Uzumaki Kushina tugged Chi Yu's hand as she marched into the classroom, shocking every brat in the room into silence.
The two were holding hands—boldly, casually, like it was no big deal. But it was a big deal. The loudest, most explosive girl in the class and the mysterious transfer student? Friends?
The class couldn't believe it. The two people they resented most had teamed up.
They couldn't take down Uzumaki Kushina. They couldn't take down Chi Yu either.
And now that the Red-Hot Habanero and the Two-Five idiot had joined forces… how were they supposed to get revenge?
Chi Yu ignored the stunned looks from his classmates. His focus was locked on a single person—Minato Namikaze.
Minato's gaze was fixed on their joined hands.
Chi Yu's eyes narrowed slightly.
So... Minato Namikaze had already fallen for Kushina?
Too bad. This time, Uzumaki Kushina wouldn't end up with him.
Kushina, cheeks dusted pink, pulled Chi Yu to his seat with uncharacteristic gentleness.
She wanted the whole class to know: Chi Yu is my friend.
Just then, their homeroom teacher, Hayabusa-sensei, entered the room and started class.
Chi Yu shook off the tension and shifted into learning mode.
Sure, it was basic academy stuff—chakras, hand seals, battle formations. But Chi Yu knew better than to dismiss the basics. Foundation was everything.
The afternoon passed quickly. When class ended and Hayabusa-sensei left, the room exploded into the usual afterschool chatter as students packed up.
Kushina stood near the door, tense and wary. Her eyes scanned the hallway like she was preparing for war.
Chi Yu raised an eyebrow. "Kushina, what's wrong?"
Kushina whispered, "Those jerks always gang up on me after school. Every day."
Chi Yu's heart twisted. Kushina had been brought to Konoha as a Jinchūriki candidate, a living weapon for the village—and this was how she was treated? Bullied by ignorant kids for something she never chose?
He stepped in front of her.
"Then I'll walk ahead," he said. "If they try anything, we'll take them down together."
Kushina stared at his back, stunned. Her chest warmed. For the first time since coming to Konoha... she had a friend who stood up for her.
They walked out of the academy side by side. No one dared block their path.
Kushina frowned. "Weird... They usually wait at the gates."
Chi Yu smirked. "Maybe you already scared them into submission."
Kushina pumped her fist. "Really?! That's amazing! I was so sick of them!"
Chi Yu reached for her hand again, like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Come on. I'll walk you home."
"Yeah!"
With her hand in his, Kushina suddenly turned quiet. Her usual fire dimmed into a shy glow.
They strolled through the streets of Konoha. A few villagers cast strange glances their way—especially at Chi Yu—but no one said a word. No insults. No glares. Just silence.
Chi Yu figured the rumors had already spread. After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi himself had visited him in the hospital.
Under Kushina's lead, they arrived at the entrance of a large compound—Mito Uzumaki's residence.
Chi Yu gently let go of her hand. "See you tomorrow, Kushina."
Kushina ran to the gate, then spun around and waved. "See you, Chi Yu!"
As she disappeared into the compound, Chi Yu turned toward his own home. His mood was light, his steps almost bouncy.
Inside the residence, Mito Uzumaki was seated in her usual place.
"I'm back!" Kushina called, throwing herself into Mito's arms.
Mito gently stroked Kushina's crimson hair. "You're in such a good mood. Let me guess… Chi Yu's out of the hospital, and now you're friends?"
Kushina buried her face in Mito's chest, mumbling, "Mmhmm."
Mito smiled softly. "So he took the first step, huh? And you two are friends for life now?"
Kushina nodded, eyes sparkling. "Yeah! Forever!"
Over the next few days, the two were inseparable—walking to and from school together, sharing lunches, laughing between classes. Their bond deepened quickly.
Three days later.
After dropping Kushina off at Mito's estate, Chi Yu made his way to the Hokage Building.
He had promised Hiruzen Sarutobi he'd hand over the Lightning Breathing technique. Time to deliver.
Inside the building, a few passing shinobi gave him odd looks—but Chi Yu ignored them and made his way up to the second floor. The Hokage's office door loomed ahead.
He knocked.
"Come in," came Hiruzen's voice.
Chi Yu entered.
Hiruzen smiled. "Chi Yu. Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Chi Yu said, bowing slightly. "Thanks to your care, I've made a full recovery."
"Good to hear. What brings you here?"
Seriously? Chi Yu thought. You don't already know?
He kept the sarcasm to himself and pulled out a scroll.
"This contains the full cultivation method for the Lightning Breathing technique I've been using. I've recorded everything in detail."
Hiruzen took the scroll and opened it. His eyes scanned the pages, his brow rising in surprise.
Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash.
Use lightning-style chakra to stimulate the limbs, infuse the weapon, and release it all in a single explosive burst.
Hiruzen paused. "You wrote that the weapon is infused with chakra… does it need to be chakra metal?"
Chi Yu shook his head. "No, not necessarily. It's about shape transformation. You manipulate the chakra to wrap around the blade. But yes—chakra metal amplifies it."
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe as he continued reading.
His gaze sharpened.
This… isn't just ninjutsu.
No hand seals. Chakra control. Physical burst attacks. Taijutsu-based…
"This is a variant of the Body Flicker Technique," Hiruzen muttered.
It was true. Lightning Breathing didn't fit the mold of traditional ninjutsu. It was more like a high-speed, chakra-enhanced sword style—a secret art worthy of being passed down like a clan technique.