"Well, you see, Yuta's mother died the night he was born, so he never had a mother's love growing up. The only female in his life has been his older sister. Their relationship is complicated, but that boy will not tolerate anyone insulting her," Yuta's grandfather said.
"Oh, what a poor child. But still, how will he be able to defeat an academy graduate?" Grandma Mito asked.
---
Just as Yuta was about to make his first move, his uncle Hakeru appeared beside him with a blade already at his neck.
"Yuta, you shouldn't be acting like this," his father said.
Yuta snapped back to his senses. "Did I just get baited by these clowns?"
He nodded along as his father continued speaking, but none of the words actually registered.
Then his uncle stepped closer, bent down, and whispered in his ear, "I don't care how you do it, but you need to put those bastards in their place. Just don't go all out. There are people watching you."
Yuta made sure not to look around and give himself away.
As soon as the two men stepped back, the Hyuga boy started taunting Yuta again.
"I can't believe your own family members had to come talk sense into you," he said.
Yuta just shook his head. This guy wouldn't last a day if his life depended on his sense of humor.
Yuta wanted to end this fast, but not so fast that it would put a target on his back.
"Let's do this, white eyes."
---
Just before the two boys could clash, a voice rang out.
"Yuta!"
'Damn, what is she doing here at this time?' Yuta thought inwardly.
Before Yuta could make sense of why his sister was yelling, he was punched in the face. He staggered and fell on his backside.
"What kind of mess have you gotten yourself into, and why are you outside this late?" Mikoto said, grabbing Yuta by the collar and shaking him left and right.
"I can't breathe," Yuta said weakly.
Mikoto released him, then turned and looked at the crowd around them. She didn't know the details, but she was certain Yuta had caused all of this.
"Now tell me what's going on. You know you're supposed to be on curfew."
Yuta, still sitting on the ground, inhaled deeply like he had just narrowly escaped death.
He looked up at Mikoto when she asked her question, but he was still processing how this same Mikoto would become the unluckiest person in the Uchiha clan. Yuta was one hundred percent sure that Fugaku had put Mikoto under a genjutsu the night that weasel slaughtered his parents.
"Don't worry. I promise you won't suffer the way you did in the original timeline," Yuta muttered.
"What are you saying? Are you insulting me again?" Mikoto asked, because Yuta was always saying things she couldn't understand.
"No, I was just wondering why you're here, big sister."
"I've been waiting for you and Dad, but neither of you showed up. That's why I came here, to bring you home before Dad or Uncle found out you were picking a fight."
Yuta pointed to the side where his father and uncle stood.
"Huh." Mikoto was speechless when she saw them.
She let go of Yuta and walked straight over to where her family stood.
"Dad, why did you let Yuta fight?" Mikoto asked.
She didn't pay attention to anyone else there or even greet her father properly.
"Hi, Mikoto!" a young red-haired girl called out.
"Huh?" Mikoto now looked to the opposite side.
There were two familiar people standing in front of her, along with others she had seen before.
"Hello, Kushina. What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Well, we came here to celebrate my graduation from the academy, so everyone's here," Kushina said.
"Sorry. Greetings, everyone. My name is Mikoto Uchiha," Mikoto said, bowing her head.
"Hey, Mikoto, how are you celebrating your graduation? Don't tell me you're not going to celebrate it," Kushina said.
"Hehe, how can I celebrate when my stupid brother can't stop looking for trouble?" Mikoto said with a dry laugh.
"You mean to tell me that little runt is your brother? You never told me you had a brother!" Kushina said.
"Well, you never asked me about my weird family. And I'm sure you've seen the people I spend my life with," Mikoto replied.
"Hey, sorry for interrupting your conversation, but I think you should talk your brother out of this. He's going to get beaten by that guy," Nawaki said, stepping forward.
"Huh? Kushina, can you tell me what happened?" Mikoto asked.
Kushina explained everything they had heard and how it all led to this.
"Damn those bastards," Mikoto said, grinding her teeth.
She now understood that it was the Hyuga clan who had started trouble with her brother. That clan was now on her hate list.
"Yuta! I want you to break every bone in his body, and if you don't, I promise I'll break yours myself!" Mikoto screamed out to Yuta.
"Mikoto, what are you saying? Your brother's the one at a disadvantage," Kushina said.
Mikoto just looked at Kushina like she was out of her mind. You think that boy can beat my brother? Dream on.
"As my friend, I'll tell you one thing: don't ever underestimate someone you don't know," Mikoto replied.
"Really? Are you saying the same thing that man said?" Kushina asked.
Mikoto glanced at her uncle, who stood by her grandfather's side, his eyes never leaving the fight that was about to happen.
"You see, Kushina, my brother is not on my level, and the same goes for you and Senior Nawaki, with all due respect," Mikoto said.
"What! Are you crazy?" Kushina covered Mikoto's mouth because she was worried Nawaki might take it as an insult.
Nawaki did feel offended by her words. He walked up to her and told her to repeat what she had said.
"Senior, let me ask you a question," Mikoto said.
"Go ahead," Nawaki said.
Kushina had let go of Mikoto but stayed by her side in case anything else came out of her mouth.
"Can Senior Nawaki tell me at what age you started training as a shinobi, and what your dream is?" Mikoto asked.
Her question surprised Nawaki and the others, but Orochimaru was very interested in where this was going.
"Wait, why are you bringing my dream into this conversation?" Nawaki said angrily.
Orochimaru walked over and placed his palm on Nawaki's shoulder. "Just answer the question."
Nawaki felt a chill looking at Orochimaru. As his student, he knew he had no choice but to answer.
"I started when I entered the academy. I want to become the Hokage," Nawaki replied.
Mikoto gave Kushina a dry look when she heard Nawaki's answer.
"My brother started training before he turned two years old, and his dream is…" Mikoto's mouth twitched before she continued, "…to travel across the world and taste different foods."