The final traces of sunlight washed across Konoha's rooftops as the group stepped out of The Slimy Smile. Warm air lingered around them, and the scent of noodles clung faintly to their clothes.
Raven stretched her arms behind her head, glancing toward Naruto. "Naruto, I'm proud of you. You expanded your diet today—you actually tried spaghetti."
Naruto folded his arms and narrowed his eyes. "As if! You didn't like that spaghetti any more than I did."
Raven's face flushed with immediate offense. "Actually, I did enjoy it. I won't be called out by a ramen lover like you—an enemy of all pizza lovers—for liking something that challenges my ethos."
Naruto glared back, his tone defiant. "I'll have you know I enjoyed it too, but you'll never get me to eat pizza, Raven."
The two glared at each other with childish stubbornness, neither willing to yield. Sparks of rivalry practically crackled in the air between them.
Ino tilted her head toward Sasuke, lowering her voice. "What are they fighting about now?"
Mikoto pressed her fingers against the bridge of her nose with weary familiarity. "Food. Always food."
Ino and Sasuke responded in perfect sync. "Oh."
Mikoto crossed her arms, her expression turning reminiscent. "This is common among the men and women of the Uchiha clan. Our fiercest rivalries happen during cooking competitions—which I usually organize, by the way."
Sasuke brightened with pride. "Mom, you're the best cook in the clan."
Mikoto ruffled his spiky black hair with affection.
"Mom!" Sasuke batted her hand away with a glare. "Don't mess up my hair—you're wrecking my image in front of my new friends!"
The word hung there, still and pointed.
Raven blinked slowly. "Sasuke, did you just call us your friends?"
Sasuke flushed red and began waving his hands. "No, I didn't! You're all my rivals! I'd never have friends outside the clan!"
Mikoto smirked with wicked satisfaction. "Yes, you would. They're your friends."
"Mom, stop it! You're embarrassing me!" Sasuke groaned as Raven, Naruto, and Ino burst into laughter so loudly it echoed across the street.
As the laughter died down, Mikoto planted her hands on her hips and looked toward them all.
"Why don't you all stop by the Uchiha training yard tomorrow?" she suggested. "We'll start Naruto's ninja training, and I can evaluate your skills for the Academy, Raven. Ino, you're welcome too."
Raven clapped her hands together eagerly. "Excellent! I can also train Ino on improving her Mind Transfer Jutsu. And I'll invite Hinata Hyūga—she'd love to sneak out of the Hyūga compound."
Mikoto's brow lifted, her curiosity piqued. "You can smuggle Hinata Hyūga out of the Hyūga compound?"
"Of course." Raven gave a slow smile. "No one will be the wiser."
Mikoto tilted her head with an amused smile. "If you can actually manage that, she's welcome to join us."
"Excellent," Raven said, nodding with confidence. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mikoto Uchiha."
"All right, Raven Kamazaki."
As everyone began preparing to part ways, Naruto scratched his head, looking momentarily confused. "Where am I supposed to go?"
"Home," Raven replied, lifting an eyebrow. "To your apartment."
"Oh, okay! I wonder if that nice lady from the orphanage brought me some extra ramen today. She usually does!"
Everyone collectively faceplanted. Sasuke was the first to spring upright, pointing accusingly.
"You just ate!"
Naruto patted his belly as it let out an audible grumble. "I know, but I'm hungry again."
Mikoto threw her hands up in defeat. "Let's go, Sasuke."
Ino groaned as she turned away. "Naruto, you shouldn't eat so much—it's bad for you."
Raven raised a hand in farewell, her tone warm. "I'll see you tomorrow, Naruto."
"Bye!" he called back, jogging toward the glowing horizon of Konoha's lantern-lit streets, humming under his breath.
Raven turned the opposite way, her steps quiet against the path. As the road curved and her friends disappeared from view, Yumi reappeared by her side.
"So," Yumi asked, pacing beside her with grace, "how'd you enjoy meeting your son for the first time?"
Raven's eyes softened. "It went well. The caretaker I assigned to him moved him into an apartment—it keeps the bullies away. She's still giving him food and clothes, so I don't have to intervene yet. He's doing better than I remember from the original timeline."
"Excellent," Yumi replied, gaze sweeping the rooftops. "While you were talking with Mikoto Uchiha, I observed her. She's… very different from the original timeline. Stronger—much stronger."
Raven nodded slowly, her tone quiet and reflective. "Yeah. She's hiding power at the Kage level, and I'm certain she's awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. Probably the first in the Uchiha clan to do so right now."
Yumi glanced sidelong at her. "And she has her older son, Itachi. He's with the Anbu for now, but he'll soon be recruited into Root under Danzō."
Raven exhaled, shoulders tense. "History's trying to repeat itself. But with most of Root already infiltrated by Riko, I'd like to see how Danzō plans to eliminate the Uchiha women this time. Mikoto? Psh. Itachi's no match for her."
Yumi gave a sharp, approving smile. "That he isn't."
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