"Brother! When I grow up, I want to be a great ninja just like you!"
Hoshiko's bright voice carried her dreams across the quiet evening street.
Uchiha Shigure chuckled softly, eyeing her thin frame with a brotherly concern. "You… are still so small. No one bullies you at the Academy, do they?"
Hoshiko shook her head eagerly, her braid bouncing. "No! Once everyone found out you were my brother, they all started being really nice to me!"
Shigure smiled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "That's good."
Hoshiko beamed at the attention. Then, she tugged at his sleeve, her eyes sparkling. "Oh! Did you hear? Uncle Teuchi upgraded the recipe for Ichiraku Ramen, and he even renovated the shop! The official grand reopening is today. Let's go check it out!"
Still clutching his arm, she pulled Shigure down the bustling streets of Konoha.
The Crowds at Ichiraku
From the Hokage Monument, the carved faces of the First through Third Hokage looked down solemnly upon the village. Below, the Hokage Tower gleamed in the afternoon light, its presence stretching across every street beyond.
On Konoha's busiest main road, laughter and chatter swelled like a living tide. A massive crowd had gathered, so long it stretched like a serpent winding its way around corners. And at the center of all the excitement—
"It's Ichiraku Ramen…" Shigure muttered, impressed as he and Hoshiko fought their way through the crowd.
"Welcome, welcome! Today, in celebration of our grand reopening, all ramen is half price!" Teuchi's booming voice rang out like a temple bell. He was working tirelessly, ushering customers inside with visible pride.
Hoshiko gasped. "This many people? Just for ramen?"
"Don't underestimate Ichiraku," Shigure laughed. "This is an inauguration crowd. But if it stays this popular, we might have to fight for seats in the future."
He spotted several familiar faces within the lines—Guy shouting his youth into the sky, Asuma calmly smoking to the side, Shizune talking animatedly, and even Kakashi already hovering somewhere near the front.
Hoshiko giggled. "Ichiraku Ramen is really famous today…"
But before she could say more, a figure came running down the path. His blond hair caught the light, and his flak jacket bore the markings of a jōnin.
"Minato?"
A large hand clapped him on the shoulder. "There you are!"
The blond shinobi turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered man with a mane of wild white hair. It was none other than Jiraiya of the Legendary Three.
"Sensei?" Minato Namikaze's eyes brightened.
"Come with me," Jiraiya said in a lowered voice, pulling him into a side alley.
Curiosity piqued, Shigure exchanged a glance with Hoshiko. Without a word, the two trailed after them, listening carefully from a hidden corner.
Master's Pride
At the secluded spot, Jiraiya raised a hand. "Watch carefully. This'll blow your mind."
Chakra swirled, condensed, and in an instant—a perfect sphere of spinning blue energy shimmered in Jiraiya's palm.
"The Rasengan," Minato whispered in awe.
"Oh? Not bad, eh? Took you three years to invent, and I, your great teacher, mastered it! Isn't that incredible?" Jiraiya grinned, puffing his chest arrogantly.
Minato's praise was genuine. "It's amazing, Jiraiya-sensei. But… there's someone else in Konoha who can do this too."
"Eh? Who?" Jiraiya blinked.
"Your junior fellow disciple, Uchiha Shigure."
The world seemed to freeze. Jiraiya's expression crumbled like stone.
Meanwhile, Shigure shook his head from the shadows, stifling a laugh. "Come on, Hoshiko. Let's find Minato later. We still have to fix your seal."
Minato's Mission
At that moment, out front by the ramen stalls, Kakashi—who had been in the middle of bickering with Guy again—spotted the blond jōnin and broke away.
"Minato-sensei! Do we have a new mission?" he asked eagerly.
"Mm. That's right, Kakashi. We're assembling the team shortly," Minato replied lightly. His eyes scanned the crowd, searching. "But we're still missing one person…"
Turning, he stiffened when he caught sight of Shigure.
"…Uncle Shigure? Actually, that doesn't sound right," Minato laughed. "Why don't we all just call you Master instead? That way, it shows respect and your proper seniority."
"Mm. I agree," Kakashi said at once. "Calling you 'Grand Uncle' sounds way too weird."
Shigure raised his hand with an amused smile. "Fine, fine. Call me whatever you like. But tell me, Minato—why am I involved in this mission?"
"Because we two will both be leading," Minato explained. "We'll report to the Third now."
"Alright," Shigure said. "But before that… I need a favor."
He gently pulled Hoshiko forward. "This child's chakra is sealed. If the Uzumaki clan's methods aren't used to undo it, her growth will be stunted. She'll never be able to mold chakra properly."
Minato's eyes widened. "A sealing technique?" He crouched beside Hoshiko, seeking permission first from both her and Shigure. When they nodded, he lifted her shirt enough to see the faint seal pattern etched across her stomach.
"…This is strong," Minato muttered. "Even I can't undo this. But… Lord Mito might be able to. Kushina's at home now—she can take us to see her."
And just like that, Minato stood and led them swiftly through Konoha toward his residence.
Uzumaki Kushina
The Namikaze household stood simple yet warm, tucked into a quiet corner of the village. Minato knocked gently. After a pause, the door opened, revealing a woman with long, radiant crimson hair that glistened even in the shade. A pin gleamed in her left bun, and her wrist carried a simple band.
"Hm? Minato? You're back already? I thought you had a mission," she asked, raising a playful brow.
Before Minato could answer, little Hoshiko clasped her hands excitedly. "Whoa… sister, you're so beautiful!"
Kushina's cheeks turned rosy, and she let out a surprised laugh. "You're such a sweet girl!"
At that moment, Shigure froze where he stood. The blood within him stirred, resonating as it always did when near bloodline power. He could feel it—this unmistakable vitality.
Uzumaki Kushina.
Unlike the strength he had absorbed from fallen clansmen and enemies, this sensation carried life and warmth. His instincts whispered: Touching her might not consume her… it might actually strengthen her.
With careful respect, Shigure turned to Minato. "Minato… is Kushina of the Uzumaki bloodline? May I… touch her?"
The question startled everyone.
"Huh? You're a strange kid," Kushina teased, her voice lilting with humor. She eyed Kakashi in the background. "And this one's your friend? What an interesting bunch."
Minato scratched his head awkwardly. "Um… Kushina, this is Uchiha Shigure. He's actually my uncle-master. Jiraiya's junior apprentice, the Sandaime's last disciple… You've definitely heard of him."
Recognition flashed. "Ah! The genius of Konoha Village! Yes, yes! Of course!" she exclaimed warmly. In reputation, she had imagined someone cold and serious, but Shigure's youthful aura completely disarmed that notion.
With her easy trust, she allowed Shigure to brush his hand against hers.
The moment they connected, Shigure felt the pulsing strength of Uzumaki bloodline rush into him, refining his own inherited power. At the same time, a purified flow streamed back into Kushina.
"W-what? My chakra—it's increased? My body feels… stronger?" Kushina gasped, startled by the sudden surge.
Shigure withdrew ever so slightly, composing his words. "This is my ability. I can refine bloodline limits, purifying them. That's the source of my strength." A harmless lie, designed to mask the dangerous truth.
Before Kushina could press further, her gaze shifted to Hoshiko. She stooped down, gently lifting the girl's shirt and laying eyes on the seal hidden across her stomach.
Her expression instantly grew serious.
And in that breathless silence, Kushina whispered, "This seal… it's dangerous."
--
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