Naruto: The Scourge

The atmosphere of war seemed to never affect the children in the Ninja Academy. Oblivious to the world outside, they played and laughed, their joy unbroken. Being born in Konoha itself was a kind of fortune.

Since ignoring Minato that day, Yazawa found himself isolated by his classmates—a situation he welcomed. As always, he stayed in his corner, alone and undisturbed.

In recent weeks, Zejinki-sensei had shifted focus from chakra to the theory of ninja tools, spending several weeks on this topic. Yazawa found it frustrating. Since awakening in this world, his memory and understanding had become extraordinarily sharp. The lessons were painfully slow for him—he grasped the purpose and usage of each tool within a day, while others required days of repetition. Ninja tools were essential for a shinobi, and there were many kinds, which meant this pace could stretch endlessly.

Zejinki's meticulous teaching style demonstrated his seriousness. It was likely the reason Sarutobi entrusted him with this class. However, his strictness with both people and tasks often drew attention.

Gazing at the empty training ground outside the window, Yazawa sighed. Spending three years like this, he thought, might drive him mad.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, drawing his attention. Zejinki entered, his expression as stern as ever, followed by a girl with striking red hair.

As soon as the door opened, the class fell silent and sat upright. But when they saw the red-haired girl, whispers quickly broke out.

Though the children spoke in hushed tones, their words reached Zejinki's sharp ears. His brows furrowed as he commanded in a low voice, "Quiet."

Zejinki's words carried more weight than any parental authority. Instantly, the whispers ceased.

Yazawa glanced at the girl, her head lowered slightly, and felt a flicker of emotion. Her hair and eyes were different, and though her features bore some resemblance, she was not the person he thought of—she wasn't Ruirin.

The girl with the vivid red hair was Uzumaki Kushina. She briefly glanced at the seated students, her nerves intensifying under their stares, and quickly looked away.

When the room had quieted, Zejinki turned to the girl and said blandly, "Introduce yourself."

Before he could finish, Kushina raised her head and loudly declared, "I'm Uzumaki Kushina, dattebane!"

Zejinki was momentarily taken aback. Seeing her standing with her eyes tightly shut, he simply shook his head without comment.

Realizing she had let her verbal tic slip, Kushina hurriedly covered her mouth, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment.

After a moment of silence, the class buzzed again with chatter, their comments aimed at her.

"Look at her hair!" someone whispered to a friend.

"No one else has hair that color."

"How does it even get that red?"

"What weird hair."

Yazawa glanced at the children, annoyed by their immaturity. He looked to Zejinki, expecting him to immediately assert authority and silence them, but for some reason, the teacher remained silent, allowing the chatter to continue.

Frowning, Yazawa felt puzzled.

Kushina, meanwhile, quietly touched her hair. She hated her bright red locks, but hearing others mock them felt even worse. She couldn't tolerate such disrespect.

"I... I'm going to become this village's first female Hokage!" she shouted suddenly.

The room fell silent. The bold declaration stunned her peers, leaving them speechless.

"Hokage?" Yazawa smirked faintly as he looked out the window.

Zejinki, still standing beside Kushina, remained expressionless.

Then, Minato stood up, raising a fist to his chest. Smiling warmly, he said, "I want to become a Hokage admired by everyone too."

Kushina stared at Minato, finding his soft expression effeminate and unimpressive. How could someone like him aspire to be Hokage?

Unaware of her thoughts, Minato maintained his gentle smile, his words sincere and heartfelt.

Perhaps few in the room grasped the depth of Minato's determination, but Yazawa and Zejinki could see it clearly. Compared to Kushina's impulsive remark, Minato's declaration carried weight.

"You, find a seat," Zejinki finally said, glancing at Kushina.

"Oh." Kushina nodded and chose an empty seat, far from anyone else, just like Yazawa.

Once she sat, Zejinki resumed class. The session dragged on as he meticulously explained yet another ninja tool. Yazawa grudgingly admired his thoroughness, even though he found it unnecessary.

After an hour, the lesson ended. Zejinki left the classroom, giving the students a ten-minute break. The atmosphere instantly livened up, like a flower blooming anew.

Several mischievous boys quickly surrounded Kushina at the back of the room. One of them pointed at her, laughing. "Tomato! Your red hair and round face look just like a tomato!"

"Yeah! I hate tomatoes!" another boy chimed in.

"Me too. I always leave them on my plate," added a third.

"A tomato that nobody likes could never become Hokage!" a fourth boy teased, laughing loudly with the others.

Kushina's face turned redder as the boys jeered. Lowering her head, she resembled the very tomato they mocked.

From the front row, Minato noticed the commotion and glanced back at Kushina but chose to stay silent.

Seated in the back, Yazawa felt directly assaulted by the noise. Though he preferred to avoid involvement, the scene stirred memories of his own childhood struggles—though his had been fights over food, not teasing.

"Wow, it's getting even riper," one boy sneered, reaching out to tug Kushina's hair.

Before he could, Yazawa caught the boy's hand in a firm grip.

Startled, Kushina turned her head and saw the quiet black-haired boy standing there, his expression cold as he stopped the bully.

The classroom fell silent, all eyes on the unexpected intervention.

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