In Naruto With Pocket Hunting

Monday, August 11th.

The sounds of birds singing and sunlight streaming through my window pulled me out of my meditative state.

My eyes opened slowly, and, without me realizing, at that moment, they seemed to carry the flames of the fire tree.

It wasn't until I went to the bathroom and looked at my reflection in the mirror that I noticed it.

'This isn't going to stay like this, is it?' I thought, touching my face with my right hand. I raised my index finger toward my eye but didn't feel as though it was burning. It was something more spectral.

It reminded me a little of Sawada from the anime Katekyō Hitman Reborn, though his flames burned on his hands and forehead.

I closed my eyes tightly and focused. As I did, I felt something like a switch connected to my eyes. The moment I "turned it off," I opened my eyes again.

"Phew~"

Seeing my eyes had returned to normal—or almost—I noticed a red ring now encircled my pupils. Still, it was better than leaving them looking like they were on fire.

With that minor problem resolved, I thought: 'Could this have some kind of ocular power?'

It would be stranger if it didn't, I guess. Otherwise, these flames manifesting in my eyes wouldn't make any sense.

However, the effect didn't seem too apparent. So far, I hadn't felt anything different—aside from the aesthetic change, of course.

Setting that aside for now, I decided to test my current level of affinity with the Fire Style.

Forming hand seals, I grasped my left wrist with my right hand shaped like a claw. Starting with my fingers, flames began to manifest. At first, they were like tiny candlelights but quickly intensified, becoming as powerful as a flamethrower.

I closed my fist, and a heavy sound echoed from my palm as the flames extinguished, lightly burning the air before dissipating with the motion.

I wanted to perform more tests, but I didn't have a proper place for it.

Even so, I managed to control the anxiety of exploring my new power. After all, I was certain I'd have a chance to test it later in the hunting dimension.

For now, I used the "Transformation" to restore my eyes to their original appearance.

--

--

[P.O.V – Kushina]

An Incredibly Quiet Morning

Yesterday, the Senju Clan's servants informed us they would need to take the day off for various reasons, mostly due to family issues.

Because of this, even on the calmest mornings, there was always some sound of one of the servants doing something, but today was surprisingly silent.

In the kitchen, I rolled up my sleeves, put on a light blue apron, and said to no one in particular, trying to motivate myself:

"Well then, I'm going to make something delicious! I bet Nawaki will be hungry when he wakes up."

While preparing breakfast, I recalled a day about three years ago.

It was late in the afternoon when I came home, and just like today, it was very quiet because the servants were also on leave.

When I saw those ninjas invading the mansion... my heart froze. I screamed for help, and as I was captured, I thought my fate was sealed, full of uncertainty. But then, he appeared like a ray of hope for me.

That memory was a bittersweet one for me. Somehow, my mood improved significantly, and I began humming "Count on Me" while cooking.

"Ooh, ooh, yeah, yeah~♫"

That song was something I had seen Nawaki singing one day and forc—uh, gently asked him to teach me.

I loved humming it whenever I was doing something, especially while cooking.

Just as I was about to finish, I heard footsteps on the wooden floor.

I turned and smiled: "Good morning, Nawaki."

"Kushina." He smiled back, "Good morning."

"You're in luck! Kushina's special breakfast is ready~!" I said, flashing a peace sign and smiling with my eyes closed.

He chuckled softly, his voice vibrating slightly in his throat as he said: "Haha, I really am lucky because of that."

Hearing his words filled me with happiness, so much so that I could hardly hide it. After setting the table with Nawaki's help, we sat across from each other and started eating.

Even though Nawaki and I were almost the same age, I always felt he exuded a sense of reliability and elegance, especially in his table manners.

The way he ate was unlike anything I had ever seen. It had an indescribable charm.

I had tried imitating him before, but unfortunately, I couldn't pull it off...

"I see the mansion is empty," he commented.

"Yes, the servants asked for the day off yesterday," I replied.

The reason Nawaki didn't know, even though he was the heir to the Senju Clan, was simple: he seemed busy when the servants tried to tell him about it, so they ended up notifying me instead. Well... some things happened, and I forgot to tell him afterward.

"I see," he said, seeming unconcerned. But his next words made me furrow my brow: "Kushina, there's a good chance I'll be called out on a mission today."

I was obviously confused and asked, "But isn't this your week off?"

"Hmm." He nodded, adding: "But I have a feeling I'll be sent out, even though it's my break."

It was quite peculiar, to say the least. But for some reason, I began to feel anxious, believing this would actually happen.

"Is Nawaki-sama here?"

Just as we were about to finish eating, someone came looking for Nawaki. My heart skipped a beat, accompanied by an odd sense of foreboding.

And, just as predicted, Nawaki was summoned by the Third Hokage for an urgent call.

--

--

[P.O.V – Third Person]

When the ANBU ninja arrived, Nawaki, who seemed to have already anticipated this, showed no surprise.

Before leaving, he went to his room and dismissed the ANBU.

He put on his ninja attire, which consisted of a standard Jōnin shinobi vest with a small modification to the collar, where the Senju Clan symbol appeared on each side. He also wore dark blue pants and a long-sleeved shirt beneath the vest. On his hands, he donned a pair of fingerless gloves with metal plates on them.

However, before leaving, Nawaki did something unusual...

He created a shadow clone and had it disguise itself as a pillow on his bed.

--

--

[Hokage's Office]

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Hokage-sama, Nawaki-sama is here."

"Let him in."

The door opened, revealing the secretary. She was a simple-looking woman, wearing square-framed glasses and her black hair tied up in a high bun, dressed in formal attire.

After bowing, she stepped aside to allow him entry.

Nawaki, who stood beside her, entered the office.

There, he spotted three people—counting the Third Hokage: Sakumo and Minato.

'Why them? I thought Sakumo was out on a mission...' Nawaki thought, keeping his emotions in check, before turning his gaze to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Third, what could be so urgent that you had to summon me on my day off?" Nawaki asked, displeased.

"You came. Good morning." Instead of answering his question, Hiruzen, with his signature pipe in hand, took a puff—not too long, not too short. Then, he blew a smoke ring that floated in the air before beginning to dissipate.

Hiruzen had reached an age where, before addressing any topic—especially serious ones—he liked to create a unique atmosphere.

He seemed to believe that smoking while making others wait gave him an air of wisdom and authority.

Knowing him well enough to be familiar with his peculiarities, Nawaki turned to Sakumo, exchanging a polite nod. However, when it came to Minato, he was met with a cold shoulder—just a simple, distant nod, colder than two strangers passing each other on the street.

Shrugging indifferently, Nawaki turned his attention back to Hiruzen.

"As you might have already guessed," Hiruzen finally decided to speak, tapping the ashes out of his pipe, "there's an urgent mission that requires you—or rather, only with your involvement can the chances of success increase."

This made Nawaki raise an eyebrow at him. "Oh? What kind of mission specifically needs my presence?"

Hiruzen's eyes became more serious as he replied: "An ultra-secret mission of the kind where, if something goes wrong, you'll need to use the Flying Raijin Technique to escape as quickly as possible!"

"Gulp..."

Hearing someone swallow hard, Nawaki glanced over and saw it was Minato.

Looking back at Hiruzen, instead of feeling nervous, Nawaki smiled.

"I see. So, I don't really have a choice," Nawaki said, before asking, "Is it just the three of us on this mission?"

"I understand very well the limitations of the Flying Raijin," Hiruzen spoke slowly. "That technique is not easy to use while carrying someone, and the fewer people with the user, the better the outcome."

"Thank you for explaining my own technique to me," Nawaki replied with a slightly sarcastic smile.

Sighing, Hiruzen continued: "I'm being serious here, Nawaki."

"Okay, okay." Nawaki raised his hands in mock surrender.

Placing the pipe on the desk, Hiruzen went on: "That's why only you and Sakumo will participate in this mission."

Nawaki paused.

His gaze shifted back and forth between Minato and Hiruzen.

"So..." He asked, "Why is Minato here then?"

"He has another highly important mission that I need him to carry out for me," Hiruzen said without elaborating. "Alright, you can leave with Sakumo. He'll explain the mission details on the way."

"Nawaki-kun, shall we?" Sakumo called with a gentle smile.

Before leaving, Nawaki gave one last look, alternating between Hiruzen and Minato.

Incidentally, when Hiruzen mentioned that Minato wouldn't be joining their mission, Minato's poker face faltered slightly, revealing a moment of relief.

–

–

Now, with only Minato and Hiruzen left in the office, Hiruzen took an ANBU mask and placed it on the desk, pushing it forward.

"Minato, you," Hiruzen said, "disguise yourself as an ANBU member and go to the Senju Clan."

"This..." Minato seemed hesitant. "The same as three years ago?"

"Yes," Hiruzen replied. "I suspect someone will try to do it again. That's why I need someone I can trust for this mission, and I can only rely on you. Do you understand?"

"I understand." Minato grew serious, making a vow with his fist pressed against his chest.

"By the way, Minato," Hiruzen began, seemingly bringing up something unrelated, "you know, women, when they're nervous or scared, tend to calm down when you compliment their appearance, especially their hair."

"This is..." Minato didn't quite understand at first. He had heard the same thing three years ago, and now he was hearing it again. However, even without knowing if there was some hidden meaning in Hiruzen's words, he responded firmly: "I understand. I will do my best to meet all the expectations you've placed on me!"