The Back Mountain

"Matsuzaki, Xiao Ke, you're back!"

"Go wash your hands. Mom made lots of delicious food for you today!"

When their mother saw her two children come home, her face lit up with a kind smile as she spoke.

Uchiha Ke was already starving, so she didn't wash her hands. She simply picked up a piece of meat and began eating.

"Mom's cooking really is the best. I could eat it every day and never get tired of it."

"You and your sweet words! Go wash your hands, then sit down and eat with your brother."

Uchiha Matsuzaki smiled and led his little sister outside to wash their hands.

The three of them happily spent the afternoon together, and both children ate their fill.

"Mom's cooking really is the best. I'm so happy today."

After finishing his meal, Uchiha Matsuzaki said with a smile.

"You're just as sweet-talking as your sister. All right, come help me clean this up."

After lunch, the family sat together, drinking water and chatting.

"Mom, tomorrow I'm going on a picnic with my classmates, so I won't be home for dinner."

Uchiha Matsuzaki told his mother.

"Oh, I see. All right, I'll make some food tomorrow morning for you to take along."

"Thanks, Mom. I'll let my classmates try your cooking, too. They'll definitely love it."

Uchiha Matsuzaki chatted with his mother.

Every day after lunch, the family would sit together and talk for a while about what had happened. Their life together was truly wonderful.

A little after two in the afternoon, Uchiha Matsuzaki waited until his mother and little sister had returned to their rooms for a nap. After all, he didn't have any classes that afternoon.

Uchiha Matsuzaki didn't feel sleepy, and there was nothing to do at home, so he decided to go for a walk and get in some training while he was at it.

When he stepped outside, he saw that the weather was bright and sunny.

"Life is wonderful. Today looks perfect for training!"

Uchiha Matsuzaki said with a smile as he walked down the street.

As he spoke, Uchiha Matsuzaki headed toward the back mountain.

Aside from the school training grounds, the back mountain was the best place to train in all of Konoha.

It was vast, and hardly anyone ever came there, making it the perfect place to train.

When Uchiha Matsuzaki reached the back mountain, he looked around and saw no one. Then he summoned his weapon, the Scythe of the Death God.

"If this were wartime, my weapon would probably reach its peak in no time."

"But we happen to be living in an era of peace. Upgrading it quickly really isn't realistic."

Uchiha Matsuzaki looked at the weapon in his hand and murmured to himself.

When he finished speaking, he went up to a large tree. He glanced at the blade in his hand and took a stance, ready to attack.

"Whoosh, whoosh..."

After a few simple swings, the tree before him was already battered beyond recognition. There was no denying that this weapon packed a powerful punch.

The weapon was still low-level, yet it already had such power. Its strength at a higher level was easy to imagine.

Just then, Uchiha Matsuzaki heard the sounds of a fight coming from nearby.

He immediately put away his weapon and searched for the source of the sounds, slowly making his way toward it.