Chapter 42: Will Big Sister Kushina Protect Me?

"Hey! Gin, right? Mikoto told me about you!" a red-haired girl jumped up from her seat. "I'm Uzumaki Kushina! If anyone messes with you in class, just tell me. I promised Mikoto I'd take care of you—heh!"

Gin couldn't help but smile at the bold declaration from his so-called "big sister."

"I'll count on you to protect me then," he said with a polite grin and a nod.

"Silence! Sit down!" barked their teacher, Kuroda Ichito, a vein visibly twitching on his forehead. Kushina had grown increasingly unruly lately, but there wasn't much he could do—Tsunade alone was trouble, but behind her stood Lady Mito Uzumaki herself.

"Yeah, yeah!" Kushina huffed, plopping back into her seat, satisfied she'd made her point.

Minato, sitting in front of them, turned slightly, unable to suppress a small smile. So Kushina has an older sister instinct? Interesting…

Noticing his amusement, Kushina's eyes twitched. That yellow-haired smear… is he laughing at me?! Damn it!

"Wait! It's not like that!" Minato tried to explain, but—

"Uzumaki Kushina!!! Sit. Down." Ichito's voice thundered. "And you too, Namikaze Minato! Don't go picking up her bad habits!"

"Yes, sir…" both answered quickly, shrinking in their seats.

Kushina fumed inwardly. It's all his fault! I wouldn't have gotten scolded if not for that smear! And what does "don't learn her bad habits" even mean?! He thinks Minato would learn from me? Tch. How dare he look down on me like that…

At Ichito's signal, Gin walked to the front, introduced himself, and bowed politely. He felt several gazes sweep over him—curious, cautious, even admiring. Then, he made his way toward an empty seat beside Kushina, who eagerly waved him over.

As he sat down, Gin noticed something curious: Kushina's favorability toward him was already at 62 points—unusually high for someone he just met.

Must be because of Mikoto… and probably Lady Mito and Tsunade mentioned me too, Gin reasoned.

A Few Days Later…

Gin had settled into the Academy routine, breezing through the curriculum with ease. His abilities, memory, and training efficiency left his teachers stunned—and his peers intrigued.

He grew closer with both Kushina and Minato. Minato had approached Gin first, and their bond strengthened steadily. Though Kushina's fiery personality clashed with Minato's calm demeanor at times, the trio formed an early friendship.

Gin wasn't in a hurry to deepen bonds, but he kept track. Favorability with both Kushina and Minato was rising—but still short of the 80-point threshold required for a soul contract.

After class one day, Gin approached them.

"Kushina, Minato," he said, "I've already mastered the Academy's entire curriculum. There's nothing more for me to learn here. So, I'm planning to send a Shadow Clone in my place while I use the time to train independently."

He smiled. "Just thought I should tell you directly. We're friends—better to be honest than have it come out later and cause confusion."

"Oh?" Kushina blinked. "You can do that?! Use Shadow Clones for the Academy? Why didn't I think of that?"

She'd already been attending the Academy for months, and with her intelligence and chakra reserves, the lessons had become boring. She'd been planning to beg her grandmother—Lady Mito—to let her stay home and study sealing techniques instead.

Now, hearing Gin's solution, it clicked.

Why leave the Academy? Just send a clone!

She was certain Mito would agree, especially if she didn't know the trick was a Shadow Clone. And even if she did—so what? Kushina had enough chakra for dozens.

"Then I'll do the same!" Kushina declared. "I heard from Tsunade you're learning fuinjutsu too?"

"Yeah," Gin replied. "My mom made a deal with Lady Mito. I got access to a lot of sealing materials. It's the right time to start learning."

"I've been studying fuinjutsu with my grandmother," Kushina said proudly. "Want to join me? We could learn together! Share notes, train—it'd be more fun with someone else. Besides… you're easier on the eyes than certain 'smears.'"

Gin raised an eyebrow. "Would that be okay? Don't we need Lady Mito's permission?"

He wasn't opposed to the idea. Studying under Mito Uzumaki directly was far more efficient than going solo. And with his "Hard Work is Rewarded" talent, he could progress quickly even alone—but doubling the pace? Always better.

"She'll definitely agree! She already likes you. She told me to keep an eye on you at the Academy!" Kushina grinned.

"All right then, go ahead and ask," Gin nodded. "If it doesn't work out, no big deal."

Off to the side, Minato watched the two talk with a slightly forlorn look.

He wanted to join them. But he had no special scrolls from Mito. No invitations. No Shadow Clone technique.

He simply wasn't qualified.

Noticing his mood, Gin walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry," he said gently. "We won't be studying fuinjutsu during the day anyway. How about we schedule time to practice ninjutsu and taijutsu together?"

Minato blinked. "You… want to train with me?"

"Of course. I think you've got talent. Besides, better to train with you than let the Third Hokage get his hands on you."

Gin thought to himself: Minato's a good investment. If I get close early, build trust, I can form a contract with him before Hiruzen brainwashes him. Better to recruit him now than fight him later.

The boy would need guidance. He'd have to be shown the ugly truth of the ninja world—of Hiruzen's Will of Fire—and why that ideal had become a mask for power games and betrayal.

Gin wouldn't let him walk that path.