A Long-Lost Sleep
Uchiha Tatsumi had fallen asleep early the previous night.
So this morning, he woke up unusually early. He lay in bed with his eyes closed, only to find that he couldn't fall back asleep.
Without the relentless training on the practice field and Tsunade's late-night surprise attacks, his daily rhythm suddenly felt off.
He got up from the soft bed and slowly put on his Uchiha clan trench coat.
It was still early outside. Under the gentle sunlight, dew glistened on the leaves, gradually evaporating into a fine mist. Mikoto hadn't come knocking at his door this morning.
She was probably exhausted after this week's intense training.
So, Uchiha Tatsumi made breakfast himself. Though cooking wasn't his strong suit, he still had to eat—no way around it.
After eating, he stepped out of the Uchiha compound and walked leisurely to the Academy.
"Yo, good morning, Watergate." As Uchiha Tatsumi entered through the school gates, he bumped into Minato.
"Good morning, Tatsumi. You're here early today." Minato, already accustomed to his presence, smiled.
"What's up, Minato? You look kind of out of it," Tatsumi asked, a bit concerned. It was rare to see the usually energetic "Little Sun" so downcast.
"Well… I got caught by the Konoha Military Police yesterday," Minato said weakly.
"Huh? Why'd the Uchiha Police catch you?" Tatsumi blinked, puzzled.
Those Uchiha guys from the Police Force don't even ask questions before arresting people. They even dared to lay hands on someone from the clan... He looked around but held back from saying it aloud.
"It was because of Jiraiya-sensei. He said that collecting 'research material' would help train our stealth skills and improve observation. So, I followed him around to collect data… but he bailed when we got caught, and I was the one who ended up detained by the Police Force…"
Tatsumi nodded thoughtfully. So that's how it started... No wonder Minato eventually becomes the fastest shinobi in the world. Trauma builds speed.
"Your weekly experience sounds like a horror-adventure story," Tatsumi chuckled.
"So, how'd you get released? Peeping isn't exactly a minor offense," Tatsumi asked.
"Well… if people ask me stuff, I just smile." Minato shrugged.
"…So you used the innocent act, huh? Or maybe just your natural dumb look," Tatsumi nodded sagely. "Makes sense. You're six. They probably figured you didn't understand what you were doing."
"Aha… ha ha…" Minato scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
The two walked into the classroom and found their seats.
Soon, the room filled up with students.
"Mikoto, good morning," Tatsumi greeted.
"Morning, Tatsumi," Mikoto replied hurriedly.
"Why so late today?" he asked.
"I was really worn out from this past week's training. Overslept a little."
As class was about to start, Tatsumi noticed that Nawaki's seat was still empty. The boy usually arrived early.
"Hey, Minato, where's Nawaki? Wasn't he training under Jiraiya too? You guys were supposed to be together."
"Well… he was caught reading Jiraiya-sama's latest novel. Then Tsunade-sama came and dragged him off. I think I overheard her saying something about selling him to a traveling merchant…"
"Oh. Guess I'll have to find him in the Land of Iron someday. Hope he's doing okay," Tatsumi said solemnly.
---
Later That Morning…
Their homeroom teacher, Mr. Nishimura, stepped up to the front of the class.
"Due to some special circumstances, we have a transfer student joining us today," he said, addressing the class.
"She comes from outside the village, so I hope everyone treats her kindly."
"Yes~!" the children chorused.
"Do you think it'll be a girl?"
"I hope it's a boy who's as handsome as Uchiha Tatsumi," another whispered, prompting giggles and chatter.
"Kushina-san, come in."
"Hearing the name, I think she'll be cute. Aren't you curious, Tatsumi?" Mikoto whispered beside him.
"Yeah. Cute name. Probably a cute face too," Tatsumi said with a sly grin.
"You know her?" Minato asked.
Tatsumi was about to nod but caught Mikoto's soft gaze and wisely chose silence.
Kushina walked in nervously, wearing a white shinobi uniform with black sleeves. Her long red hair trailed down her back.
She scanned the room and spotted Tatsumi sitting near the window. Her eyes lit up, and she smiled faintly.
The classroom erupted into murmurs.
"Wow, she's cute."
"Her hair's red—how weird."
"Never seen that before…"
Kushina's face turned beet red, and she stumbled over her introduction.
"I-I'm Uzumaki Kushina! I'll become the first female Hokage of Konoha!"
The classroom burst into laughter and disbelief.
"She wants to be Hokage? But she's from outside the village."
"Yeah, how ridiculous."
"A foreigner wants to become the strongest person in the village?"
Kushina stood there, face flushed like a tomato, frozen.
Tch… she blew it, Tatsumi thought, rubbing his forehead. She probably just wanted to be accepted… but these kids clearly aren't ready to welcome an outsider with that kind of dream.
"Sensei, I support Kushina to become the Fourth Hokage of Konohagakure. When the time comes, I'll cast my vote for her," Tatsumi said, raising his hand and addressing Mr. Nishimura, who looked a little overwhelmed by the classroom chaos.
As expected, silence fell.
Every eye turned to Uchiha Tatsumi.
"Well, if Tatsumi supports her, then I'll vote too!"
"Me too!"
"Count me in!"
The girls quickly joined in, forming an impromptu support group.
"Wha—?!" Minato looked stunned. "Wait a sec, Tatsumi! Didn't you tell me at Ichiraku Ramen that you were going to vote for me? I even paid for your noodles!"
"You—! You traitor! Are you the type to abandon your friends for a cute girl?!"
Tatsumi ignored his accusatory stare.
Mikoto was also giving him a look, but most of the class now focused their attention on Tatsumi, and Kushina's embarrassment slowly began to fade.
From outside the door, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, silently observed. He smiled, adjusted his hat, and walked off without a word.