After being rejected by Mirai Uchiha, Xingzi gave up on her own feelings.
Originally, she had thought Mirai Uchiha was interested in her unique ability, but after learning about his strength, she realized this guess was wrong.
Later, she thought he might have been attracted to her looks, but even when she offered herself willingly, he decisively refused her.
Now, Xingzi truly couldn't understand why someone of Mirai Uchiha's stature would treat them so kindly.
After all, logically speaking, the fact that Mirai Uchiha had rescued their mother and daughter already counted as an enormous favor. There was absolutely no reason for him to keep them in his estate and personally take care of them.
However, since Mirai Uchiha didn't explain, Xingzi could only obediently focus on fulfilling her duties.
Although somewhat uncertain about how long this life might last, for both her and Yugao, enjoying the present was most important.
---
The next day dawned.
Bright sunlight poured into the room, its warmth making Xingzi happily stretch lazily.
She opened her eyes contentedly, still finding her surroundings somewhat surreal.
The nightmare of waking every morning in a dark, damp shack, waiting for Grass Ninja to drain her life energy, had finally ended.
Xingzi got up, changed into new clothes, and gently woke Yugao too.
Just then, a gentle voice from outside the door called.
"Lord Xingzi, Lord Mirai wishes to see you."
"Understood."
Xingzi responded politely before tidying herself slightly and heading out with Yugao in tow.
---
Arriving at the reception hall, Mirai Uchiha and several others were already waiting.
Seeing Xingzi and Yugao walk in, Mirai Uchiha smiled and asked, "Did you sleep well last night?"
Still somewhat hesitant around Mirai, Xingzi lowered her head and softly replied, "Lord Mirai, we slept very well last night."
As her words faded, a woman with long red hair quickly stepped forward.
"You two..."
"You're from the Uzumaki Clan?"
Looking at the woman before her, Xingzi felt puzzled but nodded in response. "Yes, though I haven't used the Uzumaki name for quite some time."
Letting out a sigh, the woman's face showed pain. "My name is Kushina Uzumaki. I am also a member of the Uzumaki Clan."
"I've heard about your experiences from Mirai. From now on, you'll never have to hide your identities again."
"Konoha will become our Uzumaki Clan's new home."
Ever since the Land of Whirlpools fell and the Uzumaki Clan vanished from the ninja world, this painful truth had haunted Kushina Uzumaki. It remained a deep wound within her heart.
Although she never voiced it aloud, Kushina had always carried a deep unease over the fate of the Uzumaki Clan.
After all, no one would wish for their entire clan to be wiped out.
That's why, when Naruto was born, she and Minato gave him the surname "Uzumaki."
Now that they had finally found two surviving Uzumaki Clan members, only to learn they had suffered such deplorable treatment...
If it weren't for the fact that Mirai Uchiha had already wiped out the Grass Ninja Village, she would personally go to the Land of Grass and pummel those bastards into oblivion!
Xingzi also hadn't expected she would meet her own clan members, and she felt an unusual sense of belonging stirring inside her.
She bowed respectfully to Kushina Uzumaki. "Lady Kushina, my name is Xingzi Uzumaki, and this is my child..."
"Uzumaki Yugao."
Kushina nodded as she reached out and gently patted Yugao's head. "When Yugao gets a bit older, entrust her training to me."
"She will be the perfect one to inherit the legacy of the Uzumaki Clan."
Just then, a boy with spiky yellow hair like a hedgehog burst into the room.
The moment he stepped in, his eyes landed on Yugao, who appeared to be about his age.
"Hey! From now on, you can stick with me. No one will dare bully you while I'm around."
When she heard the boy's words, Xingzi was momentarily taken aback.
Kushina smiled. "This is my son, Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto proudly pointed at his chest and said boastfully, "What do you think? Want to be my little sidekick?"
Yugao let out a slight scoff and disdainfully replied, "No thanks. I don't care about being your sidekick, and I certainly don't need you protecting me."
"My real hero is Mirai..."
Yugao glanced toward Mirai Uchiha and her face flushed slightly with shyness.
Seeing that, Naruto snorted coldly. "I'll defeat Mirai someday. Just wait and see."
Before Yugao could even respond to that declaration, a displeased soft scoff came from outside the door.
"Naruto, the pride of the Uchiha Clan isn't someone as pathetic as you could ever defeat."
"Even I, a genius ninja of the Uchiha Clan, have less than a fifty percent chance of beating Lord Mirai."
A smug-looking boy walked in with both hands casually stuffed in his pockets, his black hair neatly combed back.
The Uchiha Clan symbol was clearly imprinted on the back of his shirt.
Despite his young and adorable appearance, arrogance radiated from his expression.
The instant he saw the boy, Naruto's face immediately darkened.
"Sasuke! Who are you calling a dead-last?!"
Sasuke Uchiha spoke arrogantly, "There's no need to get so worked up. Compared to me, everyone else is nothing special."
"Being acknowledged by me alone should be something to be proud of."
"Well..."
Sasuke Uchiha lifted his chin proudly. "Even when fighting against Ni-san, I can now stand evenly against him."
Naruto Uzumaki scoffed, "Is your brother as strong as my dad?"
Sasuke Uchiha nodded matter-of-factly. "Of course. A ninja from the Uchiha Clan never loses to anyone."
"Tch!" Naruto Uzumaki crossed his arms defiantly. "My dad's Rasengan can blast straight through a tree!"
Sasuke Uchiha countered without hesitation: "Ni-san's Fire Release can engulf an entire forest!"
"My dad does everything lightning-fast!"
"Ni-san does everything with total calm!"
"..."
"..."
Their conversation started off fairly normal, but gradually became ridiculous.
"My dad can eat a whole cow in one meal!"
"My brother can finish two bears in one sitting!"
"My dad dares to eat poop!"
"My brother dares too!"
"My dad is the Hokage!"
"So what? My mom is the Emperor's wife! That means my dad *is* the Emperor—and he's way stronger than yours!"
Naruto Uzumaki was momentarily stunned. He looked at Kushina Uzumaki beside him and then shouted loudly, "If your mom can be the Emperor's wife, then my mom could—"
"Ugh!!!"
Kushina Uzumaki quickly covered Naruto's mouth, forcibly ending this battle before it spiraled further.
If they had continued, things might have gone in completely unpredictable directions.
Meanwhile, Yugao kept stealing glances at Mirai Uchiha, her lovesick gaze unmistakable.
Witnessing this scene, Mirai Uchiha couldn't help but smile slightly.
How heartwarming.
The children from the Original Story were slowly stepping onto the great stage of the ninja world.
Life from now on would be interesting.
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