I Am Cousin

"Lord Third?" Minato turned his gaze toward the Third Hokage, his eyes filled with confusion, not quite grasping the meaning behind the Third's words.

The Third raised his head and said to Minato, "You have only recently succeeded as Hokage. Although I am here to suppress dissent for now, you still need to cultivate your own core team. While Kakashi is excellent, his numbers are too few, and he is still young. However, as you said, it is too early for everything; we will see more clearly after they graduate. Is there movement from Iwagakure again?"

Minato nodded, his expression turning slightly solemn. "Just some minor maneuvers. Since the battle at Mount Kikyo, Iwagakure has been restless. It seems they want to take advantage of Konoha's current weakness, but I will not let them succeed."

"Sigh! It has truly been hard on you, taking on the heavy burden of the Hokage during such a dangerous time," the Third sighed.

A bright smile appeared on Minato's face. "Becoming Hokage has always been my dream. Being able to contribute to Konoha at a time like this is my responsibility; it is not a hardship."

At the Ninja Academy, Mirai had already begun his basic coursework. Beyond the standard academic subjects, they covered the history of ninjas and the history of Konoha. The curriculum was progressive, and the morning passed by in a flash.

Lunchtime arrived, and the Ninja Academy had already arranged for balanced meals, so the students did not need to prepare their own.

The cafeteria was noisy and bustling, with many children chatting excitedly. Around Mirai were several children he often played with.

"It's practical training this afternoon. I wonder what powerful ninjutsu the teacher will teach us," a boy said. He was a child from an ordinary family in Konoha named Cunxia Ye.

"The school only teaches basic ninjutsu. Powerful techniques are detrimental to growth, so the school won't teach them. You only learn those after becoming a genin. Besides, you don't even know the most basic hand seals yet, do you?" Mirai said to the boy with a smile.

"That's only because the teacher hasn't taught us yet. How could I possibly know?" Cunxia Ye scratched his head in embarrassment.

"That is why you shouldn't aim too high. Master the basic seals first. Almost all ninjutsu require them; the faster you can weave seals, the faster you can release techniques, making it easier to defeat your opponent."

"Mirai, you know so much! As expected of someone from a great clan. Oh, right, Mirai, you're also from the Uchiha Clan, so you must know him. Why don't you call him over to eat with us?" Another boy pointed toward Uchiha Itachi, who was sitting alone not far away.

Knowing these things had nothing to do with being from a great clan; it was entirely because he had watched Naruto. However, hearing the boy's words, Mirai followed his finger and looked toward Uchiha Itachi.

At that moment, Uchiha Itachi was sitting alone at a table eating lunch. None of the other children dared to approach him. Aside from the aura of distance he projected, there was also his status—Uchiha Itachi was the son of the Uchiha Clan head, while many in Mirai's class were children of commoners.

In Konoha, class distinctions were still somewhat clear, just as they were in the modern world on Earth. When one's father is a high-ranking official with money and power, how would ordinary people dare to talk to such a person?

Mirai also remembered the mission he had accepted. Although there was no penalty, he currently had zero points, and this was the best way to earn them.

"I'll go ask," Mirai said. Sigh, I always feel like there is an adult living inside Uchiha Itachi's young body. Of course, not like a transmigrator like me, but the type who is precocious. A child like that isn't going to be swayed by candy.

Mirai walked to Uchiha Itachi's table. Sensing someone approaching, Uchiha Itachi looked up at Mirai. "Ahem, Itachi, right? Do you know who I am?"

Uchiha Itachi nodded, his face remaining expressionless. "I know, Cousin Mirai."

Hearing Uchiha Itachi's words, Mirai nearly collapsed to the floor. An look of disbelief appeared on his face as he asked, "Uh... what did you just call me?"

"Cousin. Cousin Mirai's mother is my mother's younger sister, my aunt. Your birthday is also a month before mine, so you are my cousin." Uchiha Itachi looked at Mirai with a hint of confusion in his eyes, as if he thought Mirai was acting a bit strange.

Mirai muttered to himself. Damn it, I thought I was just a peripheral member of the Uchiha Clan. I never expected this mother I've never met to have such a connection. This isn't some domestic web novel, is it? I'd prefer to avoid those "return home to save mother and revitalize the clan" plots.

When they first met, he thought the other party didn't know him. It turned out Uchiha Itachi was actually his cousin. Damn, this transmigration is really pushing me toward a dead end. Everyone knows the Uchiha Clan is famous for screwing over their own kin—it's been passed down since the ancestors. No wonder I had 5 points of favorability; it was because I'm his cousin.

"Cousin Mirai, is there something you need?" Uchiha Itachi asked, looking at Mirai.

"Oh, Cousin Itachi, I saw you sitting all alone. Why don't you come sit with us? It's livelier with more people, and we're all classmates who will be in school together for years. It's good to get to know each other." Mirai gestured toward the group.

Upon hearing Mirai's words, Uchiha Itachi's expression shifted slightly. His lips moved, and after a moment of hesitation, he asked, "May I?"

"Of course! You're my cousin, why wouldn't you be able to? We're all classmates; who knows, we might be teammates fighting together in the future. Isn't it good to get familiar with each other?" Mirai patted his chest with a grand air, as if he were truly an older brother.

"Then... alright." Uchiha Itachi agreed. Perhaps due to his upbringing, he seemed aloof, but deep down, he actually longed for friends.

Ding--! Uchiha Itachi's favorability toward you has increased by 5 points. Current favorability (10/100). Reward: 1 point!