"That's Uzumaki Akiko," Kushina said, surprised, as she looked at the unscious girl.

  "Oh, you know her?" Shin didn't reize the girl, but it seemed Kushina did.

  "We've met a few times, but we're not close."

  Kushina was only really close to Shin. She kher kids in the , but they weren't friends.

  A short while ter, Akiko woke up. She looked around in a panic, but calmed down when she saw Shin and Kushina's red hair.

  Red hair was a trademark of the Uzumaki . Of course, there were exceptions, like Chōji Akimichi's father, Chōza, who also had red hair.

  But most people associated red hair with the Uzumaki.

  "Who are you?"

  Akiko didn't reize Shin and Kushina. She guessed they were Uzumaki survivors, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

  It wasn't surprising that she didn't know them. Shin and Kushina lived far from the grounds.

  Evehey had lived within the , they hadn't ied much. Shin had never even seen Akiko before.

  "Same as you," Shin replied simply.

  Akiko fell silent, her eyes filled with sadness as she looked at the destru arouears streamed down her face as she thought of her parents.

  "Should we fort her?" Kushina asked Shin.

  "How? Let her cry. She'll have to rely on herself from now on. Being strong is better."

  Shin shook his head and sat on a nearby rock, pting their future.

  He had two choices: leave with Kushina and live a life on the run, or wait for Konoha's reinforts and go with them to Konoha.

  He g Kushina and made up his mind. They would go to Konoha.

  It was the safer option. With their distinctive red hair, wandering around would make them targets.

  And as two young children, where could they even go? It would be incredibly difficult.

  Going to Konoha offered safety and security. As long as they didn't draw too much attention to themselves, they would be fine.

  Especially with Uzumaki Mito still alive. Even the scheming Danzō wouldn't dare try anything.

  In Konoha, Shin could also learn the basics of being a Shinobi, which were essential.

  Konoha was the best choice. But if they went there, he would have to ge Kushina's fate as the ails Jinchūriki.

  He didn't want that for her. The ails' power was immense, a great asset if used correctly, but it was also a tig time bomb.

  And being the ails Jinchūriki meant a life under stant surveilnce, with Anbu watg your every move.

  As for himself, Shin never wao bee a Jinchūriki. He simply didn't he ails.

  With his Perfect Sage Body, once he grew stronger, he could take on the ails single-handedly.

  And with his Sharingan, he could probably subdue the beast with a gnce.

  With the System at his disposal, why would he he ails?

  But most importantly, he didn't want something else living inside him. It was an uling thought.

  Shin's gaze shifted to Akiko. It wasn't just him and Kushina anymore; there was another Uzumaki survivor to sider.

  "Kushina, e here. I o talk to you."

  Kushina, though curious, walked over.

  "Kushina, Konoha's reinforts might arrive soon. They might take us to Konoha. If we go, remember, don't stand out too much."

  Shin advised.

  When choosing a Jinchūriki, they would look for someoh talent. Standing out too much might attract the attention of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the shadowy Danzō.

  Hiruzen would be fine, but Danzō... that was a different story.

  Kushina didn't uand why Shin was saying this, but she nodded, itting his words to memory.

  Another day passed. The sun began to set, casting long, eerie shadows over the blood-soaked ruins of Uzushiogakure.

  *Thump! Thump! Thump!*

  "Footsteps?"

  Shin's senses went on high alert. His left hao his pouch, gripping an Explosive Tag. His right hand held a katana.

  He was a bit small to be wielding a katana, but he had found it among the debris. It had a few chips, but it was still usable.

  Kushina moved closer to Shin, and Akikhtened, huddled o them.

  "Three kids?"

  A woman with striking blonde hair and cold eyes approached them.

  Despite her beauty, her expression was intimidating.

  Several other ninja followed behind her.

  "You're Uzumaki, right? Don't be afraid. I'm a Konoha Shinobi. My name is Tsunade."

  Tsunade's harsh gaze softened. Seeing the state of Uzushiogakure had filled her with rage, hence her initial ess.

  Hearing her name, Shin rexed, but he couldn't help but stare. He couldn't believe this was Tsunade.

  She was so... ft. He couldn't fathom how she would transform into the, well, busty woman she would bee.

  "Are you all that's left of the Uzumaki ?" Tsunade asked.

  "I don't know. Maybe there are other survivors."

  Shin was certain there were others, but they had either escaped the Land of Whirlpools or were in hiding.

  "Let's search the area. See if we find anyone else. Damn it, if I find out who did this, I'll..."

  Tsunade's killing i fred. The Uzumaki were her grandmother's people. They had a long-standing alliah the Senju .

  During the Warring States Period, the Uzumaki had fought alongside the Senju against the Uchiha.

  Tsunade was furious, but it was useless now. She had rushed to the Land of Whirlpools as soon as she received the news, but it was too te.

  The enemy had annihited the Uzumaki a single night. They must have phis for a long time.

  Shin couldn't help but roll his eyes at Tsuough talk. Empty threats were so childish.

  Unfortunately, Tsunade caught his expression. She gred at him. This little brat was looking down on her?

  "Hey, brat, what was that look for?"

  "What look?" Shin feigned innoce.

  "Don't py dumb. I saw you. You were totally dissing me."

  Shin wao nod, but he thought better of it. Tsunade was known for her temper; she might just punch him.

  "Nope, not me. You must be mistaken," Shin denied, maintaining his facade of innoce.

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