"Kushina-nee, how do you plan to arrange Anna and Karin?"
Kushina didn't hesitate. "They can just live here. It'll be nice to have company, and Naruto will have a playmate."
Anna quickly waved her hands. "That's not appropriate, not at all. We'd be too much of a burden."
Though they were of the same clan and Kushina was warm and welcoming, it didn't feel right to live under someone else's roof long-term. A short stay was fine, but Anna wanted her own home for herself and Karin even a rented one would do.
Mikoto spoke up in agreement. "Kushina, Anna's right. That wouldn't be proper."
Kushina paused, realizing the point, then turned to Uchiha Gen. "Gen, what do you think?"
"My suggestion is simple," Gen replied. "Anna can rent a house nearby. If money is tight, we can all chip in, me, you, and Mikoto-nee. Once that's settled, she can apply for a stable position at Konoha Hospital. That way, she'll integrate smoothly into life here."
"That sounds good, very good," Anna said quickly. "When I was working at the front-line hospital, Lord Gen taught me both chakra refinement and medical knowledge. With that foundation, Konoha Hospital is the perfect place for me. And if I meet patients on the brink of death, cases ordinary medical ninjutsu can't save, my ability can give them another chance."
Kushina smiled. "That's an excellent plan, Gen. You've thought of everything."
Gen shrugged. "If you're going to save someone, save them all the way. It's only natural."
Kushina grinned and gave him a thumbs-up before turning back to Anna. "Then it's settled. I'll speak to Hokage-sama on your behalf, and later I'll help you find a house. From now on, we should interact more. I want to teach you our clan's Sealing techniques. Naruto and Karin will also learn it one day. The Uzumaki legacy mustn't end with me."
Anna's lips curved into a smile. "Alright."
For her, mastering medical ninjutsu and seals would be the foundation for her survival in Konoha and the key to raising her daughter. One day, they would be Karin's lifeline as well.
"Oh, Gen," Kushina added suddenly, "would you like to learn Sealing jutsu too?"
Gen blinked. "I can learn it?"
"Of course. Consider it a thank-you gift."
His eyes lit up. "Perfect timing! My own progress with seals has hit a bottleneck."
Kushina raised her brows. "Wait, you already know Sealing?"
Gen tilted his head. "Is that so strange?"
"Of course it is! At your age, you've already achieved so much. Honestly, it's incredible. Mikoto told me, you're already a powerhouse with a reputation across the shinobi world." Her lips quirked in amusement. "Though that nickname… 'Fear Shura'… it's pretty intimidating."
Gen scratched his head, smiling sheepishly, almost looking innocent despite the title.
Inside Kushina's body, within the dark sealing space, the Yin half of the Nine-Tails stirred. Its fur was darker than its Yang counterpart sealed within Naruto, and its eyes glowed like twin crimson lanterns.
"Another extraordinary Uchiha…" the beast rumbled. "The last one called Shura was Madara himself. This boy's killing intent fits the name, but…"
Its gaze sharpened. "Kushina, this child is not as simple as he looks. You'd best stay wary."
Kushina's form materialized in the space, arms folded. "Wary? Of Gen? What could he possibly want from me?"
The fox faltered. Her words cut through its suspicion. Indeed—what could he want from Kushina? Though it could sense malice clearly, Uchiha Gen wasn't like Madara, nor the masked man. He was different.
But to be rendered speechless… humiliating.
Kushina smirked. "You can't even come up with a reason, can you? Don't judge others with your own hatred, that's wrong."
The Nine-Tails bristled, annoyed. "Hmph! That kid probably just wants your beauty."
Its tails twitched as it added, "By our standards you're ordinary, but by human standards? Your looks—ack!"
Before it could finish, a thick, dark-golden chain whipped out and tightened around its neck, slamming its chin against the ground.
"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Kushina's eyes blazed, her crimson hair flying. More Adamantine Chains shot from her body, binding the fox's tails and limbs in an instant. "Apologize now, or I'll pin you down permanently!"
The great fox thrashed, but it knew resistance meant pain. Pride warring with practicality, it grumbled instead, "Fine, fine. Don't you have that Danzo to deal with? I won't fight you over chakra, you can take as much as you need."
Kushina's expression softened slightly. Recently, her relationship with the Nine-Tails had been improving, and she hoped that through this Yin half, the Yang sealed in Naruto might one day ease as well. She released the chains with a final warning. "Watch your words."
Her figure faded from the seal.
The fox lay on the ground, huffing in frustration. Acting tough again, huh? You can fool others, but not me. Late at night, when Naruto sleeps, you toss and turn. Isn't it because you long for a man?
Damn Minato. Damn Kushina. Always bullying me. None of you are any good. I was only trying to help…
Then, a darker thought coiled in its mind. Humans value loyalty in love. If an opportunity arises, maybe I'll take revenge in that way… hurt both Minato and Kushina at once. That boy, Gen—he's acceptable. Other men, too. Perhaps, someday…
The Yin Nine-Tails, steeped in spite, closed its eyes and drifted back into a restless sleep.
Back in reality, Kushina didn't dwell on the exchange. She gathered Gen, Anna, and Karin, and together they went to look for a rental.
Mikoto stayed behind to watch Sasuke and Naruto—two-year-olds couldn't be left unsupervised.
They toured the district, signed a lease, then bought and carried in daily necessities. With the rooms set up and Anna's new home taking shape, Kushina and Gen finally took their leave.
"You've worked hard today, Gen."
"It was nothing. Compared to the battlefield, this is easy."
"Tonight," she said with a smile, "I'll treat you, Anna, and Karin to dinner. Bring Itachi along. If Shisui and Kakashi are in the village, invite them too."
"Alright." Gen smiled faintly.
"Do Shisui and Kakashi come by often?"
"Shisui does. Kakashi… less so. He hasn't fully recovered from losing Obito, Rin, and Minato."
Kushina's expression dimmed. She understood, she hadn't recovered from losing Minato either. She simply forced herself to stay strong for Naruto's sake.
"Anyway," she said, brightening, "it's almost noon. Go eat lunch on time—it's good for your health. I need to stop by the Hokage Building, then head home to cook."
"Alright. Goodbye, Kushina-nee."
"Goodbye, Gen."
She watched him walk away, then turned toward the Hokage Building to see Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Third Hokage agreed easily to her request. It wasn't excessive, and it would benefit both the hospital and Konoha. But Kushina didn't bring up Danzo's schemes—she knew Hiruzen would only give him a token warning.
Leaving the Hokage's office, Kushina's smile faded. She turned her steps toward the mountains, heading straight for the Root headquarters.