Brother Complex

Uchiha Izuna's face lit up with joy: "Brother System, where's my reward?"

"Ding! It has been deposited into the System Space." As the voice faded, an electronic panel appeared before Uchiha Izuna, with the clear number 7/600 displayed in the bottom left corner.

Uchiha Izuna nodded. Not bad at all—a 600-slot inventory!

Just then, a voice rang out: "Zhan, you're back!" The tone was stern and solemn, instantly dampening Uchiha Izuna's mood.

Sensing the fluctuation in Uchiha Izuna's emotions, the system silently closed the inventory, and his vision returned to normal.

At a glance, he saw Uchiha Fugaku standing with his arms crossed, watching him with an icy expression and pursed lips.

"Yes, Father. Is there something you need?" Uchiha Izuna replied, his expression composed and neither servile nor overbearing.

The corners of Uchiha Fugaku's mouth lifted slightly: "Let's eat first. Your mother and Sasuke are waiting for you."

Hearing that his mother and younger brother were waiting for him to dine, Uchiha Izuna's eyes twitched, and his spirits lifted. However, being an Uchiha meant being a natural-born tsundere; he wouldn't say anything sentimental, so he simply nodded and gave a grunt of acknowledgment.

Uchiha Fugaku started walking first, with Uchiha Izuna following close behind. Whether it was intentional or not, Uchiha Izuna felt the distance between them closing with every step.

Once they were walking shoulder-to-shoulder, Uchiha Fugaku spoke: "What are your plans?"

"Eat first. We'll talk after dinner." Right now, all Uchiha Izuna could think about were his mother and brother.

Uchiha Fugaku pursed his lips but ultimately nodded. As they reached the entrance of the living room, a voice drifted from within.

"Is that Zhan back?" A voice filled with magnetism and maternal love echoed out. Immediately after, the door slid open, and Mikoto Uchiha looked at the two of them with a beaming smile.

Uchiha Fugaku's eyes brightened as he stepped forward, but Mikoto Uchiha brushed past him, heading straight for her son, Uchiha Izuna.

She had already heard that at today's clan meeting, her second son had dominated the competition and united the Uchiha clan.

She felt proud of Uchiha Izuna, but at the same time, she worried about whether he had suffered greatly to attain such strength.

In Mikoto Uchiha's heart, Konoha and its politics meant nothing; she only wanted her son to grow up healthy and happy. Whether it was a coup or living in seclusion, she was just a woman, and she had no grand ambitions.

"Mother..." Uchiha Izuna began, his eyes reddening. This was the combined effect of the deepest feelings within this body and Luan Zhan experiencing a mother's love for the first time, making him unable to hold back his tears.

Mikoto Uchiha swayed, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably. She pulled Uchiha Izuna into a tight embrace and began to sob: "My son, have you been wronged? Tell Mother."

Uchiha Izuna shook his head: "No, nothing." He sniffled, then forced a smile: "Mother, I missed you."

Mikoto Uchiha's gaze softened as she stroked his hair: "Silly child, Mother is right here at home. Whenever you miss me, just come back to see me."

Hearing Mikoto Uchiha's words, a hint of tenderness flickered in Uchiha Fugaku's eyes, and even Uchiha Izuna seemed a bit more pleasing to him now.

As he listened to Mikoto Uchiha, Uchiha Izuna's body stiffened. He calculated the time—it seemed there were only 10 days left until the Uchiha Clan Massacre. No, the day was almost over; only nine days remained!

Feeling the warmth of his mother's embrace, Uchiha Izuna's eyes burned with madness. He would absolutely not allow anyone to destroy his family—never. Even if it were his own older brother, if he stood in his way, he would slaughter him.

If it came to that, he would simply pay with his own life if his mother demanded it! Regardless, he would never allow his mother to be in any danger! Never!

Mikoto Uchiha suddenly felt a chill, an inexplicable coldness washing over her. She looked at Uchiha Izuna, who immediately retracted his killing intent and broke into a bright smile.

"Mother, I'm hungry. What's for dinner tonight?" Uchiha Izuna asked, acting like a spoiled child.

Only then did the corners of Mikoto Uchiha's mouth lift as she tapped his nose: "Silly boy, just a simple meal. Salmon Sushi, Temari Sushi, Caviar..."

Uchiha Izuna's mouth began to water. He loved seafood, but after that country with the "nice" lifestyle started dumping nuclear wastewater, he hadn't touched any seafood at all.

Now, in this world, he could eat to his heart's content!

"Mm-hmm! Mother, let's go eat!" With that, Uchiha Izuna grabbed Mikoto Uchiha's arm and urged her along.

Mikoto Uchiha laughed heartily, then took Uchiha Izuna's hand and walked inside.

Uchiha Fugaku was just about to follow when—bang—the door slammed shut.

Uchiha Fugaku: "..."

This was Mikoto Uchiha's punishment for him; his son had been wronged, and he, as the father, didn't even know what was going on!

Mikoto Uchiha didn't care whether Uchiha Izuna had talent or not; she only knew that Uchiha Izuna was the child she had carried for ten months and birthed through such hardship.

Uchiha Izuna felt a warmth in his heart; he knew his mother was seeking justice for him.

Sasuke Uchiha was slumped over the dining table, drooling in his sleep. Even though he was hungry, he had insisted on waiting for his older brother.

This warmed Uchiha Izuna's heart. He walked over to Sasuke Uchiha and flicked him on the forehead.

Duang~

Sasuke Uchiha winced in pain and let out an "ouch." He lifted his head, ready to throw a tantrum, but upon seeing Uchiha Izuna, he immediately quieted down and reached out his arms for a hug.

"Second Brother~ Hug~" Sasuke Uchiha giggled. At seven years old, he was at that innocent and carefree age.

With his talent and background, he should have been able to live a happy life, but unfortunately, a certain piece of trash had to exist.

Uchiha Izuna sighed inwardly and picked up Sasuke Uchiha: "Sasuke, did you miss your brother?"

Just then, Uchiha Fugaku walked in. Sasuke Uchiha had originally wanted to say he did, but seeing Uchiha Fugaku's icy face, he timidly muttered: "Sa-Sasuke is a big boy now. No, I didn't."

Uchiha Izuna frowned. He glanced back and saw Uchiha Fugaku entering. He hadn't cared before, but seeing Sasuke Uchiha become so fearful made his blood boil. His "little brother protector" instinct triggered, and his eyes instantly shifted into the Mangekyō, glaring at Uchiha Fugaku.

Uchiha Fugaku felt immense pressure. So, this was what it felt like to be stared down by Uchiha Izuna—the pressure was overwhelming. He truly pitied the Uchiha clansmen at today's meeting.

"Father, please put away that patriarch attitude of yours. Sasuke is still young, and I don't want his childhood to be influenced by certain people, causing him to become timid," Uchiha Izuna said coldly.