Minato: The Almighty Saiyan
I think 'Mari' means 'Truth' in Japanese Rōmaji so his blade's name means Truth Blade, however I'll still calling it the Mari-Blade.
Mature Rated Fic!
Chapter 2: Red Thread of Fate
[Standard Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto series or Dragonball series or Brave 10 anime]
Konoha – Forest of Death – 11:34am
Two figures can be seen sparring intensely at mid Jōnin speeds against one another attacking with; punches, kicks, stabs and Jutsu.
Just about anything to inflict damage was thrown; the small section of the Forest of Death they are fighting in was absolutely damaged. Littered with; ditches, broken trees and burnt patches and lastly blood - it looked like a war zone.
One of the figures was an eleven year old, glossy blacked haired boy; two jaw length bangs framing his face.
Dressed in an outfit called 'Assassin Gear' wearing ANBU styled black ninja trousers before slightly below his knee they tucked into black high tabi socks, which then slipped into black ninja high tabi boots. Both boots had a five inch hidden blade in them.
On his upper body he wore a black skin tight short-sleeved shirt with red outlines, covered by a black cloth shawl-ish type piece of clothing which was high collared at the top covering high enough to hide his bottom lip slightly.
With two black buttons either side his face on the high collar, the bottom of the shawl, ended just above his lower chest, all except the centre of the shawl which finished at mid-thigh with red coloured outlines the same as his shirt.
Two black straps connected on either side of the bottom of the shawl, connected to the back of his waist.
His brown tail had been chopped off unfortunately by a Kumo Jōnin a couple months back on an A-ranked mission. Though he knew it would grow back in time. He could feel it.
White bandages wrapped around his wrist to the middle of his forearm, with a only a black glove for his right hand which ended only two inches below the wrist. Minato's left wrist now had a three inch thick silver titanium bracelet, most likely used to parry weapons. (AN: If you want to know exactly what Minato is wearing please search 'Saizo Kirigakure Brave 10' in google images it's the exact same clothes, except Minato's is completely black where Saizo's is dark blue. Minato's is red on the outlines instead of white like Saizo's. I thought the outfit looked badass, I just found it really difficult to describe. So be sure just to look through multiple photos so you'll know how to imagine it or better yet watch the Anime "Brave 10")
He still had his Mari-Blade strapped horizontally across the back of his waist, though he now had a black square shaped tool holster in front of the sheath. With the standard shuriken/kunai holsters strapped to his right thigh.
The second figure Jiraiya now wore a green short shirt kimono and matching pants; under which he wore mesh armour that showed out of the sleeves and legs of his outfit.
His outfit was completed with hand guards, a simple black belt, traditional Japanese geta (Wooden sandals), a red haori with two simple yellow circles on each side, and a scroll on his back.
Minato panted heavily gripping the handle of his Mari-blade to lean on digging into the ground like a post.
Cuts and bruises covered Minato's body with tears in his clothes, glaring at his Sensei across the field who stood calmly relatively untouched only breathing casually.
"So you think you had enough of being my apprentice?" Jiraiya asked mockingly, knowing Minato's pride would never allow him to say yes to such an outrageous question.
After being promoted Chūnin at only eleven-years old - the youngest in the last number of generations - by getting a field promotion being recommended by Jiraiya on his birthday, his two years older team mates Miko and Renji had both been promoted as well, still young at only thirteen years old slightly younger than the normal age of 15.
They officially departed from Team 7 as they went on missions with other ninja's and close friends on other teams. This left Minato alone. Jiraiya then decided to take him as an apprentice it had been only three months so far.
"What do you think Sensei?" Minato's self-assured voice retorted now behind Jiraiya his Mari-Blade placed at the back of his tall Sensei's neck, it was quite a reach for his 152cm height compared to his Sensei's 191cm.
Jiraiya unfazed by the blade resting on his neck, but impressed. "You're getting faster at using the Kage Bunshin and Kawarimi," he praised, seeing the Minato clone in front of him disappear in a puff of smoke.
"It still shocks me that someone as young as you is able to use the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. You're chakra capacity is huge and dense, however your chakra control doesn't suffer." Jiraiya said conversationally despite currently being in a spar.
Minato eyes just narrowed, muscle arms flexed as Minato sliced the back of his Sensei's neck with his Blade only for mud to splatter the ground.
Minato was unsurprised he killed a mud clone, sheathing his Mari-Blade with a flourish.
Crouching low Minato placed two fingers on the ground closing his eyes searching for his Jiraiya's chakra signature before suddenly opening them, jumping into the trees going to his Sensei's location on guard.
Arriving at a large river Minato leapt from the tree branch, silently landing on the water using chakra.
Minato's eyes widened a tad, his Sensei unexpectedly appeared underneath him in the water; leaning his head back to dodge the punch at his chin that was sure to rattle his brain.
Jiraiya now above the water attacked his student without remorse.
Minato narrowly dodged his Sensei's Taijutsu onslaught; gasping in surprise his Sensei launched a powerful straight kick.
Minato crossed his arms in an X position, only for the kick to lift him off his feet like a bullet. Grimacing from the pain of the kick flying through the air above the river, Minato slammed into the tree bark roughly beside the river.
'Shit! That hurt like hell, how the hell can he kick so hard my arms are still numb from the pain.' Minato groaned watching his Sensei place his foot back on the water.
"Come on brat is that all you got, you're making this too easy," Jiraiya laughingly taunted. 'Damn this kid is resilient; if that had been anyone else taking that hit; they'd be in hospital for a week.' Jiraiya inwardly acclaimed.
"Sometimes I wonder if you're really trying to kill me, your kicks hurt like a bitch." Minato grumbled standing up rubbing his already functioning arms.
Minato charged his Sensei waiting on the lake.
"Well there'll be more where that came from brat, now come!" Jiraiya laughed joyously enjoying his spar with his apprentice; Minato threw a barrage of shuriken at Jiraiya at extreme speeds.
Before the shuriken's could even reach Jiraiya, Minato flashed through hand seals taking in a large intake of air puffing his chest and cheeks,
"Wind Release: God's Whisper"
Minato muttered an intense powerful wind flew from his mouth across the lake, splits appeared in the water from the formidable B-ranked Jutsu.
Jiraiya promptly dodged to the side of the barrage of shuriken he had no time to breathe however seeing his students Jutsu ruthlessly charge him down, with no time to dodge.
Flashing through hand seals Jiraiya wordlessly performed his own B-ranked Jutsu to counter his students puffing his chest Jiraiya breathed out a blisteringly hot torrent of dragon shaped flames his Katon: Karyū Endan (Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet).
The two Jutsu's clashed in a power struggle, finally Jiraiya's over took Minato's before dissipating in the air; steam covered the lake from the intense heat.
Minato appeared in front of his Sensei using the mist to cover his movement. Mari-Blade now unsheathed Minato slashed at his Sensei persistently with his own created Nights TempestKenjutsu style.
Jiraiya scowled at Minato's annoying blade skilfully dodging his student's wild and rapid but rigid sword strikes. 'Despite having such a pretty large and heavy blade he swings it around like a tooth pick.' Jiraiya thought sweat dropping.
Deciding to finally put an end to this spar after thirty seconds of dodging, Jiraiya ducked under a horizontal sword strike before moving in close into his students guard.
Eyes widened Minato inhaled abruptly ceasing his sword strikes, looking down he saw his sensei's fist planted in his stomach.
Holding his stomach with his left hand Minato fell to his knee's gasping for air on top of the water, Jiraiya stared at his winded student unconcerned of his pain. 'Even in pain he's still capable of controlling his chakra to stay above the water, good shows the brats got a high pain tolerance.'
He knew Minato would be fine in a little while he was a durable brat, "Let's call it a day we've been sparing for two hours now," Jiraiya instructed, he watched Minato wince slightly holding his stomach, idly sheathing his Mari-Blade.
"Alright Sensei, I think I've had my share of being your punching bag for one day." Minato tiredly jested, before glancing down at his ruined clothes and injured body he knew it would all heal by tomorrow with a good night's rest and he had plenty sets of his current favourite black and red Assassin Gear outfit.
'I'm definitely getting stronger, but still no match for Sensei. It's of no surprise he is an S-ranked Legendary Ninja after all' Minato thought admiringly before his stomach rumbled loudly, chuckling quietly Minato rubbed his stomach to ease his hunger pains.
"Hahaha! Still got the large appetite, aye Minato," Jiraiya bellowed aloud holding his stomach in laughter.
"Come on brat, let's go get cleaned up at my house and then we'll go to that Akimichi restaurant you love so much." Jiraiya said merrily slightly hungry himself.
Two Hours Later – Akimichi Restaurant – 2:00pm
Minato and Jiraiya had showered and replaced their dirty clothes at Jiraiya's house, now they sat at the back of the restaurant stomachs full having already eaten; now just allowing their food to digest.
Jiraiya was still stunned by the amount his student ate at his small size he even ate more than him a 191cm tall fully grown man. 'And people say I eat a lot, Minato's a whole another level.' Jiraiya amusedly thought.
Staring at Minato gulp down his milk at a fast rate then rubbing his mouth with a napkin afterwards, Jiraiya suddenly had an idea.
Minato raised an eyebrow in wonder as Jiraiya randomly went through hand seals idly, summoning a toad in a plume of smoke holding a small scroll on the table.
"Minato I want you to be the next Toad summoner, I know the Second Shinobi World has completely ended three months ago, however just between you and me I have reason to believe we'll have another one on are hands soon enough," Jiraiya informed his startled apprentice.
"So I want you to be the next to sign this toad contract, as we won't know what will happen during the next war…" Jiraiya solemnly finished with a determined expression on his face.
"Wow this is completely unexpected Jiraiya-sensei, I didn't think you'd let me sign it this early," Minato gawked; Jiraiya chuckled at seeing Minato's surprised expression it was rare to see on his usually indifferent cool face.
"I would gladly sign the Toad contract, from what I've seen on missions with you, the toads have proved to be a more than formidable summoning partner, I'm honoured you'd pick me sensei." Minato said gratefully bowing his head, Jiraiya was proving to be more than just a Sensei he really did like the eccentric man.
He taught him plenty things and gave life advice. 'And is great at giving advice about girls, but that's for another time.' Minato inwardly snickered.
"Quite the silver tongue aye Minato, you have a way with words." Jiraiya said beaming with pride.
"Now enough with the sappy shit and sign this contract with your blood here," impatiently pointing to the line on the un-rolled scroll the toad held open.
Gerotora the black and orange male toad watched the scene happily the toads summons were already familiar with Minato working with them on missions. They were more than happy to have another promising summoner.
Shaking his head at his impatient sensei "Jeez you're too impatient Jiraiya-sensei," Minato exasperatedly said signing his blood in the contract, "Done."
"Here I am stupidly trying to prove my gratitude to you of all people," Minato grumbled crossing his arms glaring.
"Whatever you runt, go cry me a river." Jiraiya said teasingly looking at his student untroubled, a puff smoke was heard as the toad disappeared back to the summoning realm.
"Maybe I will and I'll drown you in it." Minato smugly retorted. Jiraiya's eyebrow twitched, Minato smirked seeing his annoyed sensei.
This seemed to be a regular occurrence between the two always bantering with each other. Since Minato had become Jiraiya's apprentice their relationship had improved.
"You cheeky brat, you have some nerve back talking to your amazing sensei like that!" Jiraiya shouted glaring at his student.
"Whatever old man I don't have time to argue with you, go feed some birds in a park somewhere" Minato replied haughtily, getting up from his seat to walk to the entrance, but not before placing a generous tip down.
What do you know? Being a strong ninja paid well.
Secretly Minato was preparing to make a run for it, no one needed to know that he ran from his annoyed sensei. Jiraiya hits hard when he's angry, can you blame him?
"Old man…old man!" Jiraiya irately repeated veins pulsing on his head. "I'll show you old man you insolent brat!" Jiraiya chased his fleeing student, who luckily got a head start out the door.
The other customers inside the restaurant sweat dropped at the bizarre scene, the regular workers though smiled at the bantering duo leaving the restaurant in a hurry.
Good thing Jiraiya already paid the hefty bill. The waitress who served the two went over to collect the glasses, noticing a generous tip she beamed happily. Now she could buy that dress she always wanted.
Three Months Later – Konoha Town Centre – 10:45pm - Friday
Passing by a large number of pedestrians in the still heavily populated town, despite being so late villagers shopped, ate and chatted loudly.
Night clubs, Strip clubs and Casino's and expensive lavish restaurants started opening up ready to entertain the more mature adult side of Konoha's night life.
Bright neon lights gleamed on top of a substantial number of buildings to attract customers, exciting some sleazy men who entered the strip clubs early. Fast food restaurants stayed open late to feed the fast money spending villagers (most likely drunk) of the night.
The more family oriented shops and retail stores were closing down to give way to Konoha's night life. There was known to be an occasional couple of brave drunks disturbing the peace, which the Konoha Uchiha Military Police force dealt with efficiently.
Minato walked leisurely by his Sensei's side arms crossed behind his head, showing his slightly defined arms as they flexed naturally.
Both still dressed in their usual ninja clothes, they had been on missions over the last three months together or Minato with another team or solo. He was proud of his mission record so far: D-ranked: 280, C-ranked: 130, B-ranked: 63, A-ranked: 14, S-ranked: 6.
Minato hadn't seen the interesting Kushina once in a year and a half around the village or on missions, maybe because he was too busy himself.
Minato could admit he was attracted by her personality, cute face and alluring red hair, he always wondered why kids picked on her for it.
But that soon stopped when Kushina started to beat them up, Minato chuckled aloud at the thought.
"Thinking about a girl Minato?" Jiraiya teased interested noticing Minato's chuckle with his eyes gleaming in admiration. Jiraiya and Minato walked lazily through the large hectic Town Centre.
He snorted "Of course not Sensei, who do you take me for…you?" Minato mockingly asked as he lied to his Sensei. Jiraiya had a cheeky grin on his face seeing through Minato's lie.
He knew he couldn't fool his sensei.
"You know Minato boy's your age do start taking an interest in girls, it is nothing to be ashamed of," Jiraiya sagely reassured his innocent little pupil. Minato eye brow twitched in annoyance at his Sensei's insistence.
"Of course it is with you, you'll only just embarrass me trying to get me to do sexual things to any girl that likes me," Minato fumed glaring at his nonchalant Sensei.
"Now there is nothing wrong with a Sensei giving important advice to his pupil!" Jiraiya responded in disbelief that his student would complain about his wise advice on women.
Minato rubbing his gloved right hand in frustration on his face and retorted, "Well what about that time you gave 'advice' about that brown haired woman from that Nadeshiko woman only Village that you secretly had in your words 'hot sweaty sex' with," Minato using air quotation marks with his fingers,
"Describing her thick voluptuous body in explicit detail and how you liked filled out women like her with curvaceous figures. How she moaned especially loud in reverse cow gir-"Jiraiya slapped his hand across Minato's mouth to shut him up.
"Alright brat you win, don't just say things like that out loud it's supposed to be a secret," Jiraiya whispered harshly to his student, glancing around worriedly at the villagers who heard Minato's little speech looking confused.
"Nothing going on around here folks move along now!" Jiraiya laughing sheepishly yelled, rubbing the back of his head at the now moving villagers, Minato just watched with mirth in his midnight blue eyes.
"Told you…" Minato finished smugly hands comfortably crossed behind his head again. Jiraiya just sighed tiredly at his smart ass student.
"Cheeky brat come on le-" Jiraiya started only to be interrupted by a distressed shout.
"JIRAIYA-SAMA!" A male voice shouted out through the busy street.
Master and student's heads turned to face the tense looking brown haired Jōnin, he quickly jumped off the roof of the building landing in front of them, Jiraiya turned serious immediately noting the male ninja's nervous posture.
"What is it?" Jiraiya uncharacteristically ordered sternly. Minato rarely saw his sensei this serious so it had to be important news.
Unnerved by the intimidating Sannin's tone and unyielding expression he quickly replied, "It's an international affair involving village security…"
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes, this was serious that means someone made an attempt on their Jinchuuriki then the secret rumours about Kumokagure wanting the Kyuubi's power and to breed Kushina to produce more strong potential Jinchuuriki was true.
Good thing he had planned ahead to anticipate this he already stationed some toad summons around the entire Land of Fire boarders.
The Jōnin messenger was promptly dismissed when the message was delivered. Minato saw the relief in his eyes once he left the scary Sannin.
"Minato!" Jiraiya turned to his student stern faced. Minato jumped slightly at his Sensei's uncharacteristically demanding voice.
"Yes Sensei!" He answered respectfully, Minato knew his Sensei was about to order him to do something serious – it wasn't time to play around.
"You're fast right? Well I have an important mission for you…" Minato just nodded affirmatively, he was inquisitive of what the Jōnin told his Sensei that was so important. But now wasn't the time for his curiosity his Sensei needed him. He knew he'd find out eventually.
Earlier On – Konoha – Senju Estate – 9:45pm - Friday
Below the nights sky at the outskirts of the village around the rich upper class area, neighbourhoods with large mansions, Clan compounds, beautiful vast gardens.
A running 147cm tall female figure dressed in a short-sleeved, tan kimono-like blouse with a dark embroidered border, held closed with a black obi, a dark skirt and stockings that stopped at her thighs along with the village's forehead protector and brown sandals.
She'd just come back from a C-ranked mission with Sakumo-sensei, the mission was a complete success thanks to her amazing skills. Kushina smirked in amusement at her thoughts, then suddenly turning serious. She needed to get stronger so she could catch up to him!
Kushina arrived to the front door of one of the Senju estates she was told by Tsunade she could reside in.
It was a beautiful Japanese styled estate, 5 bedrooms; two with en suites and a large main upstairs bathroom, a large kitchen diner including a spacious living room, downstairs study and an indoor sauna and Jacuzzi.
Kushina's long distantly related cousin clan really knew how to live it up. (An: It's the same mansion Kushina goes home too in Episode 245, so imagine that).
"I'm home!" she shouted to the caretakers who were usually there, walking through the dark corridors of the eerily soundless house, "That's strange usually they're here when I come home," Kushina pondered aloud to herself.
Hearing a quiet footstep Kushina tensed, before hesitantly moving towards the entrance of the door.
Kushina fretfully gazed around the room, lit alight from the moon light high in the sky. Wind whistled restlessly against the opened window. Strange.
Suddenly a shadow moved, Kushina gasped in fear eyes widening in dread. Kushina abruptly turned around to run down the hallway, "Help! someone hel-" Kushina tried to yell, but the now visible three Kumo Jōnin jumped on her back tying her mouth with thick rope, Kushina could taste the weird tasting rope on her tongue.
Kushina groaned loudly with tears in her eyes, struggling in vain against the strong robes that now bound her painfully, one of the Jōnin quickly picking her up and flung her across his shoulder roughly.
Kushina grimaced in pain, the Jōnin's shoulders digging painfully into her stomach while he dashed with his two partners through the trees, Kushina cried buckets of tears; she was about to be kidnapped with no one to save her.
Kushina started to lose consciousness from her heart hammering against her chest in absolute horror; her mind shut itself down so she wouldn't die from a heart attack.
Two Hours Later – Land of Fire Outskirts – 11:45pm
Kushina woke up with a shocked gasp, thinking it was a dream before seeing three stern faced standing around her, she started to sob painfully as she realised her brain vehemently tried to convince her it was a bad dream.
"Get up you Uzumaki wench!" the Kumo ninja roared disrespectfully pulling her up by the robe roughly before smacking her face harshly, Kushina's head turned from the slap painfully a red print now on her face.
Kushina grimaced hard from the pain, eyes shut in distress. Kushina's injured and roughed up body throbbed in pain. The other Kumo ninja's just laughed at her agony.
"Come on guys, only two hour until we reach the border and then we're scot free, it'll take a bit longer because we have to avoid the border patrols and travelling merchants." The Kumo leader self-assuredly announced, his two associates just nodded superciliously, completely confident they had completed their mission already.
The leader of the Kumo ninja's, violently shoved Kushina forward holding the rope, which bound her wrists agonizingly causing her cream skin to go red from irritation.
The Kumo ninja's were in a triangle formation with two at the front and the leader behind Kushina. Kushina just continued to cry silently, quickly losing hope that the village she was an outsider in wouldn't come to save her- especially if they all knew she was a Jinchuuriki.
Having a tiny bit of hope Kushina secretly plucked out her colourful red hair every couple of steps, if anyone ever bothered to look for her she would have at least left them a trail.
One Hour Forty-Five Minutes Later – Land of Fire Border – 1:30am
"Consider this mission a success guys only fifteen minutes from the border," the Kumo leader celebrated with his associates. Kushina had long since lost hope; she never thought coming to Konoha could be so dreadful.
Kushina was meant to fill her heart with love like Mito said how was that supposed to happen being kidnapped, to be turned into a breeding stock.
Kushina eyes were empty as her body mechanically dragged its feet along the ground completely tired. She couldn't help, but feel resentful towards Konoha that used her like a pawn to hold their weapon. She shouldn't have believed in Mito's empty words.
Midnight blue eyes glowed in the dark, as Minato eyed the three Kumo Jōnin like a hawk watching their prey.
Minato stared into his black gloved right hand before gently grasping the beautiful strands of red hair in his hand.
Moving like a prowling panther through dark night with soundless footsteps, Minato harshly covered the unsuspecting Kumo ninja mouth. Minato instantly slammed the ring of his kunai fiercely into his temple, knocking him unconscious before he could even make a sound.
Kushina and the two Kumo ninja walked on completely oblivious, Minato silently threw two stones on the left and right side of the Kumo ninja's simultaneously.
They both reacted just as Minato expected, with the one on the right looking to his right and the one on the left looking to his left, both looking in the opposite directions at the same time.
So Minato could appear outside their peripheral vision.
Kushina felt a quick gust of wind dash past her right side, as she stared at the ground unaware of her surroundings.
A short burst of speed appearing in the middle of the two Jōnin, Minato deftly palmed two kunai in both hands smashing the two rings savagely into the back of their heads simultaneously.
The two surprised Kumo ninja's hadn't sensed a thing, as they fell unconscious. Before swiftly tying them all up and summoning a toad to deliver the three back to the village for interrogation.
Minato finally turned around to see Kushina walking towards him her head still facing the ground, still oblivious to her surroundings.
Minato narrowed his eyes at her hurt body in concern. "Are you alright Kushina?" Minato cautiously asked. "I came to save you," he said unknowingly in a protective voice.
Kushina staring up through half-lidded eyes, she saw the boy who used to watch her from Academy. Smiling slightly in huge relief at being saved she tiredly started to fall to the ground.
Minato seeing her start to fall appeared before her in a burst of speed covering the ground swiftly before she could hit the forest floor.
Grinning at the shocked Kushina who was surprised he caught her in time, "Come on let's get you out of here, you'll be safe with me now." Unsheathing his Mari-Blade four inches, before promptly closing it with a click, straightaway the robes that bound her body and wrists tightly fell to the ground in pieces.
Kushina gasped in surprise and astonishment rubbing her sore wrists staring at Minato with keen interest. How on earth did he do that?
Minato saw she was done rubbing her wrists, quickly picked up her smaller body easily causing her to gasp in shock and embarrassment "Hey, wait a minute!" Kushina cried in shock as Minato carried her bridal style.
With a mighty jump Minato appeared above the trees skilfully jumping across branches, the moon light lightening his features his glossy black hair blowing in the strong wind at the high speed they were moving at.
Kushina was first surprised at the speed they were travelling at, before gazing at Minato's smiling face in adoration and wonder noticing his amazing midnight blue eyes that glowed slightly under the moonlight and soft looking spiky black hair.
Glancing down at his left hand holding her legs she saw multiple strands of her red hair, "That's…" Kushina started in surprise.
Minato already knew the unasked question. "Did you think I wouldn't notice such beautiful hair? It's alluring to my eyes, because of its unique bright red colour." Minato answered admiration in his calm voice. Kushina's mouth opened in surprise at the compliment about her hair.
"But you always ignored me when people troubled me." Kushina retorted in puzzlement, a somewhat sad expression on her face. Minato continued unperturbed jumping through the trees at high speeds.
"That's because I know that you're strong in body and spirit," Minato praised, Kushina eyes just gleamed in marvel gazing at Minato's confident face listening to him praise her.
"You definitely didn't need my help, maybe the people who had the guts to trouble you did," Minato joked silently chuckle causing pleasing vibrations to flow through Kushina; she cracked a small smile at his joke.
Stopping on top of a tree Minato gazed into Kushina's eyes, their hair fluttered in the night's wind.
"Jokes aside though, this fight is serious between two major hidden villages completely different from your other fights so…" Minato started a hesitant expression appearing on his face.
"So?" Kushina asked intensely curious of his answer, locked into each other's eyes. She really liked his eyes.
"I didn't want to lose you," Minato confidently said an unwavering look in his eyes. Kushina breathed out in surprise.
"Even if I'm an outsider?" Kushina asked disbelievingly. Minato frowned in discontentment.
"Why do you say that? You live in Konoha just like me, so you're one of us," Minato strongly said. Kushina stared in Minato's grinning face amazed he cared so much about her.
"Perhaps even more than us, the Uzumaki's are close blood relatives of the Senju clan," Minato told her, Kushina just nodded smiling, happily turning her head to his chest to breathe in his forest scent.
"Now let's see if I can turn this walking 5 hour journey into an hour long sprint," Minato said confidently before smirking down at a confused Kushina before promptly throwing her on his back.
Kushina gasped in surprised before blushing feeling her cheek against Minato's she wrapped her arms firmly round his neck as if he'd disappear at any moment, his hands under her thighs to hold her up.
Minato dashed off at his highest pace with Kushina on his back astounded at the speed, her red hair fluttered rapidly in the air. Kushina smiled fondly at Minato whose face was set into concentration.
After running for an hour across tree branches Minato and Kushina finally saw the village ahead though before Minato could make another jump, a squad of ANBU swiftly appeared around them.
Minato and Kushina now surrounded the leader of the squad with a Bird mask stood in front of them.
"Chūnin, Minato Namikaze, we received your delivery of the Kumo ninja's, you've been ordered to report to the Hokage's Office immediately," a hint of irritation was heard in the ANBU captain's voice.
How in the hell did this eleven year old Chūnin find her and take out the perpetrators before they did "We will take Kushina from here, to make sure she receives medical attention at the Hospital." Bird stoically finished. Minato unconcerned just nodded in affirmation.
"Understood." Minato passively replied Kushina reluctantly detached herself from Minato's warm back with an unhappy expression on her features.
Minato just smiled reassuringly at her to ease her pain. Kushina instantly returned one of her own, impulsively grabbing his white bandaged right forearm pulling him into her personal space.
"Make sure you come to visit me at Hospital, I really want to see you again," she whispered melodically up into his right ear leaning in close to him, Minato felt a pleasurable tingle run up his spine.
Minato smirked slightly nervously, pushing down his blush that would've appeared. Minato didn't want the ANBU watching their little interaction to see him blush; he had a reputation to up hold here.
"Of course." Minato acceded now back under control, Kushina pleased with his answer grudgingly released his right forearm. Moving to stand by the ANBU captain, who placed a firm hand on Kushina's shoulders, disappearing in a flurry of leaves; Birds squad followed after him.
Minato now alone in forest wiped his face with his gloved right hand tiredly. "I really need to go to bed," he voiced aloud distantly. 'But first the Hokage's Office, I have a feeling this will be important' Minato mused in apprehension.
Konoha – Hokage's Office – 4:30am
"I can't believe they would have the nerve to do such a thing!" Koharu yelled furiously. "There must be repercussions for their actions," gripping her fists walking up and down the office in fury.
A grim faced Homura nodded in agreement. "I concur to make an attempt on another villages Jinchūriki is completely unacceptable," Homura looked towards the stoic unresponsive Danzo. "You agree don't you Danzo?" Homura and Koharu waited to hear his thoughts on the matter hoping he'd back them up.
The expressionless Danzo grunted, "I agree that Kumogakure should pay for their actions, we should discretely start preparing for war now Hiruzen, anymore holding back will put the village in jeopardy," Danzo adamantly advised gazing at the so far quiet Hiruzen; preferring to just listen in silence smoking his pipe contently an unreadable expression on his face.
"I guess it's inevitable with tensions already this high between villages," Hiruzen solemnly replied. Danzo looked at his former best friend in disapproval at his peace loving attitude, Konoha needed to be strong and strike while the iron is hot, not be peace loving fools.
At least he had his Root forces to do his bidding they would suffice for now.
"Well on to lighter notes, I heard Jiraiya's promising Chūnin apprentice was the one who saved the girl soundly defeating three Jōnin." Koharu announced a slight smile on her usually stern face.
"Yes that boy has no idea how much trouble he saved us; he is definitely one to look out for in the future somehow finding her before even the ANBU." Homura positively acknowledged the boys skills, he definitely underestimated Jiraiya's teaching skills.
Hiruzen smiled slightly a contrast of his earlier expression, before thinking of the young boy.
"Speaking of the boy, he's here now," Hiruzen straightened up ready to receive Minato's report. The rest of the council waited in silence behind him.
Minato knocked the door outside the Hokage's offices patiently waiting to be called inside.
"Come in!" hearing the Hokage's demanding voice call him in, Minato entered the room.
Intelligent eyes quickly surveyed the room sensing the tense atmosphere seeing the Hokage behind his desk as usual; however he now had three people standing behind him. Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane all from the Konoha council all scrutinizing his form all with a different expression as Minato stood at attention in front of the Hokage's desk.
The fact that they had the whole council here confirmed Minato's suspicions that Kushina was more than just your average Genin and Uzumaki; she held something so special inside her that the Hokage would send multiple squads of ANBU secretly after her.
From what Minato knew Mito the Shodai Hokage's wife died recently, she was also an Uzumaki like Kushina. Mito was said to have helped her husband secure the Kyūbi, the question is how?
The Kyūbi is too powerful to be sealed in an inanimate object so the next best thing would be...herself! Uzumaki's were famous for sealing and strong bodies so it was possible.
So before she passed away the next best thing to seal the Kyūbi in was another Uzumaki! He always did sense something strange around Kushina. Damn him for being so smart, he had to keep himself under control from discovering this new revelation.
"I'm here to report my recent actions as you requested Hokage-sama," Minato bowed his head in respect towards the Hokage and council; the elders in the room were all reminded of their team leader Tobirama Senju. Minato's stoic and composed expression wasn't much different from Tobirama's.
Danzo gazed at the youth approvingly; Jiraiya seemed to be capable of raising excellent ninja. 'This young one has a lot of potential'. The other two elders shared Danzo's sentiments.
"Yes…now I know it's late but this is a very important matter so make sure to not leave out any details." Hiruzen ordered. Minato nodded his head dutifully.
"Of course Hokage-sama," Minato replied. "After receiving the news from Jiraiya-sensei that Kushina had been kidnapped at approximately ten fifty-one pm, I proceeded to track her scent from her house. This led me three miles north of the Land of Fire before her scent disappeared I didn't have any leads and was stuck however…" Minato briefly paused with a small smile on his face remembering Kushina.
The others raised an eyebrow in interest at this.
"Kushina wisely plucked strands of her beautiful red hair out leaving a bright trail on the ground for me to track…" Minato reported completely unaware he complemented Kushina's hair in a mission report in front of the Konoha council.
'Ahh young love; it's even caught the genius Minato to subconsciously compliment her.' Hiruzen chuckled in his head idly at the thought. Before listening to Minato finish his report.
"…Then I ran into the ANBU squad and came straight here as instructed." Minato finished with a deep breath for speaking so long, he'd have to have a nice shower once he got home and sleep.
Though Minato did wonder where Jiraiya disappeared of to.
"Well thank you Minato for coming so late to report and for saving Kushina your efforts are acknowledged taking down three Jōnin at only eleven is no easy feat, now I'm giving you a week off duty to relax…dismissed." Hiruzen abruptly finished.
"Thank you Hokage-sama." Bowing his head Minato left the office closing the door softly behind him. Once Minato had left the four people in the room gazed at each other grimly at what they discovered.
War was coming.
And it was time to prepare.
A Day Later – Konoha Hospital – 10:30am
"Do you know which room Kushina Uzumaki is located in?" Minato asked staring apathetically at Hospital female secretary, glancing up in surprise the secretary spotted a rather well defined eleven year old black haired boy.
The dark blue haired secretary approvingly eyed Minato's short sleeved V-neck fish net shirt- which his muscular tanned arms filled out well and black khaki trousers with black ninja sandals. She spotted a medium sized Zanbatou sheathed strapped horizontally across the back of his waist.
"Did you not here me?" Minato annoyed that this woman would just ogle him so openly. Crossing his arms over his chest in irritation, the blue haired woman gasped in embarrassment with a blush on her face.
"Oh yes sorry…now Kushina Uzumaki's room is on the second floor, room twenty nine," she replied hurriedly looking at the files on her desk. Minato nodded in consent abruptly turning to go to Kushina's room, the young secretary watching him go.
Minato had went back to his apartment after the brief in at the Hokage's office yesterday to find his Sensei had left a note telling him he had left to cover his spy network, he was a bit annoyed his Sensei had left without saying bye but he understood his Sensei had important duties.
Finally arriving at Kushina's room, Minato knocked the door twice. "Come in!" Hearing Kushina's shout Minato opened the door; Kushina's back was to him as she was putting her hair in a high pony tail; with two long bangs ending at chest height.
"Didn't I already tell you I don't need checking on," Kushina grumbled. Thinking it was the pestering Doctor again.
Now that her head was cleared she was thinking about what happened yesterday with the dark haired Minato, she was angry at herself for needing to rely on someone to save her and she didn't want Minato to see her as some weak girl who always needed protection.
She was going to prove herself to him; she had heard the rumours from Sakumo-sensei (Who had pestered her worryingly once she arrived at the hospital) and around the village that he was already Chūnin.
He was leaving her behind again and she couldn't allow it.
Off duty also Kushina dressed in casual clothes; a short sleeved fishnet under a black long sleeved form fitting kimono with the red Uzumaki clan symbol on her back and white skin tight trousers finished off with black ninja sandals.
Minato thought she looked memorizing.
"Well if you don't want to see me, I guess I'll just take my leave." Minato smirked with his arms crossed seeing Kushina gasp and turn around in surprise spotting Minato.
"Oh it's you, I wasn't expecting you to come so suddenly," finishing her hair Kushina took the time to eye Minato's form from the corner of her eye noticing his well-developed tanned arms fill out his fishnet, she could even see his wash board abs and well-defined chest through it.
Kushina reddened shaking her head to clear her thoughts, before finally noticing the sheathed blade on his back she remembered him being able to cut her ropes effortlessly to pieces.
"So I take it you're a fan of Kenjutsu?" Kushina asked interested locking gazes with Minato. Her competitive spirit was coming back, remembering one of the main reasons she called him here for.
"You guessed it, I've been told I'm gifted at the art," Minato proudly replied still locking gazes with Kushina. Kushina scoffed at that, making Minato's eyebrow twitch in annoyance.
Something about this girl lighted a fire in the pit of his stomach. Kushina stood up straight assertively with her arms crossed over her developing chest. She was an early bloomer.
"I'll be the judge of that pretty boy; I want you to fight me!" Kushina determinedly demanded locked in an intense gaze with him.
Minato eyed Kushina in primal excitement at the prospect of fighting her, this girl radiated with a dominant nature that he couldn't wait to over power. Who did this girl think she was challenging him?
"Are you sure? You just got out of hospital; I wouldn't want you back in so soon…" Minato patronizingly stated arms folded lazily behind his head.
Kushina glared at him angrily before stepping into his personal space strongly grabbing his collar pulling him down to her lower height; close to her face with their noses almost touching.
Minato and Kushina locked into a heated glare trying to assert dominance over each other looking for any sign of weakness in each other's eyes, their hearts thumbed excitedly in their chest.
They needed to fight.
"Let's get one thing straight, I am completely grateful you saved me from being kidnapped," Kushina started earnestly. "But do not ever mistake me for being a weak damsel in distress who needs someone to always rescue her or you'll regret it." Kushina heatedly finished.
Minato just smirk undaunted at her threat aggravating Kushina. 'That damned smirk of his! As if no one can touch him, I'll be sure to wipe it off your face when we fight,' tightening her grip on Minato's collar.
"As you wish princess, now let's go see if the rumours about you are true," Minato tauntingly stated; Kushina scowled at him calling her princess.
Gripping her smaller soft hands firmly Minato removed them from his collar forcibly, Kushina scowl deepened at his strength.
Konoha – Training Grounds 7 – 11:30am
The morning sun glowed brightly over the training field,light wind blowing the low cut grass of the field. The air was humid; it was in the middle of the summer.
"So we'll have an all-out spar until one of us is forced to give up to the bitter end," Kushina intensely informed the person across from her.
Kushina now had strapped to her waist; her Benihime (Crimson Princess) a sleek, medium-sized sword in a white sheath.
The hilt's grip, which has a gentle black-decorative wrapping, bends forward at the end, with a pommel shaped overlap three times, and a crimson tassel dangling from its base. Instead of a tsuba, there is a U-shape guard covering three inches of blade, with a flower petal design.
At the base of the guard is a red string wrapped thrice around the hilt, with a three-loop bow on the back side and a folded paper decoration on the front side. The blade is black with a silver edge. It has a straight and slim with a somewhat short size, with the tip ending in a slanted razor-like edge instead of tapering to a point.(An: It's Kisuku Urahara's Zanpakutō in its Shikai state for those that don't know, which means I don't own it)
Minato noticed Kushina had unsealed a rather impressive looking sword from a seal in her palm. 'So she's skilled enough to know how to seal a weapon in her body impressive' Minato internally applauded.
"Fine…now enough talk, come at me princess!" A grinning Minato taunted making a 'come on' motion with his right hand lazily.
Kushina looked daggers at Minato for the princess nickname she now hated, she decided to make the first move.
Dashing at Minato in a zig-zag motion she attacked him in Taijutsu first using her clan's Rising Tide Taijutsu style.
Minato noticed she moved pretty fast; at high Chūnin speeds, her Taijutsu was fast and strong, involving a lot of athletic maneuverers.
'Kind of like a flexible break dancer,' Minato thought back flipping away from Kushina fast kicks as she gracefully twirled in a handstand. 'It's also wild and unpredictable because it has no set forms allowing Kushina to use her imagination' Minato perceptively deduced.
Kushina frowned that he was able to block or dodge all her attacks, though she wasn't one to give up easily dashing in again.
Minato avoided her fast punches and kicks calmly, before his eyes widened as her straight knee slipped through his guard hitting his stomach Minato grunted slightly from the pain.
Kushina was deceptively strong.
'What the fuck! It felt like I just hit a brick wall, what is this guy made of?' Kushina was baffled by his resilience. Minato grinned in excitement. She was strong.
"You actually managed to hit me, guess I'll have to start trying against you," Minato commented.
He moved in.
Fast.
Kushina gasped in shock turning around to block a strong right punch with her forearm screaming in pain, Minato attacked her with ruthless efficiency not giving her a chance to recover. Minato was impressed she was able to defend herself against his onslaught.
Kushina panted slightly from his assault, her eyes widened; squatting down low crossing her arms in front of her body to block his powerful straight kick painfully.
'Fuck! He's strong I'll have to try Kenjutsu.' Kushina's body rocketed towards the trees before her body roughly collided with the thick tree bark, and then disappearing in a plume of smoke.
Minato raised an eyebrow. 'A Kage Bunshin? Who would of knew she had a B-ranked technique.'
Sensing her approach his back Minato swiftly placed his hand on his Mari-Blade drawing his blade completely out its sheath blocking Kushina's now unsheathed sword slashing at his back.
"Let's see how you fair in Kenjutsu," Kushina goaded attacking him with her Uzumaki Clan Kenjutsu style; Twirling Wave.
'Damn she's amazing with her blade,' Minato narrowly parried and blocked Kushina's barrage of sword strikes, placing his blade above him horizontally to block Kushina's overhead slash.
Their blades clashed with loud pings in the clearing sparks flying of their blades, Kushina blocked at her side. Minato swung his Mari-Blade right at high-speed with both hands gripped firmly on his blade; air displaced from the swing smashing into Kushina's Benihime sword fiercely. 'Shit! How can he be so strong; his sword hits like a boulder' Kushina recoiled from the blow leaping away to put space between her and Minato.
Kushina kept her eyes locked on Minato's form; deftly rotating his blade one handed using the ring on the end of the guard. "Why are you so hesitant princess? You're not afraid are you?" Minato indifferently goaded leaning his unsheathed blade across his shoulder, Kushina glared at Minato in jealously of his power his aloofness didn't help the matter either.
"Of course I'm not afraid! I guess I'll have to bring out all I have against you," Minato raised a black eyebrow in wonder of Kushina's declaration as she sheathed her katana.
"Oh yeah? Well bring it!" Kushina didn't waste any time placing her hands on the ground, Minato felt fast powerful chakra underneath him burst out the ground immensely potent constructs of golden chakra chains wrapped around him tightly locking his arms.
Minato struggled in the bindings in vain. Kushina smirked striding up to her restrained victim.
"See what your cockiness got you," Kushina teased right in his face their noses almost touching. Minato glared back in response ceasing in his struggle.
"So this is what you had up your sleeve; you're able to make chakra constructs using your unique dense chakra, amazing," Minato complimented locked in a glaring battle with Kushina. "However…" Minato began.
Kushina's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Whatever you're planning won't work no one's ever broke out of my chakra chains, ya' know." She was excited. Her verbal tic was becoming noticeable.
"There's a first time for everything princess," Minato grinned. He disappeared in a plume of smoke, Kushina tensed on guard. No time to be annoyed by the demeaning nickname (In her eyes at least).
Flashing through hand seals Minato wordlessly performed his Wind Release: Gods Whisper. A fierce unforgiving stream shaped force of wind released towards Kushina from Minato's mouth. Fissures appeared in the ground, tree's cracked from the intense winds.
Kushina gasped in surprise at the extreme wind pressure soaring towards her hair fluttered in the wind as she was pushed back. 'If that hits me I'll be blown away and be a bloody mess where I land…this guy is crazy.'
Golden chakra chains protruded from out her back; wrapping around Kushina protectively erecting a barrier, the powerful B-ranked Wind Jutsu slammed into the barrier ruthlessly.
Kushina gritted her teeth resisting against the blast of grinding wind trying to tear down her barrier, the ground in front of the barrier where the Jutsu struck was a trench; eight feet wide, sixty feet long and three feet deep.
Kushina breathed a sigh of relief once the Jutsu subsided; she gasped in horror witnessing the damage done to the training ground, she didn't want to know what would happen to her if that Jutsu had hit her.
Minato smirked seeing the shock on Kushina's face from the damage his attack had done.
"You're even able to create powerful barriers with those chains," Minato walked closer to golden barrier carefully avoiding the trench he created. "They're proving to be quite vexing," Minato crossed his arms an annoyed expression on his face eyeing the barrier.
Kushina smirked.
"Not so confident now are you? Even with that powerful wind jutsu you couldn't get through," Kushina gloated. "But there's more to this barrier that you'll like ya' know…" Minato raised an eyebrow in confusion of her devious statement; he had to admit he was curious to what his little red head had up her sleeve.
"Oh, and what would that be?" Minato asked not expecting an answer. He tensed once he felt a fluctuation of chakra.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)" a large sphere of flames rocketed towards Minato from Kushina's mouth straight through the barrier; he was shocked to see her technique go through her barrier. So you can go outside of the barrier, but not inside of it. Minato was impressed by the really resourceful chakra chains barrier.
Minato promptly dodged to the side of the blazing orange fireball, it carried on into the forest behind them.
BOOM!
The C-ranked Fire Jutsu from Kushina shook the training ground, a small mushroom cloud formed, Minato was astonished by the prowess this girl had. Minato would definitely be spending more time with this girl now.
Minato sensed her approach behind him fast while he was dodging her Jutsu.
His guard was open!
Kushina appeared behind him, using the fire Jutsu as a distraction, she needed to end this quickly.
She threw her right arm around his neck in a strong suffocation hold; Minato immediately choked grabbing her arm trying to pry it from his neck.
Kushina didn't give up holding firm from him trying to pry her arm off. Minato decided his next best action would be to fall on his back with Kushina behind him.
Kushina panted tiredly she started to fall to ground with Minato falling along with her, his heavier weight making her slam to the ground painfully; she twisted in pain.
Minato noticed a slack in her grip when she slammed into the grass underneath him; he swiftly rotated out of her strong choke hold. 'He's free now!' Kushina had both her hands now locked above her head by Minato's hands firmly.
Minato panted slightly tired from the spar and being strangled by the girl lying beneath him, Kushina withered underneath him, constantly trying to break free. Despite being trapped she still didn't stop, he admired her perseverance.
"Give up you lost Kushina, you can't overpower me," Minato taunted smirking mockingly at the glaring red head beneath him.
"As if I'll ever give in to you!"
Kushina was still defiant even when she wasn't in a position to move. Minato narrowed his eyes at her persistence. Didn't she understand he was the one in control here?
"Give up you lost." Minato leaned in closer to her face glaring, he needed to see her concede and admit defeat.
He needed to.
Kushina sneered defiantly and tried to head butt him, he reacted instantly pulling his head back out of reach.
Minato now aggravated increased the strength of his grip on her two slim cream coloured wrists, causing her more pain; she didn't make a noise though. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction that he caused her pain.
If one were to see this scene from afar it would look intimate seeing a boy pinning a girl down to the ground, though it was far from intimate it was a battle of pride more than anything physical.
"Look me in my eyes and tell me to give up again and you'll see what I'll do to you!" Kushina furiously warned, her wrists were starting to hurt her and she couldn't break out his firm grip - guess those muscles weren't just for show.
She hated herself for being in such a vulnerable position like this, she knew deep, deep down that he was stronger than her; but she absolutely refused to accept it.
Minato shook his head annoyed his black bangs following his motion; he decided to humour her threat and see what she would do, just to take her pride.
"Fine, I'll tell you again looking in your eyes," he leaned in closer glaring at her stubbornness, she glared back in kind. "Give-umph!"
Minato couldn't finish his sentence as Kushina's soft lips planted on his; Minato froze up in absolute shock his heart thumped erratically in his chest. He felt a pleasurable feeling in the pit of his stomach feeling Kushina's soft slightly wet lips on his lips; he finally started to respond back kissing back with extra vigour.
'Boy's so easy to fool…'
If Minato was in the right state of mind he might have noticed Kushina smirk deviously against his lips as he hungrily kissed her, he might have noticed he let go of her arms to place his hands either side of her head, he might have noticed her hands sliding into his weapon pouch on his waist firmly grasping a kunai.
Minato froze ceasing his actions of making out with Kushina (Which he thoroughly enjoyed, Jiraiya-sensei was right women were God's greatest gift to earth!).
He could feel the sharp end of a kunai lightly poking his highly durable neck, his eyes slowly ran down the blade to Kushina's hand holding it firmly against his neck; she could attempt to pierce his neck at any moment.
Kushina smirked at the change of the situation; she was in control over him now.
And she loved it.
"Looks like I win, and all it took was my first kiss," Kushina giggled deviously, grinning foxily at Minato's glaring face. Idly she did notice the sharp kunai could only just penetrate his skin, it didn't even draw blood. It was bizarre.
'I was careless and I paid the price for it; seduced by a sly vixen, if Jiraiya-sensei hears about this I'll never hear the end of it.'
Minato stopped his inner monologue. "I guess you win," he begrudgingly admitted.
Kushina sighed tiredly in happiness before shoving Minato's heavy body off her; he stood up abruptly from Kushina's rough shove, touching his lips with his fingers still dazed from the amazing kiss. Even though he lost, Minato couldn't help but feel…he still won somehow.
"Hah! All that cockiness just to lose against me," Kushina proudly acclaimed staring at the still astounded Minato. She knew she won through underhanded tactics and it wasn't really fair. But they were ninja, nothings fair in their lives you're supposed to exploit every advantage you have; in her case it was Minato's hormones. 'Though the kiss wasn't bad either,' she begrudgingly thought watching Minato still not responding touching his lips.
"Guess I'll see you around pretty boy…" Kushina announced she turned to depart the Training Ground.
She stopped.
Glancing down she saw Minato firmly holding her wrist with his hand, she looked up to his tanned face seeing an unreadable emotion in his midnight blue eyes.
"Wait don't go yet, let me buy you lunch wherever you want," Minato offered seeing the questioning look in Kushina's eyes he quickly added on. "To celebrate your victory I mean," Kushina nodded finally understanding.
"Anywhere you say?" Kushina crossed her arms staring at Minato for a few moments as if considering it. "Fine, take me to Ichiraku Ramen," Minato simply smiled.
Ichiraku Ramen – 12:03pm
Villagers bustled in the streets outside enjoying the weekend in the sun of Konoha summer time; preferring to wear more revealing clothes to survive the heat. The ramen restaurant was quiet in comparison to outside with only two customers inside.
Kushina sat next to Minato mouth wide open in astonishment watching him finish his 20th bowl of ramen with a content sigh. She bought him here hoping she could clear his wallet by eating lots of ramen instead he was doing it himself, because she clearly underestimated his appetite she was full by her 3rd bowl.
"Wow who knew ramen could be this good, I'm usually a more meat feast kind of guy so I'm surprised," Minato was kind of shocked he enjoyed it as much as he did.
Kushina just stared at him like he was crazy; Teuchi the nineteen year old chef just smiled counting his 3,500 ryō then placing it in his cash register gleefully, then going to the back to wash the dishes.
"Hmph! Well at least you eat like a man," Kushina begrudgingly admitted crossing her arms looking at Minato with something akin to approval. 'Or beast! He eats the most I've ever seen anyone eat, yet he's able to stay fit' Kushina's hair was now in a low pony tail reaching below her waist.
Minato grinned at her charmingly, Kushina scowled at his handsome grin she found annoying. "I'm glad I have your approval." Minato happily stated looking into her eyes.
"Well don't get used to it ya' know!" She snapped back glaring at Minato blushing up a storm.
"I noticed you have a verbal tic, do you always say it?" Minato asked staring at Kushina interested. Kushina frowned she was insecure about her verbal tick like her hair.
"No, only when I'm excited," Kushina grumbled before glaring at Minato. "Why do you have a problem with it?" She clenched her fists angrily.
Minato undaunted by her anger casually replied, "Of course not, I was just curious," he answered earnestly. Kushina's glare lessened that he wasn't going to make fun of her.
"Good," she then turned a competitive eye towards Minato. "So how many missions have you been on so far?" Kushina asked bluntly. "Don't be upset if I have more missions than you ya' know," Kushina conceitedly reminded, Minato just glowered at her competitive nature. He found her indomitable spirit infuriating and alluring at the same time. He would rejoice in the day he'd take her pride.
"As if I'd be upset because of you princess, I've done 280 D-ranked," Minato calmly replied to a smirking Kushina.
"I've already done 300, next," Kushina proudly announced smirking at him. Minato coolly just gazed at her.
"130 C-ranked," he informed her, Kushina's ego inflated.
"Hah! More than you again 141," Kushina boasted. She was kind of maddened how he carried this air of aloofness around him like nothing could ever bother him. It infuriated her to no end, but strangely enthralling at the same time. She wanted to take his pride.
"I've already got 7 B ranks, which judging by your current mission record, you probably have had no B-ranks yet, so I wouldn't expect you to have any A-ranks and definitely no S-ranks," she smugly stated. Minato just smirked in silent humour, he couldn't wait to see her reaction.
"Actually I've done 63 B-ranks, 14 A-ranks and 6 S-ranks," Kushina inhaled in disbelief at the amount of high ranked missions he had, scowling at him in resentment. "So you haven't even had your first A-ranked yet…pitiful," Minato sent a condescending look towards a scowling Kushina.
She couldn't believe the amount of high ranked missions he has already been on. Just when she believes she's in the same league as him, he elevates to a new level. This boy was infuriating!
He was inwardly entertained by her expression. Her inferiority complex was clear as day, she was constantly defensive, always ready to prove herself.
"Whatever, let's get out of here," Kushina said dismissively, promptly standing up from her seat stomping out the restaurant, her back was to Minato so he couldn't see her jealous glare of fury.
Minato couldn't help but sweat drop at her drama queen reaction to his teasing. He glanced at Teuchi who shrugged also confused, he chased after her outside the store into the busy streets.
They passed by villagers in the street, Kushina glanced at the boy walking beside with his arms crossed behind his head lazily he caught her eye and smirked at her. She blushed and turned away. 'I can't stand this guy; he makes me feel so weird inside.'
"So I was thinking me and you could train together regularly, that was one of the best spars I've had in a while," Minato asked hopefully staring at her from the corner of his eye walking beside her through the upper class neighbourhoods of Konoha.
He wanted to learn more about this girl.
Kushina furrowed her eyebrows at him in thought. She didn't know whether that was a good idea of training with the guy she wanted to be better than, but then again, she could also learn more about him and from what she knew of him; he was very strong.
This could work in her favour. She didn't have any friends to hang out with anyway; she was tired of being alone. Plus Minato wasn't bad on the eyes.
"Alright, I'll train with you," Kushina agreed crossing her arms staring at him sternly stopping with him outside her house, Minato stared up at Kushina's place of residence; it was the Senju estate, he figured she would live here, she was related to them after all.
"So meet me at my house whenever you're free, if I'm not here then I'm busy," she instructed to Minato who nodded his head.
"So…" Kushina gazed at Minato awkwardly. "I guess I'll see you around," she finished. Minato was entertained by her social awkwardness; he could tell she wasn't used to hanging out with people her age. He enjoyed seeing the normally headstrong girl so uncomfortable around him.
"Yeah I guess I will…" Minato replied smirking walking up close to her. Kushina blushed uncomfortably, walking back until her back touched the wall of her house Minato's hands either side of her head trapping her in with his larger frame. He leaned closer to her face slowly.
'Is he going to kiss me,' she thought, Kushina's heart thumped in her chest in anticipation, unconsciously closing her eyes leaning in. She couldn't understand the strange fuzzy feeling she felt whenever Minato was in close proximity with her. It was completely euphoric.
Minato smirked devilishly at Kushina, using the Shunshin no Jutsu disappearing in a small whirlwind. Kushina opened her eyes in surprise when she felt no kiss, but wind in her face, before finally noticing he had tricked her!
She glared in the direction he left in irritation; gripping her fist stomping into her house. 'Damn pretty boy,' Kushina fumed, though she couldn't stop the small smile of happiness of training with her rival.
Chapter End
Please Review!
Minato Mission Record: (D-ranked: 280) (C-ranked: 130) (B-ranked: 63) (A-ranked: 14) (S-ranked: 6)
Kushina Mission Record: (D-ranked: 300) (C-ranked: 141) (B-ranked: 7) (A-ranked: 0) (S-ranked: 0)
Minato: Height: 152cm/ Age: 11 and 6months/ Rank: Chūnin
Kushina: Height: 147cm/ Age: 11/ Rank: Genin/ Affinity: Wind, Water
