Chiren bid farewell and returned home.
He locked the doors and windows, then excitedly redeemed the [Spiritual Power +2] reward.
A cool stream flooded his eyes, the world sharpening until even dust was visible.
In the mirror, two tomoe spun slowly in his dark pupils.
Satisfied, he noted the Uzumaki physique made his Sharingan's starting point higher.
He deactivated it. A six-year-old with Sharingan was like a child flaunting gold in a crowded market to Konoha's leaders.
After a light lunch and packing snacks, Chiren changed into casual clothes and headed to meet Kushina.
Late spring brought blooming cherry blossoms, and Konoha's cherry blossom forest buzzed with tourists.
At the meeting spot, Kushina wasn't there.
About to sit, he heard arguing nearby.
"Brother, it's her! She beats me at school daily! Avenge me today!"
"Of course, I'm your brother. Her fiery red hair's annoying—no elegance like cherry blossoms!"
Kushina's angry voice followed: "Get lost! I've got important plans today. Fight me tomorrow!"
Chiren's face darkened, and he followed the sound.
Kushina was cornered by two boys—one a classmate, the other a tall Genin with a Konoha headband.
The Genin, impatient, snapped, "I'm a ninja, not here for kids' games! But you ruined my elegant cherry blossom viewing. I'll teach you a lesson, ugly redhead!"
He reached for Kushina's hair.
A size-37 ninja boot cut through the air, followed by Chiren.
Bang!
Instead of kicking the Genin away, Chiren used him as a brake, dragging a half-meter bloody streak in the dirt!
Looking at the streak that made Kushina gasp, Chiren mused, What a beautiful mark.
A kunai in hand, he said to the Genin beneath him, "Be glad you only ruined my mood. If you'd hurt Kushina, next year's cherry blossoms would be richer—flesh and blood are great fertilizer."
Expecting begging or resistance, the Genin grunted and fainted from fear.
Chiren curled his lip, telling the stunned classmate to drag him away. One kick wouldn't kill him.
After settling the incident, Chiren took Kushina elsewhere.
Out of sight, out of mind.
He noticed Kushina wore a white sleeveless dress, her hair adorned with a cherry blossom hairpin, looking especially cute.
But her mood was low from the encounter.
Walking along the riverbank, Kushina murmured, "Cherry blossoms… all light pink. This world can't handle deep red."
Chiren saw her loss. "It's just a different variety. Elsewhere—"
He stopped, realizing he was lecturing instead of flirting. "Light pink's dull. I like deep red."
Kushina forced a smile, but grief, frustration, and sadness flooded her six-year-old face. "Then why… why did Uzushiogakure fall? My parents too…" Tears burst forth.
Chiren stepped forward, hugging her tightly, letting her rest against his chest.
"Cry if you need to. I can't change the past, but I won't let you face this again. I'll always be here."
This was the first time he truly reached Kushina's heart.
Her lively facade hid unhealed scars from her homeland's fall, her fiery nature a shield.
After a while, her crying stopped.
Wiping tears, she stood, eyes red, voice muffled. "I'm… hungry. Got food?"
Chiren smiled. Her emotions came and went fast.
He pointed to a grassy patch, pulling snacks and fruit from his bag. "Let's sit there."
They ate, watching the sunset dye the sky as red as Kushina's hair.
At dusk, Chiren stood, offering his hand. "Let's get you back."
At the Senju compound's entrance, Kushina turned, eyes bright, smiling. "Chiren, did you mean what you said this afternoon?"
Stunned, he'd said much. Which part?
Seeing her hair practically float, he understood, smiling. "Of course. I'll always be here."
Kushina rushed forward like a rabbit, kissed his cheek, and fled home, face red.
Chiren touched his cheek, watching her go, muttering, "Reverse-pushed… In this huge Naruto world, only you'd be this bold, Kushina."
Confirming she was safe, he didn't leave.
His sharpened Sharingan senses had caught Anbu watching since he met Kushina.
Why didn't they act when she was attacked?
---
At the Hokage's office, a ninja with a scarred chin burst in, snapping, "Hiruzen, you're letting an Uchiha kid get close to the Jinchuriki and doing nothing?"
It was Shimura Danzo.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at him, wiping his crystal ball. "Danzo, only Madara controlled the Nine-Tails with Sharingan. Don't take it out on the clan. Your useless nephew whined to you again, didn't he?"
"Nonsense!" Danzo denied. "Don't dodge the issue!"
Hiruzen motioned to the crystal ball, showing Chiren walking home.
Seeing Danzo's rage, Hiruzen knew he'd guessed right.
He puffed his pipe. "Don't be so biased against the Uchiha. He's six—a child."
--------------------------------------------
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