Uzumaki Mito fell into deep thought when she heard Uzumaki Kushina mention Shiranui Riku.
Kushina tilted her head curiously and asked, "Grandma Mito, what's wrong?"
Mito shook her head with a warm smile. "Kushina, do you want to be friends with Riku?"
Kushina nodded eagerly. "Yes, I do!"
Mito's expression turned serious. "Riku was right to warn you. If you decide to be friends with him, you might get treated poorly by others. But if you're truly set on this, you need to be prepared and never back down.
I believe Riku is actually very lonely. He doesn't have any relatives in Konoha and is disliked by almost everyone. His life hasn't been easy. I hope you can become true friends, and help each other feel less alone. Kushina, are you ready for that responsibility?"
Kushina's eyes lit up with fierce determination. "I'm ready, Grandma Mito!"
Mito smiled, clearly relieved.
"But, Grandma Mito," Kushina asked in confusion, "why do people hate Riku so much? Did he do something bad? My first impression of him was really good. He even said he didn't have a last name. I've never met someone without a last name before."
Mito sighed gently. "No, Riku didn't do anything wrong. He's just the child of two ninja clans who had deep-seated hatred for each other. He's a victim caught in the middle.
Riku has no surname because neither clan accepts him. One side has abandoned him, and the other gave up its family name generations ago. So he's left with only a first name."
Young and still a bit naive, Kushina didn't fully understand Mito's explanation. Her eyes were filled with questions, but she didn't press further.
Mito gave her a gentle pat on the back and smiled. "Well, you must be tired. Go get some rest—you've got school again tomorrow."
"Okay! Good night, Grandma Mito!" Kushina said cheerfully, hopping off Mito's lap.
Mito watched her leave with a soft, affectionate gaze.
When she was alone again in the quiet of her home, Mito let out a deep sigh. She knew all too well what it felt like to be lonely.
The Next Day
Kushina arrived at the Ninja Academy bursting with confidence.
She had made up her mind—today she would befriend Shiranui Riku. No matter what.
And if he refused again...
Kushina's little mind raced for a solution, and soon enough, she had one.
She'd beat Riku up until he agreed to be her friend!
But her enthusiasm quickly turned into disappointment.
Riku hadn't come to class.
She didn't know anyone else well enough to ask where he was, either.
Worse, the same brats she'd pummeled yesterday for teasing her were clearly looking for revenge.
Unfortunately for them, when it came to brawling, Kushina never lost.
With her long red hair flying and her fists blazing, Kushina unleashed another round of beatdowns on the bullies until they couldn't even stand.
Three Days Later
Every single day, the same thing happened.
Bullies challenged her, and Kushina handed them another humiliating defeat.
But deep down, she was miserable.
Because Riku still hadn't shown up.
Her mission to make a friend was going nowhere fast.
Meanwhile, Shiranui Riku remained unconscious in the Ninja Hospital.
Hokage's Office
Sarutobi Hiruzen lit his pipe, inhaled slowly, and asked, "Has Riku regained consciousness yet?"
An ANBU ninja appeared silently behind him, kneeling on one knee. "Shiranui Riku is still unconscious."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. "Four days now and still not awake? What's the hospital saying?"
The ANBU reported, "His chakra is severely depleted. His meridians have suffered multiple injuries, and the muscles throughout his body are strained—especially in his hands and legs. These were caused by overuse of Lightning Release techniques."
Hiruzen took another long puff, eyes narrowing. "So the forest damage was caused by him. He's managed to master some formidable lightning-style ninjutsu."
He exhaled, then asked, "Did the medics say when he might wake up?"
"At the earliest—tomorrow."
"Good. Report to me the moment he wakes up."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
The ANBU disappeared without a trace.
Back at the Academy, classes had ended, and Riku was still absent. Kushina dragged her feet as she packed her things.
Just as she was about to leave the classroom, she noticed someone watching her.
Thinking it was one of the kids she'd beaten up, she spun around, ready to fight.
But it wasn't a bully—it was Minato Namikaze, still seated at his desk, quietly looking her way.
The moment their eyes met, Minato's cheeks turned crimson and he quickly lowered his head.
Kushina raised a fist and waved it menacingly. "If you're thinking of messing with me, I'll knock you out!"
With that, she turned and stormed off without another glance.
To be honest, Kushina didn't think much of Minato.
He seemed too quiet, too delicate—too girly, she thought.
On her very first day of class, Kushina had declared boldly, "I'm going to be the first female Hokage!"
But then Minato stood up and said he wanted to be Hokage too—as if he was challenging her.
Like he was saying, "You? Be Hokage? Even I have a better shot."
Kushina had disliked him ever since.
After she left, Minato looked down at his desk, pouting slightly. He genuinely didn't understand why Kushina seemed to hate him.
Kushina returned to Mito's mansion that evening.
"Grandma Mito, I'm back," she called out.
Seeing her glum expression, Mito chuckled knowingly. "Let me guess—Riku didn't show up again today?"
Kushina slumped into a chair, groaning. "Yeah. I finally worked up the courage to talk to him, and now he's just... gone. I'm running out of steam."
Mito shook her head gently. "Kushina, you already made up your mind. You can't quit now."
"I know," Kushina muttered. "But if Riku doesn't come back, how can I even talk to him, let alone make friends?"
She tugged at her red hair in frustration.
Mito smiled mysteriously and said, "Well, it just so happens... I know exactly where he is~"