Chapter 8 — Uchiha Tendō's Contrasts
However, Uzumaki Kushina had no intention of giving up just yet. She still wanted to become friends with the boy who had helped her.
Her eyes subtly studied him, and she quickly noticed the little girl cradled in his arms.
Kushina's eyes sparkled, and she sincerely praised,
"What a cute little girl! Is she your sister?"
She had expected him to remain as cold as before, but the boy's response completely surprised her.
A warm smile spread across Uchiha Tendō's face, his gaze softening.
"Yes, she's my adorable little sister, Uchiha Akihō…"
Kushina was stunned, her jaw practically hitting the floor.
In that moment, she felt like she had found a way to connect with him. From there, their conversation naturally gravitated toward little Akihō.
"Her name is Uchiha Akihō? That's such a beautiful name!"
"Really? Thank you for the compliment. The reason I named her that is…"
"Wow! When she sleeps, her nose twitches—it's so cute!"
"That's right, I think so too. I tell you…"
For the next while, the two chatted effortlessly. Uchiha Tendō seemed like a completely different person, his face radiating genuine warmth, speaking with a rare, continuous enthusiasm.
From Kushina's perspective, this had to be because he was a devoted "little brother guy" (implied: obsessively caring for siblings). Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so enthusiastic in his conversation with her.
What she didn't realize was that all of this was deliberate.
Uchiha Tendō did genuinely care for his sister and loved it when someone praised Akihō—especially Kushina's heartfelt compliments—but that wasn't the true reason behind his behavior.
The moment Kushina entered the classroom, Tendō had keenly sensed the negative emotions buried in her heart: sadness, fear, confusion.
After a brief thought, he understood the reason. This year marked the 32nd year of Konoha, the anniversary of the fall of the Uzumaki clan!
Kushina had witnessed her clan's destruction firsthand, traveling alone to a foreign land. After becoming the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, she was killed by her most beloved disciple, sacrificing her life for the village's safety, while her son suffered inhuman treatment. Her life had been relentlessly tragic.
A flicker of pity passed through Tendō's eyes.
In his mind, even Kushina's future kidnapping by the Cloud ninja had likely been tacitly permitted by Hiruzen—an opportunity engineered to create a heroic bond between her and Namikaze Minato. A bond that would tie her heart completely to Konoha.
Politics disguised as destiny, Tendō understood it clearly.
But for now, she was simply a red-haired girl trying to smile in a new classroom.
---
Noon — Ninja Academy
Honda Takeshi and Namikaze Minato had not returned all morning.
Four months earlier, Tsunade had implemented a strict policy at Konoha Hospital: unless a case was critically urgent, no one was allowed to cut in line—not even members of prominent ninja clans.
The rule had been wildly popular among ordinary ninja and civilians, many of whom had long resented the privileges enjoyed by elite families.
As a result, Honda and Minato could do nothing but wait in line like everyone else.
By noon, the classroom filled with the soft rustling sounds of lunchboxes opening.
The scent of rice and grilled fish drifted through the air.
Then—
"Guuuu~~"
A small but unmistakable sound broke the rhythm.
Kushina froze.
Her face flushed bright red.
She clutched her stomach internally.
Kushina, Kushina, why are you like this? Of all times, you have to get hungry now?!
How are you supposed to face Tendō like this?!
She wished the ground would swallow her whole.
Then—
A lunchbox appeared in front of her.
"For you."
The voice was calm, steady, almost gentle.
Kushina blinked, staring blankly at the neatly packed food placed before her.
Tendō frowned slightly.
"What are you spacing out for?"
She snapped back to her senses.
"Uh… isn't this… inappropriate? What if I eat it?"
"I'm not hungry," he replied flatly.
She shook her head immediately.
"No way! If you eat, I'll eat too!"
There was stubbornness in her voice.
Tendō studied her for a moment, then sighed faintly.
"Fine."
He picked up the lunchbox, took several quick bites to satisfy her, and then set it down again.
Only then did Kushina begin to eat.
She ate slowly—carefully—almost reverently.
Every few bites, she would glance at him.
At that moment, Tendō was focused entirely on feeding Akihō, carefully holding her upright, patiently spooning small portions into her mouth.
His movements were practiced, gentle and protective.
Though his face often carried a cold indifference, his actions were full of quiet tenderness.
Kushina lowered her gaze.
Since the fall of the Uzumaki clan… aside from Tsunade and Uzumaki Mito, no one had shown her this kind of care.
Her throat tightened slightly.
"Why are you being so kind to me?" she asked softly.
Tendō looked at her, faint surprise crossing his features.
"Shouldn't friends help each other?"
Friends.
The word echoed in her chest.
For some reason, the lunch began to taste saltier.
But it was also—
The most delicious meal she had eaten in a very long time.
---
Hokage's Office
"Tsuk tsuk tsuk… this kid's got at least half the charm I had back in the day."
Jiraiya stroked his chin smugly as he stared into the crystal ball.
Orochimaru cast him a sideways glance.
"If I recall correctly, you weren't particularly popular in the Academy."
Jiraiya's face instantly turned red.
"That's slander!"
He stomped his foot in exaggerated outrage.
Tsunade crossed her arms and raised a brow.
"Old man," she said, glancing at Hiruzen, "what do you mean by that?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen calmly exhaled a stream of smoke.
"Just what you think. The two children appear to be getting along quite well."
There was something unreadable in his tone.
Tsunade remained silent for a moment.
Then, slowly—
She nodded.
Yes, they were getting along. And perhaps… That was exactly what Konoha needed.