Uzumaki Kushina's Crisis
Chiba couldn't wait to return to Konoha.
His recent mission had granted him a rare window of free time, and all he wanted was to see Uzumaki Kushina. Since Kushina had begun undertaking missions only recently—after training under Uzumaki Mito, who had agreed three months prior to let her start official duty—Chiba cherished every chance to meet her.
But Kushina's missions were restricted to the Land of Fire, reflecting her importance and the caution the village showed. As a result, Chiba and Kushina had crossed paths fewer than five times in the past eight months.
Still, hope ignited a smile on Chiba's face. Even if this trip might not bring the reunion he craved, he quickened his pace toward Konoha, chasing that elusive moment.
---
Konoha.
Having just returned from a mission, Uzumaki Kushina stepped out of the Hokage's office, massaging her sore neck. Her life as a ninja was nothing like she had imagined.
For months, she and her two teammates had been stuck with low-effort D-rank missions—mundane tasks that drained her spirit.
If only Chiba were here, she muttered, pouting. Even the easiest mission wouldn't feel so pointless.
She headed toward Mito's residence, hoping for some comfort.
Dusk had fallen.
"I'm back!" Kushina called as she entered the quiet home.
No answer.
She went deeper inside, calling again, "Grandma Mito? Are you home?"
Still silence.
Pausing at the kitchen doorway, Kushina frowned, noticing the branches outside the window swaying strangely.
Suddenly, three figures slipped through the open window.
Cloud Village ninjas. The ones Chiba had worried about.
They'd been surveilling Konoha for days, drawn by Kushina's unique chakra—her Uzumaki lineage and latent sealing power made her a valuable target. Seizing the moment, they decided to snatch her.
Kushina, inexperienced in real combat and overwhelmed by fear, ran and shouted, "Help! Someone—please!"
But the three were no ordinary shinobi: two Special Jōnin and one Jōnin, experts in infiltration and combat. They quickly caught her and subdued her.
Mission accomplished, they vanished back into the shadows beyond Konoha's borders.
---
In the forest at the Land of Fire's edge.
Bound, Kushina trudged forward, flanked by her captors—two leading, one trailing, holding her leash of ropes.
The village lights faded behind her, and the border loomed ahead.
She stumbled on a rock and fell.
The ninja behind roughly yanked the ropes, hauling her up.
"Keep moving. No slacking!" he barked.
Kushina's fingers gripped the small bell Chiba had given her—her talisman of hope—shaking it secretly, praying for a miracle.
But the border drew near, and no rescue came. Despair welled inside her like a storm, and tears slipped down her cheeks.
I might never see Chiba again.
Her chest tightened painfully.
Desperate, she cried out, "Chiba!"
"Shut up!" snapped the ninja behind her, raising a fist.
Before the blow could land, a crack of thunder shattered the silence.
"Breath of Thunder, Fourth Form: Distant Thunder!"
A sudden flash of lightning streaked through the trees.
The ninja aiming to strike was launched skyward by a lightning slash before anyone else could react.
Shocked, the remaining two retreated.
Chiba appeared, eyes blazing with determination.
He cut Kushina's ropes and gently cupped her face.
"I'm sorry, Kushina... I'm late."
Kushina collapsed into his arms, sobbing.
Chiba's heart ached with guilt and relief, but his focus snapped to the two remaining enemies. His Double Tomoe Sharingan flared.
"Rest here. I'll handle this," he said softly, settling Kushina against a tree.
He summoned a massive White Snake with the Summoning Technique.
"Protect Kushina," he ordered coldly.
The snake coiled around her silently, a living shield.
Chiba steadied his breathing, eyes locked on the opponents.
The bell's ringing had triggered a premonition. He'd surged through the forest, his body fueled by Lightning Release chakra, but the prolonged exertion now left his meridians aching.
The two Cloud Village ninjas—Ouyouluo, a Jōnin captain, and Special Jōnin Atu Yi—saw his Sharingan and grinned greedily.
"Sharingan? The Uchiha Bloodline Limit. Lucky day, Atu Yi. Let's finish this."
"Right, Captain."
They drew swords simultaneously.
"Lightning Release: Flash Slash!"
Ouyouluo lunged, blade aiming for Chiba's chest.
Chiba responded with his own style:
"Breath of Thunder, Second Form: Inadama!"
A rapid five-strike lightning combo.
His first slash shattered Ouyouluo's blade. The next four targeted vital points.
Ouyouluo parried three, but the fourth cut a burning gash across his chest.
He stared in shock.
He'd known Chiba was fast—he'd seen him kill a comrade earlier—but only now grasped the true speed and precision in battle.
If not for his quick reflexes, the second slash would've been his head.
Chiba's face tightened—his speed was slower than usual.
The constant Lightning Release activation to reach Kushina had drained him.
He recalibrated his stance.
No matter what, I have to end this now.