"Simu, what was that just now?"
Kushina pointed in the direction of the Forest of Death.
When they arrived, they had heard a massive explosion.
"Oh, that was just Minato testing his new technique. It was terrifying."
Kushina narrowed her eyes.
There was no way she was going to believe Simu's nonsense.
This was the same guy who once called a farmer wielding a hoe terrifying.
Standing beside her, Hyuga Rei held out a lunchbox with both hands.
"Mr. Simu, I made this especially for you. It's your favorite—teriyaki chicken rice."
Simu raised an eyebrow, then grinned from ear to ear.
"Thank you, Rei."
Rei shyly pinched the corner of her clothes.
"You're welcome!" she said softly.
However, it was obvious that her clothes were a little too small—they couldn't keep up with her rapidly growing figure.
"What are you staring at, you perverted bastard?!"
Before Simu could react, Kushina's fist slammed into his face, sending him flying with her monstrous strength.
"Look any longer, and I'll gouge your eyes out!" she huffed.
Kushina then grabbed Rei's hand. "You're way too nice to this damn pervert."
Rei's face turned bright red.
As she grew older, she became increasingly self-conscious about people's gazes.
But if it was Simu-kun...
Thinking about that, her face flushed even more, and she lowered her head in embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Simu recovered from being punched into oblivion and casually stuffed a mouthful of rice into his mouth.
"Ahem—this is really good!"
"As long as you like it," Rei said softly.
Kushina watched the scene unfold, then glanced down at her own chest.
She let out a heavy sigh.
"Why is it that we're both girls... but I haven't grown at all?"
She shook off the thought and turned back to Rei.
"Rei, why don't you stay over at my place tonight?"
"O-Okay..." Rei nodded hesitantly.
Over the past year, she and Kushina had become best friends.
Besides, with both her parents having died in the Second Great Ninja War, there was no one to really look after her.
Unless someone tried to kidnap her for her Byakugan, there weren't many restrictions on where she could go.
Kushina glanced at Simu, who was still happily shoving food into his mouth, and narrowed her eyes.
She wasn't sure what he was thinking.
Soon, night fell.
Kushina lived alone.
As a Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Konoha had specially invited her from the Uzumaki Clan and provided her with a house.
At least they gave her that much.
Lying comfortably in the steaming hot spring, she let out a satisfied sigh.
She patted the surface of the water.
"Come in already, Rei! What are you waiting for?"
"T-That… doesn't seem very appropriate..."
Wrapped in a simple white bath towel, Rei hesitated by the edge of the pool.
Even though Kushina was her best friend, she had never bathed with anyone before.
She couldn't help but feel a little shy.
"Oh, come on!"
With a wicked grin, Kushina lunged forward and dragged Rei into the water.
The two girls splashed around, playing and laughing.
Amid the swirling steam, Kushina's gaze wandered toward Rei's curves—soft and well-defined.
Feeling a little sour, she muttered,
"Rei… do you think boys prefer bigger ones?"
Rei immediately covered herself, her face burning hot.
"T-That's not necessarily true..." she stammered.
Kushina suddenly grabbed Rei's slender waist and squeezed tightly.
"Don't even try to deny it! That pervert Simu has been staring at you all the time!"
Rei's face turned even redder, and she was left speechless.
"As long as you eat more, Kushina, maybe you'll get some too?" Rei offered timidly.
Kushina's face darkened.
She had already tried that.
For an entire month, she ate as much as she could.
But instead of growing in the right places...
She just got fat.
"Ugh! Comparing myself to others is just frustrating!"
Kushina flopped onto her back, floating in the water, letting her happiness drain away.
After a long silence, Rei hesitated before asking softly:
"Kushina... do you like Simu-kun?"
A flicker of embarrassment flashed across Kushina's face.
Immediately, she snapped:
"As if! That guy Simu isn't even good-looking! He's lazy, salty, and totally unmotivated. How could I ever like someone like him?!"
Rei simply gazed at Kushina's flustered expression.
She said nothing.
Kushina suddenly swam closer, eyes narrowing dangerously.
"And you—don't tell me you like that idiot?"
Rei was silent for a moment before whispering:
"I think Mr. Simu is a good person... but I..."
She lowered her gaze, her voice soft.
"I don't think I'm good enough for him."
But then, she quickly lifted her head, a gentle smile blooming on her face.
"But that's okay. As long as I can bring him lunch every day, I'll be happy."
"He loves my cooking, after all!"
Kushina sighed for what felt like the hundredth time that night.
"You silly girl... if anything, Simu isn't good enough for you."
"No, Mr. Simu is actually really great."
It seemed that when it came to Simu, the usually quiet and introverted Hyuga Rei was surprisingly stubborn.
Kushina gazed up at the twinkling stars in the night sky.
Sometimes, she envied Rei.
She was timid, yes.
But when it came to certain things, she had remarkable courage.
"Alright, enough talk. Let's get cleaned up and out of here before we catch a cold."
"Okay."
Kushina and Rei quickly dried off and finished a simple supper.
Just as they were about to settle in for the night—
A strange noise echoed from outside the yard.
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