Hana looked at her mother and asked, "Mom, why do the other villagers and their children hate us? Why don't they ever play with us?"
Kushina sighed, the weight of the question evident on her face. She knelt to Hana's eye level and gently brushed a strand of hair from her daughter's face. "Dear, I wish that night had never happened. I wish your father was still here with us. But it did happen, and because of that, people fear what they don't understand. When you both turn twelve, I promise to tell you the truth about that night."
Naruto, ever the protector, stepped forward with a grin. "Mom, don't worry. We'll never hate you. We'll always be by your side." He ruffled Hana's hair playfully, then added with a mischievous smirk, "And if no one wants to marry Hana, I'll marry her myself. We'll live happily, just like you wish. Heck, if it makes you happy, I'll marry you too!"
Kushina and Hana froze for a moment, then burst into laughter, tears forming in their eyes—not from sadness, but from relief and love. Hana hugged Naruto tightly, her small frame shaking with quiet sobs.
Kushina joined the embrace, her arms wrapping around both of her children. "I'm so proud of you, Naruto," she whispered, her voice soft and filled with emotion. "And you too, Hana. You're both my everything. I couldn't ask for more."
For a moment, the world outside didn't matter. The whispers, the glares, the hatred—they all faded in the warmth of their family bond.
"Alright, alright," Kushina said, wiping her tears and standing. "You two go wash up. Dinner's ready, and I made your favorite—Shoyu Ramen."
The savory aroma of the soy-based broth filled the house, and Naruto and Hana's eyes lit up with excitement. They quickly washed up and rushed to the table, where bowls of steaming ramen awaited them, topped with tender slices of pork belly, boiled eggs, green onions, and sheets of nori.
But Kushina wasn't done. "Wait a minute, you two! I made a side dish as well." She returned from the kitchen with plates of Agedashi Tofu, golden and crispy, resting in a light, fragrant broth, garnished with green onions and bonito flakes.
"Mom, you're the best!" Naruto said, digging in with gusto.
Hana nodded enthusiastically. "It's delicious, Mom!"
The meal was filled with laughter and chatter, the burdens of the day temporarily forgotten. After dinner, Naruto and Hana helped clean up before heading to their rooms.
As they settled in for the night, Naruto called out, "Hana, do you have a moment?"
"Of course, onii-chan. I always have time for you," she replied with a warm smile.
Naruto leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I've been thinking. We need to get stronger—to protect Mom and ourselves. What do you say we start training in secret? We'll go to Training Ground 7 at night, away from everyone else."
Hana's eyes sparkled with determination. "Yes! Let's do it! But... how do we start?"
Naruto grinned. "We'll cultivate our chakra, practice controlling nature energy, and master jutsu. We'll make sure no one can ever hurt our family again."
Hana nodded firmly, her resolve matching her brother's. "Alright, onii-chan. Let's do this."
Naruto patted her head gently, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. "Good girl. Let's keep this between us, okay?"
Unbeknownst to them, Kushina had been listening from the doorway. She had come to check on them, intending to tell them a bedtime story, but their conversation had stopped her in her tracks.
A small smile played on her lips as she thought, You're both so much like your father. Strong, determined, and filled with love.
She knocked lightly on the door. "Are you two asleep yet, or should I tell you a bedtime story?"
There was no response. Peeking inside, she saw them lying in their beds, pretending to sleep. She chuckled softly. "Goodnight, my little shinobi," she whispered before quietly closing the door.
But Kushina wasn't done for the night. Using a Shadow Clone Jutsu, she left a clone behind to watch over the house while she made her way to Training Ground 7.
From a distance, hidden among the trees, she watched as her children began their secret training under the moonlit sky. They stumbled and fell but picked themselves up each time, determination burning in their eyes.
Kushina's heart swelled with pride. Minato, our children... they're growing up to be strong—stronger than either of us could have imagined.
As Naruto and Hana practiced, unaware of their mother's watchful gaze, the moon shone brightly above them, a silent witness to the bonds of love and power that would one day shape their destiny.