Uchiha Clan Compound.
Naka Shrine.
A tense clan meeting was underway.
Those qualified to attend were, at minimum, clan members who had awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan. Every elite of the Uchiha Clan had gathered here.
"Clan Head, why did you summon us?"
Uchiha Inabi, seated cross-legged at the head of the lower seats, asked.
The last clan meeting on this scale had been over relocating the clan compound.
Uchiha Fugaku sat cross-legged on a cushion at the front, his arms folded. The tear troughs on his face lent him an imposing air.
"I received word that Namikaze Mirai may come to the Uchiha Clan Compound."
Namikaze Mirai???
The moment he finished speaking, noisy discussion erupted below.
That name had been silent for far too long. Many Uchiha Clan Members had even forgotten she existed.
Amid the clamor, a slightly hoarse snort rang out abruptly, instantly silencing the shrine.
"If I remember correctly, she is the Fourth Hokage's younger sister, isn't she?"
The Uchiha Clan Members seated in the shrine all turned their gazes toward the figure at the front. His aged body was somewhat hunched, one hand gripping a cane to support his decaying frame.
Yet those grayish-brown eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, radiating a fierceness wholly out of place for his age.
"Elder Setsuna, you are correct. She is indeed the Fourth Hokage's younger sister."
At those words, the quiet shrine became noisy once more.
"The Fourth Hokage's younger sister? What is she coming to the Uchiha Clan Compound for?"
"Hasn't she been missing for three years?"
"I heard she returned a few days ago and even caused a scene at the Hokage Office."
This familiar yet unfamiliar name stirred the clan members' enthusiasm for discussion.
The youngest Fourth Hokage in history had been an astonishing genius, and as his younger sister, Namikaze Mirai had been just as dazzling.
During the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha's Dual-Colored Flash had become renowned throughout the Ninja World.
They had been like Konoha's twin stars, the most brilliant geniuses of their era. No matter how gifted a ninja stood beside them, they would instantly be eclipsed.
But after the war ended, the Blue Flash mysteriously vanished, while the Yellow Flash died during the Nine-Tails Attack.
Those two geniuses who had dazzled an entire era had nearly left the stage of history at the same time.
Some sighed, while others grieved.
As time passed, people gradually forgot her title.
Until a few days ago, when the Blue Flash returned in force, blasting through the entire Hokage Tower and announcing her comeback.
Only then did that former genius return to their sight.
"The Blue Flash... What is she coming to the Uchiha Clan Compound for?"
Uchiha Setsuna narrowed his eagle-like eyes.
He had never thought highly of the Namikaze Lineage.
He remembered that Namikaze Minato had been a puppet Hokage propped up by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Unfortunately, before he could fully spread his wings, he died in the Nine-Tails Attack.
What would make this Blue Flash any different? Besides...
His eyes narrowed further.
The Nine-Tails' rampage that night had been suspicious. Rumors in the village said that a tomoe phantom had appeared in the Nine-Tails' pupils, suggesting it had been controlled by the Sharingan.
If Namikaze Mirai made an issue of this and pinned her brother and sister-in-law's deaths on the Uchiha Clan, it would be extremely disadvantageous for them.
"We do not know yet. That is why I summoned you all here—to discuss how to respond."
Fugaku took in Uchiha Setsuna's reaction without revealing anything.
Elder Setsuna's seniority was terrifyingly old, dating all the way back to Uchiha Madara's era.
He had once incited a revolt during the Second Hokage's rule. When it was exposed, he was imprisoned for several years.
Yet even that had not broken his spirit. He had remained quietly dormant all this time.
As clan head, Fugaku had no choice but to be restrained by him in many matters.
"Fugaku, you are still as weak as ever. A single Namikaze ninja has you tied up in knots."
Uchiha Setsuna's voice carried a hint of mockery.
There was likely no one else in the Uchiha Clan who dared speak to the clan head like that.
"Namikaze Mirai is no ordinary ninja. I have dealt with her before, so I understand this better than anyone."
Facing Uchiha Setsuna's ridicule, Fugaku displayed no emotion, his tone remaining steady.
He and Namikaze Mirai were ninjas of the same generation and had crossed paths many times. That woman who always seemed to be smiling was far more terrifying than Minato.
If she had not mysteriously disappeared back then, the Nine-Tails Attack might never have happened.
"Is that so? Then I am rather looking forward to it."
Uchiha Setsuna gripped his cane, a trace of amusement appearing in his hawkish eyes.
He wanted to see what was so extraordinary about the woman Fugaku praised so highly.
"Uncle, is dinner really this lavish tonight?"
At the table, Naruto stared at the dishes covering it, drooling as he rubbed his hands together excitedly.
Dinner had always been fairly abundant, but never this extravagant. Especially since a huge cake sat in the middle of all the dishes.
"Because today is your birthday, you silly nephew!"
Namikaze Mirai flicked his forehead with a crisp snap, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled.
Come to think of it, this should be Naruto's first birthday celebration, shouldn't it? "My... birthday..."
Naruto rubbed his forehead, curiosity appearing in his azure eyes.
The word birthday felt very distant to him.
It seemed that no one had ever celebrated his birthday for him.
Tears welled in Naruto's eyes, and he could not help sniffling.
"Before, I saw other children celebrating their birthdays inside through the windows, and I was so jealous. I hoped the Third Hokage Grandpa would celebrate one for me, but he was too busy with work and refused."
"Thank you, Uncle."
Namikaze Mirai smiled as she tousled Naruto's brilliant blond hair.
"Everything Sarutobi Hiruzen can give you, I can give you too. And everything he cannot give you, I can give you as well."
"Naruto, make a wish!"
"A wish..."
"I want to become Hokage and earn everyone's acknowledgment!"
Hokage? Namikaze Mirai's smile became radiant.
The same wish as your father's! But it has to come after Uncle's.
Because Uncle wants to become Hokage too! "Oh, right. This is the gift I prepared for you."
Namikaze Mirai pulled out a scroll.
"A gift?"
Naruto opened it eagerly, then froze.
The scroll recorded things he could not understand at all. It looked like blueprints for some kind of machine: two long, narrow parallel rails at the front, with something like a trigger in the middle.
"An Electromagnetic Railgun. With a weapon like this to protect yourself, Uncle can worry a little less about you."
Namikaze Mirai said with a smile.
Having mastered Electromagnetic Force, she possessed extraordinary control over technology.
Each upgrade of the Electromagnetic Tree also caused an entirely new tech tree to emerge in her mind.
The Electromagnetic Railgun was a weapon she had unlocked long ago.
Ever since returning to the village, she had been worried about Naruto's future.
Though he was a Jinchuriki, his personality was weak and kind.
Could he truly survive in the Ninja World? Would he... spend his whole life as a Genin? No, Naruto had to be armed.
She absolutely could not allow her nephew to be bullied by anyone else.
There was a kind of weakness called Uncle thinking you were weak! The Electromagnetic Railgun was only the beginning. Exoskeleton armor, Gundams, floating cannons, Star Destroyers... she would arm Naruto to the teeth.
Scientific research had to start from childhood. Naruto had to win right from the starting line.
The flames of doting affection burned fiercely in Namikaze Mirai's eyes!
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