Morning classes finally ended, and the students spilled out, eager to head home.
At the center of the room, Uzumaki Kushina found herself surrounded by several boys.
"Tomato! From today on, you're Tomato!" one snickered. "Round face, red hair—what else could you be?"
"Hahaha, how can a tomato dream of becoming Hokage?"
"I hate tomatoes!" another chimed in.
"Me too! If there's tomato in my salad, I toss it!"
"An unpopular tomato trying to win over the village? What a joke!"
Laughter erupted around her.
Kushina's lips tightened as she puffed her cheeks in frustration, unable to find words to fight back. The cruel thing was—they weren't entirely wrong. With her red hair and flushed face, she did look a bit like a tomato.
Then one boy smirked, pointing toward the back of the room. "An unpopular tomato and an unpopular traitor. No wonder you two sit together."
"Tomato and traitor! A perfect match!"
The laughter grew louder.
Chiba—the "traitor" they mocked—curled his lip in irritation. He'd been branded that name because of the whispers among parents, a stigma carried from the moment he enrolled.
When the teasing turned nastier, dragging Kushina down with him, Chiba finally stood. His gaze flicked briefly toward Namikaze Minato, who was watching silently. Minato's eyes showed concern but no movement to intervene. That hesitation was enough for Chiba to act.
Just as one brat yanked on Kushina's hair, shouting, "It's tomato season! Time to harvest!"—Chiba walked up quietly behind him.
"Hey," he said evenly. "Mind moving aside?"
The group spun toward him, sneering. "You think we'll listen to a half-breed traitor like you? Get lost!"
Chiba's tone stayed calm. "If you pick a fight here, you'll just embarrass yourselves."
They froze. Everyone in class knew—Chiba had fought back before. Despite his isolation, his Senju bloodline gave him formidable strength. He had once taken on a whole group alone and walked away without a scratch.
The bullies hesitated, eyes darting.
Without another word, Chiba brushed past them, bumping his shoulder into the boy holding Kushina's hair. He stepped between them, then started toward the door.
But as he reached the hallway, he paused, frowning.
Wait… this is Uzumaki Kushina we're talking about.
A second later, the classroom erupted in shouts.
"Who are you calling Tomato?! I hate tomatoes too!"
There was a thud—then another.
When Chiba peeked back inside, Kushina had already taken down the whole group. With fierce energy, she grabbed the same kid who'd pulled her hair and tossed him across the room.
"Say it again! Call me Tomato one more time and I'll show you how spicy tomatoes can be!" she yelled, pummeling him with her fists.
Minato couldn't help but chuckle quietly.
Kushina noticed and glared at him. "What's so funny, huh?!"
Minato quickly turned his head away, smiling awkwardly.
By the afternoon, calm had returned. Chiba ate a rice ball from the convenience store at his desk while listening to Instructor Masada Hayabusa's lecture. Across the room, Kushina sat with her arms crossed, cheeks puffed.
Chiba glanced at the bullies—each one sporting fresh lumps on their heads—and nearly smirked. She's probably mad she didn't hit them harder.
Throughout class, he could feel Kushina's eyes sneaking glances at him. Over and over again.
By the time the final bell rang, he was more exhausted by her stares than the lesson itself.
When school ended, Chiba grabbed his bag and left quickly. His thoughts were already drifting toward training—toward Thunder Breathing.
He didn't notice Kushina halfway raising her hand, hesitating.
She wanted to thank him… or maybe just talk. After all, both of them were outsiders—mocked, misunderstood, and alone. And for a brief moment, when he stood up for her, she'd felt something she hadn't in a long time—connection.
Gathering her courage, she clenched her fists and ran after him.
But Chiba was already halfway down the street, walking fast.
"Hey! Wait!" Kushina's voice echoed as she sprinted with her short legs, chasing him all the way to the outskirts of Konoha.
Chiba turned in surprise when he heard her. She stopped in front of him, panting hard, hands on her knees.
He walked closer, softening his tone. "Something you wanted to say?"
After catching her breath, Kushina straightened, eyes bright. She thrust out her hand. "My name is Uzumaki Kushina!"
Chiba blinked, studying her.
Her determination wavered under his calm stare.
"I'm Chiba," he replied quietly, shaking her hand briefly before letting go.
"Chiba?" she asked, tilting her head. "Is that your first name or your last name?"
"First name. I… don't have a last name."
Her eyes widened. "No last name? That's weird."
Ignoring the comment, Chiba asked gently, "So what did you want to talk about?"
Kushina took a deep breath. "I want to be friends with you!"
Chiba wasn't surprised. He had already guessed as much.
"Kushina," he said slowly, "you saw what happens to me at school."
"Yeah," she said with a small smile, "you're just like me—alone."
Chiba shook his head. "No. Your situation's different. The village will accept you one day. I'm the one they've already decided to reject. If you become my friend, they'll reject you too."
Her smile faltered.
"It's only your first day. Those kids were just bullies. You'll make real friends soon," Chiba continued. "Maybe… ask the teacher to change your seat. It'll be easier that way."
He gave her a polite nod. "It's getting late. You should head home. Goodbye, Uzumaki Kushina."
He turned and walked away, his steps quiet but firm.
Kushina stood there, staring at his fading figure. Her shoulders dropped as she whispered softly, "Goodbye… Chiba."
For the first time that day, the fiery Uzumaki felt the sting of silence.