Chapter 81 — A Visit Home
The morning air was crisp as Akira and Kakashi walked down the main road toward the training ground. Their pace was steady until Akira suddenly turned, heading toward the Uchiha District.
Kakashi frowned, calling after him.
> "Why are you going there? All your mission gear's at my house. Why the detour?"
Akira lifted a storage scroll between his fingers and smiled.
> "No need to worry. I already packed both our things long ago."
He tucked the scroll back into his pouch and added,
> "I'm just going home for a bit — I bought ramen for Aunt Mikoto, Uncle Fugaku, and Grandfather. You go ahead to the meeting point; I'll be there soon."
Kakashi sighed but nodded.
> "Alright, but don't be late."
With that, Kakashi turned toward Training Ground Three, leaving Akira behind.
---
Akira slipped into a narrow alley, glancing around. His eyes glowed faintly as Byakugan activated.
He scanned the surroundings — no one nearby, no Anbu shadows, and even the Hokage's Telescope Technique wasn't fixed in this direction.
> "Good," he murmured.
Focusing his chakra, Akira's Byakugan vision stretched across the distance and locked onto his home.
In the next second, space rippled — and he vanished.
---
He reappeared quietly inside his room in the Uchiha compound, the familiar scent of his old home stirring memories.
Descending the stairs, he found Mikoto Uchiha arranging breakfast in the kitchen. She turned and smiled warmly when she saw him.
> "Akira! It's been so long," she said teasingly. "What brings you here? You usually only come home when something serious happens."
Akira scratched the back of his neck, a bit embarrassed.
She wasn't wrong — he spent most of his time at Kakashi's home, rarely visiting.
Seeing the awkward look on his face, Mikoto chuckled softly.
> "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing. So, what brings you here?"
Akira pulled out the storage scroll and handed it to her.
> "I brought ramen. It tastes really good — thought you might like it."
Mikoto blinked in surprise before smiling gently.
> "How sweet of you to think of us, Akira."
Her tone carried both affection and pride — the kind only family could give.
Akira smiled faintly.
> "Alright, Aunt Mikoto, I have a mission to go on. I'll be back soon."
Before she could reply, he went upstairs again. His Byakugan flared once more, locking onto a familiar point outside the Uchiha district. Space twisted — and he vanished in a soft ripple of chakra.
---
Moments later, Akira appeared in the same alley he had left earlier. Without hesitation, he started toward Training Ground Three.
When he arrived, Minato, Shibi, Chōza, and Kakashi were already waiting.
Akira approached, the morning light glinting off his dark hair and calm expression.
He joined them silently, ready for the mission ahead.
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