The afternoon sun bathed the village of Konoha in a warm glow, casting gentle rays over the traditional rooftops and the blooming cherry trees of early spring. Amid the bustle of villagers relaxing or shopping, two small children—a blond boy and a white-eyed girl—walked side by side, enjoying skewers of steaming hot dango.
"This is so good!" Minato exclaimed cheerfully as he chewed. His eyes sparkled as always, and his bright smile truly resembled the golden sunlight accompanying them.
Mizuki simply nodded. Her face remained expressionless, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips. She strolled leisurely beside Minato, holding the same kind of dango skewer, though she only took small bites from time to time. Though she showed little emotion, Mizuki was quietly observing Minato, trying to understand how someone who had lost his parents at such a young age could still grow up to be this warm.
"When I graduate and become a ninja," Minato said with passion, "I want to make this world a more peaceful place. A world where no kids have to lose their families because of war or missions. Maybe... one day I want to become Hokage. Not because I want respect, but so I can protect everyone."
Minato's eyes shone, and he clenched his fists in front of his chest, as if physically holding onto his resolve. Mizuki, listening intently, couldn't help but let her smile grow a little wider.
"You always talk as if everything is possible," Mizuki said calmly. "But somehow... it actually sounds believable when it comes from you."
Minato chuckled and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, I'm just trying to do what I can right now. Starting with the small stuff."
They stopped for a moment by the roadside, beneath a tree whose leaves swayed gently in the breeze. The village felt peaceful that evening. Mizuki looked at Minato again, this time longer than usual. Her gaze lingered on his ever-present smile, and for the first time, she felt something strange.
There was something stirring in her chest. Uncomfortable, yet not painful. A feeling hard to explain.
"Mizuki?" Minato called, turning to her.
Mizuki flinched, her eyes widening slightly before quickly looking away. Her face flushed faintly, and she took a quick bite of her dango to pretend she was busy.
"Ah, sorry... I was just thinking about something," she said quickly, her voice slightly flustered.
Inside her mind, Mizuki was panicking.
'Damn it... Why are you blushing?! Has my male soul fully adapted to this female body?!'
She swallowed hard and tried to calm herself.
'No way!!'
Mizuki fiercely argued with herself in her mind, rejecting the possibility of any feelings beginning to grow.
'I'm just embarrassed because my thoughts were interrupted, that's all. Right! There's no way I have a crush on a boy!'
She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
Meanwhile, Minato simply looked at her with his usual innocent smile.
"You must be thinking about training again, huh? You're always super serious about it. But sometimes, it's okay to relax. Just enjoy the day," Minato said as he walked ahead, finishing off his last bite of dango.
Mizuki stared at his back for a moment. In silence, she felt the harsh, manipulative world she once understood begin to crack under the gentle light of the boy walking in front of her.
She caught up to him and said, "Minato... if you're training by the river again tomorrow, can I come with you? I'm curious about your kunai-throwing technique."
Minato turned with a bright smile. "Of course! I'd be really happy if you came along. But be ready, I won't go easy on you!"
Mizuki smiled. A genuine smile. One of the few that truly came from her heart.
And as the sun began to set behind the mountains, the two children walked side by side, their steps light, as if the world had never known war.
After Danzo began focusing on his ROOT project, Mizuki's training schedule shifted. The daily training sessions were reduced to three times a week. This change matched Danzo's increasingly busy schedule, especially as he began recruiting and structuring his new organization.
Mizuki didn't complain. She knew Danzo was someone who valued results over comfort. So, when given more free time, she used it wisely. Sometimes she trained alone after classes at the academy, but more often, she chose to train with Minato at the practice grounds on the village's outskirts.
"Look at this, Minato. If you can channel chakra smoothly into your palm, you can strengthen your grip—or even stand on water," Mizuki explained while demonstrating a basic chakra control technique.
Minato nodded eagerly, mimicking the motion. "You're amazing, Mizuki. It's like I have my own personal teacher."
Mizuki gave a faint smile. She remembered how Danzo originally disliked the idea of sharing knowledge with outsiders but eventually allowed it—as long as it wasn't classified or sensitive techniques.
"He's not someone suited for ROOT," Danzo had said one night after training.
"Minato?"
"Hn. He's too bright. Too... much like fire. A child like that should shine brightly on the surface, not be buried underground. Let him be a light."
Mizuki lowered her head and nodded. Deep down, she agreed. Minato truly was like the sun—warm, bright, and honest.
A new school year began. Mizuki had already spent a year at the ninja academy. She didn't feel any drastic changes in her body, but her skills and physical endurance had improved significantly.
On a bright morning, their class was in for a surprise: a new student.
It was the first day of the new academic year. Sunlight streamed through the classroom windows, illuminating the curious and eager faces of both new and returning students.
"Good morning, class. Today we have a new student from Uzushio," their teacher announced.
All eyes turned toward the door.
A red-haired girl entered the room confidently. Her eyes were sharp, full of energy, and... defiance.
"My name is Kushina Uzumaki! I'm from Uzushiogakure, and I'll be the first female Hokage!" she declared boldly at the front of the class.
There was a moment of silence.
Then… laughter erupted from many students.
"Hokage? Seriously?"
"With that red hair? You look like a tomato!"
"Tomato! Tomato!"
The jeers echoed throughout the room. Only a few children from noble clans remained quiet, not joining in the ridicule. Mizuki sat calmly, her eyes narrowing as she observed Kushina. Beside her, Minato looked at the new girl with deep curiosity.
Yet Kushina's expression didn't waver. She stood firm, her fists clenched.
"You can laugh now! But one day, I'll make all of you regret it!" she shouted, her aura nearly bursting with chakra.
Mizuki kept her eyes on Kushina, but in her mind echoed Danzo's warning:
"Don't approach her unless she approaches you first. Remember this well, Mizuki. She's not an ordinary girl."
Of course, Mizuki knew who Kushina really was—a bearer of great power, a future Jinchuriki. A 'vessel.' Her identity was too important, too secret. Even for Mizuki, trained under Danzo, this information had to be guarded carefully.
Still, Danzo hadn't issued a strict order to avoid her. No direct prohibition—just a warning not to get too close unless prompted. So Mizuki decided: she would remain neutral. Not seeking interaction, but not avoiding it either.
"Do you think she could actually become Hokage?" Minato whispered to Mizuki as class began.
Mizuki turned to him. "Judging from how she stands and speaks… maybe. But the path to Hokage isn't for the weak-hearted."
Minato smiled. "I think so too. But I like her spirit."
"Hm," Mizuki murmured, her eyes still fixed on Kushina.
For some reason, that day, the class felt more alive than ever.