Time flew by, and three months passed in the blink of an eye. Autumn was approaching.
During this period, Yue's training continued day after day without the slightest relaxation. His progress could only be described as astonishing.
His chakra reserves were steadily increasing, his proficiency in swordsmanship, ninjutsu, and taijutsu improved daily, and the range of his Kagura Mind's Eye expanded. He had also completed the transformation of his chakra into the Lightning Release nature.
Among these, the greatest gain for Yue was Lightning Release. The daily, increasingly intense electrotherapy was sheer torture, but he noticed that his physical strength was improving every day.
After two months of electrotherapy, every aspect of Yue's physical condition had significantly improved.
It was only after Minato explained it to him that Yue realized he had unintentionally achieved a major breakthrough in his nature transformation training—stimulating cellular activity with Lightning Release chakra.
Minato had once told Yue that the fastest ninja he had ever seen was the current Raikage, A. The secret technique of his clan was a form of Lightning Release-enhanced taijutsu.
Back in the war with the Land of Lightning, Minato had encountered A—who was not yet the Raikage at the time—multiple times, as well as his brother, Killer B, the Jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails. Minato had nothing but praise for their strength.
Moreover, A's father, the Third Raikage, was a man who could fight the Eight-Tails head-on alone and, in the Land of Earth, single-handedly battle over ten thousand Iwa-nin for three days and three nights—before ultimately escaping.
Though he died soon after his escape, this feat alone was enough to prove the overwhelming power of Lightning Release taijutsu! Yue thus prioritized studying and training in Lightning Release-enhanced combat.
During a casual conversation with Minato, Yue became curious about what exactly the Eight-Tails was, but before he could ask, their discussion was interrupted by a reporting ninja.
An hour earlier than usual, Yue left the training grounds and returned home. He took 10,000 ryō and a scroll from his savings—money that Minato and Kushina had been giving him as an allowance. It seemed he was planning to go shopping.
He soon arrived at a rather upscale clothing store and stepped inside.
"Ah!"
A young saleswoman noticed Yue's striking red hair and instantly recognized him as the Hokage's son. She quickly approached, crouching slightly to meet his gaze, and asked gently, "Young Master, what can I help you with?"
"Mm… I want to buy some clothes," Yue replied calmly. He disliked unnecessary trouble. Lately, Kushina had been busy and hadn't noticed that his clothes no longer fit. But since this was something he could handle himself, he didn't want to bother her.
"Buying clothes? Do you have any specific preferences, Young Master?" the saleswoman asked with a smile.
"You can pick for me. I'll decide after I see them," Yue replied indifferently. He wasn't good at choosing clothes—so long as they were comfortable, that was enough.
"Understood! Please wait a moment, Young Master."
The saleswoman sized him up. Yue already had the refined appearance of a handsome young boy, though his cold, emotionless eyes made him seem distant. His dazzling red hair only enhanced his striking presence. After pondering for a moment, she nodded to herself and headed toward the store's interior.
Yue found a chair and sat down, patiently waiting for her to return.
About three minutes later, the saleswoman came back, holding a set of clothes: a plain white high-collared short-sleeved shirt and black knee-length shorts—a classic black-and-white combination.
"Young Master, I think this outfit would suit you very well!"
"I think it looks fine," Yue nodded.
"That's great, Young Master! But… would you like to try it on first?"
"I don't think that's necessary. By the way, do you take custom shoe orders?"
"What kind of shoes would you like?"
"Here, take a look at this drawing first."
Yue took out the scroll he had brought and unrolled it on the table.
The drawing depicted a pair of casual shoes—an ordinary design, but if the store could make them, Yue would be satisfied. He was sick of wearing ninja sandals that exposed his toes, constantly worrying about stubbing them.
People always say that fingers are sensitive because they're connected to the heart—well, aren't toes the same?
"That won't be a problem, Young Master! Your shoes will be ready in three days."
"I'd like two pairs. How much in total?"
"The clothes are 1,000 ryō, and since the shoes are custom-made, they'll be a bit pricier—5,000 ryō for both pairs."
After paying, the saleswoman packed Yue's clothes neatly and escorted him to the door with a smile, watching as he left.
"I'm back."
"Just in time for dinner. Huh? Yue, did you go buy clothes? Why didn't you tell me?"
"This kind of thing, I can handle myself. Besides, I have money."
"You really… Well, I have been quite busy lately. I didn't even notice your clothes don't fit anymore. Yue, you've grown taller!"
In just four more months, Yue would turn five, and he was already 120 cm tall. He estimated that he would be around 185 cm when fully grown.
"This outfit looks really nice. Change into it later and show me, okay? Now, go wash your hands—time to eat."
No talking during meals.
Unless necessary, Yue didn't speak while eating. Kushina had long since grown used to his habits. The only sounds in the dining room were the occasional clinking of chopsticks against dishes.
After dinner, mother and son sat together on the couch, watching TV as usual.
But tonight, Yue had something he wanted to ask her.
"Mom, can you tell me about the chakra in your stomach?"
He had long noticed that nearly ninety percent of Kushina's chakra was concentrated in her abdomen, seemingly suppressing something. Lately, he could even sense a different type of chakra mixed with hers.
"Oh… That's a rather unruly guy," Kushina said with a strange look in her eyes, placing a hand on her stomach.
Sensing Yue's curiosity and concern, she decided to tell him her story that night—as a bedtime tale.
"The Nine-Tailed Fox… Mom, you must have suffered a lot, right?"
It took Kushina nearly half an hour to recount her life story. She told it calmly, but Yue found it heart-wrenching.
From her story, Yue learned what Tailed Beasts were—powerful creatures treated as weapons by the great ninja villages.
And weapons, by nature, were meant for killing.
Had Kushina not met someone as righteous and gifted as Minato, her life would have been filled with nothing but misery.
For example, when she became pregnant with Yue, the village elders urged her and Minato to terminate the pregnancy. It was only thanks to the firm stance of Jiraiya, Minato, and Kushina herself that she was able to give birth to him.
She spoke lightly of it, but Yue could imagine the immense pressure they had endured.
For the village, ensuring the stability of a "ticking time bomb" was naturally more important than a single unborn child. Yue understood this logic, but knowing that it affected his mother—and his very existence—still filled him with rage.
"Oh, it wasn't that bad! Anyone who tried to make me suffer got a good beating! Hahaha!"
Kushina, unsure how to respond to Yue's heartfelt words, resorted to her usual brashness.
"You are a great mother," Yue said softly.
Kushina froze. Her eyes shimmered with tears.
She laughed—but still, the tears fell.
Yue wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head in the crook of her arm without another word.
He had never done something so intimate before.
"Yue… Minato and I are so, so proud of you. Being your parents is the greatest honor of our lives!"
Holding Yue tightly, Kushina sobbed uncontrollably.
At that moment, Yue had only one thought: If anyone dared to hurt Kushina, he would kill them.
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