Hidden Leaf Village, Ninja Academy.
From early morning, Kushina had been under the constant observation of two gazes, one filled with resentment and hostility, the other with cautious concern.
This couldn't help but make her expression strange.
Even without using her Kagura Mind's Eye, she could pinpoint the sources of these two gazes.
Because one of them came from the back row of the class, Uchiha Inaho.
And the other gaze was from her desk mate, Minato Namikaze.
During lunch break, Kushina, holding her lunchbox, suddenly turned her head. Minato seemed startled and quickly turned away, his evasive eyes resembling those of an otter.
"Minato, is there something you need?" Kushina couldn't help but ask.
Minato gave an apologetic smile, "I was found out after all. Kushina, you're quite powerful."
"If you're referring to me noticing you peeking at me," Kushina rolled her eyes slightly, "I'm not blind."
"No, of course not that," Minato pointed behind him.
In the row by the window behind them sat several boys with bruised faces, their eyes timid and shrinking. In the very center of them, Uchiha Inaho's face was completely swollen like a pig's head, and he was sporting a shaved head.
"What's so strange about that?" Kushina slowly leaned closer, smiling and whispering, "Weren't you there at the time?"
Minato looked stunned, but quickly recovered and scratched his head, "Yes, I did witness the entire... process."
"So, stop looking at me like that." Kushina squeezed her small fist, "The best way to fight bullying is to bully the person who bullies you. An elder in my family told me that."
Minato coughed lightly, "You might have misunderstood. I'm just worried that he'll get his clan to deal with you."
He lowered his voice, "While I believe in your strength, Kushina, the Uchiha are in charge of the Hidden Leaf Police Force. You severely injured him, so he has every reason to take the opportunity to target you and retaliate in a legitimate way."
"Hidden Leaf Police Force?" Kushina tilted her head.
"That's right, they're specifically responsible for maintaining order in the village, resolving conflicts, and can use force when necessary."
Kushina snorted softly, "I'm not afraid."
"The Uchiha's power is still worth taking seriously," Minato said.
"They're just a bunch of fake Uchiha," Kushina said casually.
"Huh?"
"Never mind, Minato, class is about to start." Kushina smiled, "Thank you for the information and your concern, but you don't need to worry about my affairs."
The day was boring because there were no outdoor classes. They were all stuck in the classroom learning "Moral Character," and Hidden Leaf Village was really putting in a lot of effort in brainwashing. Kushina had no choice but to space out all day.
Just when she was about to get moldy, school finally ended.
This time, she walked out of the school gate as usual, slightly activating her senses, and the corners of her mouth curved up slightly.
...
In a corner of the forest, a petite figure was running forward.
Kushina darted through the bushes, flying through the air. Her red hair was like burning flames. She occasionally looked back, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes.
Just then, a faint sound of air being torn came from behind. She immediately leaped forward, and three shuriken grazed her side in succession, striking the tree trunk ahead with a preemptive strike.
"Are you getting serious?" she exclaimed.
Relying on her excellent perception, she quickly noticed the figure catching up from behind. Her eyes darted, and she kicked off the tree trunk, rushing back even faster!
A flash of red blurred past, and the person was caught off guard. Kushina strangled their neck in one move and slammed them heavily to the ground.
Kushina landed lightly, observing the person's height and attire, and recognized the emblem on their shoulder.
"Uchiha? Or rather... the Hidden Leaf Police Force?"
With a "poof," white smoke filled the air. Before she could see their face, the person turned into a half-section of a wooden stake.
"Substitution Jutsu?"
The sudden change made Kushina slightly stunned. Just then, a hand came from behind, suddenly chopping at the back of her neck.
"Ugh!" Her eyes went dark, and her body instantly lost balance, collapsing forward.
A cold voice floated from behind, "Hmph, I thought you were so strong, just a kid."
The wind howled, and many figures landed around. Kushina opened her eyes and found that these people were dressed uniformly, all members of the Police Force.
"Someone reported you for abusing classmates and being cruel by nature. Come with us!"
Kushina shook her head, trying to regain consciousness, "Hmph, they were bullying people first!"
"Shut up!" The person grabbed her hair roughly and lifted her up.
"Ah..." Kushina cried out in pain, turning her head to see a sinister face.
"I'm not interested in listening to your excuses right now. Are you going to come with us obediently, or should I break your hands and feet and drag you over?"
"Uh..."
At this moment, a timid voice came from behind the Police Force, and a small, bruised and swollen bald head walked out, "Wouldn't that be too much?"
It was Uchiha Inaho. Kushina recognized his voice.
"Waste, no wonder you were bullied!" Someone from the Police Force reprimanded, "We are Uchiha! How can we be bullied by this outsider who just joined Hidden Leaf Village?"
Inaho looked timid, "Seniors, I just wanted to vent my anger... We are classmates, there's no need to make too much of a fuss..."
"Get out of the way, this is none of your business."
Everyone swarmed forward, pushing Inaho to the periphery.
"As an outsider, you should be aware of your position, understand? You, tomato, have provoked someone you shouldn't have!"
The person grabbed Kushina's hair and pulled out a kunai from his waist pouch.
"Uh, Brother Eito..." Inaho looked flustered, desperately squeezing into the crowd, "I think this is enough! I won't take revenge!"
"That won't do." Uchiha Eito said with a smile, "You have to pay the price for doing something wrong. I must let everyone know that the Uchiha Clan is not to be trifled with!"
He pulled back, and Kushina staggered.
"Cousin, are you interested in seeing tomato juice?" Uchiha Eito gestured with the kunai, seemingly looking for an angle, the cold light constantly flashing on Kushina's face.
Inaho's legs trembled. "If the Clan Head finds out about this, he'll be furious..."
"Shut your mouth! The Police Force is enforcing the law and has the right to punish evildoers!" Uchiha Eito roared, "This is all perfectly legal and justified. Even if the higher-ups find out, they won't be able to say anything!"
"But..."
"Hmph, the Uchiha's dignity cannot be challenged!"
Uchiha Eito smirked coldly, and with a flick of his left hand, he slashed downwards with the Kunai!
With a "tsst" sound, a cut appeared on Kushina's cheek, but instead of blood, clear water flowed out.
Uchiha Eito was shocked. The girl in his hand quickly turned into a puddle of water and fell to the ground, wetting his palm.
"A Water Clone? Damn it! When did she...?"
Just then, a familiar, clear voice rang out from behind them:
"You all saw it, right? Luckily, it was just a Water Clone, otherwise..."
Eito turned around abruptly. Kushina was standing unharmed in the distance, followed by a team of Chunin with imposing auras. Standing next to Kushina was a silent young man.
His eyes widened, and he couldn't help but take half a step back, not out of fear of Kushina, but out of fear of that young man.
"Uchiha, is it? It seems... the authority the higher-ups have given to the Police Force is still too great..." Nawaki's face was gloomy, and he practically spat out those words.
"Ah, a misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding..." Eito quickly explained. He knew that although the young man before him had mediocre strength, his status was terrifying. Even the current Hokage had to give him some face.
"Enough, let your Clan Head explain it to the Hokage himself!" Nawaki took a deep breath. "The blood of the Uzumaki Clan also flows through my veins, so I'm also considered Kushina's brother. If anyone wants to target her in the future, they'll have to get past me first!"
Deterred by Nawaki's power, the Police Force members slunk away.
"Thank you, Brother Nawaki." Kushina smiled slightly.
"This is all I should do. I'm happy you came to me." Nawaki patted Kushina on the shoulder. "Well done."
"Let's go eat ramen together later." Kushina patted her small purse. "My treat."
"Nah, I have a mission with Master Jiraiya later." Nawaki declined with a smile.
"So late?" Kushina asked, puzzled.
Nawaki sighed softly. "Yeah, the situation in Rain Country has been tense recently. Our base has been severely damaged and urgently needs support..."
He stopped halfway through and shook his head. "Hmph, why am I telling you this, a little girl... When I'm not around, if Kushina encounters any trouble, you can go directly to the Hokage Building..."
"Okay..." Kushina nodded, seemingly understanding. Watching Nawaki speak with such a mature tone, she thought to herself:
He's not that much older than me...
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