Chapter 19 — Uzumaki Kushina
The group exchanged glances and, at the same time, stretched out their hands. Nine small hands stacked together, their hearts intertwining as well.
"Alright! ×9"
At that moment, the bond of youth was forged. They cast aside status, acknowledged one another, and no longer drew distinctions between themselves. The emotion was intense and blazing—enduring until death.
"Today we've walked every crooked road life has to offer. From now on, the path ahead will be smooth… Run, brothers! Where the heart goes, dreams will follow!" Kinoshita Hikaru shouted. Without waiting for the others, he dashed forward, taking the lead.
"So sly! Wait for me!" everyone shouted as they chased after him, laughter filling the air.
Hidden in the shadows, Kinoshita Muraichi witnessed it all with his own eyes.
"Tch, a bunch of brats."
His vision blurred slightly.
"But they're really lucky."
In the ninja world—rife with killing intent, treachery, and tragedy—having someone to cherish was itself a kind of fortune.
Perhaps he should report to the Third Hokage and propose forming an elite squad.
But before that, he ought to pass the jōnin assessment. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to keep these brats in line.
He turned and headed toward the Hokage Building.
Clearly, Kinoshita Muraichi was dissatisfied with the title of Special Jōnin.
He intended to change that.
Arriving at the Hokage Building, he told Hiruzen Sarutobi about his idea of forming a squad, hoping to obtain the Hokage's approval.
"You're ready?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a faint smile. He always had ample patience for anyone capable of becoming a jōnin—especially one of his own direct subordinates.
"Yes, Lord Third."
"Good. I'm glad you've moved past it. The jōnin assessment will be held in three days."
"Thank you, Third Hokage."
"As for the nine-person elite squad you mentioned, that will be difficult. You understand their identities—they're too complicated. But it's still early… You are their teacher. You can train them first and then let their results speak for themselves. That would be more convincing.
What do you think?"
"Yes!"
"Anything else?"
"No. I take my leave."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. Kinoshita Muraichi vanished in a flash.
A nine-man squad, hm? That wouldn't be easy to establish. Without corresponding merit and strength, it would never be approved.
The three-man ninja team system existed for a reason.
First, it was flexible and convenient.
Second, it allowed for direct guidance from a teacher.
Third, it facilitated stealth.
Fourth, it made accepting missions and dividing rewards easier.
Of course, if one possessed sufficient strength, then it wouldn't be a problem. After all, many B-rank missions and above required multiple squads to cooperate.
Although there were obstacles now—
If all nine eventually reached elite jōnin or even Kage-level, then with years of coordination, they would surely become a sharp blade.
A ninja corps was a weapon of slaughter. Whether one person or ten, everything depended on strength.
That was why Hiruzen Sarutobi had not rejected the idea outright.
In his view, the nine children had excellent talent. As long as they survived the difficult growth period, their future would be limitless.
"Let's observe for now. Some things don't need to be overthought. Time can decide."
Yes—very much like Hiruzen Sarutobi. If it turned out well, he would approve it. If not, he would veto it. Either way, he lost nothing.
...
The next day.
Ninja Academy, classroom.
Kinoshita Muraichi held his palm open, practicing the Rasengan. The principle of the Rasengan was to first construct a chakra pivot point, then rotate chakra internally.
A blue sphere of light condensed in his hand, then quickly dissipated—only to gather again. Over and over, refreshing his proficiency.
Namikaze Minato was doing the same, secretly practicing the Rasengan as well.
And this irritated Kinoshita Muraichi.
As a seasoned ninja, he was extremely sensitive to fluctuations in chakra.
At such close range, he could clearly sense it—two masses of chakra gathering and dispersing, gathering again, then dispersing again.
His nerves tightened unconsciously, relaxed, then tightened again, then relaxed again.
The veins on his forehead throbbed violently. Both hands gripped the desk tightly as he struggled to endure.
You can't, Muraichi. Hold it in. There's something important today.
But his trembling body had already reached its limit. His SAN value skyrocketed—he was on the verge of exploding.
Knock, knock, knock.
The crisp sound of knocking snapped Kinoshita Muraichi back to his senses—and at the same time, saved Kinoshita Hikaru and Namikaze Minato.
"Come in."
The door opened, revealing a six-year-old girl. She had long, fiery red hair, big bright eyes, and a round little face with a hint of baby fat.
Kinoshita Muraichi stepped forward, his voice incomparably gentle. "You must be Uzumaki Kushina?"
"Mm!"
"I'm the teacher here—Kinoshita Muraichi. Please take care of me from now on."
Uzumaki Kushina's large eyes sparkled. She thought this teacher seemed very gentle.
The rest of the class, however, did not share that opinion. They all shuddered in unison.
Kinoshita Muraichi led Uzumaki Kushina by the hand to the podium and said, "This student is a new transfer. Everyone should get along well. Kushina, introduce yourself to the class—and tell us your dream."
Uzumaki Kushina looked at the faces below her. Her mind went blank. She didn't know what to say and simply stood there stiffly.
Kinoshita Muraichi didn't urge her.
But the students below couldn't hold back. At their age, they were restless and had little patience.
"Why aren't you talking? Are you scared? Coward," one student said.
"A coward—and she's got red hair. Could she be one of those legendary monsters? Too scared to talk in front of people."
"Yeah, a red-haired monster."
Under the students' attacks, Uzumaki Kushina's face flushed red with anger. Chakra surged. Her red hair began to float.
"Uh-oh, her hair's floating! Is she going to eat someone?"
"My name is Uzumaki Kushina, and I'm going to become the Hokage!"
Kushina shouted, glaring fiercely at those who mocked her.
The classroom fell silent.
Then—
A sudden laugh broke the silence. It started small, then grew louder and louder until it echoed throughout the entire room.
"Heh~ hehehe~ ha~ hahaha!"
Kinoshita Hikaru suddenly leapt onto his desk and stared straight at Uzumaki Kushina.
"Kushina, right? I acknowledge you. Since you want to become Hokage, then defeat me… I'll be waiting for your challenge."
"Who are you?" Uzumaki Kushina asked.
"Don't—!" everyone tried to stop him, but it was already too late.
Seeing they couldn't stop him, everyone covered their ears.
Kinoshita Hikaru took a deep breath. His stomach expanded as he roared,
"My name is Kinoshita Hikaru! I'm going to become the Hokage!"
His voice boomed across a hundred meters, leaving Uzumaki Kushina stunned.
"S-Sugoi…"
Kinoshita Muraichi gave an awkward smile. "Um… don't mind him. Hikaru is just very enthusiastic. Kushina, choose a seat."
Kinoshita Hikaru sat back down.
"Hmm?" Kinoshita Muraichi suddenly roared, "Who told you to sit down? Get outside and run 1,000 laps!"
"Ugh (︶︿︶)"
That was so like Kinoshita Muraichi.
Kinoshita Hikaru gave Kushina a smile, then jumped out the window to start running laps.
"Damn it, he showed off again." Uchiha Shigeru's eyes turned red with frustration—he was almost about to awaken the Sharingan.
Clearly, the Uchiha were supposed to be the most handsome ones.