7 New Student

As they slowly gallop towards the forest, they were suddenly interrupted by a voice.

"Are you genins?"

Startled, everyone's eyes focused on the man sitting on a large rock. He has spiky black hair that reaches his neck as well as a shaved beard and a mustache.

'Who is he?'

The five exchange meaningful glances not knowing what they will answer. Seeing the awkward situation of the four, Minato didn't hesitate and stepped in.

"Uhm… we're not." Minato quickly responded politely.

"If you're not even a genin, all of you are not allowed to enter. Many Shinobi are practicing their ninjutsu inside, you might get hurt."

"But we're here to train as well!" This time Inoichi aggressively replied. He put his hands together and gave a bunch of reasons while also flaunting his clan's name.

Though it seems like the man didn't flinch at this certain 'threat'.

Sigh—

Shikaku put his hands on Inoichi's shoulder as they all consoled their friend. Who would have thought that there are guards in the training ground 44? If they knew then they wouldn't even bother to come here.

"Should we go home?" Chouza broke the silence while he ate chips after chips.

"I guess so."

"Should we sneak next time?"

"Hey! Lower your voice!"

Cough —

"I already heard it." The bearded man stood up from the rock, patted the dust on his pants, and stared at the young kids.

"I don't care who you are or what purpose you have in here." The concealed aura of the man started leaking to the surroundings, "You can't enter here."

Cold sweat drops formed on their forehead and back as they struggled to stay still at the increasing pressure in the air. Minato's forcefully raised his trembling hands before shouting with all of his might.

"W-we are leaving!"

The man set his jaw and put a cigarette on his mouth.

They couldn't help it anymore, so the kids flopped down to the ground powerlessly. Only Minato stayed kneeling but he's not sure if he can continue this posture longer. He turned his stiff neck around others and whispered in a soft voice.

"Y-you guys…"

Knowing Minato's words, all of them raised their heads albeit a little.

"Ninja-san, we will not go here anymore! Please."

"Me too. I will not go here!"

"Ahhh my stomach!!! Mister please we will leave."

Shortly after, the pressure started decreasing before gradually vanishing.

"Pant—pant— thank you."

Minato said hurriedly as he tried to stabilize his heavy breathing. The man alternated his gaze between the kids before turning around to leave.

Pat—pat—

The other four sat on the ground; their face contained gloomy and frightened expressions. No one thought that they would experience something like this. The fun hasn't even started yet, and now it already ended.

"Let's just go home." Shikaku got up and patted the dirt from his clothes.

Hearing his words, the other four nodded in affirmation as they tidied their clothes to leave.

It seems like their first 'practice' is a failure. For now, they would need to be accustomed to other training grounds.

"Let's go."

Soon, they turned around and left in a hurry. Minato swept his gaze to the man quietly dozing in a nearby tree as the man seemed familiar. He tried recalling his memories but he didn't get anything.

'He's probably a no-name canon fodder if I can't remember.'

This is the conclusion he came to after pondering for a few more seconds. Though if he was asked if who this man resembled.

'He looks like Lord Third.'

......…

The next day, Minato came to school after training with Dai with his physique. Although he still hadn't had visible muscles, his progress is improving rapidly.

'It's better than I thought.'

Going to school, Minato stopped by his friends' houses before they went to school together. They passed by the school entrance when suddenly, Minato noticed Shikaku being different from what he usually is.

He move his elbow to tap Chouza and Inoichi beside him and pointed Shikaku using his lips.

"Why is he red?" Chouza was the first one who commented after seeing Shikaku's strange face.

"Fever?"

Minato raised his hands and couldn't help but do a palm to his forehead. These guys don't know how to read the mood at all. Well, they're kids so it's understandable but still… a 9 year old in the Narutoverse is like an adult now.

"He's blushing."

Fortunately, he lowered his voice as Shikaku didn't seem to have heard him. Listening to Minato's remarks, Chouza and Inoichi displayed shocked expressions.

"Shikaku is blushing?"

"Wait, can Shikaku blush?"

The three secretly observed Shikaku's movements as they followed where his gaze was at.

There, their eyes were led to a pretty girl cutely combing her head.

"A girl? Isn't that Yoshino?"

"Yoshino from Class B?"

"I guess but I heard she's hot-tempered."

The three exchanged words after words before Chouza suddenly proposed a plan.

"Why don't we report Shikaku for exam cheating? That way he'll be transferred to class B as punishment."

Minato and Inoichi exchange glances as they shifted their gaze to Chouza. Though Chouza still hasn't realize what he said and continued.

"Good idea right? Or we can just report him stealing answer shee—"

At that moment, Minato immediately interrupted.

"Chouza, do you know the Nara Clan?"

Although confused, Chouza responded, "Of course, who wouldn't know?" before tilting his head to the side.

"So what's their signature skills?"

"Shadow Jutsu…"

"… and?"

"Cough— h-high IQ."

After hearing Chouza, Minato reflexively clapped his hands as he giggled dumbfoundedly at him.

"I-I guess we'll abort the plan then."

Chouza scratched his head in embarrassment after realizing the absurdness of his thoughts. Fortunately, Shikaku came at the right time easing the awkward situation he was in.

"What are you guys talking about?"

The three look at each other before responding.

"Oh, nothing."

"It's not important."

Shikaku swept his gaze to his three friends as his eyes slowly narrowed in suspicion.

'Are they hiding something from me?'

His thoughts were interrupted as a hand abruptly wrapped around his shoulder. It's Minato.

"Don't worry about it. It's a… surprise."

"What surprise?"

Minato slightly look sideways as he replied, "If I tell you, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore."

"Troublesome."

Shortly, the four began strolling towards the hallway and finally reach their classroom.

*Sfx of loud chatterings.*

They put down their bags towards their seats and seeing that teacher Hodaka isn't here yet, the four gathered together with Shibi and Teuchi.

"How's the training?" Teuchi voices his thoughts out making the five flinch in surprise.

"Oh, w-we didn't get to enter at all."

"Yeah, a ninja is guarding there. But we're good."

All of them came up with their excuses though Teuchi didn't seem to bother at all.

"How about you Teuchi? Are you going to be a ramen chef? Being a ninja pays more." This time the quiet Shibi asked.

"Ah, my decision is final. Even if you guys force me, I will still follow the path of my great-grandpa. He a ramen chef."

"It—…"

Tri-ring—

Tri-ring—

The bell rang loudly. Minato and others went back to their seats. Shortly after the bell rang, teacher Hodaka entered the classroom with his usual cold but warm attitude.

"Good Morning."

"Good Morning Hodaka-sensei!"

After a while, Hodaka glanced sideways towards the door, raised his hands, and wave his hands as if ordering someone to come inside.

"Ah, class I have good news for you!"

This piqued the entire class's attention. It's rare for teacher Hodaka to announce something that is why everyone waited in anticipation.

"You will have…" His pupils turned left and right before continuing, "… a new classmate!"

"…"

Wahhhhhh!!!!

"Really!!"

"Yahoo, but why does it seems like we have so many new classmates this year?"

"Don't think about it"

The whole class celebrated as they tried peeking towards the door. Even Minato was curious who this new classmate as well.

'I don't remem—'

Slowly recalling someone's face, Minato's eyes bug out in realization.

Soon, a young girl shyly entered the room, leaving a trail of red aura as it vanished swiftly in the cold air.

"Well, this is our new transfer student."

Teacher Hodaka introduced which earned quite a response from the students.

"Her hair is so red."

"How did it become like that?"

"So weird."

However, as if the girl didn't hear it, her eyes darted around the room before shifting back to Hodaka.

"Introduce yourself. Don't be shy."

"Un."

Taking a large deep breath, the girl slowly opened her mouth.

"I'm Uzumaki Kushina! And…" She closed her eyes before shouting as loudly as she can, "I-I will be this village's first female Hokage, dattebane!"