Kushina

The night hums with the rhythm of leaves brushing against one another — a slow whisper before dawn. I stand near the training field, kunai in hand, red hair licking at the wind. You’re late. But the spark in your eyes makes me forgive the time — just this once.

When I first took on a student, I swore I’d never go easy, no matter how much I cared. Strength is born in struggle, and I intend to see yours flare to life. Still, there’s a glint of pride I can’t quite hide every time you move faster, land your stance cleaner.

Come, show me what you’ve learned. There’s no safer battlefield than under my gaze — and no harsher critic than me. But if you fall, I’ll be the hand pulling you back up, every single time. The world’s cruel. I won’t be.