In a small forest—
A boy around eleven years old, with bowl-cut black hair and wearing a dark traditional kimono, a white scarf wrapped around his neck, was cornered by four burly ninja.
"Little brat... Don't think you can get away!"One of them swung a gleaming kusarigama.
The boy's face was serious and alert."Damn it...!" the boy—Hashirama—gritted his teeth.
He had only come out to explore for a bit, never expecting to be attacked by mercenary ninja from a minor clan hostile to his family.
Even though he was exceptionally talented, Hashirama hadn't awakened Mokuton yet, and fighting four grown ninja alone was clearly beyond his current abilities.
"Surrender, kid! We only need your body for negotiation!" shouted one of the ninja, raising his sword.
"Keep dreaming!" Hashirama snapped.
He crouched, focused his chakra, then dashed forward with surprising speed for someone his age.
Unfortunately, the enemies were too many.
One of the ninja managed to swing his sword toward Hashirama, forcing the boy to leap back, breathing heavily.
They all laughed mockingly.
"You little runt! You dare fight us?!" yelled their leader.
They began to close in from all four directions.
Hashirama tightened his grip on his kunai.
"Even if I have to die... I'll drag you down with me!" he whispered.Just as the four ninja prepared to attack all at once—
Boom!
The ground between them cracked open, and a figure with blazing red hair appeared in their midst, radiating a terrifying aura.
Kushina stood with arms folded, her expression cold and imposing.
"Four grown men... ganging up on one little boy. How disgraceful," she said flatly.
The ninja were stunned, but quickly shouted a warning.
"Who are you?!"
Kushina gave a faint smile."Me? Just a tourist who doesn't like seeing injustice."
Hashirama stared at her in awe and slight confusion.
"Now then... I'll give you a choice," Kushina continued, her calm voice carrying tremendous weight."Leave... or die."
One of the ninja, perhaps too arrogant, growled and charged at her.
"Damn you, acting all tough, woman!"
But in a flash, Kushina vanished from her spot.
When she reappeared—
Slash!
The ninja's throat opened wide, blood spurting into the air.
His body collapsed with a heavy thud.
"!!"
The three remaining ninja widened their eyes in shock.
They immediately tried to flee, but Kushina flicked her hand, sending chakra-forged chains flying from her body.
Clang!
Two glowing red chains slammed into the chests of two ninja, crushing their internal organs.
The last one, trembling with fear, dropped to his knees and begged.
"P-Please... have mercy..."
Kushina walked toward him slowly, her blood-red eyes showing no pity.
"I don't need witnesses," she said coldly.
One blow, and the ninja collapsed, dying.
Silence…
Hashirama, standing not far away, stared wide-eyed at Kushina.
"Who... are you?" he asked nervously.
Kushina turned and smiled gently, a sharp contrast to the brutal scene from moments ago.
"Don't be afraid, I'm not your enemy," she said.
She crouched down and held out her hand.
"What's your name, little one?"
After a moment's hesitation, Hashirama replied while patting his chest,"My name is... Hashirama! But… I can't tell my clan name to strangers."
Kushina suppressed a laugh, amused by the boy's innocent firmness.
"Alright, Hashirama," she said, standing back up.
"I'm… a traveler. But it seems we were fated to meet today."
Looking at the red-haired woman in front of him, the boy—young Hashirama—gazed at her curiously.
Politely, he asked,"Umm... Oba-san, what's your name?"
Bam!
Without warning, a light smack landed on top of Hashirama's head, messing up his bowl-cut hair a little.
"Who are you calling Oba-san, huh?!" Kushina grumbled, glaring. "I'm only twenty-eight! I'm still young and fresh, got it!"
Hashirama winced and rubbed his head, eyeing her cautiously. He was about to protest,"But… isn't that age already kinda—"
His eyes accidentally caught sight of Kushina's clenched fist, raised threateningly. He gulped and quickly changed his words,
"—kinda... kinda just right to be called Onee-chan! Pretty and youthful Onee-chan!"
Kushina snorted in satisfaction and gave a thumbs up.
"Hmph, that's better!"
After 'teaching him some manners,' Kushina proudly patted her chest.
"My name is Uzumaki Kushina. From the Uzumaki clan."
Hashirama's eyes widened a little. Of course he knew—that blazing red hair was a trademark of the Uzushio people. And as the son of the Senju clan head, he knew their clans had long shared a close alliance.
But before he could say anything, Kushina raised a finger, warning him,
"But listen carefully, Hashirama-kun. I'm… running away from home!" she whispered dramatically. "I got bored of the clan! I want to go on an adventure! So, don't tell anyone you met me, okay?"
Hashirama nodded rapidly like a pecking chicken.
"Okay, Kushina-neechan! I won't tell anyone!"
Kushina beamed happily, then teased,
"Good~ If you spill the beans, I'll pound you into mochi!"
Seeing the carefree laughter on Kushina's face, Hashirama couldn't help but smile too.'She seems... a little dangerous, but also really fun,' little Hashirama thought.
------------------
They began walking together toward a small river that Hashirama knew of. Along the way, Kushina chattered cheerfully.
"Heeey, Hashirama-kun," Kushina teased, turning with a mischievous glint, "do you have a fiancée yet?"
Hashirama nearly tripped over his own feet at the question.
"E-Eeh!? No! I-I'm still too young for that!" he stammered, his cheeks turning red.
Seeing his reaction, Kushina burst out laughing.
"Aww, how cute! But you know, in the Uzumaki clan, there's a girl your age. Her name's Mito. She's pretty, smart, and strong. You'd make a great pair!"
Hashirama turned even redder, like a ripe tomato.
"I-I don't want to get married yet!" he protested, making Kushina laugh so hard she nearly fell off the path.
'Ah, it's so much fun teasing the future God of Shinobi while he's still a kid,' Kushina chuckled inwardly.
When they reached the small river, Kushina stopped and looked around.
The water was clear, lush trees surrounded the banks, and a natural stone wall rose not far away.
Kushina nodded in satisfaction.
"The location is good," she murmured. "There's water, shelter, and enough space to train. I'll stay here for a while."
But as she stepped onto the large rock by the riverbank, Kushina suddenly felt something strange stir in her heart.
She looked around more carefully.
The glimmering river current... the young trees... the sound of the flowing water... everything felt... familiar.
Then, like a bolt of lightning striking her mind, Kushina slowly opened her mouth.
'That's right! This is the legendary river! The one where Hashirama and Madara used to play together as kids!' she thought, stunned.
She bit her lower lip, trying to steady the wave of emotions that surged within her.She had truly entered a crucial era in shinobi history—before Konoha ever existed.
With a wide smile, Kushina gently patted little Hashirama on the head."Yosh~ Looks like we'll be seeing a lot of each other, Hashirama-kun."
Hashirama, not yet understanding the meaning behind her words, simply nodded innocently."Okay, Kushina-neechan!"
In her heart, Kushina chuckled softly.'This is going to be a long adventure... and I can't wait for it to begin.'