The next morning.
Inside the slightly worn wooden house, Uchiha Rin stood on her toes at the stove, busy at work.
With practiced ease, she flipped the eggs in the frying pan while a small pot beside her bubbled softly with miso soup.
Though only eight years old, her movements were already skillful and efficient.
At that moment, Uchiha Mo walked out from the inner room, yawning. When he saw the small figure working in the kitchen, his gaze softened for just a brief instant.
The memory of last night resurfaced—
Rin standing at the doorway after moving in.
Those clear, bright eyes had swept across his home in disbelief.
A place that could only be described as… bare walls and utter chaos.
Dusty corners where cobwebs swayed gently. Ninja tools and scrolls piled into small mountains across the tatami. The kitchen stove coated in a layer of grease. The only bed left in complete disarray, blankets twisted and tangled.
The entire space carried the unmistakable aura of a man living alone… and not caring much about it.
Rin's small mouth had parted slightly, clearly stunned by the sight.
She simply couldn't understand how someone living alone, in such a small space, could make it this messy.
Mo could almost hear her inner thoughts—
How does this person even live like this?
After a brief moment of shock, Rin said nothing.
She quietly set down her small luggage and began cleaning—without asking for help even once.
In the end, Mo couldn't stand it anymore and joined in.
The two of them worked until late into the night before the chaotic house finally resembled something… livable.
And now—
Watching Rin prepare breakfast in the soft morning light, Mo felt, for the first time in a long while, that this cold, silent house had regained a trace of warmth.
Even if that warmth came from a child barely eight years old.
…
Making a simple breakfast didn't take long.
Rin placed the fried eggs onto plates, turned off the stove, and carefully carried the dishes to the low table. Then she went back for the miso soup.
"It's ready, Mo-nii-san," she said softly, sitting properly across from him.
They began eating in silence.
Mo took a bite of the egg.
The doneness was perfect.
He glanced at Rin, who was sipping her soup in small, quiet mouthfuls, and couldn't help asking,
"What are you planning to do with your old place?"
Rin set down her bowl and wiped her mouth with her sleeve.
"That house was only lent to me by the clan. Since I've moved in with you, I should return it."
Technically, although it was called a "temporary residence," the clan had more or less given it to her—just without ownership rights.
Still, Mo had no objections.
After all, Rin was still an Uchiha orphan. That place had never truly felt like home to her.
Returning it was fine.
Seeing that Mo didn't oppose, Rin smiled faintly before asking, a little hesitantly,
"I want to apply for early graduation today… is that okay?"
Mo's chopsticks paused mid-air.
He looked at the small girl across from him, her expression serious.
After a moment of silence, he gently set his chopsticks down.
"Wait another two or three years. You're only eight—you don't need to rush."
Rin's face fell immediately.
"But the classes are really too easy…"
"I know. But going to the Academy isn't just about learning. I want you to spend time with kids your age… experience a normal childhood."
The moment the words left his mouth, Mo felt a bitter irony.
He had personally brought Rin into this world. Given her a mission.
And now he was talking about normal childhoods?
How ridiculous.
Someone destined to face Uchiha Obito…
How could she ever live a normal life?
Rin lowered her head, fingers twisting lightly at the hem of her clothes.
She didn't argue.
But her eyes—those calm, overly mature eyes—spoke volumes.
At the Academy, other children gathered in groups, laughing and playing.
And she…
Always sat alone on the swing in the corner, quietly reading ninjutsu scrolls.
The Uchiha crest was like an invisible wall, separating her from everyone else.
"Mo-nii-san."
Rin looked up.
Her eyes—so similar to Nohara Rin's—carried a clarity far beyond her age.
"You said I should spend time with people my age. I tried… but the way they look at me…" Her voice was soft, yet each word cut deep. "Like I'm some kind of monster."
"Because I learn too fast. Because their parents tell them to stay away from Uchiha."
"One day at the Academy… is more exhausting than training."
The miso soup on the table had gone cold.
Outside, laughter echoed as children walked to school together.
The brighter those voices were…
The heavier the silence inside the room became.
Mo looked at the fatigue hidden in Rin's eyes and suddenly realized how naive he had been.
He wanted her to fulfill her mission—
Yet also remain pure.
He pushed her toward destiny—
Yet still hoped to leave her a way out.
What a contradiction.
What a joke.
"If you've truly made up your mind…"
"I have."
Rin cut him off immediately.
Her eyes shone with a painful determination.
"Let me graduate. Instead of wasting time at the Academy… we should start the plan earlier."
Those words struck like a hammer, shattering Mo's final hesitation.
"…Alright."
Rin's eyes lit up instantly.
She quickly finished her breakfast, her movements noticeably lighter as she stood up to clean the dishes.
"I'll head to school now!" she said at the doorway, turning back with a rare hint of excitement. "Today will be my last day."
Watching her small figure leave with light, quick steps, Mo shook his head softly.
This seemingly ordinary school day…
Was bound to stir up quite a storm.
"Looks like I need to speed things up as well."
…
After packing his ninja tools, Mo stepped out of the house.
Two of the clan head's personal guards were already waiting outside.
One stepped forward.
"Mo. The Clan Head requests your presence."
Respectful—
But not a request that could be refused.
Mo's gaze swept over them calmly. He wasn't surprised at all.
Ever since that conversation at the Academy gates yesterday…
This moment had been inevitable.
"Lead the way."
Escorted from front and back, Mo walked toward the clan head's residence.
The path was familiar.
But today, the atmosphere felt unusually heavy.
Inside the tatami room—
Uchiha Fugaku stood with his back to the entrance, staring at a painting depicting the alliance between the Uchiha and Senju clans during Konoha's founding.
"You've come."
He didn't turn around. His voice was low and authoritative.
"I have."
Mo replied calmly.
No bow.
No formal greeting.
He simply stood there, waiting.
Fugaku slowly turned, his gaze settling on Mo.
"…It seems," he said, voice tinged with curiosity, "you're not surprised that I summoned you."