Minazuki Yuki was envious of Itachi's talent, so he deliberately blocked Itachi's promotion to Chunin, all while pretending to be on Itachi's side.
To participate in the Chunin Exams, a team had to be recommended by the lead Jonin under their name, and all team members needed to sign the application.
If the lead Jonin wanted to block a Genin, there was nothing the Genin could do.
In the end, Itachi's promotion was pushed through because Danzo wanted to use him as a pawn. Investigations revealed that Itachi's supervising Jonin was narrow-minded.
Following that, Danzo proposed to Hiruzen Sarutobi that Itachi be promoted exceptionally, bypassing the usual procedures.
"So you must be Uchiha Seiji. I hope you're not like other Uchiha—defiant and ungovernable."
Minazuki Yuki glanced at Seiji, clearly harboring a poor impression of the Uchiha.
Seiji merely nodded slightly, saying nothing.
Seeing this, Minazuki Yuki asked the group to briefly introduce themselves, then led Seiji and the others to receive their mission.
Genin could only take D- or C-rank missions, usually starting from D-rank.
D-rank missions required no combat—mostly miscellaneous tasks.
Minazuki Yuki's mission was to oversee a shop.
Seiji and the other two were responsible for cleaning and purchasing supplies, while Minazuki Yuki went to repair a leaking roof.
"So, this is the mission?"
Asuma Sarutobi had gone from excited to completely bored.
"Obviously, the first missions wouldn't involve fighting other ninjas."
Kurenai glanced at the books on the shelves, occasionally pulling one out to flip through.
It was a bookstore, selling youth-oriented bestsellers.
"A customer's coming."
Seiji spoke.
He thought this mission was far preferable to tracking lost pets or babysitting.
At least he could sit and read ninja scrolls during downtime.
"Oh, it's you."
Approaching them was a red-haired girl, a hairpin clipped into her locks.
"Kushina."
Seiji put down his Fire Release scroll and greeted her.
The shop was centrally located in the village, conveniently within the bounds of the seal restricting Kushina.
"Working here?"
The familiar figure approached, her red hair glinting in the sunlight. A faint weariness lingered in her eyes.
"No, I'm on a mission."
Seiji pointed to the ninja forehead protector on his head.
"I'm a ninja now, here on a mission."
"Seiji… didn't expect you to be a prodigy."
Kushina clenched her small fists and waved them in the air, trying to show her admiration.
"Are you here to buy a book, Kushina?"
Seiji smiled lightly, walking to the door.
"Yeah… just a little bored lately, wanted to see if anything interesting caught my eye."
Kushina lowered her fists, disappointment clear on her beautiful face.
Every day, she was confined to the seal, suffocating from the restriction.
Especially lately—Minato was always busy, leaving less time for her. She felt forgotten in a corner.
"Come, pick something."
Seiji guided Kushina to the new arrivals section.
Kushina furrowed her brow, resting her chin in her hand, looking indecisive.
"This one looks good."
Seiji pulled out a brightly illustrated book, full of vibrant pictures.
The original Kushina wasn't particularly fond of reading.
Naruto inherited her personality, and Naruto disliked books entirely.
Seiji guessed that the momentarily bored Kushina might enjoy a picture-heavy book.
"So many illustrations!"
Kushina flipped through it and found it resembled a comic book, with minimal text—mostly telling the story through images.
"I'll take this one."
She looked up, shaking the book in her hands.
"Alright."
Seiji nodded, bagging the book for her.
As he handed it over, a notification popped up on his skill panel.
"You have acquired a new skill entry: [Entry: Legendary Nine-Tails (White)]"
[Entry: Legendary Nine-Tails (White)]
[Requirement: Initial physical contact with a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki]
[Progress: 10%]
[Effect: Increases vitality of body cells, boosting chakra's healing effect by 5%]
[Note: Can be further upgraded]
"Even just a fingertip counts?"
Seiji glanced at Kushina holding the bag, thoughtfully.
His finger had brushed hers inadvertently, triggering the skill entry.
"Kushina, this is my first successful sale—thank you."
Seiji suddenly grasped her hands, looking genuinely pleased.
"Ah… really?"
Kushina didn't think much of it.
It was only that Seiji held her hands for a bit too long.
When she was about to ask if he would let go, he finally released her.
"Who's that?"
Asuma Sarutobi glanced over, seeing Seiji shaking hands with a red-haired woman.
Her hair seemed familiar, like something his father had mentioned.
"Don't know her."
Kurenai shook her head.
All Uchiha had black hair—this woman clearly wasn't Uchiha.
"Thanks… you really helped a lot."
The shop owner returned after nearly a whole day out, and Minazuki Yuki had repaired the leaking roof.
"Mission complete. Let's head back."
Minazuki Yuki wiped off the water soaking his messy hair and straightened into what he considered a handsome smile, approaching Seiji and Kushina.
"Uchiha Seiji…"
Minazuki Yuki furrowed his brow slightly.
He remembered this woman's name: Uzumaki Kushina, a descendant of the Uzumaki clan who had fled their homeland. She rarely interacted with outsiders, only seen by Minato on occasion.
Yet this woman did match his aesthetic preferences.
"Are Uchiha really this popular?"
Jealousy stirred in Minazuki Yuki's heart.
"Uchiha Seiji, we should go hand over the mission. Don't waste time."
With that, he tidied his water-soaked hair and walked off, convinced of his own charm.
"Hello, I'm Minazuki Yuki."
"Oh… hello."
Kushina nodded, finding it strange: the man had a decent name, but looked unimpressive.
"Seiji, you two should hand over the mission. I'll leave now."
Kushina preferred minimal contact with outsiders. Konoha's elders didn't allow more interaction.
She only approached because Seiji shared a similar situation—otherwise, she wouldn't have been so free.
Having said that, she quickly paid and left with her book bag.
She had completed missions before—but only before becoming a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
After that, she couldn't leave freely and had to constantly be wary of the Nine-Tails' influence within her.
Minazuki Yuki's expression shifted subtly.
He looked at Seiji, lips opening but saying nothing.
Openly opposing an Uchiha? He didn't dare.
(End of Chapter)