Back at the Uchiha compound.
Uchiha Kagami stood quietly, gazing at the old-style courtyard before him, a flicker of emotion passing through his eyes.
It had already been a year since he last came home.
Warm light glowed from inside the house. The courtyard was spotless, meticulously cleaned. The gentle sound of running water by the ornamental rock garden added to the tranquility. Distant lanterns cast a soft glow, and somehow, that light brought him a deep sense of peace.
He pushed open the door—and found his wife and son sitting across from each other, chatting after dinner.
"Fugaku actually fell for Mikoto? She's so much younger than him, that's just… just…"
The boy, same age as Uchiha Fugaku, was currently ranting to his mother about how thick-skinned his friend was.
Creak—
The sound of the door drew their attention. Both mother and son turned to the doorway, expressions lighting up in surprise and joy.
On the dinner table sat an extra set of untouched chopsticks and bowl.
Kagami hadn't told his wife when he'd be returning.
But it was obvious that the third set had always been there—quietly waiting.
"I'm home…"
Kagami said softly.
"Welcome back…"
Under the warm glow of the evening light, the shadow of the small family of three was peaceful and whole.
...
Morning.
The blinding sunlight made Uchiha Kaien instinctively furrow his brows. At some point, the black cat in his arms had slipped away and was now licking his delicate hand with its barbed tongue.
The sensation made him jolt slightly—not because it hurt, but because it tickled like crazy. The rough, inconsistent licking gave him a strange sort of shivery comfort.
One night had been enough for Kaien to fully digest the new stats he'd gained.
He raised what looked like a soft, harmless little fist.
Kaien knew—this punch could definitely break Namikaze Minato's bones.
Now that he had the system...
His strength, spirit, and body were already far beyond Minato's.
Especially his spirit stat.
As for agility—well, Minato really lived up to the future title of Fourth Hokage. His reaction speed and dynamic vision were absolutely insane.
Even without activating the Sharingan, Kaien's dynamic vision only barely matched Minato's!
He'd been using a two-tomoe Sharingan back then. Even without it active, his baseline vision wasn't something ordinary people could match!
And in terms of speed, he was actually slightly slower than Minato.
Minato's agility trait was nothing short of absurd.
Still, considering the achievements Minato would have in the future, Kaien couldn't really be surprised.
From the beginning, his goal was to invest in Namikaze Minato—ride his coattails all the way to a comfy Hokage Advisor position.
As long as his Bloodline Illness could be resolved, once the Third Great Ninja War ended, he'd be set for a nice, laid-back life.
As for the crises in the future? That's what the Child of Prophecy was for.
Kaien was just a stowaway in this world. Taking it easy and staying out of trouble was the best option.
As long as his strength reached a certain threshold...
Then anyone weaker than him would be free XP, and anyone stronger? Well, if they couldn't catch him, what did it matter? Not the strongest, but never weak—that was the sweet spot where no one would want to mess with him.
Kaien's eyes sparkled.
To reach that point, there was one jutsu that would be absolutely crucial: the Flying Thunder God Technique.
It could obliterate weaker enemies, let him escape from stronger ones—what could be more perfect?
As for whether he could learn it...
At his current pace, he was keeping up with Minato in terms of jutsu study.
Once Minato learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, as long as Kaien showed even the tiniest hint of talent in space-time ninjutsu—and maybe begged a little—Minato wouldn't refuse to teach him… right?
Lost in these wandering thoughts, Kaien eventually arrived at the ninja academy.
In their usual spot sat a familiar head of blond hair.
But this time, sitting beside Minato was a girl with bright red hair, wearing a ninja outfit based on a soft yellow kimono—Uzumaki Kushina.
Kaien took a running leap and landed right on top of his desk.
His small, pale legs—slim and smooth—swung casually over the edge. Black bangs fluttered back before slowly settling down. With his confident, striking face, the moment almost looked… artistic.
Kushina stared, mouth slightly open in shock.
She hadn't expected Kaien to make such a flashy entrance.
He'd seemed so quiet and reserved yesterday… but he's this lively?
But before she could react, Kaien dropped a bomb.
"Morning, Kushina. Morning, Minato. So… are you two dating now?"
"…"
"...…"
The pair, still stunned by Kaien's graceful arrival, were instantly struck speechless.
"Kaien… you're being unusually cheerful today."
Minato chuckled awkwardly.
Judging from Kaien's energy, something must've made him really happy last night. Normally, he was way more reserved.
"I am in a good mood. Something amazing happened yesterday."
Kaien smiled faintly. Last night's lucky draw had seriously made his whole day.
...
Minato looked like he expected that answer.
"But still... you're saying weird stuff today."
Dating Kushina? They'd only met yesterday—and he was pretty sure her first impression of him wasn't that great...
"Huh? What's with that nonsense, Kaien? Me? Fall for that girly-looking guy?"
Kushina frowned, clearly baffled by Kaien's logic.
But somehow, she found this classmate pretty interesting.
"But if I get to snuggle with you, I wouldn't mind! We're both girls anyway, and Kaien-chan smells sooo nice. There's no way I'd be the one losing out~"
Kushina added to herself, cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anticipation.
[Affection from Uzumaki Kushina +1]
"Oh? I'm looking forward to it then."
Kaien responded with a mysterious smile.
Yup. She totally thinks I'm a girl.
He was starting to get used to it by now. It was way too much effort to go around correcting everyone all the time. Besides—when the sparring class starts and they split into boys and girls? Kushina's face is going to be priceless.
Can't wait!
"Here—three-colored dango."
Like a magician, Kaien pulled two skewers of dango from his pocket and handed them over.
Minato, who had been quietly watching this whole scene unfold, took his skewer and began eating without a word.
He was just as curious about Kushina's reaction when she finally learned the truth.
Watching the two chat like best girlfriends, Minato couldn't help but smile.
Another peaceful day.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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