The Uchiha clan compound.
"I'm home, Mom!"
Uchiha Sasuke called out as he took off his shoes.
"Welcome back, Sasuke."
Uchiha Mikoto's gentle voice soon answered.
"Where's big brother?"
Sasuke stepped into the living room and asked impatiently.
"You look for your brother every time you come home."
Mikoto reached out and rubbed his head, smiling.
"What's so urgent?"
"I've got serious business!"
Sasuke pouted, emphasizing his words.
"Your brother hasn't come back yet."
Seeing how cute he looked, Mikoto's smile deepened.
"Then I'll wait for him."
Sasuke sat down on the sofa.
"I'll go start dinner."
Mikoto took two steps, then suddenly remembered something and turned back.
"Didn't you have school today? How was it?"
"It was just ninja house-play. Pretty boring."
Sasuke said proudly.
"I'll be just like my brother and take first place at the academy!"
"Do your best!"
Mikoto clenched her fist and gave him an encouraging wave.
After a while, the sound of the door opening echoed.
"Big brother!"
Sasuke jumped up and rushed over.
"Sasuke."
Uchiha Itachi smiled gently.
"Is our Uchiha clan… not as powerful as it used to be?"
Sasuke asked bluntly.
"..."
Itachi opened his mouth, then fell silent.
Even Sasuke has noticed…
The Uchiha clan truly stood on the brink of survival.
"I had a Konoha history class today."
Sasuke spoke excitedly.
"The teacher talked about the founding of the village. Back then, the Uchiha clan was just as respected as the Senju!"
So that's it.
Understanding dawned on Itachi's face, and he quietly let out a breath of relief.
He didn't want Sasuke dragged into the conflict between the Uchiha clan and the village.
"That teacher sounds pretty good,"
Itachi said with a smile.
"He even teaches Uchiha history."
"Why do you say that?"
Sasuke asked, confused.
He didn't know that the Uchiha clan had already reached a point where everyone avoided them.
Most academy teachers treated that history like a taboo—something to gloss over as quickly as possible.
"It's nothing."
Itachi shook his head and didn't explain.
"Then will the Uchiha clan return to how it was before?"
Sasuke asked expectantly.
"We will."
Itachi answered firmly.
"Yeah!"
Sasuke grinned.
"With you here, big brother, the Uchiha clan's future will definitely be even more brilliant!"
"..."
Itachi paused, then nodded.
"I'll bring the Uchiha clan back onto the right path."
Night fell deeper.
On the quiet streets of Konoha, two figures walked side by side.
"Y-you… you're drunk again… you're really bad at drinking!"
Kurenai pointed at Kitazawa, her pretty face flushed like peach blossoms.
"You're the one who's drunk."
Kitazawa corrected calmly.
"I'm not."
He'd only had one bottle.
Kurenai had downed three.
"Then… then why's your face red?"
She swayed as she laughed loudly.
"Careful."
Kitazawa quickly stepped forward and caught her by the waist.
"I—I'm fine."
Kurenai leaned into his arms naturally.
The scent of alcohol mixed with her fragrance rushed up.
Without meaning to, Kitazawa looked down.
They were extremely close.
He could clearly see the curve formed by her pale neck and the black mesh lining at her collar.
"We're… we're here."
Kurenai patted his chest and suddenly laughed.
"Pretty solid, huh."
"Looks like you're really drunk."
Kitazawa tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Do you need me to walk you inside?"
"I'm not drunk!"
Kurenai immediately snapped back, as if some counter had been triggered.
"If you don't believe me, come in—we'll keep drinking!"
"Alright, alright, you're not drunk."
Kitazawa coaxed her like a child.
"Hmph!"
Kurenai took out her keys and opened the door.
Under the dim light, her perfect figure was outlined clearly.
"Kitazawa."
She leaned against the doorframe, smiling at him.
"See you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
Kitazawa nodded.
After the door closed, he turned and left.
Before long, he reached his own place.
Not far away, Ichiraku Ramen was still bustling, steam rising as people came and went.
Kitazawa glanced at it once, then looked away.
His home was a two-story wooden building.
The first floor was a general store.
It sold all sorts of things—rice, oil, daily necessities, snacks, and soda.
The second floor was his living space.
Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen—small, but fully equipped.
Having drunk alcohol, Kitazawa didn't bother opening the shop.
After a quick shower, he returned to his room and fell asleep.
A new day.
Knocking sounded at the door.
Kitazawa sat up, rubbing his slightly dizzy head.
After getting dressed, he walked over, puzzled.
Who would come this early?
He opened the door.
Standing outside was Kurenai.
Before he could speak, breakfast was shoved into his hands.
"I bought this while fighting off a hangover headache."
Kurenai grinned brightly.
"Be grateful to your kind-hearted old classmate!"
In truth, it was her way of thanking him for walking her home last night.
"Thanks."
Kitazawa accepted it.
"Have you eaten?"
"I have. I'm heading to the Kurama clan now."
Kurenai paused, then added,
"My student is Kurama Yakumo—the Kurama clan's young lady."
"I've heard of that clan."
Kitazawa glanced at the breakfast—simple bread and milk.
"At their peak, they rivaled the Uchiha in genjutsu."
"Yes, that clan."
Kurenai turned, her long black hair swaying.
"I'm off. Today I'll try the teaching methods you gave me."
"Truly a good woman."
Kitazawa sighed as he watched her leave.
He suddenly remembered a line often seen in urban novels from his previous life—
A good woman should never be missed. A bad woman should never be let go.
After breakfast, Kitazawa headed to the classroom.
Just like yesterday, because he arrived early, only a few students were there.
But Hinata was already present.
Born into the Hyūga clan, she was disciplined and punctual.
Still, something was different today.
At least—she took the initiative to greet him.
"K-Kitazawa-sensei…"
Hinata stood up, mustering her courage.
Kitazawa's gaze landed on her face.
After being stared at for a few seconds, Hinata panicked.
She brushed her hair back, clenched the hem of her clothes, and her cheeks reddened.
"Good morning, Hinata."
Watching her reactions, Kitazawa couldn't help but smile.
This little girl really was fun.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/NightScript