Uchiha District.
"Mom, I'm home!" Sasuke shouted as he kicked off his sandals in the entryway.
"Welcome home, Sasuke," Mikoto Uchiha's gentle voice responded from the kitchen.
"Where's Big Brother?" Sasuke walked into the living room, looking around impatiently.
"Why do you look for your brother the moment you get home every single time?" Mikoto walked out, wiping her hands on an apron. She smiled and patted his head.
"I have something important to discuss with him!" Sasuke pouted, emphasizing his words with a huff of dissatisfaction.
"Your brother isn't back yet." Seeing his cute expression, Mikoto's smile deepened.
"Then I'll wait for him." Sasuke plopped down on the sofa, crossing his arms.
"I'll go prepare dinner." Mikoto took a few steps, then stopped and turned back. "Didn't you start at the Ninja Academy today? How was it?"
"It's just playing ninja house. Boring," Sasuke said proudly, lifting his chin. "I'm going to take first place in the Academy, just like Big Brother did!"
"Do your best!" Mikoto clenched her fist in a cheering motion before returning to the kitchen.
A short while later, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the house.
"Big Brother!" Sasuke immediately sprang up and ran to the entryway.
"Sasuke." Itachi Uchiha offered a rare, gentle smile.
"Is our Uchiha Clan not as strong as it used to be?" Sasuke asked directly, skipping the pleasantries.
"..."
Itachi's mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. A heavy silence fell.
Even Sasuke has noticed?
The Uchiha Clan was indeed teetering on the edge of life and death.
"I had a Konoha History class today. The teacher told us the story of the village's founding," Sasuke said, eyes wide with surprise. "Back then, the Uchiha Clan had the same high reputation as the Senju Clan."
So that's it.
A look of realization dawned on Itachi's face, followed by a hidden sigh of relief. He didn't want Sasuke dragged into the conflict between the clan and the village just yet.
"Your teacher is good. To think he would even teach the true history of the Uchiha," Itachi said, his smile tinged with a complex emotion.
"Why do you say that?" Sasuke asked, confused.
He didn't know that the village's hostility toward the Uchiha had reached a boiling point. Most Academy teachers avoided the topic like the plague, usually skimming over it with vague textbook answers.
"It's nothing." Itachi shook his head, offering no explanation.
"Then... can the Uchiha Clan return to its former glory?" Sasuke asked, his eyes full of expectation.
"Yes. It will," Itachi said, his tone firm but his eyes sorrowful.
"That's right!" Sasuke grinned. "With Big Brother here, the future of the Uchiha will definitely be even stronger!"
"Mm." Itachi paused, then nodded slowly. "I will put the Uchiha Clan back on the right track."
Late Night, Konoha Streets.
Two figures walked down the empty road, their shadows stretching under the streetlights.
"You... you're drunk again... hic... your tolerance is terrible!"
Kurenai Yūhi looked at Kitazawa, her beautiful face flushed red like a blooming peach blossom.
"You're the one who's drunk. I'm fine," Kitazawa corrected her calmly.
He had drunk one bottle. Kurenai had downed three.
"Then... then why is your face red?" Kurenai giggled, swaying on her feet.
"Watch out." Kitazawa stepped forward quickly, catching her by the waist before she could stumble.
"I... I'm fine." Kurenai leaned into his embrace, her head resting on his chest.
A scent of alcohol mixed with perfume wafted up. Kitazawa instinctively looked down.
They were very close. He could clearly see the creamy whiteness of her neck and the curves accentuated by the mesh armor beneath her collar.
"We... we're home. Next time... next time, I'll treat you again." Kurenai patted his chest, then suddenly laughed. "Pretty solid, aren't you?"
"Looks like you're really drunk. Do you need me to help you inside?" Kitazawa asked, his mouth twitching.
"I'm not drunk!" Kurenai's defense mechanism activated instantly. "If you don't believe me, come inside! We'll keep drinking!"
"Okay, okay, you're not drunk," Kitazawa said in a coaxing tone, treating her like a child.
"Hmph!" Kurenai fumbled for her keys and opened the door.
Under the dim porch light, the silhouette of her perfect figure was undeniable.
"Kitazawa." Kurenai leaned her cheek against the doorframe, smiling at him. "See you tomorrow."
"Mm." Kitazawa nodded.
After the door clicked shut, he turned and walked away.
Soon, he arrived at his own doorstep.
Not far away, Ichiraku Ramen was still bustling with business, steam rising into the night air as customers came and went.
Kitazawa glanced at it, then looked away.
His home was a two-story wooden building.
The first floor was a general store. It sold everything from cooking oil, rice, firewood, and salt to snacks and soda.
He lived on the second floor. It had a bedroom, a bathroom, and a small kitchen. Though compact, it was fully equipped.
Since he had been drinking, Kitazawa couldn't be bothered to open the shop. He took a shower, collapsed onto his bed, and fell asleep instantly.
The Next Morning.
Knock, knock, knock.
Kitazawa sat up, shaking his head to clear the lingering grogginess.
He changed clothes and walked to the door, confused. Who would be looking for him this early?
He opened the door to find Kurenai standing there, looking fresh and elegant.
Before he could speak, she thrust a bag of breakfast into his hands.
"I bought this for you while fighting through a hangover headache," Kurenai said with a smile. "Thank you, my kind old classmate!"
In reality, she was thanking him for escorting her home safely last night.
"Thanks." Kitazawa took the bag. "Have you eaten?"
"I already did. I'm heading to the Kurama compound now." Kurenai paused, then added, "My student is the young miss of the Kurama Clan, Yakumo Kurama."
"I've heard of that clan. In their prime, their genjutsu prowess rivaled the Uchiha." Kitazawa glanced at the breakfast—simple bread and milk.
"That's the one." Kurenai turned, her long black hair dancing in the morning breeze. "I'm off. It's a nice day, I might try out the methods you taught me."
"She really is a good woman," Kitazawa muttered, watching her walk away.
He suddenly remembered a line often used in urban romance novels from his past life: Don't miss the good woman, don't let go of the bad woman.
After finishing breakfast, Kitazawa headed to the Academy.
Just like yesterday, because he arrived early, the classroom was mostly empty. But Hinata was already there.
Born into the strict Hyūga household, she was disciplined and punctual from a young age.
But something was different.
Today, Hinata took the initiative to greet him.
"Kitazawa-sensei..." Hinata stood up, summoning her courage.
Kitazawa's gaze settled on her face.
Being stared at for a few seconds made Hinata instantly flustered. She fidgeted with her hair, her small hands gripping the hem of her jacket, and her face turned a soft shade of pink.
"Good morning, Hinata."
Noticing her reaction, Kitazawa couldn't help but smile.
This little girl is interesting.