Uchiha Ran's face lit up with joy.
"System bro, where's the reward?"
Ding. Stored in System Space.
As the notification ended, a translucent panel appeared before Ran. In the lower-left corner, 7/600 was clearly displayed.
Ran nodded in satisfaction.
Not bad. A backpack with six hundred slots.
Just then, a voice rang out from behind him.
"Ran, you're back."
The voice was steady and authoritative, instantly dampening Ran's mood.
Sensing his emotional fluctuation, the System quietly closed the interface. Ran's vision returned to normal, and he immediately spotted Uchiha Fugaku, arms crossed, lips pressed tight, staring at him coldly.
"Yes, Father. Did you need something?" Ran asked calmly, his tone respectful.
Fugaku's lips curved faintly.
"Eat first. Your mother and Sasuke are waiting for you."
At the mention of his mother and younger brother, Ran's eyes twitched, then his spirits lifted. Still, Uchiha pride ran deep—he said nothing, only nodded in acknowledgment.
Fugaku walked ahead, Ran following behind. Whether intentional or not, Ran felt the distance between them slowly closing.
When they were finally side by side, Fugaku spoke again.
"What are your plans?"
"Let's eat first. We'll talk after," Ran replied. Right now, his mind was filled only with his mother and Sasuke.
Fugaku pursed his lips, then nodded.
As they reached the living room, a voice sounded from inside.
"Is Ran back?"
The voice was gentle, warm, filled with maternal affection. The door opened, and Uchiha Mikoto stepped out, smiling.
Fugaku's eyes lit up as he moved forward—but Mikoto ignored him entirely and went straight to Ran.
She already knew what had happened at the clan meeting. She knew her second son had suppressed everyone and unified the Uchiha Clan.
She was proud—but even more worried.
To Mikoto, Konoha, politics, and ambition meant nothing. She only wanted her son to grow up safe and happy. Whether it was rebellion or a quiet life somewhere far away didn't matter to her.
She was a mother, not a strategist.
"M–Mother…" Ran's voice trembled, his eyes reddening.
For the first time, the memories of Ran and the soul that had taken over his body overlapped completely—both overwhelmed by the presence of a mother.
Mikoto swayed, tears streaming down her face as she hugged him tightly.
"My child… have you been wronged? Tell your mother."
Ran shook his head again and again.
"No… no." He sniffed, then smiled. "Mother, I missed you."
Mikoto gently stroked his hair.
"Silly child. Mom is right here. If you miss me, just come home."
Fugaku watched from the side, his gaze softening. For the first time, he found his second son… agreeable.
But Ran's heart shuddered.
Time check.
Ten days until the Night of the Uchiha Massacre—no, today was already over.
Nine days left.
Feeling the warmth of his mother's embrace, madness flickered in Ran's eyes.
I won't let anyone destroy my family.
Not even my own brother.
If anyone stands in my way, I'll kill them.
If Mother punishes me for it, I'll give her my life.
But I will never—never—let her be harmed.
Mikoto suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
The next instant, Ran withdrew his aura completely, a bright smile appearing on his face.
"Mother, I'm hungry. What are we having tonight?" he asked sweetly.
Mikoto smiled and tapped his nose.
"Silly boy. Nothing special—just salmon sushi, temari sushi, caviar…"
Ran nearly drooled.
He loved seafood—but in his previous life, ever since a certain country started dumping nuclear wastewater into the ocean, he hadn't touched seafood once.
Now, in this world, he could eat as much as he wanted.
"Yes, Mother! Let's eat quickly!" Ran said eagerly, tugging at her arm.
Mikoto laughed and took his hand, leading him inside.
Fugaku stepped forward to follow—
Bang!
The door slammed shut in his face.
Uchiha Fugaku: "…"
This was Mikoto's punishment.
Her son had been wronged, and as a father, Fugaku had done nothing.
Mikoto didn't care about talent or destiny. Ran was the child she had carried for ten months and raised with her own hands.
Ran felt warmth spread through his chest. He knew his mother was standing up for him.
At the dining table, Uchiha Sasuke was fast asleep, drool pooling on the surface.
Even so, he had clearly been waiting.
Ran's heart softened.
He walked over and flicked Sasuke's forehead.
Duang—
"Ow!"
Sasuke jolted awake, about to lash out—until he saw Ran. Instantly, he quieted down and stretched out his arms.
"Second brother~ hug~"
Sasuke giggled. At seven years old, he was still carefree and innocent.
With talent, lineage, and family, he should have grown up happily—
If not for a certain "beast" in the family.
Ran sighed inwardly, picked him up, and asked gently,
"Sasuke, did you miss your brother?"
At that moment, Fugaku walked in.
Sasuke was about to answer yes, but when he saw his father's stern face, he shrank back.
"S–Sasuke is a big kid now… I didn't…"
Ran frowned.
He turned his head and saw Fugaku standing there. Only now did he realize—Sasuke was scared.
That single fact ignited Ran's fury.
His Mangekyō Sharingan flared open as he glared straight at Fugaku.
An overwhelming pressure crashed down.
Fugaku's expression changed. He hadn't realized that being stared at directly by Ran carried such terrifying force.
No wonder the clan meeting was so intense…
"Father," Ran said coldly,
"please restrain your patriarchal attitude. Sasuke is still young."
"I don't want his childhood ruined by certain people—turning him timid and fearful."
The room fell silent.