Uchiha Fugaku froze downstairs.
He had wanted to call out to Uchiha Mikoto, but he was a step too late. She had actually jumped into Uchiha Kurohane's room.
He immediately panicked.
He had no idea what Uchiha Mikoto had said to Uchiha Kurohane while crouching beside his bed, or why she had jumped into his room.
He only knew that Uchiha Mikoto's behavior was very strange.
Everyone was seeing him off to the battlefield in the Land of Rain. Why wasn't Mikoto paying attention to him, but instead running into Uchiha Kurohane's room?
That made no sense!
Could Mikoto care more about that kid than me?
When Uchiha Fugaku considered the possibility, he was so furious he wanted to leap into the air.
I'm a genius of the Uchiha Clan, widely recognized as the clan's future leader. People even think I'll be the future Hokage.
I can fulfill a dream even Madara couldn't achieve: becoming Hokage!
Why would Mikoto care more about that coward than me?
This really made no sense!
Uchiha Fugaku's mind reeled with agitation. He struggled to breathe, his heart felt as if a hand were squeezing it, and he couldn't catch his breath.
A chill crept through him.
Wait a second.
I'm going to fight in the Land of Rain now. Who knows when I'll be back?
I won't be able to see Mikoto for a while.
But that kid can see Mikoto every day.
This...
A sudden, ominous premonition rose in Uchiha Fugaku's heart.
Uchiha Kurohane would steal Mikoto away while he was gone from Konoha!
No way. I'm fighting for Konoha on the front lines.
He's stealing my home while I'm away? That's too ironic!
When Uchiha Fugaku considered this possibility, his face turned ashen, and he could almost feel his hair turning green.
Uchiha Fugaku badly wanted to change the plan and announce that he wasn't going to the Land of Rain.
But it was almost time to set off, and the Uchiha Clan members were lined up on both sides to see him off.
If he backed out at the last minute, everyone would think he was a coward, and he'd become a laughingstock among the Uchiha Clan.
With that stain on his reputation, he could never earn the clan's respect.
He would have no chance of becoming the Uchiha Clan Head, much less the Hokage.
For the sake of his future, Uchiha Fugaku couldn't back down. He had to go to the Land of Rain.
Uchiha Fugaku let out a helpless sigh.
Since he couldn't change reality, all he could do was convince himself.
Mikoto wasn't a foolish woman. She was smart and could surely tell who the truly outstanding man was.
As the clan leader's daughter, she would never fall for an orphan.
Don't panic!
As a genius of the Uchiha Clan, I have a huge advantage!
No need to overthink it!
Once I've slaughtered my way across the battlefield in the Land of Rain and returned as a hero, Mikoto will fall for me!
That's right. As long as I return victorious, I'll be able to be with Mikoto!
After giving himself a thorough pep talk, Uchiha Fugaku regained his confidence.
The Uchiha Clan's genius lifted his head again, faced the morning sun, and smiled radiantly.
Don't panic. My life is going smoothly, and my future is bright.
Once I finish this war, I'll come back and everything will be fine!
Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Kurohane didn't go to Uchiha Fugaku's send-off. Instead, they headed to the senbei shop.
The shop's owner, Uchiha Uruchi, saw Uchiha Kurohane and Mikoto walking over together, and her eyes crinkled with delight.
"Good morning, Kurohane, Mikoto. Would you like some senbei?"
Uchiha Mikoto answered with a smile.
"Yes, please. I'll have four."
She took a small, pale-blue wallet from her pocket.
When Uchiha Uruchi saw her reaching for money, she immediately stopped her.
"No need to pay. It's on me."
Uchiha Mikoto tilted her head, puzzled.
"Why?"
She was the Uchiha Clan Head's daughter, a little rich girl, and the senbei shop had never treated her before. She didn't understand why the woman would suddenly offer.
Uchiha Uruchi smiled as she explained.
"I told Kurohane before that if he brought a friend here, I'd treat him to senbei. I'm keeping my promise."
What Uchiha Uruchi had actually said was that she'd treat Uchiha Kurohane if he brought his girlfriend. But she worried that being too direct would scare Mikoto away, so she'd changed "girlfriend" to "friend."
Uchiha Mikoto turned in surprise to look at Uchiha Kurohane.
Her eyes seemed to ask, Why are you so close to her?
Uchiha Kurohane smiled without answering, took the senbei, thanked her, and left with Uchiha Mikoto.
Uchiha Uruchi immediately ran into the back room and spoke to Uchiha Teyaki, who was sitting inside and resting.
"Old man, do you know who Kurohane brought here just now? It was Mikoto! He and Mikoto are together!"
Uchiha Teyaki happily jumped to his feet.
"No way! He's together with Mikoto? That little girl is so high-status—she's like a flower on a high peak. How did the two of them end up together?"
The two old people excitedly discussed the matter like Uchiha Kurohane's grandparents.
"Of course it's because Kurohane is outstanding! Mikoto's a smart girl. She must have seen what makes him special!"
But after laughing for a while, Uchiha Teyaki soon grew worried.
"They're from such different backgrounds. Clan Head Setsuna will surely support Mikoto being with Fugaku. Can Kurohane compete with him?"
Uchiha Uruchi said firmly,
"Of course he can. Fugaku is a genius and very capable, but Kurohane is even better!"
"Besides, everyone should be seeing Fugaku off to the battlefield in the Land of Rain right now. Mikoto isn't there to see Fugaku off; she's buying senbei with Kurohane instead. That says it all!"
Uchiha Teyaki slapped his forehead, suddenly understanding.
"Ah, so that's it! But they've only just started, haven't they? There's a long road ahead. Kurohane, you've got this!"
Uchiha Teyaki and Uchiha Uruchi didn't know the whole story, but they cheered Uchiha Kurohane on anyway.
They never would have dreamed that Uchiha Kurohane's goal wasn't to win over a mere Mikoto.
His dream was to become the man of the Five Kage. Mikoto was only one of the Twelve Ji...
In the woods on Uchiha Clan land.
Uchiha Kurohane and Uchiha Mikoto sat together in the shade of a tree, eating senbei.
Uchiha Mikoto savored the fragrant scallion oil in her mouth and asked with a smile,
"Why are you so close to the senbei shop owner? She's never treated me to senbei."
"Because I'm a kind and good man."
Uchiha Kurohane answered with complete confidence.
Uchiha Mikoto pursed her rosy lips and teased him with a smile.
"That's the first time I've heard someone say that about himself. You're so thick-skinned."
"You're wrong. I really am that kind of good person, so I have nothing to feel guilty about."
After spending more time with Uchiha Kurohane lately, Uchiha Mikoto had come to think of him as a gentle man, and she admired him too.
So it wasn't just me who thought that. Even Granny Uruchi likes Kurohane.
She's lived a long time and has plenty of life experience. She couldn't be wrong about him.
Kurohane really is a good man. I have to win him over!
And make him my underling!
"First, let me explain the rules."
Uchiha Kurohane swallowed his senbei and replied, "Go ahead."
"We'll fight using ordinary Taijutsu. You can't use Ninjutsu or the Clone Technique, and you can't use the Sharingan. You can't use Chakra Enhanced Strength either. Any objections?"
So I can't use any of the abilities I'm stronger than her with. This girl's pretty clever...
Before you continue