Kushina Uzumaki The Sage Of The Yuri Path

Raven Kamizuki, born anew with the spirit of Kushina Uzumaki, lay quietly in her crib as her adoptive parents spoke in hushed tones nearby. At only one week old, she was already navigating the delicate balance between appearing like a normal infant and plotting her path toward the future.

Aiko Kamizuki, her mother, busied herself kneading pizza dough at the counter, her sleeves rolled up and her brow furrowed in determination. Hajime Kamizuki, her father, lounged in a chair with his usual cup of coffee, occasionally twirling his sage-like beard and muttering cryptic thoughts.

"She's settling in well, don't you think?" Aiko said, glancing at the crib where Raven lay. "I can't believe how quiet she is. I almost feel like I've been blessed."

Hajime took a slow sip of coffee, his eyes glinting with thought. "A quiet soul often hides the deepest rivers, Aiko. Our little Raven may yet carry the wisdom of the ancients."

Aiko snorted. "Hajime, if you're going to keep making her sound like a mystic at one week old, I'll smack you with this rolling pin."

Hajime chuckled but wisely didn't respond. Instead, he leaned back and mused aloud, "You know, with the Fourth Hokage still in power, the village feels a little brighter these days."

Kushina's mind jolted at his words. The Fourth Hokage? Still in power? Her heart—or rather, her infant body's equivalent—began to race. She'd assumed she was simply reborn into a new body, but this… this confirmed it. She had been sent back in time. The Fourth Hokage—her husband, Minato—was alive and well, which meant she was living a year before her death.

Her memories of that fateful night surged forth. The Nine-Tails rampaging through Konoha, the screams, the chaos. But most of all, the oppressive, foreign chakra that lingered in the beast's movements. Someone had controlled Kurama that night, bending its will to their own. Her death hadn't been a mere accident or tragedy—it had been a plot.

"Someone was behind it," she thought bitterly, her tiny fists clenching instinctively. "They used the Nine-Tails like a weapon. I may not be able to stop it from happening, but when I find out who's responsible, they'll pay."

Yuumi's voice echoed softly in her mind. "A dangerous road, Kushina. Revenge is a fire that consumes more than just its target."

"It's not revenge," Kushina retorted mentally. "It's justice."

Yuumi chuckled lightly, her silver-white form emerging briefly in the shadows of the room. "Call it what you like. But if you're going to fight forces that powerful, you'll need to be ready. Shall we continue your training?"

Kushina exhaled silently, letting go of her anger for the moment. "Fine. Let's work on storing more Nature Chakra."

Yuumi nodded. "Good. You've already begun weaving it into your chakra network. Now, focus on deepening the reservoir. Picture your chakra as a tree, with roots drawing energy from the earth and branches reaching for the sky."

Kushina closed her eyes, pretending to sleep as she concentrated inward. She visualized the flow of Nature Chakra, feeling it seep into her reserves like cool, soothing water. The energy pulsed softly, harmonizing with her own chakra and strengthening her core.

"Slow and steady," Yuumi encouraged. "This isn't about power. It's about balance. Let the energy settle naturally."

As Kushina worked, the aroma of fresh dough and herbs filled the air, drawing her attention back to the room. Aiko approached the crib, wiping her hands on her apron. "Raven, my little one," she cooed, lifting her gently. "Today's a special day. I'm going to introduce you to something truly magical."

Kushina blinked up at her adoptive mother, puzzled. Magical? She seriously doubted anything about her civilian life could qualify as magical, but she kept quiet. Aiko carried her toward the back door, where the warm, bustling energy of the pizza shop awaited.

The Kamizuki Pizza shop was a modest but lively establishment. The walls were adorned with hand-painted murals of smiling villagers enjoying slices of cheesy perfection. The smell of baked dough, melted cheese, and roasted vegetables filled the air, making Kushina's mouth water despite her infant limitations.

"This is our legacy," Aiko declared proudly, holding Kushina up as if presenting her to the room. "Kamizuki Pizza! The finest dining establishment in Konoha."

Hajime trailed behind, sipping his coffee and twirling his beard. "Ah, yes. Pizza. The great unifier of nations. A perfect metaphor for life itself."

Aiko shot him a withering look. "Hajime, quit philosophizing about pizza and start sweeping the floor. We've got customers to impress."

"Yes, dear," Hajime replied with a mock bow, his voice laced with playful sarcasm.

As Aiko gave Kushina a tour of the shop, she pointed out the intricacies of pizza-making with the enthusiasm of an artist. "This rolling pin," she said, holding it up dramatically, "isn't just a tool. It's an extension of my will. A weapon in the eternal battle against subpar food."

Kushina was beginning to understand that Aiko took her craft very seriously. "And then there's the eternal feud," Aiko continued, narrowing her eyes as if staring down an invisible enemy. "Ichiraku Ramen. That man thinks he owns Konoha's stomachs just because the Fourth Hokage can't stop eating there. But one day, Raven, we'll show him that pizza is the true king of cuisine!"

In her crib, Kushina rolled her eyes internally. It was hard to imagine her original self ever engaging in such petty rivalries, but there was something oddly endearing about Aiko's fiery determination.

Just then, Hajime returned, broom in hand. He struck a dramatic pose, leaning on the handle like a wise sage preparing to deliver a profound truth. "Aiko, have you ever considered that pizza and ramen are not rivals, but two sides of the same coin? Yin and yang, destined to balance the culinary universe."

Aiko turned slowly, her eyes narrowing. "Hajime…"

"Yes, my love?"

She smacked him lightly on the head with her rolling pin. "Quit imposing your cryptic nonsense on Raven. She's too young to understand, and I don't want her growing up thinking you're some kind of wandering philosopher."

Hajime rubbed his head, grinning. "Ah, but what if she becomes the sage of pizza? A true legend in the making."

"Or she could just have a normal life," Aiko shot back, though there was a glimmer of affection in her tone.

Kushina couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement. Her new parents were nothing like her original ones, but there was a warmth in their bickering that made her feel… safe.

As the evening wore on, Aiko rocked Kushina gently in her arms, humming a soft tune. Hajime swept the shop in lazy circles, occasionally pausing to offer another piece of cryptic advice. Yuumi remained in the shadows, her presence a constant reminder of Kushina's greater purpose.

"Rest tonight," Yuumi said softly, her voice brushing against Kushina's mind. "Tomorrow, we'll push further. You have much to learn, and time waits for no one."

Kushina closed her eyes, feeling the steady pulse of Nature Chakra within her. "I'll be ready," she thought, her resolve as strong as ever.

The Kamizuki family bustled around her, oblivious to the storm that brewed within their quiet, curious daughter the future sage of six pizzas and many other specialty's.

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