Chapter 7: Awakening
Chapter 7 Awakening
Mito fell into deep thought upon hearing Kushina mention Natsuo.
Sensing Mito's solemn expression, Uzumaki Kushina asked, "Grandma Mito, what's wrong?"
Shaking her head with a gentle smile, Mito replied, "Kushina, do you want to be friends with Natsuo?"
Kushina nodded eagerly, "Yes."
Uzumaki Mito spoke earnestly, "Natsuo is right. If you want to be his friend, you may face hostility from many people. If you're determined, be prepared and don't give up. I believe Natsuo is very lonely and yearns for friends. With no relatives in Konoha and shunned by everyone, his life is incredibly challenging. I hope you can reach out to him and alleviate both your loneliness. Do you understand, Kushina?"
Kushina's eyes gleamed with determination, "Grandma Mito, I'm ready!"
Uzumaki Mito smiled warmly in relief.
Confused, Kushina asked, "But Grandma Mito, why is Natsuo hated by everyone? Did he do something wrong? My first impression of him was good, and he mentioned not having a surname. This is the first time I've encountered someone without a surname."
Uzumaki Mito sighed softly, "Natsuo hasn't done anything wrong. He's a victim of the animosity between two ninja clans. He's a poor child. Natsuo doesn't have a surname because his clan doesn't acknowledge him, and the other clan has relinquished their surnames. Therefore, Natsuo only has a given name, not a surname."
Young Kushina struggled to fully grasp Mito's explanation, feeling perplexed.
Patting Kushina's back affectionately, Mito said with a smile, "Alright, you must be tired too. Go rest quickly; you have school tomorrow."
Uzumaki Kushina jumped down from Mito's embrace, "Okay, Grandma Mito, good night!"
As Kushina left, Uzumaki Mito watched her with a kind gaze.
---
The next day arrived.
Confidently, Uzumaki Kushina headed to Ninja School.
Secretly determined to befriend Natsuo today, she pondered her approach.
If all else failed...
Uzumaki Kushina's clever mind quickly devised a plan.
To win Natsuo over by force!
However, upon arriving at the classroom, Uzumaki Kushina's excitement turned to disappointment—Natsuo was absent.
Unfamiliar with anyone else, she couldn't inquire about Natsuo's whereabouts.
Instead, the group of children she had confronted previously sought retaliation today.
Yet, in battles, Uzumaki Kushina had never tasted defeat.
Fueled by her fiery spirit, her long red hair swirling around her, she swiftly subdued the children, leaving them unable to retaliate.
Three consecutive days passed.
Each day, Uzumaki Kushina had to fend off children daring to provoke her.
Yet, during these days, she grew despondent.
Natsuo's absence from Ninja School thwarted Uzumaki Kushina's plans to forge a friendship.
Meanwhile, Natsuo remained hospitalized.
---
In the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his cigarette before asking, "How is Natsuo's condition? Has he awakened?"
An ANBU appeared behind Sarutobi Hiruzen, kneeling respectfully, "Natsuo remains in a coma!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, "Four days and he hasn't woken? What did the Ninja Hospital say?"
The ANBU reported, "Natsuo's chakra is severely depleted, with varying degrees of damage to his meridians and strained muscles, especially in his hands and legs due to Lightning Style surgery."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took another drag from his pipe, his eyes reflecting concern, "So, the forest's destruction was indeed caused by Natsuo. It seems he has mastered formidable Lightning Style ninjutsu. Have the medical ninjas provided an estimate for Natsuo's awakening?"
"As soon as tomorrow, if conditions improve!"
Setting down his pipe, Sarutobi Hiruzen instructed, "Inform me immediately upon his awakening."
"Yes!"
The ANBU disappeared instantly.
---
School ended, yet Natsuo remained absent, disappointing Uzumaki Kushina.
Packing up, she prepared to return to Uzumaki Mito's mansion.
As she was about to leave the classroom, she sensed someone's gaze on her.
Initially expecting trouble, she turned sharply.
But it wasn't the troublemakers—it was Namikaze Minato, still seated, watching her.
Caught off guard, Namikaze Minato's cheeks flushed, and he quickly looked away.
Uzumaki Kushina raised her fist defiantly, "If you dare to provoke me, I'll fight you!"
After issuing the warning, Uzumaki Kushina shook her head and departed without looking back.
Truthfully, Uzumaki Kushina looked down on Namikaze Minato, finding him too feminine.
Moreover, on her first day of class, in a bid to impress her peers and avoid ridicule, she boldly declared, "I'll be the first female Hokage!"
Yet Namikaze Minato stood up and expressed his own ambition to become Hokage, seemingly implying, 'Don't even think about it; you'll never be Hokage. Even someone like me, who you think is girly, is more suited to be Hokage.'
Thus, Uzumaki Kushina harbored strong disdain toward Namikaze Minato.
After Uzumaki Kushina left, Namikaze Minato pouted, puzzled by her animosity.
---
Returning to Mito's mansion, Uzumaki Kushina announced her arrival, "Grandma Mito, I'm back."
Seeing Kushina's crestfallen expression, Uzumaki Mito chuckled softly, "It seems Natsuo didn't come to school today to, right?"
Observing Uzumaki Kushina's demeanor upon returning from school each day had left Mito puzzled.
Sinking into a chair, Uzumaki Kushina vented, "Yes, I mustered courage, but Natsuo didn't show up at all. I'm nearly out of courage."
Shaking her head sympathetically, Uzumaki Mito said, "Kushina, now that you've resolved to befriend him, you can't give up halfway."
"I know. I don't intend to give up, but if you can't give up half way"
" I know I don't intend to give up but if Natsuo never shows up how can I make friends with him?"
Kushina Scratched her head in frustration
Smiling knowingly Mito reassured her "I know Where Natsuo is."