Naruto's Birthday, Uncle Sends You an Electromagnetic Railgun

Uchiha Clan Compound.

Naka Shrine.

A tense clan meeting was underway.

Those eligible to attend this meeting had at least awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan—the entire elite of the Uchiha Clan had gathered here.

"Clan Leader, what have you called us here for?"

Uchiha Inabi, seated at the foremost position below, asked.

A clan meeting of this scale had last been held regarding the relocation of the compound.

Uchiha Fugaku, seated cross-legged on the cushion above, folded his arms, his face marked by tear troughs exuding authority.

"I've received word that Namikaze Mirai may come to the Uchiha Clan Compound."

Namikaze Mirai???

The moment he finished speaking, a clamor of discussion erupted below.

That name had been silent for too long; many Uchiha clan members had even forgotten his existence.

Amid the noise, a slightly hoarse cold snort rang out abruptly, silencing the shrine's chatter.

"If I recall correctly, he's the Fourth's younger brother, isn't he!"

The seated Uchiha clan members all turned their gazes to the figure ahead—a hunched, aging body, even somewhat stooped, one hand gripping a cane to prop up his decaying frame.

But those gray-brown eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, radiating a keenness utterly mismatched with his age.

"Elder Setsuna, you're right. He is indeed the Fourth Hokage's younger brother."

At this, the quieted shrine buzzed with noise once more.

"The Fourth's younger brother? What's he coming to the Uchiha Clan Compound for?"

"Hasn't he been missing for three years?"

"I heard he returned a few days ago and caused a scene at the Hokage Office."

That familiar yet unfamiliar name stirred the clan members' enthusiasm for discussion.

The youngest Fourth Hokage in history, dazzlingly brilliant, and as his younger brother, Namikaze Mirai had shone just as brightly.

During the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha's Dual-Colored Flash shook the Ninja World.

They were like Konoha's twin stars, the most stunning geniuses of that era; no matter how talented the ninja standing beside them, they would instantly dim in comparison.

But after the war ended, the Blue Flash vanished mysteriously, and the Yellow Flash died in the Nine-Tails Attack.

These two geniuses, who had captivated an entire era, almost simultaneously stepped off history's stage.

Some sighed, others grieved.

As time passed, people gradually forgot his name.

Until a few days ago, the Blue Flash returned with force, smashing through the entire Hokage Tower to announce his comeback.

This former genius had only then reappeared in their sight.

"The Blue Flash, huh... What's he coming to the Uchiha Clan Compound for?"

Uchiha Setsuna's eagle-like eyes narrowed slightly.

He had never held any goodwill toward the Namikaze bloodline.

As he recalled, Namikaze Minato had been a puppet Hokage propped up by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Unfortunately, his Wings had yet to fully grow before he died in the Nine-Tails Attack.

What made this Blue Flash any different? Besides...

His eyes narrowed further.

The chaos of the Nine-Tails that night was suspicious; rumors in the village said the Nine-Tails' pupils bore tomoe shadows, suggesting it had been controlled by the Sharingan.

If Namikaze Mirai used this as leverage to pin his brother and sister-in-law's deaths on the Uchiha, it would be very disadvantageous for them.

"We don't know yet, which is why I've called you here to discuss a countermeasure."

Fugaku took in Uchiha Setsuna's reaction without revealing his own thoughts, speaking calmly.

This Elder Setsuna's seniority was terrifyingly deep, traceable back to Uchiha Madara's era.

He had once incited a rebellion during the Second Hokage's administration, but the plot was exposed, and he was imprisoned for several years.

Yet that still hadn't broken his spirit; he had quietly bided his time ever since.

As clan leader, Fugaku found himself constrained by him on many matters.

"Fugaku, you're still this weak. One Namikaze ninja, and you're already tying your hands."

Uchiha Setsuna's voice carried a hint of mockery.

Daring to speak to the clan leader like that—he was likely the only one in the entire Uchiha Clan.

"Namikaze Mirai is no ordinary ninja. I've had contact with him before, so I know this all too well."

Faced with Uchiha Setsuna's mockery, Fugaku revealed no trace of emotion, his tone still steady.

He and Namikaze Mirai were of the same generation of shinobi and had crossed paths many times. This man, who always seemed to be smiling, was far more terrifying than Minato.

If he hadn't mysteriously vanished back then, the Nine-Tails Attack might never have happened.

"Is that so? Then I'm somewhat looking forward to it."

Uchiha Setsuna gripped his cane, a hint of a smile surfacing in his hawk-like eyes.

He would see for himself what was so remarkable about this man Fugaku praised so highly.

"Uncle, is dinner this lavish tonight?"

At the table, Naruto stared at the feast laid out before him, drooling, rubbing his hands together in excitement.

Though dinner was usually plentiful, it was never this extravagant—especially the giant cake sitting in the middle of all the dishes.

"Because today's your birthday, silly nephew!"

With a crisp flick to the forehead, Namikaze Mirai's eyes curved into crescent moons.

Come to think of it, this should be Naruto's first birthday.

"My... birthday..."

Naruto rubbed his forehead, a flicker of curiosity in his azure eyes.

The word "birthday" felt distant to him.

It seemed no one had ever celebrated one for him.

Tears welled up in Naruto's eyes, and he couldn't help sniffling.

"Before, I used to watch other kids celebrate birthdays inside their windows and was so jealous. I hoped the Third Hokage would throw one for me, but he was too busy and refused."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Namikaze Mirai smiled and ruffled Naruto's bright blond hair.

"What Sarutobi Hiruzen can give you, I can give you. What he can't give you, I can give you too."

"Naruto, make a wish!"

"A wish..."

"I want to become Hokage and earn everyone's recognition!"

Hokage, huh? Namikaze Mirai's smile was radiant.

Same wish as your father! But you'll have to get in line behind your uncle.

Because your uncle wants to be Hokage too!

"Oh, right—this is the gift I prepared for you."

Namikaze Mirai pulled out a scroll.

"A gift?"

Naruto opened it with eager anticipation, then froze.

The scroll recorded something he couldn't understand at all—it looked like blueprints for some kind of machinery. At the front were two long, parallel rails, and in the middle, something like a trigger.

"An Electromagnetic Railgun. With a weapon like this for self-defense, I can rest a little easier about you, nephew."

Namikaze Mirai said with a grin.

As someone who wielded Electromagnetic Force, he had an extraordinary command over technology.

Every time the Electromagnetic Tree evolved, new technological trees were born in his mind.

The Electromagnetic Railgun was a weapon he'd unlocked long ago.

After returning to the village, he'd been constantly worried about Naruto's future.

Though he was a Jinchuriki, his personality was weak and kind.

Could he really survive in the Ninja World? Would he... end up as a genin for life? No way. He had to arm Naruto to the teeth.

He absolutely wouldn't let his nephew be bullied by anyone else.

There's a kind of weakness called "your uncle thinks you're weak"! The Electromagnetic Railgun was just the beginning—exoskeleton armor, Gundams, floating cannons, Star Destroyers... Naruto would be armed from head to toe.

Science education starts from childhood. He'd make sure Naruto got a head start.

The flames of doting affection blazed fiercely in Namikaze Mirai's eyes!