Kushina Uzumaki, the "Red Hot-Blooded Habanero" of Konoha.

The Uzumaki Clan, known for their immense chakra reserves and mastery of Fūinjutsu, had produced many formidable individuals, and Kushina was no exception. Despite her cute and youthful appearance, her fiery temper was legendary. To put it bluntly, she had the heart of a shrew.

Kazuyama's casual words were enough to ignite her infamous temper. Without a single word, she turned into a red streak of lightning, charging straight toward the Uchiha camp.

Watching her storm off, Kazuyama burst into hearty laughter.

"Kazuyama boy, you really are good at scheming."

"I reckon that brat Minato will get a good beating this time," he muttered, snorting in satisfaction.

"Let him learn a lesson for betraying me last time."

"Alright, let's head home. We've got to report to Orochimaru tomorrow. Life isn't easy."

Sure enough, his words ensured that Minato didn't escape unscathed.

When Kushina finally found him, Minato was still running for his life, being relentlessly pursued by Fugaku. The moment Kushina spotted him, Minato knew something was very wrong.

Her aura was blazing with anger, and her expression practically screamed that he was in deep trouble.

"Minato Namikaze, don't run away! If you're a man, stop!" Fugaku yelled furiously as he continued chasing him.

To Kushina, however, Fugaku's words carried a completely different meaning. In her mind, they sounded more like:

"Minato Namikaze, don't run away! You're a scumbag who toyed with my emotions!"

The actual intent was entirely different, but her interpretation wasn't far off from how it felt to her.

Minato, still darting through the village, was in utter disbelief.

What the heck? That's the complete opposite of what he meant! It's been totally twisted!

"Kushina, let me explain!" Minato shouted desperately, knowing deep down it was probably futile. But he had no choice—he couldn't just give up and accept his fate.

"Heh, do you really need to explain?" Kushina retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm and fury.

"Minato Namikaze, I never thought you'd be the type to like both men and women! Playing with two people at the same time—do you think that's okay?"

Minato: What is happening? My goodness, what's all this about?!

Fugaku: Wait, could it be that this guy really likes me? No! No! No! Absolutely not!

"Minato, you bastard! I'm telling you, it's impossible!"

"No way! You might as well just die! I feel like I've been contaminated by you!"

Fugaku's crimson Sharingan spun uncontrollably, his fury palpable.

In front of Minato, Kushina stood with her red hair flying wildly, veins bulging on her fists—a clear sign of her seething anger.

"Heh, Fugaku, you actually dare to steal the man I like? You're no better!" she spat, her voice sharp and laced with indignation.

"But I won't hold it against you today. I'll deal with this bastard first and teach him a good lesson!"

Minato felt like his entire world was collapsing.

What kind of evil did I commit to deserve this?

"What the hell! Why did I say I liked him?" he shouted, his voice trembling with frustration.

"Don't slander me! I like women! I don't like men!"

Fugaku, labeled as someone who liked men, was utterly flustered. Disbelief morphed into rage, and his glare bore down on Minato like daggers.

"It's all your fault! Damn it, Minato!"

His vicious gaze hardened as his hand movements grew faster, fueled by his escalating fury.

"I told you, Minato! I must punish you—prepare to die!"

That day, Minato truly understood what it meant to "love someone to the point of hatred."

Kushina's fists, Fugaku's blade—both loomed ominously.

As the chaos descended, Minato's world turned gray.

Kazuyama, just you wait! I won't forget this grudge...

Ouch! Easy, guys!

…

The next day, Kazuyama knocked on Orochimaru's door early in the morning.

It must be said—scientific researchers rise surprisingly early. At only five o'clock, Orochimaru was already awake.

"Here you are, Kazuyama," he greeted. "Let's go. I'll show you my laboratory."

Orochimaru's lab, as it turned out, was located underground, beneath his home. The dim lighting revealed an array of instruments in operation, with books on biology lining the shelves.

"Wow, Sensei, you're really into biology," Kazuyama said, glancing around the lab's eerie setup. "Dissection, decomposition... yikes, that's creepy."

He chuckled, unfazed by the eerie surroundings or Orochimaru's reaction.

Orochimaru remained unflappable, smiling faintly. "Scientific research can't proceed without such methods, and Kazuyama, you seem to have a strong tolerance for them."

"Not bad... that's for the best."

"Now, let me extract a little of your blood first. Every Kekkei Genkai is worth studying."

When Orochimaru revealed the super-thick needle in his hand, Kazuyama felt a chill run down his spine.

Damn it, old geezer, that thing's as thick as a straw! Is this what you call a little blood? That's enough to drain me dry!

Despite his internal protests, Kazuyama grudgingly offered his arm. After all, Orochimaru was his Sensei now, and he had to cooperate.

Hey, Chōmei, this blood extraction won't expose you, will it?

Of course not. It's not my blood. What does it have to do with me?

Kazuyama: I'll **** you!

The blood extraction was finally completed, leaving Orochimaru quite satisfied. For someone like him, acquiring blood from individuals with Kekkei Genkai, like those from the Uchiha or Hyūga clans, was notoriously difficult. Kazuyama's cooperation was a rare boon that would support the next stage of his research.

"Kazuyama, have you read the scrolls I gave you?"

Kazuyama nodded.

One scroll contained Orochimaru's understanding and innovations in Wind Release Ninjutsu. The other detailed the Hidden Shadow Snake Hands technique—one of Orochimaru's signature jutsu. However, Kazuyama was puzzled by the inclusion of Wind Release Ninjutsu, given his presumed chakra attributes of Fire and Earth.

Orochimaru, as if reading his thoughts, handed him a chakra testing strip.

"Have you always thought your chakra attributes were Fire and Earth?" he asked.

"I don't think so. Anyone capable of learning the Flying Thunder God Technique must have a foundation in Wind Release."

Orochimaru's confidence was unshakable, befitting one of the Sannin and a scientist of unparalleled intellect.

Still doubtful, Kazuyama took the chakra test strip and injected his chakra.

To his astonishment, the strip reacted instantly—burning, crumbling to earth, soaking with water, and cracking apart.

For a moment, Kazuyama was dumbfounded.

Damn! Four chakra attributes?

"Just as I thought," Orochimaru said, his tone almost triumphant. "Wind, Fire, Earth, and Water. Not bad, not bad at all."

"You, with four attributes and your Kekkei Genkai, are truly a genius."

Kazuyama could hardly argue. Orochimaru himself possessed five chakra attributes, but Kazuyama's unique Kekkei Genkai filled the gap of the missing Lightning element.

After all, while individual chakra attributes were impressive, nothing surpassed the versatility and power of a Kekkei Genkai.