The road stretched long and dusty beneath the caravan wheels, the steady rhythm of hooves clattering against stone. After Kushina took Aina from Kusagakure, they once again set themselves on the path- but this time, their destination was the Land of Fire.

Kushina's scarlet hair shimmered in the sunlight as she sat cross-legged inside one of the carriages, hands folded in her lap. She leaned against the wooden wall, her gaze fixed on the horizon, though her mind was elsewhere.

She might have stitched together a flimsy non-aggression pact with both Kumo and Iwa, but Konoha was different. There had been no negotiations or agreements, just a silent, mutual recognition that they still breathed the same air.

Not that she planned to do anything major- at least, not right now. She wasn't naïve enough to believe things would remain calm for long, but her goals weren't to torch the Hidden Leaf… not today. There was something there she wanted, something worth facing down her disgust at the very thought of setting foot within its walls.

"They thought Uzushio and Uzumaki techniques were something they could take, once upon a time," she thought bitterly. "Why shouldn't I think the same of them?"

Her mouth tightened at the memory. She'd have preferred not to return without razing that village to ashes, but that didn't matter right now. She had made a promise to Nagato, and if nothing else, Kushina Uzumaki was a woman of her word.

But that was for later.

For now, they still had the road to cross.

Inside the carriage, the air was warmer, quieter. A child sat with her, swinging her legs against the wooden bench. She was small, with a complexion slightly darker than Kushina's, hair the shade of fresh spring leaves, and orange eyes that gleamed like twin lanterns.

This was Fū, the Seven-Tails' Jinchūriki.

Ever since Kushina had pulled her from Takigakure, she had stayed close- almost clinging. For a week, she had been quiet, her lips pressed together, her eyes haunted. Kushina could still picture the girl's first night among them, sitting stiffly while the memory of blood still painted her expression. She had looked at Kushina then not just with fear, but awe. As if Kushina were both monster and savior.

But time changed things. The warmth of the Uzumaki clan had chipped away at the shell. Slowly, day by day, Fū was opening up. And now…

"Ne, Kushina," Fū piped up suddenly, tugging lightly on the sleeve of her cloak. "Do you think the Land of Fire is… pretty?"

Kushina blinked, caught off guard by the casual question. "Pretty? Huh." She tilted her head, considering. "It's… green. Lots of trees and rivers. Better than staring at rocks all day, at least."

Fū giggled, covering her mouth. "That sounds nice. Takigakure had waterfalls, but I didn't get to see much of them." Her eyes softened with longing. "Do you think… we'll be able to see a waterfall together?"

Kushina's lips curved into a faint smile. "Maybe. Depends if one's nearby. Why? You planning to jump off it and test your wings?"

Fū puffed her cheeks, indignant. "I don't have wings!"

"You got a bug sealed in you, don't you?" Kushina teased, flicking her on the forehead. "Bet you sprout 'em someday. When you do, make sure you don't go crashing into the dirt, alright? I don't wanna have to peel you off the ground."

Fū laughed again, the sound freer this time. "If I do, you'll save me, right?"

Kushina looked at her for a long moment. The child's expression was earnest, hopeful in a way that struck her chest. She ruffled Fū's green hair. "…'Course I will, dattebane."

The girl beamed, before hopping down from the bench. "Okay! I'm gonna go play with the others before we get there!"

She darted off toward the sound of children's voices, leaving Kushina alone in the carriage once again.

The Uzumaki caravan was more than just wandering clansmen. Among them traveled contractors, artisans, and builders- the foundation of the new village Kushina envisioned. For all the Uzumaki's strength, they lacked the numbers and knowledge to construct a settlement on their own. These workers, some gathered by Iwa and others paid for by Ryō, were necessary.

Naturally, Kushina had already picked out a dozen spies scattered among them. To her, their malice was as visible as torchlight in the dark. She had rooted them out one by one, disposing of them without a second thought. She'd considered turning them to her own use, feeding them misinformation, but she wasn't a strategist. Better to cut weeds before they spread.

The ordinary workers, those who thought themselves subtle as they gathered scraps of information, she let be. She had her own ways of making sure none of them carried anything out when their work was done.

Her lips twisted into a faint smirk. From the ashes of her enemies, the Uzumaki would rise again. She was using their workers and their money to build her village.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar pulse of chakra. A shimmer of crimson light swirled beside her, and Kurama materialized, tall and broad-shouldered, tails fanning lazily behind him.

Kushina arched a brow. "And what's got you crawling out of the seal today?"

Kurama folded his arms, his red eyes narrowing. "Your mind's been too loud. Brooding about that rotten village of yours again."

She scoffed, crossing her arms to mirror him. "And since when do you care?"

He tilted his head, a sharp grin tugging at his lips. "Since it keeps me from napping."

Kushina rolled her eyes, though the faint heat on her cheeks betrayed her. "Well, excuse me for thinking too hard."

His tails flicked behind him, brushing against the wooden wall like restless flames. "You humans never change. Always tangled up in promises and sentiment. Waste of time."

"Funny," she shot back, smirking, "for a waste of time, you sure spend a lot of it with me."

For once, Kurama faltered. His ears twitched, eyes narrowing as if to mask the faintest slip. "Hn."

Kushina grinned, satisfied. "You love it."

A heavy silence followed, warm rather than awkward. For a while, the only sound was the creak of the carriage wheels against the dirt road.

Finally, Kushina broke it with a soft murmur. "…You should introduce yourself to my clan."

Kurama's ear flicked. "Hn. Why should I waste time on those petty humans?"

"You spend time with me."

His gaze flicked to her. "You're not them. They aren't you."

Kushina's heart gave a little squeeze. She hid it with a smirk, though her face betrayed a faint blush. "Still. They need to see you. How else are you gonna rule alongside me, huh?"

He snorted, exasperated. "Rule. As if I care about-"

She leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "C'mon. Please?"

Kurama grumbled as though the word itself was a jutsu designed to defeat him. "…Fine."

Her face lit up, excitement bursting through her composure. She hopped to her feet. "All right! Come on then, dattebane!"

----

A few minutes later, the Uzumaki were lined up before her. The air was filled with quiet, curious chatter, silenced only by Kushina raising her hand. The builders were separated by a sound-and-sight barrier she'd erected. This moment was for the Uzumaki- the only outsider present was Fū.

"As you all know, I'm the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki," she began, her voice carrying power laced with chakra. "But what you don't know is… the Nine-Tails is not a beast. He's a person, much like us."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Centuries of history had painted the Tailed Beasts as calamities and disasters in animal form. To hear otherwise was unthinkable.

As she spoke, Kushina felt him bristle in her mind at the comparison- but she pressed on.

"And he's the reason I'm alive. The reason I pushed forward when everything seemed hopeless. The reason I had the strength to save all of you."

Crimson chakra spilled outward, coalescing beside her into the tall, imposing form of Kurama. His red eyes swept the crowd, ears twitching, tails flicking. The weight of his malice pressed heavily against the air, and some of the weaker Uzumaki nearly collapsed under it.

"I am Kurama," he rumbled, voice low and thunderous. "As long as Kushina lives, so too does my protection over this clan."

The effect was immediate. Even Chōmei stirred within Fū, unsettled at the revelation. To think, after so long, the one who'd cooperate with humanity would be Kurama. He'd have never imagined that in a thousand years.

The Uzumaki were stunned into silence, staring wide-eyed at the fox-turned-man.

The first to react was Aina, who stepped forward and kneeled with trembling knees. "Thank you for your protection, great Nine-Tails." Her voice wavered, but her eyes held conviction.

Akinari followed suit, lowering his head respectfully. "Thank you for saving our clan. I owe you more than my life."

One by one, the others bowed, pledging their gratitude. Even if it was a Tailed Beast, they were not ones to forget a debt or a friendship.

Miori Uzumaki, an older mother, bowed slowly but firmly, her wrinkled hands pressing to the ground. "If Lady Kushina trusts you, then so do I. I will carry that trust to my grave."

Beside her, little Rina clutched her mother's sleeve, wide-eyed. She peeked up at Kurama with childlike awe rather than fear. "Mama… he looks scary, but… he'll protect us, right?" Her innocent voice carried across the group, softening the heavy air.

Souta, the skeptical one, shifted uneasily. He dropped to one knee but muttered under his breath, "Hmph. I'll believe it when I see it." Still, he bowed- a concession that Kurama noticed but didn't call out. He hardly cared about some child's skepticism.

Hatsuo Uzumaki knelt as well. "If the Nine-Tails fights beside our clan, then I will devote myself doubly to training. Our enemies won't stand a chance."

A younger boy, barely older than Fu, had to be nudged forward by his sister. He squeaked out, "Th-thank you, Lord Kurama," before hiding behind her again. His small voice cracked the tension, drawing a faint rumble of amusement from Kurama.

One lady, Kaoru, raised her head after bowing. "I'll honor Lady Kushina's word. That's enough for me." His honesty earned her a faint, approving nod from Kurama, who valued candor over blind worship.

As the line of Uzumaki continued, each response wove a tapestry of awe, respect, hesitation, and hope. Some whispered prayers under their breath; others offered vows of loyalty; a few trembled but forced themselves to kneel.

By the end, the entire group was bowed before Kurama and Kushina, united in reverence.

Kurama's red eyes swept over them, his tail flicking once. He allowed a faint, satisfied smirk. 'Not bad,' he thought.

It had been a long, long time since anyone looked at him like this. Not with fear, but with respect. It reminded him faintly of when he still believed in Hogorom's ideals. When he still protected humanity.

Kushina stood beside him, face faintly flushed. For a fleeting moment, it almost felt as though she were introducing her boyfriend to her family.

Her lips quirked. "Heh… guess I kinda am."