Six had passed since Kushina started living in Konoha, although she struggled to find people who accepted her, she was very grateful for the few who did and loved them dearly.
Other than Shitsuya who was the first to accept her and call her hair beautiful, Kushina grew close to both his mother, Kurumi Uchiha and his best friend Minato Namikaze.
A year ago she even met Uzumaki Mito who taught her all her knowledge of seals and passed on the responsibility of sealing the Nine tails inside her.
Earlier this year, Kushina graduated from the academy at the age of 12 and became a ninja of the hidden leaf.
Today, instead of wearing her headband she wore a black mourning dress and left to the Konoha cemetery.
Kushina was here today for the funeral service of not one but two people.
Mitsuki Uchiha, Shitsuya grandfather had fallen ill a few years ago and his health slowly deteriorated and he passed away.
Soon after his healthy wife passed away as well. Kushina thought it was beautiful that Mitsuki meant so much to his wife that she couldn't live without him.
The funeral service had many people as most of the Uchiha clan came to pay their respects and even many powerful figures in Konoha like Danzo and the Third Hokage attended which showed Mitsuki's status while he was alive.
Kushina comforted Kurumi and the third Hokage gave a speech before leaving as everyone offered kind words to Kurumi before leaving.
"Auntie, let's go back it's already late." Kushina said as the sky turned dark.
"I never liked my parents when I was young, I still don't like them now that I'm older." Kurumi suddenly spoke.
"Still I never hated them." she said.
"I had a vision recently."
"I saw Shitsuya's severed head cradled in a woman arms, if something were to happen to him I-"
"Nothing's gonna happen, he's doing fine. He just sent a letter yesterday and he will continue to send letters every week." Kushina interrupted Kurumi before dragging her back home.
But even as Kurumi said so she couldn't help but feel a strange pressure in her chest that threatened to suffocate her.
******
Somewhere in the land of water, Jinpachi yawned as he scratched his right eye.
Down below Shitsuya and Juzo had just finished an exchange.
After a dozen such exchanges many numerous small cuts built up on Shitsuya's body as he barely avoided being cleaved in half by Juzo each time.
Although Juzo wasn't that versatile he was still an exceptional swordsman, without Shitsuya's two tomoe Sharingan granting him an advantage Shitsuya would have already lost.
Still the main issue didn't lay in defeating Juzo, he had to do so before Jinpachi had the chance to interfere.
Although Jinpachi seemed relaxed and uncaring, Shitsuya was sure that he would interfere if Shitsuya gained the upper hand over Juzo.
Seeing a bird fly overhead Shitsuya saw his opportunity.
A bird landed on Jinpachi's shoulder, reaching for it, it flapped it's wings and landed on his fingers.
Watching the bird for a moment as it preened it's feathers he was mesmerized for a second before his instincts warned him and he shook it away and looked down at the battle below.
Jinpachi's single eye widened as he watched Shitsuya stab a Kunai deep into Juzo's chest.
Shitsuya had to divert some of his attention away from Juzo to start his distraction on Jinpachi.
Juzo picked up on his momentary distraction as he swung his massive blade down at Shitsuya with all his strength.
As the blade approached Shitsuya it slowed down suddenly in Shitsuya's vision allowing him to avoid being cut in half as he moved to the side.
His speed was still lacking as the sword cut through his flesh without resistance and his right arm wielding his sword was cut off from the shoulder.
The sword continued it's trajectory cutting deep into the ground.
Shitsuya grabbed a Kunai with his left hand and lunged at Juzo.
Juzo who couldn't free his sword in time was caught wide open as Shitsuya coated his Kunai in earth chakra and plunged into Juzo's chest piercing his heart.
Juzo with his last effort hugged Shitsuya's body tightly as Jinpachi apparently from besides them and roared as he swung his sword.
The earth shook as a massive explosion erupted in the forest and the birds few out of the trees into the distance.
Blood, pulp and fragments of bones flew as both Juzo and Shitsuya were blown to bit.
Jinpachi shook his head as he pick up the hilt of Juzo's sword who's blade had been destroyed.
Soon he noticed a few of the corpse fragments disappeared as Shitsuya appeared like a mirage.
Before Shitsuya could react, Jinpachi struck him with the hilt of Juzo's sword knocking him out cold.
Grabbing Shitsuya, Jinpachi sighed as he walked towards the village.
Two swordsman engaged against a nameless young spy but in home territory yet one was killed, the Mizukage would definitely take it out on him.
[A/N: Things are finally going to get fun.]