Protect Mom

Mikoto walked nearby, quietly watching Koki carry Itachi on his back along the road home.

Seeing Koki's steady steps and his slightly bent back, she seemed to sense the duty and responsibility he carried.

She recalled Koki as a child, the carefree little boy who was always beaming, and who had now grown into a little adult who protected his family.

She gazed at Itachi's peaceful face as he rested on Koki's back. His young face was filled with contentment and serenity. Mikoto knew that with Koki there, Itachi felt safe and warm.

Complex emotions shimmered in her eyes: she was moved by the brothers' deep bond and filled with hopes for their future.

She remembered the days when Koki was little, when she had played and studied with him. Those carefree times seemed to be right before her eyes.

From an early age, Koki had shown thoughtfulness and maturity beyond his years. He had the pretty face inherited from the Uchiha, and his large, bright eyes always sparkled with intelligence. He had known how to respect and care for others from a young age, treating both family and friends with sincerity and warmth.

Back then, Koki had always been so innocent, lively, and adorable. He spent every day happily, like a little sun, as though nothing in the world could trouble him, shining into everyone's heart.

Now Koki had grown, and though his personality remained the same, he had begun to shoulder more responsibilities and obligations.

As the clan leader's eldest son, Koki was destined to bear a great deal. He had begun attending meetings with Fugaku and training hard day after day.

Mikoto counted the time and realized that in less than a year, Koki would be entering the Ninja Academy.

Mikoto couldn't help feeling a pang of tenderness for him.

Perhaps only Mikoto knew just how exceptional Koki was. Fugaku was busy, often away on missions for days at a time, and it was normal for him to work late at meetings.

That left Mikoto alone at home to look after the children. Yet Koki had given her little to worry about from an early age. He had never cried or fussed, day or night, and even when he was still a tiny child, he had clumsily climbed onto a stool at home to help Mikoto with the housework.

After Itachi was born, the brothers had been inseparable. Koki had taken on the responsibility and burden of caring for his little brother all by himself. Whenever night fell and Itachi cried because he was unsettled or frightened by a dream, Koki was always the first to wake, gently holding his brother and soothing him back to sleep with tender stories and familiar melodies.

Day after day, he sometimes had to soothe Itachi for most of the night, leaving him exhausted, yet Koki had never uttered a single complaint.

Koki was like a little guardian, always appearing when his brother needed help. He patiently taught Itachi to speak and walk, and whenever Itachi fell, he helped him up and comforted him in his own still-childlike voice.

Itachi was also very well behaved. Apart from crying at night when he was very little, he had stopped crying and fussing once he was a little older, becoming as mature as a little adult. When Koki was home, Itachi followed him like a shadow, the two inseparable; when Koki went out to train, Itachi quietly studied scrolls and practiced Hand Seals at home, never troubling Mikoto. His thoughtfulness and good behavior went beyond the innocence expected at his age.

Thoughtful as Itachi was, he showed his childish side and freely acted spoiled only in front of his older brother.

On countless peaceful nights, Mikoto had not been disturbed in the slightest. Even in daily life, the brothers did their utmost to spare her any hardship.

With boundless love and patience, Koki had built a warm shelter around Mikoto and Itachi.

A warmth welled up in Mikoto's heart, and she felt immeasurable comfort and pride.

She knew what exceptional, strong children Koki and Itachi were, and that their growth and progress had been made possible by their support and encouragement for each other.

As she looked ahead to them entering school and becoming outstanding ninja, Mikoto felt proud of them.

Watching the brothers' backs, Mikoto silently prayed that they could go on living happily like this, supporting each other and facing together whatever difficulties and challenges they encountered.

These were Mikoto's hopes and blessings for them as their mother, and also the sincerest wish in the depths of her heart.

Looking once again at Koki's back as he carried Itachi, Mikoto felt a pang in her heart. Tears glistened in her eyes, but she held them back.

They were tears of happiness, filled with her deep love and blessings for the brothers.

Mikoto's heart was full of anticipation and hope.

She believed that whatever challenges and difficulties the future held, Koki and Itachi would face them bravely together and create a wonderful future of their own.

Mikoto's gaze never left Koki's back. She walked over, stood beside him, and gently stroked his smooth hair.

Koki closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth and care from his mother.

It was interesting: almost everyone in the Uchiha Clan had the spiky hair passed down through the family, but only Koki and Itachi had smooth hair. Perhaps they had inherited it from her. At the thought, a smile touched Mikoto's lips.

If Koki had known what his mother was thinking, he would surely have added, "All the Uchiha have spiky hair; only Lord Itachi uses Rejoice."

"Koki, thank you for everything you've done all this time," Mikoto said softly, her voice full of emotion and pride.

There was also a barely perceptible catch in her voice.

Wait, a catch in her voice... Koki's eyes flew open, and he looked at Mikoto. "Mom, what's wrong?"

Mikoto shook her head and gently wrapped her arms around Koki and Itachi. Her embrace was warm, as though it could hold all pain and sorrow.

A tear slipped quietly down Mikoto's cheek and fell silently onto Koki's shoulder. "You're both the most important people in my life," she said, her voice choking. "Mom will always be with you, forever."

"Of course. I'll always be with you too, Mom." Koki's voice came from within Mikoto's embrace, slightly muffled.

As a transmigrator, Koki had often felt out of place in this ninja world during the days after he first arrived, when the system had disappeared.

He often lost himself in thought, pondering the meaning of his existence in this world and the path that lay ahead.

That loneliness and uncertainty had once made him quiet and reluctant to talk to others.

Mikoto saw it, and it pained her.

She always did her best to get close to Koki, easing his loneliness with her warmth and care.

She sought chances to be alone with Koki and listened as he shared what was in his heart, letting him feel her understanding and support.

She encouraged and supported Koki, helping him understand that he was not alone, that someone was willing to face the storms of the future hand in hand with him.

She also prepared Koki's favorite foods or spent time playing games and listening to music with him, trying through these little activities to let him feel the beauty and warmth of the world.

With Mikoto's love and support, Koki gradually began trying to fit into this unfamiliar world.

It was Mikoto who had let him experience the love of a family.

He would protect his mother.