Fugaku's Home Was Stolen (Seeking Readership)

Downstairs, Uchiha Fugaku froze.

He had intended to call out to Uchiha Mikoto, but he hadn't expected to be a step too slow; she had actually jumped into Uchiha Kurohane's room.

He was instantly gripped by panic.

He didn't know what Uchiha Mikoto had whispered while crouching by the bedside, nor did he know why she had jumped into Uchiha Kurohane's room in the first place.

He only knew that Uchiha Mikoto's behavior was deeply wrong.

Everyone was there to see him off to the battlefield in the Land of Rain; why wasn't Mikoto looking at him, and why had she run into Uchiha Kurohane's room instead?

It didn't make any sense!

Could it be that Mikoto cared more about that kid than she did about him?

Once that possibility crossed his mind, Uchiha Fugaku was so furious he felt like jumping up.

He was a genius of the Uchiha clan, universally recognized as the future clan head and the future Hokage.

He was the one who would achieve the dream that even Madara couldn't—becoming the Hokage!

Why would Mikoto care more about that coward than him?

This was truly unjustifiable!

Uchiha Fugaku's brain reeled with agitation, his breathing grew labored, and his heart felt as if it were being squeezed by a hand, leaving him unable to catch his breath.

A chill surged through his heart.

Wait.

He was about to head to the Land of Rain to fight, and he didn't know when he would return.

For the duration of his absence, he wouldn't be able to see Mikoto.

Yet that brat could see her every single day.

This...

A sudden, ominous premonition struck Uchiha Fugaku.

Uchiha Kurohane would take advantage of his absence from Konoha to steal Mikoto away!

No way. He would be on the front lines fighting for Konoha.

For him to be backstabbing him at home—the irony was too much!

At the thought of this possibility, Uchiha Fugaku's face turned pale, and he felt as though his hair were turning green.

Uchiha Fugaku desperately wanted to change his plans and refuse to go to the Land of Rain.

But the departure was imminent, and the Uchiha clansmen were all standing on both sides to see him off.

If he were to shrink back now, he would be branded a coward and become the laughingstock of the Uchiha clan.

With such a dark stain on his record, he would never be accepted by the clansmen.

He would lose his chance to become the clan head, and certainly his chance to become the Hokage.

For the sake of his future, Uchiha Fugaku could not retreat; he had to go to the Land of Rain.

Uchiha Fugaku sighed helplessly.

Since he couldn't change reality, he could only try to convince himself.

Mikoto wasn't a foolish woman; she was intelligent and would surely be able to see who the truly superior man was.

As the daughter of the clan head, she would certainly never set her sights on that orphan.

Don't panic!

As a genius of the Uchiha clan, he had a massive advantage!

There was no need to overthink it!

Once he slaughtered his way across the battlefield in the Land of Rain and returned a hero, Mikoto would surely be captivated by him!

Yes, once he returned victorious, he would be able to be with Mikoto!

After giving himself a mental pep talk, Uchiha Fugaku regained his confidence.

The genius of the Uchiha clan held his head high once more, facing the morning sun with a brilliant smile.

Don't panic; his life was on track, and his future was bright.

He just had to finish this war and come back!

Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Kurohane did not attend Uchiha Fugaku's send-off; instead, they headed to the pancake shop.

When the shopkeeper, Uchiha Uruchi, saw Uchiha Kurohane and Mikoto walking over together, her eyes crinkled into a smile.

"Kurohane, Mikoto, good morning. Would you like some pancakes?"

Uchiha Mikoto replied with a smile.

"Yes, please give us four pancakes."

She pulled a small, light blue coin purse from her pocket.

Uchiha Uruchi saw her preparing to pay and immediately stopped her.

"No need to pay, this one is on me."

Uchiha Mikoto tilted her head in confusion.

"Why are you treating me?"

As the eldest daughter of the Uchiha clan head, she was quite wealthy and had never been treated to a meal at a rice cracker shop before; she didn't understand why the woman would suddenly say such a thing.

Uchiha Uruchi smiled and said.

"I told Kurohane before that if he brought a companion over, I'd treat him to rice crackers. I'm just keeping my promise."

In truth, what Uchiha Uruchi had actually said was that if Uchiha Kurohane brought a girlfriend over, but she worried that being too direct might scare Mikoto away, so she had changed "girlfriend" to "companion."

Uchiha Mikoto turned her head in surprise to look at Uchiha Kurohane.

It was as if her eyes were asking why he was on such good terms with her.

Uchiha Kurohane smiled without a word, took the rice crackers, offered his thanks, and led Uchiha Mikoto away.

Uchiha Uruchi immediately ran into the back room and said to Uchiha Teyaki, who was sitting inside resting.

"Old man, do you know who Kurohane brought by just now? It was Mikoto! He's actually with Mikoto!"

Uchiha Teyaki stood up, delighted.

"No way, he's actually with Mikoto? That young lady has such a high status; she's a flower on a high peak. How could they have ended up together?"

The two elders began to discuss it excitedly, acting just like Uchiha Kurohane's grandparents.

"It's obviously because Kurohane is outstanding. Mikoto is a smart girl; she must have seen his potential!"

However, after laughing for a while, Uchiha Teyaki's expression soon turned somber.

"Their statuses are too far apart. Clan Head Setsuna will surely support Mikoto being with Fugaku. Can Kurohane really compete with him?"

Uchiha Uruchi said with a firm expression.

"He certainly can. Even though Fugaku is a genius and very talented, Kurohane is even better!"

"Besides, everyone should be seeing Fugaku off to the Land of Rain battlefield right now. The fact that Mikoto isn't there to see him off, but is instead buying rice crackers with Kurohane, says it all!"

Uchiha Teyaki slapped his forehead, suddenly enlightened.

"Ah, so that's how it is! But they've only just started; the road ahead is long. Kurohane, you have to keep at it!"

Uchiha Teyaki and Uchiha Uruchi, unaware of the actual situation, cheered Uchiha Kurohane on of their own accord.

Little did they know that Uchiha Kurohane's goal was not merely to win over a single Mikoto.

His dream was to become a man who stood above the Five Kage; Mikoto was merely one of the twelve Princesses of the Shinobi...

In the woods of the Uchiha territory.

Uchiha Kurohane and Uchiha Mikoto sat in the shade of a tree, eating their rice crackers together.

Uchiha Mikoto savored the fragrant scallion oil flavor in her mouth and asked with a smile.

"Why are you on such good terms with the owner of the rice cracker shop? She's never treated me to any."

"Because I'm a kind, good man."

Uchiha Kurohane replied righteously.

Uchiha Mikoto pouted her cherry lips and teased him with a smile.

"This is the first time I've seen someone say that about themselves. You're really thick-skinned."

"You're mistaken. I am exactly that kind of good person, so I have a clear conscience."

After their recent interactions, Uchiha Mikoto also felt that Uchiha Kurohane was a gentle man, and she admired him deeply.

So I'm not the only one who thinks so; even Granny Uruchi likes Kurohane.

She has lived for so long and has such a wealth of life experience; she certainly wouldn't misjudge a person.

Kurohane really is a good man. I must win him over!

I'll make him my underling!

"Let me state the rules for our spar first."

Uchiha Kurohane swallowed his rice cracker and replied, "Go ahead."

"We'll spar using basic taijutsu. You aren't allowed to use ninjutsu or the Clone Technique, you can't use the Sharingan, and you can't use superhuman strength. Any objections?"

She's banning all the abilities I have that are stronger than hers. This little lady is truly shrewd...