That afternoon, Mikoto Uchiha had just finished shopping for household needs. In her right hand hung several bags filled with vegetables and kitchen supplies, while her left hand gently held little Sasuke, who was cheerfully chewing on candy.
"Slow down, Sasuke," Mikoto said softly, smiling at her eager son tugging her hand.
"Okay, kaa-san!" Sasuke replied with the pure enthusiasm of a child.
As they strolled through a small intersection toward the Uchiha compound, Mikoto's eyes happened to catch an amusing scene: Itachi, her eldest son, had just parted ways with two young girls—one wearing the Hyuga clan symbol, the other with the Uchiha fan on her back.
Mikoto slowed her steps, her eyes narrowing in amusement.
Itachi…? Being chased by two girls at once?
She stopped under a tree, watching Itachi calmly walk away, seemingly unaware of the girls still staring longingly at his retreating figure.
Mikoto could barely contain her chuckle.
"Fufufu~ Itachi, Itachi... only ten years old and already catching the eyes of sweet little girls."
Little Sasuke looked up, puzzled by his mother's giggles.
"Kaa-san, why are you laughing?"
Mikoto knelt down, brushing Sasuke's hair fondly. "It's nothing, Sasuke. Just... your big brother is very popular."
Sasuke blinked. "What's popular?"
"Hmm, popular means a lot of people like you and admire you, Sasuke. Like when you share your candy—your friends like that, right?" she explained, pointing to the candy in his hand.
Sasuke thought deeply for a moment, then nodded enthusiastically. "I wanna be popular too!"
Mikoto giggled, stood back up, and resumed walking while holding Sasuke's hand.
"Then be a good and strong boy like your brother. If you grow up well, lots of people will like you too."
"Un!" Sasuke nodded hard.
But deep down, Mikoto chuckled at the thought. If it's like this now, what will happen when Itachi grows up? I'll have to chase girls away from our doorstep.
She decided then and there: she would tease Itachi at dinner tonight—she could already imagine that calm face of his turning pink at the ears.
-------------------------------------------
How could Kushina not notice the adorable behavior of her student?
Lately, Natsu Hyuga had been constantly looking for excuses to "train" with Uchiha Itachi.
Every time there was a break, the girl would awkwardly—but eagerly—approach Itachi on the training grounds.
Watching from afar, Kushina narrowed her eyes with an amused smile.
"Ara-ara~... growing up so fast, huh?" she murmured, resting her chin on her hand. "But... for kids their age, this is still pure… right?"
Yet beneath her smile, Kushina's heart felt uneasy.
She knew the Uchiha clan was under growing pressure.
The shadow of a coup—the one she remembered from her past life—still haunted her thoughts.
I can't just stand by anymore.
I'm not just the Fourth Hokage's widow now.
Kushina clenched her fist tightly.
She was now a hero of Konoha, a woman who once faced the Fourth Raikage and forced Kumogakure to retreat.
She had power… and more than that, she had influence.
If I use my position wisely, maybe… just maybe, I can change that grim future.
Based on her memory, there was no current ninja she needed to fear.
Little Sasuke was only four, hadn't awakened the Mangekyō, let alone the Eternal Mangekyō.
Obito... probably still hiding, don't have Rinnegan yet.
Madara? Still asleep, not yet revived.
The Raikage? With her current strength, even the Fourth Raikage and Killer B combined would be no match.
If there was one she needed to be wary of, it was the Third Tsuchikage. But unless provoked, he wouldn't act recklessly.
By now, rumors of her mastering the Flying Thunder God technique had likely spread—at least among the senior shinobi of the Great Nations.
So even the Tsuchikage would hesitate to make a move against her.
With that confidence, Kushina held onto her hope even tighter.
Then, a mischievous smile spread across her face.
"Hey, Kurama!"
She called out in her mind.
"What now…?" came the lazy, grumbling voice of Kurama.
"I want to tell you something. A secret," Kushina said with teasing intent.
Kurama snorted, uninterested. "Hmph! I don't care about your secrets, you foolish woman."
"Oh really?" Kushina chuckled. "Aren't you curious how I know so much? About… Ashura and Indra… about the future of the ninja world?"
There was silence in the mindscape.
Kurama looked away with a grumpy face—but his tails twitched slightly.
Kushina grinned.
"Then I'll tell you."
She concentrated and dove into her subconscious, piercing the veil of her own mental barrier.
The once-dark chamber was now a lush field of green grass under a bright blue sky. A soft breeze carried the scent of wildflowers.
In the middle of that field, Kurama sat, his back facing her, looking toward the horizon.
Kushina ran toward him and, without warning, hugged the massive furry body.
"HEY!!"
Kurama growled, trying to wriggle free.
"Let go! I am a fearsome Tailed Beast, not a pet!"
Kushina just tightened her grip, nuzzling her cheek into his tail.
"If you want to be a giant kitty, I don't mind…" she said cheekily.
Kurama sighed, defeated. "Hmph… do what you want, strange human."
Then, standing before him, Kushina raised her hand solemnly.
"From now on, Kurama, you'll be the only one who knows the truth… about where I came from."
Kurama tilted his head, puzzled.
Without another word, Kushina placed her palm on his forehead.
A torrent of images—memories, alternate timelines, a world beyond the ninja realm—flooded into Kurama's consciousness.
Naruto as a Jinchuriki, the Fourth Great Ninja War, Madara, Kaguya… it all rushed in.
Kurama froze.
For the first time in his long life, he felt… small.
"What… is all this…?" he whispered hoarsely.
Kushina smiled softly.
"It's my burden. But from now on, it's ours."
Kurama didn't answer for a while.
He only stared at the small woman before him, who smiled with unwavering strength.
At last, Kurama sighed and rested his head beside her.
"I'll help you, Kushina. Not because I have to. But because I want to."
Kushina's gentle smile bloomed.
"Thank you… my friend."
In that sunlit meadow, the strongest beast and the woman with red hair made a vow.
The future was uncertain, but at least… they wouldn't face it alone.