Naruto : The ultimate Troublemaker

"Minato!" she exclaimed joyfully, before noticing Shikai. "And you must be the famous Shikai."

Shikai looked at her,

"It seems Minato had already planned with his wife in advance."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, the most beautiful and powerful kunoichi of the village, Kushina Uzumaki."

Minato gave her a thumbs up, acknowledging his words.

"Sorry to disturb you, but Hokage-sama told me you could teach me Fūinjutsu," he said directly.

Kushina crossed her arms, amused. "Oh, really? And what can you do to deserve such an education?"

Shikai hesitated, but Minato intervened. "He'll help you with some tasks, Kushina. Consider it a favor for a favor."

Kushina burst into laughter. "Of course, why not! Come on, kid. Follow me."

'Why do I feel like I've sold my soul?' Shikai wondered, as his instincts kept him on alert.

***

Shikai woke up early, more out of obligation than desire. Since he had agreed to take care of "some tasks" for Kushina, his days had become a mix of chores and intense training. That morning, he found himself sweeping the backyard of the Uzumaki house, his forehead already beaded with sweat despite the morning chill.

"You call this clean?" Kushina said as she came out of the house, one hand on her hip and a mischievous smile on her face.

Shikai, his eyebrows furrowed, gave the courtyard a glance. Every speck of dust seemed to have evaporated under his tireless effort.

"I think it's spotless," he replied, holding back a sigh.

Kushina approached and inspected his work like a chef examining a dish before serving it. "Hmm... It'll do for today. Now, go get the provisions from the market. And take these bags."

She handed him two large fabric bags.

"You're joking, right?" Shikai asked, disbelieving.

"No, I never joke when it comes to my stock of dango and vegetables. Now, hurry up."

Shikai grabbed the bags and left the house reluctantly.

The Konoha market stretched across several paved streets, forming a colorful and vibrant labyrinth at the heart of the village. Wooden stalls lined up one after another, protected from the sun by brightly colored canvas awnings. The air was saturated with a mix of scents: exotic spices, fresh fruits, just-caught fish, and the sweet aroma of traditional pastries.

Merchants loudly promoted their products, creating a cacophony that blended with the animated conversations of the villagers. Shikai moved between the stalls, accumulating the items Kushina had requested, while grumbling internally about his situation.

Ninjas on quick missions efficiently weaved between the stalls. Some stopped briefly to buy a snack. Civilians, on the other hand, took their time, negotiating prices or discussing the latest village news with the merchants.

Children ran between the stands, sometimes chasing a stray cat or playing hide-and-seek behind the fruit crates. The atmosphere was harmonious, typical of daily life in Konoha, unaware of the tragic event that was about to unfold.

In the following days, Kushina kept her promise and began teaching Shikai the basics of Fūinjutsu. They often settled in the garden, surrounded by scrolls and ink.

"Fūinjutsu is more than just writing..." Kushina began.

Shikai nodded, focused. He slowly traced the symbols on a parchment, trying to master the basics of a simple storage seal.

"No, not like that," she said, gently tapping his hand. "Your lines must be fluid, not hesitant."

Shikai grumbled but made an effort to correct his mistakes.

Weeks passed, and although the chores continued, Shikai felt his respect for Kushina grow. She was demanding, yes, but she possessed a wealth of knowledge and passion for Fūinjutsu that motivated him to persevere. During this time, Shikai also learned more about the Nara techniques and even some C-rank jutsu. He had less time to meet with Shisui, but he still came by each week to spar, and Itachi visited the Nara clan on rare occasions.

One day, while he was cleaning a complex scroll she had entrusted to him, he asked a question that had been troubling him for some time.

"Why are you so... strict with me?"

Kushina smiled, but this time, there was a softness in her eyes.

"Because if you want to learn Hiraishin, you must be ready for anything. Minato may seem gentle on the surface, but his techniques require unwavering discipline and rigor. I'm preparing you for that."

Shikai looked down at the scroll, nodding.

One night, after a long day of training and chores, Minato returned home and found Shikai dozing off on a half-finished scroll.

"You're exhausting him," he laughed at Kushina.

"He needs it," she replied with a smile. "But you know, he learns quickly. He has potential."

Minato sat down next to Shikai and observed him for a moment.

"You're on the right path, Shikai," he murmured before placing a blanket over him.

Shikai opened his eyes just enough to hear those words, a faint smile appearing on his face. In his previous life, he had never experienced this kind of familial affection, and in Shikaku's family, as he called it, it was more like an uncle, training him for the life of a Shinobi, both physically and mentally. But with Kushina and Minato, it was different. Affection was ever-present. Shikai felt almost sorry for Naruto because he wouldn't do anything to save them.

'I swear Naruto won't have the childhood he had in the original work; they deserve at least that,' he thought before drifting off to sleep.