Uchiha

Mirai shouted in his mind, though Uchiha Itachi did not sense anything. After a moment, a somewhat awkward smile appeared on Mirai's face as he asked, "Why did you suddenly think of me?"

"Because Cousin Mirai is a very famous genius at the academy now. Mother asked about you, so I told her the truth. Then, Mother discussed it with Father, and they felt it wasn't ideal for you to live outside the Uchiha Clan's residential area alone. They want you to move back into the clan."

I don't want to go back at all, Mirai thought to himself, though he didn't say it aloud. In truth, this was understandable; the Uchiha Clan was a prestigious family within Konoha Village, in charge of the Konoha Military Police Force, and they had their own designated residential district. While some clan members lived outside the district, they were few. Although Mirai was a member of the Uchiha Clan, he was, at best, a peripheral one.

"I'm doing quite well there, and I have a lot of freedom. I don't really like too many restrictions, so I don't think I'd be used to living in the Uchiha residential area," Mirai said, waving his hand.

"Then, do you not intend to go back and take a look?"

"Uh... naturally, I still have to go." Forget it, if it's a blessing, it's not a disaster; if it's a disaster, it cannot be avoided. Being summoned by the head of the Uchiha Clan was bound to happen sooner or later. If not for his relationship as Uchiha Itachi's cousin, it might have happened later, but now, he had no choice but to go.

Soon, Mirai encountered his second opponent. This time, Mirai didn't drag it out like before, but he still defeated his opponent cleanly and decisively, earning another point. Mirai then defeated one more opponent, gaining yet another point.

In this strength test, Mirai had obtained a total of three shop points, which was a decent harvest. There were seven students left at the end of the trials, and Nakamura announced the end of the test. He didn't seem to intend on determining a first or second place, perhaps feeling that keeping seven people would give all the students more hope to strive for improvement.

After school, Mirai headed to the Uchiha residential area with Uchiha Itachi. The Uchiha district occupied a vast area. Compared to other parts of Konoha, it didn't have the bustling atmosphere of a class-divided society; everything looked quite uniform. However, the three characters for "Uchiha" at the gate carried a different weight.

The Uchiha Clan and the Hyuga Clan were the two great families of Konoha Village, and the Kekkei Genkai within their ranks—the Sharingan and the Byakugan—were famous throughout the ninja world.

The Uchiha Clan controlled the Konoha Military Police Force, a combination akin to police and city inspectors. Even in the modern world, a combination of police and inspectors was an invincible force, so naturally, they were feared by everyone.

Soon, Mirai followed Uchiha Itachi to a large mansion. Being able to own such a large estate in Konoha Village was quite luxurious. Walking through the main gate, the courtyard appeared very spacious, equipped with various training tools; it seemed this was where Uchiha Itachi trained daily.

Arriving in front of a house on the right, Uchiha Itachi spoke up, "Father, Mother, I am home."

"Is that you, Itachi? Come in quickly." Uchiha Itachi slid the door open, and Mirai saw a very beautiful woman sitting in the room. Her belly was slightly rounded, and she touched it from time to time; the one she was carrying should be Uchiha Sasuke. This woman must be Uchiha Mikoto.

Beside this woman sat a very stern-looking man with a face that never showed a smile, as if he were incapable of it. If he wasn't mistaken, this was the head of the Uchiha Clan, the father of Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke: Uchiha Fugaku.

"Father, Mother, I have brought Cousin Mirai back."

"Hmm, come in," Uchiha Fugaku said calmly, his expression unchanging.

When Uchiha Mikoto heard that Mirai had arrived, a smile appeared on her face. "Is this Mie's child? Come in quickly and let your aunt see you." The name of the mother of this body was Uchiha Mie, who was Uchiha Mikoto's younger sister. Mirai hadn't expected such a connection.

Mirai walked in with Uchiha Itachi. Uchiha Itachi's mother looked at Mirai with loving eyes and said, "Child, you have truly suffered. I am Uchiha Mikoto, your mother Uchiha Mie's older sister."

"I heard about it from Cousin Itachi, though my mother never mentioned it to me," Mirai said to Uchiha Mikoto.

Uchiha Mikoto gave a bitter smile upon hearing this. "Perhaps she still resents me. I discussed it with Fugaku; you are still young, so how can you manage without anyone to look after you? From now on, just live here. It will be nice for you to have company when you go to school with Itachi."

"Just stay here," Uchiha Fugaku finally spoke a single sentence.

"Uh... well, I still want to go back and live in my own place." Mirai spoke up. Logically, since the head of the Uchiha Clan had spoken, as a clan member, he had almost no right to refuse. However, he had no intention of living here. Having too many entanglements would affect his future judgment, so he decisively refused.

Uchiha Fugaku's eyes widened as he looked at Mirai. "Why?" Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Itachi also looked at Mirai, seemingly wanting to know the answer.

"I have lived there for a long time, and I am very familiar with the people there. I am unconstrained and free on my own. I am not used to the atmosphere here; I still prefer my own place," Mirai said.

Uchiha Fugaku stared into Mirai's eyes for a moment before saying, "Very well. Since it is your own decision, I will not force you."

Mirai breathed a sigh of relief. Aside from anything else, facing Uchiha Fugaku's stern, unsmiling face made it no wonder that Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke rarely smiled. He certainly didn't want to end up like that.

"Since it is your first time here, have a meal before you go. I still want to have a good chat with you," Uchiha Mikoto said with a smile, then stood up to prepare dinner.

The room was left with only the father and son, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi, and Mirai. The atmosphere was slightly awkward, yet Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi didn't seem to feel it at all, as if this was their daily routine.

Soon, it was Uchiha Fugaku who broke the dull silence: "Itachi, how were your results in today's strength test?"