"That's right. I've been busy with school these past few days, but I finally finished everything today. See? I came straight over to see our sweet little Ayumi!"
Kei smiled as he looked at the little girl nestled in his arms, his face full of joy. Just as Kiko Minazuki cared for Kei as her own son, Kei treated the little girl before him as his own younger sister.
Kiko Minazuki's kindness was something he could spend his entire life repaying. Besides, the little girl practically saw him as her own big brother. How could Kei possibly not like such an innocent, carefree little thing?
"Mm-hmm! Ayumi's the best! Mommy always says so!"
Ayumi lifted her little head and spoke like a proud little swan.
"Haha! Yes, our Ayumi's the best!"
Kei laughed and gave the little girl's pert nose another pinch as he spoke with a smile.
"Huh? Is that Kei? You're back? Then the graduation exam..."
The siblings' conversation outside the door drew the attention of the others inside. Almost as soon as Kiko Minazuki heard Kei's familiar voice, she hurried out of the kitchen, not even stopping to take off her apron. A faint trace of worry showed on her beautiful face.
But when she saw that Kei was practically unscathed, she immediately sighed in relief. Then, before Kei needed to say anything, the gleaming Mist Ninja forehead protector came into her view. Kiko's eyes widened in apparent disbelief as she approached with light steps. Gently touching the forehead protector on Kei's forehead, she asked in a slightly trembling voice, "Kei, did you pass the graduation exam?"
Although the fact before her was beyond doubt, Kiko still felt a sense of unreality. It was not that she did not believe in Kei, but Kirigakure's graduation exam was the cruelest among the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Kiko herself had taken the exam at twelve, failed once, and barely passed the second time after nearly dying. Ever since learning that Kei had applied to graduate early, she had been deeply worried about his safety.
Had she not known that the application could not be withdrawn, and had she not wanted to avoid letting her worry affect Kei's condition, Kiko would long since have asked him to give up on taking this exam.
In Kiko's eyes, the best choice was to stay safely at the Ninja Academy until twelve before taking the graduation exam.
But she was powerless to change reality.
All she could do was pray silently. Because of that, she had found it somewhat difficult to eat or sleep in the time leading up to it. Especially today, when the exam officially began, Kiko had been restless all day. Whenever she closed her eyes, she felt as though she could see the horrifying sight of Kei drenched in blood.
She was truly afraid that the next moment would bring tragic news about Kei from the clan!
And so!
When Kei returned unharmed, even wearing the forehead protector that symbolized his status as a Mist Ninja, Kiko truly felt an unreal sensation, as though she were dreaming.
"Yes, Aunt Kiko! I'm officially a Mist Ninja now!"
Of course, Kei could clearly sense the worry for him hidden deep in Aunt Kiko's heart. That was precisely why he had chosen to come to her house as soon as the exam ended.
He wanted to put Kiko's mind at ease as soon as possible.
At that moment, Kei straightened his back as much as he could and used his firmest tone to brush away the last traces of uncertainty and worry in Kiko Minazuki's heart.
"Wonderful, that's truly wonderful. Congratulations, congratulations, Kei! Congratulations!"
That was the final confirmation she received.
Kiko immediately wept with joy. She reached out with her right hand and gently stroked Kei's cheek, her excited happiness plain on her face.
"Yes, Aunt Kiko. And thank you for supporting me all this time!"
Seeing how overwhelmed Kiko was, Kei's expression softened even further. Looking at her, he spoke in a very earnest tone.
"Mommy, why are you crying? Shouldn't you be happy that Big Brother Kei graduated?"
Little Ayumi, still in Kei's arms, reached out her chubby little hand and gently touched Kiko's cheek, tilting her little head as she asked.
"Yes, little Ayumi is right. Your big brother Kei graduated, and that's something to be very happy about. We have to celebrate properly today! We're having a feast tonight!"
Kiko gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, stroked her youngest daughter's head, and spoke with a smile.
"Oh! Oh! A feast! A feast!"
Hearing her mother's words, the little girl's eyes lit up. She immediately raised both hands and waved them vigorously, cheering with delight.
Her little face was full of anticipation.
For a little one her age.
Having delicious food, fun things to play with, and the people closest to her by her side.
That was the happiest thing of all.
"You don't need to go to all that trouble, Aunt Kiko. Something simple is fine. We're all family."
Hearing Kiko's words, Kei hurriedly waved his hand as he spoke.
It was only a graduation exam.
Kei truly did not think they needed to do anything special to celebrate.
But Kiko clearly thought otherwise.
"No, graduating is a big occasion. How could we keep it simple? Play with Ayumi for a while. I'll go out and buy some more food, and tell your Uncle Hisashi to come home early while I'm at it. Our family has to celebrate properly today!"
Looking at Kei standing close by, Kiko shook her head gently and spoke just as earnestly.
With that, she bustled out the door without waiting for Kei's reply.
Watching Kiko disappear into the distance, Kei could only smile helplessly. His Aunt Kiko really did take such things seriously.
"Come on, little Ayumi. I'll play with you until Mommy gets back!"
"Okay!"
"Oh, right, where's your big brother Takahiro? Isn't he home? Did he run off somewhere to play again today?"
"Big Brother Hiro went out early this morning. He's been out every day lately, and he never plays with Ayumi!"
"Then he really is a bad big brother. Just wait until he gets back and see how I teach him a lesson!"
"Mm!"
These heartwarming everyday moments belonged to Kei alone. In this cruel world, they were also the only warmth and hope deep within his heart!
He had to keep getting stronger! Keep getting stronger!
Not only for himself, but also so he could protect these family members he cherished!
The helplessness Uchiha Sasuke had felt in the original story when pain and disaster struck was a turn of events Kei absolutely did not want to see.
He would never allow anyone to sully or destroy this warmth that belonged to him alone!
This was Kei's ninja way.
And it was also Kei's vow!