Morning classes had just ended. It was still recess.
After class, Kushina Uzumaki was surrounded by several boys.
"Tomato! From now on, you're Tomato! A round face and red hair—aren't you just a walking tomato?"
"How could a tomato ever become Hokage?"
"I hate tomatoes the most!"
"Same here! If there are tomatoes in my salad, I always toss them out!"
"How can an unpopular tomato ever gain the village's recognition?"
"Hahaha..."
Kushina pouted, cheeks puffed up with frustration, but she didn't argue back.
Because… well, they weren't entirely wrong. She did look a bit like a tomato.
"An unpopular tomato and a traitor… no wonder you two sit together."
"Tomato and traitor—what a perfect match."
…
At his desk, Chihiro curled his lip in disgust. He also had a nickname at school: Traitor.
The reason? That's what the villagers called him. And their kids simply followed suit.
Chihiro wasn't particularly close to Kushina, but watching them involve him just to mock her stirred something in him.
What bothered him more was that Minato Namikaze, who had been watching quietly from his seat, didn't make a move to help.
As Chihiro stood up to intervene, one of the boys yanked Kushina's red hair.
"It's ripe! Time for the Tomato Festival! Let's harvest!"
Kushina grabbed the boy's wrist, ready to snap—but Chihiro walked up behind him.
"Hey. Move aside."
The kids turned to Chihiro, sneering. "What right does the traitor have to tell us what to do? Beat it!"
Chihiro replied coolly, "You really want to fight here and embarrass yourselves?"
Not long after enrolling, Chihiro had been cornered by a few boys. But thanks to his strong physique—likely from his Senju bloodline—he had knocked them all down.
He wasn't on Minato's level, but he was easily among the top in school.
The bullies stiffened at the memory.
Chihiro stepped forward and bumped into the boy still holding Kushina's hair, forcing him to let go. Then he walked out of the classroom.
But as he exited, Chihiro suddenly froze.
Wait... Kushina didn't need help.
She was a proud Uzumaki—fiery and stubborn. Her clan was known for their vitality and chakra. She didn't back down from fights.
Seconds later, Chihiro heard the unmistakable sounds of mayhem from inside the room.
"Who are you calling a tomato?! And for the record, I hate tomatoes too!"
Kushina grabbed the arm of the kid who had grabbed her hair and, with a powerful twist, hurled him into the group around her.
Then, she jumped onto one boy and started pounding his head with her tiny fists. "Call me tomato again and see what happens!"
Minato, watching from his seat, smiled slightly.
Kushina glared at him. "What are you laughing at?!"
Minato quickly looked away, peeking at her only from the corner of his eye.
---
Afternoon classes were starting soon.
Chihiro returned to his seat, munching on a rice ball he bought at the convenience store.
Kushina sat beside him, pouting angrily.
He glanced at the bullies—now covered in bruises and bumps.
Was she angry she didn't hit them hard enough?
Chihiro remained quiet as Masada-sensei began the lesson.
Throughout class, he noticed something unusual—Kushina kept sneaking glances at him.
It made him a little uncomfortable.
Finally, school ended.
Chihiro was eager to go home. His mind was filled with thoughts of his Thunder Breathing training.
What he didn't notice was that as he left, Kushina half-raised her hand, her face awkward.
She wanted to call out to him.
After all, she too was an outsider here. A foreigner from the Hidden Eddy Village. And today was her first real day.
What Chihiro had done—standing up for her—it had made her want to become his friend.
She clenched her tiny fists with resolve and ran after him.
Chihiro was already far down the road, rushing home.
But Kushina chased after him with her short legs.
They had nearly reached the outskirts of Konoha when she finally shouted, "Hey! Wait!"
Chihiro turned around, startled. "Kushina?"
She was panting, hands on her knees, catching her breath.
Chihiro walked up to her. "Do you need something?"
Taking a deep breath, Kushina stuck out her hand and said boldly, "I'm Kushina Uzumaki!"
Chihiro looked at her oddly.
Her confident smile faltered a little.
"…I'm Chihiro," he replied, shaking her hand gently.
"Chihiro? Is that your first name or last name?"
"It's just my name. I don't have a surname."
"No surname?" Kushina tilted her head. "Are there people like that?"
Chihiro asked again, "Did you want something?"
Kushina gathered her courage. "I want to be friends with you."
He had expected that.
"Kushina… You saw what I'm like in class."
"I did. You and I are both outcasts."
Chihiro gave a small smile. "It's different. I'm not just picked on by kids. The whole village avoids me. If you become friends with me, they might isolate you too."
"This was just your first day. Those kids don't speak for everyone. You'll find good friends."
He added, "Maybe ask the teacher to change your seat. You'll have a better chance that way."
"It's getting late. You should go. Goodbye."
Chihiro turned and walked away.
Kushina stood still, her hand dropping to her side.
She had finally mustered the courage to reach out to someone who seemed like her. And he turned her down.
Her little heart felt heavy.