Minato spends his first week under his new sensei's teaching by not using chakra. He pouted like a little kid when Mizuki-sensei said that but he obeyed. Besides Mizuki and Kushina bet that he could last a week and if they win, he'll get a cut so he'd prefer that. He'd rather not ask who else bet on him - he's sure he won't like the answer.

(The rest of the island.)

All in all, Minato is having his first proper holiday. He's still not sure what to do about Uzumaki Kanna though. No one has disabused her of the notion that he will be her partner but Minato's not quite sure what they mean by that. Kushina and Mizuki are partners and he's caught them kissing. On the lips. He didn't even catch them, they were doing it in broad daylight. Is that what they mean? Because he doesn't think he likes Kanna in that way but it's too early to tell and he doesn't want to be a heartbreaker at thirteen!

He doesn't know who else to ask so he asks Kanna what a partner is. Which might not have been the best idea. The way she describes it leaves him even more confused. Shaking her head, as if he's some sort of cute puppy, Kanna tells him to look for Mito-obaasan. He's tried to call the woman Mito-hime and then Mito-sama but he was quite literally laughed over. He means it. His ego will never recover. Kanna says it's a good thing. Mito calmly elbows her and walks past like nothing ever happened.

Minato is starting to understand just how the woman kept up with the Senjus and Uchiha. The three of them have nothing on Uzumaki children, absolutely nothing. And wasn't that a surprise: to learn there were only Uzumaki children and they were all shinobi. He hadn't even realised until he'd asked about the other shinobis. He didn't see how they'd be so feared if it was only a hundred or so. Their revelation left Minato reeling. It also meant he didn't move fast enough to evade their newest tag - one that made you luminescent for an entire day. His sensei/s had been absolutely no help just saying something about being quicker next time. And then reminiscing about all the things they had to do when they got caught. Minato has never been gladder not to be an Uzumaki. It's clear that they're all insane.

He was then hounded for a day about testing new tags (thankfully not the explosive ones). At least it had been good exercise, especially as he wasn't allowed to use chakra. He counts himself lucky - Kushina and Mizuki's tales have all but traumatised him. This is nowhere near as bad.

Still, Mito seems to be the only rational person on this island so when Kanna tells him to ask her, he doesn't hesitate. It takes a while though as Mito-obaasan has taken to wandering the island and seeing the things and people (probably because she's been away so long) so it's a little difficult for Minato to locate her. He'd be so much faster if he could use chakra! He finds her eventually.

When she spots him, she calls him over, warmly greeting him by his nickname. Minato was embarrassed until he realised that she never called anyone by their name, choosing instead to give them all a nickname. His is lightning because he is like a yellow flash she explains. Minato still isn't sure about it. Still, she is the wise elder in the stories you don't argue with.

So when she tells him of her partner who never once left her until his death, he listens. She tells him that there were whispers about her faithfulness but she didn't care because having him was more important. That her husband didn't truly understand but he knew her well enough to ignore those rumours. That despite what the Elders said and how much they complained, they weren't quite stupid enough to get between two people from Uzushio. Mito thinks it was a pity. Minato is surprised that they had that much common sense.

She tells him of the first time it was revealed that they were best friends and not closely related. Of the truly ridiculous things he did to be able to spend time with her or even just make sure she knew she had someone to talk to. Of the ironclad part of her marriage contract that was added in the case of her partner, one that her parents (and everyone else) carefully deliberated over to make sure she was as happy as possible. The one time they tried to send him home, Mito was prepared to walk out with him for she wasn't going to leave him until death. The Elders backed down, here Mito smiles but her smile isn't a kind one.

Minato listens and starts to think that he does want that, someone to always have his back. Someone who will stick with him until the point of death. Someone he understands and who understands him back. It's clear why many end up in a relationship. Minato is an orphan and he has always longed for that kind of dedication, that kind of love. Minato wants that. Minato wants a partner like that: desperately. He had only ever dreamed of it, here is his chance.

He is willing to learn about Uzumaki Kanna, ready to try and gain the connection he so deeply craves. He knows it won't all be so good, they will hurt each other, cause each other pain but he hopes that they will be good enough to withstand it. Strong enough not to turn their backs on each other. Ready to defend each other. Parted only in death. He is not naive, there are benefits as well as disadvantages but Minato still wants a partner. A partner called Uzumaki Kanna.

Mito lounges against the tree and watches him run away with an amused smile before turning back to look at the ocean.