Passing through the streets of Konoha, Chihiro made his way to the Ninja Academy.
There was no other option—his home was too far from the center of the village, and the only path to the Academy ran straight through Konoha's bustling streets.
He wasn't a masochist. The stares and insults he endured every day made him uncomfortable, but he had grown used to enduring them in silence.
When he reached his classroom, Chihiro walked to his usual spot—the most secluded corner of the room—and sat down.
No one sat in front of him or to his right. No one wanted to be his desk mate.
Chihiro had been enrolled at the Academy for three years. He attended class diligently, absorbing every bit of knowledge he could.
If he wanted to change his circumstances, there was only one way: get stronger.
He had shown promise from the start. When the Academy first began chakra extraction training, most students took one or two days to feel their chakra. Chihiro had managed it in just half a day.
But even he couldn't compare to one student: Minato Namikaze, a boy from a civilian background who had quickly risen to the top of the class.
Over the past three years, Minato had surpassed even the clan prodigies from the Uchiha, Hyuga, and Nara families. He was hailed as the most talented student in the school.
On top of that, Minato's sunny personality and handsome looks made him extremely popular.
Chihiro, while also good-looking, found himself on the opposite end of the social spectrum. He was isolated and disliked.
Laying his head on his desk, Chihiro waited for class to begin.
These days, his only reasons for coming to school were to learn and to wait—for Kushina Uzumaki to appear.
As he rested, his mind wandered.
He had seen through the façade of Konoha's so-called peace and unity. Something didn't sit right with him—especially the story of Kushina Uzumaki.
According to the version he'd heard, back when Minato and Kushina were still genin, Kushina had been kidnapped by ninja from Kumogakure—three of them, all at least special jōnin level. She had been taken near the border of the Land of Fire.
Just as she began to lose hope, Minato supposedly discovered her by following strands of her red hair and singlehandedly defeated all three kidnappers, rescuing her.
Something about that story didn't make sense.
Could a genin—even one as talented as Minato—really defeat three elite enemy ninja alone?
More importantly, how had the elite sensory ninja of Konoha failed to detect Kushina's abduction until then?
Chihiro began to think from a more cynical perspective. Then, suddenly, a chilling thought struck him, and he turned to look sharply at Minato, who was chatting casually with classmates.
The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
At the time, Mito Uzumaki, the First Hokage's wife and the original jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, was nearing the end of her life.
For strategic reasons, Konoha needed a successor to contain the Nine-Tails. So they had brought Kushina Uzumaki, another member of the Uzumaki Clan, to the village to be the next host.
She hadn't come to Konoha by choice. She had been chosen.
According to what Chihiro remembered of Kushina's own words, the loneliness and burden of becoming the Nine-Tails' vessel nearly suffocated her. She hated it but had no choice.
Why would she share something so deeply personal?
First, because she truly couldn't change her fate.
Second, perhaps because of her growing bond with Minato Namikaze. She loved him. That love might have been the only thing that helped her accept such a cruel destiny.
Maybe Konoha's higher-ups had orchestrated everything from the beginning.
Let Minato, the golden boy of the village, become close to Kushina. Let that relationship bind her emotionally, making her more willing to stay and become the jinchūriki.
In the end, it worked.
Kushina was just a tool. A vessel. And perhaps—just perhaps—so was Minato.
Chihiro's heart pounded as he looked away quickly, worried that Minato might have noticed him staring.
But Minato only glanced in his direction briefly before returning to his conversation.
Konoha is darker than I thought, Chihiro thought grimly. Even Minato Namikaze might just be a pawn.
He took a deep breath.
Whether it's true or not doesn't matter. I'll leave Konoha eventually. My focus now should be on getting stronger.
The Third Shinobi World War was approaching. If he wasn't strong enough, not only would he fail to earn Witness Points—but he wouldn't survive at all.
Suddenly, the classroom door opened.
Their instructor, Masada Hayabusa, walked in.
And behind him, a small figure appeared—one Chihiro had waited years to see.
Kushina Uzumaki.
She stood beside the teacher, looking nervous and fidgeting.
"This is a new transfer student joining us today," Masada announced.
Kushina took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and said loudly, "I'm Kushina Uzumaki, ya know!"
Then she quickly covered her mouth, embarrassed. Her verbal tic had slipped out again.
To Chihiro, it was endearing. But most of the class burst into laughter.
"Her hair is so red."
"She looks weird."
"She talks funny."
Kushina scratched her head awkwardly, clearly affected by their words.
Masada frowned and clapped his hands. "Alright, quiet down!"
Kushina's body trembled slightly. She clenched her fists, then declared:
"I… I'm going to become the first female Hokage of this village!"
The class went silent, stunned by her bold proclamation.
Then, Minato Namikaze stood up with a warm smile.
"I also want to become a great Hokage, one recognized by the whole village."
Kushina glanced at him skeptically. He seems too soft. Can someone like him really become Hokage?
Masada began to assign her a seat. Most were already taken.
Only Chihiro's side remained empty.
Masada's face showed clear disdain as he pointed. "Go sit over there—for now."
Kushina followed his gesture. Though the classroom was big, no one was near Chihiro. He was clearly isolated.
Kushina noticed the amused, mocking looks others were giving her.
Her expression hardened. Without hesitation, she marched toward Chihiro's corner and sat beside him.