Kurogami House
Kurogami POV
After taking a shower and once again admiring the luxurious bathroom, I couldn't help but think, "Yep, we're definitely loaded." This bathroom is massive! There's enough space for five Akimichi clan members to bathe in here and still have room to stretch out. Hell, there's even an outdoor jacuzzi with a scenic view.
At this point, I'm starting to believe that most of our wealth comes from Dad. Sure, the Uchiha clan is ancient and probably loaded, but all of this? It just seems excessive. Even if Mom's a powerhouse in the clan, I doubt they'd shell out this much without their wallets weeping in agony.
Heading downstairs, I saw Mom finishing dinner and setting the table. I spotted rice balls, miso soup, and some kind of chicken dish.
Dinner itself was mostly uneventful. Mom asked about my training, and I gave her a solid, "Everything's going fine." But curiosity got the better of me, and I asked:
"Mom, how strong are you?"
Reika finished eating a rice ball, set it down, and seemed to ponder the question. "Hmm… I'm strong enough to guide your training, if that's what you're wondering."
I shook my head. "No, I mean—how strong are you compared to the Hokage?"
She smirked. "That depends. If you're talking about the Third Hokage, well… he'd run for the hills if he saw me coming."
My eyes went wide. "Either she's flexing to impress me, or she's actually that powerful…"
"But what about the First and Second Hokage?" I asked.
Mom put her chin in her hand, thinking. "I don't know much about the Second. Never met him. I always called him 'vile Tobirama'—the evilest of the evilest of the Senju."
I nearly choked. That alone told me a lot about how she felt.
"But, according to clan records," she continued, "he'd be tricky to fight, but I'd win through sheer power alone."
She flexed her biceps for emphasis.
I tried to rank her strength based on everything she said. "And the First Hokage?"
She leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowing in thought. "Now that one's tricky. Kuro, you have to understand—our ancestor Madara was the only one who could match Hashirama in combat… and even he lost. Personally, I think if Hashirama had his brother's ruthlessness, Madara would've suffered an even worse defeat."
She sat upright again and looked at me with a teasing smirk in her eyes. "If I fought him, I'd probably do better than Madara. But even I'm not confident I'd win. So at best? A tie. Worst case? My defeat—but not my death. I'm confident I could escape."
The casual way she spoke about going toe-to-toe with legends left me stunned. In my mind, I ranked her as super Kage-tier—possibly mid-high.
I started thinking about the source of her strength. "If all this is true… she must have evolved the Sharingan—maybe even awakened the Mangekyō. But how did she overcome the blindness? Hashirama cells? Did Aunt Mikoto awaken hers too, and Mom took her eyes? So many questions… no answers."
While I was lost in thought, Mom called out.
"Kuro sweetie, why are you suddenly so curious about Mommy's strength? Did someone bully you? Should I have a little chat with their parents?"
Chat my ass. There'd be rumors of a whole family suddenly going bald or smelling like barbecue.
I smiled. "No, Mom. I just want better training to be ready for school next year."
She scoffed. "You're already close to Genin-level. By the time school starts, you'll be at least high Genin or low Chūnin. Don't worry so much about strength—focus on fundamentals: taijutsu, ninja tools, and definitely master the Fireball Jutsu and the three basic ones."
"Yes, Mom."
She walked over, knelt beside me, and gave me a head pat.
"Kuku, don't stress about being stronger than other kids. Aside from a few clan kids or maybe one or two talented civilians, no one will be able to stand up to my little boy. Focus on your childhood—make friends, study, enjoy school. Because once you become a ninja… things change. The people around you may not be there when you're my age."
She's wise… maybe like Azula mellowed out from constant warfare. Or maybe Dad—and me—made her reevaluate things.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll listen."
She smiled brightly. "Good. Focus on being a child first, then a ninja. Once you turn ten, I'll step up your training. Let your body grow naturally, and then I'll show you moves your father helped me develop."
My eyes lit up. "Really?!" (Ugh, acting like a kid is exhausting.)
"Yup! I'll make sure the world knows you're my son. Once they see what I've taught you, they'll be blown away."
"I'll be patient, then."
She rubbed my head again. "Good. Now that dinner's done, go drink your medicine from the fridge."
"Got it, Mom."
I took my plate, helped clean up, then opened the fridge and pulled out a clear bottle from the bottom compartment. Black symbols marked the glass, which had a royal, ornate design. The liquid inside shimmered like a rainbow made liquid. I opened it—its scent smelled like nature, but I couldn't place it.
I looked back at Mom, who was washing dishes while her shadow clones cleaned the table and packed leftovers.
"Mom, what kind of medicine is this?"
She paused and looked over. "It's something to help strengthen your body. Don't worry—I take it too. Sometimes in bigger doses than you."
"That's it? Was my body weak as a baby?"
She laughed. "No, you were extremely healthy. But your father found out that both of us were missing something. He went out, found a solution, and made us... complete. This was part of what we fed you—alongside milk, applesauce, and baby food."
That basically confirms it. But since I've been drinking this since I was a baby, and I don't have tree branches growing out of me or faces, I guess I'm safe or it not what I think it is. Still, I had to ask…
"Do other clan members get any?"
Mom resumed washing. "No. The clan elders and your father didn't see eye to eye. Other than me, you, Aunt Mikoto, and a few of my friends, no one else got it."
Oh wow. The clan obsessed with power missed out on a power-up. The irony is delicious.
"How many bottles did everyone get?"
"Mom's friends each got ten. Aunt Mikoto got twenty. And we… well, we got three hundred."
Three hundred?! Yeah, that explains a lot. If this is what I think it is, Mom bypassing Mangekyō side effects makes perfect sense.
"What about Uncle Fugaku?"
All the clones froze. Mom's voice took on a cold, almost smug tone.
"We gave him one. A diluted one. Your uncle was… let's just say, stubborn and jealous."
I gulped. "Why only one? What was he jealous of?"
Mom laughed. That laugh. The full-on Azula-style laugh that makes you think the devil had a daughter and left her here to rule the Earth.
"Oh, my sweet Kuku. Your uncle and your father never got along. Your father didn't hate him—he didn't care. But your uncle? Well, he had feelings. Male pride. Ego. And most of all… he lost out on a amazing prize he never had a chance with."
I blinked. Wait… was Mom the "prize"?
"Your father was the better man and didn't let it bother him. Your uncle, though? He couldn't let it go. If it weren't for Aunt Mikoto asking nicely, he wouldn't have gotten even the diluted one. I graciously convinced your father to give him that—out of the kindness of my heart."
So… Uncle Fugaku liked Mom. Dad won. Uncle got petty. Dad didn't care. And Mom rubbed it in like a queen.
Mom noticed my silence. "Kuku? Something wrong? Didn't like Mommy's story?"
"No, just… digesting it."
I downed the medicine in one go. Instantly, I felt stronger. The fatigue from training melted away.
"This stuff is amazing."
"Yep! Your dad worked hard to get it. He even set up a farm with two special cows. One produces the ingredient for this medicine. The other? Well… we haven't received anything from her yet."
"A cow?"
"Yup. Your father said the farm is in a place I'd never guess, and only you could reach it when you're older. All I know is we're set for regular deliveries for a long time."
"…Mom, that's shady."
She laughed. "Your father was shady. But he loved us. Everything he did had a purpose—even if it looked sketchy."
Seriously, who was my dad? Damn you, Chris. You know the answer and left me with this mystery to gnaw at until I'm older.
I sighed, rinsed the empty bottle, and headed for my room.
But before I left, I decided to be a little mischievous.
"Mom," I called out.
She looked up from the dishes, curious.
"Do you prefer I keep calling you 'Mom'… or should I go with 'that amazing prize'?"
If any Avatar fans had been there, they'd be taking photos or building shrines. Because I swear—Azula blushed. Cheeks red, neck flushed like a Fire Nation robe.
I burst out laughing—until she grabbed her slipper like she preparing a missile launcher.
Like the Flash, I bolted for my room, praying a locked door would be enough.
Unfortunately, Mom's voice chased me down the hall.
"Kuro! Don't forget—you're going shopping with me and Aunt Mikoto tomorrow! Only morning training allowed! And since you need Mommy's guidance, I'll be personally supervising your training—with extra effort!"
"Shit."