Mikoto Uchiha and Kushina Uzumaki

By the time Yuzuru Uchiha left Uchiha Tarou's house, the sky was fully bright.

Yuzuru Uchiha walked along the streets of the clan land, where early risers had already begun their day's work.

Breakfast shops on both sides of the street were also sending up waves of fragrant steam.

Drawn by the enticing smell, Yuzuru Uchiha, who had not eaten all night, stopped at a bun shop and casually said, "Boss, give me ten buns."

"Sure thing. That'll be twenty ryo. One's on the house—come again if you like them."

The buns were plump and white, their skins already glistening with seeped oil.

Yuzuru Uchiha took a bite, and scalding steam and broth immediately flooded his mouth.

"Delicious."

Eating as he walked, Yuzuru Uchiha soon reached the alley near his home.

He had barely taken two steps when he felt someone watching him.

Yuzuru Uchiha looked up and met the resentful gaze of the breakfast shop owner ahead.

A pre-packed breakfast sat on the table by the entrance.

"Uh... Aunt Yuriko, what a coincidence. I was just about to come have breakfast."

Yuzuru Uchiha scratched his head, putting on a sincere smile.

But the timely burp that escaped him made his face flush.

"It's fine, Yuzuru. You don't have to force yourself."

Yuriko Uchiha glanced at the buns in Yuzuru Uchiha's hand and waved calmly.

"I'm not forcing myself."

"Actually, these buns were a gift from a friend."

"They were too enthusiastic, so I couldn't refuse."

Yuzuru Uchiha placed the money on the table and picked up the packed breakfast. "Aunt Yuriko, I have some things to do, so I'll be going."

Watching Yuzuru Uchiha flee in embarrassment, Yuriko Uchiha shook her head with a smile. "What an adorable kid. He actually blushed just now, didn't he?"

Only after turning into the alley did Yuzuru Uchiha let out a long breath.

Ever since he was little, he had bought nearly all his breakfasts from Yuriko Uchiha's breakfast shop. Whenever something delayed him, she would even set aside food for him in advance.

Today, having only just awakened the memories of his past life, he had forgotten all about it for the moment.

That was so embarrassing.

"I only bought breakfast somewhere else. Why do I feel like I betrayed someone...?"

Yuzuru Uchiha muttered to himself as an elderly woman with graying hair approached him.

"Yuzuru, there were too many vegetables at home, so I left some outside your door. Remember to bring them in."

The speaker was Yuzuru Uchiha's neighbor—Riko Uchiha.

She had a happy family with two sons and a daughter. Since Yuzuru's parents had died early, she would look after him from time to time.

Even now that Yuzuru Uchiha could support himself, she still occasionally brought him fruits and vegetables.

Yuzuru Uchiha helped Riko Uchiha straighten her collar and smiled. "Grandma Riko, I know. Remember to bring a cane when you go out from now on."

At that, Riko Uchiha laughed and scolded him, "Brat, Grandma isn't so old that she can't walk yet."

As he continued onward, Yuzuru Uchiha ran into several more familiar faces.

"Yuzuru, you were on night duty again last night. You're still young, so make sure you get plenty of rest."

"Got it, Grandpa Shuhei."

"Big Brother Yuzuru, look! My dad bought me so much candy. Do you want some?"

"What a good kid. Too much candy causes cavities, so Big Brother will only take one."

"Waaah, Big Brother Yuzuru is mean..."

"Yuzuru, you're bullying Tekka again."

"..."

As he made his way along, the smile on Yuzuru Uchiha's face gradually grew.

The Uchiha Clan was a clan full of love, so most of its members got along very well.

Even after awakening the memories of his past life, Yuzuru Uchiha did not feel estranged in the slightest.

And yet, such a clan had ultimately been driven to the fate of extermination...

A trace of chill flashed through Yuzuru Uchiha's eyes.

This time, he would make sure the Uchiha Clan had a different ending!

As he reached his door, a silver-bell-like laugh entered his ears.

Yuzuru Uchiha looked up and saw a gentle-looking black-haired girl and a red-haired girl emerge from the house across from his.

"Yuzuru, why are you here?!"

The red-haired girl looked surprised when she saw Yuzuru Uchiha.

Yuzuru Uchiha raised a brow. "Kushina, this is the Uchiha Clan Land. Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"

"I came to see Mikoto."

Kushina Uzumaki answered, then asked curiously, "This is your house?"

Yuzuru Uchiha nodded. "That's right."

"Wow! You and Mikoto are neighbors? No wonder you two are so close!"

As if she had discovered a whole new world, Kushina Uzumaki eagerly said, "Yuzuru, let us come in and sit for a while!"

Watching the lively Kushina Uzumaki, Yuzuru Uchiha stepped aside to make room.

Even before he awakened the memories of his past life, he and Mikoto Uchiha had been close because they were neighbors.

Calling them childhood sweethearts would not have been an exaggeration.

By extension, he was also on good terms with Mikoto's best friend, Kushina Uzumaki.

When Kushina Uzumaki had first moved to Konoha, she was often bullied, and Yuzuru had stood up for her more than once.

Unlike the carefree Kushina Uzumaki, Mikoto Uchiha merely smiled gently at Yuzuru Uchiha. "Yuzuru, this won't interfere with your rest, will it?"

Before Yuzuru Uchiha could answer, Kushina Uzumaki asked strangely, "Rest? You need to rest this early in the morning?"

Seeing this, Mikoto Uchiha explained, "Yuzuru works for the Konoha Military Police Force and often has to work night shifts. Yuzuru, you probably haven't slept all night, have you?"

Mikoto Uchiha's father was the captain of the Konoha Military Police Force's Third Squad, so she knew about the Clan Meeting held last night.

Though Yuzuru did not look tired, Mikoto Uchiha still had to remind Kushina somewhat, lest the endlessly energetic Kushina make a fuss without stopping.

Yuzuru Uchiha naturally understood why Mikoto Uchiha said this, and he could not help feeling a little emotional.

Mikoto really was gentle. She always made him feel cared for in the smallest, most unassuming ways.

After hearing Mikoto Uchiha's reminder, Kushina Uzumaki hesitated. "Then maybe we can visit another day. Mikoto and I can just go shopping instead."

Yuzuru Uchiha waved his hand. "Since we ran into each other, come in and sit for a while."

"I happened to buy extra breakfast, so I'll treat you both."

The moment he saw Kushina Uzumaki, several thoughts had flashed through Yuzuru Uchiha's mind.

Kushina's identity was extremely special.

As the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, every aspect of her life was monitored by the village.

Although Kushina Uzumaki was not overly restricted in the village because Mito Uzumaki was still alive, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others certainly did not want her to have too many ties with Uchiha shinobi.

If he could use Kushina's identity to make the clan members realize just how wary Konoha's Higher-ups truly were of them, it would surely be of great help to his future plan of "relocating the entire clan."