"Look out, senpai!"
Shisui flung several shuriken, each ricocheting off one another mid-air, redirecting themselves toward Mirai from multiple blind spots.
Immediately after, Shisui formed a series of hand seals, his chest swelling with chakra.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A searing fireball followed, engulfing Mirai's silhouette in flames.
Boom!
A massive explosion resounded, dust and debris clouding the area.
Just then, a kunai shot out from the flames, hurtling toward Shisui's throat.
Shisui swiftly unsheathed a short sword, deflecting the kunai barrage.
"Body Flicker Technique!"
In an instant, Shisui's figure vanished from his original spot, reappearing right beside Mirai.
Slice!
His blade cut through Mirai's form—only for it to dissolve into a swarm of crows that scattered in all directions.
Suddenly, Shisui felt a weight dragging him down, his body was buried in the ground, leaving only his head and shoulders exposed.
"I lost, senpai," Shisui admitted.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Successfully acquired: Mental Strength +1!]
"Alright, that's enough training for today," Mirai said, releasing Shisui, though a hint of envy flickered in his heart.
This was real talent—Shisui had transformed his abilities in a matter of days. Unlike him, who relied on his "cheats" to grow stronger.
"Senpai, let's grab lunch together tomorrow—my treat!" Shisui offered.
"Maybe next time, I've got plans tomorrow."
"Oh."
Shisui nodded obediently, though a flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes. Looks like he wouldn't get to taste senpai's cooking after all.
"Here," Mirai handed him a bento box.
Shisui's eyes lit up. Senpai is really such a good person!
...
In Konoha Village...
Standing outside an apartment door, Mirai knocked gently.
"Coming," a clear voice called from inside. The door opened, revealing a red-haired woman in an apron.
"Who are you looking for?" she asked.
"I'm here to see Minato Namikaze," Mirai replied.
"Ah, you must be Uchiha Mirai!" she exclaimed, stepping aside with a smile. "Minato's mentioned you quite a few times. Says you're quite the prodigy."
"You're too kind." Mirai returned her smile. "Here's a gift for you, Kushina-sama."
"You should call me Kushina.
"Alright, Kushina."
"…"
Entering the living room, Mirai noticed Obito Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and Rin Nohara chatting on the sofa, while Minato busily prepared food in the kitchen.
Seeing Mirai arrive, Rin and Kakashi greeted him warmly, though Obito stayed put with a slight scowl.
"Mirai, is that you?" Minato called from the kitchen. "Give me a moment—the food's almost ready."
"Alright!" Mirai responded.
Tonight was a gathering for Minato's team, and since Kakashi was attending, Mirai had been invited too.
It was a golden opportunity to interact with Kushina Uzumaki—a chance he wouldn't let slip by.
During his two-month deployment on the frontlines, Mirai had noticed his chakra endurance could still improve. After using the Eight Gates, he'd fall into a period of exhaustion.
In the end, his ordinary constitution was the main culprit. If he could somehow acquire the Uzumaki Body from Kushina, his stamina would skyrocket.
As he looked at Kushina, Mirai put on an innocent smile. "Kushina, could you pour me a glass of water?"
"I could, but… shouldn't you show a bit more respect to your seniors?" Kushina raised an eyebrow, slightly annoyed.
"Oh."
He nodded. "Could I please trouble you to pour me a glass of water… Aunt Kushina?"
The air froze.
Kushina's eyes widened as she glared at him. "What did you just call me, you little brat?"
"Um…Auntie? Is there a problem?"
"You should call me sister, you punk!" Kushina's fist clenched, her fiery red hair seeming to rise in anger.
This was the first time in her life she'd been called an "auntie!" Did she really look that old?
"Sister Kushina, I was just kidding," Mirai quickly amended.
Kushina's expression softened slightly, but he pressed on with a mischievous grin,
"They say when you get mad, your hair starts wriggling around like an octopus's tentacles… and it seems they were right!"
A heavy silence filled the room.
An intense killing intent emanated from Kushina.
"You're dead meat!" she roared, snatching a frying pan and swinging it at Mirai.
He dodged as chaos erupted around them.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Successfully acquired: Uzumaki Body!]
Hearing the system notification echo in his mind, Mirai's face lit up with excitement. This was incredible—he'd gotten the Uzumaki Body on his first try. He felt a surge of warm energy rush through his body, his chakra multiplying by the second.
Not only that, but he could feel his constitution and mental strength transforming as well.
No wonder they called it the Uzumaki Body. It was unbelievable!
"You little brat! Are you actually smiling right now?" Kushina fumed, her chakra flaring.
"Uh-oh…" Mirai muttered, "Flying Thunder God Technique!"
In a flash of golden light, Minato and Kushina disappeared from the room.
A few moments later, a bruised and battered Minato returned with Kushina. Seeing his mentor's condition, Mirai held a moment of silence in his heart.
All for the future of Konoha, Minato.
"Alright, brat, I'll let you off the hook this time, but watch your mouth next time," Kushina warned, casting him a menacing glare.
Mirai nodded meekly. "Got it, Sister Kushina. I won't pull any more pranks on you."
Since he'd already gained what he came for, there was no need to provoke Kushina further.
"Hmph!" Kushina huffed, turning her attention to Obito. "You're so much more likable than him, Obito."
She led Obito to the table. "Eat up—you need your strength!"
"Yes!" Obito replied eagerly.
Seeing Kushina's doting attitude, Mirai's opinion of Obito dropped even further. Among Minato's students, Kushina favored Obito the most, treating him with such warmth.
And yet, how had Obito repaid her?
In her weakest moment, he'd forcibly ripped the Nine-Tails from her, attacked Minato and her newborn, and left the entire family in ruins…
Most ridiculous of all, he'd blamed Minato for not recognizing him sooner.
If he weren't waiting for Obito to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan to steal Kamui, Mirai would've dealt with him already!
After the meal, and with a promise to bring Kushina a gift next time as an apology, Mirai returned to his room. Having obtained the Uzumaki Body, he was eager to test his newfound power.
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