina had a stubborn personality and the Uzumaki clan had unique physical traits.

The next moment, Chiba heard a commotion coming from the classroom.

"Who are you calling a tomato! For the record, I hate tomatoes too!"

Kushina Uzumaki had grabbed the arm of the kid who was pulling her hair and flung him, sending all the surrounding kids flying.

Then Kushina mounted one of the kids and began punching his head with tiny fists: "Doubt me again and call me a tomato? You'll regret it!"

At that moment, Kushina noticed Minato Namikaze smiling brightly. Annoyed, she snapped, "What's so funny?!"

Minato quickly turned his head, only daring to glance at Kushina with peripheral vision.

The afternoon classes were about to begin.

After buying a rice ball from a convenience store, Chiba Returned to his seat in the classroom, eating as he went.

Kushina Uzumaki looked very angry, pouting.

Chiba Glanced at the group of kids who had blocked Kushina before, now covered in bruises.

Is she upset because I didn't hit them hard enough?

Chiba listened silently as Sensei Hayato continued the lesson.

During the class.

Kushina Uzumaki's glances at Chiba Became noticeably frequent.

By the end of the afternoon, Chiba was feeling increasingly uncomfortable.

Finally, when the final class ended and school was out, Chiba eagerly left the classroom.

His mind was full of thoughts about Thunder Breathing techniques.

Unbeknownst to Chiba, Kushina's hand was half-raised in the air, her expression a bit awkward.

Kushina had wanted to talk to Chiba Because, like her, he was isolated.

As a child in a new place, Kushina especially yearned for friends.

Chiba's help earlier made Kushina want to be friends with him.

Watching Chiba's retreating figure, Kushina clenched her small fists, her eyes filled with determination, and chased after him.

But Chiba was heading home quickly, almost running.

To keep up with him, Kushina sprinted as fast as she could.

She chased him all the way to the edge of the village. Out of breath, she shouted, "Hey! Wait up!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Chiba Turned around in surprise and saw Kushina Uzumaki. His astonishment was immense.

Seeing Chib afinally stop, Kushina placed her hands on her thighs, panting heavily.

Chiba Approached her and asked, "Do you need something?"

After taking a deep breath, Kushina extended her hand and said loudly, "My name is Kushina Uzumaki!"

Chiba Looked at Kushina with a strange expression.

Kushina felt anxious under Chiba's gaze.

"My name is Chiba."

Chiba shook Kushina's hand briefly before letting go.

Kushina asked, puzzled, "Chiba? Is that your surname or your given name?"

"It's my given name. I don't have a surname."

"Huh? No surname?"

Kushina was a bit confused. Are there people without surnames?

Chiba Asked again, "Did you need something?"

Summoning her courage, Kushina said, "I want to be your friend!"

Chiba Thought to himself, as expected.

"Kushina Uzumaki, you must have seen my situation in class."

Kushina said innocently, "Yes, I know. You're isolated like me."

Chiba Smiled slightly and said, "Your situation is different from mine. I'm isolated by the entire village. If you become friends with me, you might also end up isolated by everyone.

Today is only your first day of school. You've just run into some bad students. You'll find friends eventually.

Try asking a teacher to change your seat. Even sitting with me might make it hard for you to make friends. It's getting late. You should head home. Goodbye."

After turning down Kushina's offer, Chiba waved goodbye and walked away.

Kushina watched Chiba's departing figure, lowering her head in disappointment.

She had gathered the courage to befriend Chiba but was rejected, leaving her feeling disheartened.