-Very good," said Hoshigaki Daikicon with a firm voice and an animated smile. We now have a transfer student joining the academy, give her a warm welcome!
A few lazy claps echoed in the classroom, more out of reflex than enthusiasm. The girl with long red hair, standing in front of the group, took a deep breath.
-My name is Kushina Uzumaki... really.
The last part escaped her with a slight slip that made her eyes widen. She immediately covered her mouth, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
-Did you see her hair?
-Yes... so red that it even glows.
-Shh! Her hair is red.... He's from the Uzumaki clan. If you dare to offend them, they'll beat you to a pulp....
The Uzumaki were not just any clan. Though they were rare in Konoha, their reputation as fūinjutsu (sealing techniques) users was as well known as it was feared. No one in their right mind would want to mess with them... at least not without a second thought.
The whisper was quick, almost fearful, and caused several to straighten up in their seats.
And then, a kind-faced, bright-eyed boy with short, tousled blond hair stood up from his desk. He touched his chest with one hand and declared with conviction:
-I, too, want to become a great Hokage that the whole village respects!
Kushina blinked. That boy... who was he?
A murmur crossed the classroom:
-That's Minato Namikaze...
-Ah, the boy prodigy of our class.
-He's always at the top... and he's too nice. He's weird.
Minato noticed all the eyes on him, scratched the back of his head and let out an awkward laugh.
-Hehehe... I just said what I felt, nothing more.
Hoshigaki Daiki nodded in satisfaction.
-That's what I like to hear. Kushina, find a free place and sit down. Let's start the class.
Kushina's eyes roamed the classroom. The right side was full, the left side was full, the last row on the middle side was the only one left free.
She walked over there under the curious gaze of some students, while others avoided making eye contact.
The boy with whom I would be sharing a table had straight golden hair that fell to his shoulders. He rested his face on one hand with a relaxed posture.
She decided to break the ice. Mito had told her that she should integrate, hadn't he?
She leaned a little toward him.
-Hi... I'm Kushina.
The boy looked up calmly.
-Hi. My name is Kallen.
He didn't seem uncomfortable sitting next to her. Somehow, that relieved her.
-It's nice to meet you.
Kallen looked at her a second longer, as if silently sizing her up, then nodded slowly.
-Same to you.
Without adding anything else, she averted her gaze. He rested his face in his hand again and fixed his eyes straight ahead.
As the teacher began to explain the basic principles of chakra.
Beside him, Kallen didn't seem particularly attentive, but not distracted either. Though his eyes followed the teacher.
-Don't worry," he murmured suddenly, without looking directly at her. Not everyone here is an idiot. They just make noise at first.
-Yes? Well, they all seemed the same to me.
The two exchanged words during the teacher's pauses, while he wrote on the blackboard.
Kushina hesitated for a moment, she didn't know what topic she could talk about anymore.
-Why did you decide to come to this academy?
Kallen looked up at her, thoughtfully.
-I want to be stronger. To protect the people I care about. And you?
She smiled a little sheepishly.
-Something like that. I want to be able to protect my family... and prove that I can stand on my own two feet, not just be the spoiled girl in the family.
-Sometimes I feel like everyone expects me to be weak, to depend on others... but I don't want that.
He looked at her with a faint, sincere smile.
-Then prove them wrong. I have someone to protect, too, and that's why I'm here.
Just then, the bell rang.
They both broke apart, almost resignedly.
Maybe... the day wouldn't be as terrible as he imagined.
He was in a good mood, he even thought that maybe he wouldn't have so much trouble on his first day.
As soon as class was over and the teacher left the room, the whispers began. The laughter.
When he turned around, they were already there. A group of three boys who clearly didn't know what common sense was.
-Hey, tomato girl," spat one, with that ugly grin that people who think they're funny usually have.
-Tomato? -Kushina blinked, not understanding.
-That's your new name from now on," said another, folding his arms. With that round face and red hair... you look like one.
-That's right!
-No tomato becomes a Hokage.
-Besides, I hate tomatoes! -added another, exaggerating the disgust. I always take them out of my salad.
-Hahahaha!
-A stinky tomato like you will never be accepted.
-Least of all as Hokage!
Kushina clenched her fists. She swallowed saliva.
Her voice was shaking inside, but her eyes were still burning.
She was going to respond. She was going to say something. To hit someone maybe.
But he didn't have to.
A shadow rose behind the boy who had spoken the loudest.
A firm hand grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him back.
-You have no right to say such words.
It was Kallen.
His voice sounded as calm as ever... but something in his eyes, in that sharp, direct look, made the boy confused.
Kallen glared at him, as if he were a cockroach he had accidentally stepped on.
The boy paled instantly.
-You think you're so brave for defending her? -he tried to say, but his voice trembled.
-No," Kallen said, releasing him, "I just think it's pathetic that you need a group to pick on one person.
He turned to Kushina, and his gaze softened slightly.
-Come on. It's not worth listening to them.
Kushina said nothing and followed him silently.