Summoning Pokémon in Naruto

"Eh? Koyake, what are you doing here?" Minato asked, puzzled.

He stopped in his tracks while the two shadow clones continued their tree-climbing training.

"Chim-chim!" Chimchar hopped up and down, trying to reenact a scene through its gestures.

"You're saying that Hayato and Kushina left together and asked you to train here alone?" Minato guessed, piecing together Chimchar's intentions.

So that's what happened.

A flash of determination lit up Minato's eyes. Hayato, if you're skipping training for a date, I'll use this time to double my efforts. My dream of becoming Hokage won't wait.

Silence.

More silence.

Kushina could feel her palms growing slightly sweaty, her face burning as though on fire. Even so, she didn't pull her hand away from Hayato's. She simply walked quietly alongside him.

Hayato, on the other hand, was just as nervous. He had managed to take the first step of holding her hand, but now he had no idea what to do next.

The atmosphere was thick with quiet, and he debated whether to break the silence.

"Oh, Kushina, see that ramen shop up ahead? Minato and I eat there all the time," Hayato said, looking up at the familiar streetscape. He relaxed a little. Although it wasn't Ichiraku Ramen, the ramen here was decent enough. He often came when he didn't feel like cooking.

"To be honest, if I had to introduce you to Konoha, I wouldn't know where to start." Once he started talking, Hayato found his stride again. "Before I knew it, I was already a second-year student."

"I've lived here for a long time," he said, looking up as if reminiscing. "Why don't I tell you about my childhood?"

Aren't we still kids? Kushina thought but chose to listen quietly instead of interrupting.

"When I was three, my parents died on a mission. I remember crying once, and then I didn't feel much of anything afterward," Hayato said carefully, choosing his words. "The village and my clan supported orphans who lost their parents. Some people in my clan wanted to adopt me, but I refused. I didn't want to burden them—I could take care of myself."

"The clan couldn't argue with my determination, so they let me live alone. It was around that time that I met Minato."

Kushina's heart ached as she listened. She understood the pain of losing loved ones all too well. Yet Hayato recounted his past as if it were someone else's story, his tone indifferent.

"Everyone dies eventually. Back then, I used to wonder when my time would come," Hayato said, shaking his head slightly. "I spent most of my days skipping stones by the river or lying around at home."

"Then one day, I met Minato fishing by the river. He shared some grilled fish with me. Even though he was also a war orphan, he was so optimistic. Why was that?"

Hayato smiled, his thoughts turning to Minato's future. He knew Minato's fate—he would knowingly choose to die for the greater good. As a child, Minato might not have been fully aware of such convictions, but as an adult, he would become someone with unshakable beliefs.

"My encounter with him was just a coincidence back then. He didn't even know my name yet. We only became proper friends after we started school."

"Not long before you arrived in Konoha, I discovered I had a unique ability," Hayato continued, his tone growing confident. "With this power, I might be able to fulfill my wish—to live happily with everyone and avoid dying in the war."

"Kushina, maybe you're my lucky angel."

Kushina pulled her hand free, turned to face Hayato, and said with a serious expression, "Then promise me: you won't die, no matter what. Neither of us will. Swear it in the name of your lucky angel."

The term "lucky angel" made her blush furiously—it was embarrassingly cheesy.

"Alright, I promise. I absolutely won't die," Hayato replied, standing still and laughing despite himself. He let Kushina grip his shoulders firmly.

"Pinkie swear!"

"Alright, alright. Pinkie swear."

Though it was a childish gesture, Kushina's sincerity moved Hayato, and he lost any urge to treat it lightly.

"Kushina, I've shared my story. Isn't it your turn now?"

Unbeknownst to them, Yakushi Nonō had just stepped out of a nearby alley. Adjusting her glasses, she watched the two walking ahead.

Are they… on a date?

Nonō felt a pang of concern for Hyūga Ruri. She had noticed her friend's feelings for Hayato, but Ruri refused to approach him. While Ruri stayed home learning her clans techniques from her elders, Nonō, ever the loyal friend, decided to keep an eye on things.

What's so special about Uchiha Hayato that he's caught the attention of two girls? Nonō wondered. Sure, he's handsome, but that's it, isn't it?

Curious, Nonō began quietly following them.

"Me?" Kushina giggled. "I come from Uzushiogakure, a village where everyone is part of the same clan."

"I was a genius there, you know. None of my peers could beat me, and the clan leader and elders were always kind to me," she said proudly.

"Not long ago, the clan leader told me I would become a ninja of Konoha," she continued, her tone slowing. "He said someone would take care of me there, and that I had family in Konoha—Uzumaki Mito. She's a senior of our clan and the First Hokage's wife. I was told I could call her Grandma Mito."

Kushina knew of Uzumaki Mito but had never met her. The thought of living with a relative in an unfamiliar place felt daunting.

Her distinct red hair, something she had taken for granted, became a reason for stares and whispers in Konoha.

Even in class, the boys teased her relentlessly. She had nearly reached her limit when someone finally stood up for her—Uchiha Hayato.

He even got into a fight with Dekai and the others because of it.

Though Hayato claimed he didn't fight for her specifically, in Kushina's eyes, he became her hero at that moment.

"I understand, Kushina," Hayato interrupted gently. "You're not alone in Konoha anymore, are you?"

"Let's leave the past behind. From now on, you'll be my…friend, and we'll live here together. If anyone teases you about your hair, just let me know," he said with a reassuring smile.

"And if you ever miss Uzushiogakure, we can visit your village."

Just a friend huh? Kushina felt a brief pang of disappointment, but it quickly transformed into determination.

This was their first "date." One day, she will make Hayato say those four words himself: "I like you Kushina."

With a radiant smile, Kushina's red hair danced in the wind.

"Alright!" she replied.