That's why now, in the heart of Uzumaki Kushina, the entire class seemed irritating and unfriendly.
This made Kushina, who had never truly felt a sense of belonging in Konoha, yearn even more for connection. Beating up those annoying kids wasn't really to vent her feelings—it was just her way of coping.
What she hadn't expected was that Uchiha Hidden, who had always been so indifferent to her, actually said she was cute.
A warm feeling spread through Kushina's chest.
For a moment, she felt like she belonged—at least, not everyone hated her. Someone thought she was cute, didn't they?
Of course, that didn't mean Kushina was suddenly in love with Uchiha Hidden. But the gloom that had weighed on her heart just now, and even her frustration at the so-called "system" that had brought her here, had mostly faded.
At least the system didn't make the boy I'm supposed to pursue find me annoying.
Kushina couldn't help but mentally label Uchiha Hidden as a good guy. Then she hesitated—wait!
If Uchiha Hidden really thinks I'm cute, why did he reject me in front of everyone just now? Was he messing with me?
Or does he have some reason? Does he only think I'm cute on the surface because of my fiery personality? Either way, rejecting me in front of the whole class—that's unforgivable, hmph!
Kushina snorted softly, turning her head away in annoyance, though the blush on her cheeks betrayed her true feelings.
The truth was, Uchiha Hidden's words had slipped out naturally.
He had rejected Kushina's sudden confession not because he disliked her—but because he didn't dare risk stirring up the attention of Konoha's higher-ups just yet.
After all, Kushina was the future Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. If a young Uchiha openly accepted her confession, it would absolutely set off alarm bells for the powers keeping watch over Kushina.
Danzo, ever lurking in the shadows, would surely take interest. Even the more tolerant Sarutobi Hiruzen might not look kindly upon it.
Uchiha Hidden wasn't like Minato Namikaze—a talented orphan with no clan ties, already noticed by Jiraiya and perhaps destined to be his student. If Minato got close to Kushina, no one would object.
But Hidden was a Uchiha, and the Uchiha clan had been increasingly isolated since the time of the Second Hokage. Though known as the second most powerful clan in Konoha (after the Senju), they stood on the outer fringes of Konoha's political power.
If a Uchiha openly tried to bond with the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, Hiruzen would likely be the first to object—unless that Uchiha was trusted and aligned with the Hokage, like Uchiha Kagami had been.
So, although Hidden had rejected Kushina's confession, he hoped they could at least become friends.
And if Hiruzen really was watching with the Crystal Ball's Telescope Technique—as Hidden suspected—then at least his polite refusal might spare him from being seen as a threat.
If he'd agreed, the Hokage would surely have him under constant surveillance. By refusing, perhaps he could avoid that fate—but his name was probably already on Hiruzen's desk now, noted for future attention.
Rejecting Kushina harshly would have seemed too deliberate, too suspicious. And that might have made the Hokage wonder what the Uchiha were planning.
So Hidden had chosen the middle path—normal interaction, not too close, not too distant.
Ironically, Hidden didn't realize that even if he'd said nothing, Kushina wouldn't have rejected him. Her feelings weren't that fickle. But in the end, perhaps it was better this way—had Hidden acted too cold, even Kushina, bound by the system's mission, might have started holding a grudge.
---
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office...
Uchiha Hidden's instincts had been right.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood at his desk, hands clasped behind his back. Before him, his Crystal Ball showed the scene of Kushina's introduction at the Academy.
The Telescope Technique not only transmitted the image but also the sound.
"Old man, did you really drag me here just to watch some kid's self-introduction?"
The voice came from the blonde woman standing before him.
Tsunade Senju, her pale yellow ponytail swaying, looked irritated. The purple diamond seal on her forehead marked her lineage and power, adding to her imposing presence. Even in a loose green jacket, her figure was impossible to hide.
She stifled a yawn, exhaustion plain on her face—Tsunade had just returned from a mission and had been hoping for some sleep before Hiruzen summoned her.
"Tsunade, hear me out." Hiruzen's voice was serious. "That child—Uzumaki Kushina—is from the Uzumaki Clan of Uzushiogakure. She's related to Mito-sama. She's already staying at your house."
"She'll be the next Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. I'm counting on you to guide her, to help her grow into a worthy host."
Tsunade's casual annoyance faded, replaced by a look of respect and responsibility.
"I understand. If she's Granny Mito's kin, I'll take care of her."
Hiruzen nodded, relieved. "Good. Now, let's watch her introduction—"
But before he could finish, the Crystal Ball displayed a scene that made his eyes widen in shock.
"My name is Uzumaki Kushina, and my dream is—"
Kushina paused, took a breath, and shouted,
"—to become Uchiha Hidden's wife!"
Hiruzen froze.
What is this? How does she even know that boy?
The situation was quickly spiraling into something far beyond what the Hokage had expected.
Hiruzen's face darkened, realizing this was going to be far more complicated than he'd anticipated.