Kushina?
Seeing the girl, Kazuku's first thought was Naruto's mother.
They were too similar, like carved from the same mold.
But…
He quickly dismissed it.
Uzumaki Kushina was Minato's contemporary.
Minato was Jiraiya's student.
With Tsunade, Jiraiya's peer, not yet born, how could Kushina exist now?
"Probably Kushina's elder relative."
Then Kazuku noticed a black mole under the girl's right eye.
Kushina didn't have that.
"Lord Tobirama." The man stepped forward, approaching Kazuku's group.
"Hm." Tobirama nodded in acknowledgment, then briefed Kazuku's team on the mission.
"This is Uzumaki Ashina and Uzumaki Yuna."
"And these are the ninja assigned to the escort mission: Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hatayama Sakumo, and Kazuku."
Tobirama introduced both sides.
Hearing the girl's name was Yuna, Kazuku thought, "Definitely not Kushina."
But Uzumaki Ashina's eyes flashed with surprise. "These kids are ninja too?"
He'd assumed Kazuku was just passing by.
Never expected him to be part of the escort team.
Though in the Warring States era, kids this age on battlefields weren't odd…
This was the ninja era.
And…
Sarutobi Hiruzen, fine—he looked sixteen or seventeen, and becoming a chunin at that age wasn't strange.
Hatayama Sakumo, though a kid, looked the part, with a ninja pouch and short sword.
He seemed reliable.
But this Kazuku kid…
Ashina couldn't see him as dependable. Casual attire, ninja pouch loosely tied.
Was he really a ninja?
Then Ashina noticed the clan crest on Kazuku's sleeve.
The Senju clan crest!
It clicked.
"Can he really protect us? He doesn't look reliable," Uzumaki Yuna blurted.
Though a girl, Yuna had a boyish personality, speaking bluntly without filter.
To her, Kazuku's combat ability seemed weaker than hers.
"Are you really a ninja?"
Yuna stepped up, comparing their heights.
Finding them similar, she eyed Kazuku's features skeptically. "You're kinda cute, though."
"Yuna," Ashina said sternly, hoping she'd mind her manners.
This was Konoha, not Whirlpool Village.
"Fiiine~" Yuna dragged her tone, hands behind her back, nonchalant. "But I'm just stating facts. He doesn't look stronger than me, let alone Mr. Ashina."
Ashina wasn't Yuna's father, but her guard.
Sometimes, her "princess" attitude left him helpless.
Still, Ashina had no complaints about Tobirama's decision.
The Land of Whirlpools bordered the Land of Fire.
The route to Whirlpool Village was quite safe.
Worst case, they'd face bandits.
In other words, this escort was more symbolic than critical.
That's why Tobirama ranked it C.
Additionally, the Land of Whirlpools' leader, Uzumaki Ashina, signed a friendship treaty with Hashirama.
To show lasting alliance, Tobirama planned to add the Uzumaki crest to ninja uniforms.
The Uzumaki also wielded powerful sealing techniques.
Princess Mito married Hashirama.
From every angle, the Land of Whirlpools was a vital ally.
If Kazuku could grasp this, it'd benefit his future.
"Haha, Miss Yuna's as spirited as ever, but our Kazuku…" Sarutobi started, trying to ease the tension.
But Kazuku stepped toward Yuna, raising his right hand, thumb against middle finger, aiming at her forehead, and flicked.
Pop!
A crisp sound rang out as he flicked her forehead.
Kazuku gauged his strength—it sounded loud but wasn't hard.
Yuna was undeniably cute, with gorgeous red hair and fair, delicate skin.
She'd surely grow into a stunning beauty.
But…
Kazuku wasn't swayed by pretty girls.
Yuna's words clearly belittled him.
And this mission was to a neighboring country.
A girl like Yuna wouldn't keep up with their full-speed travel.
Meaning, the escort could take days.
If she kept talking like this, who could stand it?
What a brat!
Did she think being young meant she could say anything?
Who wasn't a kid here?
Ashina froze, knowing Yuna wouldn't let this slide. "Miss Yuna."
He called, hoping she'd stay calm.
"Huh?"
Yuna's eyes widened, staring at Kazuku in disbelief.
A mere Konoha genin dared flick her forehead?!
Did he know who she was?
Her status.
He dared, in front of everyone, flick her forehead!
"You! Do you know who I am?!"
"I'm Uzumaki Yuna, from the Land of Whirlpools…"
Before she could flaunt her status, Kazuku cut her off.
"You're saying your status is noble, huh?"
Kazuku chuckled.
He hadn't expected someone to challenge him on background.
Not to brag, but in Whirlpool or Konoha, except the unborn Tsunade, anyone comparing backgrounds…
Was outclassed!
"Hiruzen, tell her who I am," Kazuku said firmly.
Tobirama and Sarutobi watched, unbothered.
To them, Kazuku and Yuna were kids.
Squabbles were normal.
But…
In terms of status, Yuna was far below Kazuku.
" Kazuku is the First Hokage's grandson," Sarutobi said plainly.
Ashina froze.
What!
That meant…
Lord Hashirama was his grandfather.
Lord Tobirama, his second grandfather.
The Land of Whirlpools' princess, Uzumaki Mito, was his grandmother!
Even Yuna was dumbfounded.
"You're Lady Mito's grandson?"
(End of Chapter)